Automatic Heating supplied an integrated solution to Melbourne Markets at Epping, Victoria to help maintain the facility’s chilled water system at constant pressure while preventing the water from freezing.
The closed loop chilled water system at the expansive Melbourne Markets facility operates at -8°C and services the coolrooms and freezer areas so critical to food and produce storage. Serving more than 4000 businesses, the new Epping facility features up to 120,000 square metres of warehousing space as well as one of the largest central refrigeration reticulation systems of its kind to meet the huge demand for refrigeration.
The central cooling plant features a primary plant that utilises ammonia chillers to chill a secondary refrigerant, a propylene glycol fluid, to a sub-zero temperature of -8°C. A secondary system circulates the chilled propylene glycol fluid in a closed loop to tertiary systems that provide individual cooling of the tenancies.
To maintain the system at a constant pressure and prevent the water from freezing, Automatic Heating supplied an expansion system comprising of Duraflex EcoPress expansion tanks, an EcoFill glycol filling station and a leak detection system.
Designed by Oomiak Refrigeration and mechanical services contractor A.G. Coombs, the central cooling plant was delivered with prefabricated system components and assemblies. Overall, the central cooling plant will provide cheaper, energy efficient cooling to each individual tenancy, with cooling tariffs up to 80 per cent less than average electricity tariffs in the area.
Automatic Heating also supplied two Eurogen 800kW condensing hot water heaters fitted with Enterprise power burners to provide heating hot water (HHW) and domestic hot water to the new Melbourne Market facility. EcoTwin dirt and air separators, an EcoFill refill unit and a Duraflex Forte expansion tank completed the heating system for this project, ensuring long term performance and maintenance benefits.
Modern, high-efficiency condensing water heaters like the Eurogen model operate at 95 per cent thermal efficiency, resulting in an immediate energy saving of 20 per cent or more compared to older water heaters. The removal of contaminants such as air and dirt reduces the problems of corrosion and noise, minimises maintenance, and allows the system to operate at optimal conditions.
The new Melbourne Market has also achieved its targeted 4 star Green Star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Green Star Industrial Pilot tool.
