Recognizing Opportunities and Optimizing Performance for Laboratory Facilities - “It Pays to Dig”

Douglas Lucht, MS. PE., Sebesta Blomberg
John Carlson, PE., Sebesta Blomberg

Recognizing Opportunities and Optimizing Performance for Laboratory Facilities - 'It Pays to Dig' In laboratory facilities the HVAC, pressurization and control schemes are critical to the function and safety of the lab. In design, operation and maintenance these factors tend to err on the side of safety and function to the sacrifice of energy performance and optimization. Facility managers know that their laboratory facilities are among their most energy intensive users and often assume it has to be that way because function and safety trump all else. If a lab has heat recovery and sash controls on fume hoods that should lead the best that can be done...right? Wrong...since energy intensity in labs is so high, small changes have the potential to yield substantial savings. Since labs often define the operational parameters for central utilities in a campus setting, those same small changes have the potential to improve the central plant efficiency and accordingly, all of campus connected to the plant. Changes as seemingly small as nuances to controls schemes, minor changes in minimum air change rates, sensor calibration, equipment staging, setpoints and schedules can yield tremendous energy savings without sacrificing performance at little or no cost. The hard part is identifying those opportunities with the confidence that the function and safety of the laboratory will be maintained, or even improved.

Our experience in identifying opportunities, evaluating options, and implementing solutions has led us to a significant conclusion: it pays to dig. Cursory reviews of laboratory systems and their energy performance too often fail to identify those small features that have significant impacts. They also too often fail to inspire the confidence that potential changes won't impede the function or safety of the lab. We have found that detailed evaluations of high intensity laboratory facilities yield superior results in the overall economics of the process, rate of implementation, and success of improving the energy performance of the lab without any sacrifice to function or safety. We will present this case citing several specific examples from the University of Iowa, Rice University and R&D facilities of fortune 500 companies.

Biographies:

Mr. Lucht has over sixteen years of experience in design of mechanical systems for new and remodeled construction projects. He has been involved in all phases of mechanical engineering such as, HVAC systems design, analysis of existing systems, systems troubleshooting, energy studies, and HVAC systems commissioning. Mr. Lucht also performs the role of mechanical group leader for a group of 10 supporting engineers and designers.

Mr. Carlson is a Principal and Mechanical Engineer at Sebesta Blomberg & Associates, Inc., an engineering and consulting firm located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Carlson has expertise in the design of central utility plants and infrastructure for institutional and industrial clients. Specialized experience includes boiler and chiller plants, cogeneration, distribution systems, controls, utility assessments and system optimization.

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