Bilinear observer-based robust adaptive fault estimation for multizone building VAV terminal units

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a novel bilinear observer-based robust fault detection, isolation and adaptive fault estimation methodology to precisely estimate a class of actuator faults, namely bias in damper position and lock-in-place faults, in Variable-Air-Volume (VAV) terminal units of Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems. The proposed adaptive fault estimator is robust in the sense that the fault estimates are not affected by the unmeasured disturbance variable and that the effects of measurement noises on fault estimates are attenuated. The fault estimation algorithm with the integrated building control system improves occupants comfort and reduces the operation, maintenance, and utility cost, thereby reducing the impact on the environment. The effectiveness of the methodology for adaptive estimation of multiple or single VAV damper faults is successfully demonstrated through different simulation scenarios with SIMBAD (SIMulator of Building And Devices), which is being used in industries for testing and validation of building energy management systems.

Keywords:

• Building automation
• fault diagnosis
• HVAC-VAV dampers
• lock-in-place failure
• bias fault
• building energy efficiency

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work has received funding from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, India under the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme [awardee number VISPHD-MEITY-1085] and Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India, India under [grant agreement number MTR/2019/001582]. The third author was partially supported by the European Union within the 7th Framework Program-Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies (FP7-NMP), Sub-program EeB.NMP, 2013-4: Integrated control systems and methodologies to monitor and improve building energy performance.