Delta P & Delta-T in HVAC Systems

The concepts we hear revolving around the best practices in the HVAC industry all have their place in conversation when it comes to proper sizing, building management, heat-exchanger materials, piping systems, venting, and everything in-between. In our blog series at Patterson-Kelley we attempt to demystify much of the jargon surrounding the industry and hope that it helps everyone understand the foundation of HVAC systems. In this blog, we are going to look at one word that we have all heard and used before; Delta.

Boiler water applications can vary in both size and complexity, but one thing is consistent, the additives used in your comfort heating water are specific to the system you are supplying them to. When selecting additives such as glycol, knowing your boiler type, material, and that of the adjacent piping is imperative. Different glycols are designed for varied equipment materials, aluminum, for example, so knowing this information beforehand can save you and your facility a significant amount of time and money.

With efficiency becoming a factor in the basis of design of new construction buildings, HVAC manufacturers have to consider how a heat exchanger controls the combustion to ensure the unit is condensing at an efficient rate. We can also ask how does a unit know what is the correct mixing ratio to make the most efficient package? What controls need to be put in place to analyze the combustion so dynamic adjustments can be made to varying load conditions? These are important questions without uniform answers. The key is ensuring that the unit can maintain its air and fuel balance, without introducing an excess of either one. This is achieved mechanically or electronically.

It’s a question as old as the heating designs themselves— Which is superior, water tube or fire tube boilers?  While both technologies have developed enormously throughout their lifetime, both water tube and fire tube designs possess certain inherent benefits and shortcomings. In this blog, we will highlight what makes these two boiler styles unique, putting a magnifying glass to the advantages and disadvantages of each design.

In our previous two blog posts, we have taken a deep dive into Patterson-Kelley’s NURO® touchscreen control system. More specifically, the innovative and cost saving features and that separate it from other boiler controls in the industry. In this part of the Patterson-Kelley NURO® Control System series, we take a look at the upcoming iteration of the NURO®, the NURO® 2.0, and all of the capabilities it will offer our end users.

In our last blog, we discussed the NURO® Touch-Screen Controller at a high level. We looked at some of the time and cost-saving capabilities of using the NURO® platform to integrate between the boiler/water heater and the building’s needs, and some of the physical aspects of the advanced controller. In Part 2 of this series, we want to dig a little deeper into some of the capabilities that differentiate the NURO® from other boiler controls on the market.

With today’s technological landscape evolving and adapting to increasingly rapid expansion, Patterson-Kelley (PK) wants to dive deep into our standard touch-screen boiler interface; the NURO®. Considering building integration, IoT Protocols, and increased competition within the user platform market, this three-part blog will demonstrate the advanced abilities of our revolutionary controller in its current state and what it has in store for the future.

Short cycling occurs when a boiler powers down before being able to complete a typical boiler cycle and is called upon to satisfy a second call for heat, in quick succession. A typical boiler cycle consists of firing, post purge, idle period, pre-purge and then back to firing. Boiler short cycling can be seen in two critical areas; mechanical and economic.

In this blog, we discuss how this affects the boiler and how we can mitigate short cycling and losses incurred from it.

The P-K STORM™, Patterson-Kelley’s newest contribution to the commercial boiler industry, has made its way to the market. The unit is designed to be efficient, cost-effective, durable and technologically superior than the competition. This 316L stainless-steel condensing boiler maximizes heating capacity during peak loads, while capitalizing on efficiencies.

The P-K STORM™ utilizes multiple channels in a helical coil orientation over an extended surface area. This feature allows for pressure drops as low as 4.3’ @ 40°F temperature differentials. This reduces the costs of operation and installation by requiring smaller pumps and applying less electrical energy. The efficiency of the P-K STORM™ also comes from its built-in 10:1 mechanical turndown. This means that the operating efficiency of the appliance at off-peak loads will exceed its rating of 97% thermal efficiency, putting the P-K STORM™ at the forefront of its class.

State-of-the-art cabinet and heat exchanger design offer unparalleled serviceability for maintenance, in addition to reduction in cost for installation and operation. Through Patterson-Kelley’s combustion intake design, entry into the heat exchanger happens in a matter of minutes, instead of a matter of hours. The heat exchanger door swivels open to provide full access to the heat exchanger tubes and burner inside the unit. In doing so, this makes routine maintenance on the appliance not only simple, but cost-effective.

The first wave of P-K STORM™ products are offered in four sizes: 1250, 1500, 1750 and 2000mbtu. Outdoor technology is available as an option on all models, allowing for greater flexibility in placement of the equipment. Every model comes standard with our NURO® Touch Screen Control System for seamless boiler operation. NURO® Connectivity provides seamless visibility to the boiler functions, available to monitor and adjust your facility system at the touch of a screen.

Is there a STORM in your forecast?

Eventually, all commercial heating systems need to be replaced – and whether you replace one unit, or five, it will require a significant investment in time and money.  In upgrading your system with the latest technology can offer in condensing equipment, high system efficiency, building management and connectivity, the cost to retrofit your boiler room can escalate quickly.