blockReturnFan

Modulates dampers of economizer in buildings using return fan to control the pressure

Information

Block modulates the damper of economizers of buildings with pressure controlled by return fan and airflow tracking. It is implemented according to Section 5.16.2.3.d, Figure 5.16.2.3-2 and Figure 5.16.2.3-3 of ASHRAE Guideline 36, May 2020.

Return air damper position limits, which are the inputs to the sequence, are the outputs of sequences in package Buildings.Controls.OBC.ASHRAE.G36.AHUs.MultiZone.VAV.Economizers.Subsequences.Limits. It also requires input uTSup from Buildings.Controls.OBC.ASHRAE.G36.AHUs.MultiZone.VAV.SetPoints.SupplySignals sequences.

The time rate of change of the damper signals is limited by a first order hold, using the sample time samplePeriod. This prevents a quick opening of the outdoor air damper, for example when the outdoor airflow setpoint has a step change. Slowing down the opening of the outdoor air damper allows the freeze protection to componensate with its dynamics that is faster than the opening of the outdoor air damper. To avoid that all dampers are closed, the return air damper has the same time rate of change limitation.

The modulation is shown as the control chart:

Image of the damper modulation for economizer in buildings with pressure controller by return fan

Note in the above chart, if the building has direct pressure control (have_dirCon), the profile for relief air damper control should be ignored.

Parameters

TypeNameDefaultDescription
Booleanhave_dirContrueTrue: the building have direct pressure control
Commissioning › Controller
RealuMin-0.25Lower limit of controller input when outdoor damper opens (see diagram)
RealuMax+0.25Upper limit of controller input when return damper is closed (see diagram)

Connectors

TypeNameDefaultDescription
Buildings.Controls.OBC.CDL.Interfaces.RealInputuTSupSupply air temperature control loop signal
Buildings.Controls.OBC.CDL.Interfaces.RealInputuRetDam_maxMaximum return air damper position limit as returned by the economizer enable-disable sequence
Buildings.Controls.OBC.CDL.Interfaces.RealInputuRetDam_minMinimum return air damper position limit as returned by the economizer enable-disable sequence
Buildings.Controls.OBC.CDL.Interfaces.RealOutputyRetDamReturn air damper position
Buildings.Controls.OBC.CDL.Interfaces.RealOutputyRelDamRelief air damper position
Buildings.Controls.OBC.CDL.Interfaces.RealOutputyOutDamOutdoor air damper position

Revisions

  • August 1, 2020, by Jianjun Hu:
    First implementation.