Leading artisan ice cream producer
Improving energy efficiency of an established temperature control process
Energy efficiency review & the addition of heat pump technology
With over 1,000 companies producing ice cream in the UK, Aqua has been fortunate enough to work on several projects within the sector over the years. Our most recent project, for a new client, involved an energy efficient re-design of their existing temperature control system.
Situation
As an artisan producer, with their own dairy herd, sustainability and quality are at the heart of their business. The production process centred around a chiller, a heat exchanger and 200kW gas boiler. This equipment provided all the heating & cooling necessary for their production line.
Ice cream manufacture typically involves blending together liquid and dry ingredients. This mixture is then pasteurised, to destroy any microorganisms, as well as helping to preserve the product and extend shelf life. Pasteurisation involves quickly heating the product to 72°C+, stabilising it for 10-15 seconds before lowering it back down to 4°C. It’s then homogenised, which makes the particles very small and improves the texture, then quickly cooled. The product is rested – or aged – any liquid flavourings are added and then it’s frozen. During freezing, air is added which improves product density.
We were asked to review this process for our client, to determine if any energy efficiencies could be gained and improvements made.
Solution
As a first step, our Engineers conducted a full site survey, looking in depth at the process, the existing equipment and making sure we understood their business objectives and goals.
Because pasteurisation requires heating & cooling, the customer was able to consider heat pump technology. Heat pumps are ideal for pasteurisation applications because they offer a highly cost effective, sustainable approach. They use the thermodynamic cycle to transfer heat from air, or water, which can be used for heating. So, rather than needing to generate the heat, it’s reclaimed from the process and re-used.
Aqua supplied and installed an Aqua ProHeat water to water heat pump, which would take the waste heat from their process and recycle it as high-grade hot water. The unit works on R1234ze refrigerant which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of ˂7 and an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of zero.
Results
By adding the heat pump, our client was able to dramatically reduce boiler usage, with it only being required at initial start-up stage when there is no cooling required. Subsequent heating requirements would be met by the heat pump. Whilst the heat pump requires electricity to run, it’s a small amount and results in practically free heating. Our client is no longer dependent on gas, their process is much more environmentally friendly plus they have built in redundancy and system resilience by having a heat pump plus boiler. Should one ever fail, the other can pick up the load until repairs are undertaken.
“Heat pump technology has evolved significantly over recent years” explains Aqua’s Founder and Managing Director, Simon Davis. “Heat pumps now offer a highly cost effective, renewable approach, with our water to water units achieving 85°C. For this particular client we’ve saved them all the costs involved with running their boiler and they gain their heating for next to zero cost. The ROI with heat pump technology is so impressive and they’re a fantastic option for any client that uses heating and cooling within their business.”
To find out how heat pumps can improve your business, call the team on 0333 004 4433.
North of England dairy processor
Replacement cooling system
Propane chiller system
Effective temperature management is key to dairy processing. Standard processes, such as pasteurisation, use temperature control to meet food safety requirements and to maintain product quality. A dairy, based in the North of England, approached Aqua to support them with the design, supply & installation of a replacement cooling system which could underpin their processes for years to come.
Situation
The dairy supplies supermarkets across the UK with goats’ milk, as well as products that they process from the raw milk, including yoghurt, cheese, butter, and cream. The existing system on site was ageing and they were keen to replace it with updated equipment which would help future proof their business.
From an initial site visit, it quickly became apparent that Aqua could help them significantly increase the efficiency and sustainability of their pasteurisation process, by considering an alternative, sustainable refrigerant. It would also reduce their day-to-day operating costs.
Solution
Aqua proposed a new system, based on the premise of using units from our Aqua Propane chiller range. Refrigerant grade propane, or R290, is a natural refrigerant with an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of 0 and a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of < 3.
Propane chillers offer a long-term cooling solution, as their green properties mean they’re unaffected by the phase down regulations which target hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or greenhouse gases. So, whilst being very sustainable, R290 is also one of the lowest cost refrigerants currently available.
Refrigerant grade propane is also a pure refrigerant, so there’s no glide to allow for, meaning operation is consistently stable.
The new dairy system looks after cooling for the entire facility, from the raw milk being offloaded from tankers, through to the processing and bottling stages. We also designed a bespoke galvanised steel gantry frame and staircase, allowing the new equipment to be sited at high level, leaving the area below still accessible.
