search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
AIR CONDITIONING FEATURE


Advances in heat transfer herald a new dawn for building energy management


“It’s amazing more hasn’t been done in the


past to improve the efficiency of air conditioning units given their usage worldwide,” comments Neil Jimpson, technical sales manager at Kilfrost. However, new developments are


heralding potential new green options – and cost savings – for energy and facilities managers


Scientists at Kilfrost used their expertise in the aviation industry and anti-icing fluids to make a fluid that was more energy efficient than glycol, but also one that could maintain its efficiency at low temperatures


F


or many years, energy and facilities managers have been at the forefront


of an organisation’s efforts to introduce and maintain practices that are environmentally friendly. Recycling is universal, LED lighting is commonplace, and buildings are now designed from the ground up specifically to mitigate environmental impact. In fact, for those whose responsibility


it is to drive forward an organisation’s green credentials, there is an increasing pressure to find new and innovative ways of increasing a building’s energy efficiency and reducing its ultimate impact on the world around us. The World Energy Outlook 2019


summary research documents highlight what would happen if we continue on the current trajectory, with energy usage rising by 1.3% each year to 2040 and increasing demand for energy services unrestrained by further efforts to improve efficiency, resulting in a relentless upward march in energy-related emissions. But part of the pressure of exploring and harnessing new energy efficiency measures comes from an impetus to not only save money, but to protect reputation. In the hospitality sector, according to a


“The results of our work could bring choice for those organisations seeking to demonstrate they are at the leading edge of implementing


new ways to protect the environment.”


European Commission report reviewing environmental management practice in the tourism sector, the average hotel with 80% occupancy consumes 600MWh a year for HVAC alone, and consumers have an increased desire to see organisations taking action. According to a Visit England report, more than half (58%) want to stay in accommodation with environmentally-friendly practices. In fact, there’s not just a pull towards


businesses implementing green practices, those who don’t adopt them are fast being left behind – nearly two thirds of consumers surveyed by Neilson said they would boycott a business


/ ENERGYMANAGEMENT


based on its stance on societal issues such as the environment. Despite this, when it comes to reducing


the amount of energy used to maintain a comfortable temperature inside a building, innovation has been sorely lacking. Individual building management policies tend to focus on looking at the way in which air conditioning systems are used, rather than the efficiency of the systems themselves.


NEW DEVELOPMENTS It’s essential to use fluids to circulate heat effectively, but there’s previously been a dearth of options available to improve that efficiency – it’s been a choice between a poorly performing heat transfer fluid or simply water. Neil Jimpson, technical sales manager at


Kilfrost, said: “Chilled water systems are used in the majority of air conditioning units in commercial properties because the alternative, propylene glycol, just isn’t efficient and is fairly viscous, meaning it takes a great deal more pumping power to circulate the fluid through the system. “But with the only alternative, water,


the freezing point is the problem. You have to put additives into the system such as anti-freeze and anti-corrosion fluids. Because of this the costs start to mount up through regular maintenance and associated downtime. “It’s amazing more hasn’t been done


in the past to improve the efficiency of air conditioning units given their usage worldwide.” But now, thanks to hard work behind the scenes of chemists who study the flow of


liquids, new developments promise to end the dilemma and herald potential new green options – and cost savings – for energy and facilities managers.


ALV FLUID BENEFITS Scientists at British-based Kilfrost used their expertise in the aviation industry – they are recognised as the original pioneers of de- and anti-icing fluids – to take on the challenge. “We knew we had to make a fluid that


was more energy efficient than glycol, but also one that could maintain its efficiency at low temperatures. It was essential to reduce pumping costs and increase hydraulic efficiency,” explained Jimpson. The results of testing the Advanced


Low Viscosity (ALV) fluid were impressive. It has been shown to be 66% less viscous than MPG and offer lucrative energy savings. It has an operational temperature down to -40˚C and outperforms MEG, MPG, Bio-PDO and ethanol-based heat transfer fluids. The ALV fluid is part of a family of


efficient heat transfer fluids created by the firm, which have been shown in trials to offer electricity savings through a reduction in pump operating costs. A non-toxic, NSF certified version, ALVPLUS


is also available for use in the food and beverage sectors. Jimpson added: “The steps organisations


take to truly reduce their impact on the climate has never been more in the spotlight, and inaction is quickly highlighted by an increasingly environmentally-aware public. “The results of our work could bring


choice for those organisations seeking to demonstrate they are at the leading edge of implementing new ways to protect the environment. Frankly, they’ve waited long enough.”


Kilfrost www.kilfrost.com


ENERGY MANAGEMENT | AUTUMN 2020 31


,


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36