Our Engineers ran the GeoCalc software using the FTC analysis and have determined we can reduce our well field by 2 circuits, 20 wells!
The deducts for the 20 loops should include:
3,060 LF of horizontal piping.
20 vertical bores at 300 ft each = 6,000 LF.
3,060 LF x $5.27/LF = $16,126.20
6,000 LF x $5.00/LF = $30,000.00
Total = $46,126.20 deduct.
You might be asking why wasn't this done before the drawings went out? Due to the owner's financing vehicle, there is only two pots of money, the fees and construction. So the engineers made an educated guess on how many wells they thought it would take and added a few so there would be a possible credit in lieu of add to the contract.
The design isn't done until the keys are given to the owner!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
FTC Analysis on a Current Project
Several of you blogged me and/or emailed me during the post intensive to discuss my proposed geothermal system on my studio project.
I just received the following formation thermal conductivity (FTC) analysis on a project that is under construction, that I am the Project Architect on. (same project that I showed the Day Light Factor Study on during the intensive and is blogged earlier on this blog).
The FTC analysis provides a measure of the thermal conductivity of a test bore; in other words, how well does the bore release heat generated by the heat pump system. The analysis that was provided indicates that a loop with 1" diameter piping, down and back up, was installed at a depth of 300 feet, and tested for 48 hours to determine how well the heat in the water would dissipate.
This project is in central Nebraska and the FTC value of 0.99 Btu/hr-ft-deg F is somewhat less than we typically see in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area, but not significantly. Normal values are 1.1 to 1.3 Btu/hr-ft-deg F. The loopfield we currently show on our geothermal well field site plan is designed for approximately 150 tons at the FTC value of 1.1. We actually only need about 130 tons, so we can probably reduce the number of loops and get a credit back from the contractor.
The Mechanical Engineer is going to run GeoCalc software to determine how many loops will actually be needed with this value, and we'll issue a cost deduct request to delete several bores from the project.
Below the report is the drill rig that is drilling the 300’ deep geothermal wells and the trailer pictures is the FTC test rig that was set up to give the report. The computer is inside the trailer and two pipes are running out of it and down the 300’ well.
I just received the following formation thermal conductivity (FTC) analysis on a project that is under construction, that I am the Project Architect on. (same project that I showed the Day Light Factor Study on during the intensive and is blogged earlier on this blog).
The FTC analysis provides a measure of the thermal conductivity of a test bore; in other words, how well does the bore release heat generated by the heat pump system. The analysis that was provided indicates that a loop with 1" diameter piping, down and back up, was installed at a depth of 300 feet, and tested for 48 hours to determine how well the heat in the water would dissipate.
This project is in central Nebraska and the FTC value of 0.99 Btu/hr-ft-deg F is somewhat less than we typically see in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area, but not significantly. Normal values are 1.1 to 1.3 Btu/hr-ft-deg F. The loopfield we currently show on our geothermal well field site plan is designed for approximately 150 tons at the FTC value of 1.1. We actually only need about 130 tons, so we can probably reduce the number of loops and get a credit back from the contractor.
The Mechanical Engineer is going to run GeoCalc software to determine how many loops will actually be needed with this value, and we'll issue a cost deduct request to delete several bores from the project.
Below the report is the drill rig that is drilling the 300’ deep geothermal wells and the trailer pictures is the FTC test rig that was set up to give the report. The computer is inside the trailer and two pipes are running out of it and down the 300’ well.
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Saturday, January 12, 2008
Group Presentation
Following are my slides presented during the group presentaion in class. Our group was responsible for the lighting chapter and these slides represented my part!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
By All Assignment
M. As shown on the plan, because of my location in the center of the design studio and some system furniture walls, I don’t see a way to get enough daylighting to my space that would reduce electrical lights. I discussed this with one of our LEED team members and she laughed and said, “good luck”! The individuals working around the perimeter (i.e. NW corner) have sufficient daylighting and actually work with their lights off sometimes during the day, but with the distance and partitions, it doesn’t reach my space.
N. Using the climate to our benefit can cost additional budget dollars during construction, but will save money in operations of the facility and save on the environment due to the fossil fuels we are all use to using and not thinking twice about. Geothermal loops are taking the heat and cooling from the ground (and within the building itself) and locating in the building where it is needed. Electrical power is required to run the pumps, but that’s less than other mechanical systems. Daylighting helps reduce electrical light usage, but also promotes a higher level of productivity.
O.
