WO2013001155A1

WO2013001155A1 - Pressure control and air conditioning of a multi-story building

Info

Publication number: WO2013001155A1
Application number: PCT/FI2012/050599
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ali Ollinmaa
Original assignee: Ali Ollinmaa
Priority date: 2011-06-29
Filing date: 2012-06-14
Publication date: 2013-01-03
Also published as: EP2726793A4; EP2726793A1; FI20110224A0; FI126255B; PT2726793T; FI20110224A; EP2726793B1; ES2646513T3

Abstract

This publication describes a pressure control and air conditioning of a multi-story building, such that replacement air is supplied into an apartment (13) through a staircase (6). The replacement air comes into the staircase (6) through an air inlet pipe (2) on the roof of the building by means of a fan (3). The fan (3) increases the pressure of the replacement air, which pressure causes a downward airflow in an all the way down extending vertical pipe (7), which airflow discharges through ventilation diffusers (22) into space of the staircase (6). By means of the fan (3) and of the control thereof, a pressure that is a preset value higher than atmospheric pressure of the ambient air (12) is provided into the staircase (6) by a differential pressure meter (9) or by differences of pressure gauges (10) and (11). The replacement air may flow from the staircase (6) into the department (13) through a valve (16), which is without or provided with a fire damper and which has a constant or variable orifice and which is arranged in a partition wall (14). The over-pressure existing in the department (13) prevents contaminated air from entering the apartment (13). The over-pressure in the staircase (6) prevents the contaminated ambient air from entering into the staircase (6) when opening entrance door (20). A humidifier apparatus and possibly an air drying apparatus can be connected in series with the fan (3). The condensate accumulates on the bottom (30) of the vertical pipe (7) and can be removed there from through a valve (31). There is tried to maintain a constant temperature in the staircase (6).

Description

PRESSURE CONTROL AND AIR CONDITIONING OF A MULTI-STORY BUILDING

Present invention relates to a pressure control and air conditioning of a multi-story building.

When temperature of ambient air is lower that an apartment temperature, a lifting differential pressure, which depends on differential temperature that is developed within exhaust air channels, and which decreases pressure within the apartment, the raising differential pressure being also dependent on height of the exhaust air channel, whereby there is a lover absolute pressure within the exhaust channels of the apartments of lower floors that within the exhaust channels of the apartments of the upper floors. The situation is same when using a roof fan.

Ventilation channels cause the lifting differential pressure, which causes a negative pressure in the apartment, by means of which replacement air enter the apartment directly from outdoors via inlet air valves installed in the apartment.

In addition, replacement air comes into the apartment through window and balcony door slots, from staircase through apartment door and mail slots as well as in via apartment and balcony doors when opening the same. Replacement air will also enter the apartment, when keeping the windows and balcony door open for ventilation purposes.

So with the replacement air, particularly in urban areas, polluted air that contains impurities, such as dust and automobile exhaust fumes, can enter the apartment involved. The situation is worst at the lower layers. This causes problems or dissatisfaction among the residents.

An object of present invention is to prevent contaminated air from entering the

apartments. This object is achieved, such that the replacement air that is passed into apartments is taken from the roof, where the air cleaner than lower, and am over pressure is created in the apartments, which prevents the polluted ambient air from entering the apartments, however, too high over pressure in the apartments is avoided, so that unnecessary high heat leakage losses are not caused because of the balcony door held open. Further, too high over pressure in the staircase causes via the front door, when opening the same, unnecessary high heat losses. Unnecessary high over pressure may cause through the valves harmful jet streams (draughts) and audio harms as well as problems in door forces when opening or closing the same. Also from the point of the fan energy required, it is preferable to avoid too high over pressures.

Air flow coming into the staircase is warmed by a heat exchanger to a certain

temperature, whereby the heated air of the staircase may heat also the apartments, whereby less radiator heating is needed. It is important, that the air in the staircase is sufficient warm, that cold air entering the apartment does not cause draught.

When temperature of the ambient air is high enough, there is provides an opportunity to leave the radiator heating completely off, because then the air of staircase and the air of apartment is possible to heat to the sufficient temperature by the heat exchanger.

It is also essential to the present invention, that the windows, balcony door and the front door are made tight, such that unnecessary heat leakages do not take place through the same. These leaks would also increase unnecessarily the required pressure of the blower.

