Novel cylindrical induction controller and its application in VAV air conditioning system in an office building

High performance variable air volume (VAV) air-conditioning systems can be as energy efficient as systems based on water or refrigerant, while first and life-cycle costs of such systems are significantly lower. The paper presents experimental test results of a novel cylindrical induction VAV controller and simulation results of energy consumption and thermal comfort in an office building with such controllers. A method for estimation of the minimum induced airflow required to avoid cold air dumping and a method for induction controllers and diffusers selection and sizing are proposed. To compare the VAV system with induction controllers and two other popular air conditioning systems, in terms of energy consumption and thermal comfort in an office building, the IDA Indoor Climate and Energy simulation tool was applied. The comparison was made for moderate climate conditions of Krakow, Poland, typical of Central and East Europe. The results showed that the total consumption of the electric energy used in cooling season for cooling and media transportation was similar when using a VAV system with induction controllers, a system with air chilled beams or a fan coils system. Similar thermal conditions were also observed.