Case Study
Liverpool Store – Chiller Installation by Newsome Ltd
Overview
Client: Premier League Football Club formed 1892, Liverpool One Shopping Centre
Industry: Retail HVAC Solutions
Project Overview: This Liverpool clubs retail store, faced significant challenges with its existing HVAC system. The store’s Bluebox water-cooled condensers, integral to the air handling units (AHUs), were nearing the end of their operational life and had become increasingly unreliable.
Newsome Ltd, known for its extensive engineering expertise and comprehensive knowledge of process temperature control, humidity control, and HVAC solutions, was contracted to provide a solution that would enhance the efficiency and reliability of the store’s cooling system.
Background
This famous football clubs retail store, located within the bustling Liverpool One shopping centre, faced significant challenges with its existing HVAC system. The store’s Bluebox water-cooled condensers, integral to the air handling units (AHUs), were nearing the end of their operational life and had become increasingly unreliable. This issue was further exacerbated by the inability to provide adequate cooling water to the condensers, which was directly impacting the store’s climate control, leading to customer discomfort and potential impacts on sales.
Project Description
Newsome was tasked with designing and installing a new, efficient chiller system to replace the outdated and underperforming Bluebox condensers. The goal was to provide the Football Club Store with a controlled and reliable cooling solution, independent of the landlord’s water loop, to ensure consistent temperature management within the store.
During initial site assessments and meetings with the client, Newsome identified that the existing condensers and AHUs were capable of achieving a thermal performance of 65.8kW. However, due to the inadequate cooling water supply from the existing system, this potential was not being fully realised, leading to suboptimal cooling performance.
Proposed Solution
To address these issues, Newsome proposed a two-phase project:
Phase One – New Chiller and Associated Services:
The first phase involved the installation of a new water-cooled chiller system. This chiller was designed to operate independently from the landlord’s cooling water supply, instead using a dedicated dry air cooler unit installed on the roof of the building. This system was capable of providing a cooling duty of 134.4kW, significantly improving the store’s climate control.
Key Specifications:
- Cooling Duty: 134.4 kW
- Primary Cooling Fluid: 30% ethylene / 70% water
- Supply Temperature: 35°C
- Return Temperature: 41.35°C
- Flow Rate: 6.7 l/sec
- Electrical Supply: 400 / 3 / 50 V/ph/Hz
- Refrigerant: R454B (Scroll Compressor)
The chiller was designed to deliver an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 3.280 kW/kW and an Extended Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ESEER) of 6.570, ensuring that the system was not only effective but also energy efficient.
Phase Two - Dry Cooler and Associated Services:
The second phase involved installing the dedicated dry cooler on the roof. The dry cooler was designed to operate independently or in conjunction with the shopping centre’s water loop, thanks to a changeover valve arrangement that allowed flexibility between the two systems. This setup ensured that the Liverpool Store could maintain optimal cooling performance regardless of the landlord’s water supply issues.
Key Specifications for the Dry Cooler:
- Cooling Capacity: 81.57 kW x2 (Total output 163.14 kW)
- Inlet/Outlet Temperature: 41.35°C / 35°C
- Flow Rate: 3.35 l/sec
- Dimensions: 2240 mm (width) x 1562 mm (height) x 1750 mm (length)
- Sound Pressure Level: 69.3 dB(A) at 10m
Challenges and Solutions
The primary challenge was the unreliable cooling water supply from the landlord, which had previously compromised the store’s HVAC performance. Newsome’s solution involved bypassing this dependency by introducing a dedicated chiller system with a dry cooler, ensuring consistent and reliable cooling irrespective of external factors. Another challenge was the limited space available for installing the new equipment. Newsome’s engineering team carefully planned the installation to fit within the spatial constraints while ensuring easy access for maintenance and future upgrades.
Outcome
The installation of the new chiller system significantly improved the temperature control within the football club Store. The independent cooling system provided consistent and reliable climate control, enhancing the shopping experience for customers and supporting the store’s operations. The flexibility of the system, with its dual-loop capability, ensured that the store could maintain optimal performance regardless of external water supply conditions.
The project was completed on time and within budget, with minimal disruption to the store’s operations. Newsome’s solution not only resolved the immediate issues but also provided a future-proof system capable of supporting the store’s HVAC needs for years to come.
Testimonial
‘I would highly recommend the services of Newsome; they have been extremely professional and supportive for the duration of our project with nothing being too much trouble. Their communicated and expertise far outweighed that of other companies we consulted with. The project was delivered within the agreed timescales and costs and the highly skilled team was well led by Reece, the Project Manager. I can’t thank Newsome enough for making a complicated install a pleasant and successful experience.’
Conclusion
This project demonstrated Newsome’s ability to deliver tailored HVAC solutions that address specific client challenges. By leveraging their extensive engineering experience and in-depth knowledge of temperature and humidity control, Newsome provided the Football Club Store with a reliable, efficient, and adaptable cooling system that enhanced both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This case study highlights the importance of proactive, customised HVAC solutions in maintaining optimal conditions in retail environments.