The Zehnder Carboline radiant heating and cooling panels sets a new standard in efficient temperature control. Utilising innovative material technology which incorporates the use of expanded natural graphite, it combines outstanding performance with superior energy efficiency.
Product Development
When developing the Carboline Zehnder relied on the material competence of SGL Carbon AG, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon products. With many decades of experience in exploiting the unique properties of natural graphite as a raw material they have been able to develop a wide range of new applications for the material, one of which is improving heat distribution in surface heating systems.
The physical and mechanical characteristics of expanded graphite made it the obvious choice for the Zehnder Carboline. It has excellent thermal conductivity, a low density and is non-corrosive, making it ideal for use in ceiling mounted heating and cooling panels. Moreover being non-flammable and resistant to aging it is also the perfect material for use in buildings.
Product innovation
Zehnder Carboline is the first radiant panel sold in the UK to use this innovative material technology and was developed at Zehnder, Germany. The panel itself is made from copper pipes (Ø10 mm , pipe centres 100m) which are embedded into a compressed graphite panel. This patented high performance thermal element is then firmly bonded to a galvanised sheet steel cassette.
The benefits of the Zehnder Carboline
Even distribution of temperature
Unlike existing products which can have significantly varying temperature profiles the Zehnder Carboline achieves excellent temperature consistency over the whole panel surface. The compressed graphite insert means that the panel is able to transfer the heat/coolness at the same temperature across the entire panel and not just where the pipes run.
Illustration A clearly shows the difference between the Zehnder Carboline and a standard radiant heating and cooling panel.
Illustration B also illustrates the Zehnder Carboline in comparison to existing products on the market. The shaded area represents the energy saving potential of the product.
Heat transfer / Efficiency
The excellent thermal conductivity properties of the natural expanded graphite also means that the Zehnder Carboline is extremely efficient. It can exchange 95% of the heat/coolness from the water running through the copper tubes whereas a standard panel can only achieve 80-84%.
Quick reaction time
The combination of even temperature distribution and extremely efficient heat transfer also makes the reaction time of Zehnder Carboline under alternating cooling or heating loads much faster than any of its rivals. This rapid response ensures greater levels of energy efficiency and creates a fully controllable system.
Illustration C demonstrates thermographic images to show the difference in performance of the Zehnder Carboline panel and an existing, comparable product, each under the same operating conditions (supply and return temperatures and mass flow rate). It can be seen that Zehnder Carboline responds much faster to changes in temperature in the transition from heating to cooling mode and achieves even temperature distribution in both states. This provides a highly reactive system which is better able to achieve the desired room conditions with optimal efficiency.
Combined performance
The combined benefits listed above make Zehnder Carboline the most responsive and energy efficient radiant panel on the market. It is able to achieve the desired level of room comfort with optimal efficiency.
Illustration D shows the heat up time for a Zehnder Carboline panel. Within 4 minutes the perceived air temperature is already 19 degrees and within 6 minutes the system is up to temperature. In comparison a standard radiator would take between 30 and 60 minutes to achieve the same result.
Green Credentials
100% recyclable
Manufactured from natural graphite, a naturally occurring material and an inorganic modification of carbon, the Zehnder Carboline is 100% recyclable, making it a fully sustainable heating and cooling solution.
Reduces energy consumption
The high efficiency and exceptional controllability of the Zehnder Carboline mean it uses less energy and consequently produces less emissions than standard radiant heating and cooling panels.
Green manufacturing
Manufactured in accordance with ISO 14001 the Zehnder Carboline meets the criteria of the environmental management system.
A renewable energy solution
The Zehnder Carboline can also operate at lower water temperatures, which enables
the use of renewable energy resources such as solar, and ground source and air source heat-pumps etc. This further enhances its overall ability to achieve carbon reductions as part of building services.
