Sustainable HVAC Systems for Nanotechnology Laboratories

Talal Rabiah, University of California at Santa Cruz

This presentation will describe a 20,000 square foot nanotechnology laboratory to be constructed on the campus of a high academic standard northwestern university in the United States. The basic HVAC requirements can be summarized as follows:

• An alternative to a typical VAV/reheat, the laboratory will implement a chilled beam system.
• Hydroflouric acid fume hood system ventilation.
• Biosafety cabinets with related exhaust and make-up air systems.
• Specialty gas cabinet ventilation.
• Perchloric acid fume hood exhaust and washdown system.
• Precise space temperature control.
• Closed loop process chilled water system with related heat exchanger, piping, and distribution stations.
• A free cooling system when ambient condition allows.
• Exhaust air system with related low flow fume hood and their related controls.
• Energy recovery loop on the exhaust system to supplement the energy required on the air intake side.
• Manifold exhaust system with high plume exhaust air for dilution purposes prior to discharging at the fan outlet.
• The implementation of an active chilled beam system (induction diffusers) to provide ventilation and cooling to the laboratory space.

Chilled water supply temperature to the active chilled beams coils is 55 degrees Farenheit, which allows the chiller unit to operate at a higher efficiency due to the low temperature lift required. Reheat energy is eliminated due to entrainment of large quantities of room air as part of the chilled beam system. Heating is handled through the use of a hot water loop for perimeter heating. The make-up air to the hoods and biosafety cabinets is handled by a separate HVAC system that directly connects to the exhausting equipment and has the controls to vary the make-up air quantities in conjunction with the variable exhausted air quantities. The 55 degree chilled water supply temperature is also used for process cooling through the use of a plate and frame heat exchanger. The laboratory space also contains a cleanroom of ISO class 2 with 0.3 micron particle size per cubic meter. The cleanroom area is provided with its own environmental system with related free cooling capabilities. The cleanroom design meets the ISO 14644 Standards for cleanroom design.

Biography:

Talal Rabiah is a senior mechanical engineer with the University of California at Santa Cruz. He is responsible, for the implementation of design contracts for the University buildings, including renovations of laboratory spaces. Mr. Rabiah is also responsible for the elevators on campus.

Tal was with University of Michigan for 28 years prior to joining the University of California. He has authored about 21 articles and publications to several trade magazines, ASHRAE, and Labs21. He holds a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University in Michigan, and a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit. He is a registered professional engineer. He is also a code instructor for IAPMO. His specialty is HVAC, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Elevator Systems.

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