Flow and Balance Services

All areas of the system even though designed to have balanced flow often times are not balanced to optimum efficiency, they are only balanced to achieve overall system operation.

The difference in operational savings between balance achieved by system design vs. a manual balance operation performed after system completion has been determined to be in excess of 25% annually. (ASHRE Journal 28)

Heat Pumps are only as efficient as the system which they are connected to.

Manufacturers balance individual units, so why would you not balance the circuits as well?

Information:

Calibration and balance to the system is critical to optimal performance from the Ground Heat Exchanger.

Calibrated Ground heat exchangers operate up to 35% more efficiently than systems that are not calibrated. (ASHRE Journal 28)

Calibrating each circuit/header provides even flow characteristics and optimizes demand by dividing the demand equally among the GSHEX components.

Areas to be calibrated:

Individual GSHEXs – This is usually performed by the manufacturer or the Mechanical contractor upon installation by inserting specific flow setting valves on the GSHEXs as prescribed.

Interior Mechanical loop to pumps in Mechanical room – If several pumps and systems are integrated, it is necessary to balance this loop as there will be operational difference that will affect system performance.

Supply and Return lines from Mechanical to GSHEX vault – The pressure drop should fall within the design specified limits of the system, calibration needs to be verified in order to determine correct installation procedures and setting a baseline for individual circuits.

Individual circuits from the GSHEX vault to the GSHEX field – The most critical portion of the system to be balanced. This is where the greatest drain on efficiency comes from, therefore it is critical to calibrate this segment. Installation issues will be apparent if balancing issues are not able to be resolved. Providing the owner and Contractor with critical information to ensure a fully operation and completed system for building service.

Process outline:

  1. System is flushed and purged, fully operational for a minimum of 2 weeks
  2. Calibration begins with measuring piping to be calibrated to establish baselines. This is done using state of the art technology that is performed using a NON-INVASIVE procedure, resulting in no system down time. In the event that NON-INVASIVE technology cannot be used due to system constraints, several other methods may also be employed to perform required procedures.
  3. After baselines have been established, calculations are done to provide balancing numbers and ensure optimal performance once balanced.
  4. Each segment is then calibrated to the necessary flow and pressure as determined by previous calculations.
  5. Calibration is achieved by controls previously established by the Mechanical Engineer or system designer. This usually is done with individual circuit valves or circuit setting devices.
  6. Calibrated valves are tagged after each procedure to ensure that technicians return valves to set positions after future service work or system maintenance, ensuring that system remains in balance throughout service.
  7. Final measurements are then taken after total system calibration to verify procedure and calculation integrity.
  8. Final report issued.