PRIMO Chilled Beam
Climate system for installation along a perimeter wall
Room Unit
The Swegon PRIMO is a high-performance active climate beam that offers enormous flexibility for cooling, heating and ventilation.
A complete climate system for placement along a perimeter wall with high capacity and small space requirements. Prefabricated parts promote uncomplicated installation. Modular designed units offering immense flexibility. Adapted for new building and renovation projects as well as replacement of existing induction units.
Key Features
| Primary Airflow: | 12 – 95 cfm |
| Pressure Range: | 0.6 – 1.2 in.wg |
| Cooling Capacity: | Up to 6800 Btuh |
| Heating Capacity | 6950 Btuh |
| Length: | 23.62, 31.5, 39.37, 51.18, 62.99 in |
| Height: | From 14.37 in |
| Duct Dimensions: | 5”, 6”,8” |
Basic Operation
The perimeter wall system PRIMO in many ways represents a completely new way to construct a perimeter wall system. With minimal space requirements, PRIMO provides all functions that a climate system features. The entire system is installed against the facade, which means that no installation space is required on the floor, ceiling or in the corridor.
The PRIMO is an active chilled beam with one-way air distribution. The units do not contain a fan of its own but are driven by the pressure and flow generated by a centrally located air handling unit, which means low sound level and excellent comfort in the room. The minimum number of moving parts and lack of filter guarantees very little need for maintenance.
The PRIMO 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.
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Induction Process
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.
Induction Process
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
Nozzles
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 PRIMO chilled beam delivers heated or cooled supply air including ventilation air through a single direction discharge slot. For perimeter applications, the beam is typically mounted under the window supply air up the exterior wall. The Primo beam can also be placed in the ceiling discharging air down or horizontally, under floor discharging air up.
PRIMO Chilled Beam Operation
Certification
The Primo with electric heating is CE marked in accordance with applicable regulations.
Applications
PRIMO Perimeter Chilled Beam With Enclosure
The PRIMO Chilled beams can provide ventilation, cooling and heating. The PRIMO chilled beams can be used in new build, extension or refurbishment of offices, conference facilities and hotels. They are an excellent solution for retrofitting induction systems that offer the same thermal comfort with much less noise and greatly reduced static pressure. The lower static pressure can offer significant energy savings.
Perimeter Applications
The PRIMO Chilled beams can provide ventilation, cooling and heating. The PRIMO chilled beams can be used in new construction or retrofits. They are an excellent solution for retrofitting induction systems offering the same thermal comfort with greatly reduce sound levels. PRIMO units use as little as 25% of the static pressure found in traditional induction systems. The reduced static pressure offers a significant energy savings. PRIMO perimeter systems are well suited for use in all types of rooms with waterborne climate cooling and heating;
- Offices and conference rooms
- Institutions
- Hotels
- Classrooms
Basic PRIMO Unit
The PRIMO base unit consists of a 2 or 4 pipe coil in five sizes. The units can be connected end to end and share a single air connection from either end. This is advantageous when the air connection is from an adjacent wall or column.
The number of Nozzles can be field adjusted to meet cooling and heating requirements now and in the future.
Multi PRIMO Unit Assembly
PRIMO With Factory Installed Control Valves
PRIMO units are often installed in series in window bays or between columns. Swegon can supply the PRIMO basic units preassembled with water connections, valve packages, control wiring and air connections. The assemble hangs from a rack mounted to the wall.
PRIMO With Floor Air Connection
It is also possible to bring water and air connections up through the floor to the PRIMO units. The air can feed units on both the left and right side.
PRIMO Enclosures
PRIMO Custom Enclosure
Swegon can provide custom enclosures designed to fit in with existing or new construction. The enclosure can be designed to match the glazing mullions and fit between existing columns. Custom colors are also available. The front panels lift off for easy access to the chilled beams, control valves etc.
PRIMO With Outlet Sleeve
The Enclosure height can be designed to match the height of the window sill or other architecture feature. For applications where the enclosure is higher, an optional telescoping (6 to 8 inches) outlet sleeve can be added to deliver the supply air to the inlet of the discharge grille.
PRIMO Enclosure with Adjustable Blade Grille
The customer enclosure can come with a range of discharge air grilles including fixed blades, adjustable blades and extruded aluminum bar grilles.
