Multi Scenario Compressor Fan Vs. System Curves Tutorial

When a model file has multiple scenarios that have compressors/fans in them, a graph containing multiple compressor/fan curves and/or system curves can be generated for the purpose of comparison. To create a multi-scenario compressor/fan vs. system curve graph, two options are available:

Standard Method: Save compressor/fan vs system curve graphs for each individual scenario to be included in the graph. This allows the user to define settings such as the flow range for the compressor/fan vs system curve on an individual scenario basis, but is more time consuming.
Batch Run Method: Create a template compressor/fan vs system curve graph, then set up a batch run to automatically generate the compressor/fan vs system curves for all scenarios to be included in the graph. This allows for a faster process.

Standard Method

In the Graph List Manager select "New Folder". Provide a name for the folder, and check the box to "Make Multi-Scenario Compressor/Fan Vs. System Folder", as is shown in Figure 1. This folder will be used to save the curves from the individual scenarios that will be included in the multi-scenario graph.

The New Folder window from the Graph Manager window is displayed, with the New Folder Name field containing Multi Scenario System Curves.

Figure 1: Creating a Multi-Scenario Compressor/Fan Vs. System Folder

Load the first scenario you want to add to the graph, and run the scenario so that Output is present. Generate a Compressor/Fan vs. System Curve for the scenario.
Add the Compressor/Fan vs. System Curve to the Multi-Scenario Compressor/Fan Vs. System Folder. This can be done by selecting the Multi-Scenario folder in the Graph List Manager, then clicking the Add Graph to List button, and naming the graph. The graph should now be shown subordinate to the folder, with the scenario name listed next to it in red, as is shown below.

The Graph List Manager is displayed with the Multi-Scenario SYstem Curves folder containing a Graph named Hot Case.

Figure 2: The name of the scenario that each Compressor/Fan vs. System Curve was created in is displayed in the Graph List Manager

Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all scenarios that will be included in the graph.
When all of the individual Compressor/Fan vs. System curves have been added to the folder, right-click on the folder name and choose "Load Multi-Scenario Graph," as is shown in Figure 3.

The Graph List Manager is shown with the Load Multi-Scenario Graph option highlighted in the right-click menu.

Figure 3: A Multi-Scenario Graph can be loaded from a Multi-Scenario graph folder

In the Multiple Scenario Graph Selection window select which curves you would like to include in the graph, then choose Generate Graph as is shown in Figure 4.

The Multiple Scenario Graph Selection window is shown.

Figure 4: Multiple Scenario Graph Selection

The selected curves will now be displayed on a single graph, as is shown in Figure 5.

A multiple scenario graph for the System Curve and a Compressor curve for the Hot Case and Cold Case Scenarios is shown.

Figure 5: Multi-Scenario Compressor/Fan vs. System curve

Batch Run Method

To speed up the process outlined above when making Multi-Scenario Compressor/Fan vs. System curves for more than a handful of scenarios, the Batch Run tool can be used. Follow the steps below to create the curves.

In one of the scenarios being included in the Multi-Scenario Compressor/Fan vs. System curve, generate a single scenario Compressor/Fan vs. System curve and save it as a standard Graph List item. This curve will be used as a template for all the other scenarios, and should be for a compressor/fan common to all scenarios.
Launch the Batch Run window found in the File menu. Select the option to have the Batch Runs create Multi Scenario Compressor/Fan vs. System curves, and select the template Compressor/Fan vs. System curve as shown in Figure 6. If you have multiple templates, all options will be shown for selection.

The Batch Run window is displayed with the Create Multi-Scenario Compressor/Fan vs. System Graphs Using: option both indicated with a red square and selected.

Figure 6: Multi-scenario batch run option enabled in the Batch Run window

Add the desired scenarios to run to the list and start the run.
Once the run is complete, navigate to the Graph Results tab. In the Graph List Manager, there will be a Multi-Scenario Compressor/Fan System Curve folder named with the date and time of the run. Follow steps 5 and 6 above to load the graph results.