Semi-virtual tests of a system using exhaust air, grey water and solar heat for domestic hot water and space heating needs of a multifamily house

This paper presents tests results of a large system on a semi-virtual test bench. The tested system aims to provide the heat needed for domestic hot water and space heating of a building with 19 housing units. The three main thermal sources of the systems are the heat recovery on exhaust air, the heat recovery on grey water and solar thermal collectors. Those sources are combined with a heat pump and terminal auxiliary systems. The core part of the system was set up in the test bench: two 1000L storage tanks, a 20kW heat pump and the controller of the whole system. This real part interacted with a virtual environment emulating the other parts of the system through hydraulic modules. A realistic test sequence has been defined to study the system operations and to assess its performances. Results are promising and lead to the installation of such a system in a real building.