RACA Journal September 2021 | Page 46

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Project
1 eventually meet the heating , ventilation , and air conditioning ( HVAC ) needs of the entire facility . There were VRV plants located all over the building and the client thus primarily wanted to reduce their environmental impact , as well as address the time and money spent on constantly maintaining these end-of-life systems .
The maintenance of existing HVAC equipment was an extensive exercise and sourcing spare parts for some of the older units was becoming more and more difficult . The refrigerant networks of the VRV systems were at the end of their lifespan and were becoming problematic .
2
THE NEW HVAC SYSTEM AND INSTALLATION SOLUTION The new central chilled water plant was designed in such a way to facilitate a phased approach . The four-pipe , variable primary flow chilled water / heating hot water system , makes use of two state-of-the-art Carrier chillers operating in unison to provide comfort conditions year-round .
The system is able to meet peak loads during winter and summer , but the real advantage of this system is during intermediate seasons when both heating and cooling is required . The system moves energy around to where it is needed in a very efficient manner . One of the units was selected with full heat recovery allowing ‘ free heating ’ for the cold side of the building while providing cooling to the other warmer side .
The central chilled water plant greatly reduces the amount of refrigerant required to condition the building and all the
1 .
The internal Geberit Mepla piping installed .
2 .
An aerial shot of the new rooftop HVAC plant .
3 .
The Block E Trox heat recovery air handling unit .
3

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RACA Journal I September 2021 www . hvacronline . co . za