{"id":30818,"date":"2017-03-24T14:57:14","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T18:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=30818"},"modified":"2017-03-28T11:00:33","modified_gmt":"2017-03-28T15:00:33","slug":"brewing-success-with-an-hvac-chiller-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/brewing-success-with-an-hvac-chiller-upgrade\/","title":{"rendered":"Brewing success with an HVAC chiller upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
The Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford, Connecticut, installed two new chillers capable of integrating with the existing system to support a facility expansion.<\/span>
Photo courtesy Carrier Enterprise<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many people have opinions on what makes for a \u2018perfect\u2019 beer, but few are aware of the important role heating and cooling has to play in the craft-brewing process. The temperature of the wort (i.e.<\/em> the liquid created in the beer-brewing process) affects the success of the brewing; thus, it is crucial for artisans like the Two Roads Brewing Company<\/a> to utilize efficient chillers.<\/p>\n

Formed in 2012, the Stratford, Connecticut-based company originally employed an 80-horsepower chiller system for the brewery, which was housed in a 1920s building once home to a metal-forming machinery manufacturer. However, as Two Roads gained success, two expansions were required, the first of which began in late 2015 and is expected to increase the brewery\u2019s annual production from 75,000 to 150,000 barrels by the end of this year.<\/p>\n

Given the critical role temperature plays in beer-brewing, these expansions necessitated a corresponding HVAC system upgrade. A priority for this upgrade was integration of the old HVAC system with the new, but simplicity of installation, energy efficiency (i.e.<\/em> avoiding ozone depletion), return on investment (ROI), and controllability were also relevant.<\/p>\n

The project team selected two air-cooled screw chillers designed for low-temperature operation, which could also integrate with the original chiller to exceed the company\u2019s planned capacity and accommodate a 180,000-barrel facility. A parallel arrangement also allows the original HVAC system to be used as backup when the facility encounters high volume.<\/p>\n

The new chillers have a flow rate of 1608 L\/min (425 gpm) each, leaving 33 percent propylene glycol mix and ultimately producing 100 tons of process cooling. They can operate to \u201328 C (\u201320 F) ambient, thanks to low ambient kits, and are installed adjacent to the old system, on large concrete pads outside the building.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the chillers offer the following features:<\/p>\n