Wall-mounted comfort module for cooling, heating and ventilation
The PARAGON family is a series of comfort modules with a high capacity for installation in the ceiling or wall. The product is particularly popular in hotels and care rooms with its compact dimensions and high performance.
Quick facts PARAGON Comfort Modules:
Primary Airflow | 21 – 153 CFM |
Pressure Range | 0.2 – 0.8 in wg |
Cooling Capacity | Up to 8200 Btuh* |
Heating Capacity | Water: up to 10200 Btuh** |
Lengths | 35, 43, 51 and 59 in |
Depth | 27 in |
Height | 7 in |
PARAGON has been developed for the purpose of creating an optimal indoor climate mainly in hotel rooms and hospital patient rooms. PARAGON Wall has been developed for creating a well-performing indoor climate in offices where technical installations are meant to be located in the rear edge of the room.
A strong focus has been directed on a high degree of comfort, low installation costs as well as low running costs. Since the Paragon is driven by a central air handling unit, there is no built-in fan that would otherwise generate sound and require servicing. Through patent-pending technology, the built-in coil is optimally utilized which provides high cooling/heating capacity while the air pressure and airflows are low. The optimal use of the coil also provides a design that minimizes the height of the unit. this makes Paragon b chilled beams possible to increase the ceiling height in a hotel room entrance to create more volume and brightness.
The PARAGON models are designed for dry systems, i.e. without condensation and therefore does not require any condensate drainage system or any filter. The minimum number of moving parts and lack of filter guarantees very little need for maintenance.
The PARAGON chilled beams operate according to the induction principle. A centrally located air handling unit distributes primary air via the duct system into the plenum of the unit and creates excess pressure. The plenum is equipped with a number of sliding strips that in turn contain a row of nozzles of various sizes. The excess pressure in the plenum forces the primary air through the nozzles at relatively high velocity. When the primary air is distributed at high velocity through the nozzles, negative pressure is created in the space above the built-in heat exchanger(coil). The negative pressure draws(induces) the room air up through the heat exchanger where the air is treated as required. Click here to learn more [chilled beam induction process].
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Active chilled beams utilize the induction process to cause room air to pass through the chilled beam to heat and cool the air and create a comfortable environment.
Active Chilled Beam Cross Section
An active chilled beam is basically a cabinet with a water coil. There are no moving parts such as a fan and motor (i.e. fancoil). To get air in the space to pass through the coil, the induction principle is applied using primary air from a main air handling unit. The room air is “induced” to pass through the coil by creating a low pressure zone above the coil. As air passes through the coil, it can be heated or cooled using hot or chilled water. The induced air and the primary air mixed and delivered to the room via diffusers that are designed into the chilled beam to optimize mixing and take advantage of the coanda effect.
Induction Ratio
The ratio of induced air to primary air is the Induction Ratio. For example, if 1 cfm of primary air induces 3 cfm or room air to pass through the coil, the induction ratio would be 3 to 1 and 4 cfm would be delivered through the diffuser to the space.
Induction Process
The reason the induction process works can be seen in Bernoulli’s principle.
Said in words, if you increase the kinetic energy (the speed) of a fluid then its pressure must go down. In a chilled beam, the primary air passes through a nozzle bank and its speed increases, thus its pressure goes down and low pressure area is created downstream of the nozzle bank (above the coil).
This principle is how perfume atomizers and carburetors work, why sail boats can sail into the wind and of course, why airplanes fly.
To get room air to pass through a coil, work is being done and energy used. In a fancoil, the energy is electricity that the fan motor consumes to operate the fan. In a chilled beam the energy source is the primary air handling unit. The primary air must be delivered to the chilled beam and overcome the pressure drop of the nozzle bank. The nozzle bank requires more external static pressure at the air handling unit. Typically the fans and motors in air handling units are much more efficiency that mall fans and motors used in terminal products.
One way to look at the energy usage in a chilled beam is to consider the air flow rate (cfm) as equal to electrical current and the pressure drop of the nozzle bank as equal to voltage. Some combination of airflow are and pressure drop (i.e. voltage and current) will provide the necessary energy to draw room air through the coil.
Modern chilled beam design has advanced to the point where the pressure drop across the nozzle bank is less than a 0.25 inches w.c. and typically around 0.5 inches w.c. for the whole chilled beam (which includes the diffuser components.)
Induction Process in Swegon PACIFIC Chilled Beam
Induction Process in Swegon PARASOL Chilled Beam
Chilled Beam Slot Nozzle
Chilled Beam Round Nozzle
Nozzles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. A orifice plate is a nozzle. Nozzle design in chilled beams has evolved to create the best induction result with the lowest pressure drop and noise level.
