UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Engineering Department, Facilities Directorate
Chemistry Priestley Laboratory Fume Cupboard Initiative
The Project
£350,000 was spent upgrading the 63 constant volume fume cupboards
within the 765m2 Priestley Teaching Laboratory This project reduced
the energy use of the laboratory through modified ventilation requirements,
using variable air volume cupboards, separation of solvent cupboard
extracts, passive infra-red sash prompts, a poster campaign and a central
monitoring system.
The Challenge
The 63 fume cupboards in the laboratory accounted for 4,360 MWhrs
(4,360,000kWhs) of energy consumption in 2012. The design of the
existing cupboard and chemical storage extraction system restricted the amount of energy that could be
saved, just through good management. Following consultation with the Head of School and laboratory users a
number of engineering based initiatives where identified to help reduce the energy usage of the laboratory.
The Solution
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Existing duct work systems and fume cupboards upgraded to change from constant volume to variable
volume operation.
Independent solvent and chemical storage cupboard ventilation system installed
Duct work altered to provide energy efficient facility for 8 Cupboards to operate outside of normal
operational hours
Passive Infra-red sash prompts fitted to cupboards to prompt users to close sashes if left open for more
than 2 minutes.
Improved local controls to enable lab staff to select appropriate number of fume cupboards for class
size and isolate those cupboards not required.
Install remote monitoring system and energy sub metering to check operation.
Promoted behavioural change with Sustainability’s “Shut the Sash” campaign
Upgrade controls to maintain a constant dilution system efflux velocity of 16m/s.
To minimise the impact on research and teaching the project started in July 2013 and was completed in
September 2013.
Recorded Savings
Over a 6 month period the following savings where recorded
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• A reduction in thermal energy of 1,647MWhth
• A reduction in electrical energy of 347MWhe
• Energy costs reduced by £81,217.00 net
• 511 tonnes of carbon saved.
Feedback
“The nature of the majority of research carried out in Chemistry relies on moving, and consequently heating,
large volumes of air through our fume cupboards in order to carry out the work safely. While it is not feasible to
completely refurbish or replace existing fume cupboards and plant, these minor modifications with minimal
disruption and no safety implications have allowed us to make a worthwhile contribution to energy saving
around campus.” Dr Andrew Goddard, Chemistry Building General Manager
Award
This scheme was the winner of the 2014 S-Labs “Environmental Improvement” Award, beating 6 other
shortlisted entries. It was awarded for demonstrating how design best practice, successfully installed and
implemented by the users, can significantly reduce the energy consumption of laboratory ventilation systems.
Case study 2014/001