ASHRAE Journal - October 2023 - 71

RESEARCH REPORT
this work the metric, measurement protocol, and performance standard can be codifi ed within
189.1/IgCC for adoption by authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ)s, other standards/certifi cations
(WELL Building, LEED, FitWel, etc.), and the international design community.
 1854-RP, Database of Ultraviolet Inactivation Rate Constants
(K-values) for Microorganisms Critical to System Design
December 2022 - June 2023; Icahn School of Medical Mount Sanai; Principal
Investigator; Richard Vincent; TC 2.9 Ultraviolet Air & Surface Treatment
The objectives of this study are as follows: Conduct a comprehensive literature review and
develop a database of UV rate constants (K-values, including z-values) for a selected list of
microbiological organisms responsible for airborne disease and health-care-acquired infections.
Develop a tabular K-value database summarizing the K-values obtained from the literature,
and classify them according to specifi ed criteria used for determining the rate constant. Make
recommendations for the K-values for the selected microorganisms and viruses that can be
used by design engineers and for inclusion in relevant ASHRAE publications. Identify knowledge
gaps and make recommendations for further investigation
 1857-RP, Improved Simplifi ed Methodology for Describing
and Calculating Heat Conduction Between Buildings and the Ground
April 2023 - September 2025; Pennsylvania State University; Principal
Investigator; Gregory Pavlak
TC 4.07 Energy Calculations; Co-sponsors: TC 4.01 Load Calculation Data and
Procedures, TC 4.04 Building Materials and Building Envelope Performance
As buildings have gotten more and more effi cient, the heat transfer through slabs and
basements can no longer be discounted for being signifi cantly lower than the other heat transfer
components. Detailed methods for calculating this heat transfer using 2/3-D methods have
been created and integrated into building energy modeling software. However, these methods
require detailed input that may not be readily available for the designer. The development
of improved or new simplifi ed methods for calculating the heat transfer through slabs and
basements will have an immediate impact in the design and evaluation of low-energy buildings.
 1865-RP, Optimizing Supply Air Temperature Control for
Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems
April 2022 - March 2024; Texas A&M University; Principal Investigator; Zheng
O'Neill; TC 1.04, Control Theory and Application
The ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides Series (ASHRAE) has recommended DOASs as
part of the HVAC design strategy for most climate zones and building types evaluated, including
K-12 schools, hospital and healthcare facilities, small to medium offi ces buildings, retail buildings,
etc. This project will recommend new near-optimal control sequences for DOAS systems and
improve ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guides Series. The control sequences generated from
the research will be submitted to ASHRAE Guideline Project Committee 36 " High Performance
Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems " . The results of the project can also improve the recently
published ASHRAE Design Guide for Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (ASHRAE, 2017).
 1879-RP, Foamability Properties of LGWP Refrigerant and Oil
Mixtures
November 2022 - May 2024 (P)
Oklahoma State University; Principal Investigator: Craig Bradshaw
Sponsoring Committee: TC 3.4, Lubrication Co-sponsor; TC 8.1, Positive
Displacement Compressors
Test method for evaluation of foaming would be developed and correlated to in system
performance. Results from foaming evaluations of LGWP refrigerant and lubricant pairs, as well
as an existing refrigerant and lubricant pair will be generated and presented to facilitate the
assessment of foaming tendencies and test effi cacy.
 1883-RP, Development of the ASHRAE Global Occupant
Database
April 2020 - December 2021 (P); Syracuse University; Principal Investigator;
Bing Dong; MTG.OBB, Occupant Behavior in Buildings;
This project aims to develop a world-wide occupant database, similar to the ASHRAE Global
Thermal Comfort Database II. We plan to collect fi eld measured occupant data, including
occupant schedules (presence and people counting) and occupant behaviors (interactions with
devices, equipment and systems in buildings) from various sources around the world. We will
develop this into an open-access database with data visualization and query tools. The database
intends to support occupant behavior research that informs design and operation of low or netzero
energy buildings with signifi cant human-building interactions (HBI). Status Active Project
Still need Disposition of ASHRAE Research results form.
 1884-RP, The Incorporation of Odorants in Refrigerants to
Improve Leak Detection (Experimental Phase)
April 2023 - May 2024; Optimized Thermal Systems Inc; Principal Investigator;
Dennis Nasuta
TC 3.01, Refrigerants and Secondary Coolants; Co-sponsor; MTG for Low
Global Warming Potential Refrigerants
To empirically determine if odorants can satisfy the requirements by examining both the
fundamental properties of the refrigerants and oils using standardized bench tests as well as
how well they perform in a system including detectability. Two applications will be assessed;
one AC and one Refrigeration. It is not the intent of this research to broadly approve odorants for
all refrigerants and applications or equipment. The objective is to use a couple of proxy systems
and conditions with the goal of giving the industry an 'initial assessment' about the effi cacy of
odorant feasibility. A single component A2L, an A2L blend and an A3 hydrocarbon, like propane,
shall be tested (the precise refrigerants will be chosen by the PMS).
 1890-RP, Minimum Flow Velocities for Purging Air and Debris
from Hydronic Piping Systems
April 2023 - May 2025; Purge Rite Inc.
Principal Investigator; Russell Buras
TC 6.08 Geothermal Heat Pump and Energy Recovery Applications; Cosponsor:
TC 6.01, Hydronic and Steam Equipment and Systems & TC 6.02,
District Energy
The objective of this research will be to experimentally determine the required purging
velocities for removal of solid objects and air from hydronic piping. The results will be presented
in one or more tables showing the minimum purge velocity required for various materials,
various pipe sizes, and in both horizontal and vertical orientations, including testing of a u-bend
loop for ground-source heat pump systems. Status: Conditionally Approved. Clear conditions
with Research Liaison so project can bid.
 1900-RP, Using Simulated Weather Data with Sparse
Measured Data to Produce Hourly Weather Files and Calculate
Design Conditions
April 2022 - December 2023 (P); Klimaat Consulting
Principal Investigator; Michael Roth
TC 4.02 Climatic Information
The purpose of this follow-on effort to two previous ASHRAE projects on computer simulated
weather data (RP-1745 and RP-1561) is to combine the outputs from such methods with
sparse measured data for test cases to produce design climatic data and to produce hourly
time-series data that can then be used to determine the accuracy of the results, the level of
effort required, and the potential increase in the number of locations that can be included if the
method were used for all regions of the world.
 1923-RP, Prepare Climatic Design Conditions for the 2025
ASHRAE Handbook-Fundamentals and ASHRAE Standard 169
July 2022 - June 2024; Klimaat Consulting
Principal Investigator; Michael Roth;
TC 4.01, Load Calculation Data and Procedures
Co-sponsor: TC 4.02, Climatic Information
Climatic design conditions in Chapter 14 of the Handbook are essential for sizing and design
procedures for HVAC systems; they enable energy system capacity to be sized in such a way
that it meets climatic loads in a probabilistic sense. Regular updating of the climatic design
conditions has therefore a direct impact on the work of HVAC practitioners and shows due
diligence in a world of changing climate.
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