The Wycombe Leisure Group manage a number of Leisure Centre’s in the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire counties. Conventional air conditioning systems had been used to cool the gym areas. Due to increasing energy costs alternative, less expensive cooling solutions were sought.
Eurocontrols Ltd, supported by Encon Air Systems Ltd were contacted to provide a solution. A 15,000 m3/hr evaporative cooler, using a 1.5 kw fan, and a 15mm water supply was proposed as the most efficient method. Water is cascaded over pads located within the cooler. As air is sucked through the pads the heat is evaporated by the water, creating a cooler indraught of air. Water is only used on when the external ambient air is very high.
To date Eurocontrols and Encon Air Systems have installed 3 cooler systems at Witney and Chesham Leisure Centre’s.
In each case cooled air is delivered to the Gym's via a range of ductwork, (from a top or bottom discharge cooler) and distribution socks. The distribution socks are permeable allowing the cooled air to cover larger areas than localised air conditioning systems. Hot moist air is extracted via powered extract systems.
The coolers are controlled by the Leisure Centre staff via infra red controllers and hard wired controllers. The distribution socks can be manufactured in any colour and are easily washable. |
