HVAC

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

Monthly Magazine
9
Special Edition

Introduction of VRF system

New Product / New Technology
LG Electronics VRF System introduction and strong adavantages

Technical Report
LATS program for load calculation and VRF system model selection

| LG Systemaircon Monthly Magazine | 2007. 09 | NO.1 ※VRF(Variable Refrigerant Flow)

Compliments

Customer satisfaction management for the best of customers!

From optimal suggestion to

perfect installation!
LG Electronics made its first air-conditioners in Korea in 1965 and first VRF
system in Korea in 1998. Following this, in year 2002, a revolution of
residential air-conditioner was made with air-conditioners.
Problems concerning increase of energy consumption in high stories and loud
noise from outdoor units were perfectly solved. In 2006, truly total air-
conditioning system was made with AHU and water cooled heat pump, which
are excellent in large space cooling and heating, and new products with new
hybrid heat pump using geothermal energy.

Not only LG has been taking lead in product sales, but it provides a One-
Innku Hur LG Electronics Vice President
Stop sales operation with its design proposals during the early stage of
construction, installed product quality guarantee and through after service.

On the product selection process, we select and suggest optimal products

with research information from our design team grouped of experts in the field.
The installation process is made of four steps: installation plan, sample house,
test run, and installation. And the process is monitored with the Field Event
(FE) system for Field quality assurance, all experts from different teams group
up to check the system and to find better installation ways as well as to check
all the expected problems beforehand in each Field Event Stage.

On the installation stage, products are tested in a sample house, allowing

optimal installation the recheck of problems. On the test run stage, a scientific
operation diagnosis computer program, MV is used to check even the tiniest
error for the perfect installation. In large sites, pre-check ups are made for
quickly solving problems, quick SVC system of LG Service Center,
installation store, and customer service center works together with utmost
effort to solve any discomfort toward the customers.

As the head of LG Electronics VRF, I would like to say that LG will always
try to listen to our customers and we will be systematically at service when
needed. With our leading technology and our years of experience, we will take
the lead in the commercial air-conditioner business and become your best
partner.
 CONTENTS
Special Edition
Introduction of VRF system
On this issue, VRF system will be introduced with an article extracted and

02
summarized from ASHRAE Journal.

New Product / New Technology

LG Electronics VRF System introduction and Strong advantages
VRF is abbreviation for Variable Refrigerant Flow, Generally, it means system

07
that can control refrigerant with inverter compressor and control technology.

Technical Report
LATS program for load calculation and VRF system model selection
LATS program and user manual can be updated with ease at any time through

17
online.
Special Edition │ Introduction of VRF system

April issue of ASHARE Journal

VRF system introduction

(Variable Refrigerant Flow System)

Variable refrigerant flow On this issue, VRF system will be introduced with an artic
(VRF)systems, which le extracted and summarized from ASHRAE Journal.
were introduced more
than 20 years ago, are What is VRF?
Variable refrigerant flow(VRF) systems, which were introduced in Japan
relatively unknown in more than 20 years ago, have become popular in many countries, yet they
the United states, but are are relatively unknown in the U.S. The technology has gradually expanded
its market presence, reaching European markets in 1987, and steadily
expected to expand its
gaining marketshare throughout the world. In Japan, VRF systems are used
market presence. in approximately 50% of medium sized commercial buildings (up to 6,500
㎡) and one-third of large commercial buildings (more than 6,500㎡).

※ASHRAE : American Society of

Heating, Refrigerating, and Aircon-
ditioning Engineers <Picture 1> Shows the standard VRF system

02 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

 Although vigorous marketing of VRF systems in the U.S. began only
two or three years ago, several thousand systems likely be sold in the
U.S. this year, amounting to tens of thousands of tons of capacity. Of
course, the market is still very small compared to the chiller market, but
VRF systems are marketed in the U.S. by at least five manufacturers.
Many HVAC professionals are familiar with ductless minisplit
products. A variation of this product, often referred to as a multisplit,
includes multiple indoor evaporators connected to a single condensing
unit. Ductless products are fundamentally different from ducted systems.
Conventional systems transfer heat from the space to the refrigerant by
circulating air (in ducted systems) or water (in chillers) throughout the
building. VRF systems are larger in capacity, more complex versions of
the ductless multisplit systems, with the additional capability of
connecting ducted style fan coil units. They require many evaporators
and complex oil and refrigerant management and control system.
Also, they need a separate ventilation system. The term variable
refrigerant flow refers to the ability of the system to control the amount
of refrigerant flowing to each of the evaporators. This enables the use of
many evaporators of different capacities and configurations,
individualized comfort control, simultaneous heating and cooling in
different zones, and heat recovery from one zone to another. This
refrigerant flow control lied at the heart of VRF systems and is the major
technical challenge as well as the source of many of the system’s
advantages.

