“Chilled beams and chilled ceilings are energy-efficient cooling systems used in buildings to provide comfortable indoor temperatures. Both systems work by using water as the cooling medium to absorb heat from the surrounding air, creating a cooling effect.
Chilled Beams:
Chilled beams are typically suspended from the ceiling of a room and are designed to provide cooling and, in some cases, heating as well. They consist of a heat exchanger coil through which chilled water flows. The chilled water absorbs heat from the room air, causing the air to cool down. The cooled air then becomes denser and falls back into the room, creating natural convection and distributing the conditioned air.
Chilled beams work based on the principle of convective cooling. When warm air rises, it comes into contact with the chilled beam’s surface, and heat transfer occurs between the air and the chilled water running through the coil. As a result, the air temperature decreases, creating a comfortable indoor environment.
There are two main types of chilled beams:
Passive Chilled Beams: These rely solely on natural convection for air circulation and do not use fans or moving parts. They are quiet and energy-efficient but may have limited cooling capacity.
Active Chilled Beams: These incorporate small fans to enhance air circulation and increase the cooling capacity. They can handle higher cooling loads but consume slightly more energy than passive chilled beams.
Chilled beams are often used in commercial buildings and offices, where they can be integrated into the architectural design.
Chilled Ceilings:
Chilled ceilings work on a similar principle to chilled beams but are integrated into the ceiling surface. Like chilled beams, they use a network of pipes or tubing through which chilled water flows. As warm air rises in the room, it comes into contact with the cold ceiling surface, and heat transfer occurs. The chilled ceiling absorbs the heat from the air, causing the air temperature to decrease.
Chilled ceilings are typically more effective than chilled beams in cooling large spaces with high cooling loads, as they offer a larger surface area for heat exchange. They can be installed in various ceiling types, including plasterboard, metal, or modular systems.
Both chilled beams and chilled ceilings can be combined with other building systems, such as dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS), to provide a complete and energy-efficient cooling solution. Additionally, these systems offer the advantage of reduced air ductwork, leading to potential cost savings in installation and maintenance. However, their performance may depend on factors like room layout, occupancy, and other cooling load factors.”