Energy Efficiency & Commercial Building Natural Gas Technologies Presented by: Eric Burgis Energy Solutions Center 610-796-1946 eburgis@escenter.org
Commercial Buildings According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical commercial buildings energy use accounts for 30% of operating costs, the largest single category of controllable costs.
The Environmental Benefits of Natural Gas The cleanest burning fossil fuel. It produces virtually no emissions of sulfur dioxide or particulate matter and far lower levels of "greenhouse" gases and nitrogen oxides than oil or coal. Produces virtually no solid waste. Natural gas is delivered to the customer with around 90% efficiency.
Energy Efficient Boiler Technologies
Sectional Boilers Assembled using a number of cast sections Typically box shaped Packaged with circulator pump, electric box, and flue stub connected to the box Ideal for multiple installations Unit sizing up to 150 hp Efficiency ranges from 80%-96%
Copper Tube Boilers Water tube design flows through pipe fitted with fins Increased heat transfer surface Compact design Sized from 45,000-2,065,000 Btu/Hr Efficiency ranged from 82%-97%
Water Tube Boilers Water passes through tubes Exhaust gases remain in the shell passing over the tube surfaces Used where high steam pressures (up to 3,000 psi) are required Capable of high efficiencies Can generate saturated or superheated steam Incorporate high efficiency burners and combustion controls
Fire Tube Boilers Combustion gases pass inside boiler tubes, and heat is transferred to water on the shell side Low initial cost Contain relatively large amounts of water Respond to load changes with relatively little change in pressure Limited operating pressure 300 psig Incorporate high efficiency burners and combustion controls
Improving Boiler Efficiency Boiler Replacement Burners Controls
Energy Efficient Space Heating Technologies
High Efficiency Rooftop Units Natural gas rooftop units are commonly used HVAC system for commercial buildings. Usually purchased with gas heat and electric air conditioning in one unit. New designs that employ modulating and condensing technology are now available. Natural gas rooftop units provide comfort and efficiency, offering: Fast morning warm-up and response times. Lower operating and maintenance costs. Longer equipment life than heat pump units. Easily maintainable and replaceable systems.
Infrared Systems Types of systems High intensity units Low intensity tubular units Generate radiant energy that is converted into heat when absorbed by objects in its path 20-50% fuel savings over conventional forced air units
Unit heaters Unit Heaters Forced Hot air Condensing Units available 13
Air Movement for Energy Efficient
HVLS Fans (High Volume Low Speed) Run at low speeds in winter to move warm air downwards Speeded up during the summer to provide a cooling effect that reduces the feeling of heat and humidity. Aerodynamically designed airfoil blades help to destratify air, directing it more efficiently, with less turbulence and with a greater airflow volume. Properly deployed, HVLS fans can virtually eliminate stratification with less energy than high-speed fans.
Air Curtains (Air Barriers) Separates Areas of differing environments Open doorways are inefficient Re-circulates Facility Air, Creating a 90% seal Makes existing building systems more efficient
Air Curtains
Energy Recovery Ventilator Takes conditioned air leaving the building and uses it to heat or cool the make up air for the building. Aka Enthalpy Wheel
Make Up Air Conditions the entering air for a building Could be for temperature or humidity May contain an enthalpy wheel
Misc Air Movement Technologies Thermal Equalizer Mini Duct Systems Forced Air Zone Controls
Energy Efficient Water Heating Technologies
Commercial Water Heaters Water heating is a critical component in all commercial building applications. Commercial water heaters are major energy consumers, accounting for about 11% of a building s total energy load on average.
Natural Gas Water Heaters Benefits of a natural gas water heaters: Less time waiting for hot water, natural gas hot recovery time is three times as fast as an electric hot water heater. Gas-fired units can cost less to operate. Commercial water heaters emit less than half the CO2 of electric water heaters.
