At the recent Japanese Grand Prix we saw a new all time record set. OK we were promised faster cars this year and were not surprised. What I found of interest was that the lap times this year were 18 seconds per lap faster that Aryton Senna’s times in the early 90’s. The surprising thing is that the engines are half the capacity, half the cylinders, half the fuel consumption and unfortunately half the noise.
Have we developed our ventilation systems in the past 20 years? During the first 20 years of the Irish mushroom Industry we used 650 x 500 coils and a 500 mm fan. The fan consumed 1,000 watts per hour and did not give adequate ventilation when cooling was fitted - (40 watts per tonne).
I introduced the 750 x 750 coil in the late 90’s with a 450 mm 3 phase fan: 340 Watt. This system consumed one third of the energy and gave twice the ventilation: 6 times better - (15 watt per tonne).
As I wandered around the recent Polish mushroom exhibition I noticed a ventilation system on display with 2 cooling coils. The coils were of similar size but completely different design. When I examined the coils I found that one was for borehole water and one was for chilled water. Do the Irish use different designs? NO WAY we just add a few more rows to the coils.
FACT: 50% of coils are mounted back to front in Ireland. (LOSING 30-40% CAPACITY). Do we turn them? NO. We change the coils with more rows and chances are we put them in back to front. The big problem is that increase our electricity usage by this error. With chilled water 6C - 10C the lowest temperature we can get in the duct is 12C if the coil is back to front. If it is correctly fitted then we can get below 9C in the duct. Heating and DX coils are the same.
FACT: Most cooling coils have inadequate water flow. What do we do? ADD a coil with a few more rows. When have you seen a 200 mm ring main with 75mm supply to each coil and a 20 kw circulating pump here? Never.
FANS AND POWER CONSUMPTION: A 5 kw fan running 24/7 for 1 year at full load will cost almost €9,000 for electricity. OK it will not be running 100% capacity for 100% of the time. It is not uncommon to see a 5 kw fan in a 50 tunnel. This is 100 watt per tonne of compost. Compare this to 40 watt for the 650 x 500 coils and 15 watt for the 750 x 750. I think we have got it wrong.
I am not promoting anything or knocking anyone or any product in this article. I would suggest we look at our designs and minimise our energy costs. This cost is within our control, not like Brexit, exchange rates, etc. It is not all that expensive to turn a coil. Why not ask the supplier or installer to do it gratis. They made the error they should put it right.
Take a look at the Polish Industry and get up and compete, and stop complaining that they are taking our market.
