PROPOSAL
Senior Thesis Proposal
The proposal for the redesign of the mechanical systems in the Sinai Hospital South Tower Vertical Expansion includes the newly designed chilled water plant and the previously installed domestic water system. In the first phase, thermal energy storage is employed in order to utilize load shifting in order to reduce peak demand. For a hospital, this would offer significant benefits since a major amount of air conditioning is required. During the second phase, the domestic water system would be retrofitted with a solar hot water heating system. Again, there would be significant benefits, as the quantity of hot water used in the hospital is substantial.
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Download Revised Proposal (January 20, 2009)
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Graduate Course-Related Special Study
A thermal energy storage tank will be added to the existing design. This may require an addition of a glycol loop for charging and discharging. With thermal energy storage, cooling capacity is stored for later use, allowing for economic and operational benefits. Although there may be a higher first cost, the ability to shift loads will reduce peak demand and offer significant electric utility savings due to the large amount of air conditioning required in the hospital.
Breadth Topics
Structural/Architectural
The inclusion of a thermal storage tank and possibly an additional hot water heater will add to the dead load of the building. Both components, in addition to smaller, miscellaneous equipment such as pumps, will add significant weight. This will require an analysis of the hospital’s structural support. As of now, both the thermal storage tank and hot water heater are proposed to be located in the penthouse or on the sixth floor roof. Depending on the required size of the equipment (following the mechanical redesign), additional space may be needed. If any of the builiding's exterior space is utilized, architectectural features, such as a screen, must be introduced to mask the equipment.
Electrical
With the addition of new equipment, there is requirement for additional power as the electrical load will change. Possible changes to the main distribution system and panelboards need to be analyzed. Although emergency power for the vertical expansion is already available from a new generator installed on the project, the system will need to be reworked in order to supply the new equipment.
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