ARE 5431 - District Energy Mechanical Systems

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits

Course Description
This course evaluates district energy as a part of integrated systems that provide one or more forms of thermal energy or a combination of thermal energy and electric power from a central plant(s) to meet the heating, cooling, or combined thermal energy and power needs of end-users. The course will cover the design, performance, operation and maintenance, transmission and distribution networks, heat transfer, fluid flow, and measurement of thermal energy from district energy systems in addition to covering the environmental impacts compared to on site generation at each facility. Cooling systems will discuss chiller systems and heating systems will including steam and hot water. This course will also provide a general background on steam system design including the fundamentals of steam traps, pipe sizing, condensate management, and system pressures. This course will also stress the coordination and integration with electric district energy system components typically housed within the same site.
Prereq: ARE 5451 (quarter system prereq: AE 3422)
Note: This course is open to qualified undergraduate students.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Identify the required components in a district energy system
Calculate how to size equipment to meet full-load and part-load conditions
Discuss various heating and cooling equipment options for central plants
Calculate the load for a district energy system including system diversity
Identify buildings that are candidates for inclusion in the district energy system
Discuss the types of piping and joining methods used in district systems
Discuss the site distribution options for cooling and heating systems
Create site distribution profiles based on existing topography
Discuss the various methods of flow rate measurement at the consumer interconnection
Explain the basic components required of a steam and condensate system
Design a basic steam system including pipe sizing, steam traps, drip legs, pressure reducing valves, condensate pumps, and boiler feed pumps
Design a district energy system for an integrated design

Prerequisites by Topic

None

Course Topics

Introduction to district energy
History, examples, and applicability of district energy systems
Components and benefits of district energy systems
System master planning
Technical issues
Developing the database and alternatives
Construction and economic considerations and costs
District cooling plants
Decision to cogenerate
Steam vs hot water thermal energy plants
Heating fuels
Distribution systems
Site distribution routing and pipe profiles
Access point and pit design
Steam fundamentals
Condensate pump and boiler feed pump sizing
Consumer interconnections
Types of heat exchangers
Consumer interconnection metering
District energy system controls
Tour a large district energy plant

Coordinator
David Grassl, P.E.

Announcement

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ARE 5431 - District Energy Mechanical Systems