In situ virtual sensing for dwelling infiltration rates in multi-unit residential buildings

초록

Wind- and stack-interacted dwelling infiltration is a major factor influencing heating and cooling loads, indoor environmental quality, and indoor air quality (IAQ) in high-rise or multi-unit residential buildings (MURB). However, it is challenging to observe the real-time infiltration rates in an entire building using existing sensors. Therefore, this study proposes a virtual sensing method for dwelling infiltration rates in MURB. Virtual sensing is developed in situ for the target MURB by a hybrid modeling approach combining forward simulation and inverse estimation using the building life cycle. It mainly consists of (1) multi-zone airflow network modeling with design information, (2) model calibration with intrusive commissioning data, and (3) virtual sensing with nonintrusive operation data. The proposed method can observe the outdoor air infiltration rates across the envelope and the interzonal airflow rates at the entrance door by dwelling units. In the validation case, the hybrid modeling approach could determine the reliable infiltration rate (with 97.16% accuracy). In the application, all dwelling units were rated by the thresholds in terms of the heating loads and IAQ based on the virtual sensing results. We strongly recommend observing dwelling infiltration in each household using the proposed virtual sensing method.

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