Measuring Thermal Energy in Hydronic Systems

So you’ve decided to track how much energy your HVAC system consumes in order to increase the system’s energy efficiency — great! But how will you do it? There are multiple methods that can be used to measure thermal energy in hydronic systems. We’ve outlined several methods below to make it easier for you to select the best technology for your application.  

Measuring thermal energy requires three components: a fluid flow sensor, two temperature sensors (one for inlet temperature, one for outlet temperature), and a calculator. Although thermal energy can technically be measured without a calculator, doing an energy calculation by hand is very complex and can introduce manual calculation error into the measurement. For that reason, we recommend incorporating a calculator into your system for the most accurate energy measurements. This calculator can be either an independent BTU controller, part of your building management system, or integral to a complete thermal energy system. A complete system includes a flowmeter, temperature sensors, and a calculator that are all calibrated together, eliminating the need for multiple pieces of equipment.  Continue reading “Measuring Thermal Energy in Hydronic Systems”

International Women in Engineering Day 2021: Engineering Heroes

June 23rd is International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), which is an annual event sponsored by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). INWED is an international awareness campaign intended to celebrate the work of women in engineering and inspire the next generation of innovators. National Women in Engineering Day was launched for the first time in the UK on June 23, 2014 by WES and became international for the first time in 2017 due to enthusiasm from an international audience.

We take great pride in the intellect and integrity of our employees. In honor of this day, we wanted to highlight one of our engineers at Dwyer, Angela Wiscons. Angela is a Key Account Manager at Dwyer and has been with the company since 2018.

What sparked your interest in becoming an engineer?

I think I became interested in engineering probably a long time before I even knew what the word “engineering” meant. When I was really young, I was interested in math in school and I was really fortunate that I had a lot of teachers who supported that part of me and helped me develop those skills.

I think I’m also really fortunate I had parents who supported my interests in math and reading. My dad was a structural engineer, so he would always take time to point out different structures around me, like trusses and bridges. I think that inspired that interest at a young age. And my mom always inspired me to read, so I remember reading a lot of stories with strong female characters who were courageous in pursuing what they were interested in and standing up for what they believed in. That definitely helped me shape myself and what I wanted to go into.

What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite part about my job is being able to feel productive every day by solving problems. It really gives me a high level of satisfaction that I can come into work and know that there are a set of things that I want to resolve in a productive way for somebody.

What advice do you have for other women interested in engineering?

If you have any part of you that thinks that you want to pursue the field of engineering or that you think you could be an engineer, don’t let anything hold you back. A lot of times, people hold themselves back by thinking that they’re not smart enough or they’re not good enough, but trust me, you can do it! So if you want to pursue it, you’ve got to go for it! It will be the best and most rewarding thing you do.

For more information about International Women in Engineering Day, please visit the INWED website. And to all of the women engineers out there, we appreciate all that you do!

The Operation of Gages and Switches in Hazardous Environments

In many industrial processes, the materials and the end product or by-products of the process, such as dust or vapors, can create conditions for a hazardous environment. Processes that have potential for hazardous environments include: water treatment, oil drilling, gas and chemical processing, power generation, pharmaceutical, and food manufacturing. The measurement and control of these processes are essential in maintaining optimal conditions of the manufacturing system and preventing catastrophic events.  Continue reading “The Operation of Gages and Switches in Hazardous Environments”

Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) Carbon Dioxide Sensors

Non-Dispersive Infrared, NDIR, CO2 Sensors

Dwyer offers several carbon dioxide measuring products that use non-dispersive infrared sensors as the sensing element. Carbon dioxide sensors are commonly used in building automation systems to monitor air quality.  The level of carbon dioxide is indirectly proportional to the amount of people in a space and can be used to adjust ventilation for the space.

There are two basic types of gas sensing technologies: chemical reaction and infrared spectroscopic. Most chemical reaction sensors are electrochemical sensors, which are not as reliable as they can interact with multiple gases and wear from interaction with the gas. Continue reading “Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) Carbon Dioxide Sensors”

Something New is Brewing!

Dwyer Instruments, Inc. has solidified its presence in many markets and our versatility has allowed for our products to be implemented in a multitude of applications. Original equipment manufacturers and end users alike have been able to automate many processes that would otherwise be quite demanding and time consuming; one of which being home brewing! Home brewing and craft beers seem to be a growing trend across the country in recent years. With people developing an interest in creating a beer to their personal liking, many have found themselves dabbling in the world of home brewing. With a few ingredients, adequate equipment, and some patience, you can find yourself enjoying a Taylor-made beer!

Continue reading “Something New is Brewing!”