A tool for the optimal sensor placement to optimize temperature monitoring in large sports spaces

The Sensor Optimization Unit (SOU) is a tool, meant to be used by HVAC engineer, for the optimization of temperature sensors placement in large sports spaces, where the HVAC system usually maintains climate conditions actuating control rules based on one temperature sensor, installed in the return air duct or in a single point of the space, without taking into account the indoor air temperature distribution. The SOU characterizes the indoor horizontal air temperature distribution which can be retrieved with a simulation model or field measurement. A dedicated measurement performance index is calculated to determine the optimal sensors location that provides the maximum accuracy with the minimum number of sensors to be deployed. The application and validation of the tool in a real indoor swimming pool outlined that the measurement uncertainty due to the incorrect location of the existing thermostat was higher than ± 0.5 °C (thermostat uncertainty datasheet) for the 42% of the period considered. The optimized placement determined with the SOU decreased that period to 1.5% of the overall time.