The full solution included:
Result
“As well as achieving an extremely efficient and high performing system, our client has dramatically reduced their overall carbon footprint and operating costs and they’ve definitely ticked the future proofing box!”” explains Aqua Area Sales manager, Mark Hopper.
“R290 refrigerant is becoming increasingly popular with food sector clients, as businesses look to reduce their carbon impact and drive towards Nett Zero. With all the regulatory changes surrounding refrigerants, choosing the most suitable can be a minefield for customers. It’s our job to simplify that process, helping them to achieve the best solution for their specific needs.”
For more information on our range of Aqua Propane chillers, chat with the team on 0333 004 4433.
OEM specialising in environmental test chambers
Custom design requirement
Aqua Pro chiller solution + pipework design & installation
An environmental test chamber is a controlled, enclosed space where various conditions can be simulated for testing purposes. They’re used to evaluate the effect that things like temperature, humidity, altitude & vibration have on materials, objects, or systems. Ben Newman, Aqua’s OEM Specialist, explains how we supported an OEM client with a custom design solution for a test chamber cooling application for their end user customer.
Situation
“I’ve supported this particular client for some time now and was familiar with the environmental and climatic test chamber solutions that they manufacture and supply. Their applications these days typically require a full turnkey approach, including the supply & installation of pipework.
“Environmental test chambers are commonly used by research facilities, often to evaluate scenarios for the aerospace & automotive sectors, as well as testing related to industrial components. They’d been asked to supply two test chambers to a university for their research team.
“The test chambers were being housed on the first floor of the University, with a further two being added to a ground floor space at a later date. Aqua were asked to help design a solution that would provide test chamber cooling. The cooling equipment would need to connected to the first-floor chambers and have additional capacity for the third and fourth chambers once in situ.
Solution
“The two chambers had different cooling load requirements, one at 15kW and one at 28kW. There were also a number of logistical challenges that needed to be overcome by our internal Design, Installation & Projects teams, in taking the project from concept stage to real-life solution.
Environmental test chambers usually require a steady flow of chiller water because they’re water cooled and simulate temperatures from very cold to extremely hot. Often the machines will shut off the water supply from the chiller as part of their functionality. Therefore, our chiller arrangement had to be customised, otherwise the chiller pump would deadhead, causing costly damage.
“We supplied an Aqua Pro chiller with an internal bypass. Then, when the test chambers close off and the flow stops, the bypass will manage the coolant and eliminate any risk of deadheading.
“Because the chambers were situated on different floors, the pipework need to reach up to the first floor. A hard standing area was extended so that the chiller could be positioned correctly and then the pipework run against a wall.
Results
“Once installed, the University had the ability to operate either test chamber 24/7. This enables them to do their research at a quicker pace and speed up the results on their projects.
“Reliability and quality are also key considerations within the R&D sector and our Aqua Pro units assure this. They’re specifically built for process applications and are robust, high-quality units, so ideal for test chamber cooling applications.
“To give further peace of mind, Aqua are also supporting with an enhanced Planned Preventative Maintenance plan, with rapid response time, ensuring in the unlikely event something goes wrong, an Aqua Engineer would be in attendance very quickly.”
Find out how we’ve supported Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with their temperature control needs.
For support with your next OEM chiller or environmental test chamber cooling requirement, chat with Ben and the team on 0333 004 4433.
Our Original Equipment Manufacturer customers are in safe hands with Ben. He’s a qualified mechanical engineer with a background in creating & designing commodities, from electrical connectors through to military mobile phones and plastic furniture for domestic fridges.
Email: ben.newman@aquacooling.co.uk
Job Title: OEM Specialist
UK leading chocolate manufacturer
Legacy chiller system replacement
CO2 chiller system
Popular the word over, chocolate is a favourite indulgence, and the UK is one of the leading chocolate consuming countries in Europe. Chocolate features heavily within our popular culture and is often the go to gift when celebrating seasonal events such as Easter and Christmas.
Aqua have supplied temperature control solutions to a number of chocolate & confectionary customers over the years. For one particular client, we were asked to undertake a review of their current set up. With future growth planned, they wanted to invest in an updated system that would safeguard their production against downtime as well as future proofing their manufacturing facility for years to come.
