Laserfiche WebLink
ELK RIVER ICE ARENA—ICE SYSTEM EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> • System Design: The design of the system is critical to <br /> maximizing its efficiency. For example, lowering the <br /> condensing temperature of the refrigeration system <br /> increases its efficiency but decreases the amount of waste <br /> heat that is generated. Finding the balance between these <br /> system elements is key to a successful and efficient design. <br /> • Energy Source: As energy costs rise, alternative sources of <br /> energy, such as geothermal, natural gas, or co-generation, <br /> may look more attractive. Electricity still remains the most <br /> practical energy source for these types of systems. <br /> • Waste Heat Recovery: Refrigeration systems generate a <br /> large amount of heat that is typically wasted into the <br /> atmosphere. A refrigeration system for a single ice sheet <br /> can typically generate enough waste heat to serve the <br /> subfloor heating system, snowmelt pit, the dehumidification <br /> system, and potentially preheat domestic water source or <br /> in-coming air. Historically, ice rink facilities have only <br /> captured and reused approximately 25% of the waste heat <br /> generated. It has now become normal design practice to <br /> capture 100% of the waste heat and reuse this "free <br /> energy"throughout the facility. <br /> • Sustainability: Sustainability goes hand-in-hand with all the <br /> items in this list of considerations. Energy savings, through <br /> smart design practices, translates directly into the reduction <br /> of green house gas emissions such as carbon dioxide. <br /> PIStevens 16 <br />