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Correcting Thermal Distribution Problems for a Large University Campus
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Date
2002
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)
Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu)
Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu)
Abstract
Texas A&M University main campus in
College Station consists of 114 buildings served by
two central plants. The two main campus loops are
more than 50 years old with a total piping length for
each loop in excess of 13 miles. The main campus
has long had a problem with thermal distribution to
the 114 buildings served by the central plants.
Pressure problems were encountered in the chilled
water and hot water distribution system during peak
demand periods. The differential pressure between
supply and return headers at buildings far from the
central plants was negative, in the middle area was
neutral, and close to the plant was positive. Various
modifications were performed over the years without
completely solving this problem. Discovering the real
cause could help improve the thermal distribution and
help determine how to best operate the system. This
paper presents the causes and recommendations for
the correction of the thermal distribution problems,
which include not only malfunctioning automatic
building hydraulic controls, but also some building
hydraulic configurations themselves. Based on the
findings, the thermal distribution problems will be
solved by repairing the controls and retrofitting
building hydraulic configurations as needed.