BioCentury Research Farm at Iowa State University

Project Description  

For this project, Iowa State University (ISU) needed the addition of two new high-plume laboratory exhaust style fans to serve the combined general and fume hood exhaust systems. Additionally, modifications to the existing air handling unit and to the bioprocessing train systems were included in the project.

Scope of Work  

The initial scope included only the addition of two exhaust fans. During the design process, RCE identified issues with this approach, and modifications to the air handling unit were eventually added to the scope. Finally, changes to the BioProcessing Train were added to the project scope to allow for new process equipment being installed.

Challenge Faced 

When the existing Air Handling Unit (AHU) exhaust fans located in the mechanical room were removed and new exhaust fans were added downstream, a significant pressure differential was created between the supply and exhaust airstreams in the AHU. This caused modifications to the AHU that were not originally part of the project scope but were added to prevent failure of panels within the AHU. The additional scope involved challenges in coordinating supply and exhaust air system modifications with new process equipment.

Project Outcome 

Success. Modifications were made to the existing AHU including reinforcing AHU panels and bypassing a heat exchanger core that could not accommodate the increased differential pressure associated with the new system configuration. In addition, a significant amount of coordination was completed to match new duct layouts to the process equipment in the BioProcessing Train. The project addressed the concern about carbon monoxide in the mechanical room, and all other operational issues with existing building systems.