Analysis of the reliability of improved variable air volume terminals in nuclear island and the economic applicability of the variable air volume system

The Variable Air Volume (VAV) system dynamically adjusts the air supply volume to correspond with the varying load, thereby offering substantial energy-saving potential. Its core component, the VAV terminal, has been extensively utilized within the civil sector. However, the adoption of VAV systems in nuclear island ventilation applications remains limited due to stringent safety and reliability requirements. This study investigates improved VAV air outlets, which represent a critica l component of the VAV system, and employs finite element analysis to simulate their stress distribution under seismic conditions to evaluate their structural safety and operational reliability. Furthermore, an economic assessment of the VAV system is conducted. By incorporating the actual operational conditions of a representative VAV system within the environmental context specific to nuclear power plants, the applicability of the system is verified. The findings provide essential technical support for the initial implementation of the VAV system in the nuclear island ventilation infrastructure.