Situation
The factory had two existing chilled water systems which were central to their chocolate manufacturing process. One provided chilled water for processes and room cooling, whereas the second circulated water at a much lower temperature, around -30°C.
This colder line supplied cooling to several custom designed machines which are instrumental to the chocolate tempering process Precise temperature control is critical here, otherwise the quality and consistency of the finished chocolate product can be negatively impacted.
They were relying on two smaller chillers that had been installed on a duty assist basis. But, as the units aged, and the business grew, unless both were running the plant struggled for cooling capacity.
Solution
Aqua designed, supplied and installed a new system based around an 80kW CO2 chiller. This chiller would be able to takes the full demand of both lines, as well as providing reserve capacity for future expansion.
A CO2 chiller could be considered because of the low application temperatures involved. An added benefit with CO2 is that it is a completely natural, non-flammable refrigerant. Commonly referred to as R744, the refrigerant has excellent properties with a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 1 and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of zero. This makes it an environmentally friendly option and it also protected our client from future refrigerant legislation around F-Gases.
To ensure the new system is ultra resilient and reliable, additional back up controllers and other features were incorporated into the final chiller design.
Results
“This project was so well suited to a CO2 chiller” said Aqua Sales Manager, Mark Whittaker. “It gives our customer everything they’ll need from a cooling perspective and there’s plenty of room for growth built in. Reliability is so important within the chocolate & confectionary sector, and we’ve spec’d this unit incredibly well to ensure it can stand up to years & years of chocolate production!”
Aqua will also support with ongoing maintenance of the chiller, going forward.
For help with your next CO2 chiller requirement, call the team on 0330 818 7969 or email sales@aquacooling.co.uk
Find out how we’ve supported food manufacturers with their temperature control need
UK based food processor
Reliability issues with ageing equipment & rising costs
Temporary hire chiller + Aqua Pro chiller system
Said to be worth over £850,000 per year, the rice industry is big business within the UK food sector. From dry rice to pre-cooked & prepared products such as boil in the bag and microwavable pouches, rice is a store cupboard favourite. As the maintenance partner for a leading rice processor, Aqua were asked to propose a cooling system upgrade to guarantee reliability and reduced operating costs.
Situation
Aqua were initially invited to support with Planned Preventative Maintenance. However, it soon became clear that the ageing chiller on site was proving unreliable and causing risk of production downtime.
When it finally failed, we supplied an interim hire chiller. The rental chiller kept production, and therefore the business, operational whilst a decision was made on a longer-term solution.
There were also access issues on site, with the positioning of existing machinery making things tricky, something our internal design team needed to allow for when planning the delivery & offloading of equipment.
Solution
Aqua supplied a unit from our Aqua Pro chiller range. The units are specifically designed for the process industry, operating on R454B, a sustainable, low GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerant. The legacy chiller ran on R410A, so this gave the client a quick reduction in running costs as well as minimising their carbon impact. The GWP of R454B is 78% lower than R410A.
The Aqua Pro chiller selected included dual refrigerant circuit and dual pumps, giving built in redundancy in the unlikely event that an issue should ever arise. The chiller was finished with an epoxy paint treatment, which is always recommend if a unit is operating in an aggressive or highly industrial environment. Lastly, gasketed plate heat exchangers and dual filters, make maintenance much simpler. The gasketed design means the heat exchangers can be easily cleaned, all as part of the customer’s routine maintenance plan, eliminating any risk of blockage.
When it came to installation, the old chiller was skated out, over gravel, until it was close enough to a HIAB to be lifted. Next, the new Aqua Pro unit was slowly & carefully lifted into a very tight space, before being skated over the gravel to its new, permanent home. The entire installation was carried out around the hire chiller which had to continue working seamlessly to avoid production downtime.
Results
“The customer was really pleased with the project, from start to finish” explains Aqua Sales Engineer, Will Hughes.
“They say it’s the best kit they have ever had, which speaks volumes. I think, after all the issues, the peace of mind their new system gives them is key. They’re now assured of continuous operation and can rest easy that the new chiller system has future proofed their business for the years ahead. The addition of low GWP refrigerant, combined with the latest efficient chiller technology that the Aqua Pro chiller range brings, will see their operating costs reduce significantly too.”