More specifically, the solution according to the invention is generally defined by the independent claim 1 and by the dependent claims 2 to 13. The present invention is described more detailed in the following referring to the accompanying drawing, where:

Figure FIG.1 presents schematically upper and lower parts of a multi-story building. Figure FIG.2 presents the upper part of the multi-story building with a heat recovery system for an exhaust air.

Figure FIG.3 presents a solution to hide/mask a vertical pipe to be located in the staircase. There are placed in an attic 1 an inlet air tube 2, a fan 3, a heat exchanger 4 and if necessary an air filter 5.

The supply air valves in the apartments are closed.

The fan 3 develops a differential pressure, by which the incoming air flows through the inlet pipe 2 into the fan 3 and through a vertical pipe 7, which is placed into a staircase 6, into the staircase 6. There is mounted a differential pressure gauge 9 towards and extending through an outer wall 8 of the staircase 6 of an outer wall 8, which measures the differential pressure ΔΡ of the absolute pressures Pu and Pk prevailing between the ambient air space 12 and the staircase 6. The differential pressure gauge 9 may be replaced by separate pressure gauges 10 and 11 placed in the staircase 6 and on the outer wall 8, respectively. The accuracy of the differential pressure gauge 9 is better.

Replacement air flows from the staircase 6 into the apartment 13 through valve 16, which is placed at an intermediate wall 14 and which may be provided with a fire shut- off, by means of the increased pressure Pk of the staircase 6. The valve 16 may also be provided with an air flow control option.

In larger apartments 13 there may be two or more valves 16 leading to different rooms.

Exhaust air leaves the apartment through venting channels 17 due to the lifting differential temperature resulting in the ventilation channels 17 and due to an

overpressure generated by the fan 3 into the staircase 6 and into the apartment 13.

Thus the obtained overpressure Ph in the apartment 13 prevents entering of the ambient air from the external space 12 directly into the apartment 13.

In order to prevail always in the apartment 13 a higher pressure Ph that the pressure Pu of the external space 12, when taken into account accuracies of the measurements, the pressure Pk of the staircase 6 should be at least about 1 mbar higher, when number of flats is between 3 and 10, and about 1.5 mbar higher, when number of flats is between 10 and 20, that absolute pressure Pu of the external space 12. Then is possible to eliminate the lift force of the venting channels 17, which decreases the pressure in the apartment, and to eliminate pitot pressure against the outer walls 8 caused by the wind.

A suitable setup value for the differential pressure ΔΡ can me defined also

experimentally or case-by-case. Mainittakoon, etta ilmapaine-ero korkea- ja matalapaineen valilla on noin 70 mbar.

There are several variables that have influence to the pressure developed by the fan 3, such as

Flow resistance caused of the heat exchanger 4 and possibly of the filter 5, and - Flow resistances caused of the inlet pipe 2 and of the vertical pipe 7 as well as of ventilation diffusers 22,

Lifting pressure force, which is depending on the differential temperature between the external space 12 and the staircase 6, and further on the height of the vertical pipe 7,

- Temperature variations inside the vertical pipe 7 due to low temperature of the

external space 12,

Lift pressure of ventilation channel 17 of the lowest floor, which is depending on the temperature of the external space 12 and on the height of the ventilation pipe 17, Openings of and keeping open balcony doors 19,

- Cooker hood,

Ventilation of the sauna room per apartment,

Possible throttling of control valves 27 of the ventilation channels 17,

Control of air control valves 16,

Visits in the attic, and

- Openings of the front door 20.

Due to these variables the pressure Pk in the staircase 6 tends to undergo changes, in order to maintain the differential pressure ΔΡ between the pressures of the staircase 6 and the external space 12 as constant, the pressure developed by the fan 3 alters

automatically, such that the differential pressure ΔΡ between the pressures of the staircase 6 and the external space 12 will remain as constant at predetermined set point.

It is important that the differential pressure ΔΡ is not too great, because the same could then cause at the valves harmful jet-flows (draught) and sound disadvantage and problems concerning door forces of the doors 19 and 20 when opening of and closing the same. From the point of energy need of the fan 3, it is advantageous to avoid any too great differential pressure ΔΡ.

