Radiant Cooling for Commercial and Residential Applications

Messana Radiant Cooling radiantcooling.com

info@radiantcooling.com

MESSANA RADIANT COOLING - HISTORY

• 1991-1993 First experiments in radiant cooling (floor)

• 1994 Founded FCC srl (Floor Clima Control) – 21 years of growth and development

• 1991-1998 1,000 in-floor installations (radiant heating and cooling)

• 1997 First experiments of radiant cooling on the ceiling – Roberto Messana’s home

• 1998 First radiant ceiling drywall panel (Planterm, world wide patent)

• 2009 Developed Ray∙Magic (US patent)

• 2009 Founded MESSANA AIR-RAY CONDITIONING (European Headquarters) • 2011 Founded MESSANA North America – Messana Radiant Cooling

TEN THOUSAND INSTALLATIONS (2016)

1st ceiling installation (1997)

• Europe • North America • Asia • Africa

• 60% Commercial

• 40% Residential

PRODUCTION LINE AND THE LASER

2 min

1 panel every

Hydronic radiant cooling systems have been used worldwide for decades. Now are gaining popularity also in North America and become an effective alternative to traditional all-air systems. New building codes and regulations demand for more energy efficient HVAC systems and radiant cooling is a proven an effective technology for cooling residential and commercial buildings. It is the preferred choice for designers to meet standards of Passive House, NetZero energy buildings, green and sustainable architecture. This presentation will address common questions and concerns and also analyze some of the benefits in terms of thermal comfort, wellbeing and productivity of occupants as well as substantial reduction of ductwork cross-sectional dimensions, operational and maintenance costs. Several case studies of radiant cooling projects will be presented.

SESSION DESCRIPTION

1. Understand the basic physics principles of radiant cooling technology and hydronic radiant ceiling systems.

2. Identify and describe the fundamental components of a radiant cooling and heating system: hot and cold water source, radiant delivery system, ventilation and dehumidification and controls. Distinguish different types of radiant panels and understand the advantages of radiant celling compared to traditional radiant floor.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

3. Compare hydronic radiant cooling systems to traditional air-based systems and analyze the key benefits with regard to thermal wellbeing, productivity, energy efficiency, reduced duct sizes and operational and maintenance costs.

4. Educate clients on considering a radiant cooling system for their new building or renovation projects and discuss their concerns about being an early adopter. Make preliminary budget analysis.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Outline

1. What is “radiant cooling”? 2. Comfort in radiant systems 3. Advantages of Radiant Cooling vs traditional air-based cooling system 4. Components of a Radiant cooling systems 5. Performance and cost of a radiant cooling system 6. Examples of applications

1.1 “Radiant cool” is not a physics phenomenon

“Radiant cooling systems are based on absorption of thermal radiation”

Radiant heat is a form of energy.. what is “radiant cool”? Scientifically speaking, does not exist. “Radiant cool” is not a physics phenomenon, and calling it “radiant cooling” is a pure convention.

1.2 What is radiant cooling?

It is a technology to buildings based on the sensible through cold surfaces (radiant panels)

1.3 Heat (Thermal energy)

Matter is made up of particles that vibrate based on the temperature. The hotter the substance, the more its molecules vibrate, and therefore the higher its thermal energy.

particles of matter

By definition, heat is a form of energy that flows from a point at one temperature to another point at a lower temperature.

1.4 Heat: vibration of particles

particles of matter

WARMER PARTICLES vibrate faster, the space between particles increases (less density and weight)

COOLER PARTICLES vibrate less, taking up less space (greater density and weight)

1.5 Heat “goes up”?

“Heat goes up and cold goes down” is a common belief about heat. But it’s false! All you need to do is stand in the sun to understand. The explanation lies in the confusion of terms. While it’s incorrect to say “heat goes up”, it is correct to say, “hot air rises”, which clarifies that the concept of heat is a broader concept which does not involve just the movement of air.

1.6 Sensible and latent heat

sensible heat latent heat

There are two forms of heat:

1.7 Sensible heat

Radiant heat is related ONLY to sensible heat

Sensible heat is an expression of the degree of molecular excitation. Is the one we usually have in mind when we speak of heat.

1.8 Latent heat

Related to the humidity

Heat that changes the state of matter from solid to liquid or liquid to gas is called latent heat.

1.9 How does sensible heat transfer?

1.10 Conduction

Conduction is the process whereby molecular excitation spreads through a substance or from one substance to another by direct contact.

