Life science facilities present unique challenges in incorporating cost-effective, sustainable designs that provide tangible energy savings to meet client expectations. One solution to achieve this is to engineer large air-to-air energy recovery systems. Air-to-air solutions have large space requirements in both footprint and volume that is a luxury not often available in urban campuses. One alternative method of achieving the goal of energy savings with reliable operation while addressing limited space constraints is to provide high-performance run-around heat recovery systems. These systems utilize familiar components such as pumps, heat exchangers, filters, and coils, making the solution easy to understand and maintain. The design includes a bypass around the exhaust airstream coil with a walk-in service plenum, allowing 24/7 operation of the building’s exhaust airstream while performing required maintenance. Backed up by the manufacturer’s performance guarantee, the owner is provided with a cost-effective, sustainable design and have the security that the system will reduce the building’s energy consumption and lower annual energy costs.
Loring recently completed a life sciences laboratory project in New York utilizing a high-performance run-around heat recovery system. This system captures energy from the building’s exhaust system, which would otherwise be wasted. Dedicated coils in the building’s multiple air-handling units and exhaust fan systems receive a glycol-water solution that is circulated between the outside air and exhaust air airstreams, while maintaining complete separation between the two to prevent potential cross contamination. The installed run-around heat recovery system offsets nearly 100% of the building’s pre-heat ventilation load and approximately 17.5% of the building’s ventilation cooling loads. Given New York’s challenging climate, choosing a system that was reliable, efficient, and simple was paramount to the project’s success.
Isometric View of Typical Heat Recovery Hydraulic Unit Skid
Typical Heat Recovery Single Line Diagram
For more information on how Loring can help you with your life science challenges, contact Ivan Zgombic, PE.
Principal
Email: IZgombic@loringengineers.com
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