Overview of Summer 1998 ARC and Related Projects

 

Desiccant Wheel Research

 

Tests will be run in Building 3114 on a commercial desiccant system to determine performance over a range of operating conditions. Inlet conditions (temperature and humidity), wheel speeds, air flow rates, and regeneration temperature are among the variables to be changed. The effects of the different variables on moisture removal across the desiccant wheel will be measured to determine ways to optimize performance. Teachers will have hands-on experience operating the system and controlling the experiment. A psychrometric program will be used to determine wet bulb temperature and moisture content of the air at the inlet and outlet. Data will be taken and compiled in tables to plot system performance using curve fitting programs. A report will be generated and presented at the conclusion of the testing.
 

Refrigerator Research

 
Computer simulations of a 20 cubic foot refrigerator-freezer will be performed to determine the effects of changes in the insulation levels and refrigeration system on energy consumption. Following the computer simulations, energy consumption testing will be performed on a refrigerator-freezer in Building 3144. Some of the changes to be made to the refrigerator-freezer include vacuum insulation panels, thicker doors, and high -efficiency fans and compressor. Baseline tests will be performed, followed by tests with the new components to determine the effects of the changes and to compare against the modeled results. A report will be compiled and presented at the conclusion of the project.
 

Building Thermal Envelope Systems and Materials program

 
Activities are directed toward the theme "Roofs can be Cool." Three foci will engage three groups of 3-4 teachers during the institute. One activity will gather background information from the literature and the Internet on techniques and efficacy of techniques to make roofs cool. A second activity will address in-situ techniques to measure the solar reflectance and infrared emittance of roofs with practice on our newly commissioned ESRA test roof. A third activity will seek to generate data displays for the new ESRA test, leaving a legacy from the institute to visitors of the ESRA facility during the upcoming three years of the test
 
 
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