Heat
Recovery
Unit

Suction Gas
Liquid
Discharge Gas

<Picture 2> Shows simultaneous cooling and heating system

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 03

VRF systems are light- VRF Benefits
weight and modular and � Installation Advantages
system desigh is very Chillers often require cranes for installation, but VRF systems are
easy and maintenance lightweight and modular. Each module can be transported easily and
fitted into a standard elevator. Multiples of these modules can be used to
and supervision is sim-
achieve cooling capacities of hundreds of tons.
ple. Also, individual Each module is an independent refrigerant loop, but they are controlled
control is convenient. by a common control system. For example, if a building is only partly
occupied, which is similar to currently available self-contained VAV
systems, the modularity also enables staged, floor-by floor installations.
The relatively light weight of the ventilation system may reduce
requirements for structural reinforcement of roofs. Because ductwork is
required only for the ventilation system, it can be smaller than the
ducting in standard ducted systems, reducing building height and costs.
VRF systems are also particularly suitable for retrofitting historical
buildings without disturbing the structure or for older buildings with no
air conditioning. Finally, because the condensing units are normally
places outdoors, no need exists for a machine room.

� Design Flexibility
A single condensing unit can be connected to many indoor units of
varying capacity (e.g., 0.5 to 4 tons [1.75 to 14kW]) and configurations
(e.g., ceiling recessed, wall-mounted, floor console). Current products
enable up to 20 indoor units to be supplied by a single condensing unit.
Modularity also makes it easy to adapt the HVAC system to expansion or
reconfiguration of the space, which may require additional capacity or
different terminal units.

� Maintenance and Commissioning

VRF systems with standardized configuration and sophisticated
electronic controls are aiming toward near plug-and-play commissioning.
Because they are DX systems, maintenance costs for a VRF should be
lower than for water-cooled chillers, so water treatment issues are
avoided. Normal maintenance for a VRF, similar to that of any DX
system, consists mainly of changing filters and cleaning coils.

� Comfort
Many zones are possible, each with individual setpoint control,
because VRF systems use variable speed compressors with wide capacity
modulation capabilities. They can maintain precise temperature control,
generally within ±1℉(±0.6℃)

04 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

� Energy Efficiency The main feature of heat
VRF system’s energy efficiency is higher than that of normal duct
recovery VRF system is
systems. The VRF essentially eliminate duct losses, which are often
estimated to be between 10%~20% of total airflow in a ducted system. that cooling and heating
VRF systems typically include two or three compressors. This approach can be operated simul-
yields high part-load efficiency, which translates into high seasonal
energy efficiency, because HVAC systems typically spend most of their taneously. For buildings
operating hours in the range of 40% to 80% of maximum capacity. For requring simultaneous
buildings requiring simultaneous heating and cooling, heat recovery VRF
systems can be used. These systems circulate refrigerant between zones, heating and cooling
transferring heat from indoor units of zones being cooled to those of VRF system can bring
zones being heated.
Each manufacturer has its own proprietary design, but many use a notable energy saving.
three-pipe system (liquid, suction and discharge) and special valving
arrangements. Typically, extra heat exchangers in distribution boxes are
used to transfer some reject heat from the superheated refrigerant
exciting the zone being cooled to the refrigerant that is going to the zone
to be heated.
As with installed costs, the energy efficiency of VRF system is
application dependent. For example, one articles cited an installation in a
government building where much of the space is unoccupied during
much of the day when workers are out in the field. A rooftop VAV was
used on one side of the building and a VRF on the other. The energy
consumption of the VRF was approximately 38% lower than for the
VAV. A full year, hourly simulation, using standard spreadsheet
software, of a 538 ton (1892 kW) VRF compared to both screw and
centrifugal chillers yield high energy savings for the VRF relative to
other options. The cooling energy savings about 30% may be explained
by the relatively temperate Brazilian climate.
A comparison done by a VRF manufacturer of a 200 ton (700kW)
VRF to both air and water-cooled chillers in the U.S. application also
showed an installed cost premium of approximately 5% to 20% for the
VRF. The highest efficiency, newest R410A VRF system achieved
energy savings of 30% to 40% compared to the chillers. The VRF system
showed little or no savings compared to the chillers. The chiller
efficiency is higher than that of the VRF only at 90% load, but 80% of
the chiller operating hours occurred at 45% to 80% load. Variable speed
compressors in chillers are now common, but other component such as
pumps are often single speed, so VRF system is more efficient in part-
load condition.
To modularity of the VRF also enables relatively simple submetering
of electricity (i.e., placing an electric meter on one or a few condensing
units is relatively simple, accurate and inexpensive). Though difficult to
quantify, submetered VRF systems may encourage energy-saving
behavior in multi-tenant buildings if energy costs are charged explicitly
to each tenant rather than being hidden in overall leasing costs.

