How does a chilled beam system work?

Warm air from the space rises toward the ceiling, and the air surrounding the chilled beam is cooled, causing it to descend back toward the floor, creating convective air motion to cool the space. This allows a passive chilled beam to provide space cooling without the use of a fan.

What are chilled beams used for?

A chilled beam is an air recirculation device that uses water to transfer sensible heat to and from a room. It is made of convective coils that are placed in the ceiling of a thermal zone to provide sensible cooling and/or heating.

Do active chilled beams have fans?

The primary difference is that an active chilled beam requires a primary air supply. Chilled beams have no terminal unit fan, so overall system fan energy is lower when compared to the other systems requiring terminal equipment fans (four-pipe fan coil unit, DOAS, fan-powered VAV).

What is passive chilled beam?

Passive chilled beams are essentially a cooling coil (supplied with high temperature chilled water, typically 14°C) attached to or suspended from the ceiling. Chilled beams also require humidity control within the occupied space to prevent condensation forming on the coils.

How is a chilled beam used in a ceiling?

A chilled beam is a type of convection system designed to cool cubicles and the like. Often, they are integrated into the suspended ceiling system. Chilled water is piped to the beam and provides convective cooling. Pipes of water are passed through the beam and the circulated cold water will chill the air around the beam.

What is the temperature of water in a chilled beam system?

Chilled beam cooling systems require water to be treated by heating and cooling systems. Generally, water in a passive chilled beam system is cooled to about 16 to 19 °C (61 to 66 °F). In active chilled beam heating systems, water temperature is usually 40 to 50 °C (104 to 122 °F).

How is an active chilled beam different from a passive chilled beam?

An active chilled beam also consists of a fin-and-tube heat exchanger contained in a housing that is suspended from, or recessed in, the ceiling. The primary difference is that an active chilled beam requires a primary air supply. This primary air passes through nozzles, which induce air from the space up through the cooling coil.

When was the first chilled beam in use?

What are Chilled Beams? Chilled Beams originated in 1986 with the first passive chilled beam being installed in Stockholm, Sweden. A chilled beam is an air recirculation device that uses water to transfer sensible heat to and from a room.