Experimental Validation of a New Inexpensive and Noninvasive BTU Meter

Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN

Partner: FluxTeq LLC – Blacksburg, VA

DOE Total Funding: $120,000

Cost Share: $55,000

Project Term: July 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018

Funding Type: Small Business Voucher (SBV) Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) Round 3

Project Objective

Thermal energy meters or “BTU meters” measure thermal energy flow -- mainly in chilled and hot water pipes. These meters are predominantly used in various industrial processes and in hot and cold water loops of large buildings to bill users for their energy use. However, although there are several BTU meters available on the market, they are not commonly used in building control systems to more precisely control heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and make them more energy efficient. This is mainly due to their high cost for both the instrument and installation. Most BTU meters available today use invasive sensors that cost thousands of dollars to install or build around sophisticated ultrasonic sensors that are very expensive themselves. It is therefore not feasible to use several of those sensors in various zones of a building control system to help save energy, and given that HVAC systems consume about 40% of energy used by residential and commercial building, there is a very large market potential.

Through innovative sensor technology and mathematical modeling, FluxTeq is currently developing a low-cost, noninvasive BTU meter that consists of a standard heat flux sensor product, thermocouple temperature sensor, and a thin-film resistance heater. The sensor package is flexible and thus is easily mounted on the outside surface of a pipe using a compression wrap or clamping tool.

This project will improve the BTU meter sensor and experimentally test and validate a novel BTU meter system developed by FluxTeq. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will provide the facilities and equipment for validation, as well as technical guidance to improve the sensor’s performance. Data from these tests will help in further developing mathematical correlations and validate the system’s accuracy.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Marina Sofos

Lead Performer: Xiaobing Liu, ORNL

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