Tank Water Heaters Heartier versions of residential units. Input ratings of 199,000 BTUs/hour as many codes change at 200,000 BTUs/hour and above Storage capacity of about 100 gallons Heat water to about 180 o F Direct or power venting options
Tankless Water Heaters Have no storage tank Heat water on demand No standby-losses from the tank. Higher first cost savings comes from elimination of standby losses High efficiency 97+%
Indirect Fired Water Heaters Utilize a heat exchanger within a boiler or a hot water boiler for heat source High efficiency storage tank
Boilers Tubeless Boilers Use tubing coils instead of rigid tubes Designed for condensation Use advanced controls Able to achieve efficiencies in the high 90's First-cost premium acceptable paybacks with higher energy prices
Hybrid Systems Solar/Gas Solar water heater with 97% gas-fired back-up heat exchanger Internal solar heat exchanger for a solar panel Combines with a highly efficient all in one storage tank
Direct Contact Water Heaters Have no tubes, tubing or coils Use heat transfer media such as spheres or cylinders and allow flue gases to come in direct contact with the water Designed to heat water on demand both cyclical and continuously Up to 99% Efficient 250,000 Btu/hr to 75,000,000 Btu/hr 4 gpm to 2000 gpm
Energy Efficient Gas Cooling Technologies
Commercial Gas Cooling Space conditioning is a critical component in all commercial building applications. Chillers/HVAC systems are major energy consumers, accounting for about 36% of a building s total energy load on average.
Engine Driven Cooling Uses traditional vapor compression refrigeration cycle High efficiency natural gas engines High Coefficient of Performance (COP) using waste heat recovery Air Cooled Typical COP 1.0 Water Cooled Typical COP 1.6 Water cooled with heat recovery = 2.4 Integrate into a mechanical cogeneration system Cooling, heating, dehumidification
Steam Turbine Driven Cooling Uses traditional vapor compression refrigeration cycle Back pressure or condensing turbine option High Coefficient of Performance (COP) using excess steam. COP = 1.8 Integrate waste steam into a mechanical cogeneration system Cooling, heating, dehumidification
Absorption Cooling Direct fired or steam/hot water options Utilize excess steam capacity during summer periods Efficiency Single Effect Typical COP.62.65 Double Effect Typical COP 1.0 1.3 Simultaneously produce chilled and hot water Can incorporate into a CHP system Increase capacity of turbine power generation with inlet cooling
Unitary Gas Heat Pumps Engine-driven systems Variable speed loading/unloading Scroll compressors for high efficiency COP Range 1.4 Cooling, 1.6 Heating Absorption systems Hydronic based system Can produce hot water Available for geothermal applications
Humidity Control Technologies
Optimum Humidity Levels 40% to 50%
High Efficiency Commercial Desiccants Desiccant dehumidification helps reduce or eliminate excess moisture and related problems. Designed for facilities looking to control humidity when it is required or in cases when the ratio of latent to sensible cooling load is high. New Compact sized Units
Desiccant Material Options Two types of desiccant technologies: Dry Wheel Type Wheel impregnated with desiccant material Utilizes heat (~190 o F) for regeneration Liquid Desiccant System Lithium Bromide (salt) solution absorbs moisture Utilizes heater (~300 o F) for regeneration
Advantages of Humidifiers Inhibits respiratory infections and allergyrelated illnesses Eliminates dangers of static electricity Contributes to health and comfort of building occupants Reduces employee absenteeism; increases productivity Protects expensive computers, equipment, furnishings and supplies Reduces energy costs Ensures more precise temperature and humidity
Humidifiers Steam humidifier Uses a boiler Economical option for humidification Direct-Fired humidifier Cost-effective when boiler not available Boil water to steam and distribute via air handling system or remote blower
Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Technologies
Commercial CHP Total system efficiencies of 75% to 85% Cuts energy costs by as much as 40% Produces power at rates lower than electric utility Reduces peak electric energy costs and demand charges Recovers and turns heat lost during power generation into usable thermal energy Prime Movers Engine Driven Systems Micro Turbine Fuel Cells Combustion Turbines
