Validated air handling unit model using indirect evaporative cooling

This paper presents the validated Modelica model of a Menerga™ Adsolair™ type 58 Air Handling Unit. The unit consists of two fans, four dampers, three air filters and further allows heat recovery (including free cooling), indirect evaporative cooling and active cooling. The first principles model uses manufacturer data sheet information and optionally also measurement data to calibrate some parameters for increased accuracy. Model validation is based on measurement data and results in an average normalized absolute error for the electrical power consumption of approximately 1%. A custom developed control strategy is compared with the measured performance of a proprietary controller. The model is available open source as part of the IDEAS Modelica library.