For support with your next chiller requirement, chat with the team on 0333 004 4433.
Find out how we’ve supported food manufacturers with their temperature control needs.
Bristol Aquarium
Unreliable chiller on site, jeopardising the safety of the Aquarium’s aquatic creatures
Temporary chiller hire + an Aqua EcoPro free cooling chiller
Bristol Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic creatures, with over 40 displays and 250 different species. The animals come from across the world, and the aquarium is committed to conservation, sustainability, and education. Regional Sales Manager, Will Coles, outlines how Aqua have been supporting the facility with their temperature control.
Situation
“Bristol Aquarium reached out to us because they needed a sustainable, energy efficient solution to control the temperature of their tanks and keep their air handling system cool” explains Will.
“The Aquarium had been hiring a chiller on a long-term rental agreement from another supplier. However, the unit often malfunction and struggled to cope in the warmer weather. Each time this happened, tank temperatures rose, putting the animals in danger.
“A number of the species housed at the Aquarium are extremely sensitive to temperature changes so reliable, precise temperature control is absolutely essential.
They decided to purchase a new unit in the hope of resolving the legacy issues. However, when further challenges were encountered, Bristol Aquarium decided to source an alternative supplier and approached Aqua.”
Solution
Aqua supplied a 340kW rental chiller which was quickly delivered to site and installed so that the facility was operational, and the inhabitants of the Aquarium were safe and secure in the interim.
As a longer-term solution, they ordered an Aqua EcoPro free cooling chiller. Aqua’s EcoPro units have fully integrated, optimised free cooling. Free cooling can cut process energy costs by over 80%+ by using the lower ambient air temperature to cool, rather than mechanical compressor cooling.
Aqua’s EcoPro units also operate on sustainable refrigerant R454B, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) 70% lower than commonly used refrigerants like R410A.
Additionally, with an Aqua free cooling chiller, it’s possible to achieve free cooling at higher ambient temperatures than with other chiller brands.
Results
“Understandably, the Aquarium’s primary concern was the safety of their aquatic inhabitants” explains Will.
“Once their rental solution was installed, we could turn our attention to what would be best for them for the future. Sustainability was key, so the combination of free cooling and low GWP refrigerant was ideal. Also, as well as significantly improving their carbon impact, they’ll reduce their energy costs substantially and protect the lifespan of their chiller.”
For Bristol Aquarium’s General Manager, Sunny, it’s not just the chiller that’s important but the whole offering, including customer service and technical support, “it’s such an essential piece of kit for us, so we need to make sure that we’re working with people who understand how important it is, who are on the phone for help and we really get that with Aqua Cooling, so we’re really grateful to work with them.”
If you’re looking for support with a free cooling chiller, or other aspect of temperature control, chat with the team on 0333 004 4433.
Trade customer working on behalf of a local NHS Trust
Boiler failure threatening to close areas of a hospital
Oil fired boiler rental and fuel management system
The pressures and challenges faced by our NHS are widely reported, so when a trade customer approached us to help a major NHS hospital with emergency boiler hire, speed of response was critical.
Situation
The hospital relied on a number of individual boilers to supply heating and hot water to the various departments and buildings on site. When two of these boilers failed at the same time, the facility was left with no contingency and the supply of services was suddenly compromised.
The Trust quickly realised that it would take time to repair both units, leaving them having to consider closing wards and delaying patient treatments. With both heating and hot water disrupted, it would be impossible to run a normal schedule, putting staff, patients, and other resources under even more pressure. Their facilities management team called Aqua looking for a boiler to rent as quickly as possible.
Solution
On receiving the call, our Hire desk despatched an Engineer to site to undertake a site survey. This enabled us to have a heads up of any potential challenges. For example, are there suitable connection points, are there any access issues for delivering & offloading equipment? Addressing these variables upfront paves the way for a fast, seamless delivery & installation process.
The team subsequently despatched a 600kW oil fired hire boiler on a short term rental agreement. This would not only match the heating capacity achieved by the two failed units, but it would make for a quicker turnaround as only one unit needed to be installed, as opposed to two.
The project was up and running on the same day. Aqua also supplied a complete fuel management system, with regular deliveries scheduled to ensure no further downtime occurred due to fuel running short.
