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Heat recovery of the refrigeration system in the ice arena.

Author(s) : LINHARTOVA V., JELINEK V.

Summary

Maintaining good quality ice over the surface of an ice arena and keeping it as uniform as possible is a huge energy consumer. The ice arena also consists of many HVAC systems with differencing demands and specific technologies. To save energy is necessary wherever it is possible and the heat recovery from the refrigeration system offers interesting possibilities. The cooling in ice arenas in the Czech Republic is predominantly ensured by refrigeration compressors units. In the steam compressor cooling cycle, the waste heat rises in several temperature levels. According to the waste heat temperature, the options of its utilization in an ice arena are discussed and evaluated in the paper. Also, measured energy consumptions and experience with the operation of the ice hockey arena will be presented in the paper.
The most efficient and cheapest solution detected from the evaluation in the local ice arena is to recover the superheated vapor from the compressor displacement. The utilization is mainly for melting a snow pit, technological water heating, hot domestic water preheating and for subfloor heating. To cover the energy needs there is usually enough waste heat in the autumn and in the spring period of the season. Because of lower cooling demands of the ice sheet during winter, the amount of waste heat decreases and, as a consequence, primary energy sources must be used. In comparison with the utilization of condensation heat entails a lot of expensive equipment. This is caused by a huge amount of low temperature condensation heat. To make the heat usable its temperature has to be increased by a heat pump. Also, the requirements for the volume of accumulation, piping and pumping work are much higher and, therefore, more expensive. This solution has not often been used in the Czech Republic so far. The highest used amount of energy consumed by all the HVAC systems is the one used for cooling the ice sheet. Conveniently, the waste heat from the refrigeration system can be reused for practical purposes. The refrigeration heat utilization leads to energy savings in the hot water preparation system, in melting the snow pit and also in subfloor heating. If condensing heat is reused, the energy savings can also be extended in space heating, preheating ventilation air and in a dehumidification system.

Details

  • Original title: Heat recovery of the refrigeration system in the ice arena.
  • Record ID : 30018547
  • Languages: English
  • Publication date: 2016
  • Source: Source: Clima 2016. 12th REHVA World Congress

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