Automatic self-cleaning filter improves efficiency of free cooling using seawater
Retrofitting a Bollfilter filter before the heat exchanger that rejects heat from the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton to seawater in the dock is expected to reduce electricity consumption by about 5% and reduce CO2 emissions by about 117 t a year. This automatic self-cleaning filter has been fitted to the dock side of the heat exchanger to remove detritus such as seaweed from the water.
The cooling system uses seawater during the Winter to cool the building via the heat exchanger. The centre has several laboratories and cold stores that require cooling all year round.
The National Oceanography Centre is home to some 520 research scientists, lecturing support and sea-going staff. There are also over 700 undergraduate and post-graduate students.