Results
From the first call to our Hire desk, the hospital was up and running within 24 hours, with both the hire boiler and fuel management system in place.
Once heating & hot water supplies were back then patients and services were safeguarded. As the hospital went back to normal operation, focus could turn to repairing the failed kit. The initial short term rental contract was subsequently extended for 8 weeks, whilst the repair work took place.
Whilst response time was key to this project, the hospital and Trust also had peace of mind that they were benefitting from the latest, highly efficient, technology. All boilers within our Hire fleet have a Weishaupt burner, which is 94% fuel efficient and helps to minimise operating costs and carbon footprint.
If you’d like to find out more about boiler rental from Aqua, chat with the team on 0333 004 4433.
Midlands based wildlife trust
Boiler breakdown
Electric boiler rental
Aqua’s Hire team were called in to help an independent wildlife trust when they were left without heating & hot water at their visitor centre. The trust runs & manages a host of nature reserves across the region, working to protect the local wildlife and making it accessible to everyone.
Situation
The visitor centre houses a café, gift shop, education centre and meeting rooms, so is a popular and well frequented area of the nature reserve. As a registered charity, the facility is key to raising much needed funds as well as helping to educate in the importance of wildlife within the local community.
The trust was left in a difficult situation when their existing biomass boiler failed. Funding for a replacement unit would be substantial and take time to put in place. In the meantime, the centre would be left in the cold, quite literally, with staff and visitors already reaching for their gloves and woolly hats. Aqua were approached to see if a rental heating solution could be a viable option.
When our Engineer carried out an initial site visit it was apparent that the site faced a few challenges. If we supplied a portable fan heater solution, it would need a large number of power sockets because of the size and layout of the rooms. This could then have ramifications on the venue’s power supply.
Whilst the Trust had reservations around using oil within the facility, they were open to considering electric boiler hire as an alternative to ensure the visitor centre could stay operational.
Solution
Aqua supplied a 36kW electric boiler from our rental fleet. Our Engineers connected the temporary boiler to the building’s existing circuit. By doing this, the hire unit could utilise the pipework, pumps, expansion vessels & radiators already in situ.
Electric boilers are extremely portable as they can be lowered on a tail lift vehicle and wheeled into place on a small trolley. The units produce instant hot water and central heating up to 85°C, generating from 3kW to 36kW/hr. Our electric hire boilers all include multiple power options, from 16a single phase up to 63a, with quick release water connections, a simple fill & vent system and easy to use control panel. As standard, they are fitted with an expansion tank, integral pump, and automatic air vent.
Results
Once given the green light, our Hire team delivered & installed the temporary unit within hours. From that point onwards things warmed up very quickly, with hats & gloves discarded as normal service resumed!
“I think it’s fair to say this rental project was viewed by all involved as a real success” explains Aqua’s Will Fernley. “A year on the Trust is yet to install a permanent boiler, so we’re just about to supply a repeat hire solution to help them throughout Winter 2024.”
If you’d like to find out more about hiring an electric boiler from Aqua, chat with the team on 0333 004 4433.
Bolton based plastics manufacturer Norlin Polymers (UK) Limited
Replacement cooling system
Sustainable adiabatic cooling system
Temperature control is key to the plastic manufacturing process. It is used in numerous ways, from melting the raw material, through to extrusion, injection moulding and polymerisation. Aqua were asked to design a cooling system for a client operating with the sector, who was using mains to drain cooling. Their legacy set up was proving unsustainable, both from a cost perspective as well as environmentally due to the volume of wastewater and utility costs.
Situation
As a leading manufacturer of technical & specialised polymer compounds, Norlin Polymers supplies the medical & pharmaceutical sector across Europe. They extrude a specialist plastic material which is then used for applications within the industry.
The extrusion process is akin to that used widely within plastics processing. The raw plastic material is melted, blended, and forced through a dye which results in polymer strands. Their process differs when it comes to the cooling of the strands and maintaining the cooling water to set temperature.
The mains to drain system used cold towns water to fill the extrusion baths. The water kept the bath cold, and it was regularly replenished for hygiene reasons. The client controlled the fill/overflow from the mains tap.
Having recently acquired a new design of water bath, one which could be equipped with a pump and heat exchanger, they were able to consider adding cooling equipment to the process and moving away from the manual system.
