Multi Heat Pump Solution

With our continued excellent working relationship with Mid Devon District Council, Space Engineering were awarded the contract to replace the gas boilers at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre, with a new heating system.

This combined both Air Source Heat Pumps and Ground Source Heat Pumps.  With a proven track record in hugely reduced CO2 emissions, the energy efficient heat pumps were selected as the best solution.

Throughout the duration of the project, the facility needed to remain open.  With our first hand experience of installing heat pumps in ‘live environments’, Space worked closely with the principal contractor and the client to ensure a smooth achievable programme.

Two existing gas fired boilers were replaced with 3no Air Source Heat Pumps and 2no Ground Source Heat Pumps.  The old AHU was also removed and a new Dantherm AHU was installed along with new ducting, insulation, wiring, controls and containment.

The Ground Source Heat Pump scheme was designed as the primary source for heating and hot water on site.  Utilising a new boarhole and ground loop array, from the manifold, a pair of flow and return pipes were installed into the plant room.  These were fitted with reducer pieces, and purge points (for quick fill, flushing and deaerating).  The new ‘free cooling’ circuit system was served by a glycol tank, Microfill pressurisation unit and the associated expansion vessel.

Space Engineering installed 2off Mitsubishi Ecodan Monobloc CRHV-P600YA-HPB 60kW ground source heat pumps, which were connected to the ground loop, heating circuit and cooling circuit.  Each heat pump can be individually controlled and modulated, with the individual controls interfacing with the BMS system – allowing all of the units to be cascaded.

3off Mitsubishi Ecodan CAHV-P500YB-HPB 43kW Air Source Heat Pumps were also installed, to support the GSHP configuration.   These were located in a new ASHP compound, sited externally at the rear of the facility.

Other key features within the scope of works were:

• 1no 4000L Buffer Vessel
• 2no 800L Hot Water Cylinders
• New Stainless Steel Pipework
• 5no Grundfoss Pumps (variable speed)
• New Dantherm ‘Wet Change’ AHU
• New Fan Coil Units
• New Free Cooling Fan Coil Units
• BMS Modifications & Upgrades

There were a number of challenges during the installation process, including needed to penetrate the roof of the plant area to crane the equipment in.  However, working with all the stake holders, we were able to commission and hand over within the allotted time frame with minimal impact on the leisure facility.