HFO refrigerant for Sustainable Chemistry Building in Nottingham
An HFO-based reciprocating chiller, which has a very low global-warming potential of around six, is cooling the new Centre for Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, which is designed to be carbon neutral. The chiller was supplied by Cool-Therm. The refrigerant is HFO1234ze, which attracts additional BREEAM and LEED points.
Martin Sharman, head of Cool-Therm’s Midlands office, said, ‘The project demonstrates the increasing interest in the market for low-GWP cooling solutions. There is no doubt a change is taking place among forward-thinking consultants and end users.’
The 60 kW ducted chiller was made by Italian company Geoclima. It is equipped with refrigerant leak detection and an automatic pump-down system to isolate the plant from the building in the event of a leak.
Acoustic control is used on the intake and discharge sides of the plant with special air-intake louvres designed and installed by the contractor on the project, Imtech Engineering Services Central.
Martin Sharman explains, ‘As a result of the new F-Gas Regulation, and the question mark over the long-term future of traditional HFC refrigerants, people are understandably looking for alternatives.
‘Fortunately, we have the bases covered with our HFO and HC options.’