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 05

 VRF systems are not suitable for all commercial building applications,
However, they are an excellent option for certain projects, and one more tool
for engineers to consider. As more VRF units are installed and we gain further
operating experience in the U.S, many of the concerns expressed by industry
professionals are likely to increase.

� Application
VRF systems are generally best suited to buildings with diverse,
multiple zones requiring individual control, such as office buildings,
hospitals, or hotels.

� Future Directions
To spread VRF system in the U.S., the following challenges has to be
targeted.

●ARI Rating Standard

Currently, no approved ARI standard exits for a performance rating of
VRF systems. ARI standard registration will be checked until 2008.

● Energy Modeling Tools

Current, non-proprietary building energy simulation tools like Energy
Plus and DOE-2 cannot model VRF systems. Manufacturers are working
to resolve this issue.

● Integration of Outside Air

Currently, ventilation systems used in conjunction with VRF systems
are engineered separately on a case-by-case basis. Manufacturers are
evaluating potential approaches for an integrated solution, incorporating
controls to ensure adequate outside air and economizing, while
optimizing overall performance.

● Broaden Installer Base

The short-age of skilled installers is problematic for the HVAC
industry as a whole, but expanding the number of installers who are
comfortable with extensive refrigerant piping work is particularly critical
for the VRF market.

06 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

New Product / New Technology │ LG Electronics VRF System introduction and strong adavantages

Advanced technology for cooling, heating and simultaneous cooling and heating

LG Electronics VRF System-

introduction and its advantages

VRF is short for Variable Refrigerant Flow and generally, it means system that can control
refrigerant with inverter compressor and control technology. This will give useful information
of products for educational/commercial facilities and high-story buildings.

Indoor Unit

Outdoor Unit

Outdoor Unit

Indoor Unit

Outdoor Unit

Indoor Unit

<Picture 1> LG Electronics VRF System -

※ , which means Multi, and VRF

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 07

 Ⅰ. New concept of VRF System for high-story
residential buildings-
● Background of new concept outdoor unit
development
There has been a burst of demand of residential air-conditioning for
high-story residential buildings including residential complexes. As a
tightly-closed building, effective cooling and heating and ventilation
facility has to be in place for the pleasant residence of the tenants. The
main features that needs to be considered in comparison with
conventional air-conditioners are high-story, all glass type mechanical
room for AC, properly operation both in full and part-load cooling, and
low-noise. As you can see on in <picture 2>, has been
designed with a new style outdoor unit with a front side
suction/discharge system along with low-noise inverter scroll
compressor. And also developed to maximize cooling efficiency under
Full/part load condition by high efficient inverter technology.

<Picture 2> New concept VRF system for residential complex buildings

08 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

● Matters to be concerned for installation of air-conditioners in
high-story building
Normally, air-conditioner outdoor unit’s discharge speed is 3~4m/s,
but it is affected by strong winds in high floors. Also, drop of outdoor
unit capacity may result from building’s pressure and air-conditioning
capacity can be decreased due to re-suction of discharged air flow.
<Picture 3> is Korea’s meteorological data that shows the wind
increase rate with respect to building height. It shows that wind speed
can increase depending on features like an exposed area, flat land, city
outskirts, and building concentrated area. Normally, the wind speed of
high-story buildings (50 story) located in an exposed area can have
increased almost to 153.4% compared to wind on land surface.
On the left side of <Picture 4>, it shows wind stream line. The wind
speed on the right can show that wind flows as a positive outward
pressure toward the building front and it flows as a negative pressure to
draw in indoor air from the other side of the building.
Also, if many number of buildings become close, a high speed wind
zone can be generated due to high pressure difference between the front
and back of building. <Picture 5> shows that there can be pressure
difference up to 40Pa.

