Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Supercomputer
5 Aug 2013Products Used: HVAC aquatherm blue (climatherm®)
Location: Livermore, California – 2012
This project report has been prepared by our American partners and informs about the tender and installation of a pipesystem for the data processing system of the most powerful super computer in the world.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is an enduring symbol of America’s scientific and military proficiency. LLNL’s stated mission is strengthening U.S. security through development and application of world-class science and technology to:
- Enhance the nation’s defense;
- Reduce the global threat from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction;
- And respond with vision, quality, integrity and technical excellence to scientific issues of national importance.
This extremely critical application relies on aquatherm PP-R-pipes for cooling.
The Challenge
Specifying and installing a piping system into the data center housing the world’s most powerful supercomputer.
Aquatherm Advantages
- Provided $2 million dollar project savings
- Leak-proof heat fusion joints are fast, simple, and reliable
- Chemical inertness ensures complete compatibility with sensitive equipment
The Solution
Aquatherm’s PP-R pipe offered all of the benefits of plastic (cost savings, easier installation, improved flow) without any fumes, glues or chemicals used during installation.
A No-Weld Spec
When designing the piping for the cooling system, LLNL engineers were primarily concerned with addressing potential cost savings in the piping system. While the computer manufacturer initially required that the piping be either stainless steel or copper, LLNL engineers developed a plan in conjunction with the computer manufacturer to research the use of plastic piping materials.
An additional goal was mitigating fumes and particles that are introduced into a space during the process of welding of metal pipe. While this specification ruled out metal pipe systems and limited the options to plastic, a side benefit was that using plastic would provide better flow rates. LLNL officials were aware of a number of highly engineered plastic pressure pipe systems, but were only vaguely familiar with a proven, yet new-to-North-America pipe system: Aquatherm.
EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems (Irvine, California) was one of the bidding mechanical contractors and had recently been introduced to the German-manufactured aquatherm systems. With nearly 30 years of experience in HVAC maintenance, service, building automation systems, and commercial HVAC and retrofit contracting, EMCOR/Mesa has earned a reputation for innovation and providing value to customers. EMCOR, working in conjunction with LLNL engineers, decided to use the Aquatherm. After much research, this resulted in a $2m project savings.
All about Fusion
Heat fusion is essential to Aquatherm’s success: it bonds both sides of a joint into a single, homogenous material without the use of chemicals or mechanical connections – eliminating systematic weaknesses and fail points in the pipe. Serving as the prime contractor on the job, EMCOR/Mesa and their subcontractors participated in a factory training provided by Sustainable Building Products and Aquatherm at EMCOR/Mesa’s Hayward, California shop.
Stringent H2O Requirements
The computer manufacturer had established strict water treatment requirements for the cooling system and Aquatherm’s chemical inertness played a key role in meeting that requirement. Due to the cleanliness of the piping, the system was not exposed to any foreign oil or material from the pipe. If steel had been used the oil residue would not have met the specification. Also had PVC been used there was a risk that the glue overflow would have possibly clogged the computer coil. The mechanical team did experience a learning curve in working with the fusion connections, but overall the installation went quite smoothly.
Installing Aquatherm allowed the designers and installers to comply with the specifications of plastic type piping and deliver a good product to the lab in addition to helping LLNL achieve Environmental Management Systems (EMS) goals and standards. Use of the pipe is also expected to assist in the facility’s 2015 LEED™ point re-certification.
The German-manufactured pipe has been one of the world’s most durable and greenest piping systems for nearly four decades and proven successful in 70-plus countries. Aquatherm piping systems offer many performance and environmental benefits, such as:
- Eliminating toxic materials, glues and resins, and open flames from the piping installation equation
- An R-value of 1 or greater depending on pipe size and SDR
- The fusion welding process, which creates seamless connections that last a lifetime without leaking or failing
- An optional faser-composite layer in the pipe reduces linear expansion of the pipe by up to 75% compared to plastic piping.
Edition No 4, Technews
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