ENERGY SAVING FOR AIR CONDITIONING BY PROPORTIONAL CONTROL, VARIABLE AND CONSTANT SPEED MOTOR COMPRESSOR

Henry Nasution1, Mat Nawi Wan Hassan2

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Engineering Technology Bung Hatta University, Jalan Gadjah Mada No.19, 25143 - Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia 2 Department of Thermo Fluid, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor Bahru, 81310 Johor, Malaysia henrynasution@yahoo.com nawi@fkm.utm.my
1

ABSTRACT
Due to cost problem (e.g. fuels and electricity), energy cases are an urgent need to solve specially in industrialized country, like Malaysia. Variable speed at compressor by using of manual (without control system) and control system have been purposed in air conditioning system, it has big potency in the effort of usage electrics energy saving. In this research, the usage of central type air conditioning with capacities 3 kW, with nominal motor rotation is 1450 rpm. Base on reference, the room temperature is 22 o C while the motor rotation variation are : 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 Hz. Our results indicated that the value of electric energy saving consumption is 20,77 % at motor frequency 40 Hz, and 22,54 % by using proportional control systems.

KEYWORDS : Energy saving, air conditioning, proportional control, variable speed 1. INTRODUCTION

Energy conservation, is begins with an action to reduce demand for energy in an individual country, and now has become a subject of regional and even worldwide discussion. It is not only can be applying on a new design system but also on retrofit projects [1]. As long as its fulfill the energy saving condition, and also have the lowest or minimum energy consumption, will be satisfied for the consumer needed, the conservation strategies can be implemented. So that problem is become compulsion that must be fulfill for every registered in state is Protocol Kyoto [2]. Electric energy is a part of essential energy sourcing, it has been increased the consumption cost since 1973. In Malaysia demand for electric energy has been increased with average rate of 11, 2 % per annum in each year, this case was followed by the development of technology in this country. The electricity consumption consists of lighting application, electrical appliance, machineries and air conditioning system [1]. There are 1325 units of air conditioner in 1970, it was increased to 253 399 in 1991 and will be 1 511 276 in 2020 [3-5]. In Malaysia, the numerical electrical energy consumption was found be 47197.2 GWh in 1998. While in commercial sector only 33, 1 % and for industrial sector 48, 8 %. Generally in commercial building, air conditioning was consumed 40 % to 70 % of total electrical energy. In view of the high level of air conditioning energy consumption, it is imperative that energy and cost saving measures are undertaken to minimize the wasteful use of energy [6].

2.

VARIABLE SPEED AND CONTROLLER

In 1987, The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) has been established minimum energy efficiency standards for room air conditioner, it was be effective on January 1990. Minimum energy efficiency ratios (EER) was be limited from 8.0 to 9.0 (Btu/h)/W (2.34 to 2.64 W/W) in 1990. Nevertheless, there are some methods for improving the efficiency of room air conditioner, they are : increase frontal heat exchanger area, increase depth of heat exchanger, increase

fin density, add sub cooler to condenser coil, improve fin design, improve tube design, spray condensate onto condenser coil, improve fan motor efficiency, improve compressor efficiency, design options for improving seasonal efficiency and alternative refrigerant [7]. Since 1982 to 2002, only 10 papers related to this research. Two papers present adjustable speed of compressor for air conditioning by using control system such as PID control (Krakow, 1995) and On Off control (Koury, 2001) with numerical or simulation methods [8-9]. In another papers only with manual (not used the control system) adjustable speed control of compressor. There are not many research about this topic because it have been delayed to setting of control system, It is different with the setting of control system of model equipment that needed an inverter and controller as additional equipment (need additional cost). If we refer to minimum energy efficiency for air conditioning, energy crisis (specifically for fuel energy), if the renewable energy is not available, this problem must be done. There are many country in the world like Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Philippine, Russia and US have been enacted minimum energy efficiency standards for appliance. This program can be mandatory (i.e., government law or regulation) or voluntary (i.e., agreement with manufacturers) [4]. The energy consumption for air conditioning system is highest compared to other system such as lighting, elevators, escalators and others. Fig. 1. Show typical energy consumption for an air conditioning plant system, the highest energy usage is contributed from compressor with 75 % of energy consumption. The potential of a variable speed compressor for providing load-matching capability has become an interest in the efforts to reduce the energy consumed by the compressor [1].
Cooling Tower Fan (1 %) Condenser Pump (27 %) Compressor (72 %)

