Hybrid Roof Ventilation – Reducing Internal Temperature by over 22%

Key Objectives

The Challenge

Established in 1979, Highland Spring Group is the UK’s leading producer and supplier of natural source water. Heat generated in the plant room due to the multiple pieces of equipment; high pressure compressors, low-pressure oilinjected compressors and associated treatment equipment, chillers and dryers. along with increased external air temperatures meant the internal plant room temperature was rising to levels that could have led to major problems causing a costly loss in production. Highland Spring asked us to find a solution that would keep the operational temperature of the building at an optimal level.

The Solution

After analysis, we identified that the Eco-Power Hybrid Roof Ventilation system with additional air intake louvred panels as the best solution. This product will extract process heat from compression appliances and allow fresh air intake at low level. Hybrid ventilation is defined as a ‘two-mode’ (or multi-mode) system that is controlled to minimise energy consumption whilst maintaining acceptable indoor air quality and thermal comfort. It will work to ensure a constant supply of fresh air and combines natural ventilation with a high efficiency electronically commutated (EC) motor in a single unit to ensure reliable and on-demand peak performance. Eco-power is capable of operating unhindered in natural wind mode, or in both natural and energy efficient mechanical modes simultaneously. When required, performance is boosted by activating mechanical operation to ensure desired airflow rates are achieved. Even during mechanical operation, wind mode can improve flow rate performance.

The Result

We analysed the area again post installation with a twelve minute temperature test. Deactivating the ventilators two minutes in and reactivating them six minutes later. The temperature rises dramatically as a result of deactivating the ventilators and reduce at a similar rate when they are reactived. The two EP900’s achieve a total turnover of 15 air changes per hour, this results in a cooler, more efficient compressor house all year round