1.11 Conduction

The higher is the conductivity the better heat transfers across materials.

1.12 Conduction

Cold goes up Heat goes down

1.13 Convection

Convection occurs in fluids and is the process of carrying heat stored in a particle of the fluid to another location where the heat can conduct away.

1.14 Hot air rises

1.15 Forced vs Natural Convection

1.16 Radiation

Heat in the form of Electromagnetic Waves Stright line vabration (thermal radiation)

All bodies emit thermal radiation

Wavefront RAY

Particel of matter

671M mph

speed of light

Heat in the form of Matter in the solid and fluid state Circular motion vibration (themal motion: convection and conduction)

1.17 Electromagnetic spectrum

Infrared spectrum Any object that has a temperature above absolute zero (the point where atoms and molecules cease to move) radiates in the infrared. Also a cube of ice that we perceive as “cold”, radiates.

1.18 Example of “visible” thermal radiation

Sunlight is part of thermal radiation generated by the hot plasma of the Sun

visible light and infrared light emitted by an incandescent light bulb

1.20 Radiation of radiant systems Radiant heating and cooling system operate at temperature with emission in the infrared, invisible to the human eye.. These types of radiation are not directly visible to the naked eye, but we perceive their effect as a sensation of warmth or “coldth” through special receptors in our skin.

Faster vibration higher temp

Slower vibration Lower temp

Warmer particel

Electromagnetic wave

speed of light

Cooler particel

1.21 Thermal radiation (radiant cooling)

Faster vibration Higher temp

Warmer particel

Electromagnetic wave

speed of light

1.22 Thermal radiation (radiant heating)

Slower vibration Lower temp

Cooler particel

Heat does goes down!

2.1 Comfort

ears

eyes

nose

tactile receptors

thermoreceptors and (heat and cold sensors)

The feeling of comfort or, more accurately, discomfort is based on a network of sense organs:

2.2 Thermoreceptors

They are nerve endings in the skin responsible for sensitivity to vibration

Humans have at least two types of temperature sensors (thermoreceptors): • heat receptors (Ruffini endings) • cold receptors (end-bulbs of Krause)

2.3 Thermal comfort

Thermal comfort is that state of mind that is satisfied with the environment condition of minimal stimulation of the skin’s heat and cool sensors

2.4 The factors of thermal comfort

• Dust • Acoustics • Aesthetics • Odors • Lighting

• Air temperature • Radiant temperatures of

the surrounding surfaces • Humidity of the air • Air motion

For comfort and efficiency, the human body requires a fairly narrow range of environmental conditions:

Can be controlled by a radiant ceiling system

Can be partially controlled by a radiant ceiling system

Not related

Cold sensors

Heat sensors

Pressure sensors

SKIN

Localized thermal absorption with possible physical discomfort

Wasted electrochemical energy (Brain efficiency reduction)

2.5 Discomfort with forced air

Cold sensors

Heat sensors

Pressure sensors

SKIN 2.6 Comfort in natural convection

Vibration (heat)

Electrochemical energy

2.7 Heat balance

Cheeseburger (Big Mac) 540 kcal

The human body is a complex machine that “burns” food for energy and must discard the excess heat. food = chemical energy

2.8 Heat exchange

Depending on the temperature of the surrounding objects and ambient air the body can either gain or lose heat by: Radiation Convection Conduction Evaporation (only heat loss)

Radiation

Evaporation

Convection

Conduction

2.9 Heat loss

2.10 Evaporation

sweat gland

hair

pore

osmotic evaporation

sweat

Evaporation is exclusively a cooling mechanism. It is dependent to a minor degree on the relative humidity of the surrounding air and, to a much greater extent, on the velocity of air motion.

2.11 Osmotic evaporation

Water is naturally lost from the human body by evaporation across the skin.. this is a natural form of heat loos

2.12 Sweating

Sweating is a mechanism of heat loss when the body can not naturally lose enough heat (overheating). It is a sort of “self-defense mechanism” of the human body. The opposite mechanism is shivering to increase heat production in the muscles, when the body temperature is too low.

