TABLE OF CONTENTS At the time this article was written, Robert B. Stotz, P.E., was a consulting engineer and president of R.B. Stotz Professional Engineers, Inc., Panama City, FL. Robert L. Hanson was an engineering mechanics graduate student at Virginia Polytechnical Institute, Blacksburg. Reprinted from ASHRAE Transactions 1992, Vol. 98, Part 2.
R.B. Stotz, P.E.
Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE
R.L. Hanson
This paper examines a method of using heat recovery and aquifer wells to provide an HVAC system that is economically and ecologically friendly as well as being energy efficient. It is applicable for any new or existing building with a high internal load and where aquifer wells can produce water in the 50 F to 77 F (10 C to 25 C) range. It specifically examines a large school building with an HVAC system designed for use with high-temperature water from natural gas boilers. It compares results obtained by incorporation of an energy management system with those obtained by modification of system design. The paper demonstrates the important role geothermal energy can play in the future.
The objective of this study was to design an energy-efficient HVAC system for a high school to replace one that had been designed with the classroom portion being essentially a two-pipe system. All heating for these rooms was accomplished by the ventilation air system, which used high-temperature hot water from a gas-fired boiler also required to power the cooling system.
The problem was further complicated by climatic conditions that might require heating of all classrooms in the morning...
