Gas-fired desiccant system for retail super center
- Sustainable Design Group, Gaithersburg, MD (United States)
- Linric Co., Bradford, MA (United States)
Concerns about indoor air quality have led to increasing outside air requirements that have prompted HVAC system designers to rethink how to handle outside air. The resulting increase in latent load can cause a variety of problems such as uncomfortably high humidity, mold and mildew, sweating ducts and higher energy cost. These problems occur not only in very humid climates but also in moderate climates during the swing season when the sensible load is low and the outside humidity is high. This combined with increasing concern for occupant comfort has led engineers to look for HVAC designs that provide good temperature and humidity control while still providing adequate quantities of outside air ventilation. This article describes the results of a one-year monitored evaluation of a gas-fired desiccant makeup air system used in a Wal-Mart super center. The system provides continuous fresh-air ventilation and independent temperature and humidity control. It also demonstrates the potential for energy savings and reduced first cost of the HVAC system. This approach, investigated by the owners` design team and independently monitored and verified in this Gas Research Institute-funded field study, has proven to be a cost-effective solution to meeting the new ventilation standard.
- OSTI ID:
- 563909
- Journal Information:
- ASHRAE Journal, Vol. 39, Issue 10; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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