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Note: While great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on the pages of CPEP, please be aware that the information contained herewith is considered a work in progress for this thesis project. Modifications and changes related to the original building designs and construction methodologies for this senior thesis project are solely the interpretation of Anderson Clemenceau. Changes and discrepancies in no way imply that the original design contained errors or was flawed. Differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have been incorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design.

Proposal

Proposal and Schedule - 1/19/2015 Update

Changes in Mechanical Depth, as well as both breadth investigations.

Note: Breadth investigations were slightly adjusted from the initial proposal during the course of the project. Refer to the Final Report version of the proposal for most updated project proposal.

The proposal outlines the investigation into possible alternative mechanical systems for the Ed Roberts Campus to be analyzed during the Spring semester.  As the current system does meet all design and code requirements, and in many cases exceeds requirements, this is primarily an academic exercise investigating other ideas that may have been considered during the design process.  When considering design alternatives for the building it was important to think about what other systems the proposed changes might influence.  What benefits would the new system bring to the operation of the building?  Additionally, it is important to consider costs associated with the installation and operation of the new system.

Depth

With these questions in mind the decision was made to investigate a Variable Refrigerant Flow system in the ERC.  The current system is set up well to handle such a change, and there are many possible benefits in the efficiency and cost of operation.  The system will be able to save some energy by eliminating chilled water HVAC equipment and still retain zone specific control of the indoor climate with the fan-coil units throughout the building.  In addition, a solar thermal hot water system will be investigated to provide hot water to the radiant floor system.  A heat exchanger between the refrigerant side of the HVAC system will allow water in this radiant system to be chilled. 

Structural Breadth

The removal of several types of chilled and hot water equipment from the rooftop mechanical room, as well as the addition of many VRF outdoor units, offer the possibility of redesigning the structure of the roof.  The solar thermal system, depending on the weight of the panels and size of the panel array, could require a redesign of the roof structure.  If the structure could be reduced in size there is the possibility of additional cost savings.

Electrical Breadth

Another possible effect of elimating equipment is an adjustment to the electrical system.  The addition of a large amount of VRF equipment with different electric requirements could also require adjustments to the electrical system.  This adjustment could mean redesigning a branch circuit, or the design of a completely new circuit, to suit the changing mechanical system.  This change could result in a lower first cost for the electrical equipment, as well as a reduction in electricity use and monthly energy savings.

 

 

 

 

News Feed

4/22/2015 - CPEP Completed

4/22/2015 - CPEP Reflection Posted

4/22/2015 - ABET Assessment Posted

4/21/2015 - Final Presentation Posted

4/21/2015 - Final Report Posted

3/30/2015 - Presentation Outline Posted

1/19/2015 - Proposal Updated and Posted

12/12/2014 - Proposal Posted

11/11/2014 - Tech Report 3 Posted

10/21/2014 - Building Statistics 2 Posted

10/20/2014 - Abstract Posted

10/06/2014 - Tech Report 2 Posted

10/06/2014 - Tech Report 1 Posted

09/16/2014 - Building Statistics 1 Posted

09/15/2014 - CPEP Full Functionality

09/08/2014 - CPEP Home Page Draft

09/02/2014 - CPEP Seminar

09/01/2014 - Project Initiation Forms

08/26/2014 - Personal Thank You Sent

08/25/2014 - Documents Received

07/24/2014 - Owner Permission Obtained

 

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Last updated on 4/22/2015 by Anderson Clemenceau and is hosted by the AE Department 2014