Nozzle selection is based a specific operating conditions and is very sensitive to changes in the design conditions. As primary air passes through a small opening it accelerates. In a very complicated fluid dynamics process, the shape of the jet profile, plenum geometry, jet velocity and other properties will create a low-pressure area I the plenum that will cause room air to be drawn into the plenum via the coil and then pass out through the diffuser slots back to the room.
If the building design requires a small amount of primary air (i.e. “low current”) then the chilled beam selection will use small nozzles to induce more room air but requiring a larger pressure drop (i.e. “high voltage”) to get enough room air to pass through the coil to meet the cooling and heating demands. In short, the induction ratio will go up.
Nozzle K Factor
Changing the nozzle size and properties is known as changing the k factor. k factors are listed on the chilled beam printouts and can be used by the balancing contractor to measure the amount of primary air entering the chilled beam.
Where
q = (primary) airflow in cfm or l/s
K = k factor (note the k factor has a different value for SI or IP units)
P = the pressure drop across the nozzle bank in Pa or inches w.c.
If the chilled beam is manufactured with a fixed nozzle size (fixed k factor), then any changes in the design conditions in the future will be very limited. For example if the space ventilation rate, cooling or heating loads change appreciably, adjustments in the beam performance will be very restricted to the point where the beam may need to be replaced.
Adjustable Nozzles
Adjustable nozzles solve this issue by allowing the nozzle design to changed as the needs of the space evolve. You can change the K factor in the field. Adjustable nozzles must be built into the product at time of manufacture. Most nozzle adjustments can be achieved by hand or with hand tools.
Modulating Nozzles
The ultimate form of adjustability is a Demand Control Ventilation or VAV chilled beam where the nozzle adjustment is motorized and varies based on the amount of primary air entering the chilled beam. DCV chilled beams have variable k factors than maintain the induction process over a large primary airflow rate. As the primary airflow rate is reduced to save energy, the k factor changes and the induction process continues allowing space control. Click here to learn more Chilled Beam Design.
Induction Principle
The PARAGON model is designed to be installed in a bulkhead. It has bottom return air and horizontal front discharge. The PARAGON can be 2 pipe, 4 pipe or come with Swegon’s CCO (Compact Change Over) 6 way valve. The advantage of Swegon’s 6 way valve is the PARAGON chilled beam can deliver up to 20% more cooling and 60% more heat to the room. The PARAGON chilled beam includes field adjustable nozzles which can adjust the capacity during commission or in the future if changes are required.
PARAGON cooling function
PARAGON heating function
PARAGON Airflow Pattern in Hotel Room
PARAGON Airflow Pattern in Hospital Patient Room
The PARAGON Wall model is designed to be installed in wall with both supply and return air paths in the wall. For example, the PARAGON chilled beam is installed in the corridor, with the supply and return air connections through the wall in the adjacent room. The PARAGON Wall can be 2 pipe, 4 pipe or come with Swegon’s CCO (Compact Change Over) 6 way valve. The advantage of Swegon’s 6 way valve is the PARAGON chilled beam can deliver up to 20% more cooling and 60% more heat to the room. The PARAGON Wall chilled beam includes field adjustable nozzles which can adjust the capacity during commission or in the future if changes are required.
PARAGON Wall cooling function
PARAGON Wall heating function
PARAGON Wall Airflow Pattern
The supply air discharged into rooms are advantageously distributed as straight as possible by allowing it to follow the ceiling, i.e. utilize the Coanda effect. This enables the air to reach all the way to the perimeter wall. If fan shape air distribution is desirable, this is simply achieved by means of the ADC (Anti Draught Control) feature, which is standard in PARAGON comfort modules. If vertical air distribution is desirable, this is achieved by setting the louvres of the outlet grille to slant upward or downward. You can also lock the angle setting of the outlet grille using an accessory that secures the louvres in fixed position.
PARAGON ADC Air Pattern Control
PARAGON Grille Air Pattern Control
PARAGON models include field adjustable nozzles as standard. Adjusting the nozzles allows the chilled beam capacity to changes during commissioning or if future requirements change. This is a great advantage when the space is repurposed as it avoids having to change the chilled beam. The adjustable nozzles utilize a sliding plate that can be adjusted with a screwdriver.
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Delivering a comfortable environment is more than just heating and cooling the space, it requires well distributed air. Swegon Anti Draught Control (ADC) helps change air flow patterns for the best comfort level.
Swegon Test Lab set up to check air distribution mimicking computer and occupant heat sources
Chilled beams not only provide heating, cooling and ventilation air, they are the air distribution component that delivers good thermal comfort. Being able to adjust the airflow pattern from the chilled beams is critical to delivering optimal occupant comfort. As the building use evolves (re-purposing) the space loads and layouts change often requiring air pattern adjustments to maintain thermal comfort.
