VENT Podium Session A1: Standards and Codes

Papers 1–6

1.
VENTILATION TECHNOLOGIES TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH A NEW CHROMIUM (VI) PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMIT.

A. Brooks, KCH Engineered Systems, Forest City, NC.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed a new PEL for hexavalent chromium exposure in the workplace. This standard proposes a maximum exposure of one microgram of chromium (VI) per cubic meter of air, with an action level of .5 micrograms per cubic meter of air over an 8-hour time-weighted average. The proposed standard is designed to reduce the current exposure level of chromium (VI) by a factor exceeding 50. This extremely low standard is perhaps not technically viable in practical applications. The current standard is also 100 times greater than the proposed PEL action level. There will be significantly increased emphasis on exhaust ventilation technologies for chromium (VI) control beginning in 2006. This paper will discuss various fume control systems, exhaust ventilation technologies, state-of-the-art exhaust systems, engineering data, and work practice standards to enable compliance with a significantly lower PEL for chromium (VI).

2.
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, ENERGY DIRECTIVE, AND VENTILATION.

E. Curd, Consulting Engineer, West Kirby, United Kingdom.

This paper considers the ventilation energy requirements of the EU Directive 2002/91/EC, which became law this year. Unfortunately, in this document, industrial ventilation is not considered; nevertheless, an approach suitable for industrial ventilation is proposed. The EU’s energy consumption is estimated as being 20% higher than is economically justified. Case studies show that potential energy savings of 15-35% are possible with the correct approach. The directive aims to save annually an energy equivalent of at least 1% of the previous year’s consumption, thus providing an annual improvement in energy efficiency of 6% by 2012, also reducing CO2 emissions to the requirements of the Kyoto protocol. To achieve this objective certain obstacles are considered. The directive consists of a 23-paragraph introduction, followed by 15 articles. Ventilation issues are dealt with in Article 9. The directive is linked to standard CEN 156, which deals with ventilation and energy issues. The individual standards of main interest in CEN 156 are the guidelines for the Inspection and Testing of Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems and Ventilation energy calculation methods. These issues, though useful for industrial ventilation applications, have shortcomings as industrial pollutant concentrations and health effects are not considered. Directive Article 7 requires energy performance certificates to be issued, creating many challenges relating to costs, competition, standard of experts, bureaucracy, comparability, target setting, cost-effectiveness, etc. The training of suitably qualified inspectors and independent experts is dealt with in Article 10. Adequate energy statistics are freely available for domestic and commercial ventilation, but no known figures are accessible for industrial ventilation energy consumption. Development on the aims of the directive will overcome this shortcoming. With modern industrial ventilation design methods, and energy efficient equipment, significant energy savings are possible.

3.
WITHDRAWN

4.
HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT TOOLKIT ON ENERGY EFFICIENT RETROFIT MEASURES FOR GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS — IEA ANNEX 46 “ENERGO.”

A. Zhivov, U.S. Army ERDC-CERL, Champaign, IL.

The Executive Committee of the IEA Implementing Agreement on Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems has recently approved a new Annex 46, “Holistic Assessment Tool-kit on Energy Efficient Retrofit Measures for Government Buildings.” The overall objectives of Annex 46 are to provide tools and guidelines for decision makers and energy managers, performance contractors, and designers to improve the working environment of government buildings through energy efficient retrofitting projects. The scope of the Annex is the decision-making process for energy retrofitting of Government nonresidential buildings: e.g., office/administrative buildings, large one-storey production facilities and maintenance shops. The presentation will describe the progress in the research carried out by participants from 11 countries in the framework of the following four subtasks:

(1) Developing an energy assessment and analysis methodology/protocol and the “Energy Assessment Guide for Energy Managers and ESCOs”;

(2) Developing a database of “Energy Saving Technologies and Measures for Government Building Retrofits” with examples of best practices and case studies;

(3) Developing “Best-Practice Guidelines for Innovative Energy Performance Contracts”; and

(4) Developing the IT-Toolkit “EnERGo.”

5.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING THE ANSI/ASHRAE 110-1995 TRACER GAS TEST METHOD FOR CHEMICAL LABORATORY HOOD CERTIFICATION.

M. Fahim, J. Bielawski, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; S. Milz, M. Bisesi, C. Keil, Medical University of Ohio, Toledo, OH.

The ANSI/ASHRAE 110-1995 (American National Standards Institute / American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers) test method has been developed using a tracer gas to test chemical hood containment. The major advantages and disadvantages of using the ASHRAE 110 tests at Case Western Reserve University were as follows:

Advantages

  1. Using the ASHRAE 110 test method enabled us to detect several cases of re-entrainment of laboratory hood exhaust into the building, ruptured exhaust ducts, and VAV control systems malfunctioning.
  2. The ASHRAE 110 test method reduced the failed chemical hoods from 59% (based on the average face velocity) to 21%. This enabled the university to increase the number of hoods in service and decrease the maintenance costs.
  3. The ASHRAE 110 test method enabled the university to run chemical hoods at lower face velocities (80-100 fpm) and to use low flow hoods with face velocities below 70 fpm. These resulted in an energy cost savings as well as the ability to increase the number of hoods without major changes in the local exhaust system, including ductwork and fan.
  4. The ASHRAE 110 test method was used as a tool to select new hood installation standards. This includes testing a new hood in a laboratory under severe conditions, such as cross drafts, before approval for use in a new project.

Disadvantages

  1. Initial cost of the equipment and manpower was relatively high.
  2. Hood location sometimes made it impossible to reach a chemical hood for testing.
  3. A 2-hour test procedure interfered with labs experiments.
  4. While the smoke visualization test is a major part of the test, there are no specific criteria established in the standard for volume and rate of release for smoke.
  5. Some chemicals such as ethanol were found to interfere with sulfur hexafluoride measurement.

6.
CHAIR’S DISCRETIONARY PAPER.

J. Burton, IVE, Inc, Bountiful, UT.

Chair’s choice of papers submitted to him.

 

Posted May 30, 2006