Research group in Applied Thermal Engineering - RATE

Data Acquisition System (DAS)

The IMC Cronos PL is a data acquisition device, in this equipment you can connect speed, temperature or relative humidity probes among others.

These probes send a signal to the IMC, which converts it into its units and displays it graphically. In addition, the recorded data can be easily downloaded.

Tracer Gas Equipment (TGE)

The INNOVA 1403 Multipoint Sampler and Doser allows remote control from a PC via a USB interface with an INNOVA 1512 Photoacoustic Gas Monitor.

The 1403 can monitor up to six channels with a maximum distance of 50m. In addition, it has three tracer gas dosing channels. This kit facilitates comprehensive analysis of air exchange and ventilation efficiency through the use of tracer gas delivered through tubes.

This equipment allows dosing and sampling different tracer gases such as carbon dioxide and freon 134a.

Air Treatment and Purification Equipment (ATPE)

Airaccess is a CIAT Group range designed to meet different needs for air mixing, humidification, heating, cooling, ventilation, filtration.

The air flow, temperature and relative humidity, among others, are controlled. The air flow can reach 5000 m3/h and the specific power of the fan of 2,849 W/(m3/h).

Flow Generation System (FGS)

It is a pneumatic system made up of two pairs of pistons in a vertical position. Each pair consists of a double rod piston with a diameter of 80 mm and a stroke of 200 mm coupled to a linear actuator LEY25C at one end and to the other piston rod with a single rod and identical dimensions at the other.

In addition, it consists of a system of opposed non-return valves with the aim of isolating the inhaled air in two cylinders, the linear actuators are controlled through two JXC917 drivers.

A PLC is in charge of controlling these two drivers and they are in charge of controlling the movement of the actuators. The PLC sends the movement order based on the height, height and sex of a person to the drivers and these to the actuators that are in charge of initiating this movement to the pistons.

These pistons are connected by flexible tubes to the thermal mannequins in order to simulate the breathing of a person.

Air Quality Sensors (AQS)

The Qtrak is a device with NDIR technology which is composed of a control panel connected to a probe, this equipment is capable of measuring and storing carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity data in its internal memory. They are ideal equipment for indoor air quality measurements, the stored data can be extracted through a PC.

The LoRaWAN sensor is a small, battery-operated, portable sensor that records data for carbon dioxide, temperature, relative humidity, and presence. The recorded data is monitored through LoRa antennas and uploaded to a website where they can be downloaded.

The EcomZen 2 sensor is a portable indoor air quality monitor, it is capable of registering up to 11 different pollutants such as carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particles, etc, also measures temperature, relative humidity, noise and lighting. The recorded data is uploaded to the manufacturer's website from where it can be downloaded.

Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS)

The Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS 3321) measures the concentration and size of particles by the aerodynamic method that uses the scattering of light from particles illuminated by a laser.

The APS records concentration and size of particles from 0.5 μm to 20 μm.

Aerosol Generation System (AGS)

With this system, aerosols can be generated through two independent teams.

The CMAG 3475 works by controlled condensation on sodium chloride particles and allows you to adjust the desired particle size. Using the liquid Hexyl di-2-ethyl sebacate (DEHS) aerosols with a size between 0.1 µm to 8 µm can be obtained.

On the other hand, the model 3073 is a portable generator of polydisperse aerosols through the DEHS, with this liquid, nanoparticles between 150 nm and 300 nm are obtained.

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

The PIV is a piece of equipment that measures the speed from the displacement of the particles over time using a double-pulse laser technique.

A plane of laser light illuminates the flow and the positions of the particles with a digital camera. Very shortly after, a second pulse illuminates the plane again, recording the new positions of the particles. With this process, images are obtained where the displacement of the particles reflected in the laser can be seen.

Portable Air Purification Equipment (PAPE)

The Keyter purifier is an autonomous air purification equipment with a vertical configuration built on a stainless steel and galvanized steel structure painted with polyester coating.

The equipment has a variable flow fan and incorporates three air purification technologies: Filtration, through a high-efficiency HEPA 13 filter. Purification, through UV-C ultraviolet lamp. Sanitization by means of high temperature thermal shock treatment for cleaning and sanitizing the interior of the equipment and air filters. The maximum flow is 500 m3/h.

The ZonAir 3D purifier is a portable air purifier that extracts air from the bottom, passes it through 3 filtration phases and drives it completely clean outside. It has a maximum flow of 330 m3/h.

Indirect Evaporative Cooler (IEC)

The IEC equipment, which is part of the RACU system, is a Climate Wizard air cooling system, specifically the CW-H10 model.

This indirect evaporative cooler operates with a high energy efficiency ratio and is characterized by supplying fresh air that has NO additional moisture added to the supply air stream, delivered at extremely low energy cost.

This IEC consists of a supply air fan, indirect heat exchanger, water tank and pumps, complete with all components for satisfactory operation. Climate Wizard air cooling systems comply with AS 2913-2000 where applicable and are capable of continuous operation in ambient temperatures up to 55°C.

Desiccant Wheel (DW)

This equipment is part of the RACU system, is a device used for dehumidifying humid air.

The device is coated with silica gel and is powered by a motor. The wheel allows the passage of two air flows: process and regeneration. A flow stream is used to regenerate the desiccant wheel, where outside air first passes through a heating coil, HC, to gain heat and then passes through the desiccant wheel, where it removes moisture on the mesh of the desiccant wheel.

The other air stream takes the moist outdoor air and passes it through the desiccant wheel, which absorbs the moisture and ultimately provides dry air for the room. The main innovation of this configuration is that this desiccant wheel allows the reactivation air regeneration temperature to be reduced to 80 °C, which makes it possible to take advantage of the heat from renewable energy sources, such as solar thermal collectors.

Air Handling Unit (AHU)

The laboratory has an air treatment unit which is controlled from a control panel via SCADA.

The AHU takes the outside air and can heat or cool it according to the setpoint established in the SCADA.

KICONEX: Remote monitoring and control system

This is a remote monitoring and control system for installations and/or air conditioning and industrial refrigeration equipment, based on data storage in the cloud.

With Kiconex we were able to monitor and control all the elements of our RACU prototype from anywhere, in addition to downloading a large amount of data for further analysis.

DATALOGGER KEYSIGHT

It is a high performance data acquisition system, converts analog signals from connected components into accurate measurements for easy control and analysis.

It is made up of 21 modules and 8 plug-in ports, it allows measuring parameters such as temperature, voltage, resistance and frequency.