The preset differential pressure ΔΡ, which measured by the differential pressure gauge 9 or by pressure gauges 10 and 11, control the pressure developed by the fan 3 either by altering rotation speed or by throttling the pressure utilizing an automatic throttling valve, when the rotation speed is constant, (not shown in Figures).

Whereas, there is always a higher pressure in the staircase 6 than in the external space 12, it is possible to prevent the low-level impure air from entering from the external space 12 into the staircase 6 through door opening of the door 20, when opening of the front door 20

There is a reason to make the windows 18 and the balcony doors as well as the front door 20 tight for preventing overpressure in the apartment 13 and for preventing heat leakages caused of the overpressure.

In order to develop a certain temperature, for example +20°C, into the staircase 6, in order to prevent the draught into the apartment 13, a temperature sensor 21 is placed into the staircase 6, which controls function of the heat exchanger 3, such that the

temperature of the staircase 6 is tried to keep in the predefined value. At higher temperatures of the external space 12, the radiator heating can be totally closed when needed, because the heat exchanger 3 may raise the temperature of the staircase 6 high enough. There is a reason to notice, that by using the present invention, the thermal energy of the staircase 6 can be utilized for heating of the apartment 13. In the solution according to Figure FIG.2, when an exhaust air heat exchanger 23 is used, the ventilation channels 17 are provided with shut-off hatches 28, such that when a fire takes place in any of the apartments 13, a smoke detector (not shown in Figures) in the ventilation channel 17 of apartment in question closes the shut-off hatch 28, whereby fire access via an assembly box 24 will be prevented into other apartments. Then it is also possible to receive information which one of the apartments is in a fire.

In order to receive supply air into the staircase 6 evenly distributed over the height, the vertical pipe 7 extends from the attic down to the bottom and the same is provided with several ventilation diffusers 22 in order to avoid the jet-streams. The ventilation diffusers 22 may also be of adjustable type.

If necessary, the inlet air is possible to purify by an air cleaner 5, a preferred position of which is before the heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction. Figure FIG.2 presents a placement principle for the exhaust air heat exchanger 23, whereby it is in series with the supply air heat exchanger 4. The ventilation channels 17 are in connection with the common assembly box 24, by means of which the exhaust air is lead to the exhaust air heat exchanger 23, and subsequently out through the outlet pipe 25.

The flow resistance caused of the exhaust air heat exchanger 23 must be added to the pressure to be developed by the fan 3.

The vertical pipe 7 can be positioned, for example as illustrated in Figure FIG.3, to a corner of the staircase 6 and it may be covered from view with cover plate 26.

The control of the fan 3 or the throttling valve (not shown in Figures) according to the differential pressure gauge/sensor 9 or according to the difference of the pressure gauges/sensors 10 and 11, may be realized by any prior art technology. Likewise, it is possible to realize the control of the heat exchanger 4 according to the temperature gauge/sensor 21.

For high temperatures, the heat exchanger 4 may also be used as an air cooler. Then its function may be controlled by the heat sensor 21 locating in the staircase 6 or by its own heat gauge/sensor locating in the staircase (not shown in Figures) In case of an apartment fire, the fan 3 can be stopped if necessary and a fire valve 29 existing in the upper part of the staircase 6 can be opened. These functions may be controlled by an emergency centre of the building (not shown in Figures).

Within the scope of the present invention, different embodiments, variations,

functionally equivalents and other solutions that differ from the ones described above are possible. The vertical pipe 7 may locate within the staircase 6 in a different location voi and the same can be covered with another means. The fan 3, supply air heat exchanger 4, exhaust air heat exchanger 23 and air filter/cleaner 5 may locate also on the ground floor or in basement, if the inlet pipe 2 extends from the roof down to the fan alas 3 and if the flow direction in the vertical pipe 7 is directed upwards. The differential pressure gauge/sensor 9 or pressure gauges/sensors 10 and 11 as well as the temperature gauge/sensor 21 can also locate elsewhere, for example in the roof of the staircase 6. The differential pressure gauge/sensor 9 and the pressure gauge/sensor 11 can locate on the site of the staircase 6 and the pressure of the external space 12 is transmitted for example via a tube penetrating the outer wall 8. The replacement air entering the apartment can be divided by a valve 16 discharging piping into several rooms by providing the same with sound barriers. The ventilation channels 17 can also have a circular cross-section. Lights of the staircase 6 can be placed to the covering plate 26 or near the same. Wirings of the staircase lights, of the differential pressure gauge/sensor 9, of the pressure

gauges/sensors 10, 11, and of temperature gauge/sensor 21 may be behind the covering plate 26.

