Challenge:
During the height of the COVID-19 crisis, a major HVAC equipment manufacturer supplying wall-mounted units for portable cadaver storage trailers faced two critical challenges:
- Urgent timeline: Lead times for custom air conditioning and refrigeration systems with capacity control features were prohibitively long. There was no other option but to deploy off-the-shelf, standard DX units that were immediately available. (The APR Control is the In-Stock Solution)
- Risk of evaporator coil freeze-up: Storing remains at sustained low temperatures pushed the HVAC systems to their limits. Without proper capacity modulation, the evaporator coils could drop below freezing, risking ice formation on the coils, leading to potential water damage once thawed, and even compressor failure. (Lean More: How the APR Control Prevents Coil Freezing)
Both equipment damage and the risk of storage disruptions were unacceptable in a pandemic response scenario.
Solution:
To address the freezing risk without delaying deployment, the APR Control was added to the standard wall-mounted HVAC units installed on the portable trailers. The APR Control’s continuous capacity modulation keeps the system’s suction pressure elevated, preventing the evaporator coil temperature from ever dipping below freezing, even under extremely low load conditions. The APR Controls allowed the units to run continuously without freezing, avoiding expensive retrofits or equipment change-outs.
Key Factors that Convinced the Decision Makers:
- Immediate Availability: Using standard HVAC equipment allowed rapid deployment to meet the urgent needs of New York’s pandemic response, avoiding long lead times on variable speed or customized units.
- Reliable Coil Protection: The APR Control maintains coil temperatures above freezing by modulating capacity based on suction pressure, eliminating freeze-up risk without additional control electronics.
- Cost-Effective Retrofit: Installation of the APR Control required no major equipment changes, ductwork modification, or complex controls, significantly minimizing project cost and downtime.
- Risk Mitigation: By preventing frozen coils, the solution also averted secondary risks like water damage and compressor failure, which could have necessitated expensive repairs, unit replacement, and litigation.
Results:
The APR Control enabled standard wall-mounted HVAC units to operate reliably at low load and low temperature conditions needed for cadaver storage. The system:
- Functioned continuously throughout the critical storage period.
- Avoided coil freeze-ups, water damage, and premature compressor failures.
- Required no costly customizations or delayed lead times on variable speed equipment.
- Maintained the required cold storage temperatures with confidence and minimal maintenance.
This solution delivered fast, effective performance during a public health emergency, proving that APR Control can adapt standard HVAC systems to demanding and unusual conditions with minimal cost and complexity.
Conclusion:
When time was of the essence and performance could not be compromised, the APR Control provided a simple, reliable, and cost-effective retrofit to standard HVAC equipment, preventing coil freezing and ensuring continuous operation in portable cadaver storage trailers during the COVID-19 surge in New York. By combining rapid deployment with enhanced capacity modulation, the APR Control helped meet critical storage needs without custom redesigns or system overhauls. This only demonstrates its value in emergency applications where system reliability and performance are critical.
Our engineers are ready to help you find the right solution for your school’s HVAC challenges. Call Rawal Devices today at 800-727-6447 to schedule a consultation and discover the benefits of APR Control.
