Advanced air terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydronic air conditioning systems face challenges such as stratification issues during heating mode leading to discomfort, inaccurate CO2 and temperature measurement due to stratification, oversized air handling units for both hygienic and thermal requirements, and complications in installation due to varying chilled beam sizes.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid air terminal system with a housing, fresh air inlet, outlet and inlet diffusers, a coil for heat transfer, and a fan to condition airflow, along with a CO2 sensor and temperature sensor linked to a controller, which adjusts airflow and heat transfer medium flow to maintain optimal conditions, minimizing fresh airflow and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high fresh airflow is provided to meet hygienic requirements, then air quality is improved, but air handling unit size and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts fresh airflow based on real-time CO2 sensor readings and occupancy detection. The air handling unit modulates its operation to provide minimum hygienic airflow when occupied and reduced airflow when unoccupied, resolving the contradiction between maintaining air quality and reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
CO2 sensors provide continuous feedback on indoor air quality, enabling the control system to adjust fresh airflow rates accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures hygienic requirements are met while avoiding excessive airflow and associated energy waste.
2Reliability
If high fresh airflow is provided to meet hygienic requirements, then air quality is improved, but air handling unit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air handling unit is designed with variable capacity operation, allowing it to scale its airflow output based on actual occupancy and CO2 levels. This dynamic capability enables a smaller unit to meet hygienic requirements during peak occupancy rather than requiring oversized capacity for maximum occupancy scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (airflow rate, fan speed, coil valve position) based on real-time conditions. This parameter modulation allows the air handling unit to deliver appropriate fresh airflow for hygienic compliance without requiring constant high-capacity operation, enabling downsizing of the unit.
3Temperature
If high water temperature is used in heating mode, then heating capacity is improved, but stratification occurs causing discomfort and measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts water temperature in the heating coil based on room conditions and airflow rate. By modulating the coil valve and adjusting supply water temperature to match actual thermal loads, the system maintains heating capacity while preventing excessive temperature differences that cause stratification and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors provide feedback on room temperature distribution, enabling the control system to adjust water temperature and airflow to maintain thermal uniformity. This feedback prevents stratification by ensuring heating is distributed evenly throughout the space.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If climatic beam operates without fan in cooling mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but air distribution and comfort are improved
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines when fan assistance is needed based on cooling load, airflow requirements, and comfort conditions. The fan operates only when necessary to achieve proper air distribution, resolving the contradiction between energy savings and comfort by making fan operation conditional rather than continuous or always-off.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively addresses stratification and comfort issues by minimizing fresh airflow and energy consumption, reducing air handling unit size, and enhancing climatic beam capacity through controlled operational modes, ensuring hygienic and comfort requirements are met with reduced energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
A coil is located in the housing through which a heat transfer medium is flowable to condition the fresh airflow and/or the return airflow prior to flowing through the outlet diffuser into the conditioned space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An air terminal for a heating or air conditioning system includes a housing and a fresh air inlet in the housing to supply a fresh airflow to the air terminal. An outlet diffuser is located at the housing to allow airflow from the air terminal into a conditioned space. An inlet diffuser is located at the housing to allow return airflow from the conditioned space into the air terminal. A coil is located in the housing through which a heat transfer medium is flowable to condition the fresh airflow and/or the return airflow prior to flowing through the outlet diffuser into the conditioned space. A fan is located in the housing to urge return airflow through the inlet diffuser and across the coil.