Height Highest wind Average wind

Increased speed record speed
Division
rate
m Story m/s m/s
High Wind Velocity
90 30 92.6% 21.6 3.7
Building 120 40 101.8% 23.7 4.1
concentrated
area 150 50 109.6% 25.5 4.4

180 60 116.4% 27.1 4.7

90 30 116.2% 27.1 4.6

Stream Line Velocity Line
City 120 40 123.8% 28.9 5.0
outskirts 150 50 130.1% 30.3 5.2 <Picture 4> High-story building air flow distribution simulation

180 60 135.4% 31.5 5.4

90 30 136.0% 31.7 5.4

120 40 141.6% 33.0 5.7 High Wind Pressure

Flat land
150 50 146.1% 34.0 5.8

180 60 149.9% 34.9 6.0

90 30 145.7% 34.0 5.8

Completely 120 40 150.0% 34.9 6.0
exposed
area 150 50 153.4% 35.7 6.1
100m 200m
180 60 156.2% 36.4 6.2
<Picture 3> Wind speed rate depending on area condition and building <Picture 5> High-story building pressure distribution simulation
height (Korea Meteorological Administration)

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 09

 <Picture 6> shows through simulation that re-circulation of air into the
outdoor unit room can be happened due to strong wind around building
when using conventional air-conditioners in high-story buildings. This
can cause capacity drop of air-conditioners.
<Picture 7> shows capacity change of conventional air-conditioners
depending on the outdoor air. If the outdoor air is 35℃, outdoor unit
condensed temperature is 55℃, and if the outdoor air is 31℃, outdoor
unit condensed temperature is 50℃. If the outdoor unit condensed
temperature increase from 50℃ to 55℃, air-conditioning capacity goes
down 10%, 2200W to 2000W. If the conventional air-conditioners are
used in high-story buildings, re-circulation of the hot air will happen,
bringing decrease in efficiency.

Crosssection Recirculation caused by building wind

1,300
2.57e+01

2.35e+01

2.14e+01

1.92e+01

1.71e+01
3,500

3,000

1.50e+01

1.28e+01

1.07e+01

8.56e+00
3,500

6.43e+00

4.29e+00

2.15e+00

1.55e-02

10m/s

<Picture 6> Strong wind around building influence when using conventional air-conditioners in high-
story buildings

3000

40℃
2500 45℃
Cooling capacity(W)

50℃
2200 55℃

2000

ure
rat
pe
1500 tem
d
se
en
ond
C
1000

500
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

evaporating temperature(℃)

<Picture 7> change of conventional air-conditioners depending on the outdoor air

10 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

● Strong advantages of
<Picture 8,9> shows how the outdoor unit’s discharge air and
temperature change for the conventional air-conditioner and
in three types of ‘building wind’: no wind, up wind,
down wind). is operated stably without any influence
from strong winds that are generated around high-story building.
<Picture 10> is the graph of that shows linear
operation with respect to the internal load variation is possible through
inverter scroll compressor and highly efficient inverter control.
Therefore, energy consumption changed linearly with on the indoor load.
This is the way for the highest efficiency. On the other hand, constant-
speed compressor using air-conditioner has energy loss due to load
variation. Even with the bypass style compressor, linear operation
considering the load variation is impossible. Such system that does not
use inverters will have high operation costs due to overuse of energy.

No Wind Up Wind � Down Wind �

Conventional

<Picture 8> Discharge air influence for conventional air-conditioner and outdoor units

42 Energy consumption change depending on indoor load

Outdoor unit room temperature(℃)

Conventional
Electric Consumption (W)

40 6000
5000
High Temperature
4000
38
3000
2000
36 1000
0
0 5000 10000 15000
34
No Wind Up Wind � Down Wind � Load (W)

building wind type ※Test : KTL test team

KTL : Korea Testing Laboratory

<Picture 9> Outdoor unit room temperature influence depending on <Picture 10> energy consumption change depending on
‘building wind’ type for conventional air-conditioner and load
outdoor units

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 11

 To evaluate the low-noise function of , it was
compared with a conventional air-conditioner with same capacity. The
condition was both being operated with the outdoor unit room closed and
bedroom door open. After measuring noise from the living room and
close by rooms, had 12~14dB lower than that of the
conventional air-conditioner. It can be concluded that noise intrusion to
the indoor can be minimized with with its special
outdoor unit structure.

