2016 ASHRAE Winter Conference

The required length of vertical ground heat exchangers (GHX) used in ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) systems is determined to make the outlet temperature from the GHX remains within certain limits at peak ground load conditions. These conditions may not necessarily occur after 10 or 20 years of operation and often occur during the first year of operation. The primary objective of this paper is to develop a general methodology, using the framework of the ASHRAE bore field sizing method, for the calculation of the total required bore field length on a monthly basis during the first year of operation.

District cooling plants using large electric powered water-cooled vapor compression machines in warm weather regions are gaining popularity. Providing an economic mass scale cooling for buildings. This paper proposes to replace such a system with the use of direct-fired two-stage absorption chillers located at the power generation plant. Absorbers energized by the exhaust of a gas turbine power generation plant can be used to provide chilled water to cool nearby buildings. Calculations presented in this document can be used to analyze the feasibility of such an investment.

Liquid to air membrane energy exchangers (LAMEEs) are used to transfer heat and moisture between air and desiccant solution streams. LAMEEs use semi permeable membranes to prevent the transfer of desiccant droplets to the airstream, which guarantee high levels of indoor air quality. When a LAMEE is used for air cooling and dehumidifying, energy of phase change is released as the desiccant solution absorbs moisture from the humid airstream. Consequently, the temperature of the desiccant solution increases as it flows along the exchanger which decreases the LAMEE’s effectiveness. A 3-fluid LAMEE is a novel type of LAMEEs which includes a cooling water circuit to cool the desiccant solution along the exchanger. The main contribution of this paper is that it quantifies for the first time the amount of phase change energy released in liquid desiccant energy exchangers used for air cooling and dehumidifying process.

This paper investigates the possibility of using a Tesla turbine as an alternative air-conditioning compressor drive unit rather than the traditional method of linking the compressor rotor to the vehicle engine crank-shaft belt or chain. Interest in Tesla turbines has recently gained momentum due to the possibility in obtaining high efficiency in energy conversion, as claimed by the inventor Nikola Tesla. This paper investigates the possibility of driving the air-conditioning compressor using the hydraulic energy available in the engine lubrication oil piping provided by the engine oil pump. Tesla turbines are easy to adapt and can cover a range of flow rate capacities. Using such a system for energy conversion can lower capital equipment costs and improve the turbine life span. Contributing to sustainable engineering development.