Diagnostic hardware/software system for environment controllers

A system consisting of a commercial environment controller attached to a personal computer programmed to execute a dynamic simulation model for broiler house thermal response was designed. The building model updates interior environment from solution of first order heat and moisture balances. Feedback of predicted interior temperature is provided to the controller; heating and ventilation equipment assigned in the model affect heat and moisture balances and hence the system response. An object oriented design approach was utilized and described. Governing equations for the building and controller temperature circuit dynamic response were solved in real time with a series of simulations to assess the response of the interior environment to different controller settings. Assessments of controller stage differential, building minimum ventilation rate and system sampling time are provided for a simulated broiler house. The combination of an environment controller and a building thermal model such as that presented here can be used to evaluate environment controllers and building heating and ventilating design, as well as for training purposes.