Radiant Cooling Technology

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Creating a more comfortable environment

The most important requirement of any building is the comfort of its occupants. While different airconditioning applications will suit different buildings, proper control is necessary in every situation not only to prevent problems associated with an unhealthy atmosphere but to provide the best possible environment in which to work. While many factors, such as health, activity levels,
Mental performance level (%)

It has been proven that the temperature and humidity inside a building affects work performance levels. This diagram illustrates just how important it is to optimise the working environment so that maximum productivity can be maintained. Fig.1
65 100 70 75

Room air temperature F

80 85 90 95 100

clothing and social situations can affect the well being and productivity of a buildings occupants, there are numerous environmental conditions that are directly influenced by the air-conditioning and cooling systems installed. These include:
q q q q q q q q q q

90

80

Humidity level: 100% r.H.

Humidity Humidity level: level: 50% r.H. 10% r.H.

70

Air temperature Air velocity Air turbulence Temperature distribution Air humidity Air quality Temperature of surrounding surfaces Noise Lighting Characteristics of the room (e.g. size, colour, view)

60

50 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38

Room air temperature C

Reference: Th. Hettinger: Influence of Climate on Humans 1986

Mental performance level in relation to heat and humidity

Why use radiant cooling?

Modern air-conditioning systems
Most air-conditioning systems operate by the principle of forced air, where warm room air is re-circulated, chilled and returned into the space. In the modern office, increased use of PCs and other office technology means that higher and higher heat loads need to be removed from the environment. To maintain comfort in these conditions, a greater volume of cooled air has to be supplied to the work area which, in turn, makes draught-free cooling increasingly difficult. The heat exchange occurs mainly via radiation/ absorption. Emitted heat from the room is radiated from the warm heat sources to the cooled ceiling.

How radiant cooling ceilings work

Radiation of energy takes place between objects with different surface temperatures. In all cases, the warmer object radiates heat to the cooler object. Just as the hot sun radiates heat to the cooler earth, in a radiant cooled environment, computers, people and other sources of heat radiate the heat to the cooler surface of the ceiling. As an added benefit, the occupants perceive the heat transfer via radiation as particularly comfortable. In addition, cooling via convection also occurs when the room air is cooled as it flows beneath the cooling panels. The cooler air is heavier than the warmer air rising from the heat sources, which creates natural high volume, low-velocity air currents.

A new air-conditioning concept

Radiant cooling technology follows a different principle. The ceiling is cooled with chilled water running through pipes bonded to the back of the ceiling panels or with chilled air passing through the panels. The ceiling panels function as heat exchangers between the heat loads in the room and the chilled water or air.

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Impact of radiant cooling ceilings

Comfort The human body gives off heat to its surroundings as a result of normal activity, losing heat in three ways:
q

Fig.2

Without Cooled Ceiling

With Cooled Ceiling

Approx. 100 W 100 W = 341.5 BTU/H 35 40 25 Radiation Convection Humidity 50 30 20

By transmitting heat through the skin and radiating to cooler surroundings By having cooler air pass over the skin and cooling by convection By evaporation of moisture through breathing and perspiration processes

Obviously, for occupants comfort, the aim is to minimize perspiration and draught as much as possible. The cool surface of a radiant cooling ceiling is an ideal radiation partner for the skin. The capacity for the quiet, very comfortable heat exchange process that occurs via radiation is almost double that available where there is no cooled ceiling. Heat exchange via radiation occurs quietly and comfortably The rate of convection and especially evaporation are reduced, while air draughts in the room are kept to a minimum. Radiant cooling ceilings enable pleasant, draught- and noise-free air-conditioning.

Energy The energy needed to cool depends directly on the heat loads in the room. An important influence factor is the desired room temperature. It is clear that cooling a room to 25C instead of 23C uses less energy. A radiant chilled ceiling and the human perception of comfort compliment each other favourably. With radiant cooling, the human body radiates heat energy to surrounding cooler surfaces and the human brain perceives a higher level of comfort at higher room temperatures than it does with conventional convective air-conditioning systems. This human response is accounted for by the temperature sensed by the body, which reacts to how warm the air in the room feels. An explanation for this effect is shown in the opposite thermal image of a ping-pong ball. The surface facing the ceiling is cooler than the rest of the surface area. Imagine this is a human head. Humans emit a large

Fig.3

Thermal image of a ping-pong ball

amount of heat via the head. By radiating heat from the head to the cooled surface, the sensed temperature is lower than the effective measured temperature.

