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Optimizing Ventilation Systems in Commercial Buildings: A Case Study of Dunham Associates
Technology Category
- Sensors - Airflow Sensors
- Sensors - Infrared Sensors
Applicable Industries
- Buildings
- Cement
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Building Automation & Control
- Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
Services
- Hardware Design & Engineering Services
- Testing & Certification
The Challenge
Dunham Associates, a mechanical and electrical engineering consulting firm, specializes in developing facility designs that maximize energy savings and optimize the indoor environment for building occupants. The company is committed to sustainable design and works closely with its clients to achieve facility goals. One of the challenges Dunham faces is designing effective complex mechanical ventilation systems for large new-construction commercial office buildings. Many of these projects seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and incorporate innovative underfloor air distribution (UFAD) or displacement ventilation systems to deliver improved indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort to the building’s occupants. The ventilation system design must be optimized in terms of providing performance as well as energy efficiency.
About The Customer
Dunham Associates is a mechanical and electrical engineering consulting firm based in the U.S. The company develops facility designs that maximize energy savings and optimize the quality of the indoor environment for building occupants. Dunham utilizes high-performance engineering strategies to reduce operating costs and to ensure the comfort of those using the facility. The company is committed to the principles of sustainable design and works closely with its clients to achieve facility goals. Dunham believes in interacting early in the design process with the project's owner and architect and developing the design in a holistic approach. The company's design process for high-performance buildings includes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) airflow modeling, advanced design analysis, and careful equipment selection.
The Solution
To overcome the challenge, Dunham Associates turned to ANSYS Airpak airflow modeling. This technology allowed Dunham to explore the ventilation system performance in the design phase, rather than having to wait until construction was complete. This proactive approach enabled the company to streamline the selection of diffuser locations, optimize supply flow rates and temperatures, and quickly explore various design alternatives. ANSYS Airpak assists Dunham in the process of developing and evaluating building ventilation system design concepts. It also contributes to the evidence that a proposed design meets various rating criteria, including optimal energy performance, increased ventilation effectiveness, and compliance with standards for thermal comfort.
Operational Impact
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