Industrial cooling: for a pleasant working environment and high energy savings

Text: Ferdi den Bakker, September issue of Metaalvak Nederland 

Metal manufacturing companies struggle with high heat loads from machines and processes and require powerful industrial cooling without stuffy, humid air.

Six years ago, Heemskerk Fijnmechanica opted for Oxycom's Indirect-Direct evaporative cooling. This was no coincidence, but a well-considered choice to reduce energy consumption while maintaining a pleasant climate in the production hall, even during peak heat. The results speak for themselves: a more stable indoor climate, lower energy consumption, and a solution that fits the company's sustainability goals. Or as owner Lucien Heemskerk sums it up: “The system is environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and the working climate in the hall is pleasant.”

Heemskerk Fijnmechanica in Waddinxveen specializes in CNC milling and CNC turning and has two production halls for this purpose. One hall is equipped with air conditioning, whereas a few years ago Heemskerk had to decide which system would be most suitable for hall two. “The air conditioning system in the first hall was state-of-the-art 25 years ago. Now there are more options, so we started comparing them.”

Industrial cooling with high cooling capacity

The comparison was between an air conditioning system and evaporative cooling, also known as an adiabatic cooling system. “Because we do both turning and milling, we need quite a bit of cooling capacity. The first few suppliers failed to convince me, but Kor Foekens from Oxycom did.” A visit to a satisfied plastics machining company tipped the scales. “The system they used there and what we were looking for were quite similar,” explains Heemskerk. The two units that Heemskerk had installed on the roof were immediately put to the test. A heavy storm meant that minor maintenance was required on the system. “Fortunately, this was resolved quickly and effectively. That gave us confidence.”

A pleasant working environment all year round

According to Heemskerk, recent years have proven that the system works and was a good choice. "There is a pleasant working environment almost all year round, nice and cool. On tropical days, well above thirty degrees, climate control is a little more difficult. Nevertheless, the system reduced the temperature by fourteen degrees.“ The latter is important for certain activities, such as the measuring room. ”The temperature there really has to be twenty degrees, otherwise it is difficult to guarantee a certain measurement." It is also a requirement to keep the relative humidity below 65 percent. This prevents flash rust.

"The system is environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and the working climate in the hall is pleasant."

Lucien Heemskerk, owner Heemskerk Fijnmechanica

Adiabatic cooling is cheaper than air conditioning

According to both Heemskerk and Foekens, Oxycom's evaporative cooling is 80 to 90 percent more energy efficient than an air conditioning system. “Energy is becoming an issue. We have a large factory here, and we consume quite a lot of kilowatt hours per year, so every kilowatt we save can be used for another machine,” says Heemskerk. He also sees the system as future oriented. "People want to get rid of refrigerants in buildings. This form of industrial cooling is the solution. Installing a fan, for example, is not."

Operational lease

According to Oxycom, the costs of other industrial cooling systems, such as air conditioners and fans, can quickly add up. Foekens: “We see examples of companies that run a few two-kilowatt fans all year round. The costs of this can easily amount to €9,900 per year.” Speaking of costs, Oxycom's evaporative cooling systems can now also be purchased through an operational lease arrangement. “This may be of interest to some companies. The advantage for us is that the system has a modular design. We can always retrieve it and install it elsewhere.”

Sustainable choice

For Heemskerk, it is the cost benefits, but certainly also the pleasant working environment that tipped the balance in favor of the adiabatic system. “A fresh hall with fresh, good air is worth a lot. Employees are satisfied, the system is sustainable, and I would make the same choice again. Maybe we will do the same for the other hall.”

📞Would you like to know how your production facility can benefit from a stable and healthy indoor climate?

Contact Oxycom for free advice on a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient climate solution. Read our white paper, Tips & tricks for the metal industry, and discover how Oxycom's sustainable climate control ensures an efficient working environment for your metal factory.