Validation Framework

A comprehensive assignment and validation framework was created for implementation in Simergy to support the transformation from the drawing model to the SimModel to enabling simulation using EnergyPlus. This framework includes the creation of assignment and validation rules in a spreadsheet based format. The spreadsheet rules are then converted to XML and applied during run time using functions that help traverse and check loop topology for engineering accuracy, completeness and consistency.

The validation rules serve two purposes:

  1. Checking the connections between components to confirm that the inlet and outlet ports are connected for the same fluid type (e.g. air to air, not air to water)

  2. Ensures that the air and water loops that the user has created comply with the constraints on HVAC loop topology in EnergyPlus and with EnergyPlus requirements regarding the number and location of critical components.

These rules are a combination of engineering requirements that are enforced by EnergyPlus and limitations on the possible configurations required to make the numerical solution more tractable.

Simergy conducts two types of validation checks:

1)      Pre-Validate Checks - Local checks performed as the HVAC diagramming progresses.  Some examples include:

  1. On import and/or each time a new component is added (EnergyPlus specific checks for allowable components)

  2. After each connection is made (port compatibility)

2)      Validate for EnergyPlus – which is typically to be selected prior to simulation.

When a user requests validation of the air loop, or a validation event is launched before simulation, any errors encountered are delivered as either 'warnings', 'severe errors' or 'fatal errors' with each level determining what the outcome of the validation function is.

-          Warnings - the engine will continue processing and provide a complete list at the end of a validation run.

-          Severe Errors - the engine will continue processing and provide a complete list at the end of a validation run.

-          Fatal error - the validation engine will stop at that point until the user corrects the particular error.

 

The Validation Rules Framework is composed of the sections

   
Zone HVAC Group Validation Rules The validation rules for the Zone HVAC Group configuration and how it is incorporated into the demand side of the air loop
Air Loop Assignment & Validation Rules The validation checks for constructing different types of air loops with different components and branch configurations
Air Loop Controls The validation checks for the controllers related to the air loop
Water Loop Assignment & Validation Rules The validation checks for all the water loop types (CHW, HW, CW, MxW) and the potential different branch configurations
Water Loop Controls The validation checks for the controllers related to the different water loops
Internal Model Validation Rules The validation checks associated with each class, type and sub type combination
Object Order List Built Up Systems
(too extensive to include)
The validation rules for component order, minimum and maximum number allowed for all the possible components for each loop type.
Manual Valid References
(too extensive to include)
Identifies the possible loop locations where types and sub types of components can be located without receiving an error message.
Auto Valid References
(too extensive to include)
Identifies the object types that can be associated with different components
Identification Rules The list of component and boundary identification rules

 

Zone HVAC Group Validation Rules

Component Counts (Templates)

Component Counts (Project)

Loop Cross Reference Check

Class/Type/Sub Type Check

Air Loop Assignment and Validation Rules

Components required for EnergyPlus

Supply Side: Identify economizer and check/assign outside air subsystem (if present)

Supply Side: Splitter and Mixer validation across Supply-Demand boundary

Supply Side: Identify and assign sub-systems and supply side branches

Supply Side: Check consistency between Air Terminal Types and Loop Duct Types

Assign demand-side Supply Air and Return Air path

Controls

Loop Cross Reference Check

Connectivity

Class/Type/Sub Type Check

Air Loop Controls

The validation rules for the following components vary in the number of steps but they are a combination of validating component IDs for the components and associated components, sensor placement validation and different connection tests.

 

Supply Air Temperature Controller

Single Zone Temperature Controller

Supply Air Humidity Controller (Multi-Zone)

Single Zone Relative Humidity Controller

Outdoor Air Controller

Outdoor Air Pre-conditioning Controller

Ventilation Controller

Daylighting Controller

Water Loop Assignment and Validation Rules

The different sections and associated validation checks of Air Loop Controls includes:

Components required for EnergyPlus

Identify and assign branches in Supply Loop

Classify Loop Typology and Validate Splitters and Mixers

Validate Supply Side Components

Validate Demand Side Components

Loop Cross Reference Check

Class/Type/Sub Type Check

Water Loop Controls

Water Temperature Setpoint Controller

Thermal Storage Control

 

 

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