New system to be more energy efficient

The 30-year-old cooling tower on top of the Communications Building is being completely replaced with brand new equipment that is expected to be more energy efficient.

D.R. Huppert, supervisor of construction, said he expects the construction will be completed by Feb. 1. Faculty and staff may experience some inconvenience during the construction as portions of the parking lot are used to store construction equipment and supplies.

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“There will be some disruption for a few weeks,” Huppert said.

The refitting is being done to comply with an Environmental Protection Agency mandate to use a more efficient form of Freon in the air conditioning system. The project was initiated last December when the fan in the cooling tower and some pumps were changed.

Phil Gatton, director of plant and services operation, said the new equipment is expected to be 10 percent to 15 percent more efficient. The system has been operating with a one-speed motor, which is not as flexible in responding to demand. But the new two-speed motors will be able to vary their speed in response to demand.

The new equipment is expected to last 20 years.

Gatton said the project is costing $750,000, with the funds coming from the Illinois Capital Development Board. The board manages renovation of state-owned buildings and new construction of university buildings, mental health hospitals and prisons.

The purpose of the tower is to dissipate heat from the 3,500-ton centrifugal chiller in the basement of the Communications Building. The chiller is a giant air conditioner that cools water that is circulated to the air conditioning systems of 10 to 12 other buildings. There is also a chiller in the Neckers Building.

Heat generated in the chilling process is dissipated by water that flows through the chiller. The water is then routed through the cooling tower causing condensation on the pipes. A huge fan blows air across the pipes dissipating the heat through evaporation.

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Reporter Phil Beckman can be reached at