2.

Fresh air options

2.2. Economizer
2.2.1. Application
Trane differential (or comparative ) enthalpy economizer is provided to take advantage of cooler outdoor air to satisfy a cooling load in a conditioned space minimizing the need for mechanical cooling (with compressors). When fresh air is needed in the building. When the volume of fresh air needed is between 0% and 50% of the nominal airflow of the rooftop. When that volume is needed permanently and needs to be changed remotely. To save energy via free-cooling.

2.2.2. Description
An economizer consists of a fresh air damper, a return air damper, linkage to maintain an inverse relationship between the two, and an actuator to control the damper position. One hood for downflow, three hoods for horizontal flow. Filters (mist eliminator). Motorized fresh air dampers. One electronic board (ECA: Economizer Control Actuator, see illustrations 8 & 9) fitted with a potentiometer. RA (Return Air) damper(s). RA humidity sensor. RA temperature sensor. OA (Outdoor Air) humidity sensor. MA (Mixed Air) temperature sensor. Note: There is no dedicated Outdoor Air temperature sensor for the economizer simply because the ECA uses the standard Outdoor Air temperature sensor of unit. Illustration 5. Economizer front-view: downflow version

Illustration 6. Economizer front-view: horizontal flow version

RT-PRB018-E4 Voyager

TM

III

10

Illustration 7. Economizer dampers: horizontal flow version

Illustration 8. ECA with module

Illustration 9. ECA with module layout

2.2.3. Operation
The potentiometer controls the fresh air damper. The amount of fresh air introduced is set between 0% and 50% of the nominal air flow during the first potentiometer setup and then remains constant afterwards. The fresh air dampers close in unoccupied mode when the SA - Supply Air - fan stops. Free-cooling by comparing OA and RA enthalpy levels. The OA volume will modulate accordingly, between a permanent value & 100% (see details below).

2.2.3.1. Main features

Fresh air dampers positions are limited so that the mixed air temperature does not fall below 12C ( 1,5C) and cause excessively cool air from being discharged from the unit. In order to maximize the use of the economizer and further reduce the need for more expensive mechanical cooling: When used with a zone sensor, an economizer setpoint that is below the cooling setpoint is used to allow subcooling essentially for free. Compressors are delayed from operating until the economizer has opened to 100% for 5 minutes and it has been determined that the economizer alone cannot satisfy the load. Any time the supply fan is On and the building (unit) is occupied, the economizer damper will be maintained at or above minimum position. The economizer dampers are held closed when the supply fan is Off to prevent water from getting into the economizer section of the unit.

2.2.3.3. Economizer operation in cooling mode

Start-up: When outdoor conditions are suitable, the economizer OA dampers open 100% (fresh air) during 5 minutes, then a 3-minute cyclic delay evaluates if the room temperature is dropping (see illustration 10) : If the room temperature has dropped by more than approximately 0,3C (rate of 7C/h), the fresh air dampers start to modulate. If the room temperature has not dropped by more than approximately 0,3C (rate of 7C/h), compressor n1 starts. If SA temperature is below 12C, the fresh air dampers close progressively (whenever the compressor is on or off).

RT-PRB018-E4 Voyager

TM

III

11

Usage with a Trane zone sensor (THS/P 03) or Integrated Control System (ICS: TZS+Tracker , etc.): Economizer dampers are modulated between their minimum position and 100% to maintain the zone temperature at the economizer setpoint. Economizer setpoint (ESP) is derived from the Cooling and Heating setpoints (CSP and HSP) of the programmable zone sensor or of the ICS, so that ESP is the higher of: - 1) CSP - 1C or - 2) HSP + 1C. Usage with a conventional thermostat (THS/P 01, THS/P 02, others): Economizer setpoint feature, relative to the cooling and heating setpoints, is lost. Economizer enable/disable function is determined by the OA sensor through the RTRM. Economizer dampers are modulated between minimum position and 100% to maintain mixed air temperature at 12C ( 1.5C) in response to a call for stage 1 of cooling (Y1 active), assuming economizing is enabled. At 10C the dampers will be at minimum position. If the economizer is enabled, a Y2 call for 2nd stage cooling will start the first compressor if required. If the economizer is disabled, Y1 will be the first compressor. If the unit has two compressors, Y2 will start the TM second compressor. When using a conventional thermostat, or other binary input, the ReliaTel controls will only allow two stages of cooling. If a single-stage thermostat is used, only the economizer (if enabled) or the compressor (if economizer is disabled) will operate on a call for cooling. A two-stage thermostat is required to achieve economizer operation and compressor operation at the same time. Illustration 10. Economizing control process
Room temperature (C) Temperature evaluation Temperature evaluation

TM

24,3

24,2

24,1

OA damper 100% opened 24

23,9

Compressor operation
23,8

23,7 0
23,6

Time (min)

