method for smart and affordaBle Evaluation of simultaneous faults in heating and cooling sYstems based ON compresseD vapor technology

Introduction

This project seeks to revolutionise fault detection, diagnosis, and evaluation (FDDE) by designing an innovative, knowledge-based, and cost-effective method. Currently, FDDE for vapor compression cooling systems (VCCS) is performed only for large plants. For small plants, instead, only fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) is run, while the evaluation is not affordable, according to current patents, allowing eventually only one fault at a time.

Innovation

The innovation beyond the state of the art (SoA) of our proposal lies in the method's ability not only to detect but also to precisely identify fault types and assess the severity of up to three concurrent SOFT-faults (complete FDDE). This assessment focuses on:

1. Refrigerant charge
2. Heat exchangers fouling

These factors are among the most insidious and frequent issues. Through data processing, the method allows for the collection of energetic and environmental knowledge of the system and elaborates economic calculations. This makes it possible to provide a powerful and innovative decision-support service of interest for:

• Energy service providers
• Final users
• Policy makers

Implementation

Beyond the project, the method could be easily implemented in small-size vapor compression systems (VCCS), which are the most common kind of system. This implementation would preserve the original hardware except for some inexpensive extra measurements and data processing. These can be easily managed with IoT devices and ICT infrastructures.

Research Approach

The proposed research will investigate a method through proof of concept regarding the possibility of determining univocally the FDDE by running an appropriate set of values to the degrees of freedom of the machine. The research requires:

1. Development and experimental validation of a model
2. Production of a large synthetic database for several machines
3. Demonstration of the method by a virtual test
4. Effective experimental validation

Relevance

The project is relevant to the challenge scope, aligning with the objectives of exploring new methods and processes to reduce operational costs, increase efficiency, and enhance environmental performance in cooling systems.