College of the Desert is a California State Community College. In the fall of 1999 an upgrade of its central plant was under consideration. The existing plant has a eutectic salt TES tank (phase change temperature of 47°F). The upgraded system would require additional 2,500 ton-hour TES capacity. However, the location of new storage tank had to comply with strict aesthetic requirements which meant that the tank needed to be invisible! The solution was to depress the floor of the central plant by several feet and build a tight-fit, bolted design storage tank inside the central plant. CRISTOPIA single module capability provided the optimal solution. The consultant on this project was KS Engineers of La Jolla, California. The upgraded facility was commissioned in the summer of 2000.

Technical Data

Characteristics

To assist with project design Cristopia engineers performed simulation studies using Cristopia’s selection & simulation software. The purpose of these simulations was to check the discharge rate capability in the design specifications mentioned below:

• 42°F leaving temperature,

• 53°F return temperature,

• 6 hours window discharge period at a constant rate of 400 tons per hour.

Using selection & simulation software Cristopia technical staff can provide the most appropriate design answers to consulting engineer’s questions.

Technical Advantages

Smaller chiller capacity
Smaller heat rejection plant
Reduced maintenance
Efficient and reliable system
Increase of the plant life time
Flexible system available for efficient energy management.

Projects Credits

Customer: College of the Desert, Palm Desert CA
Consultant: KS Engineers
Installing Company: Los Angeles Air Conditioning, Inc.

At College of the Desert the STL combines the ability to discharge cooling energy at a high rate with low operating cost.

Financial Advantages

Saving on operating costs, maintenance, demand charge and off-peak consumption