EBCx Workshop Series 16

Existing Building Commissioning Workshop Series 16 Materials

As indicated on the main page, the true source for the materials for the existing building commissioning class workshop is the FTP site Ryan maintains. If you need information regarding how to access it, you should contact him via e-mail at R2S2@pge.com. It would be desirable to include the words "EBCx Workshop Series Materials FTP Site Access" in the subject line to catch his attention.

The materials below are the materials I provide for the portions of the workshop that I teach. I am going to keep placing them here so that you can access them before class if you want and also to make it easy for Ryan to pull them back for the FTP site.

Note that most of the time, I include a "READ ME" file in the zip file with the materials and resources that describes what each of the files is about.

Session 1

The files below are the files I will be using in class today. Note that I uploaded a revised version of the scoping slides around 10:00 AM that includes the slide with the ASHRAE link in it.

LECTURE

scoping_and_findings_list_v4.pptx
File Size:	59077 kb
File Type:	pptx

SCAVENGER HUNT

scavenger_hunt_v1_ho.pptx
File Size:	9990 kb
File Type:	pptx

cw_system_v11_suv8_ncv.zip
File Size:	2815 kb
File Type:	zip

cooling_towers_v9_suv8.zip
File Size:	8965 kb
File Type:	zip

mechanical_space_v2_suv8.zip
File Size:	19118 kb
File Type:	zip

le_conte_annex_ahu_suv8_v11_ncg.zip
File Size:	100852 kb
File Type:	zip

FOLLOW UP

scavenger_hunt_-_answers_v1.pptx
File Size:	12960 kb
File Type:	pptx

The file to the left is the "answer slides" for the cut away chiller along with the other compressor pictures that I shared.

There were also a number of people who wondered if the electronic psych chart I demonstrated worked on a MAC and/or if the ASHRAE chart would work on a MAC. The answer to that is "No".

But there some other options that you may want to consider. One is that ASHRAE does publish an iPad psych chart app. If you go look at it on the App Store, it does not have a lot of stars, but the reviews say that is because it is buggy. I bought a copy to see how well it worked (its $20, so not to terribly expensive) and so for, for me, it has worked nicely. The screen shot below is from it.

Another option is an app called HVAC toolkit. It is from the same company as the one that developed the ASHRAE Psych Chart app. You can buy different modules including a psychrometrics module. It doesn't plot on a chart but it does give you all of the parameters associated with any point that you enter in terms of a dry bulb temperature and one other metric, for instance relative humidity, as illustrated to the left.

If you follow the link, you will find that there are quite a few options in terms of the features you get with a given module or collection of modules. For instance, you can get a basic psychrometric calculator like I describe above for about $1.00. I have had the HVAC toolkit package for years now and it has been well worth the $20 or so I spent on it a while back.

I also mentioned that I would be putting together an answer video for the scavenger hunt that we did in class. That is still on the radar but probably will not be done until mid to late August, so check back ever once-in-a-while if you are interested in that.

Finally, Ryan should be sending out an e-mail with instructions for the exercise we gave you using the Le Conte AHU model. So watch for that in your inbox.

Session 2

The files below are the files I will be using in class today.

LECTURE

01_-_introduction_to_system_diagrams_v2.pptx
File Size:	14033 kb
File Type:	pptx

plant_v41_suv8.zip
File Size:	111155 kb
File Type:	zip

02_-_variable_flow_plant_discussion_v5.pptx
File Size:	2112 kb
File Type:	pptx

cooling_towers_v11_suv8.zip
File Size:	20773 kb
File Type:	zip

LAB

system_diagram_lab_handout_v1.pptx
File Size:	3070 kb
File Type:	pptx

control_system_history_v2.pdf
File Size:	126 kb
File Type:	pdf

shedule_and_points.pdf
File Size:	9308 kb
File Type:	pdf

Session 3

The files below are the files I will be using in class today.

