CHP plays central role in heating refurbishment
A CHP unit is part of the refurbishment of the heating system serving Oakham School’s swimming pool and sports hall. The equipment comprises Potterton Commercial condensing boilers, an Andrews MAXXflo condensing water heater and a Baxi-SenerTec UK Dachs mini-CHP unit. The sports centre includes a 25 m indoor pool. The equipment was installed in an indoor plantroom in the sports hall.
The new heating system was designed by Oakham estates department in consultation with installers MJL Mechanical Services and DL Electrical. An indoor swimming pool is well suited to mini-CHP technology by providing a constant requirement for heat.
The CHP unit acts as the lead boiler. It is supported by two new Potterton Commercial Paramount 80 kW condensing boilers and an existing Potterton Commercial NXR3 boiler that is programmed to operate only when external temperatures are low.
Electricity from the CHP unit is used in the swimming pool and sports hall, as well as the art, design and technology classrooms located above. These gas-fired units have an electrical output of 5.5 kW and a minimum heat output of 12.5 kW, or up to 15.5 kW using an optional condenser.
The pipework for the refurbishment project was divided into five new zones, all separately controlled, giving the flexibility to load the Dachs unit 24 h a day, seven days a week.
The success of this project has been followed with the installation of two more Dachs units and four Potterton Commercial Paramount 115 kW boilers to serve the science block and two boarding houses.
