The Challenge
At an RNLI manufacturing site on the south coast where some of the famous lifesaving charity’s boats are made, production can be especially challenging in the summer months, with high temperatures adversely affecting the composite materials and quality of production. The ICS Cool Energy hire team was called to the rescue.
[show_gallery /]
The Solution
The integrity of production of lifeboats is vital to the RNLI being able to rescue an average of 22 people every day, saving lives at sea.
Glass and carbon composites are used in boat manufacture as they allow the production of complex shapes with a smooth finish. But in the primary stages of manufacture, the composite materials are highly sensitive, and effective temperature control is critical to maintain the versatility of the materials.
The units were installed to provide flexible temperatures offering hot/cold water through hoses to the internal fan coil units, located throughout the facility.
ICS Cool Energy’s engineers recommended:
- A powerful Chiller 135
- A Electric Boiler 40
- Five internal Fan Coil 14 Units.
The Result
The dual heating/cooling functionality provides a year-round production benefit as the system is also able to operate in reverse throughout the winter months when the facility is too cold to achieve optimum conditions.
The fan coil units use water from the chiller to pre-cool air before the fan coil circulates cool air throughout the production area, effectively cooling the composites to the optimum temperature for production, optimising energy efficiency.
Due to the residential location of the production site, ICS Cool Energy provided the units with an acoustic sound proofing package which was able to reduce noise levels by approximately 10Db (A).
[testimonial name=”Carl Baker, Business Development Manager, RNLI”] “We needed help in the summer when the seasonal high temperatures affect the manufacturing of lifeboat hulls. We were very pleased with ICS Cool Energy’s all-round solution.”[/testimonial]