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Research & Development Facility

Ever rising comfort requirements call for innovative technology. Quite often, new architectural concepts cannot be converted into reality using standard solutions; further, growing environmental and energy awareness places new demands on science and technology.

Research & Development

Fresh impetus for tomorrow’s ‘applied system solutions’

The Aachen-based Research and Development Centre is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment. R&D engineers search for innovative, energy-efficient HVAC solutions and test them in experimental labs. If the tests are successful, the solutions will be thoroughly checked in our engineering department where they are converted into efficient systems.

To meet the very high customer requirements, engineers perform target-oriented research and development work in a modern testing laboratory hall having a floor area of 1 000 m², a height of 12 m, and a length of 37 m.

Investigations and tests carried out in our labs:

faithful simulation of indoor air flow in industrial and commercial buildings at a scale of 1:1

performance tests with cooling and heating elements, induction units, façade units, etc.

development and testing of customized project solutions application of special software for simulation of buildings including their technical systems airflow and acoustic tests on newly developed products.

Krantz has been accredited to EN ISO 9001 by TÜV Rheinland.

Laboratory Testing

Krantz creates functional reliability – in a scale of 1:1 and in models
“Laboratory testing prevents from errors, that otherwise would only be revealed at the commisioning of a facility or building.”

We validate our component and system functions by laboratory testing – usually at a scale of 1:1. In suitable cases we can perform laboratory testing in compliance with the laws of similarity. Of course, this applies also to customized models that are individually built for you.

Especially in the field of comfort air conditioning laboratory tests can bring insights. When, for example, an office building needs to be equipped with a hundred identical rooms, the replica of one office makes it possible to neutrally check the performance data and interaction between the planned components and to test comfort parameters under various conditions. These include indoor air velocities, turbulence levels, room temperature gradients, and radiation asymmetry. Acoustic data is tested in our echo chamber under standard conditions.

Decisive advantage of laboratory testing:

The planned ventilation, cooling, heating, and acoustic concepts can be tested and experienced under real conditions. That way, the objective measurement data can be evaluated significantly better. Should the tested system not be consistent with its’ goals and expectations, optimizations can be carried out and be immediately validated.


On-site testing

Our R&D at your facility

No matter how careful the planning and implementation of a facility might be, in practice something unpredictable can happen at any time. In such cases, our R&D experts also come directly to you with their know-how.

  • measurement of comfort parameters: indoor air velocity, supply air temperature, temperature distribution, radiation impact
  • measurement of indoor air distribution
  • acoustic measurement
  • smoke extraction with own smoke generator
  • thermal imaging at cooling ceilings and façades
  • determination of ventilation effectiveness with tracer gas
  • leak tests (e.g. at air ducts)
  • ·operating behavior of facilities (long-term analysis)
  • holistic analyses: interaction building, cooling and heating loads, HVAC-systems, etc.

Simulations

We look into the future for you

Krantz uses latest software programs to precisely calculate in advance the behavior of air flows and temperatures within buildings. Normally, we look at large volume rooms such as assembly halls, theaters, concert halls, airport terminals or atria by means of numeric simulations.

Those simulations always have health promoting or even life-saving effects, when it comes to smoke exhaust scenarios or the natural ventilation of power plants.

  • simulation for determination of room temperature gradient with mechanical or natural ventilation
  • simulation for determination of comfort parameters like: indoor air velocity, supply air temperature, temperature distribution, radiation impact, etc.
  • calculation of ventilation effectiveness or local air exchange rates
  • evaluation of measures for façade-screening
  • energetic system comparisons
  • simulation of airflow around buildings, suction situations at buildings, spread of emissions
  • examination of smoke exhaust scenarios

Development of components

Innovative solutions call for laboratory tests

The range of products and systems includes air outlets for commercial and industrial applications, cooling and heating systems, facade-mounted ventilation systems as well as cleanroom systems.

System Development and Monitoring

Planning in different dimensions

The building technology for large objects needs to be holistically planned, that means under the consideration of all factors. Ventilation technology for example is not only about the supply of outdoor air, but additionally about heating and cooling. Attention must also be paid to the shielding of façade surfaces, such that a comfortable atmosphere at the workplaces is guaranteed at any time of the year.

Krantz delivers reliable statements already in the planning-phase – by computer-aided simulations and descriptive laboratory tests.

Smoke Extraction Examinations

Measurements against “bad atmosphere”

Smoke is harmful to health. In case of fire, it can even be lethal. It is good to know how to equip oneself for the worst-case scenario. Krantz examines smoke extraction scenarios, e.g. for assembly halls, airports or metro stations with CFD-calculations and laboratory testing on a model.

And we develop systems for low-impulse supply air distribution and for smoke evacuation. Additionally, a 50 kW hot smoke generator is available for on-site tests.

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