by Brianna Crandall — July 18, 2014—Nonprofit building research and consultancy organization BSRIA (owned by The Building Services Research and Information Association) recently released the Hydronic Systems Design Guide set, which contains the new publication Selection of Control Valves in Variable Flow Systems (BG 51/2014) and Energy Efficient Pumping Systems (BG 12/2011). Both guides are written to assist with the design of energy-efficient variable flow systems.
Selection of Control Valves in Variable Flow Systems (BG 51/2014) was produced to help designers avoid problems with the selection and application of control valves used in hydronic systems for the control of heating or cooling outputs from terminal devices. Examples of terminal devices include radiators, fan coil units, air handling units, chilled beams, trench heaters, plate heat exchangers and calorifiers.
Types of valves covered by the guide include two-port, three-port, four-port and pressure-independent control valves. According to BSRIA, proper sizing of control valves is vital to ensure:
- Comfort Control—to ensure the heating outputs are properly regulated to meet the requirements of the application and thereby avoiding excessive temperature variations in the controlled media; and
- Control of system temperature differential—to maximize the energy efficiencies of low-carbon heating and cooling sources by achieving and maintaining the required system temperature deferential under all operating conditions.
Energy Efficient Pumping Systems (BG 12/2011) provides recommendations for building services designers on the design of energy-efficient pumping systems. However, it will be invaluable to a broader group including manufacturers, contractors and end users who will benefit from being able to design, install, select and manage more efficient systems, says BSRIA.
The guide recognizes that the potential for pump energy savings is substantial. Europump (a pan-European association of pump manufacturers) estimates that systems could be 30 to 50 percent more energy efficient by careful consideration of components, design and installation. BSRIA research has shown that potential energy savings of 80 percent is achievable between the worst-operating constant flow systems and the best-designed variable flow systems.
Prospective buyers can view a sample of the publications online. The set can be ordered for £60 by non-members (both PDF and hard-copy versions)—a discount of up to £30 for the two guides together. Members can order hard copies for £30 or download PDF versions of the set for free.
