SPX Cooling Technologies - Experts & Thought Leaders

SPX Cooling Tech, LLC, a full-line, full-service industry pioneer in the design and manufacture of evaporative cooling towers, fluid coolers and more, has introduced OlympusV™ (pronounced o-lym-pus-vee) Adiabatic Systems, a series of adiabatic cooling products designed to provide a flexible cooling solution for operators and engineers of commercial refrigeration, industrial refrigeration, HVAC or industrial process systems. The series consists of three products, each available in various sizes and coil type based on application. The products include Recold® OlympusV CO2 Cooler, Recold OlympusV Condenser and Marley® OlympusV Fluid Cooler. Unique operating conditions “OlympusV adiabatic cooling products balance the water-saving benefits of an air-cooled heat rejection system with the energy efficiency of a water-cooled solution to provide more flexible cooling,” explained Marshal Zabel, Senior Global Product Manager with SPX Cooling. “These products typically operate dry a majority of annual hours, limiting site water use to only those times when ambient temperatures and cooling loads are at their highest.” Each unit is delivered with user-friendly, smart controls allowing operators to adjust water and energy usage based on the needs of their unique operating conditions. The CoolBoost™ Opti AD control panel allows operators to choose between Water Conservation Mode and Energy Conservation Mode, each of which prioritizes savings of the associated onsite resource during peak cooling loads. Data center applications Customers interested in learning more about the OlympusV Adiabatic Series for their particular needs “These products can be effectively applied in a variety of conditions, even in hot and dry environments, because of their flexible operating modes,” added Zabel. “And they can help engineers and operators in a variety of markets, from grocery facilities to food processing to data center applications.” Other design features include electronically commutated (EC) fans for reduced maintenance and sound, stainless steel coils for durable performance, and a unique recirculating water distribution system designed to help improve performance and reduce scale for extended adiabatic pad life. Customers interested in learning more about the OlympusV Adiabatic Series for their particular needs can get information on the website. For questions about the adiabatic series of products, or to get a quote, contact a nearby SPX Cooling product representative.

SPX Cooling Tech, LLC, a full-line, full-service industry major in the design and manufacture of evaporative cooling towers and fluid coolers, has announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Springfield, Missouri, USA that will expand the company’s capacity, while also allowing current operations to further optimize their legacy Marley® brand products. SPX Cooling opens new manufacturing facility in Springfield “For over 100 years, Marley has been the preeminent manufacturer of cooling solutions for industries that have become foundational for our communities,” explained Sean McClenaghan, President of Global Cooling for SPX. He adds, “As we prepare for the next generation of growth, we are pleased to announce that SPX Cooling Tech, with the assistance of the State of Missouri Department of Economic Development, is opening the new facility in Springfield.” New 100,000-square-feet, SPX-operated facility The new 100,000-square-feet, SPX-operated facility is projected to be operational within six months The new 100,000-square-feet, SPX-operated facility is projected to be operational within six months, and is expected to employ approximately 60 team members. According to Sean McClenaghan, the new site will support the increased investment in data centers, semiconductor fabrication facilities and battery and EV infrastructure throughout North America. SPX Cooling To improve throughput and product quality “We’re excited for the opportunities this facility will give our company and our customers,” stated Sean McClenaghan, adding “And we are equally as enthusiastic about being able to work within the community of Springfield.” SPX Cooling also continues to invest in their existing manufacturing facilities to improve throughput and product quality, including making significant upgrades over the past year to the equipment in the company’s main manufacturing location in Olathe, Kansas, USA.

