technologyscanning

Issue 1November 2001

Next Generation PulseNext Generation PulseNext Generation PulseNext Generation PulseNext Generation PulseCombustion TCombustion TCombustion TCombustion TCombustion Technologyechnologyechnologyechnologyechnology

Next generation pulse combustiontechnology reduces fuel consumption by50 percent and reduces greenhouse gasesby 30 percent through cleaner emissions.New breakthroughs in the design of heatchambers result in higher heat transfercoefficients with thermal efficiencies of 97percent. This technology is underresearch for commercial andmanufacturing uses, but with furtherresearch and development could beapplied to residential heating systems.Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Dr. Dilip Manuel, BusinessDevelopment ManagerDavid Proctor, Primary ResearcherCSIRO Thermal & Fluids EngineeringMelbourne, AustraliaPhone: +61 3 9 252 6000Email: information@dbce.csiro.au

Micro-Capillary Heat Exchange/Micro-Capillary Heat Exchange/Micro-Capillary Heat Exchange/Micro-Capillary Heat Exchange/Micro-Capillary Heat Exchange/Cooling SystemCooling SystemCooling SystemCooling SystemCooling System

Similar to radiant heat in floors,this technology uses liquid in tiny tubesin the ceiling to cool a space. Watermoves through tiny tubes (twice thediameter of pencil lead) and is chilled to59°F for cooling or warmed to 86°F forheating. The large surface area promotesfaster heat exchange with substantialenergy savings. Tubes are connected inparallel and placed in panel form, whichcan have plaster or other finishes appliedover the top. Dehumidification is stillrequired in humid climates.Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:KaRoArchhamps, Francewww.karo.cc

Hydronic Radiant CoolingHydronic Radiant CoolingHydronic Radiant CoolingHydronic Radiant CoolingHydronic Radiant Cooling

Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory is working on a project todevelop Hydronic Radiant Cooling(HRC), which separates the tasks ofventilation and thermal spaceconditioning as it shifts the peak coolingload to later in the day. The technologyrelies on radiation from a cooled surfaceto provide sensible cooling, and it uses airdistribution to fulfill ventilation andindoor humidity requirements.Demonstrations are currently operatingin office buildings in Switzerland, Austria(2), and Oakland, CA, as well as at aretail store in Utah. (Refer to ProjectLBNL-13)Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Helmut Feustral, LBL National LabPhone: 510-486-4021Email: HEFeustel@lbl.govhttp://epb.lblgov/thermal/hydronic.html

Solar Pre-Heat of Fresh AirSolar Pre-Heat of Fresh AirSolar Pre-Heat of Fresh AirSolar Pre-Heat of Fresh AirSolar Pre-Heat of Fresh AirCuts Heating CostCuts Heating CostCuts Heating CostCuts Heating CostCuts Heating Cost

This is a technology from theagriculture industry’s crop drying process.It uses solar energy to preheat air used inventilation systems. The Department ofEnergy and the National RenewableEnergy Laboratory are developing thistechnology for use in commercial andresidential structures. The system heatsair by as much as 54°F, reducing theannual heating cost by $1 to $3 persquare foot. Solarwall uses perforatedmetal sheeting as a solar absorber, whichcosts half as much as traditional glazedsolar panels.Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:NREL Technology Transfer OfficePhone: 303-275-3008

Heating,Ventilatingand AirConditioning

Listed in this section are theListed in this section are theListed in this section are theListed in this section are theListed in this section are thetechnology findings that directly ortechnology findings that directly ortechnology findings that directly ortechnology findings that directly ortechnology findings that directly orin part could be applied to thein part could be applied to thein part could be applied to thein part could be applied to thein part could be applied to themechanical infrastructure (heating,mechanical infrastructure (heating,mechanical infrastructure (heating,mechanical infrastructure (heating,mechanical infrastructure (heating,ventilating and air conditioning)ventilating and air conditioning)ventilating and air conditioning)ventilating and air conditioning)ventilating and air conditioning)of housing.of housing.of housing.of housing.of housing.

Technology Scanning

One of PATH’s major research supportservices is PATH Technology Scanning.Technology Scanning tells us abouttechnology developments in otherindustries, from other nations, from federallaboratories, and from other buildingsectors. PATH looks for breakthroughs inother industries that could be transferredand applied to housing. TechnologyScanning–published by the U.S.Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment/PATH and prepared by theNAHB Research Center, Inc.–are updated astechnology developments dictate. TheResearch Center works to unite technologydevelopers from outside of residentialconstruction with manufacturers in theresidential housing sector.

