An Alternative to VAV for Laboratories—Chilled Beams Combined with Dual Energy Recovery

Barry Barnet, P.E., CUH2A

The intent of this presentation is to illustrate potential building cooling and heating energy savings by employing a design which combines chilled beams with a constant volume ventilation system utilizing dual energy recovery. Results will be presented on actual energy simulations modeled on the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Tech IV building, designed by CUH2A and located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The Carrier Hourly Analysis Program (HAP) version 4.30 is the tool utilized to perform the simulations.

Initially the basic concept is described by which the air-handling system delivers "neutral" air to the building for both ventilation and laboratory exhaust make-up purposes only. The total air supply at constant volume roughly corresponds to minimum air supply with a traditional VAV system. Cooling considerations are removed from the criteria for sizing the air-handling system. The resulting reduction in air-handling sizing for the Tech IV building, as well as three other buildings designed by CUH2A, will be explored.

The presentation will then describe the design and characteristics of chilled beams and air-handling systems using dual energy recovery. The method in which these two basic elements of the HVAC system are married together is then presented with sketches and flow diagrams. Attention is also paid to air distribution within the laboratory spaces to achieve good ventilation effectiveness.

The simulation results for the Tech IV model will be presented in both tabular and graphic form to compare this design to both a traditional HVAC system without energy recovery and a typical HVAC system with basic single stage energy recovery.

A summary will pull together the potential energy savings, advantages, and disadvantages of the proposed design, and some brief information on the first cost of this design as compared to a traditional system.

Biography:

Barry Barnet, P.E., Senior Associate and Senior Project Engineer at CUH2A, has 31 years of engineering experience, 23 years of which has been in HVAC engineering. Barry's experience includes all phases of mechanical systems design and engineering. As a senior project engineer, Barry is a LEED® accredited professional working to promote sustainability through the design of buildings that are environmentally responsible, healthy, and in particular, energy efficient. Barry leads one of the HVAC design studios at CUH2A. Barry is a new member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and is also a member of the local New Jersey Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of New Jersey. Barry is a graduate of the Cooper Union, where he received a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

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