Undergraduate Laboratories

The Challenge

The challenges of controlling manifold systems

In late 2011, TPE was approached by Beca Consulting to provide a fan pre-selection for a concept design for the University of Auckland. The project clearly presented a significant challenge, with a lot of fume cupboards in a relatively small area, plus a resource consent condition that required exhaust discharge on the other side of the building.

Their interest in a project involving 34 individually ducted fume cupboards and four manifold systems, each with six fume cupboards. While the individual cupboards were familiar territory, the manifold systems presented a unique challenge. Despite the urgency of the project, TPE was able to work with Beca and others to design, prototype, test, manufacture, and install the solution in under a year.

The Solution

Rethinking control of individually ducted fume cupboards

Using innovative design and development we updated Auckland University’s fume cupboards to achieve better performance, efficiency and easier setup.

The fume cupboards were enhanced to improve their performance. Highly accurate velocity sensors were installed at the front of the cupboards, enabling the installation of a low velocity alarm each fume cupboards, regardless of their ducting. The controls were upgraded to detect and address unplanned low velocity conditions, minimizing disruptions to experiments.

To streamline the setup and adjustment of control aspects, a new commissioning system was developed, which is available with all EcoAir® III controllers. This system offers the flexibility to choose between individual duct or manifold modes, providing future modification capabilities and investment protection.