PRIMO Standalone Enclosure
PRIMO enclosures can be for a single unit along a wall.
PRIMO Overhead Applications
PRIMO Chilled Beam Overhead Application
PRIMO Chilled beams can be applied overhead to deliver supply air down the exterior wall. This can free up valuable floor space next to the exterior wall. The PRIMO beams can be completely inverted or mounted horizontally if ceiling height is limited.
PRIMO 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 PRIMO chilled beam selections:
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Swegon ProSelect Software
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
| Max. recommended operating pressure: | 232 PSI |
| Max. recommended test pressure: | 348 PSI |
| Min. cooling water flow*: Capacity module: L=86.6, 106.3 in |
0.7 GPM |
| Min. permissible heating water flow*: | 0.21 GPM |
| Chilled water delta T: | 3.6 – 9 oF |
| Hot water delta T: | 9 – 18 oF |
| Min. supply flow temperature: | Should always be sized to avoid condensation |
| Max. permissible inlet flow temperature: | 140 oF |
*Min. recommended water flows to ensure the entrainment of any air pockets in the circuit.
Recommended Limit Values – Air
| Max. recommended inlet pressure: | 0.75 in WG |
| Max. recommended nozzle pressure: | in WG |
Installation Details
PRIMO Retrofit Installation
PRIMO installation varies widely based on the specifics of the job site. Swegon can work closely with the installing contractor to prepackage as much as possible prior to installation. This can include:
- Mounting multiple PRIMO units on a common backplate
- Providing connect ducting between multiple units for a single air connection
- Supplying 2 or 4 insulated pipes running behind the beams including control valves and steel breaded flex hoses connected to the beams
- Control wiring conduit to allow wiring to be routed from the end to the control devices (e.g. control valves)
Enclosure for the PRIMO chilled beams depends greatly on the wall design. This is especially true for retrofit applications where sill height, window mullion spacing bay length etc. all impact the design. Swegon custom enclosures can generally accommodate any field requirement.
Custom enclosure can be supplied by Swegon or by Others. With Swegon supplied enclosure, Swegon will work closely with the installing contractor to get field measurements. Custom drawings are supplied for review by the contractor and consulting engineer. A mock-up is strongly recommended.
Primo Chilled Beam to be installed for underfloor application
Mounting: The prefabricated pipe system is suspended on the mounting rail by the means of brackets and secured. it can be first installing the complete pipe system and then installing the units or fitting the units. Associated valve assemblies with hoses are easily installed using quick action couplings and join the unit with the distribution pipe.
Connection: Connection termination fittings are installed at the beginning and end.
Control Equipment: The connection cable is connected to snap-in terminals on the unit’s connection card and is routed on to the adjacent unit. The Transformer is suspended on a wall rail and is connected to the connection card, number as required.
Casing: Electrical trunking, perimeter casing and supply air grille are fitted in position after which the room regulator is connected to the snap-in terminals on the unit’s connection card.
To Wire the electric heating elements: Swegon’s LUNA or your own control system can be used for controlling the heating elements in the electric variant of the Primo.
Operating Modes
Installation
Accessories
Telescopic outlet air connection fitting for full height units. the telescopic outlet air connection fitting is required to give a maximal unit performance.
Flexible hoses for connection between main pipes and coil. Version B contains valves; version C contains valves, actuators and connection card.
Dimensions
Click on the tabs below to learn more
| Link | Title | Article | Product Group | Document Type | Format | hf:tax:document_type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | PRIMO Brochure | PRIMO d | PRIMO, Room Units | Instructions | instructions | |
| ETL Certification Primo | PRIMO | PRIMO, Room Units | Quality | quality | |
| Installation Instruction – PRIMO | PRIMO d | PRIMO, Room Units | Instructions | instructions | |
| PRIMO – Casing | PRIMOFront Classic | PRIMO, Room Units | Product Sheet | product-sheet | |
| Perimeter Climate Systems | PRIMO d | PRIMO, Room Units | Product Sheet | product-sheet | |
| Operation and Maintenance | PRIMO | PRIMO, Room Units | Instructions | instructions | |
| GOLD SYSTEM APPLICATION Chilled Beams | GOLD | Air Handling, GOLD, PACIFIC, PARAGON, PARASOL, PRIMO, Room Units | Product Sheet | product-sheet |
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Training
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