Ashrae Journal - October 2008 - 72

Research Projects 4/03 – 1/09 (P) University of Nebraka – Lincoln Principal Investigator: Amy Musser TC 2. 1, Physiology and Human Environment Research Strategic Plan Goals Supported: B1, B2, B4, C4, C5, D5, E1 (The Research Strategic Plan is available at www.ashrae.org/technology/page/39.) expenditures necessary to resolve the comfort and noise problems are over several million dollars. Improved knowledge of the precise values for these system effects could greatly reduce both the amount of wasted energy and capital expenditures. 1128-RP Trade-off Function for the Combined Effects of Noise and Contractors’ National Temperature on Human Comfort And Performance Association (SMACNA) For the design engineer, it is of major importance to know the relative Research Strategic Plan effect of different factors of the indoor environment on people. Based Goals Supported: A1, on this knowledge, an appropriate allocation of financial resources A6, B1, B2, C1, C3, E1 for the establishment and control of the total indoor environment can be made in order to obtain optimal comfort for the occupants in buildings. Not only human comfort will be improved by optimization of the indoor environment; most likely, the occupants’ performance 04/05 – 09/08 will also improve. An overall optimization of the environment is of Concordia University major importance for the expenses incurred in the construction and Principal Investigator: operation of a building and for the use of energy to run it. 1235-RP 9/00 – 6/09 (P) Iowa State University Principal Investigator: Ron Nelson TC 6.1, Hydronic and Steam Equipment and Systems Research Strategic Plan Goals Supported: A1, A6, C1, C3, C6, E1 1196-RP Develop Software to Calculate the Application Seasonal Efficiency of Commercial Space Heating Boiler Systems Based on ASHRAE Standard 155P Boilers are estimated to account for 42% of space heating energy use in the commercial and multifamily sectors in the U.S. Significant energy savings could be achieved in commercial and multifamily buildings by optimizing the selection of commercial boiler systems in new buildings and at the time of boiler replacement. Currently, however, commercial boilers and all other types of commercial heating equipment are rated only in terms of steady-state efficiency at full load, which does not provide a meaningful indication of relative operating costs. The objective of this research project is to develop user-friendly Windows-based software which will greatly accelerate adoption of seasonal efficiency analysis for commercial boiler systems. A significant obstacle to the use of any new standard is the learning curve for users to become familiar with the new terminology and inputs and learn how to do the computations. With this software, the level of effort required of new users of the standard will be dramatically reduced, and can be focused on the more important tasks of evaluating outputs and developing an intuitive sense of the factors that affect the seasonal efficiency of commercial boiler systems. Dominique Derome TC 4. 4, Building Materials & Building Envelope Performance Research Strategic Plan Goals Supported: A6, C1, C3, D3, E1 The Nature, Significance and Control of Solar Driven Vapor Diffusion in Wall Systems The objective of this study is to develop a better understanding of the nature and significance of solar-driven inward vapor diffusion, in order to develop appropriate design guidelines to predict and manage this phenomenon as a function of climate. The knowledge generated from this research project will be directly transferred to the ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals. 08/08 – 06/09 (P) AMCA International, Inc./ CETIAT Principal Investigators: Mark Stevens and Alain Guedel TC 5.1, Fans Research Strategic Plan Goals Supported: B2, D1 1216-RP The objective of this project is to obtain a body of measured inlet system effects for both air and sound for one typical size (30”) of airfoil bladed centrifugal fans. The test fan is to be AF single width single inlet (SWSI) centrifugal fan. The aerodynamic and acoustic investigations should be made with carefully selected and controlled inlet appurtenances. Tests should be in accordance with ASHRAE 51/AMCA 210 air performance testing standard and AMCA 300 reverberant room sound testing standard with the resulting relationships cataloged as to show the relationship between aerodynamic and acoustic parameters with respect to geometric parameters. Qualification of Duct Rumble Noise Resulting From Aerodynamic System Effects at the Discharge of a Centrifugal Fan Ductwork installed at the discharge of a centrifugal fan must be aerodynamically designed to minimize large-scale airflow separation, reduce severe pressure differentials, and reduce duct resonance. Currently, the acoustic impact of centrifugal fan discharge duct configurations is qualitatively documented in the ASHRAE Handbook. However, the additive sound pressure levels of duct rumble as it relates to system effects are not accurately predictable in the initial design, and are not available in the Handbook. The objective of the research is to quantify low frequency sound pressure levels and in-duct air pressure data for the centrifugal fan, and supply air duct configurations now shown in the ASHRAE Handbook. The results will present the sound pressure level, and pressure data in a form suitable for inclusion to the ASHRAE Handbook for use by the HVAC industry in predicting duct rumble and system pressure effects. 