SUMMER WINTER

SUMMER WINTER RADIATION 45-50% 30-35% NATURAL CONVECTION 15-20% 20-30% OSMOTIC EVAPORATION 35-40% 40-50%

2.13 Optimal proportion of thermal exchange

Thermal comfort is the right balance of thermal exchange between radiation, convection and evaporation. Comfort essence is proportion + uniformity

3. Advantages of Radiant Cooling Systems

3.1 Thermal comfort/Thermal Wellbeing 3.2 Acoustical

3.3 Aesthetics

3.4 Zoning

3.5 Energy saving

3.6 Compact design and less ductwork

3.9 Humidity in the winter

3.7 Lower maintenance cost

3.8 No dust movement

45-50% MRT=68-74F

35-40% DPT=55F

15-20% DBT=72-78F

<1%

Radiation

Evaporation

Convection

Conduction

3.1.1 Thermal exchange in radiant cooling

10-15% MRT=80-86F

50-55% DPT=45-50F

25-30% DBT=70-76F

<1% Conduction

3.1.2 Thermal exchange with air condictioning Radiation

Evaporation

Convection

3.1.3 Comfort (radiant ceiling)

3.1.4 Comfort (radiant floor)

3.1.5 Discomfort (fan-coil)

3.1.6 Uniformity (radiant ceiling)

3.1.7 Uniformity (radiant floor)

3.1.8 Uniformity (fan-coil)

3.1.9 Uniformity in office space

3.2 Acoustical comfort

3.3 Aesthetics

Radiant gypsum ceiling gives architectural freedom

Convectors, grids and wall split systems are waste space and the the beautiful modern look of this space

radiant panels are embedded within the ceiling and are invisible and waste no space

3.4.1 Zoning

1. 1¼" Supply manifold 2. 1¼" Return manifold 3. 1" Female NTP adapter 4. Automatic air vent valve 5. C/F Temperature gauge 6. Fill/Drain with safety plug 7. Quick connect probe 8. Balancing valve body 9. Balancing valve plastic cap 10. Snap-In Manifold 5/8" adapter

Pex-Al-Pex 11. Thermal Actuator 12. Installation bracket 13. Insulation

Spaces may be zoned by the use of a control valve for each zone.

3.4.2 Zoning manifolds

Apartment A (14 zones) Apartment B (10 zones)

3.5 Energy saving

Radiant cooling systems are projected to save significant energy (42%) when compared with air-based cooling systems. Why a radiant cooling system save energy?

3.5 Energy saving

Area requirements

Water has roughly 3,500 times the energy transport capacity of air. Hydronic system can transport a given amount of cooling with less than 5% of the energy required to deliver cool air with fans

3.5 Energy saving

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) ran detailed simulations of the same prototypical office building located in nine U.S. cities, comparing the performance of radiant cooling systems with ventilation and conventional “all-air” VAV systems. In comparisons with VAV systems, it was found that, the radiant cooling systems save 30% on average on overall energy for cooling. Energy saved ranges from 17 % in cold, moist areas to 42% in warmer, dry areas.

Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

3.6 Compact design and less ductwork

shorter ceiling-floor assembly, higher ceiling or more floors in high rise building

add about one floor for every five floors

allow ceiling heights to be raised to an architecturally pleasing level (>9ft)

ductwork cross-sectional dimensions become much smaller

3.8.1 Dust with RADIANT CEILING

• dust is not in touch with the hot surface • no air movement • no dust movement

• dust is not in touch with the cold surface • cold air moves down • no dust movement

3.8.2 Dust with RADIANT WALL

• dust is not in touch with radiant surface • air movement (natural convection) • dust movement on floor

• dust is not in touch with radiant surface • air movement (natural convection) • dust movement on floor

2.8.3 Dust with RADIANT FLOOR

• dust is in touch with radiant surface • air movement (natural convection) • dust is raised up from the floor

• dust is in touch with radiant surface • no air movement • no dust movement

3.8.4 Dust with Fan-coil

• dust is not in touch with radiant surface • air is blown (forced air) • dust is raised up from the floor and blown

• dust is not in touch with radiant surface • air is blown (forced air) • dust is raised up from the floor and blown

3.9 Humidity in the winter

4. Messana radiant cooling system

4. Heat Pump

In summer it moves heat from the inside to the outside

• Ideal for radiant heating and cooling system

• Very high energy efficiency • Water to water system with

hydronic radiant ceiling

Air-to-water

Water-to-water (geothermal)

4. Radiant cooling terminals

radiant floor systems

radiant panels for ceiling and walls (gypsum, MDF or metal)

• Energy (sensible heat) delivery system • Radiant panels are heat terminal devices • The radiant panel exchanges heat with the

indoor environment (air, walls, objects)

