Simulation and optimization of novel control methods for improving field operation of absorption chiller ice storage system

吸收式制冷机是利用热源来驱动冷却/制冷过程的设备。这些系统很有吸引力，因为它们可以从非常规能源中驱动，如废热，热电联产回收的热量或太阳能热，使其成为区域三联产系统和分散位置的理想选择。氨基吸收式制冷机是独一无二的，因为它们能够产生冰，如果正确存储和管理，可以作为缓冲，将不匹配的时变热源和冷却负荷结合起来，从而提高能源系统的效率。尽管有这些好处，这些系统很少在实践中使用，因为很少有人知道他们的部分负载性能和可操作性。目前的项目旨在开发新的方法和技术，以改善目前最先进的氨基吸收式制冷机系统。将采用两种不同但又互补的方法。第一种方法涉及数值系统建模，以优化热力学效率，组件尺寸，控制策略和成本。第二种方法涉及一种新的实时PID控制器增益优化系统的设计，测试和原型。两名高技能的博士生将在四年内与加拿大的行业合作伙伴Thermalfrost Intl合作开展这项工作。股份有限公司、目前是全球商用热冷水机组的市场领导者。研究人员将通过模型开发和在下一代设备中实施他们的发现来为Thermalfrost提供知识产权。由于Thermalfrost制冷机主要由废物和可再生热源提供动力，因此大规模实施该技术将在减少加拿大制冷行业的能源消耗和相关温室气体排放方面发挥积极作用。在当前项目中进行的研究将有助于培养研究生，并扩大卡尔顿大学的数值分析能力。该项目的预期成果（即期刊/会议出版物，知识产权开发）将进一步促进吸收式制冷领域的科学知识，并有助于为Thermalfrost吸引新的商业机会。

Absorption chillers are devices that make use of a heat source to drive a cooling/refrigeration process. These systems are attractive as they can be driven from unconventional energy sources like waste heat, heat recovered from cogeneration, or solar thermal heat, making them ideal for use in district trigeneration systems and decentralized locations. Ammonia-based absorption chillers are unique since they are capable of producing ice, which if stored and managed correctly can act as a buffer to integrate mismatched time-varying heat sources and cooling loads, thus increasing energy system efficiency. Despite these benefits, these systems are seldom used in practice since little is known regarding their part-load performance and operability. The current project aims to develop novel methods and technologies for improving the current state-of-the-art in ammonia-based absorption chiller systems. Two distinct yet complementary approaches will be used. The first approach involves numerical system modelling to optimize thermodynamic efficiency, component sizing, control strategies, and cost. The second approach involves the design, testing, and prototyping of a novel real-time PID controller gains optimizer for the system. Two highly skilled PhD students will carry out this work over the course of four years in collaboration with Canada-based industry partner Thermalfrost Intl. Inc., a current global market leader in commercial-scale thermal chillers. The researchers will provide intellectual property to Thermalfrost via model development and implementation of their findings in next generation devices. Since Thermalfrost chillers are mainly powered by waste and renewable heat sources, large-scale implementation of this technology will play an active role in reducing energy consumption and related GHG emissions in the Canadian cooling sector. The research undertaken in the current project will help train graduate students and extend the numerical analysis capabilities at Carleton University. The anticipated outcomes of the project (i.e. journal/conference publications, intellectual property development) will further scientific knowledge in the field of absorption refrigeration and assist in attracting new business opportunities for Thermalfrost.