Hawaii Building Engineers Association

Variable Air Volume Manual

This book takes the reader from design to testing and balancing to troubleshooting, this practical book covers all the aspects of variable air volume systems for heating, cooling and ventilation systems. With a hands on approach with expertise in the trade, the reader is shown all the tricks of the trade for reducing the installation and operating costs while increasing occupant comfort. VAV applications are explained in detail for all the systems with drawings showing the different component and their function. Topics covered are temperature, pneumatics, direct digital control, and conversions from pneumatic to digital. Written by Herb Wendes, P.E. and distributed by AEE.

Monthly product / Book review

Chiller Product Controls The Refrigerant-Oil Factor

GREENWOOD, IN — Oil in refrigerant — many chillers have too much, and it’s lowering system efficiency in a big way, coating evaporator coils and affecting heat transfer surfaces.

A new product is said to address the problem of too much oil in the refrigerant, while keeping the oil at a level that actually helps system efficiency, according to Mark Key, vice president of component manufacturer Redi Controls.

The problem itself is pretty well known among engineers and manufacturers. Studies from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) have identified excess oil on the refrigerant side of the chiller as a leading contributor to oil inefficiency.

The problem also appears to be widespread.


EXCESS OIL
ASHRAE Research Project 601-TRP drew refrigerant samples from 10 operating chillers and analyzed them for oil content. While 10 chillers may not constitute a very broad study, all the units had excess oil, from 3% to as high as 23%. Even an amount as low as 3%, noted Key, is enough to “significantly degrade” oil performance.

Key said that chiller OEMs have reported that most chillers in the field are running with an excess 12% of oil in the refrigerant. This amounts to roughly a 36% drop in efficiency — not taking into account other factors that may be affecting system efficiency.

Yikes.


PRODUCT CONTROLS OIL 

The OAM Purge unit.

Key said that his company’s OAM Purge unit can remove oil, acid, and moisture (that’s what “OAM” stands for), which can affect chiller efficiency and reliability. At the same time, it maintains an extremely low level of oil in the refrigerant that actually aids efficiency. The unit is designed to be used on low- and high-pressure screw and centrifugal chillers.

“Standard chillers can have a percentage of oil contamination,” Key explained. “At 0.5% oil content, oil is a lubricant. Higher than that, it decreases system efficiency.” The OAM maintains oil content to 0.5%, Key said.

The product’s main purpose, however, is to remove oil and automatically return it to the chiller’s oil sump.

Key said that chiller OEMs have reported that most chillers in the field are running with an excess 12% of oil in the refrigerant.

New Products / Book Review

The TekonUS Product System

The TekonUS  treatment applied at the factory, installer or service on site can be maintained for life with normal care. It never has to be re-done. 

The TekonUS System is complete with treatments for each material's molecular composition. The highest level of academic research, in tandem with professional laboratory development and testing, then proven in the field by the TEK HOME service arm and finally confirmed by manufacturers with their customers, the revolutionary TekonUS products with their simple application are here for you now.

The products are great for glass restoration and can prevent the return of hard water stains.

Contact Harold von Sydow at 808-395-2996

Monthly Book / Product / Service Review

Book Review

This month I have reviewed an interesting book HVAC Retrofits: Energy Savings Made Easy by Herbert C. Wendes, P.E. The book covers the entire process of retrofitting HVAC systems to achieve energy savings, this straightforward guide takes you step by step from the initial walk – through audit through the monitoring of results after the retrofit project is complete. You will learn how to estimate labor and material costs for all types of HVAC equipment and systems. You will find out how to convert constant volume systems to variable air volume, along with the costs of doing so. Methods for calculating, analyzing and projecting energy consumption in terms of BTU and KW as well as in cost terms are detailed. Sample energy retrofit estimates are included, along with many time –saving reference lists. An extract from the book” Reducing fan flows and air resistance can have a major impact on the break-horsepower of fan motors and the consequent electrical energy costs. Break horsepower varies directly as the cube of the Cfm change and the square of the system resistance change. Budget operating costs one extra BHP can cost $700 per year running full time and $350 per year running half the time at 8 cents per Kw. An extra half an inch of static pressure resistance in a system can add a full BHP on the motor” (pg. 159) Check out the book and add it to your library.

SERVICE REVIEW

This month the companies in review are: The Nalco Company and the Franklin Steel Inc.

Nalco provides 75 years of technology leadership – targeting (ROI) Return On Investment. Nalco engineers conduct facility surveys, identify problem areas and provide solutions that lower your overall operating budget. Some of the many services offered include Water Savings and Stress Management Cooling Water Treatment Programs as well as Deep Penetration coil cleaning to improve energy efficiency and Indoor Air Quality. Nalco – People you trust, Delivering results.

Franklin Steel Inc. is a premier builder of steel products and concrete restoration and new construction projects. Starting as a custom gate builder the company today is a special projects group that can accomplish any special project a building may have from tile setting to Spaulding repairs. Structural steel products are still the focus of the company. The company states "if it is a special project we can accomplish it". Coring and wall sawing are also services offered. Give them at call at 479-8335

Product Review

This month we are looking at oil additives that can help you save energy and money. This month’s product utilizes technology to improve Compressor and Heat Exchanger Efficiency by using a Polarized refrigerant additive (PROA) that saves energy and equipment by increasing the efficiency of heat exchange systems and reducing equipment wear. Check out the full article for more….

Monthly Book Product Review

In this month’s review, we have looked at some many energy saving products from Occupancy Sensors to Solar Outdoor lighting. We are happy to introduce you to the many companies in Hawaii that can help you to reduce your energy costs. They are listed on our web site and many more will be added later. We are promoting that all buildings follow through with the Energy Star Program by having their buildings rated to other buildings of their size. The benefits of this rating will help you as managers to determine your baseline in energy usage. In doing the rating, it will help you to budget in energy projects in the future to move up the ratings. So, by accomplishing the ranking process, you will see the areas that you may have to improve in and establish an energy management program at the same time.   

Please review ECO-LITE's case study of the Kaiser Permanente Parking Garage retrofit located at http://www.magnaray.com/pages_en/frameset.html under case studies. You will also find a useful calculator for lighting there. If interested contact Tom Brennan at 808-923-4271.

We would like to also introduce Energy Industries, LLC, formally Energy Conservation Hawaii, LLC, specializing in reducing energy expenses of its clients by identifying and implementing Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs), equipment retrofit programs or efficient design programs that reduce electrical demand. EI has successfully completed hundreds of lighting and retrofits for its customers. They can also help you with your ranking for the Energy Star Program. Check out their web site at http://www.energy-industries.com or call them at 808- 839-7300.

We are also promoting a book.  This month's book titled Management Tools and Systems for the Building Engineer / Maintenance Supervisor by Robert Boyll. This book will make you an efficient Building Supervisor. It shows you how to manage all the paperwork needed for maintaining and operating buildings. It's full of practical charts, tables, and procedures for every aspect of Building Management.

Contents includes the following—AND MORE!

Checklist System
Elevator Performance Times
Risk Management
Training Employees
Proposal Package
Building Security
Analyzing Utility Bills
Energy Saving Ideas
Tenant Retention and Public Relations
Enforcing Building Contracts
Working Together with Other Departments
Preventative Maintenance Program
Building/Property Inspections
Resolving & Managing Temperature Complaints