SPX Technologies, Inc. (‘SPXC’ or the Company) announced that it has completed the acquisition of ASPEQ Heating Group (‘ASPEQ’) including certain tax attributes for US$ 418 million in cash, subject to closing adjustments. ASPEQ, a global provider of electrical heating solutions to customers in industrial and commercial markets, is now a part of SPX Technologies’ HVAC Heating platform. Rise in 2023 full-year guidance for adjusted earnings To reflect this transaction, the Company has increased its 2023 full-year guidance for adjusted earnings per share of US$ 3.90 to US$ 4.05 from a prior range of US$ 3.80 to US$ 3.95. The increase in guidance reflects a partial year of ownership of ASPEQ and the impact of financing costs associated with the transaction. SPX Technologies acquires ASPEQ Heating Group We are excited to welcome the ASPEQ team to the SPX Technologies family" At the midpoint, updated adjusted EPS guidance represents a year-on-year increase of approximately 28%. Management expects ASPEQ to have annual revenue of approximately US$ 120 million, and higher-than-company-average sales growth and margins. “We are excited to welcome the ASPEQ team to the SPX Technologies family,” said Gene Lowe, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SPX Technologies, adding “This transaction more than doubles SPX Technologies’ position in electrical heating and expands our value-creation opportunities in highly-complementary and attractive industrial and commercial end markets.” Combined business offers long-term growth potential Gene Lowe continues, “We see significant long-term growth potential for our combined businesses, as well as nearer-term benefits from favorable secular trends, such as electrification, decarbonization, and re-shoring.” Dave Smith, ASPEQ’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said “We are delighted to be joining SPX Technologies’ electrical heating team. Bringing together SPX Technologies’ marketing and channel infrastructure and business systems with ASPEQ’s technology, and strong product development and applications expertise creates numerous opportunities for employees, customers, and shareholders.” Building a stronger, more valuable platform Dave Smith adds, “I personally look forward to working with the SPX Technologies team to build an even stronger, more valuable platform.”

