West Virginia University Replaces Chiller The chillers are capable of cooling additional square footage, and also perform efficiently and are easy to maintain. In 1999, after struggling to maintain a 40 year-old chilled water plant in the subbasement mechanical room of West Virginia University's (WVU) Engineering Sciences Building in Morgantown, university officials decided to explore installing a new system. The university's project requirements were simple: replace existing system with technologically advanced, high performance equipment sized to accommodate future renovations and expansion. Pennsylvania-based Brinjac Engineering was called upon to conduct a thorough study to determine how to best achieve the objectives. The design team recommended replacing two 450-ton single stage absorption chillers with two 600-ton dual stage absorption machines. The team was faced with developing a plan to transport and maneuver the equipment into the mechanical room in the building's subbasement. The only feasible access was through an existing ventilation shaft. The contractor, Wayne Crouse of Pittsburgh, refined the company's methodology for positioning the chillers in the airshaft. The first step was to clear space for the new chillers by dismantling the existing units. Next, a crane was positioned to lift each 600-ton chiller above the shaft before lowering it through the ventilation duct. Once in the basement, pneumatic floats were used to maneuver the equipment into position. The company was also responsible for subcontracting the testing and balancing of the new central plant equipment. "We are very pleased with the outcome of this complex project," explains John Sommers, senior construction manager at WVU. "The chillers are not only capable of cooling additional square footage, but they perform efficiently and are easy to maintain." ###

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