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Abstract

Given the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, this study addresses the challenge of improving the efficiency and environmental performance of residential water heating systems. This work presents the design and implementation of a controller aimed at regulating the outlet water temperature of a direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump operating with propane. A dynamic model was experimentally identified using the AutoRegressive with eXogenous input methodology and used to design a Proportional–Integral–Derivative controller via the direct synthesis method. To regulate the outlet water temperature, the controller acts on the water flow rate. The effectiveness of the controller was evaluated through computer simulations and experimental tests. Its robustness was assessed by considering parametric variations of ±15%, during which the system maintained stability and performance. The controller demonstrated good accuracy and performance, keeping the desired temperature stable even in the presence of disturbances, both in simulations and experimental evaluations.

Details

1009240
Title
Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Controller for a Direct-Expansion Solar-Assisted Heat Pump with Propane
Author
Resende Sara Isabel de Melo 1 ; Diniz Hélio Augusto Goulart 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Faria Ralney Nogueira de 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Nunes de Oliveira Raphael 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; [email protected] (H.A.G.D.); [email protected] (R.N.d.O.) 
 Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; [email protected] (H.A.G.D.); [email protected] (R.N.d.O.), Productivity Research Program, University Center Estácio Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte 30640-070, MG, Brazil, Department of Applied Engineering and Environmental Technologies, State University of Minas Gerais (UEMG), João Monlevade 35930-314, MG, Brazil 
 Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering, Federal Center of Technological Education of Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG), Belo Horizonte 30421-169, MG, Brazil; [email protected] 
Publication title
Processes; Basel
Volume
13
Issue
11
First page
3583
Number of pages
20
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
Place of publication
Basel
Country of publication
Switzerland
Publication subject
e-ISSN
22279717
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
Document type
Journal Article
Publication history
 
 
Online publication date
2025-11-06
Milestone dates
2025-09-27 (Received); 2025-11-04 (Accepted)
Publication history
 
 
   First posting date
06 Nov 2025
ProQuest document ID
3275550336
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/design-experimental-evaluation-controller-direct/docview/3275550336/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.
Last updated
2025-11-26
Database
ProQuest One Academic