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Integrated Ice Storage/Sprinkler HVAC System Sharply Cuts Energy Costs and Air-Distribution First Costs
Abstract
Integrated ice thermal storage/sprinkler
HVAC systems developed and applied by the author in
several commercial applications shift a major portion
of electric utility demand to cheaper off-peak hours,
while also reducing significantly the first cost of
distribution ductwork. Savings of up to 80% in primary duct and air handler costs (compared to a traditional all-air HVAC system) partially offset the
first cost of ice storage equipment, which in turn
permits a 50% reduction in utility energy costs for
air conditioning in some facilities.
The basic ice storage/sprinkler HVAC system is
described as well as optional subsystems, such as cogeneration, that are cost-effective under certain
conditions. The system's design parameters, psychrometric
process, and thermodynamic characteristics are
presented and two installations are described, a
223,000-sq ft shopping center and a 150,000-sq ft,
two-story retail store.
Reductions in the size and first cost of primary
air-handling equipment and ductwork are achieved by
distributing a small quantity (0.1 to 0.2 cfm/sq ft)
of very dry, 40°F primary air. All dehumidification
is handled by the ice-chilled primary air, which is
distributed in variable, volume, determined by the space dehumidification requirement, to fan-coil
induction terminal units. The primary air is mixed
with fan-induced room air in the terminals prior to
distribution to the space at a constant volume. The
fan-induction terminals contain cooling coils connected
to the integrated sprinkler system, which circulates chilled water from the central plant through
the coils when additional sensible cooling is required. This chilled water is at a thermodynamically
efficient elevated temperature (58-68°F), since it
handles sensible cooling load only.
Citation
Meckler, G. (1986). Integrated Ice Storage/Sprinkler HVAC System Sharply Cuts Energy Costs and Air-Distribution First Costs. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6866.