In September Virtual Power Plant applied for “fast track” programme organised by National Centre for Research and Development. The topic of this application was research and development of intelligent HVAC OPTIMIZER with function of detecting potential of THM formation in indoor swimming pools (OHT in short). This project is a result of few months of analysis and preparations conducted in order to provide efficient solution to reduce energy consumption and eliminate harmful to human health THM compounds from indoor swimming pools.
Over 90% of indoor swimming pools uses sodium hypochlorite for water disinfection, which in reaction with organic impurities creates harmful trihalomethanes (THM). Determining the potential of THM formation using new methods will allow to take preventive actions. Integrating functions of filtration, water heating and ventilation will allow for reductions in energy and heat consumption, which sum up to over 2/3 of swimming pool’s total costs of operation.
Intelligent HVAC OPTIMIZER with function of detecting potential of THM formation in indoor swimming pools (OHT) will use a new method of electricity and heat management while adjusting ventilation, heating and air-conditioning (HVAC) in real-time to the concentration of carcinogenic halogenated methanes such as trihalomethanes (THM) in order to remove them from pool facility. – The results of research on OHT device will support traditional methods of sporadic measurements of carcinogenic THM concentrations through economically viable real-time monitoring THM formation potential. OHT device can be used in large numbers and will reduce the concentration of harmful chemical compounds in indoor swimming pools, especially swimming pools owned by the schools, which in next few months will need to meet new, higher hygienic requirements introduced by the Ministry of Health – explains Grzegorz Nowaczewski, CEO of VPPlant.
In other parts of Europe, parallel research are being developed which might achieve goals such as improving sanitary conditions or optimizing electricity consumption in similar manner. – The most interesting, similar projects are likely to be developed in Switzerland, Spain, Italy. We are all competing in this race and we want you to cheer for us. We want innovative OHT device to be a Polish product that will be exported to other countries – states CEO of VPPlant.
VPPlant invited the best and most renown Polish experts in hygiene and energy management at swimming pools to the project. In August of this year, the latter of intent was signed with National Institute of Public Health – National Department of Hygiene (NIZP-PZH). Prof. Edward Szczechowiak from Poznan University of Technology was appointed to the project as the head of the Scientific Council, to which also entered dr Bożena Krogulska (NIZP-PZH), dr inż.Katarzyna Ratajczak (Poznan University of Technology) dr Sławomir Garboś (NIZP-PZH), dr inż. Piotr Bartkiewicz (Warsaw University of Technology) and dr Ryszard Wasiak.