Full-scale operation of a novel two-pipe active beam system for simultaneous heating and cooling of office buildings

Alessandro Maccarini,Göran Hultmark,Alireza Afshari,Niels C Bergsøe,S.I Tanabe,P Wargocki,M.C Gameiro Da Silva,C Inard,G Cao,L Mazzarela,I Nastase,J Kurnitski,H Zhang

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/201911101073

Abstract

This paper presents an investigation on the operation of a novel active beam system installed in an office building located in Jönköping, Sweden. The system consists of two parts: a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) to satisfy latent loads and ventilation requirements, and a water circuit to meet sensible heating and cooling loads. The novelty of the system is in relation to the water circuit, which is able to provide simultaneous heating and cooling through a single water loop that is near the room temperature. The energy performance of the system is currently being monitored through a number of sensors placed along the water circuit. Relevant physical parameters are being measured and data are available through a monitoring system. A preliminary analysis shows that the system is performing as designed. Results are shown for a typical week in winter, spring and summer. In particular, the supply water temperature in the circuit was between 20°C (in summer) and 23.2°C (in winter). The maximum supply/return temperature difference was found in summer and it assumed a value of 1.5 K. It is noticed that in spring supply and return water temperatures almost overlap.

Highlights

Active beam systems have gained increased recognition over the last decades as a sustainable technology able to provide good thermal comfort and advantages in terms of energy savings [1,2]
The minimum supply water temperature occurs in correspondence of the maximum outdoor air temperature and it assumes a value of 22°C
This paper presents preliminary results regarding an on-going monitoring campaign conducted to analyse the performance of a novel two-pipe active beam system

Summary

Introduction

Active beam systems have gained increased recognition over the last decades as a sustainable technology able to provide good thermal comfort and advantages in terms of energy savings [1,2]. They are often referred to as “chilled” beams, in many cases active beams can be used for both heating and cooling [3]. Recent studies conducted by the authors have investigated the possibility to design a novel active beam system able to provide simultaneous heating and cooling using only a single water loop (Fig. 2) [7-8]. Measurements of indoor air temperature in one floor of the building are shown in this paper in order to provide an indication of the thermal conditions provided by the system

Methodology

Design and sizing of the system

Indoor air temperature measurements

Results and discussion

Conclusions