LECTURE

lecture.zip
File Size:	33264 kb
File Type:	zip

LAB

lab.zip
File Size:	9400 kb
File Type:	zip

light_switch_v2.pptx
File Size:	268 kb
File Type:	pptx

FOLLOW UP

The file to the right is the working copy of the logic diagram tool that I used in class, meaning it has the answer we developed together in it.

logic_diagram_tool_-_class_example.xlsm
File Size:	1656 kb
File Type:	xlsm

There were also a number of other resources that were mentioned in the class in addition to the links in the slides that Ryan, Sweta and I used.

Hourly Weather Data

With regard to hourly weather data, I have found the Iowa State ASOS site to be a very fast way go get hourly climate data for a large number of locations.

http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/request/download.phtml?network=OR_ASOS

The primary benefit in my perspective is that the time and date stamp used in the dataset is already compatible with Excel, and you can select a time zone. This saves a number of processing steps compared to retrieving data from NOAA, which uses the UTC time stamp and a time and date stamp that needs to be converted to a value Excel can read. You will find information on both resources in this blog post. And the NOAA site is worth knowing about because it has a larger inventory and probably can go further back in time than the Iowa State site.

This blog post will provide guidance and examples of how to work with the time and date stamp used by the NOAA data (at least the last time I used it) and convert it into an Excel compatible format. It also provides some general insight into how Excel works with dates an time.

This blog post is the original post I did about the NOAA resource. It also provides information about how to open a delimited file in Excel, which may be helpful because files from data loggers and control systems are often exported in some sort of delimited format.

Also, note that there is a "Weather and Climate Resources" category available from the drop down menu on the right side of the blog. If you select it, the page will fill with links to all of the posts that have information about weather and climate data, including the ones I have highlighted here.

Economizer Stratification

Ryan mentioned how important it is to use multiple sensors in a mixed air plenum because of the potential for temperature and velocity stratification, which can be quite extreme and also dynamic, varying with the position of the dampers as well as the flow rate occurring at the time. The Economizer Stratification page of this site illustrates this in a number of ways and also contains a link to a blog post that looks at the issue in a system we played with in a previous EBCx class. You will also find information on the topic in the materials from the Economizers, Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues class that we occasionally provide at the PEC.

Point List Resources

Monitoring plans are a form of the point lists that are used to define a control system design. So, point list resources may be helpful to you as you work on your monitoring plan. Ryan mentioned using some sort of naming convention as you develop your list and the tool I shared with you and discussed briefly might be helpful.

We also mentioned a number of other resources and I have updated the Monitoring Plan Spreadsheet page to include them. Note also that there is a little 20 or so minute video module included on the page where I walk you through some monitoring plan concepts and illustrate what you might want to be thinking about as you develop your monitoring plan.

Session 3

The files below are the files I will be using in class today.

LECTURE

lecture.zip
File Size:	33264 kb
File Type:	zip

LAB

lab.zip
File Size:	9400 kb
File Type:	zip

light_switch_v2.pptx
File Size:	268 kb
File Type:	pptx

FOLLOW UP

The file to the right is the working copy of the logic diagram tool that I used in class, meaning it has the answer we developed together in it.

logic_diagram_tool_-_class_example.xlsm
File Size:	1656 kb
File Type:	xlsm

There were also a number of other resources that were mentioned in the class in addition to the links in the slides that Ryan, Sweta and I used.

Hourly Weather Data

With regard to hourly weather data, I have found the Iowa State ASOS site to be a very fast way go get hourly climate data for a large number of locations.

http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/request/download.phtml?network=OR_ASOS

The primary benefit in my perspective is that the time and date stamp used in the dataset is already compatible with Excel, and you can select a time zone. This saves a number of processing steps compared to retrieving data from NOAA, which uses the UTC time stamp and a time and date stamp that needs to be converted to a value Excel can read. You will find information on both resources in this blog post. And the NOAA site is worth knowing about because it has a larger inventory and probably can go further back in time than the Iowa State site.

This blog post will provide guidance and examples of how to work with the time and date stamp used by the NOAA data (at least the last time I used it) and convert it into an Excel compatible format. It also provides some general insight into how Excel works with dates an time.

