Water power

The VRV WII has been designed for commercial applications where no roof or external space is available for locating a condensing unit or where noise restrictions apply. It is also suitable for refurbishment projects where it can be fitted to an existing chilled water/cooling tower circuit. The system, which operates on R410A refrigerant, uses a plate heat exchanger in the condensing unit, which can be supplied with water between 10°C and 45°C from a cooling tower/dry cooler or boiler. The unit is available in heat pump and heat recovery versions.

Nominal cooling capacities range from 27·3 kW to 81·9 kW, with heating from 31·5 kW to 94·5 kW. Daikin says the system has coefficients of performance of 5·21 and energy efficiency ratings of 4·53 at full load operation. It is compatible with 13 types of Daikin indoor units in 75 different models.

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Domestic bliss

Passivent has developed Flair, a mechanical ventilation system for apartments that links the kitchen extractor hood and the extracts in “wet” rooms to to a single fan.

The system incorporates a central continuously running fan that operates at low level until the cooker hood is switched on; this then boosts the fan and opens a damper in the cooker hood to extract cooking smells and moisture from the kitchen. Self-regulating, non-electrical extracts in the bathroom automatically ensure the correct, pre-set level of ventilation is maintained, even when the system is boosted by operation of the cooker hood. Ducting links all extracts and is vented to a single wall terminal.

Passivent claims that the system minimises energy consumption while providing constant background ventilation without the noise associated with traditional mechanical extraction.

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Going hot and cold

The ST range of plant thermostats, designed to cover a range of HVAC applications, has just been launched by Sontay. Included in the range are duct, wall-mounted, immersion, capillary and remote bulb thermostats with a choice of concealed or exposed adjustment options.

The thermostats incorporate liquid-filled sensing elements to enable the rapid response and accurate switching differentials that are needed for efficient control. Versions are available with single and multistage switching, as well as adjustable differential and manual reset versions for limit control. The thermostats – which have IP65 rated casings – are suitable for use outside or in dusty, damp, polluted and industrial environments.

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Three into one

Sanyo has launched its latest generation of R410A three-pipe variant refrigerant flow air-conditioning system to the UK. The ECOi3-Way can support 40 indoor units, supplying simultaneous heating and cooling.

Outdoor units are available in capacities from 6 kW to 12 kW and are suitable for small- and large-scale projects as they can be grouped together to provide a single system of up to 135 kW. Ten styles of indoor unit offering up to 11 indoor capacities are available.

Environmental noise considerations have also been taken into consideration; Sanyo claims it has outdoor unit sound levels of 55 dB(A). It also says that the system has high coefficients of performance across the range with, for example, the 22 kW outdoor unit rating at 4·09 in heating mode.

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Smooth driver

D&H Mechatronic has produced a rack and pinion drive for remote control of large and heavy windows and vents. The DXD Duplex Drive can open a window to a clear opening width of 1 m at up to 3 kN, with a current consumption of 2·8 A at 24 V.

The drive incorporates intelligent force/speed/path control for quiet running, smooth cutoff and damped reverse travel. Extremely large and heavy glass elements can be opened thanks to the precise synchronisation of up to four actuators. The travel limit can be adjusted in situ by a magnetic sensor system.

The drive is available in 24 V DC and 230 V AC models, while a tubeless version is available for use in the swivel range within a confined space or for compact design. The drives have a a running rate of 8 mm/s and are IP65 rated.

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Full flow ahead

To protect high pressure steam boilers from the effects of limescale, Hydrapath has launched Hydrowflow-S. The patented system randomly emits varying electric fields throughout the system to prevent limescale build-up. This enhances the precipitation of the bicarbonates from solution to suspension by introducing clusters of ions in the water to act as seeds for suspended crystallisation. Rather than sticking to pipework and internal surfaces the suspension is flushed out with the water flow and during blow down.

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Multitasking

Mitsubishi has updated its City Multi WR2, water-cooled variable refrigerant flow air-conditioning range with four fully inverter-driven units. The system is suitable for use in offices and hotels where air-conditioning use fluctuates from room to room.

The WR2 works by transferring heat between any of the 16 indoor units linked to each condenser, while using a sealed water loop to transfer energy between the condensers. The water loop can also link to other sources of heat, such as boilers, solar panels and ground water sources, enabling the condensing units to recover surplus heat energy.

Mitsubishi says attaching the loop to a ground water sources is cost effective in the UK, where temperatures at depths of 50 m are a constant 12°C. A WR2 system linked to a borehole will cost just under double a 7·5 kW City Multi air-cooled condensing unit but Mitsubishi claims that the system delivers a 43% reduction in running costs.

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Industrial strength

Fläkt Woods has launched an air heating and ventilation system for use in warehouse and retail areas. Two versions of the fan assisted heaters are available – a hot water and a steam system.

Airflows of up to 1·84 m^3/s are available, and units come with either single-phase 230 V motors or three-phase 400 V power supply. The heater casings are made of corrosion resistant steel and the coils are made of copper tube with aluminium fins .

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Five alive

Using its Liebert Hiross brand, Emerson Network Power has introduced the Five Nines high density cooling and power conditioning system. Developed specifically for use in IT server rooms where Blade servers are installed – and where heat densities of 24 kW per IT rack can be found – the Five Nines solution offers 99·999% system reliance.

Units are available in DX and chilled water cooling options. The DX system offers fully modulating cooling capacity control along with variable speed fans to match the cooling unit airflow to that of the IT rack. By monitoring air circulation, all servers receive the same quantity of air regardless of their rack position.

The Five Nines is designed to be installed in a system where a number of IT racks/air-conditioning modules are connected to provide a resilient system. It can also be provided with power supply protection and modules to provide automatic smoke detection and fire extinguishing systems.

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Light touch

The Reno from DW Windsor Lighting is an architecturally styled, all aluminium fluorescent fitting suitable for internal and external use, and offering functional and dramatic highlighting of architectural facades, interiors and walls. Available for a range of T5 lamps from 14 W to 80 W, the adjustable lamp positions allow for narrow and wide beam light distributions.

The Reno can be wall mounted on 100 mm projection fixed brackets which position the fitting vertically (or +/-12° either side of vertical). It may also be wall-mounted on 100 mm or 300 mm adjustable brackets, which allow it to be tilted to any setting on an arc of 240° (100 mm) or 260° (300 mm) and directed at the wall to illuminate signage. Alternatively it can be suspended on galvanised steel cable (for interior use only).

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