resource_promotion.asp

Contributions can be applied to any of four resource fund raising categories.

ASHRAE Research
ASHRAE Learning Institute
ASHRAE Foundatio
ASHRAE General Fund

Current Local Research Projects
1129-RP

THERMAL COMFORT MODELS AND "CALL OUT" (COMPLAINT) FREQUENCIES

April 2000 – July 2003
University of California – Berkeley
TC 2.1, Physiology and Human Environment

Previous research describes a model that can be used to assign economic cost to thermal discomfort. This is a subject of unquestionable importance to ASHRAE. More research is needed to establish the accuracy of this model so that it may gain acceptance as an economic analysis tool.

The results of this research will impact ASHRAE Standard 55 as follows: The model can be used to optimize building temperature to either minimizing total cost (energy plus service call cost) or to minimizing complaint frequency. These two temperatures could be used as a new basis for the upper and lower limits of the comfort zone. Unlike the existing upper and lower limits, these limits would have an economic basis.

The objective of this research project is to evaluate the accuracy of the complaint model recently proposed.

1151-RP

DEVELOPMENT OF A DRAFT METHOD OF TEST FOR DETERMINING GREASE REMOVAL EFFICIENCIES

April 2000 – February 2003
University of California – Riverside
Principal Investigator, Dennis Fitz
TC 5.1, Fans

This research leverages two recently completed projects which investigated the fundamentals required to accomplish two goals: allow filter/system manufacturers to quantify the performance of their technologies and consequently permit engineers and other end-users to make a comparison of competing technologies for grease removal effectiveness.

The objective of this research project is to develop a repeatable and accurate method of test that characterizes grease filters and/or grease removal systems for grease removal efficiency. The removal efficiency rating will be based on a measured difference between a base case concentration and the measured concentration with the implemented filter or system in-place. Under Phase I of this project, a standard grease generator, which generates both grease vapor and particulate matter, must be developed. The generator must produce grease distributions similar to those produced by charbroilers, griddles, and deep fat fryers while cooking food products. The vapor and particulate generators may be separate or combined processes. The base-case grease emissions are defined to be equivalent to the cooking process grease emissions. Measurements will then be made downstream of the filter or system to determine the filter efficiency.

1161-RP

THE EFFECT OF PERSONAL CONTROL AND THERMAL VARIABILITY ON COMFORT AND ACCEPTABILITY

September 2000 – January 2004
University of California – Berkeley
TC 2.1, Physiology and Human Environment

The ultimate aim of this research is to augment comfort standards and thereby encourage potentially energy-efficient building design strategies that respond to occupant preference and adaptability.

Although 884-RP clearly demonstrated that different thermal comfort standards are needed for buildings with centrally controlled HVAC systems vs. buildings that are naturally ventilated, there remain many unanswered questions. There is a need to quantify how personal control and a variable (non-steady state) thermal environment effects occupant’s thermal perceptions in real buildings. This information is needed to understand the comfort impacts of a variety of energy-conserving designs (e.g., mixed-mode buildings), or innovative mechanical strategies (e.g., task/ambient conditioning systems) that allow for greater degrees of individual control, but inherently may produce more variable thermal conditions than traditional centrally-controlled HVAC systems.

The objective of this research project is to design and carry out field studies to quantitatively investigate how personal control is used to influence local thermal conditions and occupant response, particularly the acceptability of both the intensity and duration of thermal variability. The research should examine at least the follow questions: 1) Does individual control result in increased or decreased variability in thermal conditions, either over time or across individuals? 2) Does individual control result in increased or decreased acceptability of a given set of thermal conditions, or of thermal variability experienced over time?

