The feasibility and economics of slush ice district cooling systems
District cooling systems offer advantages over individual building systems by allowing the selection of central sites close to rivers or other low summer temperature heat sinks, sites close to open spaces for cool storage, and the advantage of reducing specific chiller and cool storage costs by economy of scale. These advantages are obtained at the penalty of the cost of an additional distribution system. This paper examines the technology status of slush ice district cooling systems. Then, using the BNL District Heating and Cooling (DHC) Technology Characterization Computer Model with delivered energy cost as the figure of merit, a wide range of central and individual building cooling systems are compared. Slush ice district systems are found to be most competitive with sharply-peaked cooling loads, premium piping installation costs, premium storage cost, and high on-peak electric rates. Research and development needs include an efficient low-cost reliable ice-making evaporator, an efficient heat-activated ice-making chiller, greater slush ice storage experience, and flow research -- particularly concerning frictional factors and segregation behavior.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Bldg. 120, Upton, NY (US); District Energy Systems, Allheigonavagen 21, 611 35 Nykoping (SE)
- OSTI ID:
- 6485230
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-870620-
- Journal Information:
- ASHRAE Trans.; (United States), Journal Name: ASHRAE Trans.; (United States) Vol. 93:2; ISSN ASHTA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
District cooling gets hot
Methods and guidelines for assessing customer district energy needs. Interim report
Related Subjects
320603* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990220 -- Computers
Computerized Models
& Computer Programs-- (1987-1989)
AIR CONDITIONERS
CENTRAL HEATING PLANTS
COLD STORAGE
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
COOLING
DISTRICT COOLING
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
EVAPORATORS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HEAT SINKS
ICE
REFRIGERATORS
SIMULATION
SINKS
SITE SELECTION
STORAGE
THERMAL EFFICIENCY