A novel method for building air conditioning energy saving potential pre-estimation based on thermodynamic perfection index for space cooling

Abstract

The construction energy consumption (CEC) is about 35% of entire energy consumption (EC), of which 50% is for cooler air-conditioner. The practical cooling EC is relevant to the dynamic thermal performance of cooler air-conditioner. Analyzing the difference in cooling efficiency and energy-saving potential (ESP) of the same equipment is significant to cutting down building EC. Using the concept of thermodynamic perfectness, a thermal model of refrigeration equipment is established to analyze the deviation from the ideal refrigeration cycle. At the same time, to explore the internal connection between its energy conservation and climate adaptability, five typical cities in different thermal climate zones were selected. Dynamic load model of an office building is established and the cooling EC throughout the year of each city is simulated separately. Preliminary research results show that the thermodynamic perfectness does not have a single-valued function relationship with their cooling efficiency; Guangzhou has the highest cooling demand, with a total cooling load 14.3% higher than Wuhan, and its cooling EC is lower than Wuhan. Through the establishment of a thermodynamic model and preliminary application, the calculation of the cooling ESP in different climatic regions in Chinese summer is greatly important to the usage of air conditioner.

Keywords

• building cooling
• irreversibility
• energy saving potential
• climatic zone
• dynamic modelling