Overview and implementation of dynamic thermoeconomic & diagnosis analyses in HVAC&R systems

The purpose of this paper is to apply thermoeconomics in a HVAC&R facility in order to implement the dynamic behaviour as well as to solve the direct problem of diagnosis. New methodological aspects of thermoeconomic applications are developed, such as a new method for setting the productive dynamic structure, in particular to define the commonly used three-way valves and the inertial components. Besides, a novel easy-to-use methodology is explained to filter the induced effects; and, consequently, a new way to solve the direct problem of the diagnosis is obtained. Some crucial aspects of Second Law applications are discussed and all of this is applied to a real HVAC&R system using data from an experimental test in which a two-fault operation condition was deliberately assigned. The results demonstrate that this new thermoeconomic methodology can be applied to systems that behave dynamically to obtain extra information in costs distribution and in the evaluation of the effects of anomalies; and the method is particularly relevant when the dynamic behaviour of the components needs to be contemplated. In summary, the novelty of this research is to go a step forward in thermoeconomic applications, developing a new methodology to be implemented in dynamic systems for fault detection and diagnosis, using a critical point of view.