23,5

OA damper modulates 23,4

2.2.3.5. When are conditions suitable for economizing?

Three different methods can be used to determine if outdoor air contains more cooling capacity than the return air. These different methods are suited for different applications and environments, as described below: Comparative enthalpy: Outdoor air enthalpy is compared with return air enthalpy. This method is best suited for high humidity climates and applications in which humidity can affect the cooling capacity of the outdoor air or return air. Trane economizer used this method. Reference enthalpy: Outdoor air enthalpy is compared with a reference enthalpy point. This method is best suited for high humidity climated in which humidity can affect the cooling capacity of the outdoor air, but not necessarily the return air. Reference dry bulb: Outdoor air temperature is compared with a user set reference temperature. This method is best suited for low humidity climates and applications in which humidity does not strongly affect cooling capacity of the outdoor air or return air.

RT-PRB018-E4 Voyager

TM

III

12

Trane Economizer works according to the comparative enthalpy method, as described below (see section 2.2.6.1. Economizer set-up for more details about the Reference enthalpy and Reference dry bulb methods). We need to consider 4 different situations (see illustration 11): 1. OA enthalpy RA enthalpy is decreasing and above -6,98 kJ/kg The economizer is disabled (mechanical cooling is used). 2. OA enthalpy RA enthalpy is decreasing and below -6,98 kJ/kg The economizer is enabled. 3. OA enthalpy RA enthalpy is increasing and below 0 kJ/kg The economizer is not disabled if it was in operation, but not enabled if it was not in operation. 4. OA enthalpy RA enthalpy is increasing and above 0 kJ/kg The economizer is disabled and mechanical cooling is enabled. Illustration 11. Economizing conditions
[Outside air enthalpy] [Return air enthalpy] (kJ/kg)

[Outside air enthalpy] > [Return air enthalpy]

0 kJ/kg - 6.98 kJ/kg

[Outside air enthalpy] < [Return air enthalpy]

ECONOMIZER DISABLED ECONOMIZER MECHANICAL COOLING ENABLED OA-RA enthalpy is decreasing OA-RA enthalpy > -6.98 kJ/kg ENABLED ECONOMIZER ENABLED

ECONOMIZER DISABLED

MECHANICAL COOLING ENABLED OA-RA enthalpy is increasing OA-RA enthalpy > 0 kJ/kg

OA-RA enthalpy is decreasing OA-RA enthalpy < -6.98 kJ/kg

OA-RA enthalpy is increasing OA-RA enthalpy < 0 kJ/kg

Time

2.2.4. Benefits
2.2.4.1. Permanent fresh air flow benefits
Easy setting of the permanent (constant) fresh air amount introduced in the unit thanks to the potentiometer. Control of the permanent fresh air amount introduced in the unit is optimized thanks to the return air damper connected to the fresh air damper.

2.2.4.2. Free-cooling benefits

Free-cooling can save a lot of money during a year of operation, and often justifies its investment. Trane differential (or comparative) enthalpy economizer can provide savings of energy greater than with a conventional reference enthalpy system, and even greater than with the popular dry bulb economizer. Where dry bulb can save a couple of percent in kWh consumption, differential enthalpy will save between 19% and 50% (see section 2.2.6. More details for a complete analysis).

RT-PRB018-E4 Voyager

TM

III

13

Explanation : Compared to a dry bulb changeover economizer, the time of economizing will be greater as it will admit higher temperature fresh air when the relative humidity allows it. Illustration 12 shows the additional working area (pink) of the differential enthalpy economizer. It will also avoid letting unsuitable OA enter due to an aggressive setpoint (see black area). Compared to a reference enthalpy economizer, RA and OA enthalpies will be measured and the most suitable one (lowest value) will be chosen. A single-sensor enthalpy or temperature changeover strategy is based on a simple control decision whether the outdoor air is above or below an arbitrary setpoint (see blue line). That setpoint may be conservative, to safeguard occupant comfort, or aggressive, to maximize energy savings. This strategy ignores the fact that the return air may be more suitable for occupant comfort and less expensive to cool. Illustration 12. Economizing capabilities Note: the building balance point is the ambient temperature at which neither heating nor cooling is required to maintain the room setpoint. In other words, the internal load matches exactly the external load.

