PUBLIC SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY


COOL-PHASE ‘SCIENCE’ IMPROVES THE STUDENT ENVIRONMENT IN BOURNEMOUTH


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UNIVERSITY LABORATORY cool-PHase®, monodraught’s ceiling- mounted low-energy cooling and ventilation system featuring phase change material technology, has been installed in a busy laboratory at bournemouth university to provide a more comfortable, environmentally- friendly and energy-efficient atmosphere for students working in the space.


he second-floor laboratory in christchurch House regularly accommodates up to seventy students at the same time, carrying out


practical scientific experiments. With bunsen burners and fume cupboards being used throughout the day, and seventy people, each student generating 100 Watts of heat gain combined with substantial levels of carbon dioxide (co2


), there were on-going


problems with the 100 square metre space due to poor indoor air quality. Whilst the laboratory was fitted with windows, its second-floor location meant that restrictors were fitted; so the limited amount of fresh air entering the space was not enough to reach all areas of the ‘deep-plan’ space. the university’s estates Department decided it was time to address the problem and the Henderson Green mechanical/ electrical engineering consultancy based in southampton, which supplies design services to bournemouth university on a range of projects, was briefed to improve environmental conditions within the space. Henderson Green managing director


russell Pitman says first thoughts involved traditional approaches such as ac units or a roof-mounted air handling unit pumping fresh air into the laboratory. but having discussed options with the


university’s environment & energy team it was decided to investigate alternatives that would also provide a low carbon solution. commenting for the university, the


estates Department’s energy officer (technical) Dave archer says that during the initial search he came across a cool- phase article in a HVac journal and decided to add the new system to the list. the cool-phase system, which reduces the running costs of buildings and creates a fresh and healthy indoor environment without compressors or hazardous coolants, can maintain temperatures within the comfort zone, while radically reducing energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional cooling systems. Henderson Green was then asked to undertake a feasibility study to establish whether cool-phase could handle the two key objectives – the fresh air requirements


and the cooling load; and monodraught was asked to design the system and provide calculations to confirm it could achieve the required flow rates, etc. says russell: “We reviewed, and eventually tested, monodraught’s cool- phase system against the air handling option and found that from the energy- saving viewpoint cool-phase won hands-down, with relatively little increase in cost. encouraged, we then went into a more detailed phase with monodraught to ensure that the initial calculations matched the requirements of the space in everyday operational conditions.” once the air quality calculations and


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Public sector sustainability • Volume 4 issue 2


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