Influence of thermal zoning and electric radiator control on the energy flexibility potential of Norwegian detached houses

Energy flexibility of buildings can be used to reduce energy use and costs, peak power, CO2eq- emissions or to increase self-consumption of on-site electricity generation. Thermal mass activation proved to have a large potential for energy flexible operation. The indoor temperature is then allowed to fluctuate between a minimum and maximum value. Many studies investigating thermal mass activation consider electric radiators. Nevertheless, these studies most often assume that radiators modulate their emitted power, while, in reality, they are typically operated using thermostat (on-off) control. Firstly, this article aims at comparing the energy flexibility potential of thermostat and P-controls for Norwegian detached houses using detailed dynamic simulations (here IDA ICE). It is evaluated whether the thermostat converges to a P-control for a large number of identical buildings. As the buildings are getting better insulated, the impact of internal heat gains (IHG) becomes increasingly important. Therefore, the influence of different IHG profiles has been evaluated in the context of energy flexibility. Secondly, most studies about energy flexibility consider a single indoor temperature. This is questionable in residential buildings where people may want different temperature zones. This is critical in Norway where many occupants want cold bedrooms (~16°C) during winter time and open bedroom windows for this purpose. This article answers to these questions for two different building insulation levels and two construction modes (heavy and lightweight).

Research of Electric Radiator Design Based on DFMA Method

Aimed at optimizing electric radiators design process, the enterprises expectationsmanufacturing technologies and market developing status were analyzed, then electric radiators key design restraining factors were summarized, design orientation was proposed finally. Based on this premise, a block-based electric radiator design scheme was presented with the Design For Manufacture & Assembly method (DFMA), then taking electric radiators key structure and part as an example , the application of DFMA in design practice was discussed in the view of coordinating the relation of product styling effect and structure design. Practices show that DFMA method is beneficial to improve design efficiency and feasibility.

Automotive Thermostat Valve Configurations: Enhanced Warm-Up Performance

The automotive cooling system has unrealized potential to improve internal combustion engine performance through enhanced coolant temperature control and reduced parasitic losses. Advanced automotive thermal management systems use controllable actuators (e.g., smart thermostat valve, variable speed water pump, and electric radiator fan) that must work in harmony to control engine temperature. One important area of cooling system operation is warm-up, during which fluid flow is regulated between the bypass and radiator loops. A fundamental question arises regarding the usefulness of the common thermostat valve. In this paper, four different thermostat configurations were analyzed, with accompanying linear and nonlinear control algorithms, to investigate warm-up behaviors and thermostat valve operations. The configurations considered include factory, two-way valve, three-way valve, and no valve. Representative experimental testing was conducted on a steam-based thermal bench to examine the effectiveness of each valve configuration in the engine cooling system. The results clearly demonstrate that the three-way valve has the best performance as noted by the excellent warm-up time, temperature tracking, and cooling system power consumption.

Properties of Hard Rubber. XIX. Effect of Temperature on Cross-Breaking Strength and Elongation

In a series of cross-breaking tests carried out on hard rubber during hot weather, the values of the breaking elongation were higher than was expected, although the cross-breaking strength was of the usual order. It was thought that the high temperature might account for these results by making the hard rubber more plastic. The following experiments were, therefore, performed to investigate the effect of small changes of temperature, such as are encountered at different times of the year, on the cross-breaking strength and elongation. Test-pieces of standard size (75 × 25 × 5 mm.) were cut from a sheet of hard rubber of the composition: 68 per cent rubber, 32 per cent sulfur, which had been vulcanized for 5 hours at 155° C. They were immersed in a beaker of water and kept at the required temperature for about 15 minutes, when they were judged to have attained a steady temperature. The tests were carried out on an Avery fabric-testing machine fitted with special clamps to give a three-point loading test, the distance between the supporting knife-edges being 50.4 mm. (2 in.). These clamps were heated to the temperature of the specimens by means of an electric radiator. The specimens were tested as soon as possible after they had been removed from the water, so that the change of temperature during the test was reduced as far as possible. The standard conditions already laid down, were observed.