Abstract
In museums and galleries the preservation of the artifacts is of paramount importance and air conditioning is demanded to give the stable conditions required. Though ideal temperatures and humidities for materials vary, a compromise is possible within the tolerance of most items. Humidity change is the primary consideration and psychrometric data is analysed to find the ways to reduce the energy changes in treated air to produce stable room conditions. While plant elements can be of conventional design, a new control philosophy based on accurate relative humidity sensors is developed. When enthalpy control is not limiting fresh air to minimum, humidity control loops adjust chiller coil or fresh air ratio or steam injection while a temperature control loop copes with the heat gains or losses. Means of adjusting the minimum fresh air to match population are explored. By reducing the energy changes needed to meet supply conditions economical operation is achieved.
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