04/05 – 01/09 Kansas State University Principal Investigator: Bruce Babin TC 1. 2, Instruments and Measurements Co-Funding: National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB), $10,000 Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) Research Strategic Plan Goals Supported: Inlet Installation Effects on Bi/Airfoil Centrifugal Fans, Air A7, B2, B4, C4, C5, D1, & Sound D5, E1 1245-RP Determine the Effects of Duct Fittings on Air Velocity Measurements There are two projects within this single research proposal. Each has its own justification of need. As to the issue of the equal area method or the log-Tchebycheff method, there is uncertainty in the ventilation measuring community as to which method is suitable for performing duct traverses under field conditions. This uncertainty has caused disagreements between the building owner or engineer and the TAB engineer, as well as between different TAB engineers. Information in the ASHRAE Handbooks and Standards concerning these measurement methods has been less than forceful due to the lack of evidence for either of the methods. This research will quantify the differences between the two methods and lead towards more accurate field measurements. Proper methods for validating the flow performance in systems are critical for the comfort, safety and health of our buildings. Testing in the past has not quantified the differences between the two methods nor has it given an indication of the type of errors balancers will encounter when they have to take measurements at less than ideal conditions. This result will give engineers an idea of what is the achievable accuracy of the test and balancing of systems and translate into more definitive data for design engineers to properly apply in HVAC system design. Indoor Environmental Effects on the Performance of School Work by Children The objective of this research project is to perform intervention experiments to test the hypothesis that classroom upgrades resulting in improved thermal control or improved air quality would significantly improve the performance of school work by children, to determine as far as possible the causative mechanism or mechanisms by which this would occur, and to quantify the improvement in health, attendance and school performance that would be likely to occur in practice if such improvements were implemented by school authorities. School performance will be assessed by using the “embedded task” approach, in which standardized tests of specific skills taught by schools will be included as a natural part of an ordinary school day. Parallel versions of each test will be applied under the different experimental conditions taking care not to confound test versions with conditions (i.e., ensuring that each version is applied equally under each condition.) Relate Air Quality and Other Factors to Comfort and Health Related Symptoms Reported by Passengers and Crew on Commercial Transport Aircraft (Part 2) The principal aim of this research project is to relate perceptions of discomfort or health related symptoms of flight attendants and passengers to possible causal factors, including cabin and bleed air quality and other factors such as reduced air pressure, jet lag, inactivity, humidity, flight attendant duty schedule and fatigue, circadian rhythm, stress and noise. In particular, the following specific objectives are to be addressed in Part 2 of this project: 1. Measure and characterize contaminants in cabin air that are introduced via ECS in a variety of airplane types. 2. Measure and characterize contaminants in cabin air that are not introduced via ECS. Ventilation rates shall be assessed. 09/04 – 01/09 (P) Iowa State University Principal Investigator: J. Adin Mann TC 2. 6, Sound and Vibration Control Research Strategic Plan Goals Supported: B1, B2, C1, C3, E1 1219-RP 12/03 – 01/09 (P) Technical University of Denmark Principal Investigators: David P Wyon, Pawel . Wargocki TC 2. 1, Physiology and Human Environment, Research Strategic Plan Goals Supported: A5, A6, A7, B1, B2, B4, C4, C5, D5, E1, E2 1257-RP 03/05 – 01/09 Tennessee Technological University Principal Investigator: Corrine Darvennes TC 5.1, Fans Co-funding: Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning 1223-RP Inlet Installation Effects on Small Propeller Fans, Air, and Sound The existence of significant system effects on small propeller fans due to inlet appurtenances is widely accepted. Reports of installed performance indic
Ashrae Journal - October 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ashrae Journal - October 2008

Ashrae Journal - October 2008
Contents
Commentary
Industry News
Letters
ASHRAE HQ Dedication Booklet
ASHRAE Rebuilds HQ to Reflect Mission
Feature Articles
ASHRAE's Living Lab
Meetings and Shows
Sizing Pipe Using Life-Cycle Costs
Feature Articles
Energy-Efficient Data Centers: A Close-Coupled Row Solution
The Future of 90.1
Ventilation Standard for Health Care Facilities
Grosvenor Humidity Chart
ASHRAE Research Report
ASHRAE Honor Roll
Building Sciences
Special Products
Emerging Technologies
Product Showplace
Classified Advertisting
Advertising Index
Ashrae Journal - October 2008 - Ashrae Journal - October 2008
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Contents