EVENT ASHRAE SUMMER CONFERENCE
programme contained a specifically identified research stream, where a thread of 28 sessions ran across the four days. Areas discussed reflected the broadening scope of subjects represented in ASHRAE’s work, and included the human element in the smart grid; heat transfer issues in cooling and heating systems; and developments in simulation. There were, of course, a number of presentations considering building commissioning for green buildings and the link with Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes. The examples of retro- commissioning, as described by Kyle Knudten of McClure Engineering, were particularly well received. Knudten illustrated – and quantified – a number of field-based modifications and adjustments to systems in healthcare buildings in southern Illinois, ranging from the simple, such as cleaning cooling coils and adjusting time clocks, to more complex adjustments of control loops and damper regimes. In one hospital that had achieved an Energy Star rating for eight of the previous 10 years (and so not regarded as a profligate user of energy), these changes were predicted to save more than 5% of electrical power use and 34% of gas, with a payback of less than six months. However, the resulting operation was not as effective as the prediction – largely the result of poor
communication by those who coordinated with the commissioning consultants to those responsible for operation. Somewhat more speculative and developmental was the presentation by Wim Zeiler of Eindhoven University of Technology that considered the use of infrared sensing of fingertip temperatures to provide a direct measure of occupant comfort. His research indicated that by monitoring the human body directly and not using a remote secondary predicator of thermal comfort (such as room air temperature) there was potential to save energy by providing more closely controlled environmental conditions. The sheer magnitude of the evaporative
cooling applications – handling more than 1,600m3
/s of air – discussed by Pat Graef of
Munters Corporation excited interest. The mechanism itself is simple enough – the evaporation of water to reduce the dry- bulb temperature of the air. However, cost and effectiveness will be determined by operational factors. Graef outlined some key areas for longevity of the evaporative media, including ensuring water flow maintained a constantly wetted surface; protecting the surfaces from external environmental damage; and the application of upstream filtration to reduce particulate matter. As a past director of ASHRAE, my opinion
may be partisan but the vast and divergent spectrum of subjects makes the ASHRAE meetings unbeatable in the HVAC&R world. No matter how many meetings one attends, the enthusiasm of the staff and members, across hundreds of committees and technical sessions, remains infectious. CJ
VIEW FROM A NEW HORIZON
Tom Watson reflects on his year as ASHRAE president
A fellow ASHRAE officer once advised me that work for your presidential year begins long before your presidential year. ASHRAE’s 2012-13 theme, ‘Broadening ASHRAE’s horizons’, focused on how we use technology and applications through the ASHRAE and ASHRAE Associate Society Alliance membership. With the help of very dedicated members – and the benefit of getting an early start – I feel that we accomplished that goal. Foremost in our work were the
Community Sustainability Projects, which urged members and chapters to get involved in their communities in a bid to make the public more aware of the work of engineers. Among the projects completed were everything from upgrading HVAC&R systems at a camp for children with cancer to providing solar-powered lighting to a remote village in India. Even student branches got involved and raised awareness of energy efficiency on their campuses. Meanwhile, the Grassroots Government Activities Committee (GGAC) is providing education and technical expertise to state, provincial and local government bodies and policymakers on subjects such as energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. GGAC is helping to develop priorities in line with ASHRAE’s technology, allowing chapters within the same province or state to coordinate efforts, as well as supporting our worldwide grassroots government activities. Finally, there is YEA Leadership International, which gives young members the chance to develop soft skills and network with other young professionals. This began after a conversation with a member of the Pune chapter in India. The first YEA Leadership International took place in Sri Lanka, with more than two dozen participants. A second is planned in Qatar this September. What better example is there of broadening the horizons of our future engineers?
THOMAS WATSON is chief engineer at Daikin McQuay. He served as ASHRAE president in 2012-13
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September 2013 CIBSE Journal 37
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TERI VIRBICKIS /
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