What's on Your Mind?: Life Sciences Facilities

What solutions does Phoenix Controls have that are used in Life Science Research Facilities?

Phoenix Controls is the recognized leader in precision airflow control systems for use in many critical room environments. We pride ourselves on developing products and solutions that meet the specific demands of your specialized space. With respect to Life Sciences, the Traccel family of controllers was designed specifically for Life Science applications. The Traccel room controller is a room pressure controller that is offered in an Open-LON or a Native BACnet communication protocol.  Traccel has three cost effective platforms: TX, TP and SO/EO. These three tiers give you the flexibility to fit the right controller to the right application.

• Traccel–TP – Supply and Exhaust VAV tracking pair that maintains a prescribed CFM offset to enable accurate space pressurization and complete room temperature control.
• Traccel TP is typically used in open bench labs, support alcoves, Principal Investigator office spaces and conference rooms.
• Traccel-TX – In addition to the above Traccel TP, the TX controller provides extra Input/Output to meet the needs of Humidity control, pressure monitoring and the ability to command the valve to shut-off for isolation of HVAC system.
• Traccel TX is typically used in TP spaces that need Humidity control, Vivariums and Animal holding spaces. Traccel TX can also be used to isolate a Biosafety Cabinet when not in use and to isolate a space that is being prepared for gaseous decontamination.
• Traccel–SO/EO – Is a stand alone variable air valve (VAV) that provides a cost effective single valve when no tracking exhaust valve is required to maintain complete room temperature.
• Traccel SO/EO is ideal for equipment alcoves and work stations open to core labs with ducted exhausts, or when an additional exhaust valve is needed.

Traccel Total Solutions – For your entire room level Life Science solution, Phoenix Controls offers quality ancillary devices like temperature and humidity sensors, Advanced Pressure Monitors (APM2), Fume Hood Monitors (FHM) and Local Display Units (LDU).

The success of my Life Science Facility depends on the quality of our research. How does Traccel ensure a stable airflow solution?

Simple….We don’t measure flow like a VAV terminal box. We do not measure flow for several reasons; speed of response, accuracy, stability, maintenance and balancing are problematic with typical flow measurement devices. In fact, flow can’t be measured directly; it can only be estimated by measuring velocity pressure and translating that measurement via transducers. What the venturi valve and Phoenix controls does is control flow or meter flow to ensure a CFM offset and maintain the desired polarity. As well our valves are mechanically pressure independent. Pressure independence allows for the valve to instantly adjust to any variations or spikes of pressure in the ductwork either caused from a fan, fume hood or the pressure drop from an adjacent space.

How Can I save energy using the Traccel products in my Life Science Lab?

The Traccel family of controllers uses a venturi valve to regulate flow and maintain a volumetric offset in and out of a space. The design of the venturi valve body and cone assembly means higher turndown ratios than a traditional VAV terminal box; Venturi valves can maintain ±5% accuracy for a typical 20:1 flow range versus a 3:1 turndown on a terminal box at that same accuracy. A large flow range with better accuracy gives you the ability to better manage airflow and conserve energy.

Phoenix Controls also offers the Traccel Valves in a Low Pressure and/or a Medium Pressure offering. Medium Pressure valves gives you the most flexibility in managing energy savings and the Low pressure offering provides the flexibility to maintain flow at a lower static at the end of a HVAC duct run.

My Life Science facility is constantly changing, how can Traccel help keep my HVAC renovation costs under control?

In a renovation to accommodate a new PI or a new style of research, if the mechanical system has been rerouted, added on to or tapped into, re-commissioning is sure to follow.

By using Traccel controllers and valves - Less Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB), means faster commissioning which saves you money. The Traccel controller and valves meter flow and don’t measure. Devices that measure flow, like a VAV terminal box, must typically be field characterized for the installation condition. Traccel valves are factory calibrated and time for TAB is virtually eliminated.

Inlet insensitivity – Design or configure up to 30% shorter duct runs throughout the HVAC system with Traccel. Traccel Valves operate accurately even when there are short or angled duct sections unlike standard duct requirements required with a VAV terminal box.

Shut-off Capability – In Life Science, needs for gaseous decontamination or HVAC isolation are not always thought of during the planning stage. Planning a valve up front that can do both precision airflow controls with low leakage shut-off can save thousands of dollars.

How does the Life Science Traccel controller integrate with BMS networks?

Phoenix Controls has a proven track-record integrating with building automation systems. Traccel is offered as both a LonMark-certified or a BTL-certifified controller and can seamlessly plug a the open LON network, a Native BACnet MS/TP, or integrate with BACnet via a Phoenix Controls MicroServer or MacroServer products.

Who do I contact to see a demonstration of your Life Science HVAC products?

Phoenix Controls has mock-up Life Science and Research Labs at its facility in Acton, Massachusetts. Three rooms demonstrate ventilation performance for Bio-Containment, Chemical Research and Open Bench Life Science Research rooms. Phoenix Controls sells its products through independent qualified partners that can also meet with you to present a demonstration. See How to Buy for more information.

What Life Science/Research facilities are using your products today?

Thousands or research facilities, including top Ranks University research facilities rely on Phoenix Controls for precision airflow control. A partial list of customers appears in the Laboratory Customers List.