Why Does a Wind Tunnel Need a Chiller? All About Climate Control in High-Precision Labs

Client Profile and Project Requirements

Inclined Labs AB is a Swedish company specializing in the production of high-precision laboratory systems with stringent technical requirements. To ensure process stability, the company mandates a temperature control accuracy of at least ±0.3 °C and humidity regulation within a 40–60% range, with deviations no greater than ±2%.

The operational outdoor temperature range for the equipment is from –20 °C to +35 °C, and the system must operate continuously with a noise level not exceeding 55 dBA. Between 2016 and 2020, the company expanded its production capacity in southern Sweden. A core condition of the upgrade was the implementation of a highly efficient cooling system integrated with the BMS and compliant with environmental standards.

For cooling laboratory spaces and equipment covering up to 2,500 m², Inclined Labs requires a cooling capacity between 750 and 900 kW. The system must tolerate load fluctuations within ±10% without abrupt energy consumption spikes, while average power usage should not exceed 95 kWh. It is critical to maintain a temperature delta in hydraulic circuits of 5–6 °C at a maximum flow rate of 300–370 m³/h.

Environmental standards mandate the use of refrigerants with a GWP below 700, specifically R134a, with a charge volume of approximately 140 kg per circuit. The built-in self-diagnostic system must register fault events with an accuracy of 0.01 seconds and provide Modbus communication for data on pressure, temperature, and equipment status, with an update frequency of at least once per second. This technical setup enables Inclined Labs AB to meet demanding performance, reliability, and energy efficiency standards in complex climate conditions.

Given the region’s climate — summer highs around +30 °C and winter lows down to –10 °C — a chiller with a wide operating range, high temperature accuracy, and partial load capability was essential. Following a detailed technical assessment, the Emerson FQ4086 model was selected — offering 810 kW of cooling capacity and fully meeting both the operational and engineering specifications of Inclined Labs AB.

Technical Specifications and Application

The Emerson FQ4086 is an industrial air-cooled chiller rated at 810 kW (12/7 °C at +35 °C ambient), equipped with two Bitzer screw compressors and two independent refrigerant circuits using R134a.

Total weight: 12.5 tons. Dimensions: 11.5 × 2.7 × 2.3 m.

The unit features a free cooling function, an integrated hydronic module with dual pumps, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, 16 axial fans, and an advanced automation system.

Operating hours: 649 / 255. Condition: excellent. Warranty from EVROPROM: 2 years.

Hydraulics and Automation

The system includes integrated pumps and a bypass loop. PID-based control algorithms ensure temperature stability within ±0.1 °C. 

The entire chiller is integrated into the client’s BMS via the Modbus protocol, with real-time data updates every second.

The control logic covers the following functions:

• Monitoring supply and return water temperatures,
• Automatic fan speed adjustment,
• Diagnostics of compressors and pumps,
• Fault log with up to 1,000 recorded events,
• Remote monitoring capability and integration into SCADA systems.

Engineering Operation Features

For the laboratory application, stable operation under thermal loads up to 60–70 W/m² was critical. In zones where laser systems and sensors are installed, the temperature must not fluctuate by more than ±0.3 °C. This requirement was met thanks to the built-in inertia tank and modulation algorithms. During peak loads, the system handles fluctuations without increasing energy consumption.

The condensers are microchannel type with anti-corrosion coating. The unit’s sound level does not exceed 56 dB(A) at a distance of 10 meters.

EVROPROM Project Implementation

The EVROPROM engineering team conducted a thermal audit of the facility and defined weekly load schedules. The calculations showed that 810 kW of cooling capacity covered the site’s demand with a 12% margin, enabling the system to maintain performance during emergency conditions and maintenance without interrupting the load.

The installation was completed without external hydronic modules, utilizing built-in pumps and bypass piping. This approach reduced the overall project cost by 11%. The commissioning process took 4 days. All operating parameters are automatically logged and transmitted to the client’s ERP system.

Why EVROPROM?

• Precise performance calculation based on actual client data
• Loyalty program that helped save up to 40% of budget
• Full compliance with ISO 50001 and F-Gas standards
• Delivery of equipment with optimal configuration and temperature profiles tailored to laboratory and industrial applications
• Electricity cost savings of up to 15% compared to the lab’s previous refrigeration system
• Support for remote and scheduled predictive monitoring
• Accelerated implementation, with integration time reduced to 5 working days, including full warranty and service support

EVROPROM is your strategic engineering partner in the world of high-tech cooling.
We deeply understand the needs of clients with the most advanced technical requirements — like Inclined Labs AB — and deliver solutions that operate at the limits of possibility, combining precise calculations, environmental responsibility, and maximum energy efficiency.

Our specialists go beyond equipment selection — we design the entire cycle: from detailed thermal load analysis to commissioning and after-sales service — ensuring that every kilowatt and every degree works for your success.

Contact EVROPROM — and leave compromise behind in refrigeration engineering.

🌐 www.evroprom.com

📧 info@evroprom.com

📞 +48 799 355 595 | +48 511 705 715

Author of the article:
Sviatoslav Ovcharenko, Sales Manager
23.07.2025