4. Radiant ceiling vs floor

HEATING COOLING

floor ceiling floor ceiling

Performance BTU/H/SQ.FT 40 60 10-15 35-40

Move Dust Yes No No No

Response time 30m / hours 1m / minutes 1h / hours 2m / minutes

3.9 Ceiling vs Floor (air T response time)

3.9 Ceiling vs Floor (surface T response time)

4. Ray Magic Radiant ceiling gypsum panels

1. Pre-formed EPS substrate 2. Aluminum heat transfer plates 3. Three way snap-in fittings 4. 5/8” Pex-Al-Pex sliding

backbones 5. Two embedded hydronic

circuits 6. Gypsum board with

AirRenew™ technology 7. Tubing footprint laser

engraved (ink free) 8. 16”/24” O.C. fastening

template 9. Gypsum semicircle cut out

4. Radiant ceiling gypsum panels

acoustic

4. Climakustic, acoustical MDF radiant panels

4. Dew-point

The temperature at which condensation begins is known as the dew-point temperature. Condensation will occur if the ceiling surface goes below the dew-point.

4. Control Magic Radiant Cooling Controls

The key component of the messana radiant cooling system to avoid condensation, provide comfort and optimize energy.

1. TTL Port 2. Analog Outputs 3. 2x USB Port 4. Analog Inputs

5. RS485 Port 6. Digital Inputs 7. WAN Port 8. Digital Outputs

9. LAN Ports 10. Power Input

4. Control Magic System

latent

sensible

4. Air Magic Neutral Temperature Dehumidifier

NTD is a device that reduces the level of humidity in the air (latent heat).

IT IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO CONDENSATION!

4. Dehumidification

1 SUPPLY OUTLET 2 SUPPLY BLOWER 3 AIR PRE-TREATMENT COIL 4 EVAPORATOR 5 COMPRESSOR 6 WATER SUPPLY 7 WATER RETURN 8 DRAIN

Neutral temperature dehumidifier

4. Dehumidification and HRV

1 SUPPLY OUTLET 2 RETURN INLET 3 BATHROOM EXH OUTLET 4 EXHAUST OUTLET 5. FRESH AIR INLET 6 EXHAUST BLOWER

7 HEAT EXCHANGER 8 AIR FILTER 9 RECIRCULATION DAMPER 10 AIR PRE-TREATMENT COIL 11 SUPPLY BLOWER 12 ROTATIVE COMPRESSOR

Air Treatment Unit

Combination of neutral temperature dehumidifier and Heat Recovery Ventilation unit

4. Radiant ceiling panel performance

The radiant heat transfer is governed by the Stefan-Boltzmann equation. qr = 0.15 x 10–8 [(tp)4 – (AUST)4] where • qr = radiant cooling, Btu/h∙ft2 (W/m2) • tp = mean panel surface temperature, °R (K) • AUST = area weighted average temperature of the non

radiant panel surfaces of the room, °R (K). Normally this means that the air temperature (ta) is about this temperature as well.

Convective Heat Transfer

The rate of heat transfer by convection is a combination of natural and forced convection. Natural convection results from the cooled air in the boundary layer just below the panels being displaced by warmer air in the room. Research suggests (Min 1956) that for practical panel cooling applications without forced convection, the cooling convective heat transfer is given by the following equation qc = 0.31(tp – ta)0.31(tp – ta).

6. Examples of applications

New single family home in New Canaan, Connecticut RESIDENTIAL

Awarded “Best in Town Custom Home” and “Best New Construction Technology” in CT by HBRA of Connecticut, Inc

Palo Alto, CA

RESIDENTIAL NetZero Passive house PHIUS+ and LEED Platinum certifications

Ojai, CA

RESIDENTIAL ROWLAND Residence Traditional French Provincial architectural style

Chatham University (Eden Hall) – Pittsburg PA (USA) The world’s first fully sustainable campus in higher education

SCHOOLS

M Power Yoga – Baltimore MD state-of-the-art acoustical radiant ceiling system

FITNESS & WELLNESS CENTERS

MULTIFAMILY

Merville – Jesolo (Italy)

Architects: Gonçalo Byrne Arquitectos Pedro Sousa TMA

Final results

Mechanical Room Controls

MULTIFAMILY (Beijing, China)

MUSEUMS

Armani Museum – Milan (Italy)

THANK YOU!