Bedroom 1

Living room
Noise measured area ●
Bedroom 2
●
Indoor unit
operation area

● ●

Area size Item Conventional

Bedroom 1 43.5 Bedroom 1 30.9

Outdoor unit Close by room Close by room
noise noise caused noise caused
290㎡ Bedroom 2 45 Bedroom 2 31.6
from from
dB(A) outdoor units outdoor units
Living room 44.5 Living room 33.4

<Picture 11> Noise comparison between and conventional air-conditioners

12 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

 Ⅱ. High-efficiency, high-performance VRF System for
large buildings-
� Background of energy-saving VRF System development
Heat load means the amount of heat that needs to be eliminated or 30,000

20,000
supplied by using the cooling and heating device. <Picture 1> is graph
10,000
made with date from Daejun’s meteorological date showing calculated

Load[RT]
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
-10,000
amount of load to be handled to keep an optimal indoor condition. VRF
-20,000
System is not operated with maximum load, but usually is operated with -30,000

less than 60% load condition. In Korea, the highest heat load is -40,000

-50,000
concentrated in December and January. Heating has to run smoothly. It
<Picture 1> 2006 year meteorological data of
has to run efficiently during 60% load (low load), and has to run with Daejun

enough power during 100% load (high load).

By using an inverter circuit for strong heating, controlling the
compressor’s motor frequency with electric conversion, and using a
compressor that changes spinning speed, efficient cooling and heating
operation can be made. Such cooling and heating instrument is called
“Variable Speed”or“Modulating Heat Pump”in electric engineering
and VRF system in mechanical engineering.
<Picture 2> High load operation control

� Energy-saving, high-efficiency inverter system air-

conditioner
For building load change seen in <Picture 1> and linear control
depending on zone operation condition seen in <Picture 2>, inverter
technology is needed as seen in <Picture 4>. For such convenience of
individual control and accurate control of indoor load condition with
energy-efficiency, inverter technology is being used more widely.
<Picture 3> Part-load operation control

Indoor load change

Linear control of indoor load
100 130 change through
Step control
energy loss Digital inverter linear control Inv.
System capacity(%)

System capacity(%)

Comp

Digital Flxed Inv. Comp3

Comp

Digital Flxed Flxed Inv. Comp2 Comp2

Comp

Digital Flxed Flxed Flxed Inv. Comp1 Comp1 Comp1

Comp
0 100 0 100
Indoor cooling and heating load(%) Indoor cooling and heating load(%)

[ Step control - Non Inverter ] [ Linear control - Inverter ]

<Picture 4> Capacity variation, constant-speed control type VS. High-efficiency inverter control

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 13

 As seen in <Picture 5>, inverter technology can work as an energy-
saving tool in low-load or part-load conditions. In 50% load condition,
inverter’s efficiency can be 30% more energy-saving than non-inverter.
Many manufacturers have widely been using inverter technology.
Korea’s C company and China’s M company have been manufacturing
VRF system with mechanical capacity variation method without using
inverters. Most Japanese companies have been using inverters, and in
Korea, LG Electronics independently developed Korea’s first inverter
technology.

� High-performance VRF system for cold climate

As it can be seen in <Picture 6>, has implemented large
capacity compressor for sufficient heating capacity in cold climate
weather. Japanese products are set to the ambient temperature of 7℃
due to their relatively warm climate. However, they show low heating
performance during cold winter weathers of -10℃ in Korea.
has implemented large-capacity compressor, which is
larger in over 135% than Japanese products, for sufficient heating
capacity during cold weathers. Also, it was designed for the optimal
SEER level with mixing of 5.5 horse power inverter compressor and
constant-speed compressor with a ratio of 4:6 as one cycle.

