Experience and Innovation
TROX is a global leader in air conditioning and ventilation systems, focusing on customer-specific solutions and sustainable business opportunities. The company has a significant international presence with numerous subsidiaries, production plants, and research centers.
Air-Water Systems
Air-water systems are ideal for modern buildings, particularly offices, due to their energy efficiency and flexibility. They provide heating and cooling independent of fresh air flow rates, making them suitable for spaces with high thermal loads.
System Overview
The document outlines various air-water systems, including passive cooling systems, chilled beams, and induction units. Each system is designed for specific building types and installation locations, offering architectural flexibility and efficient space utilization.
Passive Cooling Systems
These systems use surfaces to remove heat via radiation and convection, transferring it to water as a transport medium. They are effective in maintaining comfortable indoor climates without high energy costs.
Standards and Guidelines
The design manual adheres to European standards, providing guidelines for system selection based on building function and layout.
Additional Functions
Air-water systems can integrate additional features like lighting, safety devices, and sound absorption, enhancing their functionality and efficiency.
Overview of Passive Cooling Systems
Passive cooling systems manage high heat loads in internal spaces while maintaining comfort. They often work alongside mechanical ventilation to ensure air quality. Passive chilled beams and chilled ceilings use water as a transport medium to dissipate heat, achieving high energy efficiency through optimized sizing.
Advantages- High comfort levels and occupant satisfaction
- Design flexibility for architects
- Low air velocities, reducing draughts
- No noise generation
- Low operating costs and easy retrofitting
Design and OperationPassive cooling systems primarily address cooling loads, with ventilation systems recommended for air quality maintenance. The cooling capacity is influenced by the temperature difference between the room and the
heat exchanger surface. Chilled water flow temperature should not fall below the room's dew point to prevent condensation.
Heating Operation
While optimized for cooling, passive systems can also provide heating, particularly in perimeter zones to reduce cold window effects. Hot water temperatures should be controlled to avoid excessive heating near the ceiling.
Control and Installation
Control of chilled water flow temperature is crucial, with condensation sensors recommended. Passive chilled beams can be installed in various ceiling systems, offering flexibility in design and integration with other building services.
Limitations- Cooling capacity should not exceed 150 W/m directly above workstations to avoid draughts.
- Fresh air ventilation is necessary for adequate indoor air quality.
- Opening windows can lead to condensation issues.
Parameters for Unit Sizing
Key parameters include room temperature, ceiling area, cooling capacity, and water flow temperatures. Effective temperature difference and water flow rate calculations are essential for proper sizing and performance.
Chilled Ceilings
Chilled ceilings operate on the radiation principle, removing heat through their surfaces. They are effective in managing heat loads by radiating heat from sources like people and office equipment onto the ceiling surface, which is then dissipated by chilled water.
Convective Chilled Ceilings
Convective chilled ceilings utilize both radiation and convection principles to absorb heat. They feature gaps between cooling panels, allowing room air to contact both upper and lower surfaces, generating convection currents. These systems offer high comfort levels, eliminate drafts and noise, and maintain uniform temperature distribution. They are suitable for new constructions and refurbishments due to minimal depth requirements.
Advantages- High comfort and occupant satisfaction
- No air-generated noise
- Compatible with various ceiling types
- Additional sound absorption
- Suitable for retrofitting
Design and Installation
Chilled ceilings can be integrated into most suspended ceiling systems without affecting office layouts. They can be freely suspended or integrated with air diffusers and lighting. Installation methods include lay-in technology, connection methodology, and installation with plasterboard ceiling tiles.
Limitations- Requires fresh air ventilation for adequate indoor air quality
- Not suitable with open windows in high humidity areas due to condensation risk
Parameters for Unit Sizing
Key parameters include room temperature, ceiling area, cooling capacity, and water flow temperatures. Effective temperature difference and water flow rate are crucial for determining thermal capacity.
Induction Units
Induction units operate on the principle of aerodynamics, using a free jet to induce secondary air through a heat exchanger. They offer excellent comfort, energy efficiency, and integration into interior design. These units are suitable for both new constructions and refurbishments.
