Page 12 - HVAC Pump Handbook

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Digital Electronics and HVAC Pumps

Digital Electronics and HVAC Pumps 9

use on future projects. To use it, the designer can enter key factors
that would describe a current project and then allow the computer to
search a database for similar completed designs that would have the
same defining elements. For example, a project designed without
databasing may have a total of 5000 design hours. After searching the
database, a design might be found that could provide 3000 design
hours from a previous project, leaving a requirement for 2000 new de-
sign hours. When this current project is completed, it would be en-
tered into the database for similar future reference.

1.6 Electronic Communication

With the technical advances that are occurring in communications,
rapid communication is available between various architectural and
engineering offices. Databasing can be linked between main and
branch offices of a multioffice firm so that job and data sharing can be
established between the various offices as desired by the engineering
management.
Interoffice communication also has been accelerated with the use of
electronic mail such as e-mail. Such mail can reduce the time for ask-
ing crucial questions and receiving responses. It reduces error with
regard to documentation and maintains a file on the correspondence.

1.7 Electronic Design of the Piping
and Accessories

Similar to load calculations and general system layout, digital elec-
tronics has invaded the actual configuration of the water system it-
self. This includes the methods of generating hot or cold water, stor-
age of the same, and distribution of the water in the system. The
distribution of water in an HVAC system is no longer dependent on
mechanical devices such as pressure-regulating valves, balancing
valves, crossover bridges, reverse-return piping, and other energy-con-
suming mechanical devices that force the water through certain parts
of the system. Almost all mechanical devices are disappearing, other
than temperature-control valves for heating and cooling coils. How
this is done will be described in detail in Chaps. 10 and 15 during ac-
tual designing of HVAC systems.
HVAC water systems are being reduced to major equipment such as
boilers or chillers, heating and cooling coils, pumping systems, con-
necting piping, and electronic control. Simplicity of system design is
ruling the day with very few flow- or pressure-regulating devices; this
results in much higher overall system operating efficiencies.

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