Good day to anyone reading this post.
I am working with an HVAC system with humidification and when checking the input-output reference I saw that there is an option for the Gas-Fired humidifier to extract water from an storage tank. And this could be used for thermal storage which I'm interested in simulating.
The last variable of the input object "Humidifier:Steam:Gas" can be "FixedInletWaterTemperature" or "VariableInletWaterTemperature", defaulting to fixed. This variable is supposed to either do calculations with water always fixed at 20oC or do calculations with real water temperature.
However when using the "Variable" option and changing the temperature schedule of the storage tank the gas consumption of the humidifier is constant, therefore not seeing any difference regarding water temperature.
I have tried different temperature schedules for the storage tank as well as the mains, checked that the source code uses the exact string "VariableInletWaterTemperature" as an input for the last field of the humidifier object (If any other than that or fixed is inputted, the simulation stops anyways), I have changed from variable to fixed and it also doesn't change the consumption and I have checked the calculations of the source code "Humidifiers.cc" and I can't see an easy to identify issue.
I tested this on the example file for the Humidifer:Gas so that I know the issue isn't in a different place. I use EP 9.4 but I also tested on the latest EP 24.1.0 ad the issue remains. Here is a dropbox link for the EP 9.4 version of the example files, one unchanged and one with the changes in the humidifier and addition of a water storage tank and temperature schedule. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rhi0c17rpv0suwkoyatk1/AFZ9p8FTrVe87ZEzXb5Bb_c?rlkey=h5fksy75u3iowk312czype0hl&dl=0
The full text changes of the input files are from lines 2643 to 2685:
Humidifier:Steam:Gas,
Main Gas Humidifier, !- Name
ALWAYS_ON, !- Availability Schedule Name
autosize, !- Rated Capacity {m3/s}
autosize, !- Rated Gas Use Rate {W}
0.80, !- Thermal Efficiency {dimensionless}
ThermalEfficiencyFPLR, !- Thermal Efficiency Modifier Curve Name
0, !- Rated Fan Power {W}
0, !- Auxiliary Electric Power {W}
Mixed Air Node 1, !- Air Inlet Node Name
Main Humidifier Outlet Node, !- Air Outlet Node Name
Tanque_Humidificador, !- Water Storage Tank Name
VariableInletWaterTemperature;
WaterUse:Storage,
Tanque_Humidificador, !- Name
, !- Water Quality Subcategory
1, !- Maximum Capacity {m3}
0, !- Initial Volume {m3}
0.5, !- Design In Flow Rate {m3/s}
0.1, !- Design Out Flow Rate {m3/s}
, !- Overflow Destination
Mains, !- Type of Supply Controlled by Float Valve
0.25, !- Float Valve On Capacity {m3}
1, !- Float Valve Off Capacity {m3}
0.1, !- Backup Mains Capacity {m3}
, !- Other Tank Name
ScheduledTemperature, !- Water Thermal Mode
Domestic hot water setpoint temperature: Always 55.00 !- Water Temperature Schedule Name
, !- Ambient Temperature Indicator
, !- Ambient Temperature Schedule Name
, !- Zone Name
, !- Tank Surface Area {m2}
, !- Tank U Value {W/m2-K}
; !- Tank Outside Surface Material Name
For the UNMET HOURS post, the last 6 fields of the storage tank are according to the guide unused and left for possible future use and have no use right now.
! Schedule: Domestic hot water setpoint temperature: Always 55.00
Schedule:Compact,
Domestic hot water setpoint temperature: Always 55.00,
Any Number,
Through: 12/31,
For: AllDays,
Until: 24:00, 55 ;
I wish the reader a good day and will respond any further inquiries about the issue that I haven't correctly explained,
Regards, PMP.
