Control of Humidity with Single - Duct, Single - Zone,Constant Air Volume System - a Case Study
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Texas A&M University ESL-HH-00-05-51 CONTROL OF HUMIDITY WITH SINGLE - DUCT, SINGLE - ZONE,CONSTANT AIR VOLUME SYSTEM - A CASE STUDY Hui Chen Song Deng Research Associate Senior RA, Project Manager Energy Systems Laboratory Energy Systems Laboratory Texas A&M University System Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas College Station, Texas Phone: (979) 458-2656 Phone: (979) 845-1234 Fax: (979) 862-2457 Fax: (979) 862-2457 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Homer L. Bruner, Jr., CEM David E. Claridge, Ph.D., P.E. Mechanical Systems Specialist Professor, Associate Director Utilities Office of Energy Management Energy Systems Laboratory Physical Plant Department Texas A&M University System Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas College Station, Texas Phone: (409) 845-1280 Phone: (409) 862-7185 Fax: (409) 862-2457 Fax: (409) 845-005 1 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT analyses on the single-duct constant air volume The lecture hall of the Richardson Petroleum equipment and its Energy Management Control Building at Texas A&M University is a large lecture System (EMCS) algorithm controls. Several hall, with a total floor area of approximately 2500 f?. problems were observed and most were related to the The lecture hall was served by a constant air volume very high humidity of the local climate (e.g., 98% (CAV) air handling unit (AHU) which had no reheat design conditions are 94/75 DBIWB (OF /OF) for coil. This resulted in high room humidity levels College Station, Texas). Deficiencies (in design although the room temperature was satisfied for part andlor operating conditions) which caused the load conditions, especially when there was very little computer lab to fail to control humidity levels were sensible load from the room. This paper presents identified. Some technologies such as variable speed Continuous Commissioning efforts (CC), which drive, heat pipes, run-around coils, dual-path air- turned this inefficient, humid lecture hall into a conditioning and return air face and bypass may be comfortable learning environment. This case study used to reduce space relative humidity (Gatley, D., also explores other possibilities to solve the humidity P., 1992). Most use less energy and have less electric control problem with single-duct, single-zone demand. However, building owner does not like to constant air volume systems. take high cost investment to obtain benefits, so rejected these technologies. This paper presents a INTRODUCTION long-term solution, which involved installing a reheat The lecture hall in the Richardson Petroleum coil, and a short-term approach, which reduced Building is a large computer lab (laptop lab). During supply airflow with colder discharge temperature, in the summer of 1999, the room had a very strong order to reduce cooling season relative humidity in musty smell, mold was growing, and all the the lecture hall. The Continuous Commissioning computers were moved out due to the high humidity. results identified that installing a reheat coil for the The Utilities Energy office was called to help and the existing AHU would completely solve the humidity CC group of the Energy Systems Lab (ESL) problem. However, until a reheat coil could be performed a field survey for the disfunctional lecture installed, reducing total supply airflow with cold hall. The primary purpose of this study was to deck temperature has proposed as a short-term improve the high humidity conditions of the lecture solution. The reduction of total supply airflow hall with an emphasis on improved indoor air quality. sigdicantly improves comfort, minimizes or The CC group performed extensive field tests and eliminates mold formation in the lecture hall. The Proceedings of the Twelfth Symposium on Improving Building Systems in Hot and Humid Climates, San Antonio, TX, May 15-17, 2000 ESL-HH-00-05-51 Continuous Commissioning process has turned this floor area of approximately 2500 ft2. The existing air inefficient, humid lecture hall into a comfortable handling unit (AHU) is a single-zone, single duct, leaming environment. constant air volume AHU serving only the lecture hall. The air handling unit has a pre-heat coil, a HVAC SYSTEM cooling coil, one supply air fan and a return air fan. This large computer lab of the Richardson The existing AHU schematic diagram is shown in Petroleum Building is an interior zone with a total Figure 1. Figure 1 The Existing Single-duct, Single Zone AHU The existing air handling unit is controlled humidity, and static pressure