har eothermal llc: next-generation co2 … building products...the thar geothermal project team is...
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Awarded May 2011
Green Building Alliance • 333 East Carson St., Suite 331 • Pittsburgh, PA 15219 • (412) 431-0709 • [email protected]
PRODUCT INNOVATION GRANTS
THAR GEOTHERMAL LLC: Next-Generation CO2 Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Impact: In heat pump applications, the ground either cools or heats a working fluid, allowing the system to work as an air conditioner in the summer and a heater in the winter. Geothermal heat pumps (GHP) are an established commercial technology that has been deployed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Most geothermal systems are based on chemical refrigerants; Thar Geothermal’s system employs carbon dioxide (CO2) as the working fluid. To date over 1 million GHP systems have been installed in the U.S. alone, with even more in operation internationally. Recent studies commissioned by the DOE have identified GHP’s as a critical technology to enable the U.S. to achieve its ambitious energy efficiency and demand reduction goals for residential and commercial buildings. Thar projects that the technology developed under this grant could reduce HVAC cooling and heating energy requirements by 50% and 20%, respectively; associated fossil fuel use (and its resulting air pollution) will be reduced proportionally. Project Overview: Thar Geothermal LLC will fabricate a new, unique oil-free compressor to be used in a commercial-scale ground source geothermal heat pump system. The system will employ carbon dioxide (CO2) as a natural refrigerant. This project builds off the previous success of a GBA Product Innovation Grant received by Thar Process in December 2008. Thar’s geothermal system will be deployed in their building in the RIDC business park in O’Hara Township, Pennsylvania. Carnegie Mellon University will provide independent measurement and verification of system performance and assist Thar with building integration and optimization. Upon completion of the project, Thar intends to aggressively commercialize the technology, which will spur advances in Pennsylvanian manufacturing and machining sectors, as well as in commercial and residential projects across the country. GBA Product Innovation Grant Amount: $100,000 Leadership Team: Thar Geothermal LLC is a spinoff company of Thar Processes, a global leader in supercritical fluid technology and equipment. The Thar Geothermal project team is led by Lalit Chordia; President, along with Marc Portnoff, Manager of New Technology and Eric Mellors, Senior Engineer. Thar’s Carnegie Mellon University research partners from the Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics are Volker Hartkopf, Professor and Director, and Nina Baird; Adjunct Instructor and PhD Candidate.
Contact: Nathaniel Doyno ▪ Thar Geothermal, LLC ▪ (412) 435-0200 x220 ▪ [email protected] ▪
www.thargeo.com
Awarded May 2011
Green Building Alliance • 333 East Carson St., Suite 331 • Pittsburgh, PA 15219 • (412) 431-0709 • [email protected]
PRODUCT INNOVATION GRANTS
ENERGY WALL:
Triple Purpose Cores Produced by Automated Ultrasonic Manufacturing Process Impact: Traditional total ventilation recovery systems utilize rotating wheels, but have a history of discontinued use due to their energy demand, contribution to poor air quality, and exhaust air cross-contamination. Energy Wall LLC innovative ceramic membranes allow heat and water vapor in, while blocking CO2, nitrogen, oxygen, and particulate matter. The systems are also passed the UL 900 fire/smoke tests, and reduce spore viability up to 82%. Energy Wall is low maintenance, has no moving parts, and actively cleans the air of bacteria and mold growth, resulting in superior indoor air quality.
Project Overview: The Energy Wall team plans to build an ultrasonic bonding and folding machine to efficiently manufacture the Energy Wall systems. The new machine will capably manufacture a 12’x12” core every 15 minutes. The team will then install the fully automatic total energy recovery systems into two beta sites on Penn State University’s campus, where they will be monitored by the university’s Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering. This project has the potential to save a building up to 25% in energy costs located in virtually any climate type, help it contribute to up to five additional LEED points for new construction, and provide better indoor air quality for the building occupants. If accepted nationwide, Energy Wall could positively impact all residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation end-use sectors. This project builds off the previous success of a GBA Product Innovation Grant received by Energy Wall in June 2008. GBA Product Innovation Grant Amount: $100,000 Leadership Team: Energy Wall’s team is lead by Dustin Eplee, CTO, Energy Wall; with the assistance of Scott Herr and Kenneth Butcher. Energy Wall is the manufacturer of an innovative membrane technology for high efficiency ventilation air recovery equipment. The University partner is Dr. Jeffery Brownsen; Assistant Professor of Energy and Mineral, Pennsylvania State University; and Dr. William Bahnfleth, Ceramics Engineer, Pennsylvania State University. Contact: Dustin Eplee ▪ Energy Wall, LLC ▪ (215) 272-5451 ▪ [email protected]
www.energywall.com
Awarded May 2011
Green Building Alliance • 333 East Carson St., Suite 331 • Pittsburgh, PA 15219 • (412) 431-0709 • [email protected]
PRODUCT INNOVATION GRANTS
DREXEL UNIVERSITY:
