Developing a new cost‐efficient control strategy for an actual confectionery plant through the combined exploitation of experimental and numerical analysis

Achieving energy absorption reductions while improving indoor air quality is a major task when designing new air conditioning systems. A cost‐effective way to improve energy efficiency without compromising the thermal comfort consists of developing better control. In the present work, an extensive experimental campaign has been coupled with a theoretical analysis with an effective approach. A simulation tool has been implemented and, through its predictions, an efficient control strategy has been developed in a system that resulted in significant energy savings and environmental benefits. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.