Fig. 1. Typical energy consumption in air conditioning The solution of energy saving at high building is with usage of electrics for the air conditioning and lighting can be decreased by as low as possible, because energy usage in building can reach 90 % for the air conditioning and lighting [10]. 2.1 Variable Speed Motor of Compressor To regulate the motor speed is by using the inverter. Which can variation the rotation base on change frequency, while current and voltage of motor do not experience of change. Because in inverter system, frequency will be proportional its change to rotation, voltage, current and power electric. With the equipments, motor can fluctuate the condition according to the needed and do not experience of damage trouble. The equation derivation of frequency-temperature (Eq.1) has been used to make an assumption the proportionality of motor frequency was inversely to the room temperature at steady state. Base on Fig.2, the increasing of motor speed was followed by decreasing of room temperature. This equation was used to archive stable temperature and frequency of motor speed [1]. From the general line equation, Ttarget is derived as follows :

Fmax Fout Fmax Fmin = T1 Tt arg et T1 T2

where : Ftarget Fmax : motor frequency out put (Hz) : maximal frequency setting (Hz)

(1)

Fmin T1,2 Ttarget

: minimal frequency setting (Hz) : temperature measurement (oC) : temperature set point (oC) Fmax Frequency (Hz)

Ftarget Fmin Temperature (oC)

T1

Ttarget

T2

Fig. 2. Frequency Temperature relationship The implementation of variable speed for the compressor has been selected as a means to investigate the reliability and compatibility of variable speed compressor in capacity and energy control. Since energy consumed by a compressor in an air conditioning system is the highest than other component, it is naturally wise to consider the energy saving in the compressor. However, saving in energy consumption of the compressor is very important since it will reduce the energy consumption of the system significantly. 2.2 Proportional Control System of Air Conditioning Conventional air conditioning control system are run on a fixed setting throughout the day, with target the value of room temperature for the building facility space. The control center of the building used to be unable to change this fixed setting even in cases in which the setting led to energy being wasted as a result of excessive heating or cooling. The principle is the target set values for the room temperature should or could be changed more finely to suit the constantly changing room environment did not exist. By using proportional control, the controller output was being directly proportional to their input and as time function. If room temperature was not reached temperature that find out yet, the controller will inconstant work until set point acquired. The temperature alteration always proportional with motor speed compressor. Control systems very important in air conditioning system when the system is designed to operate automatically. These control methods may utilize differences between space and set point values of temperatures, subsequently, to control motor speeds. The proportional control circuit [11], shown in Fig.3, the controller is effectively just an operational amplifier with a constant gain. Fig.3 explain by proportional control systems by using operational amplifier (1). The controller (5) will accept input according to room temperature (4), Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) was used as typical of sensor, it was worked according to the change of temperature and voltage inversely principle. As well as principle of control, the smallest error was achieved with the change of temperature and motor speed. Change of constants value will be trial and error at switch regulator temperature set point (3). Output from control will be accepted in the form current change (2) and it will become as input at inverter to make a change of motor speed. If this condition was not fulfill base on regulator set point, yet so motor speed was be fluctuation, until condition needed (reference of temperature the same with room temperature).

5 2

4 3

where : 1. Operational amplifier 2. Gain current 3. Switch regulator temperature set point 4. NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) 5. Gain voltage (Proportional Control) Fig. 3. Proportional circuit diagram

3.

EXPERIMENTAL PROSEDURE

The experiment has been established with the following procedure : running of the constant speed compressor or the compressor working nominal speed about 50 Hz (fixed speed). The results obtained will be used later as a data comparative with the variable speed compressor. The second procedure, is testing on the compressor base on the different of frequency setting, it must be conducted prior to the variable speed compressor tests. The aim providing the data reference on the compressor like by using ARTDRiveG (AGy2055-KBX type inverter) as speed control used, that are related to the limitation range of temperature set points, output voltage, current and frequency of the motor and power and also energy used. In this condition, it is will be specified : temperature set point is 22 o C, minimum and maximum motor frequencies are 20 and 50 Hz. The next procedure, control application for variable speed by controlling the rotation of motor compressor with proportional control type of usage. These control methods may utilize differences between space and set point values of temperatures, subsequently, to control motor speeds. This research were conducted during 3 hours, while the data have been collected by interface connected (Advantech PCI-1711/PCLD-8710) every 5 minutes. It can be seen and saved in the computer, enable the user to see the event in the system environment. Displaying of data is room temperature and variable features of motor (frequency, power, voltage, current, and speed). The installation of experimental is shown in Fig. 4.

4.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

According to the results of this research can be explain in the Fig.5, Fig.6, and Table 1 it was drawn by using of MS Excell Software. Fig.5, Fig.6 and Table 1 is shown that, the timing of AC operated will be increase at frequency 50 Hz and it will decreasing the room temperaute at 19 o C, by using of constant speed energy value at 2,5 kW. Variation of frequency at 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 Hz will influence to the reacting of temperature variation at 23.9, 22.1, 21.3, 21.0, 20.2, 19.3, and 19 o C, while energy consumption is 0.96 to 2.55 kW.

