Case Study: KP Foods, Energy Efficient Displacement Air Conditioning KP Foods had existing plant serving 2 No. packing halls in excess of 13500m² with a cooling load greater than 1000kW. The existing system an air sock distribution system had not been able to meet the cooling requirements and also had proved difficult to maintain.

Penmann redesigned the system to operate as a displacement system. The air handling plants were reduced by 50%, any retained units being refurbished. The sock air distribution system was replaced with floor mounted displacement terminals. Some terminals were mounted above production equipment due to floor space restrictions. The refrigeration plant was replaced with a new plant approximately one third the size of the original.

The new system only requires a supply air temperature of 17ºC to maintain 26ºC in the occupied space. This enables the use of free cooling for most of the year. This has added benefit of minimizing the amount of recirculated room air.

The conversion was estimated to reduce electricity costs by more than £70,000 p.a. alone. Service and maintenance costs are also significantly reduced as the removal and laundering of socks is no longer required, filter life is extended and the refrigeration plant is only required to operate for 30% of the year. Staff should also benefit from the improved working environment. The project had a pay back of 2.5 years.

Key Features

• Energy efficient displacement air distribution
• Refrigeration plant reduced by 66%
• Significant reduction in running costs
• Pay back of 2.5 years
• Conversion of existing conventional sock system