Health through Light: Daylight-Matching LED Luminaires Impact: Natural daylight is a known influence on the body’s biological rhythms, affecting overall wellbeing. Specifically, research shows daylight can reduce symptoms of dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Indoor environments, such as those in hospitals and other commercial buildings, can harness the benefits of light therapy by using light-emitting diode (LED) technology to mimic daylight. LED lighting has the dual benefit of providing interiors with a range of dimmable light spectrums as well as utilizing less energy than traditional incandescent options. Project Overview: This project will pursue the production of an automatic diurnal/seasonal daylight-matching LED luminaire prototype for installation and evaluation in an actual clinical setting. The proposed final product will be easily retrofitted and will use locally produced sustainable materials. Collaboration with leading industry officials at Appalachian Lighting Systems and BAU Architecture will provide consulting and fabricated prototypes using LEDs that span the visible spectrum. The team at Drexel University will address the energy efficiency and life cycle assessment of the product with the use of tools such as SimaPro. The team will evaluate the efficacy of the luminaires in a clinical application through a strong partnership with St. Francis Country House. GBA Product Innovation Grant Amount: $20,000 Leadership Team: Drexel University is a distinguished academic institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The research team is led by Eugenia Victoria Ellis, an Associate Professor and Co-Director of DECI, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, Drexel University. Other Drexel team members include Michael Glaser, Donald McEachron, and Elizabeth Gonzalez. Drexel’s industry partners include James Wassel, CEO, Appalachian Lighting Systems; Daniel Mollicone, CEO, Pulsar Informatics, Inc; David Kratzer, Principal, BAU Architecture; and John Chapman, Administrator, St. Francis Country House. Contact: Eugenia Victoria Ellis ▪ Drexel University College of Engineering ▪ (215) 895-2392
Awarded May 2011
Green Building Alliance • 333 East Carson St., Suite 331 • Pittsburgh, PA 15219 • (412) 431-0709 • [email protected]
PRODUCT INNOVATION GRANTS
ECOBUILT EFFICIENT BUILDINGS: MaqCrete Post-Industrial/Bio-Fiber Structural Insulating Masonry Blocks Impact: The manufacture of Portland cement and concrete are energy intensive processes that have large carbon footprints tied not only to the manufacturing, but also to shipment of final products, of which concrete masonry units (CMU) are one. Conventional masonry units (CMU)(a.k.a. concrete block) combine Portland cement and rock aggregate. EcoBuilt Efficient Buildings is re-evaluating their MaqCrete formulization, with plans to manufacture a structural masonry unit that has less embodied energy while maintaining structural and insulating properties. Project Overview: EcoBuilt Efficient Buildings has a patented formula for fibrous cementious material using post industrial waste/bio-based plant fibers as aggregate. This innovative formula utilizes as much as 25% less Portland cement than traditional CMUs, creating a product 30% lighter, thereby utilizing less energy for transport. EcoBuilt Efficient Buildings has established a collaborative partnership with Drexel University to prepare MaqCrete Masonry Units (MMU) for commercial production through a series of laboratory evaluations. EcoBuilt Efficient Buildings expects the MMUs to have an insulation value of R-23 while maintaining or exceeding the structural integrity of current CMU products. The project outcome will be cost-competitive Pennsylvania production and distribution of a functional masonry block that can be cut, nailed, screwed, and drilled. The MaqCrete masonry unit will support the use of recycled and bio-based content and reduce the environmental impact compared to conventional CMUs, all while increasing energy efficiency. GBA Product Innovation Grant Amount: $20,000 Leadership Team: The EcoBuilt Efficient Buildings team is lead by MaqCrete inventor Dennis M. Crook and Siti M. Crook. University partners from Drexel University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering are Dr. Antonios Zavaliangos, Professor and Department Head; and Dr. Michel Barsoum; Grosvenor and Distinguished Professor.
Contact: Siti Crook ▪ EcoBuilt Efficient Buildings ▪ (610) 384-7866 ▪ [email protected] ▪ www.EcoBuiltEfficientBuildings.com
Awarded May 2011
Green Building Alliance • 333 East Carson St., Suite 331 • Pittsburgh, PA 15219 • (412) 431-0709 • [email protected]
PRODUCT INNOVATION GRANTS
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY: Reducing Drywall Waste by Utilizing Recycled Gypsum in Concrete
Impact: Every one ton of cement produced leads to 0.9 tons of CO2 emissions. A small reduction in the amount of cement, which constitutes about 10% cement by weight, initiates a large environmental incentive for the concrete industry. Additionally, drywall accounts for 20-25% of construction waste. The chemical makeup also makes disposal of the product into landfills difficult. Wet gypsum contributes contaminating leachate to groundwater and is identified as a source of odorous gas production at landfill sites. Verified technology in recycled gypsum use eliminates the environmental concerns associated with disposal of recycled gypsum in landfill and at the same time address the CO2 emission concerns associated with the cement manufacture. Due to growing interest in sustainable development, engineers and architects are often looking for new materials that are sustainable. Recycled gypsum will be a strong contender for such sustainable development.
Project Overview: Current investigations on the use of recycled gypsum are still in its infant stage. Working with USA Gypsum, research at The Pennsylvania State University will evaluate the performance characteristics of a series of Portland cement mix rations replaced with up to 20% gypsum by weight. Tests will be conducted to ASTM standards. Once suitable mixtures are identified, the study will then identify suitable markets (such as precast and cast-in-place concrete) for manufactured products. The proposed project fills the gap, both economic and research, towards large-scale commercialization. GBA Product Innovation Grant Amount: $10,000 Leadership Team: The Pennsylvania State University’s research team is lead by Dr. Shashi Marikunte; Assistant Professor. The industry partner is Terry Weaver; President of USA Gypsum. USA Gypsum was formed in 1998 to meet the need for gypsum drywall recycling and for agricultural gypsum products. Contact: Dr. Shashi S. Marikunte ▪ The Pennsylvania State University ▪ (717) 948 6132 ▪ [email protected]