MAINTENANCE


Optimising pressure sensors for HVAC systems


Ross Turnbull


Building operations account for 30% of global fi nal energy consumption, with almost half of this energy demand used for space and water heating according to statistics from the International Energy Agency. Businesses are increasingly looking to cut down energy consumption, driven by cost, sustainability initiatives, or a combination of the two. Here, Ross Turnbull, director of business development and product engineering at custom IC company Swindon Silicon Systems explains how building smarter, ASIC- optimised heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can help.


Pressure sensors can start or stop the compressor based on the internal pressure values


measured to ensure the system runs smoothly and effi ciently. But they also fulfi l a crucial


safety check. I


ndustrial, business and residential sectors all have one thing in common; the need for heating and cooling. Whether it’s a chemical storage area requiring consistent temperature and complex fi lters or an offi ce block with hundreds of employees working throughout the day, maintaining temperature control is essential within any operation. To achieve this, a HVAC system can be used. These play host to a variety of sensors, depending on individual system requirements and complexity. Take pressure sensors, for example. These are responsible for monitoring air pressure levels across fi lters and other devices to ensure the HVAC system is functioning correctly, and to alert technicians in case of fi lter blockages or more serious issues.


Compressors for cooling functionality The air conditioning unit within an HVAC system will


typically rely on the use of refrigerants for space cooling. Warm air is drawn in over a set of coils containing the refrigerant, which absorbs this heat. The refrigerant is then compressed into a hot, high-pressure gas, and passed onto the condenser unit where this heat energy can be released. Pressure sensors can start or stop the compressor based on the internal pressure values measured to ensure the system runs smoothly and effi ciently. But they also fulfi l a crucial safety check. Tiny holes or cracks in the coil can result in refrigerant leaks. Depending on the severity of the leak and the nature of the refrigerant, these can be hard to detect by


28 February 2024 • www.acr-news.com


sight or by smell, and the system may overwork itself to compensate. Ample supply of the refrigerant is crucial to keeping the AC system running, but any leaks could also represent a potential safety hazard. Common refrigerants such as Freon can be harmful, particularly in high concentrations or in small, confi ned spaces. As a result, pressure sensors may be utilised here to monitor the condition of the compressor, and to fl ag up potential drops in pressure that could signify a hazardous leak.


Fine-tuned temperature control Another example that makes use of pressure sensor


technology is the variable air volume (VAV) system, which supplies a changing airfl ow volume rather than a constant air volume (CAV). VAV systems use additional sensors at the inlet to open or close internal dampers and therefore adjust the airfl ow. These adjustments can be made based on a variety of control parameters, in comparison to a CAV system that can only operate in constant, maximum, or an “off ” state. The result of this is a more fi ne-tuned approach to temperature control with VAV. Furthermore, the varying airfl ow also makes use of lower fan speeds, resulting in quieter operation as well as reduced energy consumption. Because the VAV system off ers more sophisticated


control, it’s possible to integrate the HVAC system with additional devices to unlock extra benefi ts. For example, combination with occupancy sensors could allow the HVAC system to adjust between ideal temperature levels depending on the real-time usage of the space.


Download the ACR News app today


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40