Simulation-based optimization method for retrofitting HVAC ductwork design

Zakarya Kabbara

doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.113991

Simulation-based optimization method for retrofitting HVAC ductwork design

2024-03-01

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DOI：10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.113991

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Retrofitting the design of a ductwork system is often a critical aspect when renovating a centralized air distribution system. However, the existing approaches rely on the rules of thumb due to the absence of a standardized guideline for the design retrofitting process. Consequently, design engineers face costly and time-consuming challenges in generating retrofitted designs, particularly when dealing with the complexities of reusing the existing ductwork system. Although their design output may achieve functionality, it is not necessarily optimal in terms of cost and performance. To overcome these challenges, this paper proposes a simulation-based ductwork design strategy that utilizes metaheuristic optimization techniques to generate optimized ductwork designs for retrofits. The proposed method offers an automated solution for generating optimized ductwork configurations (i.e., layout and sizes). It strategically maximizes the reuse of existing ductwork components while simultaneously fulfilling the design performance criteria desired by the system and minimizing its life cycle cost. A case study was conducted to present the effectiveness of the developed method in retrofitting the ductwork design for a multi-story school building. This study involved a comparison between the design solution generated by the proposed method and the design solution generated through a conventional retrofitting design approach. The results from the proposed design retrofitting method showed a 17 % lower LCC and an approximately equally well-balanced design. These findings indicate the method's promising potential to contribute to the HVAC industry by providing an effective simulation-based method for automatically optimizing ductwork designs for retrofits.

Keyword:

HVAC ductwork

Ventilation

Retrofitting

Ductwork design optimization

Simulation -based design

Simulation-based optimization method for retrofitting HVAC ductwork design

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