Fig. 4. Experimental apparatus

29.0 27.0 25.0 23.0 21.0 19.0 17.0 15.0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190

Proportional Control

Temperature (o C)

Temperature Reference = 22 oC Constant Speed

Const Speed 30 Hz 45 Hz 25 Hz 40 Hz 20 Hz 35 Hz P Contr

Time (Minute)

Fig. 5. Temperature distribution at different frequency settings

9 8 7 6 Energy (kW.h) 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 Time 50 Hz 40 Hz 30 Hz 20 Hz 45 Hz 35 Hz 25 Hz P Control

Constant Speed (50 Hz) Using P Control

Variable Speed

Fig. 6. Energy consumption

If specified reference temperature is 22 o C, this condition reached at frequency 25 Hz, it did not efficient because needed longer time to reach reference temperature otherwise during the cooling load variation (reference temperature did not reach for cooling). Although effort for the save energy consumption continue to be strived, temperature remain to be indicator to user. For that the effort taken with usage of control systems able to fulfill two the condition above. Proportional control systems have been used in the first steps of this research, while temperature of reference is the same as room temperature by using of energy with capacity as small as posible. In Table 2, is shown that energy fluctuation will so that temperature of reference condition reached. During the system condition is reaching and stabilize, the motor will operate on minimum frequency at 20 Hz, and given load in room, next the system will operate the specified condition which (temperature of reference condition). From experimental was shown that, to save energy consumption can be solving by made a variation of frequency and this condition was also depended on temperature of reference. By using of proportional control system, it can save energy consumption of 22,54 % toward AC standard operation. Without using control system, the condition of AC operation admit to be degraded up to frequency 40 Hz, can save energy consumption equal to 20,77 % toward 50 Hz frequency.. Table 1. Experimental results

5.

CONCLUSION

Variable speed control indicates that space temperature may be controlled simultaneously by the simultaneous operation of compressor speed, with the result that operation of compressor speed to adapted of temperature (cooling load) changing. In this system is one of the actions to develop minimum energy efficiency for renewable energy.

By using of proportional control system, it can save 22,54 % toward AC standard operation. Without using control system, the condition of AC operation admit to be degraded up to frequency 40 Hz, can save energy consumption equal to 20,77 %.

REFERENCES
[1] Norlidah Zainal Abidin, Retrofitting of Compressor Motor in Air Conditioning System for Energy Saving, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia : Master Thesis, 1995. [2] Henry Nasution and Mat Nawi Wan Hassan, Hemat energi pada system Air Conditioning sebagai upaya mengatasi krisis energi di Indonesia, in Proc. TiiMI2004, London, United Kingdom, pp. 022-1 022-6, 11 12 Sept. 2004. [3] T. M. I Mahlia, H. H. Masjuki, and I. A. Choudhury, Potential electricity saving by implementation energy labels for room air conditioners in Malaysia, Energy Conversion and Management, vol.43, pp. 2225 2233, Nov. 2002. [4] T. M. I Mahlia, H. H. Masjuki, and I. A. Choudhury, Development of energy labels for room air conditioners in Malaysia : Methodology and Results, Energy Conversion and Management, vol.42, pp. 1985 1997, Oct. 2002. [5] T. M. I Mahlia, H. H. Masjuki, and I. A. Choudhury, Potential electricity saving by implementing minimum energy efficiency standards for room air conditioners in Malaysia, Energy Conversion and Management, vol.43, pp. 439 - 450, Mac. 2002. [6] Mohd Yusoff Senawi, Development of a Building Energy Analysis Package (BEAP) and Its Application to The Analysis of Cool Thermal Energy Storage Systems, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia : PhD Thesis, 2001. [7] G. J. Rosenquist, Energy conservation standards for room air conditioners, ASHRAE Transaction, vol.V, no.104, Jul. 1998. [8] Henry Nasution and Mat Nawi Wan Hassan, Variable speed drives of reciprocating compressor for air conditioning : Literature review, SAINSTEK, vol.VI, no.1, pp. 25 39, Sept. 2003. [9] Henry Nasution and Mat Nawi Wan Hassan, Variable speed motor of compressor for energy saving of air conditioning, in Proc. FTEC2003, Bandung, Indonesia, pp. 053-1 053-9, 7 11 Dec. 2003. [10] http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0209/22/iptek/mera22.htm, Merancang gedung ramah lingkungan, 22 Sept. 2002. [11] Saiful Jamaan, Controller Design for Microalternator Set Based on PC, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia : Master Thesis, 2000.