MECHANICAL ENGINEERING OF A UNIVERSITY OFFICE BUILDING THAT ACHIEVES NET-ZERO ENERGY USAGE AND IMPROVED AIR DISTRIBUTION
Open Access
Author:
Zarger, Casey Lynn
Area of Honors:
Architectural Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Architectural Engineering
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
James Freihaut, Thesis Supervisor Richard George Mistrick, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Architectural Engineering Mechanical VAV Units CFD LED Photovoltaics
Abstract:
The Montgomery College Student Services Center (MCSSC) will replace Montgomery College’s existing facility, the Student Services Building. The new building will house various student services, intake functions and programs serving students.
The current design of MCSSC was extensively analyzed, and several alternatives to improve the building systems were considered. STAR-CCM, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program, was used to model air distribution by the existing terminal units. From this analysis, an alternative mechanical system using series fan-powered variable air volume (VAV) terminal units was proposed to improve air distribution. The building was modeled in Trane Trace 700, an hourly analysis energy modeling program, in order to compare energy usage of the existing building to energy usage of the new system. Since this change resulted in increased energy usage, analysis to change the lighting fixtures to LED fixtures was conducted as well, in order to save energy. Finally, a photovoltaic analysis was conducted to determine the feasibility of making the building net-zero using solar energy. These panels were placed on the roof of MCSSC, as well as the neighboring parking garage in the study.
The results of this report are positive. The mechanical and lighting changes are recommended as they have little initial cost impact and an 11-year payback together, with a combined savings of 108,032 kwh annually. The lighting change alone has less than a one year payback. Combining all three changes results in a 22-year payback, and is not recommended.
