Energy Efficient Equipment 27


nor is it subject to any phase- out controls so we are unlikely to be faced with further legislative constraints in a few years’ time,” he said.


As the ice rink is operational 24/7, 365 days/year, plays host to ice hockey matches, caters for speed, figure and leisure skaters, junior ice hockey players and has over 300,000 visitors, a smooth switchover was essential.


Freedom Leisure and J&E Hall adopted a phased approach to facilitate minimal disruption.


The first phase took place over a two week period in June 2013 when J&E Hall’s team of engineers carried out all the pipework including glycol pipes, heat recovery and heater mat pipework. Additional connections were also provided to enable the use of temporary chillers, which also serve to ensure that in the event of any break down, hire chillers could easily be used on site if necessary. As the ammonia chiller was being sited external in a purpose-built compound, pipework had to be run from underneath the ice rink through a tunnel under the road to the compound.


Decommissioning


Phase two commenced the following autumn when J&E Hall decommissioned the existing R22 plant and recovered the R22 refrigerant charges into reclaim cylinders for safe disposal from site. The chiller was then removed along with the existing external air cooled condenser and all other R22 pipework, ancillaries, control panel and controls


and disposed of in line with environmental policies. At the same time a temporary chiller ensured the quality of ice remained in peak condition so that the rink could remain open, whilst installation of the new refrigeration plant took place. The main refrigeration equipment was supplied on a skid which was sited outside by the existing air cooled condensers.


Electrical panels were fitted in an existing plant room and the new condenser was sited externally on steel supports above the two compressor packs and flooded evaporator, which were manufactured and supplied as a standalone package.


J & E Hall also carried out all piping between the skid- mounted items and existing plant room. Extensive tests were carried out ensuring that the complete system was pressure tested for strength and leaks, evacuated, dehydrated and charged with a holding charge of dry nitrogen prior to delivery. A Fridgewatch 4100 microprocessor controller provides the starting logic for the compressors plus a P&I control loop to allow the compressors to be automatically controlled locally.


In addition, J&E Hall installed a heat recovery solution that provides a constant temperature of 18°C to melt the excess ice that is removed from the rink periodically when it is re- surfaced and deposited into a 1.83m³ ‘snow pit’ below ground.


As the ice rink is extensively Visit ACR News online at www.acr-news.com


used and operates a 21-hour day, the engineers had little ‘out of hours’ time (1am to 5am) to carry out the work which added to the logistical difficulties of the project but as Alan explains J&E Hall implemented a smooth transition.


Martin Storey, south east area manager for J&E Hall, said: “The decommissioning and phase one was completed during a scheduled closure over a three week period last


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ACR News February 2015


summer. The completion of the installation (phase two) took place in the autumn. As this was during the ice hockey season a seamless migration was essential.”


“Users of the ice rink users were blissfully unaware of the changeover from the temporary chillers to the Ammonia chillers. We are now benefitting from improved efficiencies, reduced emission and a lower carbon footprint,” concludes Mr Hankin.


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