Project Background
Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) manufactures cooling towers, which they test within a lab at their facility in Jessup, Maryland. To generate the most accurate and useful results, they wish to maintain a constant wet bulb temperature within the lab during a test. However, as the test is run, the cooling tower emits large amounts of warm humid air, which accumulates within the lab and creates an ever-changing wet bulb temperature. Currently, technicians are tasked with manually controlling two sets of fans, and three sets of dampers to manage the lab environment.
![](https://projects.upei.ca/tempcontrol/files/2022/04/Fans-Dampers-and-Test-Unit-1.png)
Problem Statement
“Design an Automated Airflow Management System Capable of Maintaining a Set Wet Bulb Temperature Within a Thermal Lab.”
Requirements
1 – Maintain a wet bulb temperature at +/- 1 °F from the setpoint.
2 – Design must deliver consistent lab environments between 60 °F and 82 °F wet bulb temperature.
3 – Design must function for a 39’ 4” W x 67’ 4” L x 34’ H lab but be scalable for different size labs.
4 – Design must be suitable for all sizes of testing units, from 4’ x 3’ to 14’ x 24’ in footprint.
5 – Design must control the following equipment by the stated inputs:
- 1x VFD for 2 Exhaust Fans: Eaton SVX9000 (0-10V and 4-20mA)
- 2x Mixing Fans: 15 Hp 3 Phase Electric Motors (No VFD)
- 6x Dampers: Belimo AFB24-SR motor (24VAC 0-10V)
- 6x Damper Position Controllers: SGA24sr (24VAC 0-10V)
6 – Design must be simulated to prove it is capable of meeting requirements prior to prototyping.