Operations and Maintenance Improvement Opportunities for Arleigh Burke Class HVAC Systems

摘要

Increased emphasis on life cycle savings by the Navy has resulted in many initiatives to improve the operability and maintainability of the shipboard heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This system is a complex integration of various sub-systems including a distributed chilled water system with chilled water plants (commonly called air conditioning plants) providing chilled water to fan coil units distributing air. The shipboard HVAC system is vertically and horizontally segregated into fire zones that support combat mission reliability and fight-through capability. The design becomes a compromise between mission requirements and efficiency. In combat, energy efficiency is secondary to mission and survival. However, the reality is that at least 50% of a ship's life is in port operation, when optimizing for energy efficiency can have a significant benefit to equipment maintenance life cycle. This paper summarizes the efforts of the SURFLANT and SURFPAC Fleet Energy Managers to improve the operations and maintenance of the HVAC system in the Navy's most numerous ship class, the Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer. Fleet Energy Managers are pursuing a multitude of initiatives including the following: 1. Training sailors to improve the operation and maintenance of chilled water solenoid valves. 2. Developing low cost metal covers to limit the adjustable range of the thermostat. 3. Training ships to adopt single air conditioning plant operations while in port. 4. Developing operating procedures to reset chilled water temperature set-points. 5. Working to improve the availability and reliability of chlorinators through training and improvement of logistical documentation. 6. Working with NAVSEA to develop additional diagnostic checks of the air conditioning plants. 7. Aligning ventilation zones for reduced energy in port. These efforts showcase how the Navy is aggressively working for the win-win goal of achieving energy cost savings while improving equipment service life through smarter operations and maintenance.