OxzeRo®

Plastic diffusion-proof climate system for cooling and heating

The OxzeRo® radiant panel has been fully developed in-house by Inteco and offers the perfect balance between price and quality. The OxzeRo® system offers a high resistance against oxygen diffusion and maximum capacity. Due to the use of plastic pipes and the absence of flexible hoses, OxzeRo® climate ceilings have a low investment cost per Watt compared to climate ceilings with copper pipe registers.

The OxzeRo® climate element features a pipe meander of 10 x 1.3 mm PE-RT pipe, which is resistant against oxygen diffusion in accordance with DIN4726, and is clamped in specially designed aluminium heat conduction profiles. The centre to centre distance of heat conduction profiles is determined on a project by project basis using the panel width and required capacities. OxzeRo® climate elements are glued into metal panels using elastic double-sided black tape, which has effective heat conduction properties. The combination of plastic pipe, aluminium heat conduction profiles and high quality glued bonding ensures perfect and consistent heat transfer between the OxzeRo® element and the ceiling panel. The OxzeRo® climate elements are set up in a series and then connected to distribution pipes on the RIXc (PE-Xc/AL/PE-Xc) pipe via the tubular meander and removable manifolds. This helps to save on separate connection hoses between the ceiling panels and distribution pipes, and limits the number of connections. An acoustic package is incorporated into the panel of the OxzeRo® climate element, which also serves as thermal insulation.

The OxzeRo® climate system distinguishes itself thanks to its high oxygen diffusion resistance compared to fully plastic climate systems, and is up to 10 times better than plastic climate systems that are deemed to be resistant against oxygen diffusion. This is done by combining the water-bearing 5-layer PE-RT pipe with aluminium heat conduction profiles. This substantially improves heat transfer from the PE-RT pipe to the ceiling panel and can reduce the required amount of PE-RT pipe by approx. 75%. In addition, distribution pipes on the OxzeRo® climate ceiling feature RIXc (PE-Xc/AL/PE-Xc) pipes, which are 100% resistant against oxygen diffusion due to the aluminium inter-layer.

Product characteristics Inteco climate ceilings equipped with the OxzeRo® climate system:

System characteristics:

Diffusion resistant in accordance with DIN 4726;
Suitable for change-over systems (low water content);
Low integration height (reduction in building height for new-builds/suitable for renovations);
Complete integration of integrated components (flexible / aesthetic finish);
Flexible design;
The PE-RT pipe for heat transfer in the panel also serves as the flexible connection pipe (no separate coupling and connection hoses needed).

Comfort benefits:

Cooling and heating (a single system for cooling and heating);
Very favourable price/capacity ratio;
Uniform temperature distribution (comfortable);
Effective noise absorption;
Noise absorbing (optional)
High reaction speed (for changing water temperatures and volumes)

Benefits during use:

Energy-efficient (low energy costs/low CO2 burden);
Maintenance-free (low operating costs);
Full access to the plenum (for maintenance);
Fireproof;
CE markings;
Long life span (> 20 years).

Would you like to compare the OxzeRo® system with our other climate systems?

Operation

The OxzeRo® element consists of a meandering plastic pipe for water transport (outer diameter of 10 mm and wall thickness of 1.3 mm), the whole length of which is clamped using a specially designed aluminium heat conduction profile. The OxzeRo® climate element is produced and glued in a fully automatic production process, in the company's own production facilities, which means quality is always safeguarded. During the heating process, the OxzeRo® climate panel mainly releases heat into the space via radiation. When cooling, heat from the space is transferred to the ceiling panel, and then extracted from the relevant area. The permissible operating pressure amounts to approximately 6 bar, which means several storeys can be included in a single circuit.

The OxzeRo® element only has limited water content and therefore low heat content. The OxzeRo® climate system therefore quickly responds to temperature and/or volume fluctuations in the water supply. This means the OxzeRo® climate system is ideal for change-over systems.

