OL03 - Hot and chilled water pipework systems

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Who should study this unit?

The aim of the module is to prepare engineers for the process of designing a complete pipe-work system for delivering heating or chilled water to terminal units in buildings.  These types of system typically distribute heating or cooling water to radiators, fan coil units, chilled beams, radiant panels or chilled ceilings.

The module is primarily intended for junior to intermediate engineers who are being asked to design a system for the first time.  However, the module is not for the complete beginner.  There's an assumption from the outset that the user will have completed a college or university course on mechanical engineering, or possibly a course on building services engineering, and so will have some understanding of the basic fluid dynamic principles that underlie system design.  They will also have access to the support of a more senior engineer within their organisation who can guide them on the procedures and protocols for completing design drawings and specification documents.

Furthermore, the module does not explain how to design a complete heating or cooling system.  There is an assumption that heating and cooling loads have already been determined - based on building heat loss and heat gain calculations - and that, using the results of those calculations, the heating and cooling emitters have already been sized and their design flow rates specified based on whatever design temperature differential has been selected.

The module therefore deals with how to size the pipes, pumps and valves, how to layout the system and how to control its operation.

Learning Outcomes:
Sizing and selection of pipe-work:

• The module will explain how to select the correct pipe sizes out of the range available and, in the process, will explain how to determine the pipe system pressure losses in preparation for pump sizing. There is also some guidance about the different types of pipe-work material available to choose from and the criteria against which they should be assessed.

Sizing and selection of system pumps:

• The module will explain how to select a pump that will meet the duty requirements of the system in terms of the calculated system flow rate and pressure loss. There will also be some guidance about the energy implications of pumping and the benefits of varying pump speed, under part-load conditions.

Recognition of alternative valve types:

• The module will explain how to recognise the different valve types that are typically used in systems and outline how they work and how they should be selected.

Planning for pre-commission cleaning:

• The module will explain the importance of pre-commission cleaning and the design features required to facilitate the removal of debris and bacteria from a pipe-work system.

Layout of boiler or chiller primary circuits:

• The module will explain how to plan a boiler or chiller primary circuit such that the minimum flow requirements are always met and the boilers or chillers can be sequenced to operate in a logical order to match the heating or cooling demands of the building.

Designing a complete system:

• Using the guidance given in early sections, the module will explain how to design a complete system. Three alternative approaches are covered each of which aim to take advantage of the potential energy savings achievable by varying the speed of the system pumps during part-load operation.

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