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Research paper−136−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.4 No.3 pp.136-143 (Jan. 2012) to be 2.6 % or more, and the absolute value of energy consumption is small. However, by introducing the flow drag reduction technology using surfactants, it is possible to reduce the power consumption without altering the current heat transport system. This technology is based on the phenomenon which Toms indicated in 1949 that the flow drag could be reduced by tens of percent in the presence of surfactants[2], and the basic researches and installations to air conditioning systems of buildings have been done in Japan. However, there is hardly any publication of the data. The method of injecting the surfactant, the phenomena that occur, the daily maintenance, as well as how much energy savings was achieved and the lifespan of the surfactant have not been disclosed, and this method is not widely used.The objective of this research is to measure the energy conservation effect of the flow drag reduction technology, 1 Research objectiveThe amount of energy consumption is gradually increasing in the civilian sector. That is, while the energy conservation efforts are conducted in the individual devices through the introduction of the top-runner method in the private sector, the energy consumption continues to increase due to the pursuit of convenience and comfort in daily living, as well as the increased number of households. Particularly, in the business sector, energy consumption is on the rise due to the increased use of office appliances. Table 1 is the result of a statistical survey of the energy consumption structure in a business building[1]. According to this survey, the consumption is highest for lighting and power outlet at 42.4 %, followed by heating at 31.2 %. For the former, energy conservation measures are taken for the office appliances and by using LED lighting. For the latter, improvements are in progress as the inefficient refrigerators and boilers installed over 20 years ago are replaced by equipment with high coefficient of performance (COP) through the Energy Service Company (ESCO) program. While energy conservation through such replacement of hardware is effective, large initial investment is necessary. In this research, we focused on the heat transport essential in air conditioning of buildings, particularly on reducing the power needed for cold/heated water transport using circulating water.In table 1, the percentage of power dominated by primary and secondary pumps for cold/heated water is estimated - Reduction of pump power by flow drag reduction using surfactant-In recent years, the amount of carbon dioxide emission in the civilian sector has been increasing. In this experiment, the so-called Toms effect, i.e. the effect of flow drag reduction when surfactant is injected to circulating water, has been verified to reduce the transfer power of circulating water for air conditioning systems of buildings. Concerning this effect, much basic research and a few applications to buildings have been reported. There is no clear report, however, on how to add the surfactant to the circulating water in buildings constructed with complicated pipework, how the flow and heat transfer performance change after the injection of the surfactant, and how to maintain the effect for a long time. Consequently, the technology using this effect has not yet been put to practical use. This paper presents the findings of the demonstration test using the air conditioning system at the Sapporo City Office Building. Generalization of the results will hopefully lead to the spread of this technology.Demonstration test of energy conservation of central air conditioning system at the Sapporo City Office BuildingKeywords : Surfactant, drag reduction, central heating/cooling system, energy conservation, demonstration test[Translation from Synthesiology, Vol.4, No.3, p.132-139 (2011)]Hiromi TakeuchiChemical Materials Evaluation and Research Base, AIST Tsukuba Central 5-2, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan E-mail: Original manuscript received October 29, 2010, Revisions received August 22, 2011, Accepted August 24, 2011 Table 1. Energy consumption structure in a business building[1]Transformer loss, store motor, etc.5.1OthersOthersElevator, escalator, etc.2.8ElevatorPumping-up pump, etc.0.8Water supply and drainageGarage fan, etc.5.0VentilationMotorOffice appliance, etc.21.1Power outletLighting equipment21.3LightingLighting, power outletBoiler, circulation pump, electric water heater, etc.0.8Heat source itselfHot water supplyAir conditioner, fan coil unit, etc.9.4Air transportCold/heated water secondary pump2.6Water transportHeat transport Heat transportCooling water pump, cooling tower, cold/heated water primary pump, etc.5.2Supplementary motorRefrigerator, water cooler/heater, boiler, etc.26.0Heat source itselfHeat sourcePercentage(%)Sub-itemItemMain energy consuming deviceCategory of energy use

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