This issue of Technology Scanning isone in a series. Each issue in the series fallsinto one of the following categories:• Design and Internet Tools• Safety• Surfaces and Interior Finishes• Building Envelope Technologies• Electrical• Plumbing• Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning• Energy/Power Systems Generation• Basic Materials• Information Technology• Sustainable Design Strategies• Materials Recycling and Reuse• Thermal and Moisture Protection• Indoor Environmental Quality

Call the ToolBase Hotline at800-898-2842 for information about otheravailable Technology Scanning issues. Or,log onto pathnet.org and www.toolbase.org.

451 7th Street, SWWashington, DC 20410Email: pathnet@pathnet.org

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State-of-the Art inState-of-the Art inState-of-the Art inState-of-the Art inState-of-the Art inBuilding AutomationBuilding AutomationBuilding AutomationBuilding AutomationBuilding Automation

Progress in communicationstandards has led to new forms ofbuilding automation. BACnet is one set ofoperability protocols that allow fielddevices in HVAC to talk to each other andcentralized command centers. The otheris LonMark and LonWorks operabilityprotocols. The LonMark catalog nowcontains over 220 products that inter-operate over a LonWorks Network. The ITindustry has spawned a whole new set ofscripting languages with the intent ofintegration and blending of protocols andsoft technologies. Common language hasallowed many devices to link together andbe controlled collectively versusindividually.Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Ken SinclairEmail:sinclair@automatedbuildines.com

Heat Storage System UnderHeat Storage System UnderHeat Storage System UnderHeat Storage System UnderHeat Storage System Under-floor-floor-floor-floor-floor

Luwa Sustainable Energydemonstrated its latest in heat storagesystems for storing heat produced by solarPV systems, at Sustain 2001. TheirTEAP29 product makes use of latent heatto achieve higher thermal density. Energyis absorbed by the system during excessheat production times, then released byprogrammable controls during need inoff-peak times. The system installs simplyover concrete slabs and comes in easy-to-use capsule sections that are embeddedwith under floor heating tubes orelectrical heating cables. A screen is thenapplied over the top to provide a finished,walkable surface.Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Luwa BVNetherlandsPhone: +31 0-35-541-55-51Email : infosustain.mrg@luwa.nlwww.teappcm.com

Airflow Modeling SoftwareAirflow Modeling SoftwareAirflow Modeling SoftwareAirflow Modeling SoftwareAirflow Modeling Software

Flovent provides software andconsulting services to evaluate andsimulate airflow/movement in a structureduring the design phase to optimize thedesign and performance of HVAC systemsfor better indoor air quality, and healthierand more comfortable homes at lowercosts. By studying and modeling airflow,more accurate equipment can be sized.Floor plans and wall plans can beadjusted to take problem areas away andcreate more efficient air flows, therebyreducing the energy needed to run thesystems. They refer to it as interioraerodynamics.Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:FlowmericsPhone: 508-357-2012www.flovent.com

Duct Audits for Peak EfficiencyDuct Audits for Peak EfficiencyDuct Audits for Peak EfficiencyDuct Audits for Peak EfficiencyDuct Audits for Peak Efficiency

Brookhaven National Laboratory isdoing field research using duct audits onforced air duct system performance. Theymeasure inefficiencies in duct design andlayout and installation and assembly,which directly result in energy loss andindirectly contribute to poor indoor airquality.(Project reference BNL-2)Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Richard KrajawskiBrookhaven National LaboratoryPhone: 514-344-3804Email: krajawski@bnl.gov

Alternative to Metal DuctworkAlternative to Metal DuctworkAlternative to Metal DuctworkAlternative to Metal DuctworkAlternative to Metal Ductwork

FabricAir, Inc. in Louisville, KY, hasbrought over a European series of fabricductwork to the U.S. UL-approved andNFPA-certified, it has been used for over30 years in Europe. It provides analternative to metal ducts that is energyefficient, quieter, lightweight, and has apotentially lower installation cost. Thefabric ducts are available in sizes from 8to 80 inch diameter round ducts. Thefabric is treated to resist mold, with zipperconnections for ease of assembly.Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:Contact:www.fabricair.comOther Fabric DuctOther Fabric DuctOther Fabric DuctOther Fabric DuctOther Fabric DuctManufacturers:Manufacturers:Manufacturers:Manufacturers:Manufacturers:Pal Int’I Soft AirDuctSox, Dubuque, IAPhone: 319-589-2777Email: pal@koolduct.com