Planning For a Sustainable Campus

Sustainable Alternatives

PRATT CAMPUS
Ernesto Diaz
Identification:
Pratt Campus

Alternatives:

Heat Collecting Surface.

Air Handling Unit
Provide Hot Water With
Solar Energy.
Heat-Storing Concrete
Slab

The Heat Collecting Surface

This system is designed to collect solar-heated air from the roof area and use
it to heat interior living spaces and provide hot water. An area approximately
two to four times greater than the collector surface can be heated by the
Heat Collecting Surface system

When external air exceeds a certain temperature, hot air collected under the
roof's surface is expelled through an exhaust duct located directly under the
roof without being circulated through the interior spaces.
The under floor concrete slab, which as pure thermal mass saves heat in
winter for release at night and on cloudy days, also serves to cool the house
in summer by releasing, during the high-temperature daytime hours, the
coolness it accumulates during the low-temperature nighttime hours.
Heat balance in a house comprises three factors: heat collection, heat
storage and insulation/air-tightness. Insulation/air-tightness is an especially
critical factor in providing energy-efficient and comfortable living conditions
during winter, yet completely sealed structures are to be avoided because of

the need for regular ventilation. A key feature of the system is that it provides
home occupants with continuous fresh air circulation.

The Air Handling Unit

The OM (Orange Mode) System Air Handling Unit, an air-regulating unit
placed under the roof, is the only mechanical part of the OM Solar system. Its
basic purpose is to regulate the flow of hot air collected in the roof duct by
channeling it to the underfloor heat-storing concrete slab in winter or by
expelling it outward via the exhaust duct in summer.

The Air Handling Unit consists of three main portions: a control damper
box, a distributor box and a seasonal damper box. The control damper is
opened to let in hot air or closed to shut it out. The seasonal damper
channels the air either to the vertical duct or to the exhaust duct. Every
damper within this unit opens or closes depending on the temperatures
picked up by the sensors located in the roof duct, in the distributor fan box
and in the living space. The OM System Air Handling Unit is operated by
the OM Control Panel installed in the living space.
The solar-heated air can also be used for generating hot water during all
seasons by means of a water-heating coil installed in the distributor fan box.
How The System Works In Winter
The OM Solar system uses the roof of a house to collect heat. Specifically,
air under the roof which is heated by solar energy is used to heat the house
and to provide hot water.
The sun radiating on the roof causes fresh air to be drawn through the
outdoor air inlet, upward into a heat-collecting air layer under the roof. The
heat-collecting process does not involve any special devices only
reinforced glass panels placed on metal plates to increase heat-collection
efficiency. Solar-heated air rises into the roof collector duct, where a sensor is
installed. When air temperature reaches a certain level, the sensor opens the
control damper and activates the distributor fan. This fan channels the hot air
down the vertical duct to beneath the ground floor. The heat-storing concrete
slab under the ground floor is designed for heat accumulation. As the indoor
ambient temperature decreases, the stored heat is slowly radiated upward,
thus warming the entire ground floor. At the same time, hot air is released
through floor vents for circulation throughout the interior spaces.
When the sun's rays are insufficient for heating purposes on overcast, rainy,
or very cold days, auxiliary heating is required. Various auxiliary heating

devices are available for use during periods of limited solar-heat collection
(see the OM System Control Unit section

System
Operation
during
Limited SolarHeat Collection
When there is limited availability of solar energy and air temperature in the
roof duct falls below a set level, the control damper closes automatically and
the distributor fan stops. If an auxiliary heating device is installed, the
distributor fan will be activated and channel indoor air via the indoor air
return and the vertical duct down to an auxiliary fan convector which then
circulates heated air throughout the interior living spaces. When the indoor
ambient temperature rises above a set temperature, the auxiliary heating
device stops automatically.
Summer Daytime Operation
During the summer, when outdoor air exceeds a certain temperature, the hot
air collected in the roof duct is expelled directly outdoors through the exhaust
duct located under the roof without being circulated to interior living spaces.
At the same time, hot air from under the ground floor and the interior of the
house is drawn upward through the vertical duct and the indoor air return,
also to be expelled through the exhaust duct. Additionally, heat from the air
induced through the roof collector is transferred by a water-heating coil,
located in the system control unit, to the hot water storage supply, whenever
required.

How OM (Orange Mode) Provides Hot Water

The
Solar
can be
only for
interior
with hot
radiant
but also
heating
means
heating
in
the
system
unit.

OM
system
used not
heating
spaces
air and
heat,
for
water by
of
a
coil
installed
OM
control

Heat-Storing Concrete Slab

The heat-storing concrete slab under the ground floor is designed for heat
accumulation. As the indoor ambient temperature decreases, the stored heat
is slowly radiated upwards, thus warming the entire floor. At the same time,
hot air is also released upward through floor vents for circulation throughout
the interior space. The area beneath the slab is insulated to stop heat from

being

lost

into

the

ground

below.

As the OM Solar system is dependent upon solar energy, auxiliary heating

is required during cloudy, rainy or very cold conditions. Various auxiliary
heating devices are available. A special feature of the OM Solar is that
regardless of the heat source, the accumulated stored heat in the concrete
slab can be utilized.