ADC in Swegon PARASOL Chilled Beam
To achieve air pattern control Swegon chilled beams can adjust the airflow pattern by means of Anti Draught Control (ADC). ADC consists of a number of sections with adjustable fins arranged in the outlet of the unit with a simple grip of the hand, the fins can be set to an appropriate angle in 10 degree increments to direct the discharge air and in this way create the desired air distribution pattern.
ADC in PACIFIC Chilled Beam
ADC in ADRIATIC Chilled Beam
ADC in PARAGON Chilled Beam
The ADCs are adjusted to spread the primary and induced airflow evenly in all directions across the ceiling for maximum even air distribution.
The ADCs deliver an X pattern airflow that avoids the airflows from to adjacent beams running into each other and breaking away from the ceiling resulting in “dumping”. The X pattern allows more chilled beams in the ceiling for increased cooling capacity (i.e. a computer classroom) without compromising thermal comfort.
The ADC biases the airflow pattern in one direction to increase throw and focus cooling or heating capacity yin a particular part of the room such as an exterior wall. Alternatively, if the space is repurposed and a new partition is built near the chilled beam, the airflow pattern can be directed away from the partition avoiding relocating the chilled beam.
Swegon’s Compact Changeover (CCO) valve allows a single circuit PARAGON comfort module to be connected to a 4 pipe building hydronic system. A 4 pipe system is advantageous because it allows each room to be in either heating or cooling mode as desired by the occupant. Using a single circuit in the PARAGON comfort module allows the entire coil to be used to either heat or cooling the space. This can increase cooling capacity by 20% and heating by 60%. Swegon’s CCO valve can be factory mounted in the PARAGON comfort module offering installation savings and saving time.
Compact Change Over (CCO) Valve
PARAGON Comfort Module with 4 pipe coil and separate heating and cooling valves.
PARAGON Comfort Module with 2 pipe coil and cooling valve.
PARAGON Comfort Module with CCO valve offering both heating and cooling.
The Swegon PARAGON is Eurovent certified, which is your guarantee that all specified data has been confirmed by tests and has been validated. This includes data provided in Swegon’s selection software, ProSelect Web.
In Addition, PARAGON Comfort Modules are certified by Intertek to UL 1995- Heating and Cooling equipment and CAN/CSA C22.2
PARAGON Wall Comfort Module
PARAGON Comfort Module
The PARAGON comfort module is primarily designed for use in hotel, dormitory and hospital patient rooms. The bottom return works well with the beam is installed in a bulkhead either above the bathroom or over the entrance.
The Paragon Wall comfort module works well when the supply and return air paths must be in a common wall.
PARAGON Comfort Module
PARAGON Wall Comfort Module
PARAGON Comfort Module in a Bulkhead
Paragon is available in 5 sizes that are well suited for hotel and patient room requirements. The air connection to the PARAGON beam can be either left or right hand. This can be advantageous when sharing a wet wall between two rooms. There are 2 pipe, 4 pipe and a single circuit coil with Swegon CCO 6 way valve options. Using a single circuit coil with the CCO valve sill increase the cooling capacity by 20% and the heating capacity by 60%. The additional heating capacity can be very beneficial in cooler climates.
Extension collars for the supply and return air grilles can be supplied to accommodate bulkhead dimensions and simplify installation.
PARAGON Comfort Module with Supply and Exhaust Air Kits
PARAGON comfort modules are often supplied supply and exhaust air kits. The kits include silencers, either a commissioning damper or motorized damper and an exhaust air register.
CLA Silencer
Minimizing cross-talk through the ductwork from room to room is a key concern. Swegon’s CLA silencers are specifically designed to minimize cross talk ensuring the occupant’s comfort and privacy.
Swegon CRPc – 9 Manual Balancing Damper
Swegon CRM Motorized Damper
Manual balancing dampers speed up commissioning and help ensure a properly balanced system. Using motorized dampers allows the chilled beam system to become a Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system offering significant energy savings. The CRM is a 2 position damper which can stop airflow whenever the room is not in use.
Swegon React – Independent Airflow Control Damper
The Swegon React damper can combine both automatic balancing and demand control ventilation. The damper includes an airflow measuring device. When the space is occupied, the damper will adjust to allow only the preprogrammed amount of supply air and return air into the room. This can maintain room pressurization and manage stack effect in taller buildings. When the room is not in use, the damper can be closed.
Swegon EXC Exhaust Air Register
The round Exhaust Air Register is typically installed in the bathroom.
Hotels often use specialize room control systems that are integrated into their room management systems. Swegon can supply a wide range of control accessories to reduce installation time. This includes:
ProSelect beam selection software can provide beam selection both in panning and sizing.
PARAGON chilled beam performance can be calculated using Swegon’s Proselect Software. The Swegon application team can assist with your chilled beam applications ranging from selections to full system design review with our DesignEdge service. The following are recommended operating ranges for PACIFIC chilled beam selections;
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Web-based software for easy dimensioning and selection of room products: induction units, air diffusers, displacement units and products for demand-controlled ventilation.