27

24

21

18
ENERGY WASTED DRY BULB

16 13 10 7 4 2
ADDITIONAL ENERGY SAVED COMPARATIVE ENTHALPY ENERGY SAVED DRY BULB EXAMPLE OF REFERENCE ENTHALPY SETPOINT RA: 23C, 50% relative humidity

10 13 16 18 21 24 27 29 32 35 38 41 43
economizer dry bulb changeover setpoint economizer maximum operating limit

building balance point

2.2.5. Incompatibilities
0-25% manual fresh air hood.

2.2.6. More details

2.2.6.1. Economizer set-up
On Voyager III, Trane economizer always comes configured as a comparative enthalpy one. However, it can be converted into a dry bulb change over or a reference enthalpy change over depending on sensors connections. If the RA humidity sensor is disconnected, reference enthalpy method will be used. If the RA temperature sensor is disconnected, reference dry bulb method will be used. Dry bulb/Reference Point Selections: The Dry Bulb or Reference Enthalpy Point is user-selectable, according to the choices below. This selection is made on the ECA and is only functional on units with a reference or comparative enthalpy option.
TM

RT-PRB018-E4 Voyager

TM

III

14

Reference enthalpy method: OA enthalpy is compared with a reference enthalpy point (REP). Economizer enabled if: OA enthalpy < [REP 1,16 kJ/kg] Economizer disabled if: OA enthalpy > [REP + 1,16 kJ/kg] Economizer status not changed if: [REP 1,16 kJ/kg] < OA enthalpy < [REP + 1,16 kJ/kg] Reference dry bulb method: OA temperature is compared with a reference dry bulb point (RDBP). Economizer enabled if: OA temperature < RDBP Economizer disabled if: OA temperature > [RDBP + 3.0C] Economizer status not changed if: RDBP < OA temperature < [RDBP + 3.0C] llustration 13. Comparative / Dry bulb / Reference enthalpy economizing requirements

ustration 14. Dry bulb / Reference enthalpy change over point choices
Potentiometer Dry bulb change Reference setting points over point enthalpy A* 22.8C ** 62.8 kJ/kg B 21.1C 58.1 kJ/kg C 19.4C 53.5 kJ/kg D 17.2C 51.1 kJ/kg

* factory setting ** dry bulb is fixed at 22.8C and is not adjustable

2.2.6.2. Detailed example of the comparative enthalpy economizer benefits This study was made in North American cities The weather description can help us to find similar applications in Europe 1) Building type
A digital computer was used to vary the seasonal and geographical weather conditions on a model of a retail store. Six different geographical regions were used. The retail store was modeled with the following characteristics: 2 single-storey 418 m building on a concrete slab construction materials consisting of a brick exterior over concrete block walls with plaster on the interior walls and with ceiling insulation stand-alone building exposed on all exterior walls glass windows covering 25% of the wall area occupancy of 7 days per week for 12 hours per day 2 false ceiling with a fluorescent lighting load of 13.5 W/m rooftop HVAC unit with natural gas heat and with air conditioning sized at 110 W/m2 of floor space single zone 2-stage cooling, l-stage heating thermostat with a 24C daytime cooling setpoint, a 21C daytime heating setpoint, a 13C night time heating setpoint setback, and with fan motor and cooling shutdown at night ventilation set at 10% outdoor air during occupancy (one air change per hour) and with the outdoor air damper closed when building is unoccupied occupancy which can be changed dynamically between 14 and 27 persons no exhaust or make-up air system building balance point of 10C, the temperature at which neither heating nor cooling is required

2) Weather conditions
The weather simulation for each site was based on humidity and temperature data from the Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) developed at the Sandia Laboratories from meteorological data compiled by the National Climatic Center. The sites were selected on the basis of providing a variety of regional humidity, length of cooling season, and temperature conditions as follows :

RT-PRB018-E4 Voyager

TM

III

15

(1) Lake Charles, LAa hot humid southern regionan area usually regarded as unfavorable for producing significant savings from economizers (2) Los Angeles, CAa mild Pacific coastal area with long cooling seasons and an area which is usually very favorable for producing economizer savings (3) Madison, WIa northern Midwest region with cold winters and relatively short cooling seasons (4) New York, NYa Northeast region with cold winters, short cooling seasons, and moderate to high utility rates (5) Albuquerque, NMa hot, dry Southwest region with a long cooling seasons (6) Seattle, WAa north Pacific coastal region with mild seasons and with moderate to high humidity

3) Procedure
The computer simulation was used to determine the compressor and fan kilowatt hour consumptions for the different economizer systems at each location. The systems studied were : one with no economizer an economizer with a dry bulb temperature changeover control set at 13C an economizer with a single enthalpy changeover control an economizer with differential enthalpy changeover control

4) Results
The conclusion of this study is that there is a substantial energy saving potential from installing economizers with differential enthalpy changeover, and that differential enthalpy savings can nearly double the savings expected from those of a single enthalpy changeover. It was also concluded that economizers with dry bulb changeover produce less savings than economizers with enthalpy changeover and that, in practice, many economizers with dry bulb changeover are set too conservatively to produce any savings at all.
energy usage in kWh for mechanical cooling

% of energy saved

no economizer 13C dry bulb enthalpy differential

13C 13C dry bulb enthalpy differential

RT-PRB018-E4 Voyager

TM

III

16