This blog post is the original post I did about the NOAA resource. It also provides information about how to open a delimited file in Excel, which may be helpful because files from data loggers and control systems are often exported in some sort of delimited format.

Also, note that there is a "Weather and Climate Resources" category available from the drop down menu on the right side of the blog. If you select it, the page will fill with links to all of the posts that have information about weather and climate data, including the ones I have highlighted here.

Economizer Stratification

Ryan mentioned how important it is to use multiple sensors in a mixed air plenum because of the potential for temperature and velocity stratification, which can be quite extreme and also dynamic, varying with the position of the dampers as well as the flow rate occurring at the time. The Economizer Stratification page of this site illustrates this in a number of ways and also contains a link to a blog post that looks at the issue in a system we played with in a previous EBCx class. You will also find information on the topic in the materials from the Economizers, Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues class that we occasionally provide at the PEC.

Point List Resources

Monitoring plans are a form of the point lists that are used to define a control system design. So, point list resources may be helpful to you as you work on your monitoring plan. Ryan mentioned using some sort of naming convention as you develop your list and the tool I shared with you and discussed briefly might be helpful.

We also mentioned a number of other resources and I have updated the Monitoring Plan Spreadsheet page to include them. Note also that there is a little 20 or so minute video module included on the page where I walk you through some monitoring plan concepts and illustrate what you might want to be thinking about as you develop your monitoring plan.

Session 4A (Thursday Class)

The files below are the files I will be using in class today.

CONTROL LOGIC LAB - WORKING WITH PHYSICAL LOGIC AND A COOLING TOWER

cooling_towers_v9_suv8.skp
File Size:	33524 kb
File Type:	skp

2020-11-12_cooling_towers_and_control_logic__v1.pptx
File Size:	4810 kb
File Type:	pptx

mechanical_space_v2_suv8.skp
File Size:	43858 kb
File Type:	skp

A FIELD INTRODUCTION TO REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS AND HOT GAS BYPASS

hot_gas_and_vapor_compression_v1.pptx
File Size:	15770 kb
File Type:	pptx

exploring_a_chiller_v1.pptx
File Size:	13108 kb
File Type:	pptx

Here are a few resources that will help you learn more about refrigeration processes and systems.

This Sporlan application guide is a really well written, approachable guide about how to use a pressure-enthalpy chart to assess a refrigeration cycle.
Copeland offers their refrigeration engineering application guidelines at no cost at this location.
Roy Dossat's book Principles of Refrigeration is a very well written, easy to understand, written in layman's terms book that comprehensively covers the topic. The link takes you to a blog post that will give you more insight into that. At one point, a .pdf of the first edition was available from an archiving site, but that seems to no longer be there. So, you would have to purchase a copy if you wanted one. But there seem to be used copies available in the $20-$40 price range from several on-line book sellers.
Variable flow refrigeration systems are becoming more common. At one point, I compiled a bunch of information I had gathered on the topic and shared it on the VRF Systems page of the web site.

Sporlan in general has really great engineering and application guidelines available on their website in the support area. To save you some time, the zip file to the right contains the ones that are the most relevant in the context of our discussion today.

sporlan.zip
File Size:	15972 kb
File Type:	zip

Session 4B (Friday Class)

The files below are the files I will be using in class today. Note that I modified the hot bas bypass slides from what I put up yesterday. Please delete what you downloaded yesterday and replace it with the slides below.

