84
Parallel
Duct System for Heating and Air Conditioning Systems--Variduct,
Inc., 4103 Pecan Orchard, Parker, TX 75002-5721;
214-597-7097
Mr.
Jerry Joseph Tartaglino, Principal Investigator, JJT@enerzone.com
Mr.
Jerry Joseph Tartaglino, Business Official, JJT@enerzone.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG03-02ER83473
Amount:
$98,922
Variable
speed central heat and air conditioning systems now on the market have the
potential to save energy since they can match their operating speed more closely
to the heating or cooling demand on a structure.
However, current installation practices necessitate installing a duct
system large enough to handle the (often infrequent) maximum air output of this
equipment. At the more typical lower
speeds of operation, the heated or cooled air moves slower and stays longer in
the duct system, leading to tremendous energy losses. This project will develop
a parallel duct system with air control valves that can selectively modulate
duct capacity. The parallel duct system will provide increased insulation and
greater R values, further limiting BTU losses in the duct system.
Phase1 will develop and test three alternative parallel duct systems with
associated valve control. Emphasis will be placed on a duct-in-duct design, in
which a smaller low speed duct is enclosed within a larger high speed duct.
Preliminary testing and measurement of duct BTU losses and air
performance in a controlled environment will then be conducted on each system.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits
as described by the awardee: The
parallel duct system should encourage the use of energy saving variable speed
equipment. Significant energy savings should be realized for the potential
moderate additional cost of the parallel duct system.