The installation of York YZ chillers is an Australian first
The heritage listed Maryborough Hospital in Queensland, originally built over 130 years ago, is the first facility Australia-wide to install Johnson Controls state-of-the-art YORK YZ Chillers.
The project supplements a $14.37 million hospital upgrade to reconfigure and expand the specialist treatment areas and the emergency department, which is expected to deliver significant benefits to the general community, particularly patients and staff working within the hospital.
Maryborough Hospital required a new heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) plant that would operate efficiently and reliably for at least 25 years. Johnson Controls, a global diversified technology and industrial leader in delivering advanced building technologies, was appointed as a key technical partner to provide the equipment that delivers chilled water to all air-conditioning systems within the hospital.
Chillers are an integral part of the HVAC plant room and a major component of the overall renovation project. The hospital’s existing chillers had reached the end of their working life and needed to be removed and replaced with new equipment that was engineered to meet the very specific needs of the hospital environment, which functions 24/7.
In a first for the Australian market, three YORK® YZ 850kWr R1233zd Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chillers featuring a new HFO (or hydrofluoro olefin) refrigerant were specified for the hospital fitout.
The YORK® YZ Chiller is transforming the HVACR industry, having recently won the 2019 AHR Innovation Award in the Cooling Category due to its revolutionary technology and extremely high energy efficiency. The chiller’s state-of-the-art technology helps to maximise a building’s energy and water efficiency which also contributes to a healthier working environment.
The YORK Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller is the first to be fully optimised for ultimate performance with a next generation low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant, R-1233zd(E). Chosen for its efficiency, safety, low environmental impact and cost, the non-flammable R-1233zd(E) has an ultra-low GWP of just 1.
Historically “hydrofluorocarbon” (or HFC) refrigerants have been used in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. HFCs are a type of synthetic greenhouse gas and international concerns about their high global warming potential, led to demand for alternatives that would offer better outcomes, environmentally and economically. The phase down protocol commenced in 2018 which aims to gradually decrease (or phase down) the use of HFC refrigerants by 2036.
The YORK® YZ has the ability to reduce annual electricity consumption by an average of 35 per cent when compared to fix‐speed chillers. For every 1.0MW energy consumed, this energy saving is equivalent to removing up to 55 passenger vehicles from the road.
Johnson Controls was responsible for delivering the new equipment after conducting vigorous testing to confirm the chillers’ low load capability (5% test point) which was a unique feature specified as part of Maryborough Hospital’s overall requirements.
Through ingenuity, experience, meticulous planning and transparent collaboration with the installation crew, it is anticipated that the installation process will be completed by the end of May 2019.
Following the successful installation of the first chiller, the customer has confirmed they are extremely satisfied with the robustness, efficiency and reliability of the equipment and service provided by Johnson Controls.
This story and the accompanying image were provided courtesy of Write Away Communication.