Forschungsprojekt - SLIM Semizentrale Lüftung und intelligentes Betriebsmonitoring; Teilbericht 3: Modellprojekte zur semizentralen Lüftung im Neubau

Abstract

As part of the SLIM research project, semi-centralized ventilation was examined in four new buildings. It was implemented in two of these projects and was the subject of comprehensive planning in the other two. The projects demonstrate both the technical feasibility and the energy and economic potential of the system under various architectural, functional, and operational conditions.

The Auefeldschule (AFS) is the most extensively evaluated project. Here, semi-centralized ventilation was integrated into classrooms, learning areas, a cafeteria, and ancillary rooms. The research included component development, the development of the control strategy, commissioning, and two years of monitoring. The results demonstrate stable system performance, robust CO₂-based control, reliable automated operation, and significant energy savings compare d to conventional variabel air volume systems with dampers. Supplementary evaluations—including sound measurements, filter contamination assessments, SFP calculations, temperature and volume flow analyses, and user surveys—provided a wide range of insights for planning and operation.

The second implemented project, the additional storey on the Engineering Sciences 3 building (AUF), was not completed until the end of the project period. Monitoring data are therefore not available. However, due to the delay, optimizations from the other projects could be directly incorporated. The compact units used in this project were reduced to the necessary components and control-relevant measurement technology.

The Valentin-Traudt-Schule (VTS) and the Umwelt Campus Birkenfeld (UCB) were developed to an advanced stage of planning but were not implemented. Both projects thus provide important insights into the planning of semi-centralized ventilation: regarding the design of the duct network, requirements for installation space, sound and pressure management, as well as the systematic interaction of central and decentralized components. At the Valentin-Traudt-Schule, semi-centralized ventilation was not implemented despite advanced planning due to an existing delay in the project (instead, it was implemented in the AFS). At the Umwelt Campus Birkenfeld the implementation of the whole building was halted for political reasons.

The projects demonstrate significantly reduced fan power requirements for semi-centralized ventilation in new buildings. Depending on the comparison system, savings range from approximately 30% to 60%. An analysis of economic conditions shows that semi-centralized ventilation is typically already advantageous today compared to a constant-airflow system and, with reduced prototype costs, also represents an economical alternative to a system with variable air volume dampers.

Overall, the four new construction projects confirm that semi-centralized ventilation is an effective ventilation solution for new buildings, both functionally and energetically. The completed projects demonstrate the practical feasibility of system operation, while the planning projects provide additional insights into design, integration, and variant development.