Maker LG S T D M H F

100% Outdoor
Unit
Efficiency

Non-inverter

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Com-

Capacity(%) presser

<Picture 5> Energy efficiency comparison

Type Inverter By-pass Inverter Inverter Inverter Inverter Inverter
<Picture 6> VRF SYSTEM inverter technology use status
50

45
Maker LG T D M H F
Discharge Temp.(℃)

40
Outdoor
35 Unit

30

25
Com-
20 presser
-20℃ -15℃ -10℃ -5℃ 7℃
Outdoor Temp.(℃)

<Picture 7> Heating performance comparison in

Capacity 13.5HP(5.5+8) 10HP(5+5) 10HP(5+5) 10HP(10) 10HP(5+5) 10HP(1.5+3.5+5)
cold climate.
(Based on 20 horse power LG Electronics test) <Picture 8> VRF System for cold climate

14 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

 After a comparison test between LG Electronics and Japanese products
(D, T, M companies) of cold climate heating performance, the results
showed that Japanese products show low performance, reaching only
50~60% that of .

Ⅲ. VRF System simultaneous cooling

and heating

� Background of 3rd generation of VRF system -

LG Electronics independently developed a VRF system that allows
simultaneous cooling and heating with indoor units that are connected to
one outdoor unit. As it can be seen in <Picture 1>, was
the first in Korea to allow cooling in one and heating in the other with
just one outdoor unit.

Discharge Heating
Discharge Max. COP
Cooling (COP) 5.68

5
4.5
4.0 3.9 3.7
4
Cooling Heat
Cooling 3.14
Recovery
3

Conventional VRF 1

<Picture 1> Comparison between conventional VRF system and simultaneous cooling and heating
All zone Cooling 20% Cooling 40% Cooling 60% Cooling 80% All zone
function VRF system cooling Heating 80% Heating 60% Heating 40% Heating 20% Heating

� Air-conditioner with the highest efficiency in Korea with <Picture 2> Reaching high energy efficiency

and simultaneous cooling and heating operation

As it can be seen in <Picture 2>, and simultaneous cooling and heating
function VRF system has reached 5.68 for COP under
simultaneous cooling and heating operation. It is a form of energy-saving
VRF system, which allows heat from the indoor unit that supplies the heat Fuzzy Fuzzy Heat Recovery Unit
- Refrigerant Volume Control
to the Indoor unit of heating operation. This increases efficiency up to - Subcooling Control

30%, and is called a heat recovery VRF. Such heat recovery VRF can
have the highest efficiency when cooling is at 40% and heating is at 60% Fuzzy Control
-Comp, FAN
operation condition. Like in <Picture 3>, energy efficiency was
maximized optimal refrigerant volume and subcooling control through the Fuzzy Combination of a variety of
Inoor units(Max. 16EA)
Fuzzy algorithm. Fuzzy algorithm is stabilizing the cycle’s stability speed
15% fast than the conventional PID and maximizing efficiency through
<Picture 3> Energy maximization through Fuzzy
active control of subcooling degree among indoor units. algorithm

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 15

 � VRF System with perfect individual control with
simultaneous cooling and heating technology
It can be used in places like office rooms that need to be heated during
winter and computation rooms that need to be cooled all year and other
places with different purpose. It is perfect for hotels with guests from
different countries, class rooms being do outdoor activities or don’t.,
hospitals that need to have different thermal condition for different
patients, buildings that have thermal difference in different parts due to
their structure, and other buildings that need accurate cooling and heating
control. For example, there can be times when cooling is running in one
place and heating cannot be operated in another place. There are many
times where heating is operated where an old person lives, while cooling
is operated in a place where a young person lives. Some small place that
is crowded needs to be cooled. Perfect individual control is possible in all
of such situations.

� Simultaneous cooling and heating operation principle and

acquainting design flexibility
As it can be seen in <Picture 5>, for , three pipes are
connected to outdoor unit and HR unit, unlike the conventional VRF
system. As an instrument for heat recovery, HR unit is very important.
From HR unit to indoor unit, two pipes are used, like the conventional
VRF system. Also, as seen in Picture 6, Y-branched pipe is used like the
conventional system, so piping design is possible, while installation is
more free from limits than Japanese C products as HR units are
connected in a straight way.

