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Thermal storage system in refrigerated warehouse

asked 2015-04-21 21:51:29 -0600

hauwenw's avatar

updated 2015-04-21 22:38:24 -0600

Hi everyone,

We are trying to model a refrigerated warehouse in OpenStudio/EnergyPlus. The building includes office spaces and walk-in coolers. The refrigeration system serves several walk-in coolers and an ice thermal storage tank for the HVAC system. Is there any way I can connect the refrigeration system and the HVAC system in EnergyPlus?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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answered 2015-04-22 09:19:21 -0600

updated 2015-04-22 09:49:10 -0600

Are you using the ZoneHVAC:RefrigerationChillerSet to model this? This should be doable if that's the case.

If you're using a Refrigeration:CompressorRack to model the compressors you may be able to use the Refrigeration:TransferLoadList to connect the thermal storage to the walk-ins but I have not personally attempted this.

I would recommend using the ZoneHVAC:RefrigerationChillerSet approach because EnergyPlus doesn't really account for the part-load performance of Refrigeration:CompressorRack's to begin with :( Compressor rack performance is solely dependant on the discharge and suction temperatures.

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Thanks for your answer. I am using the ZoneHVAC:RefrigerationChillerSet, but I'm still confused about how to transfer the energy.

The ZoneHVAC:RefrigerationChillerSet exchange energy directly with a zone, while an ice thermal storage is typically connected to input and output nodes (plant loop). I am new to EnergyPlus so I'm not sure how to connect the two system.

hauwenw's avatar hauwenw  ( 2015-04-22 22:34:17 -0600 )edit

After looking into this some more it appears the Refrigeration:TransferLoadList and Refrigeration:SecondarySystem objects don't support the HeatExchanger:FluidToFluid object which is the only way I can imagine a PlantLoop can be connected to a refrigeration system. I'm pretty sure thermal storage systems have to be connected to PlantLoops. Given this, I guess EnergyPlus doesn't directy support the system setup you're looking for.

Maybe you can approximate it using a PlanLoop with a custom operating fluid and some type of terminal unit with an evaporator coil?

Lincoln's avatar Lincoln  ( 2015-04-23 09:54:38 -0600 )edit

Is there a measure or code to add the ZoneHVAC:RefrigerationChillerSet to OpenStudio 1.9?

kramerica's avatar kramerica  ( 2015-12-30 14:02:56 -0600 )edit

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Asked: 2015-04-21 21:51:29 -0600

Seen: 373 times

Last updated: Apr 22 '15