Investigation of radiant panel cooling systems for sensible cooling in air conditioning

The report describes an investigation on the possible implementation of the radiant panel cooling systems in the hot and humid Singapore climate. The project is based on the simulation modeling of a conventional chilled water cooling system and the radiant panel cooling system, in the form of the active chilled beam systems, in cooling a single storey office space comprising a total area of 1225 m2. The wellknown TRNSYS program was used to simulate the radiant panels and cooling systems in the project. In creating the active chilled beam systems, two air handling units were considered, namely Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) and the active desiccant dehumidification system. Based on hour-by-hour simulation approach, the project presents the energy consumption as well as the thermal comfort levels achieved by the active chilled beam systems in comparison with conventional cooling system. For the office space examined in the simulation, employing the active chilled beam systems instead of the conventional system can save between 9.1% and 29.1% of the total energy consumption. These results are based on several assumptions and references made on the power ratings of the components used throughout the simulation. It is observed that majority of the energy savings occur at the chiller, due largely to the higher chilled water supplied to the radiant panels and air handling units of the active chilled beam systems. In addition, no risks of condensation on the panels were present since the supply temperature of the chilled water to these panels is set higher than the dew point temperatures of the zones. Using comfort criterion adopted by Singapore Standards and International Standards Organization, results from simulation show that thermal comfort levels are better with the application of the active chilled beam systems. With reference to the Predicted Mean Vote index recorded by TRNSYS, the occupants are comfortable in 80.5%, 89.3% and 90.1% of the simulated hours for the conventional and the active chilled beam systems (i.e. Desiccant and DOAS) respectively. Further improvements must be carried out on the existing simulation models in order to get better and more reliable data for actual implementation of the radiant panel cooling system in Singapore. It is suggested that collaboration with a local supplier of desiccant dehumidification systems be considered. One recommendation is Munters with which electronic correspondence has been made between the author and the company representative.Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering