ASHRAE handbook features lots of updates to thermal storage, district heating

The ASHRAE 2016 handbook on HVAC systems and equipment features a number of revisions to the majority of its chapters, including major updates to thermal storage and district heating and cooling.

“Nearly 90 per cent of the chapters have undergone revision since the 2012 volume was published,” said Forrest Yount, volume chair. “That means there is a lot of new material for users to become familiar with. Many chapters have incorporated the results of recent research projects funded by ASHRAE.”

Two major updated chapters include chapter 12, district heating and cooling, which has new content from ASHRAE research project RP-1267 (the new District Heating Guide and District Cooling Guide). Chapter 51, thermal storage, has new content on grid reliability, renewable power integration, heat storage, emergency cooling, water treatment and commissioning.

Some of the volume’s revisions and additions are as follows:
Chapter 7, Combined Heat and Power Systems, has a new section on economic evaluation and includes an update on EU Directive 2004/8/EC.
Chapter 9, Applied Heat Pump and Heat Recovery Systems, has new content on waste heat recovery, district applications, and industrial process heat pumps.
Chapter 12, District Heating and Cooling, has new content from ASHRAE research project RP-1267 (the new District Heating Guide and District Cooling Guide).
Chapter 18, Variable Refrigerant Flow, has new sections on modeling and system commissioning, and an updated system design example.
Chapter 19, Duct Construction, has extensive revisions on system leakage and air dispersion systems.
Chapter 20, Room Air Distribution Equipment, has updates for current technology, with new information on specialized components and air curtains.
Chapter 21, Fans, has new sections on series fan operation and field performance testing plus added content on fan and motor efficiency grades and parallel multiple-fan operation.
Chapter 24, Desiccant Dehumidification and Pressure‑Drying Equipment, has expanded content on applications, air filters, and liquid strainers, plus recommendations from ASHRAE research project RP-1339 on rating equipment at altitude.
Chapter 25, Mechanical Dehumidifiers and Related  Components, has new content on psychrometrics, outdoor air, controls, and industrial dehumidifiers.
Chapter 26, Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Equipment, has new information on heat pipes and desiccant and heat wheel systems.
Chapter 28, Unit Ventilators, Unit Heaters, and Makeup Air Units, has revisions on standards, controls, and fan selection for makeup air units.
Chapter 29, Air Cleaners for Particulate Contaminants, has updates on standards and performance testing.
Chapter 31, Automatic Fuel-Burning Systems, has added content on pneumatically and electronically linked gas/air ratio burner systems.
Chapter 33, Furnaces, has updates for current technology and efficiency requirements.
Chapter 37, Solar Energy Equipment, has new data on worldwide solar technology use, plus an expanded section on photovoltaic equipment.
Chapter 38, Compressors, has revisions on general theory; screw and scroll compressors; and bearings, including oil-free technologies.
Chapter 44, Centrifugal Pumps, has new content on vertical, inline, split-coupled pumps; hydronic system pump selection; and differential pressure control.
Chapter 45, Motors, Motor Controls, and Variable-Frequency Drives, has updates on standards, bearing currents, and permanent-magnet motors.
Chapter 47, Valves, has new content on control valve sizing; electronic actuators; and ball, butterfly, flow-limiting, and pressure-independent control valves.
Chapter 49, Unitary Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps, has a new map of U.S. regional appliance efficiency standards.
Chapter 50, Room Air Conditioners and Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners, has updates for efficiency standards.
Chapter 51, Thermal Storage, has new content on grid reliability, renewable power integration, heat storage, emergency cooling, water treatment, and commissioning.

The volume is being published in a bound print volume and in electronic format. To order, contact ASHRAE customer contact centre at 800.527.4723, or visit www.ashrae.org