Design and development of a mini radiant cooling system.

1.5. Original System description of system as it existed before the project began, if appropriate

The use of radiant heating systems has several thousand years of history. The early stage of radiant system
application was for heating purposes, where hot air from flue gas (cooking, fires) was circulated under
floors or in walls. After the introduction of plastic piping water-based radiant heating and cooling with
pipes embedded in room surfaces (floor, wall, and ceiling), the application increased significantly
worldwide. Earlier application of radiant heating systems was mainly for residential buildings because of
its comfort and free use of floor space without any obstruction from installations. For similar reasons, as
well as possible peak load reduction and energy savings, radiant systems are being widely applied in
commercial and industrial buildings.

1.5.1. Original System Structure physical structure, layout, dimensions, etc.

Figure 1: Basic structure of radiant cooling system

1.5.2. Original System Operation how it worked

Radiant cooling cools a floor or ceiling by absorbing the heat radiated from the rest of the room. When the
floor is cooled, it is often referred to as radiant floor cooling; cooling the ceiling is usually done in homes
with radiant panels. Although potentially suitable for arid climates, radiant cooling is problematic for homes
in more humid climates.
Most radiant cooling home applications have been based on aluminum panels suspended from the ceiling,
through which chilled water is circulated. To be effective, the panels must be maintained at a temperature
very near the dew point within the house, and the house must be kept dehumidified. In humid climates,
simply opening a door could allow enough humidity into the home to allow condensation to occur.

The panels cover most of the ceiling, leading to high capital expense for the systems. In all but the most
arid locations, an auxiliary air-conditioning system will be required to keep the home's humidity low, adding
further to the capital cost. Some manufacturers do not recommend their use in homes.

In addition, there may be cases where radiant cooling is appropriate for homes. Radiant cooling systems
have been embedded in the ceilings of adobe homes, taking advantage of the thermal mass to provide a
steady cooling effect.

Homes built on concrete slabs are prime candidates for radiant heating systems, and radiant floor cooling
takes advantage of the same principle using chilled water. This is particularly economic in homes with
existing radiant floor systems. Again, condensation is a concern, particularly if the floor is covered with
heavy carpeting, and the effect is intensified by the tendency of cool air to collect near the floor in stratified
layers. This limits the temperature to which the floor can be lowered.

Despite that limitation, a study performed by DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that some early
morning cooling of a homes concrete slab, combined with nighttime ventilation, and could shift most of
the cooling loads for a house to off-peak hours, reducing the electrical demand on electric utilities.

1.5.3. Original System Performance how well it performed, with respect to performance metrics

1.5.4. Original System Deficiencies why it was not satisfactory, especially with respect to
requirements

Pros Cons
With a ventilation air system, thermal mass can
Sections with leaking or blocked radiant pipes have
significantly reduce the need of air side systems
to be closed, disrupting supply in the process
reducing the fan power in HVAC system drastically
Noise and drafts of air movement are removed. Condensation reduces cooling capacity. Hence an
There are no diffusers in the way of dcor and efficient envelope with non-openable windows is
cleaning required
Additional savings due to lower supply temperature Condensate formation on the cold radiant surface
of chilled water (about 7-9 C lower) results in water damage, moulds etc.
Better comfort conditions are maintained inside the Complicated controls required skilled maintenance
space staff
Not easy to maintain temperatures below 23 C
Table 1: Advantages and disadvantages of radiant cooling systems