Costs The effect of heat on productivity, documented in fig.1, shows just how quickly the creation of a comfortable working environment pays for itself. While the cost of various air-conditioning systems depends on many factors, one can generally assume that investment capital and running costs for radiant cooled ceiling systems will be lower compared to conventional air-conditioning systems. Radiant cooling systems reduce energy consumption and lower energy cost. Also problem-free maintenance, increased floor space and smaller ceiling voids are additional benefits. As a guide there is the possibility to gain one additional floor every ten floors in a buildings structure.

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Architecture
Because architectural requirements can influence thermal comfort and general well being, radiant cooling systems are designed to promote architectural freedom in several ways. Fig.4 Firstly, radiant cooled ceilings can be designed to be visibly indistinguishable from normal ceilings. Secondly, the hardware in the system is smaller and more flexible and requires less ceiling void depth. Fig.5

Radiant cooled ceiling with integrated air diffusers

Radiant cooled ceiling in an open office area

Fig.6

Fig.7

Providing unlimited architectural freedom

Embedded in concrete beams

Acoustics
Room acoustics are handled conventionally. Commonly applied strategies for improving acoustics in rooms with radiant cooled ceilings are by: using mineral fibre mats with 30mm thickness and 40kg/m3 weight. The mats are wrapped and sealed for air tightness in plastic PE foil to prevent the erosion of fibre particles. bonding acoustic fleece on the rear of the perforated ceiling panel between the heat-conducting rails. applying the Armstrong-GEMA Ultramicro perforated panel. This is the most effective solution, having a similar acoustical effect as the fleece or the acoustic inlay, but without the risk of fibre particle erosion.

Invensys Radiant Cooling Products

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CBA-C Water Cooled Panel

Product description CBA-C radiant ceiling panel technology is used for most heating and cooling applications. Because of its flexibility, users get complete architectural freedom, excellent thermal features, and guaranteed performance enabling CBA-C technology to cover most applications. CBA-C cooling elements are applied in a wide variety of commercial, institutional, educational and industrial buildings. Fig.8 Fig.9

REDEC CBA-C technology

Connection between the panels Flexible hoses hydraulically connect the ceiling panels, while specifically designed, push-on couplings ensure a Cooling panel with REDEC Very High Bonding Technology leak-proof system and enable simple, fast and safe installation. The flexible hose ensures easy access to the ceiling void during operation of the system. All hoses are secured with a C-Clip. C-profile, heat conducting rails Patented extruded aluminium profiles collect the energy absorbed from the panels and conduct it to the copper tubing. Benefits
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Fig.10

Energy efficient cooling/heating Draught-free, low noise cooling even with high heat loads Architectural freedom, for use in new or retrofit buildings Reproducible, highly efficient heat transfer using REDEC Very High Bonding Technology A cooling capability in combination with the supply air system of up to 170W/m2 Lower investment costs Faster return on investment Longer free cooling period Increased available floor surface Smaller plenums and possibility of additional floors per building Screw-in nipple Minimal maintenance costs Highest Possible Human ComfortSM Hose with push-on coupling Connecting to the chilled water circuit The flexible hoses also connect the cooling ceiling to the chilled water circuit. The connector between the chilled water and the push-on coupling is a screw-in nipple. Fig.11

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RCU-166 Water Cooled Aluminium Profile

Product description RCU-166 radiant panels are high capacity elements that provide maximum heat absorption and convective cooling capabilities as a result of the unique patented shape. The radiant panel design ensures very comfortable and effective room air distribution. RCU-166 cooling elements are applied in a wide variety of commercial, institutional, educational and industrial buildings. Connection between the panels This is achieved using the same flexible hoses and nipples as with the CBA-C.