What are the Benefits in Rainwater Harvesting?

By capturing water directly, we can significantly reduce our reliance on water
storage dams. This places less stress on these water storages and can
potentially reduce the need to expand these dams or build new ones.

Collecting and using your own water can also significantly reduce your water
bills.
By capturing water, the flow of storm water is also reduced and this
minimizes the likelihood of overloading the storm water systems in our
neighborhoods.
Possible locations :

Applicable to all campus facilities

What About Dirty Roofs?

There are a number of devices (first flush devices) which allow for the first
flow of water to the rainwater storage tank to be diverted from the tank. By
doing this, any dirt on the roofs of buildings that has built up prior to the rain
can be excluded from the tank.
Sizing of Rainwater Storage Tanks
The most appropriately sized rainwater storage can be chosen by
quantitatively assessing the performance of various sized storage capacities.
By assessing the performance of various sized storage capacities, it is
possible to make an informed decision as to what would be the most suitably
sized storage capacity for the given application. The input for the assessment
is historical daily rainfall data, and the performance of a particular storage
capacity can be judged by how much water is required to be supplied from
other sources to makeup for any shortfall in demand.

Water Balance for Estimation of Rainwater Storage Capacity

The size of the area of capture or roof area must also be known when
estimating the amount of rainfall that is able to be collected. The larger the
roof area, the more rainfall that is able to be collected.

Store water for later use

Automatically saves normally wasted rainwater to

be used on gardens, shrubs, trees or lawns 'every
time it rains'. When storage containers are full,
excess water is diverted back into the conventional
drainage system. Additional containers may be
added and filled by simply moving a hose (or interconnect containers). No need for unattractive rain
barrels under the downspout. This combination
holds 112 gallons (425 L) containers can be hidden
or
placed
in
low
visibility
areas.
..

Containers
The most suitable and least expensive Water holding containers are Recycled
Barrels. Trash Cans can be use however the back pressuring effect is not as efficient.
Dark colored containers are best as 1) light will not pass through thereby restricting
Algae growth 2) Dark colors draw heat enabling the water to warm up quicker ( the
warmer the soil the faster the plant growth)

Linking containers can be done in various ways. (notice examples throughout the
website) While any container that can safely hold water can be used they should be
closed units such as closed top recycled barrels or open top barrels that have
removable lids. This provides safety for small children, animals, birds and with the
introduction of the West Nile Virus it is especially important to prevent mosquito
infestation. Additionally it is required for the back pressure to build when the
container is full allowing the excess water to be diverted to the normal drainage
system. In the example above the hose connection on the right side of the trash can
can be used to move excess water to another area in the yard.
When installing the containers think safety as these large containers when
filled weigh over 400 lbs.

Installation:
Seperate downpipe
at the elbow and
insert screws

If the Downspout is
tied down well or on
brick buildings it is
much easier to
fasten the Diverter
to the downspout
instead of to the
building.

.
Add the
Diverter

Draw the outline

using the template

Use Jig Saw or use Utility

Shears to cut and bend in

Complete cutting.
Add the
downpipe

Add hose and

insert in container.

Purification system
Designed for use as a septic tank, purifies the waste water from toilets,
kitchen sinks, bathtubs and showers through a biological treatment
procedure that uses bacteria as the cleansing agent. It is therefore a natural
process that is 100% ecologically sound.
Once the treated water reaches a BOD (biological oxygen demand) index of
5%, which indicates a satisfactory level of purification for drainage purposes,
the wastewater is then released for safe absorption back into the
environment.

(Interior alternative).
GREEN CARPET
To reduce the environmental impacts of your carpet choice, consider the
following when it comes time
to buy:
Buy refurbished carpet whenever possible.
Specify carpet with high overall recycled content (in the face fiber and
backing), preferably postconsumer.
EPAs Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) designate a 25100 %
total
recovered materials content (all post-consumer) for polyester carpet face
fiber. The guidelines for
nylon carpet are currently available only in draft form, but they recommend
that the face fiber
should have a total recovered materials content of 25100% (1100% of it
post-consumer) and that
the backing should be made of 100% recovered materials (with a postconsumer content of
3570%).
Ask whether environmental leasing or take-back programs are
provided, to ensure that the carpet will be replaced only as
necessary and reused or recycled by the producer.
Use carpet tiles where appropriate to extend the life of the installed
floorcovering.
Buy carpet made from recyclable materials and likely to be easily
accepted for recycling under existing programs. Carpet containing nylon 6
face fiber and vinyl-backed carpets are currently recyclable. No recycling
programs currently exist for polyester carpet.
Consider purchasing carpet made of wool or other natural fibers if your
primary
concern is the use of non-renewable resources.
Buy carpet that is solution-dyed.
Buy carpet that meets CRI Indoor Air Quality standards (Green Label
program).Ensure that low VOC adhesives (CRI certified) are used during
installation.
Buy a carpet product that is consistent with the desired performance level,
expected use pattern,
and replacement schedule.
Select an appropriate color for the carpet application. Light colors tend to
get soiled easily and may