Recommended limit values-water | PARAGON b | PARAGON Wall |
Max recommended operating pressure: | 230PSI | 230 PSI |
Max. recommended test Pressure: | ||
Max. Recommended PD across standard valve | 6.7 ft wg | 3 PSI |
Max. recommended PD across the CCO valve | 3 PSI | |
Min. permissible heating water flow: | 0.20 GPM | 0.21 GPM |
Max. Permissible inlet flow temp | 140 oF | 140 oF |
Min. permissible cooling water flow | 0.48 GPM | 0.63 GPM |
Min, supply flow temperature: | Should always be sized to avoid condensation | Should always be sized to avoid condensation |
PARAGON b and PARAGON Wall installation
The PARAGON and PARAGON Wall are delivered with four mounting brackets designed for installation directly against the ceiling or installation suspended from the ceiling. The mounting brackets allow a certain amount of further adjustment after the comfort module/ceiling mounting brackets have been mounted as accurately as possible. This enables you to position the supply collar correctly in relation to the wall and the grille.
PARAGON will be supplied with ½” NPT connections at the coil. When hoses are supplied, building end connection can be ½” NPT or ½” compression fitting.
PARAGON units can have either left or right hand 5 inch round air connections.
If the supply air kit is included in the installation, connect the parts in the following order:
Note that the supply and exhaust air kits are also available in 4 in dia. This kit is suitable for use if the space is limited and low airflows are discharged into the room.
The work of building the soffit around the terminal can begin when the PARAGON has been completely installed. PARAGON is adapted so that load-bearing T-bar systems in combination with mineral wool slabs or the like could be used to build the soffit. Plasterboard also works well.
Supply air kit – PARAGON T-SAK-VAVA motor-driven damper is needed in applications where the user wants to apply demand control ventilation (DCV). The sound attenuator minimizes cross talk between rooms through the ductwork and sound from the damper. As standard, the connection has an OD of 5 in.. There is also a connection with an OD of 4 in. available, which is suitable when the space is limited. The following components are included in PARAGON T-SAK-VAV:
Motor-driven damper | CRTc including 24 volt 2 position actuator |
Sound attenuator | CLA rectangular sound attenuator with circular connection spigots |
PARAGON T-SAK-VAV
A commissioning damper is needed to ensure the correct airflow if a simpler regulation system with constant airflow has been selected. The sound attenuator minimizes cross talk through the ducting as any sound from the damper. As standard, the connection has an OD of 5 in. There is also a connection with an OD of 4 in. available, which is suitable when the space is limited. The following components are included in PARAGON T-SAK-CAV:
Commissioning damper | CRPc-9 commissioning damper with perforated damper blade and manually adjustable blade. |
Sound attenuator | CLA rectangular sound attenuator with circular connection spigots |
PARAGON T-SAK-CAV
If the supply air is demand-controlled, the exhaust air also needs to be feed-back controlled. An exhaust air kit is needed for balancing the supply air and the exhaust air. Precisely like the supply air kit, this kit consists of a motor-driven damper and a sound attenuator. In addition an exhaust air register and two alternative mounting frames are included: one with a nipple and one with a joint.
Motor-driven damper | CRTc including 24 volt 2 position actuator |
Sound attenuator | CLA rectangular sound attenuator with circular connection spigots |
Extract air register | EXCa and accompanying mounting frames: one with circular connection spigot and one with circular connection sleeve. |
Exhaust air kit, PARAGON T-EAK-VAV
A commissioning damper is needed in systems with constant airflows in order to balance the exhaust airflow with the supply airflow. Therefore a kit designed for constant airflows is available for simpler systems. This kit contains commissioning damper, sound attenuator, exhaust air register and mounting frames.
Commissioning damper | CRPc-9 commissioning damper with perforated damper blade and manually adjustable blade. |
Sound attenuator | CLA rectangular sound attenuator with circular connection spigots |
Extract air register | EXCa and accompanying mounting frames: one with a nipple and one with a joint. |
Exhaust air kit – PARAGON T-EAK-CAV
The return air grille is supplied with a 1.38″ spigot/frame which can be inserted into the module and which then covers the .51″-1.38″ interval between the module and the ceiling.
An extra spigot for the return air grille can be ordered as an accessory and then covers the 1.38″-2.76″ interval installed together with the standard spigot.
The supply air grille is supplied with a 1.77″ spigot / frame as standard however it can be combined with an extra spigot for use as an extension in increments of 1.77″ mm.
A grille with a telescopic spigot that covers an interval of 3.94″ – 5.51″ between the module and wall is available as an optional extra. It cannot be combined with the standard frame stated above.
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