12 PM to 1 PM

Topic: Demystifying Desiccant Dehumidification, It’s (Not) Rocket Science

David N. Schurk DES, CEM, LEED-AP, CDSM, CWEP, SFP, CIAQM

Presentation Description:

Desiccant-based dehumidification transfers moisture in its vapor phase from the air to the surface of a desiccant through adsorption, without the need to “condense” water on a chilled cooling coil. This allows desiccant technology to achieve absolute moisture conditions much lower than possible using more traditional refrigerant based cooling systems that dehumidify by making the air cold. 

Desiccant based systems are utilized for applications requiring 45% relative humidity down to 1% (or less) and many times are the only dehumidification solution that will work. Desiccant dehumidification can be more efficient, economical, and sustainable than its refrigeration-based counterpart, particularly when lower indoor temperatures and reduced relative humidities are required. 

After this presentation attendees will be equipped to apply their newfound knowledge in designing dehumidification systems that may be better positioned to achieve outstanding environmental performance and improved energy-efficiency.

Presenter Bio:

David Schurk holds the positions of Director of Applied Engineering and National Sales Manager at Innovative Air Technologies in Covington, GA. Additionally, he serves as an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and Instructor for the Humidity Control I & II professional development training courses. Previously, he chaired the American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) Sustainability and Decarbonization Leadership Task Force. With over 40 years of experience, David has contributed significantly to HVAC systems design and analysis across diverse sectors, specializing in healthcare and aerospace environmental control and air quality. His expertise is recognized through numerous ASHRAE Journal articles, frequent speaking engagements both domestic and internationally, and acclaim as an authority in dehumidification analysis, system design, component selection, and building integration.

2 PM to 3 PM

Topic: VFDs, Harmonics, and Power FActor

Ron Fleischman
ABB

Presentation Description:

This presentation will cover the fundamentals of variable frequency drives (VFDs) in HVAC systems, VFD design differences, how VFDs relate to harmonic distortion, and how to mitigate harmonic distortion.

Presenter Bio:

Ron Fleischman joined ABB in May of 2014 and is currently serving as Regional Sales Manager for HVAC Low Voltage Drive Sales and has been in the electrical equipment and HVAC business for over 40 years.  He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an E.I.T certificate.  Ron’s career includes nuclear power generation construction, medium & high voltage equipment manufacturing, being a manufacture’s rep for low, medium & high voltage equipment, a manufacture’s rep for HVAC equipment, and national sales manager for a major air handler manufacturer before joining the ABB HVAC team in 2014.

4 PM to 5 PM

Topic: ASHRAE Heat Balance Method and How Standard 90.1 Has Impacted Load Calculations

NATHAN KEGEL
BEMP, LEED AP

Presentation Description:

Load calculations and HVAC system sizing are fundamental tasks in designing HVAC systems for all buildings.  Considering load calculations have a dramatic impact on HVAC equipment size and HVAC system first cost, energy consumption, refrigerant quantity, and carry a significant amount of liability for the Engineer of Record, determining accurate loads is essential to any building, building owner, and design team.  
Methods for calculating loads have changed significantly over time.  “Traditional” methods assumed near instantaneous heat transfer or simplified the methods of estimating time-delay through weighting factors.  These simplifications were made for a number of reasons including limited access to computing power and a lack of empirical tests for calculation methods.
Over 20 years ago, ASHRAE published (in the Handbook of Fundamentals) the Heat Balance Method for calculating loads.  This method is considered to be the most accurate and has some empirical testing to validate the calculation methodology.
This session explores how the Heat Balance Method is different from other methods, how energy code has impacted HVAC sizing calculation assumptions, and the impact of oversized and undersized systems on energy, comfort, and environmental impact.
The new ASHRAE HQ building is used as a case study in applying the Heat Balance Method for calculating loads for a building.

Presenter Bio:

Nathan has over 20 years of design and building performance simulation experience using a variety of design and modeling tools and platforms.  He has largely focused on lifecycle analysis, energy and carbon savings, and cost/benefit of building technologies.  He has performed design and post-occupancy analysis on hundreds of buildings and dozens of building types all over the world.  In addition, Nathan has built and led High Performance Design Teams, trained over 1,000 industry professionals on using and applying building performance simulation to the design process, and was the coach and captain of the ASHRAE Lowdown Showdown 2022 winners.  He is ASHRAE BEMP certified, a LEED AP, and a RESET AP and serves as the co-chair of the Data Analysis and Reporting Working Group for MEP 2040.