An optimal predictive control strategy for radiant floor district heating systems: Simulation and experimental study

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the energy performance of an optimal predictive control strategy for radiant floor district heating systems. A four-zone radiant floor heating system model was developed. The simulated performance of the optimal predictive control strategy was studied. The results showed 10% energy savings compared to a Proportional-Integral (PI) control strategy. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory radiant floor district heating system test facility. The description of the test facility, its operating conditions, and the results obtained are described. Experimental results further confirm the findings from the simulation study. Being simple and energy efficient, the optimal predictive control strategy is a good candidate control strategy for radiant floor district heating systems.

Practical application: Energy efficiency is a major issue of interest in the design and operation of sustainable heating systems. The radiant floor district heating systems have been successfully installed and operated in many countries resulting in significant energy savings. The optimal predictive control strategy proposed in this study further enhances the potential for higher energy savings from the district heating systems. The optimal control strategy is simple to implement as it relies on the predicted outdoor air temperature and computes future temperature set-points for the boiler water temperature. A suitably tuned Proportional-Integral (PI) controller can be used to track the optimal set-point thus realizing potential energy savings. A programmable logic controller or a supervisory control system would be appropriate to implement the designed optimal control strategy. The local control can be realized by using industrial PI feedback controllers.