That about wraps it up for our series on commissioning. Key things to remember:
1. Commissioning makes sure mechanical, electrical and HVAC systems function the way they were supposed to function and that they meet any published standards they are supposed to meet.
2. Most commissioning is done up front, when the system or equipment is installed.
3. On-going commissioning can (and should) be done as part of your ongoing maintenance program to ensure optimum performance.
4. Thermal imaging and infrared scans are part of commissioning.
(Don't worry - there won't be a quiz later!)
In other news - we are re-vamping our website to make it more interactive. If you have any ideas about what you'd like to see changed, don't be shy! Leave me a comment! I look forward to hearing from you.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
HVAC Commissioning and Infrared Imaging
And last but not least, our series on commissioning ends with a look at HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) Commissioning. Just like mechanical and electrical commissioning, the point of HVAC Commissioning is to ensure that your HVAC system is working the way it is supposed to work. To maximize the energy efficiency of your commercial building, you must be sure that your environment isn’t compromised by inadequate or poorly sealed ductwork, plumbing issues or other problems related to improperly functioning HVAC systems.
This was really brought home to me in a conversation I had with a developer friend of mine. Seems every time a new unit in a block of condos is sold, the new owner turns on the A/C and water leaks start showing up within a couple of days.
It turned out the problem is a missing piece in the air conditioning system – easy to fix, but hard to find. And of course, now the developer is responsible for fixing the leak and the resulting issues (replacing drywall, re-painting, etc.). This is just a simple example of an improperly functioning HVAC system – but multiply this problem in a large multi-system commercial building and the costs rise exponentially!
Like mechanical and electrical commissioning, thermography and thermal imaging have a role to play in HVAC Commissioning. The Building Commissioning Association (BCA), an organization of commissioning professionals, gives this example:
“I also carry a thermal-imaging camera to find leakage in buildings and to see which equipment in existing buildings is on and which is not on…For example, a prep school dining hall was cold and, through thermal imaging, I found that no steam was entering the coil. In the sub-basement, I would have had to crawl under pipes and ducts where rats and mice like to be. Instead, I was able to take thermal images of the ducts to see where the heat was being stopped. I found that the condensate trap had failed at the coil, so no heat was getting through on either duct branch.”*
*Source: http://www.distributedenergy.com/november-december-2009/concept-of-commissioning-2.aspx
This was really brought home to me in a conversation I had with a developer friend of mine. Seems every time a new unit in a block of condos is sold, the new owner turns on the A/C and water leaks start showing up within a couple of days.
It turned out the problem is a missing piece in the air conditioning system – easy to fix, but hard to find. And of course, now the developer is responsible for fixing the leak and the resulting issues (replacing drywall, re-painting, etc.). This is just a simple example of an improperly functioning HVAC system – but multiply this problem in a large multi-system commercial building and the costs rise exponentially!
There are actually three different kinds of HVAC Commissioning:
- Retrocommissioning: Commissioning of an existing system that was never commissioned
- Recommissioning: Subsequent repeat commissioning of a system that was once commissioned
- Continuous Commissioning: Incorporating commissioning activities into operating and maintenance processes so that no separate recommissioning processes are required
Like mechanical and electrical commissioning, thermography and thermal imaging have a role to play in HVAC Commissioning. The Building Commissioning Association (BCA), an organization of commissioning professionals, gives this example:
“I also carry a thermal-imaging camera to find leakage in buildings and to see which equipment in existing buildings is on and which is not on…For example, a prep school dining hall was cold and, through thermal imaging, I found that no steam was entering the coil. In the sub-basement, I would have had to crawl under pipes and ducts where rats and mice like to be. Instead, I was able to take thermal images of the ducts to see where the heat was being stopped. I found that the condensate trap had failed at the coil, so no heat was getting through on either duct branch.”*
Want more information? Call me at 803-328-2889 or drop me an email!
IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial and residential end users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit www.irinfraredservices.com or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans.*Source: http://www.distributedenergy.com/november-december-2009/concept-of-commissioning-2.aspx
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
What is Mechanical Commissioning?
Last week we started our discussion about commissioning. Commissioning is the Process by which an equipment, facility, or plant (which is installed, or is complete or near completion) is tested to verify if it functions according to its design objectives or specifications. So, mechanical commissioning is the process that verifies and documents the performance of mechanical systems against defined objectives and criteria.
In other words, does it work like it’s supposed to work? Imagine installing a huge CCGT (combined cycle gas turbine) in a power station and then just assuming it works correctly without checking! Talk about a really disastrous decision!
Now, although my business is infrared thermography, infrared scans are only a part of mechanical commissioning. For example, I might work with a team of mechanical commissioners to verify that certain parts, like rotating equipment, of the mechanical systems are operating as they should. (Mechanical applications for thermal imaging almost always involve rotating equipment.) Excessive heat is generated by friction caused by faulty bearings, inadequate lubrication, misalignment, imbalance, misuse, or normal wear.
During mechanical commissioning, thermography can be used to scan and verify the operating capacity of:
• Electrical switchgear, breakers, bus connections, and contacts
• Transformer connections
• Mechanical couplings on rotating equipment
• Process piping and heat exchangers
• Compressor heads
• Motor and generator connections, windings, feeders and exciters
• Bearings
• Drive gears and drive belts (for excessive friction)
CCGT & HRSG Commissioning and Validation
Thermography as part of the validation of temperature profiles throughout a HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generator) boiler during the commissioning process is an invaluable tool in finding and assessing the condition of the boiler. It can be used to evaluate the overall temperature levels and to look at specific areas of interest such as the roof and floor penetrations, bellows arrangements, expansion joints, and inspection hatch gaskets and locate problems associated with excessive conduction and gas leaks.
So, there you have it! Thermography isn’t the whole answer to mechanical commissioning, but it certainly plays an important part!
IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial and residential end users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit www.irinfraredservices.com or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans.
In other words, does it work like it’s supposed to work? Imagine installing a huge CCGT (combined cycle gas turbine) in a power station and then just assuming it works correctly without checking! Talk about a really disastrous decision!
Now, although my business is infrared thermography, infrared scans are only a part of mechanical commissioning. For example, I might work with a team of mechanical commissioners to verify that certain parts, like rotating equipment, of the mechanical systems are operating as they should. (Mechanical applications for thermal imaging almost always involve rotating equipment.) Excessive heat is generated by friction caused by faulty bearings, inadequate lubrication, misalignment, imbalance, misuse, or normal wear.
During mechanical commissioning, thermography can be used to scan and verify the operating capacity of:
• Electrical switchgear, breakers, bus connections, and contacts
• Transformer connections
• Mechanical couplings on rotating equipment
• Process piping and heat exchangers
• Compressor heads
• Motor and generator connections, windings, feeders and exciters
• Bearings
• Drive gears and drive belts (for excessive friction)
CCGT & HRSG Commissioning and Validation
Thermography as part of the validation of temperature profiles throughout a HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generator) boiler during the commissioning process is an invaluable tool in finding and assessing the condition of the boiler. It can be used to evaluate the overall temperature levels and to look at specific areas of interest such as the roof and floor penetrations, bellows arrangements, expansion joints, and inspection hatch gaskets and locate problems associated with excessive conduction and gas leaks.
So, there you have it! Thermography isn’t the whole answer to mechanical commissioning, but it certainly plays an important part!
IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial and residential end users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit www.irinfraredservices.com or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans.
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