Upgrades to and retrofits of chiller plants often require managers to bring in temporary portable cooling equipment. While this project did not require the use of such equipment, similar projects at the airport in the past have.
“We’re working on a cooling tower replacement now, and we’ll rent a cooling unit,” Payne says. “This is a huge place, and this is not the only cooling plant we have. We had some old chillers, and we’re replacing those. So when we put the new chillers in and were making the changeover, we rent portable chillers on flatbeds. We’ve used them on two or three projects.” The challenges for Payne and his department do not end with the completion of the chiller-plant upgrade.
“The next focus is in the central part of the terminal, which is the older part of the terminal,” he says. “So there’s going to have to be some adjustments as we come up with our plans to renovate that.”
Payne says the upgraded chilled-water system already is paying tangible dividends.
“We’re picking up efficiency,” he says. “We’re noticing that with the number of chillers we have to turn on. When the load side is talking back to the chiller plant, it’s telling us how many chillers we need, and we definitely can see a difference there. Our ability to control and monitor the plant has improved, and the plant efficiency and cost effectiveness has increased.”
Chiller Upgrade Increases Efficiency at Miami International Airport
Scope of Airport Chiller Project Provides Challenges
Managing Airport Chiller Installation Project Offers Challenges
Portable Cooling Equipment Aids in Chiller Changeover
