Does Centralized Demand-Controlled Ventilation (CDCV) Allow Ventilation Rate Reductions and Save Energy Without Compromising Safety?
Geoffrey Bell, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Chris Abbamonto, University of California at Irvine (UCI)
CDCV is a technological approach that uses a centralized suite of pollutant sensors to provide demand-controlled ventilation (DCV). A CDCV system is intended to minimize the complexity and cost of installing multiple, dedicated pollutant sensors in every laboratory in the facility. With a centralized sensor device, a sample of each laboratory's exhaust air is retrieved, in turn, and brought to the central location for analyses. The central device includes sensors for the pollutants expected to be used in the facility.
Follow-up results from the UCI demonstration project have been compiled and will be presented that relate to quantified energy-use reduction, lessons learned from the system installation and operation, adjusted safety procedures, and next steps. In addition, a review of a companion technical bulletin will be presented. The following subject outline provides an overview of the presentation:
- Relative performance of CDCV compared to standard, constant-rate ventilation systems.
- Spill concentrations and clearing time.
- Sensor-suite capability, durability, and effectiveness.
- Fail-safe operational review and recommendations.
- Maintenance issues.
- Lessons learned, experience, and resulting next steps.
- Potential energy savings.
- Benefits of Labs21 Partner Program.
Biography:
Geoffrey Bell is an energy engineer in the Environmental Energy Technology Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He is credited with a number of publications, and served as a principal author of the Design Guide for Energy Efficient Laboratories. This publication is intended to assist facility owners, architects, engineers, designers, facility managers, and utility energy-management specialists in identifying and applying advanced energy-efficiency features in laboratory-type environments. Mr. Bell is a Certified State Energy Auditor in New Mexico and a Registered Professional Engineer in both New Mexico and California. He has served as an investigator for the U.S. Department of Energy, a teacher at the University of New Mexico, and an energy engineer contractor to Sandia Corporation, in addition to various other mechanical engineering consulting positions. Mr. Bell received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Newark College of Engineering and a Master of Architecture degree in environmental design from the University of New Mexico.
Chris Abbamonto, CEM, LEED® AP, is the campus energy manager at the University of California at Irvine. He holds a Bachelor of the Arts in general biology with a Masters in Business Administration from UCI. His background includes more than ten years of construction management and energy management experience focusing on a variety of facilities, including Honda North America, North Orange County Community College District, Boeing, Experian, and the Port of Long Beach. Mr. Abbamonto is also a member of the University of California at Irvine Sustainability Committee.