Nonlinear dynamics, bifurcation and performance analysis of an air-handling unit: Disturbance rejection via feedback linearization

Nowadays, dynamic analysis of air-conditioner units is essential to achieve satisfactory comfort conditions in buildings with low energy consumption and operation cost. In this paper, a nonlinear multi input–multi output model (MIMO) of an air-handling unit (AHU) is considered. In the presence of realistic harmonic disturbances, nonlinear dynamics of AHU is investigated. The effect of various thermodynamics and geometrical parameters on limit cycles behaviour of the indoor temperature is investigated. It is observed that the indoor space volume plays as the bifurcation parameter of the system. Decreasing the indoor space volume leads to the occurrence of secondary Hopf (Neimark) bifurcation and consequently the unstable quasi-periodic solution of the indoor temperature. To overcome this problem, a multivariable control strategy based on feedback linearization approach is implemented, in which the air and cold water flow rates are the control inputs while the indoor temperature and relative humidity are the control outputs. It is shown that the designed controller guarantees the comfort indoor conditions by preventing the unstable quasi-periodic responses and improving the limit cycles behaviour.

► Nonlinear multi input–multi output model (MIMO) of an air-handling unit (AHU).
► Analysis of nonlinear dynamics of AHU, in the presence of harmonic disturbances.
► Effect of various thermodynamics and geometrical parameters on limit cycles behaviour.
► Hopf bifurcation and quasi-periodic solution, with change of the indoor space volume.
► Design of nonlinear controller to improve limit cycles behaviour and indoor conditions.