Air Handling Unit Bypass Plenum Design for Pressure-Driven Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active chilled beam apparatuses are unable to increase blower airflow without altering their operation, limiting their ability to meet increased ventilation requirements without incurring high pressure loss and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An active chilled beam apparatus with an integrated barometric air damper that opens when air pressure in the plenum exceeds a threshold, allowing air to bypass induction nozzles and increase airflow without passing through them, thereby enhancing ventilation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additional blower air is passed into the conditioned space through the induction nozzles, then ventilation requirements are satisfied, but pressure loss and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet is segmented into two independent paths: induction nozzles for conditioned air and a bypass plenum for additional ventilation air. This allows ventilation requirements to be met without forcing all air through the induction nozzle system, reducing pressure loss and energy consumption while still satisfying ventilation demands.
2Quantity of substance
If the blower volume is increased to meet higher ventilation requirements, then ventilation capacity is improved, but pressure loss increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass plenum acts as an intermediary pathway that allows excess blower air to exit the apparatus without passing through the induction nozzles. This mediator structure enables the system to handle higher air volumes with reduced resistance, lowering the energy consumption of the blower while maintaining the ability to meet increased ventilation requirements.
3Productivity
If the apparatus operates at higher airflow rates, then ventilation performance is improved, but the induction nozzle operation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet is segmented into two independent paths: induction nozzles for conditioned air and a bypass plenum for additional ventilation air. This allows ventilation requirements to be met without forcing all air through the induction nozzle system, reducing pressure loss and energy consumption while still satisfying ventilation demands.
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 solution enables increased airflow and heat exchange efficiency by providing additional ventilation without high pressure loss and energy consumption, allowing the system to adapt to varying ventilation demands while maintaining normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
The integrated barometric air damper is actuated as a result of a change in air pressure within the plenum or air manifold of the chilled beam apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An air handling unit includes a manifold having an inlet configured to receive a supply of air, a plurality of apertures formed in the manifold, the apertures enabling a passage of air from the manifold out of said the handling unit, a bypass plenum formed in the manifold, and a damper positioned within the bypass plenum. The damper is pivotable between a closed position and an open position to allow air from the manifold to exit the air handling unit without passing through the apertures when a pressure within the manifold exceeds a threshold pressure.