P. See previous post.
N. Using the climate to our benefit can cost additional budget dollars during construction, but will save money in operations of the facility and save on the environment due to the fossil fuels we are all use to using and not thinking twice about. Geothermal loops are taking the heat and cooling from the ground (and within the building itself) and locating in the building where it is needed. Electrical power is required to run the pumps, but that’s less than other mechanical systems. Daylighting helps reduce electrical light usage, but also promotes a higher level of productivity.
O.
P. See previous post.
My Carbon Footprint
After reading a few other blogs on carbon footprint, I’m a little confused and plan on talking about it tonight on our group conference call. I am surprised the carbon footprint calculator asked for the electric and gas bills in dollars in lieu of KW and therms. Omaha has some of the lowest gas and electric costs in the country as they are public utilities and work hard to keep them low. The dollars I spend are probably less than Jaclyn does in New York or Eddie does in Miami; however the actual amount of fuel used could be the same. The carbon output really has nothing to do with the money.
Per the calculator I am below the national average but could be better. My car miles are killing me. Our house cars drive about 30,000 miles a year.
The calculators suggested turning down the thermostat in the winter and turning it up in the summer, which we already do with a programmable thermostat. Last year I rode my bike to work a couple times a month and this year I want to make it 2-3 times a week, that could save me about 60-90 miles per week and about 5000 calories a week (per a calorie calculator on line)!! Now that saving on the environment and my heart!
I will be ready to purchase a new vehicle in a couple of years and I have already started looking at what hybrid vehicles are available. I'm not interested in a little car, but am looking at other types of hybrids.
Per the calculator I am below the national average but could be better. My car miles are killing me. Our house cars drive about 30,000 miles a year.
The calculators suggested turning down the thermostat in the winter and turning it up in the summer, which we already do with a programmable thermostat. Last year I rode my bike to work a couple times a month and this year I want to make it 2-3 times a week, that could save me about 60-90 miles per week and about 5000 calories a week (per a calorie calculator on line)!! Now that saving on the environment and my heart!
I will be ready to purchase a new vehicle in a couple of years and I have already started looking at what hybrid vehicles are available. I'm not interested in a little car, but am looking at other types of hybrids.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Daylighting Strategy for My Office....
My workspace is in the center of the office plan shown below, which is in the lowest level of an eight story building with residential in all the floors above us. The building was built in the late 1800’s with exterior brick walls 2’-3’ thick. The property lines are at the face of the building on all sides. Our North front entry doors are located on a City park that cuts through the City downtown.
When I started thinking about daylighting for our space, I thought it would be a minimal amount around the perimeter, however by adding light shelves at the windows, light could be reflected deeper into the space. As you can see by the plan, our space is a sea of system furniture. The dividers running North and South are 12” above desk top and the east and west dividers are 6’ high. My space indicated in the center doesn’t have a chance! Daylighting by skylights is impossible with the seven floors of existing residential above our space.
The two sections below indicate how light shelves would help light penetrate the space. I believe a “light reflector” above the shelf would help move light, as the exposed ceiling has miscellaneous pipes, conduits, and ducts.
When I started thinking about daylighting for our space, I thought it would be a minimal amount around the perimeter, however by adding light shelves at the windows, light could be reflected deeper into the space. As you can see by the plan, our space is a sea of system furniture. The dividers running North and South are 12” above desk top and the east and west dividers are 6’ high. My space indicated in the center doesn’t have a chance! Daylighting by skylights is impossible with the seven floors of existing residential above our space.
The two sections below indicate how light shelves would help light penetrate the space. I believe a “light reflector” above the shelf would help move light, as the exposed ceiling has miscellaneous pipes, conduits, and ducts.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Daylight Factor Study on a Current Project
Thought this might be of interest since our first assignment has the group I am in, assigned the lighting section. The following plan is a daylighting analysis that was completed on a project that I currently have under construction. Looking at the plan, you can see where the windows are located around the perimeter classrooms and offices. The corridors and large assembly space in the center have translucent insulated panels at the clerestory. The areas that are white (dark) are “secured storage spaces” and are not allowed to be “accessible” to the outside. We are working with their design requirements and trying to “invent” a way to daylight these areas while keeping them “secured”.
This client has seen the value of daylighting, when I visit the last facility we designed for them, there are minimal lights turned on and they grin ear to ear about how much they save over other facilities they own.
This client has seen the value of daylighting, when I visit the last facility we designed for them, there are minimal lights turned on and they grin ear to ear about how much they save over other facilities they own.
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