Claims

1. System for multi-story building pressure control and air conditioning a as well as for apartments (13) replacement air, comprising a staircase (6) which is pressurized and which is connected on each floor of the staircase to one or more apartments (13), into which the replacement air enters from the pressurized staircase (6), wherein a heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 25) of the system is arranged at the top part of the staircase (6), which is in connection at its inlet side at least to on external space (12) outside the building and which is in connection at its output side at least to the different floors of the staircase (6) through one or more vertical pipes (7), preferably via ventilation diffusers (22), for controlling temperature of the staircase (6), i.e. for keeping the temperature at a preset temperature by means of supply air outgoing from the vertical pipe (7), and wherein temperature of the staircase (6) remains at a lower temperature than the temperature of the apartments (13) regardless of the temperature of the external space (12) outside the building by means of the supply air, which outgoes from the vertical pipe (7), and by means of the input air, at least temperature of which is controlled by the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 25), whereby replacement air, which is cooler than the temperature of the apartment, enters the apartment from the pressurized staircase (6).

2. System of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the staircase (6) remains essentially at the preset temperature by means of the supply air outgoing from the vertical pipe (7).

3. System of claim 2, wherein the preset temperature of the staircase (6) is lower than the temperature of the apartment (13) both when heating and/or cooling the input air by the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 25) of the input air, and wherein the preset rate of differential pressure ΔΡ between the staircase pressure Pk and the absolute pressure Pu of the external space (12) is selected at least about 1 mbar, when number of the floor is between 3 and 10, and about 1.5 mbar, when the number of the floors is between 11 and 20. The same may also be defined

experimentally and case-by-case. 4. System of claim 3, wherein the temperature of the staircase, which is warmer than ambient air of the external space (12), is reached by the heat exchanger (2, 3,

4, 23, 25), which heats the ambient air of the external space (12) and which is preferable adjustable, and wherein differential temperature between the apartments (13) and the staircase (6) is reached with heating in each apartment, preferably by means of radiator heating in the apartment (13).

5. System of claim 3, wherein the temperature of the staircase, which is cooler than ambient air of the external space (12), is reached by the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 23, 25), which cools the ambient air of the external space (12) and which is preferable adjustable, and wherein differential temperature between the apartments (13) and the staircase (6) is reached with heating in each apartment, preferably by radiator heating of the apartment (13).

6. System of claim 5, wherein the cooling unit (23) of the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 25), is disposed upstream of the heating unit (4) of the heat exchanger

7. System of any of the claims 4 to 6, wherein the differential temperature between the air in the apartment (13) and the cool replacement air entering from the staircase (6) is adjustable with heating in each apartment, preferably by the radiator heating.

8. System of any of the claims 4 to 7, wherein larger apartments (13) comprise at least two valves (16), which connect the rooms of the apartment, whereby the cool

replacement air from the staircase (6) may be divided into several rooms.

9. System of any of the claims 4 to 8, wherein the apartments (13) are in connection directly via ventilation pipes (17) or via an assembly box (24) with the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 25).

10. System of claim 9, wherein the ventilation pipes (17) of the apartments (13) are in connection directly or via the assembly box (24) with the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 25) for heat recovering from exhaust air of the apartments and/or for heating ambient air incoming from the external space (12) outside the building.

11. System of claim 9, wherein the ventilation pipes (17) of the apartments (13) are in connection directly or via the assembly box (24) with the cooling unit (23) of the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 25) for cooling the ambient air incoming from the external space (12) outside the building.

12. System of any of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 25) is located in the top part of the building, preferably in the attic, whereby inlet pipe (2) from the external space (12) is in connection with the fan (3) that is in the top part of the building, and wherein airflow is directed downwards within the vertical pipe (7).

13. System of any of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 25) is located in the bottom part of the building, preferably in the basement, whereby inlet pipe (2) from the external space (12) is in connection with the fan (3) that is in the bottom part of the building, and wherein airflow is directed upwards within the vertical pipe (7).