Solution
After establishing that the heat exchanger on the bath could provide sufficient cooling with water temperatures of 25°C and 35°C, we suggested using a system incorporating adiabatic cooling.
Adiabatic coolers are an excellent choice because they are low maintenance, cost-effective and a highly sustainable option if you are working with water temperatures of 25°C+. Aqua’s adiabatic units achieve a great balance between water usage, fan speed and load. They reduce energy, significantly save water, and minimise environmental impact.
“The adiabatic system we designed, is able to run several extrusion lines, with the ability to operate different machines at different temperatures, to suit our clients’ manufacturing requirements” explains Aqua Regional Sales Manager, Mark Whittaker.
Any fluctuation in cooling will impact on product quality, so system control is important. Aqua’s design incorporates a central control panel, which monitors both the adiabatic cooler and the pump. There is also a temperature controller with an external probe on the tank return pipe and a 3-way valve. This ensures the temperature is easily controlled and kept consistent. The addition of a tank ensures easy filling and dosing of the system.
Results
“With this upgrade our client has future proofed their business” continues Mark. “Without the changes they were faced with rising costs which would either have limited profitability or caused them to have to increase their sale price and pass the pain onto their buyers.”
“Aqua were the perfect partner for Norlin. They provided design support where we needed it, expert installation, and after-sales care. The adiabatic system simultaneously helps us achieve both production requirements and our sustainability objectives” explains Norlin’s Commercial Director, Jonathan Holland.
To discover how adiabatic cooling could help your business, chat with the team on 0333 004 4433.
Leading UK poultry farm
Seasonal requirement for cold storage
Cold storage hire solution incorporating chillers & low temperature fan coils
For many of us, the mention of turkey immediately conjures up thoughts of a traditional lunch on Christmas Day. But, for poultry farmers across the UK, turkeys are a year-round business and with the UK consuming ten million each Christmas, the stakes are high. Temperature control plays a crucial role in helping farmers safely store their produce in readiness for the festive rush.
Situation
For several years Aqua have worked with one of the UK’s leading suppliers of award-winning turkeys. As their temperature control partner, we supply a packaged hire solution which provides them with temporary cold storage in the run up to Christmas.
Turkey storage is governed by strict rules, more so than ever with the advent of avian flu. Birds must be kept at -5°C, to prevent bacterial growth and to keep the product in optimum condition. Any quality issues would have a severe impact on our clients’ business, both from a financial and reputational perspective.
Solution
To create their cold storage facility, we supply a combination of Aqua Pro chillers and low temperature (LT) fan coils. The two work together to provide exceptionally reliable and consistent temperature control.
The chillers are sited outside, with the LT fan coils positioned inside the building. High quality hosing connects the two, allowing the chiller to cycle a water/glycol mix to the fan coils. The fans blow air across the cold coils which, in turn, cool the space to the required -5°C.
Our low temperature fan coils offer elevated levels of performance, whilst keeping operating costs low. Each is equipped with a 3-way valve controller and temperature sensing probes closely monitor room temperature. When the required temperature is achieved, the chiller automatically turns off via the valve. Any condensation is rejected by gravity, through holes local to the fan coils.
The fan coils within our hire fleet range from 25kW to 70kW in a single unit. For this application they are connected in parallel because of the size of the cold storage area required.
Other benefits offered by LT fan coils include:
Results
“Hire is a fantastic option for customers needing cold storage space due to product seasonality” explains Aqua Hire Director, Ben Davies. “Whether it’s processing turkeys, festive cakes & confectionary or seasonal vegetables, I think people would be surprised at what goes on behind the scenes to produce the typical Christmas meal.”
“If you’re looking for temporary cold storage, we will complete a free site survey, which will establish an accurate heat load calculation, and then propose the best set up for your specific requirements. The team will look after everything, from delivery & commissioning to collection & de-install, and are on hand to support you 24/7.”
If you’re considering a temporary cold storage project, chat with Aqua on 0333 004 4433.
John Lowe heads up our Sales, Hire and Service teams in Scotland. Based in Nerston, near East Kilbride, John has a passion for both his homeland and the world of temperature control!
Growing up, John spent many family holidays exploring the North of Scotland, with fond memories of Grannie’s Heilan Hame Holiday Park up at Dornoch. The unspoilt beaches of Scotland are still a firm favourite and John continues to explore the area, taking his own family more recently on trips to Arran.
