Case Studies - Cooling the Laundry

Celtic Linen, based in Wexford in Ireland, is a leading laundry company supplying the hotel and catering industry.

The key area of concern was the high temperatures experienced in the main production facility. Laundry equipment is energy intensive. The combination of dry cleaning and steam heated ironing processes lead to temperatures over 30°C in the working areas.

A total of 6 down discharge EcoCoolers were installed. A combination of plenum chambers and ducts were used to provide general coverage or spot cooling.

Extraction is provided through existing roof louvers plus some extract fans. Extractors are normally positioned at the highest possible level to remove the warmest air rising from the equipment. Extractors are placed a minimum of 6m from the EcoCoolers to prevent cross flow of hot air or any contaminants.

Laundries supplying hospitals are required to perform a risk assessment in implement controls to prevent microbiological cross contamination between dirty and clean laundry. This risk assessment is based on HACCP – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point.

A typical outcome of performing a HACCP analysis in a traditional laundry is the physical segregation of the two areas of the laundry with additional walls and the requirement to keep external doors closed.

A direct result of this is the deterioration in working conditions for the operators as the natural ventilation is removed.

The EcoCooler is supported by a 'soaker sheet' on the metal clad roof. This provides a secure weather seal. The weight of the cooler and ductwork is taken be further steel work attached to the structural steelwork of the building.

A hot day in Ireland is 25°C/50% Relative Humidity. In these conditions an EcoCooler would reduce the air by 7°C. At a nominal flow rate of 14,000m 3 /hr the EcoCooler would use 60L/hr of water and would produce a cooling effect equivalent to 32KW from 1.5KW of electricity consumption