Oxygen diffusion
Oxygen diffusion when using plastic pipes and multi-layer pipes in installations is subject to norm DIN 4726: 2008-10. This norm mentions what the maximum amount of oxygen diffusion per unit must be (m2 of tube wall or per m in tune length) in order to refer to the pipe as resistant against oxygen diffusion. Depending on how much piping (walls) is used in the installation, systems with plastic pipes that are resistant against oxygen diffusion in accordance with norm DIN 4726 could still contain oxygen-rich water.

That is why development activities for the OxzeRo climate system focused on providing very high cooling and heating capacity with a minimum amount of plastic piping. The unfavourable heat conduction properties of plastic pipes are compensated in the OxzeRo® climate system by increasing the heat-exchanging surface of the tube wall as well as the contact surface with the metal panel. This has been realised by clamping two thirds of the plastic pipe into the aluminium heat conduction profiles, and by gluing these 40 mm wider aluminium profiles into the ceiling panels. Due to the excellent heat conduction offered by aluminium, and the implemented glue connection, excellent heat transfer has been realised from the plastic pipe to the ceiling panel, and means the amount of required piping can be reduced by 75%.

The unique combination between the implemented oxygen diffusion resistant PE-RT pipe (according DIN 4726), the relatively low amount of plastic pipe and the 100% oxygen diffusion resistant RIXc (PE-Xc/AL/PE-Xc) distribution pipes mean the OxzeRo climate system requires hydraulic separation and the use of corrosion-proof materials. However, depending on the oxygen diffusion resistance of materials used elsewhere in the circuit, it may be necessary to implement pipes and incorporated components that are suitable for water with a higher or lower oxygen content. This helps to ensure problem-free operation.

Technical specifications

Capacity
External factors like sunlight, transmission data for windows, walls and roofs, and internal factors like heat development via e.g. other people, electrical equipment and lighting, are used to define cooling and heating capacity per area when designing the climate system. The designer also determines the benchmarks implemented for comfort. Inteco uses the design benchmarks to determine how many OxzeRo® climate elements need to be incorporated into the ceiling, or to determine the rate of displacement. The displacement or activation rate is expressed by the number of water supply particles in relation to the gross ceiling surface area. The effective heat exchange and large heat-exchanging surface helps to realise capacities of approx. 74 W/m² (ΔT = 8K).

Pressure loss
During the execution phase of each project, pressure loss is calculated for each connection point in the climate ceiling. In this case, the following data is important:

The water flow and the area temperature in the design.
The dimensions of climate elements.
The hydraulic connections in climate elements (series / parallel) The design of series/parallel connections aims to keep pressure loss at connection points to between 5 and 40 kPa.

OxzeRo® climate elements

Conduction profiles: Aluminium 40 mm-wide Meander: PE-RT pipe; 10 x 1,3 mm, compressed in conduction profile.
Mounting: Glued into ceiling panel. Series connection: PE-RT pipe connection hoses together with manifolds.

Distribution pipes

Material (mm): plastic RIXc (PE-Xc/AL/PE-Xc) ø 20 x 2.
Branches: ø 10 mm, suitable for attaching John Guest manifolds.
End surface: smooth edge.
Mounting: plastic pipe brackets.

Hydraulic data (cooling and heating)

Water quality: Water treatment is unnecessary for the OxzeRo® climate system and the materials implemented by Inteco.
Operating pressure: Maximum operating pressure amounts to 6 bar. Pressure loss and volume: Between 5 and 40 kPa, volume determined by the balance between series connections.

Acoustic performance

Noise absorption: The NRC value for a perforated panel with glued acoustic layer amounts to at least 0.70 over the perforated surface, depending on the plenum height.
Noise absorption: The NRC value gfor a perforated panel with mineral wool blanket, with a density of 35 kg/m3 and a thickness of 35, amounts to at least 0.90 over the perforated surface depending on the plenum height.
Noise insulation (optional) : The noise insulation value of the whole enclosed ceiling amounts to approx. 51 dB. When the gypsum panel is implemented, the NRC value amounts to approx. 0.75 over the perforated surface.

