Field Experience with the HVAC-System of the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology Building at the Ghent University

摘要

In 2003 a new advanced biotechnology laboratory building was opened at the Ghent University. Very high standards were demanded for the HVAC-installation. An energy survey was made of the whole building during 2003 and 2004, with special attention paid to the refrigeration equipment. Measurements showed a strong rise in energy use of the campus, after start-up of the building. Several measures were introduced to reduce energy use and related heat dissipation. The refrigeration system consists of two large electrical chillers cooled with two cooling towers and the possibility to use free cooling with a plate heat exchanger and the cooling towers if outside air temperatures allow it. The performance of the chillers was monitored. Measurements show that performance of the free cooling is disappointingly low. This is caused by bad design and suggestions are made for amelioration. Using DOE 2.6 a calibrated simulation of the building was run to compare with the measurement data and the design requirements. Expected energy use reduction is estimated to be 1%.