Investigation of PEX Plumbing and Hydronic System Efficiency and Durability

该项目将研究使用“交联聚乙烯”（PEX）管道的水管系统的性能特征。该公司的合作伙伴是欧博诺- PEX的原始支持者之一，目前是世界上最大的PEX管道制造商。该项目将集中于(i)家庭供水系统和（ii）家庭辐射加热系统。与铜等竞争性管道系统相比，将特别注意以pex为基础的系统的用水效率、能源效率和耐久性。该项目将采用计算机模拟、比例模型和使用商用管道建造的全尺寸测试系统。大学生和教授将参与PEX全系统性能与竞争管道装置的测试和基准测试。这些系统将测试其效率（水使用和能源），热舒适性，水质，法规遵从性，产品寿命，易于安装和易于维护。该项目的最终目标是帮助行业合作伙伴量化和验证基于PEX技术的输水和水力系统的优越性。该项目将为丰富学院的先进技术学院和卓越建筑中心提供极好的机会，这两个学院都有学术课程，包括建筑科学学位课程和绿色建筑，培养学生在项目感兴趣的领域，从而获得PEX的宝贵经验。

This project will investigate the performance characteristics of water piping systems utilizing 'PEX' (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) pipe. The company partner is Uponor-one of the original proponents of PEX and currently the world's largest manufacturer of PEX piping. The project will focus on (i) domestic water delivery systems and (ii) domestic radiant heating systems. Particular attention will be paid to water-usage efficiency, energy-efficiency, and durability of PEX-based systems as compared to competitive piping systems such as copper. The project will employ computer simulations, scale models, and full-size test systems constructed using commercial piping. College students and professors will be engaged in the testing and benchmarking of PEX whole-system performance versus competitive piping installations. These systems will be tested for their efficiency (water usage and energy), thermal comfort, water quality, regulatory compliance, product lifetime, ease of installation, and ease of maintenance. The ultimate aim of the project is to help the industry partner quantify and validate the superiority of water delivery and hydronic systems based on PEX technology. The project will provide excellent opportunities to enrich the College's School of Advanced Technology as well as the Center for Construction Excellence, both of which pursue academic programs including the Building Science Degree Program, and Green Architecture which train students in areas of interest to the project and who will thus gain valuable experience with PEX.