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Refrigeration Efficiency Monitoring

One of the major issues with retrofitting energy efficient technology is knowing the condition of the equipment you are installing to, this problem is magnified with refrigeration equipment which has many components, any one of which can effect reliable operation and efficiency. Often a chiller or refrigeration system is business critical, however provided the required temperatures are being maintained it is assumed that the machine is healthy. This is often not the case and it is only a matter of time before expensive failures occur, which if they had been dealt with earliercould have been resolved as part of the normal maintenance regime.


A recent example was a data centre, which appeared to be operating under very high load. A survey undertaken using the Climacheck monitor showed that of the 12 refrigeration circuits 9 were short of refrigerant, further investigation showed that 6 circuits had less that 70% of the plated charge and of those, 2 circuits were under 40%. Independent tests undertaken by BRECSU show that if refrigerant charge is reduced by 15% there is a corresponding 45% drop in capacity, it was clear why the chillers were having to work so hard!


Another site had experienced several expensive compressor failures, condition monitoring using the Climacheck identified faulty expansion valves which would in a very short period of time reduced a further 2 compressors to scrap. Modifying this equipment without being aware of the condition could have led to an expensive dispute over who was responsible for the failure; in this case prompt action was taken to remedy the situation.


Excalibur has also developed it’s own permanent web based monitoring system that can be installed along with LPA which can be used to benchmark performance of the modifications, this
records system pressures, temperatures and power consumption, system efficiency is than automatically calculated.

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Andrew Miller | General Manager | Euro Foods Ltd

Before installation Excalibur monitored all three refrigeration systems to establish their condition

The work was carefully planned and shut-down periods were kept to a minimum.

Following the modifications, the system now operates more efficiently at much lower head pressure.

Tony Bacchetta | Guoman Hotels

Excalibur have completed energy efficiency projects in many of our hotels, one of our major concerns is any disruption to the operation of the hotel and our customers.

The work was completed to a very high standard, and we were always kept informed of progress.

We are achieving the level of energy reduction projected with no adverse affect on the business and would have no hesitation in using Excalibur again.

2 Sisters Food Group

"Excalibur installed LPA and inverter control to our Bitzer screw pack, the work was completed to a very high standard with minimum effect to production. Monitoring over the first 12 month period showed a reduction in power consumption of 38%. Several evaporators which had been starved of refrigerant now achieve temperatures where previously they struggled.
There have been no reliability issues and we are benefiting from a system which is not only energy efficient but also provides  improved refrigeration performance"

Services Facilities Manager | Manchester Airport

"Throughout the LPA project at Manchester Airport Excalibur provided a thorough and professional service ensuring the project was delivered on time with minimal operational disruption. The project delivered savings as quoted, the refrigerant change helped re-life ageing equipment and was seen as a great success, so much so that we are about to embark upon a second phase during 2010"

Technical Manager | Avalon Leisure

"Excalibur completed energy efficiency projects at 3 of our Leisure Centres, the installation of boiler and inverter control (to pumps and fans) showed a very impressive reduction in both gas and electricity consumption on all 3 sites.

The opportunities were identified by Excalibur, who then completed the work to a very high standard, and have continued to provide support as required."

George Fletcher | Senior Project Manager | Norland Managed Services

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all others from within Excalibur involved with the development of this project, from my initial involvement through to today's handover meeting. All of which has run extremely well, with any issues uncovered being easily resolved with the proactive nature of you and your site team, which are a credit to Excalibur.

Hopefully, in the not to distant future I will have the opportunity to call upon Excalibur’s assistance and experience again on another LPA Project. Though in between times I would thank you again for your support and guidance.

Andy Watson | Energy Manager | BAA Heathrow Airport

"Following successful trials Excalibur have undertaken the installation of Liquid Pressure Amplification, inverter control of condenser fans and adiabatic condenser cooling to all of the large packaged chillers at Heathrow Airport, this project was completed successfully despite the difficulties of working airside.

As a result of the improvements in chiller efficiency, Excalibur have successfully completed similar projects at Stansted, Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports. "

Dave Jeffs | Energy Matters

I have employed Excalibur to improve the energy efficiency of 8 Dunham Bush and Hitachi process chillers on two newspaper print sites, both systems showed a reduction in power consumption in excess of 35%. The installations were undertaken 6 years ago and have operated reliably since their commissioning. I would have no hesitation in working with Excalibur again.

 

Chris Prentice | Project Management | UK NRG LTD

"Excalibur have installed Liquid Pressure Amplification and Inverters to 2 off 1300 kw data centre, process chillers. The cooling system is critical to this business, Excaliburs’ professional approach provided the customer with the confidence to undertake the project. Their condition monitoring also raised several maintenance issues, which we were able to resolve during the contract. Initial monitoring is demonstrating a 46% reduction in electrical consumption."

Richard Shoulders | Operations Project Manager | British Telecom

"Excalibur have been undertaking energy efficiency projects for British Telecom for over 10 years, as a company they have always been professional and diligent. Their proactive approach has also identified several areas where we have been able to improve the integrity of our equipment."

Darren Crook | Operations Director | J O Sims Ltd

“Not only were the improvements in efficiency immediate and measurable, but previously it could take 48 hours to pull a chamber down to temperature, this can now be achieved in 12 hours, enabling us to respond to customer requirements very much quicker”.