HR Unit

Heating operation Cooling operation

<Picture 5> Simultaneous cooling and heating VRF system design method

World's unique

<Picture 4> VRF system with perfect individual

control <Picture 6> World’s unique piping method application

16 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

Technical Report │ LATS program for load calculation and VRF system model selection

LG Electronics VRF system design solution

LATS program for load calculation

and VRF system model selection
LATS program,which is LG Electronics provides a wide variety of technical
composed of load calcu- information of products, design, installation, supervision
and maintenance. LATS program and user manual can be
lation and system air-
automatically updated through online.
conditioner model selec-
tion program, can allow
LG Electronics VRF system design solution, LATS program
convenient use for As the total design solution of LG Electronics VRF system, LATS (LG
for product Air conditioner Technical Solution) programs is consist of construction
load calculation program and VRF system model selection program. It
selection, piping, elect-
can be used connectedly with AutoCAD program for product
ricity design by connec- selection and piping and also, electricity design, making it convenient for
ting to Auto CAD. the user. <Picture 1~2>
LATS Load (load calculation) program as developed from the base of
CLTD method from ASHRAE Fundamental (1997). Load calculation is
made with complex formulas, so it was calculated through the computer
before CLTD method was introduced. After CLTD method was
introduced, it was able to get the actual load value with manual
calculation, and it is still being used today. LG Electronics developed a
load calculation program, which is easier than hand-calculation, with

<Picture 1> LATS Load : Load calculation program <Picture 2> LATS : model selection and drawing
supporting program

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 17

LATS Load is composed
of 4 menus ; location for
load calculation, infor-
mation about customers,
detailed information of
space, actual load cal-
culation, and reporting
to customers.
18 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007
base of CLTD method. LATS Load includes SI unit, which is the
international standard, and IP unit, which is the standard for English-
speaking countries. Also, this program is developed for global users with
its load calculation from meteorological data of all parts of the world. It
provides service for selection of product and drawing design based on
calculation results for maximum load of each different zone.
� Load calculation method using LATS Load
LATS Load program is divided by four menus.
Firstly, as the project production process, the first step is completed
when information about location and the customer is input.
Second step is for entering detailed information about the space for
load calculation. The user needs to decide variable parameters like space
size, story height, roof and floor, glass, wall type, window, door,
occupant number, lighting, and ventilation capacity. And such
information needs to be acquired from the customer who will receive the
drawing and load calculation. Indoor condition can differ in some scale
depending on occupant activity level and work type. Internal load can be
calculated from body, lighting, machine load and outdoor air intrusion
and ventilation load can be calculated separately.
Third step is when actual load calculation is done with information
entered in the second step. Calculated load is shown in cooling load and
heating load separately. Cooling load is calculated in sensible heat and
latent heat, and heating load is calculated only sensible heat. The
designer can select Safety Factor in 5~15% range.
The last step is to make a report to the customer.
Load calculation report provided with LATS Load is made in
Microsoft Excel in seven kinds of sheet. A wide variety of information
like load value, load pattern, load rate can be provided to the customer.
Cover, reporter information, report date, and detailed customer
information are marked, and a detailed table of contents is shown.
<Picture 3>
<Picture 3> LATS Load- Cover and Table of Contents
 The calculated date, location information, safe factor, and outdoor load Load summary provided
calculation condition are marked. Calculated load is shown for each zone
by LATS Load has a
with actual floor area, total load, and total heat load. Data of detailed
information entered for each zone can be seen. Data for floor area, wall wide variety of infor-
type information, glass information, occupant/lighting/electric mation like load value,
motors/appliance, and infiltration of each zone can be checked. <Picture 4>
load pattern, and load
rate.

<Picture 4> LATS Load (L-Sum & Data)

In R-Load, You can acknowledge the condition of indoor/outdoor

temp. and humidity and load result of each component conduction load
(wall, glass), sunlight load from glass, body heat load, light load, heat-
emitting machine load, and air intrusion load and each of their possessing
percentage can be seen. From the chart, fluctuation of load amount of
change in time period and peak load hour during the day. Also, the pie
chart of total load list can allows analysis of percentage that each list
takes up in the total load.

