INNOVATIONS

TOP 10 INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING APPROACHES We're counting down our Top 10 list in the next 10 editions of INNOVATIONS #10 - Life-Cycle-Cost Based Decision-Making - October/November 2002 #9 - DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems) *What is it?* With DOAS, a central air handler provides all of the ventilation air and latent conditioning to the occupied spaces. A separate terminal system provides the remainder of the sensible heating and cooling. The terminal system can be radiant ceiling panels, fan coil units, or heat pumps. How does it work? A 100% outdoor air constant-volume air handler preconditions the air using filters, heating and cooling coils, and one or more energy recovery wheels. Energy (both sensible and latent) is recovered from the exhaust air streams by the energy recovery wheels before leaving the building. The ventilation air provides 30-50% of the space heating and cooling and all of the space humidification and dehumidification. The terminal system does only sensible cooling (any cooling coils run dry). Almost all of a building's moisture load comes from the ventilation air. During the cooling season, the DOAS dries the air to a low dew point (typically 45F) to insure that spaces achieve a low relative humidity. During the heating season, the DOAS can humidify the dry outdoor air. The energy recovery wheels preheat and add moisture to the ventilation air from the exhaust streams. A slightly positive building pressure is maintained to minimize infiltration of outdoor air. During mild weather, the DOAS removes the moisture and then reheats the air using energy from the exhaust stream. What are the benefits compared to conventional VAV systems? Air handler and ductwork are about 1/3 normal size Less plenum height, smaller mechanical rooms Lower operating cost due to smaller fans, lower reheat requirements, energy and moisture recovery Simpler controls Lower space humidity and dry secondary system coils reduce the chance of microbial growth Can be used with radiant ceiling panels to eliminate the floor space, maintenance, and noise of air-based terminal systems Similar or lower first cost Ask us how DOAS can be applied to your next project.
What's WRONG With These Pictures?	The Benefits of Construction Review Services Are you getting your money's worth? Think that your building’s construction is solid, reliable, and most of all, safe? Economical building and system operation depends on the right materials, installation procedures, start-up, and commissioning. Often, in the rush to meet schedules and with the number of trades involved, the design intent is compromised and long-term value suffers. Continued involvement of the engineering design team right through the construction and post-construction phases can help you achieve the results you expect. The design team knows the intent of all components and systems and is best positioned to advocate for you. Examples include: Review equipment submittals to insure that the correct features and capacities are ordered Review shop drawings to help coordinate the trades Provide full or part-time site observations to witness systems installation before concealment Inspect components to see that new, undamaged, quality materials are used that conform with the submittals Approve pay requests so that financial leverage is maintained until the work is complete Conduct job meetings to get timely resolution of questions and keep the project on schedule Commission systems to document dynamic performance Organize maintenance documents, conduct staff training to help you operate the systems at peak performance Develop a building web site containing all project documentation, equipment data, access to the building control system and real-time utility data One way to achieve seamless continuity from design through post-construction is our *Engineer-Led Turnkey™* process. We take responsibility for hiring and coordinating all trades, purchasing equipment, commissioning, and warranty follow-up. These pictures from actual job sites show the potential for sub-standard performance. Involve us throughout and let us help you achieve the best. Picture Descriptions (top to bottom): There is a 3-4 inch change in elevation across this 8-foot section of fin-tube. The bricks are being used to support the gas feed to this HVAC unit. It should be supported with support brackets that clamp onto the beam and pipe to keep it in place. Insulation is peeling off of a newly installed duct. Upblast exhaust fan that was dropped off of the roof during the installation process and installed with clear & visible damage to the unit. Construction debris remained on a facility rooftop after the Contractors had left the site.





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*What's New at ThermalTech?* Expanded Industrial and Process Controls Expertise Steve Steinkuhl, a specialist in PLC and distributed control systems design and installation, has recently joined the ThermalTech team. Steve is experienced with Allen-Bradley, Westinghouse, Foxboro, and other control and integration products. We can now blend our strong system design capabilities with controls implementation to give you the most economical and energy-efficient solutions. Let us apply our controls expertise to optimizing your manufacturing processes and utility systems (boiler plants, compressed air systems, waste treatment, pollution control).
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Most of us have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for during the holidays. This holiday season, ThermalTech wanted to give something back to the community to those who are not as fortunate. We contacted Project Connect, which is run by Cincinnati Public Schools from Hayes Elementary, and serves children and families living in homeless shelters. Our staff adopted two families, collected over $1000 dollars, and purchased and gift-wrapped both needed and fun items for the families. Special thanks to Marc Baker at Project Connect for facilitating this opportunity to share with others. Picture (Right): ThermalTech staffers wrapping Christmas gifts for needy families We would also like to thank each of our customers for their business this past year and wish them a wonderful & happy holiday season!
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