ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

Alternative 1is a ombined Heat and Power System. The combined Heat and Power System, also known as the cogeneration system, is an integrated mechanical system, which simultaneously generates and utilizes heat and power. The majority of buildings in the world use the SHP system, which is known as the separate heat and power system, due to its low initial cost. The SHP system generates heat and power separately by implementing both power plants and heating equipment. The Northfield Mental Healthcare center also uses the SHP system, consequently with the high output of electricity and gas consumption.

A lot of healthcare facilities with high heating and cooling demands use the CHP systems. The CHP system in a healthcare facility reduces a significant amount of electricity and gas consumption by generating energy sources on-site, instead of buying them from energy companies. In addition, since water is used as the refrigerant, there are no harmful chemical pollutants emitted when using the CHP system.

There are various components of CHP systems, but a typical CHP system consists of mechanical conversion equipment, a prime mover, and a heat recovery system. A prime mover converts fuel energy into mechanical energy and sends the energy to the mechanical conversion equipment. The mechanical energy is then transferred to the mechanical conversion equipment and converted into power. Heat rejected from the prime mover is moved to a heat recovery system and converted into useful thermal energy. The overall efficiency of the system highly depends on the type of prime mover used for a system.

A simple calculation will be performed to see if the CHP system has more potential to be a favorable payback for the Northfield Mental Healthcare center, as well as to see which type of prime mover will be appropriate for the system.

Alternative 2 is the Combined Heat, Power, and Cooling (CHPC) system, also known as the tri-generation system. With the similar manner of the cogeneration system, the same on-site energy-generating module will be used for the tri-generation system. The major difference between cogeneration and tri-generation is the usage of thermal energy output from the CHP module. While the thermal energy from the CHP module will be used for the heating process for the cogeneration system, the thermal energy from the CHP module will be used for the cooling process for the tri-generation system.

The tri-generation system utilizes energy in three forms: electricity, heat, and chilled water. However, the tri-generation system requires cooling equipment, which uses hot water or heat as a source, such as steam fired absorption chillers or hot water fired absorption chillers. Various types of absorption chillers that can be used along with the CHP module will be studied to see which type of absorption chillers provides a maximum efficiency of the entire system.

Due to the additions and changes of mechanical systems, electrical load will be affected. The study will include an evaluation of whether the CHP generator can replace one of the existing emergency generators. The NEC code requirements for the emergency generator and the CHP generator will be studied, and the load distribution systems of the existing generators will be examined. The calculation on the size of the conductors, used to connect the CHP generator with the existing parallel switchgear, will also be performed.

A noise reduction is one of the major considerations for the healthcare facilities. Considerable amount of the noise generated by mechanical equipment and electrical equipment needs to be reduced for patient safety. Especially this facility, mental clinic, needs to create better healing environment to ensure all the patients to have comfortable spaces. Airborne noise creation and noise attenuation through ductwork will be evaluated to ensure if all the exhaust and supply diffusers are properly selected and placed. If the redesigned mechanical system creates too much noise transmitting to adjacent rooms, proper acoustical equipment will be selected and placed in order to increase noise attenuations, or rearrangement of rooms will be conducted. The study will include an evaluation of the CHP module’s noise generation. The sound attenuation device, such as an exhaust air silencer, will be studied, selected, and applied for the CHP module.