Advantages- Good acoustic and flow characteristics
- Independent heating and cooling operations
- No additional fans required
- Space-saving design
Design Information
Induction units require centrally conditioned fresh air, with thermal capacity determined by fresh air and heat exchanger capacities. Dew point control is essential to prevent condensation, especially in high humidity areas.
Heat Exchanger Systems
Two-pipe systems operate in changeover mode for heating or cooling, while four-pipe systems allow independent room temperature control. Systems without condensate drip trays are for dry cooling, while those with trays handle wet cooling.
Control Systems for Conditioned Fresh Air Flow Rate
Induction units typically operate with a constant fresh air supply. Balancing dampers and flow rate controllers are used to distribute the required air flow rate across multiple units. Balancing dampers require time-consuming commissioning due to repeated measurements and adjustments. Volume flow limiters simplify commissioning by allowing quick and easy setting of the required flow rate. System-powered controllers adjust the flow rate setpoint externally, requiring no further adjustments. Variable air volume controllers use electrical or pneumatic power to control fresh air flow, allowing for variable volume control and day/night changeover.
Active Chilled BeamsAdvantages:- Ventilate spaces with large thermal loads without draughts.
- Flexible office layout due to horizontal air discharge.
- Suitable for refurbishment of existing systems with low void depth.
Functional Description: Active chilled beams supply fresh air from a central plant room, maintaining indoor air quality while providing cooling/heating through heat exchangers. Fresh air is mixed with secondary air in a mixing chamber and discharged horizontally into the space, ensuring effective air distribution without draughts.
Design Information
Active chilled beams can be integrated into ceiling designs or suspended freely. They discharge air at high velocity for effective ventilation, with considerations for minimum discharge distances to walls and between beams. Ceiling arrangement affects air discharge and should be considered during design. Parallel arrangements optimize room ventilation, while perpendicular arrangements may reduce costs but affect flexibility and air distribution.
Installation and Limitations
Active chilled beams are compatible with various ceiling systems, including grid, plasterboard, and T-bar ceilings. Minimum installation height is 2.60 m, with specific solutions required for heights up to 3.80 m. Parameters for unit sizing include room temperature, ceiling area, cooling capacity, and fresh air flow rate.
Performance Data
Various types of active chilled beams are available, each with specific configurations and performance capabilities. They offer different cooling and heating capacities, fresh air flow rates, and installation options, catering to diverse building requirements.
Integration of Systems: The document discusses the integration of various systems such as lighting, smoke detectors, sprinklers, loudspeakers, motion detectors, and hidden integral cable trays into multi-service active chilled beams. These systems are factory-assembled, allowing for easy and rapid installation on-site, offering a plug-and-play solution.
Advantages: The integration of these systems results in a shorter construction period, earlier amortization of investment, easy installation, significant reduction of on-site interfaces, and high-quality system due to factory assembly.
Specifications of Multi-Service Active Chilled Beams: The document provides detailed specifications for different types of multi-service active chilled beams, including dimensions, cooling and heating capacities, and design features. These beams are designed to meet specific project requirements and offer attractive designs with integrated lighting options.
Under Sill Induction Units: These units are installed into under sill trim along walls and provide fresh air from a central air handling plant. They offer good air quality, turbulence-free flow, and inconspicuous installation. The document details the functional description, advantages, and design information for these units, emphasizing their suitability for refurbishment and their low noise generation.
Under Floor Induction Units: Installed under false floors, these units are ideal for perimeter zones in buildings with ceiling-to-floor glazing. They provide good air quality and minimize the thermal influence of window surfaces. The document outlines their functional description, advantages, and design considerations, highlighting their integration with ceiling structural cooling systems.
Design and Sizing Information: The document provides detailed parameters for unit sizing, including effective temperature differences, cooling capacities, and water flow rates. It includes formulas for converting manufacturer data to project-specific requirements and offers examples of typical values for room temperature, cooling capacity, and fresh air flow rates.