<Picture 5> LATS Load (R-Load & Chart)

� LATS model selection program can be

designed in two modes
Tree Mode for simple piping design is presented like a tree branch as
seen on left of <Picture 6>. This method is used when construction CAD
drawing cannot be obtained. It can be used for quickly providing
appropriate outdoor/indoor unit capacity, branch pipe model name,
circuit breaker capacity, additional refrigerant when installing, and other

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 19

Tree Mode for simple design information. However, when designing in Tree Mode, CAD has to
be newly drawn on the construction drawing, making things complicated.
piping design is used CAD Mode is for supplementing this problem by bringing CAD drawing
when there is no con- at first. What needs to be noted is that CAD Mode can be converted to
struction CAD drawing. Tree Mode, but it cannot be done vice versa. Pipe design completed in
CAD Mode is made in .dxf file, and it can be modified anytime through
It can be used for qui- AutoCAD. In this issue, only cases of Tree Mode will be introduced.
ckly providing appro- First, country and design condition of the selected area for design
should be entered, as see on left of <Picture 7>. Information of
priate outdoor/indoor
humidity, temperature, and relative humidity of the air can be
unit capacity, branch automatically calculated in the psychrometric chart. Next, cooling and
pipe model name, circuit heating load information needs to be entered as seen on the right picture.
If there is a load value calculated from LATS Load, it can be set up with
breaker capacity, addi- the Open button, and if there is no calculated value, cooling and heating
tional refrigerant when load in kW unit can be entered manually.
installing, and other After project registration is done, real model selection and piping
design can start. Outdoor unit is automatically selected through the whole
design information. load value. Indoor unit appropriate for each zone is selected by dragging
in indoor unit icons on the top or double-clicking on each zone’s box and
choosing the capacity and type of an appropriate indoor unit. When
choosing the indoor unit, the branch pipe type has to be decided whether
it is Y or header. After the selection of indoor unit, outdoor unit can be
chosen by double-clicking the outdoor unit, but for beginners, auto-
selection mode is recommended.

<Picture 7> Project formation

<Picture 6> Tree Mode vs CAD Mode <Picture 8> Selection of outdoor/indoor unit and branch pipe in Tree Mode

20 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

 After model selection is done, default pipe length has to be changed to After completing model
actual pipe length. In this case, after double-clicking the pipe line, you
selection and pipe le-
can enter the actual pipe length. The length has to consider pipe elbow
and curve. On the right bottom, it is possible to check if the total pipe ngth, click 'Auto Piping'
length is appropriate for the design range. button and auto selection
After completing model selection and pipe length, click the Auto
is successfully operated.
Piping button on the Menu window. Shortly, a message saying auto
selection has been successfully operated. At this point, pipe design is
automatically decided with information base of PDB (Product Data
Book) provided in LG Electronics website (http://www.lgeaircon.com).
Lastly, by clicking System Check button, total system check of
appropriate model selection, piping design, piping design inspection, and
simulation of cooling and heating capacity under load condition can be
done. Also, by clicking Schematic Diagram, electric line connection of
outdoor unit and indoor unit can be seen. Here, circuit breaker capacity
and refrigerant amount to be added for pipe length expansion are
automatically presented.

<Picture 9> Entering pipe length <Picture 10> Auto Piping (automatic selection of pipe diameter and branch pipe)

<Picture 11> System Check

HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007 21

Proposal display, custo- <Picture 12~16> is VRF system selection results on the final report.
Proposal display, customer information, table of contents of report, load
mer information, table of
calculation results, system selection, product list, pipe design drawing,
contents of report, load and electric line connection are organized in a Microsoft Excel file. Also,
calculation results, sys- there are blanks for seller to directly input product price and installation
cost.
tem selection, product
list, pipe design draw-
ing, and electric line
connection are presented
in the final report.

<Picture 12> LATS - Cover

<Picture 13> LATS - Table of Content and Load Summary <Picture 14> LATS - Product list and Design condition

<Picture 15> LATS - Piping Diagram and Electricity Connection Diagram <Picture 16> LATS - Cost and Estimate

22 HVAC Monthly Magazine│ September 2007

www.lgeaircon.com
www.lgeaircon.com
 www.
lgeaircon.
com All for air conditioning!
You can find all the information about LG commercial air conditioning system in
this representative website.

For those willing to use the website, visit www.lgeaircon.com and click on “Membership” on the upper right side. Select the appropriate membership
step that matches you. After registering for membership, acceptance process is completed in 1day, and you can be a member right away.

Membership Level Certification Accessible Contents

• Simple introduction of each product

• Detailed introduction of features, advantages, lineup and accessories on each product
General Members Need not any certification
• Introduction of accessories
• Installation examples specialized in architecture types

• Academy News
• Guide and Textbook
Trainers After checking company security number, certificated
• Communication function for trainers
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• PDB, Manual, CAD Drawing, Software etc technical information provision

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