Multi-zone HVAC control system design using feedback linearization

Most buildings nowadays are equipped with Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems dedicated for processing indoor air in terms of different parameters: temperature, humidity, pressure, and quality. Recent studies show that developed countries consume up to 40% of the energy on commercial buildings and half of that is used for air-conditioning purposes, more precisely in air cooling and heating. For that, it is important to develop efficient HVAC control systems that minimize energy usage and achieve occupants' comfort. Buildings are composed of multiple interconnected zones and the simple HVAC control approach is to control zones temperatures locally based on the thermal loads of individual zones. However, it is realistic to account for the thermal interaction between the zones in the controller design to analyze the extent of its effects on the HVAC control system. This paper discusses the design of two-zone HVAC control system using feedback linearization considering the presence of zones interaction. The zones interaction is modeled using physics and thermodynamics laws. The effect of the interaction on control effort and tracking error is analyzed using simulation results.