were measured. Tables by a direct digital control (DDC) system. A PID loop 1- 3 below show the measured results of these controls the chilled water valve and return air damper different control combinations. The findings for the to maintain an adjustable room temperature. There is lab condition and the AHU are as follows: one temperature sensor on the wall in the room. The 5 horsepower supply fan, in the first floor, was 1. Space Conditions designed to provide cooling airflow to the lecture There was visible mold on the ceiling around hall. The total supply anflow was designed to be the diffusers, as well as visible mold on the walls, 3750 cfm and return fan airflow was designed to be tables and chairs. High humidity levels often resulted 2650 cfm. The outside air intake was designed to in mold, mildew, poor comfort and odor problems range from 33 % (1,125 cfm) to 100% (3,750 ch)of (Gatley, D., P., 1992; Shakun, W., 1992). The interior total airflow rate depending upon outdoor air relative humidity affects the well-being and health of temperature. The cooling coil capacity and the the occupants. Health complication from bacteria, original design information is shown in Appendix A, viruses etc. increase with high humidity (Sterling, et Tables A. 1- A.3. al. 1985). People were upset above the space conditions, so all the computers and equipment were AS-FOUND HVAC SYSTEM PERFORMANCE moved out although the classes in the lecture hall The existing single-duct, single zone AHU and were getting ready to start. the lab conditions were inspected. The lab space conditions are shown in Table 1. The airside The lab condition (see Table 1) was measured measurements and waterside measurements for the close to noon and in the early morning on July 9, AHU are presented separately in Tables 2 and 3. 1999 and July 13, 1999. During the 1152 a.m. measurements the ambient temperature was 85.7 OF Different control combinations were used to and the ambient relative humidity was 57.5%, the investigate possible solutions to the problems. For room temperature was 72.2 OF and the room relative! example, the room temperature set point was changed humidity level was 75%. At 855 a.m. the ambient several times and different signals were given to the temperature was 74.6 OF and the ambient relative return air fan, return air damper, and outside air humidity was 89.5%, the room temperature was 69.6' damper. For each combination, airflow, temperature, OF and the room relative humidity level was 80.4%. Proceedings of the Twelfth Symposium on Improving Building Systems in Hot and Humid Climates, San Antonio, TX, May 15-17, 2000 ESL-HH-00-05-51 Although the lab temperature varied from 69.6 OF to which 12 1% higher than the designed value of 1,125 72.2 OF it was close to design condition during both cfin for that specific outside air condition at 10:25 A. measurement periods. However, the lab relative M. on July 9, 1999. humidity levels varied from 75% to 80.4%. 2. Discharge Temperature and Chilled Water Conditions of the existing AHU The measured data from Table 1 and Table 2 showed the cold deck temperature was 67.6 OF and the measured air condition leaving the diffusers was 70.5 OF and 76.5% of the relative humidity. Since there was almost no sensible load on the system, the discharge air temperature is nearly equal to the room temperature set point. Most of the time the chilled water valve was barely open. Table 3 shows that the chilled water supply temperature was 43.9 OF and the chilled water return temperature was 71.3 OF. Table 3 also shows that there was little difference between the supply and return chilled water pressure. Figure 2 Psychrometric Process for Existing Supply 3. Supply Airflow and Outside Airflow Rate and Airflow Rate, Outdoor Airflow Rate and Air Conditions Condition The measured total supply airflow rate was 4490 cfin, which was 33% higher than the design value of 3,375 cfrn for the lecture hall shown in Table 2. The measured outside air intake was 2,490 cfin, Table 1 Measured Air Condition Data for the Lecture Hall Date, Time 1 7-9-99 1152 AM 7-13-99 8:55 AM Room Temperature (OF) 72.2 69.6 \, 1 Room ~ukdity(% RH) 75.0 80.4 Room Dew Point (OF), , 64.4 63.4 Supply Temperature from Diffuser (OF) 70.5 N/ A Supply Humidity (% RH) 76.5 N/ A SUDD~V.. , Dew Point (OF), , 63.6 N/A Outside Temperature (OF) 85.7 74.6 Outside Humidity (% RH) 57.5 89.5 Outside Dew Point (OF) 69.4 71.0 Table 2 Measured Airside Data for the AHU Return Fan: on; Return Damper: fully open; Outside Air Damper: fully open (signal) 1 7-9-99 10:25 AM supply Mix Air Return Air Outside Air Dimensions 24" x 24" 20" x 36" 14" x 34" N/A Air Flow (CFM) 4450 4530 2000 2490 Velocity (FPM) 1180 1091 750 -.