Nifco Global Injection Moulding / Manufacturing Facility
Nifco made the decision to improve the climate control and ventilation within the
manufacturing plant.
To reduce the internal temperature from temperatures recorded above 38c and improve the
air quality/working conditions to maintain staff comfort and moral.
A number of options were reviewed to provide summer cooling and ventilation.
Project Brief
The project posed real challenges as the power supply to the facility was limited, power
upgrades were expected at a cost of £500k. The facility is a state of the art, just in time
manufacturing plant therefore impact on production/ potential down time posed a costly
possibility.
A number of solutions were proposed by various specialists from standard DX cooling to
supply air displacement with energy recovery and chilled water based cooling with free
cooling capability.
A competitive tender process was undertaken and the pros and cons were reviewed against
Ambient evaporate cooling based ventilation design.
The following comparisons were made.
Initial installation cost:
Conventional HVAC £ 1100k to 1575k
Ambient evaporative solution £285k
Running cost:
Traditional centralised Air Conditioning (employing energy efficiency technology –chilled water with free cooling) anticipated annual running cost £216,000.
(300KW capacity, cop 2.5, 1800 hours per annum @10P/KW hour)
Evaporative cooling (employing energy efficiency technology –inverter drives, modulating zone control) anticipated annual running cost £43,200
(300KW capacity, cop 12.5, 1800 hours per annum @10P/KW hour)
Equivalent electricity savings of around 80%
Cooling capacity
Conventional HVAC 150kW
Ambient evaporative cooling 300kw
Solution
Ambient designed a system to negate the heat load whilst increasing the air quality / volume
by up to 7 times.
A number of localised systems were strategically positioned to provide maximum
effectiveness without impacting on the working areas/production of the plant.
High level, high velocity supply ducts, diffuse fresh cool air to the occupancy level for comfort
and air quality.
High level extract fans remove the heat and stale air.
Displacement effect ensures reliable and efficient air management that can be zoned to suite
the varying loads within the production areas.
Bespoke controls and Inverter drive technology ensure energy input is minimised and
monitored throughout.
Result
Comment from Nifco:
Ambient successfully won the final evaporate cooling competitive tender, providing us with
real reassurance of value.
The project was undertaken with the required care and attention to install high level services
within the live working environment.
The performance of the system is effective beyond expectation, offering real control and
maintaining good air quality throughout.
It was a pleasure to work with the Ambient team.