Engine Driven System Can reduce energy costs Can increase the reliability of facilities electric service 80 + % system efficiencies Provides ~60% of their input energy as recoverable hot water Exhaust heat recovery can easily produce low pressure steam
Micro CHP (Engine Driven) New products entering the market Typically sized 1KW or 5KW Sized to fit Home heating needs
Micro Turbines Total system efficiencies of 75% to 85% Electrical efficiencies of up to 30% Cuts energy costs by as much as 40% Produces power at rates lower than electric utility Reduces peak electric energy costs and demand charges
Fuel Cells Four Basic Types Alkaline Molten Carbonate Phosphoric Acid Solid Oxide Can convert exhaust heat into cooling and heating, turning potential waste into useable energy Can attain energy conversion efficiencies exceeding 85 percent
Combustion Turbines Range in size from1 to over 100 mw Features/Benefits: Low installation costs Low emissions High heat recovery Infrequent maintenance Used for cogeneration, as peaking systems, and in combined cycle configurations Typical electrical efficiency of 31%
Natural Gas High Efficiency Cooking Equipment
Commercial Cooking New Energy Star rated appliances provide innovative solutions for food service facilities Designed to meet needs of food service facilities Integrated systems Lower annual operating costs
NEW Natural Gas Energy Star Equipment Options for Cooking Low Oil Volume Fryers Steam Cookers Griddles Convection Ovens Combi Ovens
Low Oil Volume Fryers Natural Gas fired Low Oil Volume (LOV) Fryers features: Use less oil Improved cook times Integrated clean-up/filtration systems Reliable More Energy Efficient Efficiency Example: Oil ASTM Cap. Rating Input Energy Btu/hr. Idle Energy Btu/hr. 30-lb 56.4% 70,000 Btu 4,382 Btu 50-lb 55.2% 80,000 Btu 5,604 Btu 50-lb 35.1% 122,000 Btu 13,762 Btu
Low Oil Volume Fryers Saves Oil New Oil Aged Oil 53
Commercial Steam Cookers Boilerless Steam Cookers Less Water Consumption No Taste Transfer Retains Color Faster Prep Time Steams Frozen or Fresh Products Retherm Time Controlled Batch Cooking Less Maintenance
Combination Ovens Combination Oven Steamers Boilerless Faster precise cooking Automatic cook features Greater food yield 55
Other Noteworthy Foodservice technologies Booster Water Heaters Outdoor Seating Desiccant Systems Demand Control Ventilation Specialty products High Efficiency Pot Low Flow Spray Nozzles
Dishwashing Booster Water Heaters increase hot water temperature from 140 o F to 180 o F Sterilization without chemicals No etching of china / glassware Less spots / removes lipstick Improved safety 57
Additional Seating Patio Heaters offer a way for restaurants to increase seating with outdoor dining Becoming more and more popular 58
Restaurant Comfort Ever wonder why restaurants are so cold? The kitchen staff often turn down the thermostat to remove humidity in the kitchen The residential desiccant product by Novelaire is being installed in several restaurant chains in Florida The pricing on this product is far lower than previous larger desiccant units on the market 59
Demand Control Ventilation Air Purge Units Temperature Sensor Electronic Motor Starter (VFD) Processor Optic Sensors Operator Interface Saves money by operating only when needed!
Specialty Equipment Natural Gas Specialty Cooking Appliances Stock Pot Ranges Woks Rice Cooker Pasta Cookers Taco Ranges Tandoru Cooker etc.
Turbo Pot The fins improve heat transfer from a hot flame Up to 30% more efficient that standard pots
Energy Efficiency Leaders The U.S. Green Building Council U.S. Department of Energy New Buildings Institute National Institute of Building Science ENERGY STAR Building Commissioning Association ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning Engineers)
Energy Efficiency Resource Energy Solutions Center www.escenter.org Boilers: www.cleanboiler.org Gas Air Conditioning: www.gasairconditioning.org CHP / Cogeneration: www.poweronsite.org Gas foodservice Equipment: www.gfen.com Residential, Commercial or Industrial Energy Efficiency: www.naturalgasefficiency.org
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