Field laboratory evaluation of advanced load monitoring boiler controllers

• Published in: ASHRAE transactions 2014-01, Vol.120 (1), p.A1-A1
• Main Authors: Glanville, Paul, Rowley, Patricia, Schroeder, David
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Boilers; Building management systems; Control equipment; Controllers; Dynamical systems; Dynamics; Efficiency; Equipment and supplies; Flue gas; Heat exchangers; Heating load; Load; Monitoring; Properties; Seasons; Upgrading; Water temperature; Winter
• ISSN: 0001-2505

As boilers in space heating applications typically have long service lifetimes, the incentive for retrofit system efficiency upgrades is greater than equipment replacement for the efficiency-minded owner. System improvements representing the "low hanging fruit" are familiar, as simple as improved pipe insulation to aftermarket controls such as Outdoor Temperature Reset or lead/lag controllers for sites with multiple boilers. Beyond these initial system efficiency upgrades are an emerging class of advanced aftermarket controllers that dynamically respond to the boiler load, with claims of 10% to 30% of fuel savings over a heating season. For hydronic boilers specifically, these devices perform load monitoring, with continuous measurement of return and in some cases supply water temperatures. The results of both laboratory testing and field testing are summarized. Through laboratory testing, a laboratory test stand was developed to deliver a variable heating load to the test boiler in order to simulate the loads in a typical building installation.