Energy Efficiency Improvement of an Air Handling Unit at a Pharmaceutical Facility by Integration of an Economizer Cycle

Abstract

This project presents the design of an economizer cycle for an existing Air Handling Unit (AHU) located at a pharmaceutical facility. At certain low temperatures, the integration of the economizer cycle will allow the AHU to make use of cold outside air to condition a product’s temporary storage area inside the plant. For the project, historical weather data is used to analyze the environments suitability for the new system and to estimate the number of potential operation hours and energy savings. The design focuses on the zone's requirements for proper integration of the system and the conditions under which the cycle is activated. The cost of the components and materials required for implementation is also presented.