AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANTS
AHU or chiller off -site at a manufacturing plant, but for ease of transportation, access and installation, send it to the site in smaller sections and assemble it in situ. Whilst it could sound straight forward, it can only be successful if there is substantial investment into the design and planning process from the start and throughout. Communication between the design, production and site teams is the key for a smooth, well-planned installation. Here we look at some key factors to consider when looking at a kit build project: Size: Look to break the units down to the smallest component needed to aid access or installation. This might mean the unit is redesigned into modular sections, allowing a faster rebuild. Health and safety: Are there are restrictions that will impact a site build, such as hot works or access? Is specialised lifting equipment required? Fixings: Will standard fi xings work with reassembly without further site modifi cations? Testing: Full factory testing is required prior to disassembly, to ensure that performance and quality is not compromised. You’ve heard the phrase ‘measure twice, cut once’. At Airedale 3D CAD is used extensively to ensure component alignment is ensured. Logistics: If access is the restriction, consider the component weight and centre of gravity and that it will work with the lifting device required. For example, on one project we worked on central London, a chiller had to be lifted in sections via a helicopter. Qualifi ed staffi ng: Factory trained engineers need to be available to do the install, being fully converse in the manufacturing and production process of the equipment.
Modular, scalable For sites where internal access isn’t quite so restrictive, but
there are still limitations and budgetary considerations, a scalable, modular chiller/ heat pump chiller can be the solution. A product like MultiChill, Airedale’s modular heat pump chiller range, can be connected with up to 16 identical units on the same water circuit, either at the point of installation or with provision included for units to be added later. This will futureproof the installation against rising demand and means that heating and cooling can be delivered effi ciently and sustainably, at a size compatible with the plant room or building. It doesn’t require expensive extendable cranes and street closures to get it into the building, it doesn’t need to run at excessive loads to meet fl uctuating demand, but instead can be optimised as a system to meet the demand of the building, and it can grow as the business grows. Units like this off er individual capacities as low as 53kW, but in modular confi guration can be scaled up to 1360kW, and because they run on low GWP R32, they are effi cient and sustainable to meet with organisational environmental objectives.
Sustainability
Sustainable solutions have to be available to all organisations and not just those that can accommodate larger scale units. At Airedale, we see sustainability as
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everyone’s responsibility and this is why we invest heavily into research and development, to deliver more sustainable solutions to meet all of our clients’ needs.
Size vs scalability Large capacity units are here to stay, but equally, smaller,
scalable units are going nowhere. It really is about having a HVAC system that has been designed to meet the needs of the project; not the other way around! Working with an advanced engineering HVAC who can deliver a system that might include bespoke AHU design, kit build installation, modular chiller confi guration and an optimised and even remote controls system, will allow for a smooth project delivery with sustainable, effi cient and high-performance results.
Leaning in towards Einstein’s theory of relatively, unit size is very much dependent on the capacity demands of the site, the size of the site and the size of the space in and around the site. There is no ‘one size fi ts all’ unit or solution to effi cient cooling and heating design, and this is why it is important to work with a cooling solution specialist, early on in the project.
For sites where internal access isn’t quite so restrictive, but there are still limitations and budgetary considerations, a scalable, modular
chiller/ heat pump chiller can be the solution.
Airedale has experience of delivering kit build solutions which includes hospital projects, London museums, city centre locations and historic buildings. For example, the kit build solution we did at Grocers Hall in London meant the components could be more easily delivered through the awkward access points without damaging any of the building or its in- teriors. It was reassembled in a relatively small space, with specialist lifting equipment playing an essential role in the completion of this task. Working collaboratively, with excellent communication throughout, the chiller was successfully installed and operational in No- vember 2021 and the client has reported how happy they are with the results and on-going performance of the unit.
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