As a youngster, John embarked on an apprenticeship straight from school, whilst working towards a HNC in multi-disciplined engineering. He was signed to Hamilton FC but unfortunately an injury forced him to change career paths at just 20. Although he initially considered a teaching career, luckily for us it was engineering that won out!
John explored a range of engineering specialisms before finding his niche in temperature control, including hydraulic circuit design fluid power and air compression. “I like to think my engineering background helps me achieve the best solution for my customers’ specific circumstances rather than feeling that I’m just selling them a product” explains John.
“The day-to-day unpredictability of my job is what motivates me most. No two days are the same and I’m lucky enough to always be meeting new people, working consultatively with them and building long term relationships. One moment I can be doing a site visit for a new process cooling system, the next helping a customer with a temporary hire requirement.”
When he manages to escape the world of temperature control, chance is you’ll find him either on the golf course or near a football pitch. He has an impressive handicap of just 5, has completed his Scottish FA coaching badges and even ran a junior grass roots football team!
John Lowe leads our Sales, Hire, and Service divisions in Scotland, operating from our Nerston location near East Kilbride. John is not only deeply dedicated to his native land but also possesses a profound enthusiasm for the field of temperature control!
Email: John.Lowe@aquacooling.co.uk
Job Title: Heads up our Sales, Hire and Service teams in Scotland.
Cold water immersion therapy has surged in popularity in recent years, and Aqua have been busy supporting clients across the UK with innovative chiller solutions for ice bath, plunge pool – and even ice cave! – applications.
Cold water exposure is championed by Dutch extreme athlete, Wim Hof. Wim, who starred in the BBC reality series “Freeze the Fear” and is often referred to simply as ‘The Iceman’, is an advocate of the health and wellbeing benefits of the cold on the human body.
Breathing, exposure to cold and commitment are the three pillars of the “Wim Hof Method”. The practice is designed to keep us in our optimal natural state, more in line with our predecessors who had much more active lifestyles without the luxury of warmth, plentiful food, and technology.
Exposure to cold water is said to be beneficial for our mental health & wellbeing as well as helping with physical recovery and endurance. It’s reported to have a positive impact on stress, energy levels, alertness, pain, metabolism, regulating the nervous system and enhancing the immune system. With studies showing that it can increase dopamine production – often called the feel-good hormone – by 250%, it’s easy to see why it appeals!
There’s lots of different ways of embracing cold water therapy, from taking a cold shower and wild swimming, to ice baths and plunge pools. The latter are being adopted more and more by health spas, fitness clubs, leisure centres, football clubs and other sports training facilities. We’ve even been asked to cool an ice cave for a luxury spa brand!
Whilst at home you might create a DIY style ice bath or plunge pool, for the more commercial applications, a process chiller is used to regulate and maintain water temperature. The chiller keeps the water at a consistent and controlled temperature, which enhances the effectiveness and overall experience of the cold-water treatment.
Ice baths and plunge pools tend to operate around 10°C but without a chiller it’s challenging to get the right temperature for a consistent period. A chiller has a refrigeration system which isn’t affected by external conditions, so it’s much more efficient. You can easily control the water temperature, so you don’t run the risk of it being too low and causing cold water shock and/or hypothermia. Another benefit is the option of adding a filtration system which will keep the water clean and contaminant free, which is key in a public or shared facility. A chiller also enables providers to offer a tailored experience, with the water temperature easily tweaked depending on the participant’s comfort levels and training goals.
Aqua’s range of Aqua Pro chillers are perfectly suited to ice bath and plunge pool applications. They are highly efficient and operate (from 30kW models upwards) on R454B which is a refrigerant with a very low Global Warming Potential (GWP) rating. Units are available from UK stock and, if supplied with a maintenance agreement, are covered by our extended three-year warranty.
If you’re considering a plunge pool or ice bath installation for your facility and would like support with the temperature control side of things, take the plunge and chat with the team a call on 0333 004 4433.
Bristol Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic creatures, with over 40 displays and 250 different species. The animals come from across the world, and the aquarium is committed to conservation, sustainability, and education. Regional Sales Manager, Will Coles, outlines how Aqua have been supporting the facility with their temperature control.
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