Laboratory cooling

With two cooling networks—one of which uses two ammonia chillers—CTA takes care of the air conditioning needs of one of the University of Basel’s laboratory buildings. Thanks to CTA’s remote access, the system is continually adjusted to function optimally—safe, efficient, and economical.

Two independent cooling networks provide reliable process cooling and air conditioning for the laboratory building.

Laboratory buildings place high demands on air conditioning. Therefore, the various building services components have to work together seamlessly, and the "cold delivery" as well as the integration into the ventilation system have to function reliably. As high air exchange rates are sometimes required, the combination of cooling and heating systems is indispensable for economic and environmentally friendly operation.

Fan coil internal units supply process cooling to the laboratory facilities.

Two cooling networks

Two independent cooling networks provide reliable process cooling and air conditioning for the laboratory building. The cooling network with a temperature of 12 degrees is supplied by two ammonia chillers, located in monoblocks on the roof:

Two NH3 chillers, each with a worm compressor
Cooling capacity of 350 kW each
Redundant design for high operational reliability
Output-regulated operation using power shifters and frequency converters

For the individual laboratory requirements, there is a second cooling network that operates at a temperature of 5 degrees:

One NECS-W chiller with scroll compressor
60 kW output
Connected to the ventilation system’s heat recovery system (pre-heating the supply air)
efficiently and cost-effectively

It was important to the building owner that the system be energy-efficient and economical. Various measures ensure operation with the lowest possible energy and operating costs: The chiller’s recoolers can be used for free cooling of the 12 degree cooling network in the transitional period and during winter when external temperatures are low. The recooler ventilators are equipped with electronically controlled motors. This enables smooth, demand-driven regulation of the air volume.

Building services from a single source

The advanced cooling solution is connected to the building’s control system. Thanks to remote operation, CTA can monitor and optimise the system from Münsingen at any time and take corrective action if necessary. This guarantees the University of Basel high operational safety, efficiency, and profitability.

About the site

Biopark Rosental
The Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Science at the University of Basel offers modern laboratory space for research and education. An important laboratory site is the Biopark Rosental near the Basel Badischer Bahnhof railway station. Here, the canton of Basel-Stadt took over a large portion of the former Syngenta site in 2016. The site accommodates numerous chemistry and life sciences companies. Design/Installation
Tebit Haustechnik AG/Hälg Group (Klima AG Basel)