eleXion supported the refurbishment of the Royal Institution of Great Britain in Mayfair, helping protect new heating and cooling systems within one of London’s best-known historic buildings.
Founded in 1799, the Royal Institution is based in a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse complex on Albemarle Street. The building is home to scientific research, education, a museum and events, including the iconic Christmas Lectures.
As part of a wider sustainability upgrade, the existing plantrooms were refurbished to incorporate modern air source heat pump heating and cooling plant, new buffer storage and improved water treatment.
The Challenge
A significant proportion of the existing pipework was being retained, but the condition of the system water was poor and contained degraded chemical treatment.
The new air source heat pump equipment also had strict water quality requirements, making it important that both the LTHW and chilled water systems were properly cleaned, conditioned and maintained.
The project brought additional logistical challenges. Equipment for the rooftop plantroom, including the bespoke buffer vessels supplied by eleXion, had to be delivered within a tightly controlled lifting window, requiring a road closure in central London.
The Solution
The project team chose a chemical-free approach to ongoing corrosion protection and water quality management.
eleXion reviewed the proposed system layouts and refurbishment design, advised on suitable water treatment equipment and provided options for bespoke buffer vessels and their installation positions across the two systems.
Existing water quality reports were also reviewed to identify the remedial work required before commissioning. Recommendations included system flushing to remove degraded chemical residues, refilling with correctly conditioned water and temporary inline conditioning using filtration.
The completed system incorporated:
- 2 × Elector M25 units for chemical-free corrosion protection
- 2 × ioniX FS 25 units for system filling and water conditioning
- 2 × 1,500-litre bespoke buffer vessels
- approximately 2,500 litres of LTHW system volume
- approximately 2,500 litres of chilled water system volume
The treatment approach was designed to ensure that both systems achieved the required water quality parameters for VDI 2035 and the air source heat pump manufacturer’s requirements.
The Outcome
All equipment was delivered within the restricted lifting window and successfully moved into the rooftop plantroom.
eleXion supported Laser Mechanical throughout installation, including site visits to advise on the equipment and installation requirements. As this was the contractor’s first project using eleXion equipment, the team also provided practical support during commissioning, inline conditioning and filtration.
The completed LTHW and chilled water systems were commissioned with water quality within the required parameters, with the chemical-free treatment equipment providing ongoing control without the need for traditional chemical inhibitor dosing.
Because the system water quality was tightly controlled and the chemical-free treatment approach was implemented in line with eleXion’s requirements, a 10-year extended warranty was provided on the bespoke buffer vessels.
The upgraded systems now benefit from ongoing chemical-free water treatment, helping maintain system water quality while avoiding the continued dosing, storage and handling associated with traditional chemical treatment.
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