1180-RP

DESIGN GUIDE FOR DUCT SYSTEMS

December 2002 – June 2004
Farnsworth Group
Principal Investigator, Chad Dorgan
TC 5.2, Duct Design

The fundamentals of duct design are well founded and developed in the Duct Design chapter of the Fundamentals Handbook (2001). The engineering community, however, feels that the handbook chapter does not effectively lend itself for use in the daily design of HVAC systems. Through a Forum and discussions at the subcommittee level, it was determined that engineers want a practical guide for duct design that non-engineering degreed designers could use to design low owning-cost, high performance duct systems. The subcommittee also felt that a guide was needed that could be used to construct a Duct Design course by a university professor or technical schoolteacher. Such a manual should link the theory of fluid mechanics with the reality of designing working systems. The HVAC industry would thus have a design guide that would be (1) comprehensive in explaining design methods, features and benefits of each method, (2) usable and understandable by duct designers who are not necessarily engineers, and (3) used to develop engineering courses in duct design. Furthermore, it could be used as the basis for developing a computer program for the complex [Tsal] T-Method. Such a manual does not exist today.

The objective of this research project is to write a manual, separate from the ASHRAE Handbook, for HVAC system design personnel, entitled, Design Guide for Duct Systems. It is to be targeted to both the HVAC designer and the HVAC engineer. The Designer is considered to be a high school graduate with computer aided design (CAD) experience. The task of the Designer is considered to be to design and overlay an air distribution system on the architectural plans of a project, after having been given the room airflow rates, the equipment sizes and their locations.

What Is Resource Promotion?

Since 1919, members of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) have supported the Society’s technical research program. Thanks to this strong tradition of member support, ASHRAE is the world’s leading resource for technical information in the fields of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R).

ASHRAE Research leads the effort to find answers to growing number of critical questions facing the HVAC&R industry. It addresses issues such as ozone depletion and indoor air quality; the need for environments that are appropriate for high technology; and industry role in ensuring that food, blood, and other life-giving products can be stored safely.

Independently funded by contributions from members, their colleagues and business, ASHRAE Research creates a constant stream of scientific findings and conclusions. This research defines the fundamental concepts used by engineering professionals to design and manage the technology that insures the comfort and quality of indoor environments.

ASHRAE Research Agenda

The Society’s century-old commitment to meeting professional needs for reliable information is accomplished through a three-step process:

1) Identification of research needs.
2) Commissioning of research projects.
3) Publishing of research results

Applying this process on a Society-wide basis, ASHRAE has earned a worldwide reputation for quality in research, standards, continuing education, technical journals and manuals.

Identifying Research Needs

Representing 50,000 HVAC&R practitioners in 120 countries, ASHRAE is in a unique position to identify and meet industry needs. Volunteers participating in ASHRAE 91 Technical Committees, the Society’s Research Administration Committee, and ASHRAE meetings and conferences help identify research priorities.

ASHRAE research is grouped under nine categories:

· Design Tools · Energy Conservation · Environmentally Safe Materials and Refrigerants · Fire and Safety · Food Processing and Preservation · Indoor Air Quality, Comfort and Health · Innovative Emerging Technology (High Risk) ·Operation and Maintenance Tools · Refrigerant Systems

Commissioning Research Projects

With extensive member participation, ASHRAE identifies the individuals and organizations best qualified to research the issues. This coordinated effort insures efficient use of research funds and optimum resource management.

Most studies are completed in academic environments by creating partnerships with universities and research institutes. ASHRAE research also exposes future professionals to the theoretical foundation of the industry.

Publishing Research Results

After completion, ASHRAE distributes research findings so that industry and other researchers can benefit from the dissemination of new technology. Our system of respected and established publications and presentation opportunities has created a worldwide technology transfer network.

The Orange Empire ASHRAE chapter has been awarded 1^st place in two Top Five categories by chapter size (250-499 members) for the 2002-2003 RP campaign, High Five and Challenge Goal Award. Congratulations Orange Empire Chapter.

The Orange Empire chapter would like to thank the following contributors of the 2005-06 RP Campaign:

Resources

Current Local Research Projects 1129-RP

1151-RP

1161-RP

1180-RP

Current Local Research Projects
1129-RP