Tunnel Ventilation Control (2003~2008)

Motivation

The main purpose of a tunnel ventilation system is to maintain CO pollutant concentration and visibility index(VI) under an adequate level to provide drivers with a comfortable and safe driving environment. Moreover, it is necessary to minimize power consumption used to operate the ventilation system.

Fig.1 Main purpose of tunnel ventilation control

Control Algorithm

In this project, fuzzy control, genetic algorithm based fuzzy control, reinforcement learning methods have been utilized to achieve the objectives. Extensive simulations are performed with real data collected from existing tunnel ventilation system, for example, Dunnae tunnel, Pibanryung tunnel, etc.

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of tunnel ventilation control system

Simulation Result

These methods were demonstrated that the pollutant level was well maintained and the energy efficiency was improved compared to conventional control schemes. Next figure shows the fluent simulation analysis in tunnel with FLUENT 6.1.

Fig.3 Fluent simulation analysis, FLUENT 6.1


Fig.4 Simulation results of ventilation control



It is possible to develop an algorithm to estimate the amount of pollutants exhausted from the various types of vehicles passing through the tunnel. Also, with this estimated data and the sensor outputs, more accurate pollution levels can be assessed utilizing a Kalman filter

Fig.5 Estimation of pollution emission rate with Kalman filter

Sponsor

This work was performed in part of 2003 industrial educational cooperation project, Underground, Fire, and Environment Research supported by Korea Institute of Construction and Transportation Technology Evaluation and Planning.