A Study of the Advanced Systems at the CMU Intelligent Workplace with an Evaluation of Potential Applications to Texas A&M International University

Abstract

A detailed study has been conducted of the performance of several innovative aspects of the Intelligent Workplace (IW) at Carnegie Mellon University, a low energy consumption building that uses radiant heating, cooling and a desiccant ventilation unit. The following aspects have been studied in detail: the heat transfer process of radiant mullions and overhead radiant panels, the impact of the radiator position on heating load and thermal comfort, the influence of infiltration on indoor humidity in a radiantly cooled office with a solid desiccant ventilation unit, and an energy consumption comparison of the sensible heating and cooling systems with a single duct VAV system. Transferability of the advanced building technologies that are being studied at the IW was investigated by examining them to see if they could be applied in an advanced technology test bed at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo, Texas. Additionally, a sustainability assessment for the current TAMIU campus was performed with an analysis of the potential for TAMIU to obtain LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. This report summarizes the conclusions and observations of these studies.