New Products

HEAT PUMPS

Three-strong range of heat pumps for hotels, offices

In response to increased demand and the company’s continued growth, MODUTHERM has launched a new and exclusive range of commercial heat pumps. The AW Monobloc range has been specifically developed to offer consultants powerful heating, cooling and hot water outputs for a wide range of applications, including residential apartment buildings, schools, offices and hotels.

The new AW Monobloc is available in three models – 30kW, 45kW and 90kW – with all units capable of cascade arrangements up to 16 units from one controller, providing a maximum combined output of 1,440kW.

By utilising the latest inverter driven compressor and Enhanced Vapour Injection (EVI) technology, the AW Monobloc has an A++ energy efficiency rating alongside a COP up to 5.06. The impressive performance is achieved by automatically adjusting outputs according to heat demand for optimum system efficiency. In addition, the EVI stabilises the heat pump’s output and minimises energy consumption, which is particularly important in colder winter months.

For reliable performance, the AW Monobloc range also features nano-coated condensers. This facilitates faster water drainage from the condenser surface, reducing ice formation and defrost times. Plus, for added peace of mind, all models are supplied with a five-year warranty on the compressor and a three-year warranty on parts. ■

www.modutherm.co.uk

SMART WATER HEATING

Hot water cylinder with state-of-the-art control system

PREFECT CONTROLS has teamed up with cylinder manufacturer, Gledhill, to produce a cylinder that combines the latest tank technology with state-of-the-art monitoring, measuring and management.

The Irus SMART tank is an unvented stainless steel direct cylinder and is factory fitted with high-grade, long-life titanium elements. The brain of the tank is the control box. This is pre-wired to the elements, water meters, probes, sensors, and optional leak detection equipment.

Two integrated water meters monitor supply in, and output to, the hot water system. They provide accurate data on the volume of water being used. Additionally, by monitoring flow, should a tap or shower be left running, an alert is sent to managers.

The Tundish sensor monitors any throughput and alerts that hot water is being wasted. Sensors attached to the cold inlet and hot outlet, monitor the temperature of water entering and leaving the tank. While another input, with the addition of a leak sensor, will detect any leak from pipework within the cupboard.

The SMART tank connects to Prefect’s Irus Central Control system and the data is displayed on the dedicated internet portal.

The equipment was installed recently in student accommodation and controlled 39 existing tanks. The data shows energy savings of 17.5 per cent during the threemonth, like-for-like monitoring periods. ■

www.prefectcontrols.com

BOILER TECHNOLOGY

Electric storage boiler could enable on-site generators to store solar power VRF system can be switch between heat pump and heat recovery

A new type of electric storage boiler could enable on-site generators to store solar energy cheaper and more safely than batteries. The patented technology, developed by British startup CALDERA, uses a solid material which is heated up using off-peak electricity and on-site renewables. This energy is then stored with very high efficiency and released when required as highpressure steam.

It is ideally suited to industrial users who rely on process heat or steam.

The Hampshire-based firm is already producing a domestic scale heat store, which is currently being rolled out in a number of trial homes countrywide.

Caldera CEO James Macnaghten, said: “For industrial users who have processes which use heat, we believe it will be more cost-effective to store excess on-site generation as heat.

“Lithium-Ion batteries are a tremendous technology, but they are expensive, and bring associated downside risks including fire. And for many industrial users, it is heat they need, not electricity.

“It therefore makes more sense to store excess solar energy directly as heat, using a technology which replicates (and in many cases can replace) existing gas or oilfired boilers.

“With our technology, banks of solid-state electric storage boilers can be charged by on-site solar PV at around 99 per cent efficiency, and can hold this heat for hours, ready to deliver high pressure steam as required at temperatures up to 200ºC.

“It is a simple, modular system which costs significantly less than batteries,” Macnaghten concludes.■

www.caldera.co.uk

HEATING/COOLING

LG has launched its new range of water source VRF systems – Multi V water 5 - a system that is interchangeable between heat pump and heat recovery.

These new units have a capacity between 22.4kW and 168kW and an allowable system pipe length of up to 500 metres, making them extremely flexible for installation. The same model can be installed as either a heat pump or a heat recovery system depending on the design of the system.

These new systems can also be utilised in conjunction with energy sources - in the form of hot water - that might otherwise get wasted such as industrial process waste heat sources, cooling towers, computer/server rooms and facilities – and turned into useful energy to heat buildings.

Typically, in combination with different indoor units, the energy taken by outdoor units from the water source can be used to provide indoor solutions including space conditioning, such as heating or cooling via regular air conditioning indoor units, but it can also work with underfloor heating systems or radiators in conjunction with a hydro kit. It can also work well with supplying domestic hot water for buildings.■

www.lg.com