Main installation and configuration

Climate system controls
Configuring capacity
The cooling and heating capacities of the ceiling can be set per configuration zone. The configuration zone is that part of the ceiling which has connected controls for realising the required capacity. Configuration can involve a whole building, part of the building (e.g. north/south side), a room or even a fixed pattern, and therefore offers great flexibility. The controls can be arranged centrally via the building management system or via a regulator in the relevant space.
Control based on variable volume flow
This control method assumes constant temperature in the water supply. Room temperature is regulated by reducing or closing water supply via a two-way, three-way or six-way valve.
Control based on variable temperature
This control method assumes constant water volume. Room temperature is regulated by centrally varying the water supply temperature via the building management system.

Dew point protection
Central dew point protection
Various parameters, like the dew point temperature measured for outdoor air, return air and air in reference rooms, are used to centrally regulate water supply temperature via the building management system.
Passive dew point monitoring
A dew point sensor, which is installed in the ceiling, detects potential condensation at an early stage; in this case, control valves will shut off water supply to the relevant configuration zone. If the building features windows that can be opened, dew point sensors are often incorporated into window contact surfaces.
Active dew point monitoring
A room-based regulator continuously calculates the dew point per configuration using relative humidity and room temperature. Water supply temperature is varied per configuration zone, which stops condensation from occurring. This water supply temperature can, for example, be differentiated using a mixing switch between return and supply in the relevant area. This type of monitoring means an extra pump is needed per configuration zone. Active dew point monitoring is often combined with central monitoring, which means only critical areas are actively regulated.

Structure climate system
Cooling and heating can be realised as follows:
Using a completely separate system for cooling water and central heating water

Separate elements
Different panels are used for cooling and heating in energetically favourable, completely separate hydraulic systems. This means one panel is connected to the cooling circuit, while the other is connected to the heating circuit. This system is effective for buildings where lower capacities are required.
Combi elements
A good alternative for MeandRo® combi elements, where special cooling and heating meanders are interwoven to create a single element. Cooling and heating pipes are therefore located interchangeably. Each active panel can therefore serve for cooling and heating purposes. This means combi elements are suitable for offices where higher capacities are required.

Via a change-over system

2-pipe system
The whole pipe network and climate elements will therefore be flushed with cold water during cooling; with hot water during heating and with a mixed flow during the change-over period (transition between cooling and heating or vice versa). In this system, a lot of water needs to be heated to heating temperature (and vice versa) during the long change-over period, which consumes energy. This easy to install system is therefore particularly suited to smaller circuits.
3-pipe system
In this system, the main pipes for cold and hot water supply are separated until immediately prior to the climate ceiling in the relevant space. That is where both pipes are combined using a three-way valve. The distribution pipes, climate elements and return pipes are all shared. This concept enables high reaction speed and shortens the change-over period, while a lot less water needs to be heated and cooled.
4-pipe system
This system involves double supply and return. They are only shared in the climate ceiling. The two supplies are joined at the three-way or six-way valve, just like the 3-pipe system. However, in this case, the return flow is also separated via a similar three or six-way valve. The 4-pipe system combines high reaction speed with a short change-over period, where almost no energy destruction is encountered.

Ventilation
Inteco has compiled a ventilation protocol for ventilating climate ceilings. This is discussed with construction partners during execution of the project so the climate ceiling can be ventilated in an appropriate manner. After all the preparation activities (filling, etc.), the prescribed flow must be conventionally ventilated per section. Because the internal diameters of climate elements and flexible hoses are relatively small, there is no chance of air being left behind in upright elements or hoses if there is sufficient water flow. Air bubbles are easily propelled and eliminated by the water flow. However, each section must be ventilated separately in order to ensure sufficient flow in each series connection. This is possible, for example, by implementing central ventilation whereby only one section is opened at any given moment. Followed by the next section, etc..