Geothermal Heat Pump and Energy Recovery Applications
ASHRAE Technical Committee 6.8

Awards

 

 

Kirk T. Mescher Innovation Award

Background

The engineering profession is characterized by an environment that can stifle innovation and reward the “plain vanilla” or “safe” approach to design. This award is in memory of Kirk T Mescher, PE, an engineer who specialized in HVAC but whose real forte was innovation. Kirk’s design ideas are clever in and of themselves but the courage to implement them in projects and freely share the results underscores his exemplary service to our industry.

Kirk started GSHP design in 1993 - prior to ASHRAE publishing design criteria for GSHP. He designed and constructed his own test rig for ground thermal properties testing. He developed the one pipe distribution system for GSHP systems and extended its application from individual building to campus scale. He pioneered ground loop designs that eliminated the use of costly valve vaults and associated manifolds along with outside air handling designs that permitted the use of standard heat pumps for this duty. His GSHP designs consistently achieved DOE scores in the 90’s percentile. Active in ASHRAE at all levels he achieved Fellow status, Distinguished Service, Exceptional Service, served as chair of the Society Program Committee, Conferences Committee, TC 5.5 (Air-to-Air Heat Recovery) was a member of TC 6.8 and served as an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer.

 

Potential Applicants - The Award this year is $3,000.

  • It was Kirk’s passion to find new and creative ways to make projects as energy-efficient and simple as possible. His goal was to create elegant cost-effective designs that satisfied owners and occupants. To recognize ‘like-minded’ engineers, engineers-in-training, designers, and teachers, this award will be given out to those who share their passion for design projects that go beyond traditional and mediocre approaches.  

    Applicants should have an idea or share projects in GSHP, HVAC, and/or energy-efficiency that exemplify Kirk’s ideals.  This award is administered through the ASHRAE St. Louis Chapter and is currently available to all ASHRAE Members.  Applicants shall be:

    ASHRAE Members
  • Professional Engineers, Designers, or Teaching Faculty
  • Involved in ASHRAE or other Community Activities
  •  

Kirk T Mescher Innovation Award 2022

The 2022 recipient of the Kirk T Mescher Innovation Award is Masik Alavy, a postdoc fellow at Ontario Tech University. Dr Alavy earned his PhD at the University of Toronto in 2019.  The award was presented to Dr Alavy on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 by the Toronto ASHRAE Chapter. Dr Alavy is a member of TC6.8, a main contributor to ASHRAE RP1649, and the lead inventor of the " Thermal Caisson."  He shared that he is planning to use his award to purchase a license for Ansys Fluent to develop a numerical model for this work.  

CONTRIBUTIONS

Please make the check out to "Pershing LLC" and note ASHRAE/KTM Award on the memo line.

Then mail directly to:
Renaissance Financial
5700 Oakland Ave #400
Attn: John Bayer
St. Louis, Mo 63110 

 

 

Please email a copy of your application to lisa@meline.com or mail a copy of your application to Lisa Meline, P.O. Box 276665 Sacramento, CA 95827. Application Form PDF download.