Fig.12

Fig.13 Hose with push-on coupling and nipple

Fig.14 Extruded aluminium airfoil profile RCU-166 heat conducting profiles Extruded aluminium profiles collect the energy absorbed from the room and conduct it to the copper tubing. The unique airfoil design increases the natural convection airflow to increase air circulation without the use of fans. RCU-166 is produced as a standard black anodised profile. The profiles may be painted any colour to match architectural requirements. Benefits
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Energy efficient cooling Draught-free, low noise cooling even with high heat loads Ex works finished and assembled modules Reproducible, highly efficient heat transfer A cooling capability of 166W/m2 Lower investment costs Faster return on investment Longer free cooling period Increased available floor surface Smaller plenums and possibility of additional floors per building Minimal maintenance costs Highest Possible Human ComfortSM

Extruded aluminium profile module As an alternative architectural option, a metal ceiling with large free area can be installed underneath the RCU module. Fig.15

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Metal ceiling with large free area below the RCU-166

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PVA Air Cooled Ceiling

Product description The PVA radiant ceiling panel technology comes in two standard sizes, 600 x 600mm and 625 x 625mm using the Ultramicro perforated panels. The system has the added advantage that it also provides the ventilation function. The technology is used mainly in areas with high heat and latent loads or in areas where no water is desired. Fig.16
Supply air

Fig.17

Air chilled ceiling

Microperforated panel

v 0.2 m/s

Radiation

Thermal image of a panels perforation

Airflow through cooling panel Connection between panels and the supply system Concept The air enters the room through minute perforations in the panel and mixes immediately with the room air. The cooled panel absorbs the room heat through radiation and passes it onto the air being induced in to the room. The normal airflow pattern is not disturbed by the entry of the supply air. There are no negative changes to the airflow pattern within the room. Benefits
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The connections are made using conventional duct work materials. Wihlhelmi coated panels can be used as an alternative to the Ultramicro perforated panel.

Energy efficient cooling Draught-free, low noise cooling even with high heat loads Excellent air distribution Attractive and unobstructed ceiling panel design Cooling capability up to 300 W/m2 Lower investment costs Faster return on investment Longer free cooling period Increased available floor surface Smaller plenums and possibility of additional floors per building Minimal maintenance costs Need to activate less panels Highest Possible Human ComfortSM Typical PVA layout Fig.18

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Invensys Radiant Cooling References In 1986 Invensys installed the first radiant cooling ceiling in a Swiss bank in Zurich. Since then, over 500,000 m2 of REDEC radiant cooling systems have been installed around the world. These include:
ABN Amro, Amsterdam Boots, London Warner Brothers, London Lloyds, London HP, Dublin Palais de Justice, Grenoble Axis, Paris France Tlcom, Paris UBS Bank, Zurich Stock exchange, Zurich Swiss Life, Zurich Reuters, Geneva CS Bank Chiasso World Economic Forum TCS, Geneva Rahn & Bodmer Bank, Zurich Swissair Zurich Central Plaza, Shanghai Bertolucci Sao Paulo Challenger, Phoenix HASPA Bank, Hamburg Commerzbank, Frankfurt Lufthansa, Frankfurt Daimler Chrysler, Stuttgart Messe Tower, Frankfurt
Swiss Life Zurich Haspa Hamburg TCS Geneva Stock Exchange Zurich World Economic Forum Geneva Commerzbank Frankfurt Challenger Phoenix Swissair Zurich

Invensys is one of the United Kingdoms largest electronics and engineering groups, incorporating over 500 companies worldwide. The group designs and manufactures systems for automating industrial plants and controlling the environment of buildings. Barcol-Air AG (now Building Systems - Europe, part of Invensys Energy Solutions) has over 20 years experience in the design, installation, manufacture and maintenance of radiant cooling systems for commercial and industrial buildings.

A superb state-of-the-art radiant cooling technology laboratory has been built to play a vital part of Barcol-Air AGs innovative approach to product design and development. This policy has positively contributed to long term beneficial relationships with customers and the installation of many thousands of successful systems throughout the world.

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Printed in England 11/01 2001 Invensys plc. All rights reserved.

Invensys is a trademark of Invensys plc and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

Armstrong-GEMA and Ultramicro are registered trademarks of Armstrong World Industries Ltd. REDEC is a registered trademark of Invensys plc.