At the interdisciplinary Photonics Laboratory (iPL) operating in Australia’s Sydney University Madsen building, world leading research is undertaken in Photonics – technologies that use light to transfer information from one place to another.
Each room and laboratory in the Madsen Building is individually served by VRF ducted fan coil units. Outside air is supplied by a common mechanical ducted supply air system connected to each fan coil providing the necessary fresh air required by ventilation code requirements.
Due to its coastal location and prevailing winds, high humidity is a regular occurrence to Sydney as well as other cities and towns along the east coast of Australia. In humid weather, the mechanical ventilation system continually introduces air containing high moisture content to the laboratories causing room humidity levels to rise.
The important research in the internationally renowned interdisciplinary Photonics Laboratory (iPL) was being affected with relative humidity (%RH) regularly increasing to above 80% RH, leading to condensation on walls and a risk of corrosion to sensitive equipment.
Ivanac Mechanical recommended the installation of a Munters' DryCoolTM Unit to condition the 400 L/s of ventilation air being introduced to the rooms. After the installation of the DryCoolTM HCU1000 unit, the %RH in the room was restored to a comfortable 50% RH.
According to John Ivanac of Ivanac Mechanical, "the Munters' DryCoolTM performed as expected and the use of the DryCool unit allowed minimal disruption to the research laboratories". The only building modifications required were connection of the DryCool unit dry supply air to the existing fresh air intake, dehumidifier electrical and control connections, avoiding any complex redesigning or expensive replacement of the existing HVAC system.
If you wish to learn more about our DryCoolTM series, click here to contact us for further information.