Program: Adiabatic Humidification Technologies for Decarbonization

Speaker Bio:

Nicholas Lea is the Head of Product and Sales Support for North America at Condair Ltd. based in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a graduate of Carleton University and holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering. As well, he is a licensed Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario and a LEED-accredited professional, with a specialization in building design and construction (LEED AP BD+C).

Nick’s dedication to the HVAC industry is evident through his participation on ASHRAE Technical Committees 5.11 (Humidifiers), where he previously served as Chair, and TC 5.7 (Evaporative Cooling). Additionally, Nick is active within the HVAC Manufacturers Industry Association, AHRI, where he is Chair of the Humidifiers Educational Working Group. He is a contributing author for ASHRAE Method of Test 164.3 and 164.4, AHRI Standard 620, and AHRI Standard 640.

Program Description:

To face the environmental challenges of tomorrow, we must begin decarbonizing our buildings today.  However, we must also take recent lessons in healthy indoor environments into consideration.  In this presentation, we will explore how humidification and evaporation technologies fit into decarbonization strategies, with a particular focus on energy efficiency benefits that can be unlocked with evaporative technologies.  The topic will begin with a brief review of indoor humidity terminology and theory as well as traditional applications for humidity control and commonly available technologies.  We will then review some common drivers of decarbonization and talk about how various humidity control products may fit into decarbonization strategies.  For the second half of the presentation, we will discuss evaporative humidification and cooling technologies in greater detail, including examples of direct and indirect evaporative cooling applications.  We will conclude with a short overview of the latest in evaporative technologies.  To face the environmental challenges of tomorrow, we must begin decarbonizing our buildings today.  However, we must also take recent lessons in healthy indoor environments into consideration.  In this presentation, we will explore how humidification and evaporation technologies fit into decarbonization strategies, with a particular focus on energy efficiency benefits that can be unlocked with evaporative technologies.  The topic will begin with a brief review of indoor humidity terminology and theory as well as traditional applications for humidity control and commonly available technologies.  We will then review some common drivers of decarbonization and talk about how various humidity control products may fit into decarbonization strategies.  For the second half of the presentation, we will discuss evaporative humidification and cooling technologies in greater detail, including examples of direct and indirect evaporative cooling applications.  We will conclude with a short overview of the latest in evaporative technologies.

Attendees can expect to gain a deeper understanding of:

• Humidity control in buildings

• How decarbonization and humidity control technologies interact

• Approaches for reducing energy usage with evaporative cooling

• Modern Evaporative technologies.

Tech Session: Standard 62.1 Updates

Speaker: Don Weekes