Hydratech HTF for polar explorer

A ship that will take UK scientists into the heart of the polar seas will have Hydratech heat transfer fluid at the heart of its heating and cooling system.

The polar research ship that grabbed headlines for nearly being called ‘BoatyMcBoatface’ is part of a major Government investment in polar infrastructure designed keep Britain at the forefront of research in Antarctica and the Arctic.

The vessel, which was officially named 'RRS Sir David Attenborough' by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge in September 2019, has been put through its paces by the shipyard engineers and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) mariners off the coast of North Wales.

It’s now in the hands of the BAS ship crew for intensive training at Holyhead, before equipment trials around the Irish Sea. The ship will head for the Arctic in the next few months to start ice trials, with its maiden voyage to Antarctica planned for late 2021.

The ship represents an exceptional achievement for shipbuilders Cammell Laird. The 15,000 tonne vessel has a strengthened hull designed to break through ice up to one metre thick.

Cammell Laird’s commissioning team selected Coolflow DTX for the RRS Sir David Attenborough’s heating and chilled water systems, refrigerated cold room and fixed fire fighting system – each in a different colour for identification.

Launched in 2010, Coolflow DTX is said to represent a major step forward in heat transfer and pumping efficiency, providing a significant reduction in operating costs when compared with propylene glycol-based fluids. Customers such as Waitrose, Lidl and ALDI have designed their systems with the non-toxic fluid in mind. It has allowed them to not only make savings in areas such as hardware and capital expenditure, but also make continued savings on operational and running costs throughout their nationwide stores.

For more information on Hydratech’s specialist cooling solutions visit www.hydratech.co.uk