Validation of an enhanced heat pump Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) numerical model in a cold climate using measured field data and simulation

无管道多分体式热泵(能够供暖和制冷)在住宅和ICI(工业-商业-机构)部门的现有暖通空调市场中占据了很大份额。热泵技术是一项相对较新的进步，它结合了可变制冷剂流量(VRF)系统，是对传统多分离式系统的重大改进，目前正在北美市场获得更多采用。一些国际研究表明，根据建筑和地理变量的不同，VRF系统可以节省10%-60%的能源消耗，然而，在北美发现的VRF研究很少。使这个问题更加复杂的是，VRF技术的各个方面通常是专有的，这使得使用整个建筑模拟软件准确建模变得困难。尽管一些模拟引擎试图将VRF系统纳入其功能，但由于缺乏使用测量的现场数据验证这些模型的研究，减缓了VRF系统的市场采用，因为机械工程师选择依赖传统系统而不是未经验证的新技术，即使已公布的性能显著增强。该项目的总体目标是为VRF系统开发一个经过现场数据验证的数值模型。

Ductless multi-split heat pumps (capable of heating and cooling) represent a large part of the existing HVAC market in both the residential and ICI (industrial-commercial-institutional) sectors. A relatively recent advancement in heat pump technology, incorporating variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems represent a significant enhancement to traditional multi-split systems and are gaining more adoption in North American markets today. Several international studies have shown VRF systems can save 10- 60% of energy consumption depending on building and geographic variables, however, very few VRF studies have been found in North America. Further complicating this issue is the fact that aspects of VRF technology are typically proprietary in nature, making it difficult to accurately model using whole-building simulation software. Although some simulation engines have attempted to incorporate VRF systems in their capabilities, the absence of research verifying these models using measured field data, has slowed market adoption of VRF systems since mechanical engineers choose to rely on traditional systems rather than non-verified new technology, even if published performance is significantly enhanced. The overall goal of this project is to develop a numerical model for VRF systems that is validated by field data.