ASHRAE and REHVA publish new guide to chilled beam systems
February 18, 2015
By CCE
New guidance on designing chilled-beam systems is contained in a new book from ASHRAE and the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Associations (REHVA).
The “Active and Passive Beam Application Design Guide” is the result of collaboration by worldwide experts and builds on REHVA’s previously published Chilled Beam Application Guidebook.
Active and passive beam systems are an energy-efficient solution for spaces that require individual zone control and where the internal moisture loads are moderate.
Although they are often referred to as “chilled” beams, in many cases active beams can be used for both heating and cooling the space. Active and passive beams are room air recirculation devices that transfer sensible heat to and from the space using water. In addition, conditioned primary air is ducted to active beams. This primary air must satisfy the ventilation and latent requirements of the space and drive the induction of room air through the beam’s coil. In the case of passive beams, this primary air is delivered to the space through a decoupled ventilation system. Active and passive beams may be integrated with acoustic ceilings or independently mounted.
The new version of the guide gives tools and advice for designing, commissioning and operating chilled-beam systems and includes examples of active and passive beam calculations and selections.
“Active and passive beam systems provide good thermal comfort and energy and space saving advantages, and the operation of such systems is simple, with low maintenance requirements,” co-editor John Woollett said. He noted that chilled beams work well in commercial office buildings, schools, hospital patient rooms, laboratories and hotels. He said such systems are common in Scandinavian countries where they are a standard choice of indoor climate delivery in a variety of different applications.
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