In selecting new cooling equipment for a university laboratory, Ideal Consolidated Inc., chose Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) cooling towers because they would stand up to harsh winters, but also for their ease of installation. Tim Stuver, project manager at Ideal Consolidated, said the small footprint of the BAC towers made installation and rigging more efficient and cost-effective than other options.
When the University of Notre Dame Turbomachinery Laboratory needed cooling equipment for their new testing facility, multiple factors made BAC the best option. BAC’s counterflow, closed-circuit cooling technology was the ideal fit for the South Bend, IN, winters. The Notre Dame team also trusted BAC with the job because of the attention to detail, industry knowledge, and attitude of John McGlynn, BAC’s sales representative.
McGlynn, a veteran of the cooling industry, noticed both environmental and technical factors that, while not part of the original request for quote from Notre Dame, ultimately made a measurable difference both to the technical success of the project and its adherence to community regulations. McGlynn’s local experience made him aware of strict South Bend sound ordinances, a factor when selecting cooling equipment. He conducted measurements of A-weighted decibel (dBA) levels in increments of five feet, starting 100 feet from the property line, to ensure that the Turbomachinery Laboratory would be compliant once the new equipment was installed. Armed with this information, the Notre Dame team selected 12 BAC PF2 Closed Circuit Cooling Towers for their dry operation capability, ease of installation, counterflow process, low sound, and best installation cost.
The 12 units were delivered on nine trucks, broken down into 36 total components for installation. The units were shipped in multiple sections to optimize the size and weight of the heaviest lift, allowing the use of more cost-effective cranes. The InterLok™ System aligned the casing and the basin, allowing for a smoother, faster rigging process. Because the PF2s have a compact footprint and fit snugly into the enclosure, the crane remained in one position for all 12 units, making installation even faster.
The combination of experience and commitment from the BAC team helped Ideal Consolidated install the cooling towers swiftly and efficiently, saving time and money. Partnering with BAC and engineering firm Karges-Falcounbridge, Inc. in advance on the selection of the cooling towers ensured that the university complied with local ordinances that might otherwise not have been anticipated.
For more information, visit www.baltimoreaircoil.com. MCAA thanks Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc. for being a major sponsor of MCAA 2016 and for cosponsoring the Annual Dessert Party featuring Andy Grammer.
