Life-cycle assessment (LCA) of air-handling units with and without air-to-air energy exchangers

Mikko Nyman, Carey J. Simonson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review

Abstract

The life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used in this paper to assess the environmental effects of air-handling units (AHU) over a 20-year life cycle. This assessment is based on quantifying the consumption of resources (energy and materials), the harmful emissions into the environment (air, water, and soil), and the potential changes in the environment (climate change, acidification, and ozone production). A normal AHU, with a face velocity of 3 m/s (600 fpm), and a small AHU, with a face velocity of 4 m/s (800 fpm), are investigated with and without two types of air-to-air energy exchangers (plate and rotating wheel). The research demonstrates the following benefits of air-to-air energy exchangers: reduced energy consumption, reduced emissions to the environment, and reduced potential harmful changes in the environment. For both of the AHUs studied, these benefits are several times greater than the burdens arising from the production and operation of the AHU, where the function of the AHU is to provide 2000 L/s (4200 cfm) of outdoor air to the building space for 2500 h/year, but not to condition this air. A larger AHU with an air-to-air energy exchanger of higher efficiency has the smallest harmful effect on the environment.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2004 Winter Meeting, Anaheim, CA
Pages399-408
Volume1
Publication statusPublished - 2004
MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication

Publication series

NameASHRAE Transactions
PublisherAmerican Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, inc.
Number1
Volume110
ISSN (Print)0001-2505

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life cycle
air
energy
energy resource
environmental effect
acidification
ozone
climate change

Cite this

Nyman, M., & Simonson, C. J. (2004). Life-cycle assessment (LCA) of air-handling units with and without air-to-air energy exchangers. In 2004 Winter Meeting, Anaheim, CA (Vol. 1, pp. 399-408). ASHRAE Transactions, Vol.. 110
Nyman, Mikko ; Simonson, Carey J. / Life-cycle assessment (LCA) of air-handling units with and without air-to-air energy exchangers. 2004 Winter Meeting, Anaheim, CA. Vol. 1 2004. pp. 399-408 (ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 110).
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Nyman, M & Simonson, CJ 2004, Life-cycle assessment (LCA) of air-handling units with and without air-to-air energy exchangers. in 2004 Winter Meeting, Anaheim, CA. vol. 1, ASHRAE Transactions, vol. 110, pp. 399-408.

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) of air-handling units with and without air-to-air energy exchangers. / Nyman, Mikko; Simonson, Carey J.

2004 Winter Meeting, Anaheim, CA. Vol. 1 2004. p. 399-408 (ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 110).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review

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T1 - Life-cycle assessment (LCA) of air-handling units with and without air-to-air energy exchangers

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AU - Simonson, Carey J.

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N2 - The life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used in this paper to assess the environmental effects of air-handling units (AHU) over a 20-year life cycle. This assessment is based on quantifying the consumption of resources (energy and materials), the harmful emissions into the environment (air, water, and soil), and the potential changes in the environment (climate change, acidification, and ozone production). A normal AHU, with a face velocity of 3 m/s (600 fpm), and a small AHU, with a face velocity of 4 m/s (800 fpm), are investigated with and without two types of air-to-air energy exchangers (plate and rotating wheel). The research demonstrates the following benefits of air-to-air energy exchangers: reduced energy consumption, reduced emissions to the environment, and reduced potential harmful changes in the environment. For both of the AHUs studied, these benefits are several times greater than the burdens arising from the production and operation of the AHU, where the function of the AHU is to provide 2000 L/s (4200 cfm) of outdoor air to the building space for 2500 h/year, but not to condition this air. A larger AHU with an air-to-air energy exchanger of higher efficiency has the smallest harmful effect on the environment.

AB - The life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used in this paper to assess the environmental effects of air-handling units (AHU) over a 20-year life cycle. This assessment is based on quantifying the consumption of resources (energy and materials), the harmful emissions into the environment (air, water, and soil), and the potential changes in the environment (climate change, acidification, and ozone production). A normal AHU, with a face velocity of 3 m/s (600 fpm), and a small AHU, with a face velocity of 4 m/s (800 fpm), are investigated with and without two types of air-to-air energy exchangers (plate and rotating wheel). The research demonstrates the following benefits of air-to-air energy exchangers: reduced energy consumption, reduced emissions to the environment, and reduced potential harmful changes in the environment. For both of the AHUs studied, these benefits are several times greater than the burdens arising from the production and operation of the AHU, where the function of the AHU is to provide 2000 L/s (4200 cfm) of outdoor air to the building space for 2500 h/year, but not to condition this air. A larger AHU with an air-to-air energy exchanger of higher efficiency has the smallest harmful effect on the environment.

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BT - 2004 Winter Meeting, Anaheim, CA

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Nyman M, Simonson CJ. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) of air-handling units with and without air-to-air energy exchangers. In 2004 Winter Meeting, Anaheim, CA. Vol. 1. 2004. p. 399-408. (ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 110).

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