A FIELD INTRODUCTION TO REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS AND HOT GAS BYPASs (Revised)

hot_gas_and_vapor_compression_v2.pptx
File Size:	29974 kb
File Type:	pptx

I will reference this video in class; it shows what bubbles look like in a refrigerant sight glass (a.k.a. a cloudy sight glass)

PICTURES FROM THE FIELD

field_trip_findings__no_video_v4.pptx
File Size:	91028 kb
File Type:	pptx

wusm_w_bldg_cond_pump_20091008to20091012.csv
File Size:	1302 kb
File Type:	csv

energy_star_thermal_conversions.pdf
File Size:	317 kb
File Type:	pdf

steam_and_condensate_-_no_video__v2.pptx
File Size:	16149 kb
File Type:	pptx

charts_and_table_v2.xlsx
File Size:	3813 kb
File Type:	xlsx

san-francisco-tariff-thru-al-38-updated.pdf
File Size:	16913 kb
File Type:	pdf

national_refrigerants_reference_guide_2006.pdf
File Size:	6101 kb
File Type:	pdf

FOLLOW UP

As you probably observed, we did not get to some of the materials that I handed out above in the most recent class, mostly the materials associated with steam and condensate return systems. I believe Ryan plans to reschedule them into a subsequent class so we can do the exercises we planned. But you can get a general feel for the content by reading through a string of three blog posts on the topic of the energy content of a pound of steam.

Ryan has been asked by several people for a recap of the logic assignment You will find it in the closing slide of the 2020-11-12 Cooling Towers and Control Logic v1.pptx file I handed out for Thursday. But to recap it here the assignment is to figure out how the level control system works, which will require that you come up with a wiring diagram. One way to do that is to trace the wiring out, but there are actually other ways if you are extra observant in your virtual field work in the model.

The "method to the madness" is to expose you to untangling physical logic in the field, which I have come to realize was really helpful to me in terms of understanding how control systems worked and learning how to design and troubleshoot them and develop my own control logic. Once you have untangled the wiring and made yourself a wiring diagram, I asked you to consider and answer the following questions.

What are the functions of the different terminal types in the control panel?
How much does the Warrick control relay cost?
Why did Ellis seal the electrode fitting conduit entry with caulk? (Ellis is Ellis Montgomery, one of the best control electricians I have had the privilege of knowing and being mentored by. When I build the model, I imagined him as doing the wiring and there is a little tribute to him in the model that you might come across if you are vigilant.)
How would you figure out the maximum fuse rating you could safely install in the fuse holders?
How would you figure out the minimum water level in the tower (the level that would open the make-up valve)?
What sets the level at which you would close the make-up valve?
What sets the maximum water level in the tower (the level that would cause water to run out the overflow)?

The purpose of these questions is to help you think about the sort of abstract nature of the logic in the context of the physical reality it is associated with. There are practical reasons for some of the hardware, cost is a consideration, code requirements will come into play if you set out to do something like this, and the set points you would select have a physical reason behind them.

Several people wondered if I had an example of logging a hot gas bypass and I do. I added those slides to the steam_and_condensate_-_no_video__v1.pptx file thinking I would share them at that point. But since we did not get to that point, I have uploaded the revised slides above as steam_and_condensate_-_no_video__v2.ppt. I am working on a narrative that looks at the trend data that we pulled from the installation that is depicted, which, when combined with other data, allowed us to demonstrate that the hot gas bypass system was not very well tuned and will upload that once I finish it (or turn it into a blog post; either way, I will post something here so check back).

We also discussed temperature and humidity control for a facility that housed musical instruments. Several years ago, on one of our field trips to UC Santa Cruz, we ran into something like that and I did some analysis and discussion with the class. The results were summarized in one of my annoyingly long e-mails. For those who are interested, I have included that below along with the supporting information in a zip file. Let me know if you have questions.

2014-01-26_follow-up_memo.pdf
File Size:	6887 kb
File Type:	pdf

music_center.zip
File Size:	981 kb
File Type:	zip

We talked about how refrigeration systems leverage saturated system physics in class. The national_refrigerants_reference_guide_2006.pdf file above contains refrigerant tables for many common refrigerants and if you study them, you will see how at saturation (the condition that exists in a condenser and evaporator), there is a very specific pressure associated with the temperature that the process is occurring at and that this varies from refrigerant to refrigerant for a given temperature condition. You may also find the thermodynamic diagrams for R-134 that I included on the Thermodynamic Diagrams Spreadsheet page to be of interest since they provide a "visual" on this for R-134.