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Agenda
Section I: Introduction to ACB Technology Types of Chilled Beams ACB Technology Advantages How ACBs Work How ACB Systems Compare to Other Systems Common Applications of ACB Technology Misapplications of ACB Technology Section II: ACB System Design Considerations DOAS/Airside System Design Chilled Water System Design Heating with ACBs Controlling ACB Systems Condensation Prevention
Cooling and Heating Fresh air supplied through beams Very low acoustic signatures Very high energy efficiency Very high levels of occupant thermal comfort
Energy conservation Reduced space consumption Reduced maintenance costs Increased comfort levels
A) Primary air duct connection (.3-1.2 in. w.c.) B) Primary air plenum C) Secondary air (room air) D) Unit mounted coil (2-pipe or 4-pipe configuration)
E) Mixed air (Induction ratio range 3:1 6:1) F) Discharge air (Cooling: 63-66F / Heating 75-85F) G) Adjustable mounting brackets
5-10% higher Copper pipe largest cost penalty for ACB systems PEX piping, good alternative, save cost on branch piping insulation DOAS/AHU & duct costs are lower in ACB systems
Equipment DOAS/AHU and Fans Ductwork Chiller Copper Piping Active Chilled Beams VAV Units Sound Dampers Temperature Controls Registers and Diffusers Total Building Sq Footage Cost/Sq Ft.
VAV $285,000 $260,000 $150,000 $55,000 $0 $75,000 $20,000 $105,000 $110,000 $1,060,000 50,000 $21
ACB $185,000 $195,000 $150,000 $315,000 $110,000 $0 $5,000 $130,000 $40,000 $1,130,000 50,000 $23
ACB first costs are trending closer to VAV Operating costs are significantly lower for ACB systems
$0
$185,000 $5,000 $115,000 $1,230,000 50,000 $25
$110,000
$0 $5,000 $130,000 $1,090,000 50,000 $22
18 x 18 Air Duct
Figure from: Centre For Building Science News, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Hydronic Radiant Cooling Systems, Fall 1994. * Figure does not include additional fan energy associated with developing pressure for active chilled beam operation.
Improved chiller EER at higher leaving water temperatures Allows for downsizing the nominal tonnage of the chiller while maintaining similar output tonnage
LWT 45 55 60
LEED Applications
Dewpoint control to prevent condensation on the ACBs Provide minimum ventilation requirement (ASHRAE Std. 62) Must handle 100% of the OAs latent and sensible load Must handle 100% of the zones latent load Induce sufficient airflow through ACBs to satisfy zone sensible load Positively pressurize building envelope to prevent infiltration
Not always recommended due to risk of overcooling the space and/or requiring reheat. Consider in applications high space latent loads.
2.
Neutral air strategy thermally neutral but dry air (68-72F db / 50-55% RH)
Maximizes system efficiency, ACBs handle 100% of space sensible load Free reheat should be incorporated into DOAS unit (i.e. alpha plate, sensible wheels, wrap around heat pipe, hot gas reheat) At summer design conditions, discharge air temperature can be reset colder to satisfy increased loads
Supply water temperature should be at least 2-3F above the spaces design dewpoint to prevent condensation. Supply water temperature should be as high as possible to take advantage of increased chiller EER and ability to downsize nominal chiller capacity without reduction in output tonnage. Utilizing higher supply water temperatures allows for more available hours for water side economizer. ACB chilled water system temperature rise is lower (typically 6-8F) compared to traditional hydronic systems (typically 10-12F). The system designer should pay close attention to ACB coil water pressure drop to avoid excessive pump head.
LWT 45 55 60
DEDICATED CHILLER(S)
Two independent chilled water loops Allows higher supply water temperature for ACB chilled water loop Increased chiller EER for ACB water loop Ability to downsize nominal chiller capacity without reduction in output capacity for ACB water loop Higher first cost due to multiple chillers
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One common chilled water loop Mixing valve controlled by sensor installed downstream of the discharge of the secondary pump(s) Does not allow for higher supply water temperatures Decreased chiller EER Cannot downsize nominal chiller capacity Should only be considered when ACB chilled water load is significantly less than DOAS load
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One common chilled water loop Modulating control valve controlled by sensor installed in outlet side of the water to water heat exchanger Does not allow for higher supply water temperatures Decreased chiller EER Cannot downsize nominal chiller capacity Should only be considered when ACB chilled water load is significantly less than DOAS load; and there is a requirement to isolate primary chilled water loop from the secondary water loop
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DOAS decoupled from chilled water loop Allows higher supply water temperature for ACB chilled water loop Increased chiller EER for ACB water loop Ability to downsize nominal chiller capacity without reduction in output capacity for ACB water loop
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DOAS decoupled from chilled water loop Allows higher supply water temperature for ACB chilled water loop Increased chiller EER for ACB water loop
Ability to downsize nominal chiller capacity without reduction in output capacity for ACB water loop
Can utilize advanced geothermal water to water heat pump technology for exceptional energy efficiency Recommended for LEED projects
ACBs available in 2-pipe in 4-pipe configurations Use of ACBs for heating is dependent on the building envelope
For internal zone or zones with <300 BTU/ft ACBs are an excellent option For zones between 300-400 BTU/ft, ACBs can be effective
For low temperature / low dewpoint primary air systems zone reheat should be incorporated to prevent overcooling the space.
Each zones flow is controlled by a single thermostat and a single control valve
Manual balancing damper (i.e. iris type) are used on constant primary airflow systems VAV boxes are used on variable primary airflow systems
Should be considered in zones with highly variable latent loads. Demand control ventilation can also be integrated into a VAV control strategy Occupancy sensors can be integrated into a VAV control strategy. When zone is unoccupied, VAV box closes.
Dewpoint control should be primary consideration in the condensation prevention control strategy Additional control strategies include:
The DOAS system should be cycled during unoccupied mode to maintain setback temperature and dewpoint set points. In addition, a dry out cycle should be implemented after long periods of unoccupied mode operation (i.e. weekends) Dewpoint sensors can be used to detect then disable the ACB system when a condition where condensation could occur is present. Alternately, moisture sensors on water piping can be used. Window switches can be used to disable the ACB system when a window is opened and ambient conditions will result in condensation
Energy conservation
40-70% less primary air, compared to all air systems 75-100% of the space sensible cooling delivered by water Significant reduction in fan energy Increased EER of chiller
No moving parts No filters at the beam required, beams vacuumed every 510 years
Excellent air distribution, Secondary air temperature close to room temp. Lowe noise level, beam systems typically operate with around 10 dB(A) less noise than traditional VAV systems