Specifications:
The document outlines the specifications for various ventilation units, including the BID-4-U/1250x900x98 nozzle type with a nominal cooling capacity ranging from 200 to 1000 W. The project cooling capacity is specified at 511 W. Air velocity is noted to be between 0.15 to 0.22 m/s at a distance beyond 1.5 m, with a water-side pressure drop of 5.5 kPa and a sound pressure level below 20 dB(A) with room attenuation.
Procedures:
The document provides a sizing example calculated with the TROX design programme, detailing induction units and underfloor induction units with specific dimensions and capacities. It also describes façade ventilation units and their installation locations, such as under sill and under floor, and their integration into building façades.
Norms and Recommendations:
The document emphasizes the advantages of façade ventilation units, including energy efficiency, occupant satisfaction, and space-saving benefits. It highlights the importance of decentralizing ventilation systems for improved design, comfort, and economic benefits.
Functional Description:
Façade ventilation units offer decentralized air handling functions, allowing noise-controlled air handling without the need for duct distribution systems. They can be used for both new constructions and refurbishments, providing flexibility and energy efficiency.
Decentralized Ventilation Systems:
The document describes various configurations for decentralized ventilation, including supply air and extract air systems, secondary air modules, and the use of phase change materials (PCM) for energy storage and cooling.
Control Systems:
Control systems for façade ventilation units are discussed, including individual room control systems like FSL-CONTROL, which regulate room temperature, supply air temperature, and fresh air flow rate.
FSL-CONTROL Components and ModesFSL-CONTROL includes components such as LON-Controller, control panels, water valves,
valve actuators, and temperature sensors. It operates in three modes: Comfort (user-regulated temperature), Standby (adjusted setpoint), and Unoccupied (no regulation but with frost and overheating protection).
Safety Functions
Includes icing protection, frost protection, and overheating control.
Façade Ventilation Units
These units are project-specific, designed for existing or new buildings. They require coordination with architects and consultants for installation, construction, and weather protection. Key considerations include preventing air short circuits and ensuring proper drainage.
Design and Limitations
Façade units are bespoke, not standard-sized, and are limited by factors like room depth and humidity control. They are unsuitable for clean rooms and large occupancy spaces.
Unit Sizing and Performance
Units are sized based on project requirements, considering cooling/heating loads and air flow rates. Performance data includes fresh air flow, cooling/heating capacities, and sound levels.
Types of Units
Various types include under sill units, in-flow/out-flow units, and under floor units, each with specific features like mechanical ventilation, heat recovery, and modular design.
Standards and Guidelines
Relevant standards include EN 13779, EN 15251, EN ISO 7730, and others, covering ventilation performance, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and hygiene requirements.
Documentation and Tools
Technical leaflets and project documents provide detailed unit descriptions. The Easy Product Finder software aids in product selection with technical data, diagrams, and CAD drawings.
Project Methodology
The document outlines a structured approach to project development for air-water systems, emphasizing an integrated design and cooperative development process. This process involves defining building layout, dimensions, and building services equipment, with key participants including the owner, architect, and project developer. TROX Customer Support plays a crucial role in system analysis, feasibility studies, and unit concept creation.
Design and Development
The design phase involves defining room types, standard floors, and construction details, with input from architects and specialist consultants. TROX provides support in creating unit concepts tailored to project-specific requirements. The development phase includes unit construction, installation design, and control engineering, with collaboration between specialist consultants, contractors, and TROX for detailed unit development and performance measurement.
Implementation and Commissioning
The final stages involve unit production, installation, and commissioning, with TROX providing manufacturing, delivery, and commissioning support. This ensures that projects are completed on time and meet performance requirements.
References
The document lists numerous international projects where TROX systems have been implemented, including notable buildings such as the Post Tower in Bonn, Germany, and the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg.
Global Presence
TROX operates globally with subsidiaries and sales offices in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, and the USA, among others. They also have international representatives in regions including the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.