For 100 years, the Marley brand has provided evaporative cooling towers and fluid coolers, ranging from large industrial applications to smaller plants such as offices. The equipment is used to cool hospitals, data centers, and large commercial buildings. In data centers, for example, evaporative cooling uses 60% less power than air-cooled systems. Events at 100th anniversary  SPX Technologies, the corporate owner of the Marley brand, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022. Among the events marking the anniversary is a series of Road Shows. A big truck displaying key products will visit 50 locations across the United States. As it marks the anniversary, the Road Show also seeks to support the sales representative channel. There will also be marketing giveaways and promotional offers along the way. For SPX’s employee base, a global event in May 2022 will be a two-and-a-half-day celebration including visits to the research and development (R&D) center and manufacturing locations in Overland Park, Kan. Marley Company acquisition After its acquisition by SPX Corp. in 2001, Marley Cooling Technologies became SPX Cooling Technologies Both Marley Cooling Technologies (SPX Cooling Technologies) and Marley Engineered Products, another SPX business, evolved from the same parent company, The Marley Company. The history goes back to 1922 with the founding of predecessor company PPEC (Power Plant Equipment Company), which used the trade name “Marley” for their products, a combination of the names of founders Leon T. Mart and Chester Smiley. The Marley Company was incorporated in 1928. The company grew consistently through a series of acquisitions and ownership changes. After its acquisition by SPX Corp. in 2001, Marley Cooling Technologies became SPX Cooling Technologies, and it still uses the globally recognized Marley brand. Tested solutions, energy savings  SPX and Marley customers get the benefit of 100 years of experience supplying products that have withstood the test of time. “We have tremendous experience engineering to customer needs,” says Ankush Kumar, President, Global HVAC Cooling, SPX Corp. “The customer benefits from the collective experience of 100 years of solving complex problems. We provide true, tested solutions that meet customer needs reliably and effectively.” Marley is built on the value proposition of quality, innovation, and sustainability, the latter based on Marley products’ use of evaporative cooling to produce energy savings and low environmental impact. Marley technology consumes 20 to 25% less energy than competitive products. Focus on HVAC innovation Marley designed the first cooling tower 100 years ago, which holds more than 200 U.S. cooling tower design patents In fact, Kumar says environmental issues have replaced cost as the focus of HVAC innovation in the last several years.  He has also seen more emphasis on connectivity, with better control packages enabling building managers to access more information from a BMS (building management system). In the area of innovation, Marley designed the first cooling tower 100 years ago, which holds more than 200 U.S. cooling tower design patents and was an early innovator in efficient heat transfer such as crossflow cooling towers and film fill. Marley created the first factory-assembled cooling tower, the Aquatower, in 1947. It changed the industry and the future of the company, transitioning from field-directed systems to factory-assembled systems that provide better quality and require less labor for installation. Industrial grade construction, employee relationships Quality is displayed in Marley's reputation for industrial-grade construction, inventive engineering, and manufacturing. “Our people are a big part of the mission,” says Kumar. “We have an engineering climate throughout our company, and some of the employees are the second generation.” One recent retiree, 78 years old, noted that Marley has put food on his table since he was 2 (his father was also a long-time employee). “Our employee relationships remain strong because we believe in core principles of developing employees,” says Kumar. The company’s reputation and long legacy attract the top young talent from the engineering community. energy-efficient closed-circuit systems We consistently make products that provide more cooling for the same or lower energy" “We listen to the voice of the customer and seek to create new products that are even more reliable and better performing,” says Kumar. For example, the MH Element Fluid Cooler is a closed-loop HVAC system that combines the function of a cooling tower and heat exchanger into one system, among the most energy-efficient closed-circuit systems on the market. “Our consistent focus in recent years has been on energy efficiency,” says Kumar. “We consistently make products that provide more cooling for the same or lower energy.” SPX is also environmentally conscious when it comes to manufacturing processes, such as handling waste. The fill (heat transfer media) is made of recycled materials. Webinars to install systems The 100th anniversary comes on the heels of a pandemic that challenged the company to protect employees while meeting customer needs. The company focused on safety with extra precautions to protect the employee base, and they continued to pay employees who were exposed to COVID. Like many companies, they struggled to maintain a collaborative culture in a time dominated by Zoom. To communicate with customers, the company created webinars about how to install and specify systems. They ensured customers in the engineering community could get their questions answered remotely. They adjusted to a “hybrid” model (in which employees work on-site two to three days a week), seeking to maintain a family-friendly environment throughout. Addressing supply chain problems The global company does business in more than 80 countries and has manufacturing plants in the Far East and the United Kingdom. There are also four manufacturing plants in the U.S., which mostly supply the needs of U.S. customers. It is harder for foreign competitors to meet the demand for equipment that is large and “made to order.” Currently, SPX is grappling with supply problems, which they are addressing with the help of their supply chain partners. “Our challenge in the medium- to long-term is to offer products that continue to appeal to customers in the future,” says Kumar. The strategic goal is to double the size of the business in the next several years, including expanding product lines (based on innovation) and acquisitions. Clearly, the next 100 years will continue to be eventful.  

Until very recently the concept of unplanned shutdowns of HVAC systems and other evaporative cooling equipment in facilities was foreign to most building managers. Shutdowns would usually occur on a wholly scheduled basis, when equipment required planned maintenance, component repair, or replacement. But, with the occurrence of the global COVID-19 pandemic which saw hundreds of thousands of workers asked to work remotely literally overnight, we have seen thousands of buildings effectively mothballed with no time for planned system shutdown operations to take place. In this article, we will highlight best practices to follow after an unplanned shutdown of factory-assembled (package) cooling towers as well as inspection and start-up activities. As resources, we recommend following industry best practices as outlined in ASHRAE Standard 188 – 2018 and ASHRAE Guideline 12 – 2020. Additionally, your Water Management Plan, cooling tower user manual, and the advice of your cooling tower manufacturer and water treatment professional are essential resources. Follow HVAC safety protocols We have seen thousands of buildings effectively mothballed with no time for planned system shutdown operations to take place Before beginning inspection and start-up activities, consult with your safety officer and follow all safety protocols. Always shut off electrical power to the tower fan motor prior to performing any maintenance using lockout/tag out procedures. When planning to start up any cooling loop system after an extended period of shutdown, operators must consider the potential hazards that may exist in the stagnant water within the system. One concern is the potential growth of microorganisms, including legionella bacteria. Microorganisms, including Legionella bacteria, can grow in water distribution systems containing water that has been stagnant for longer than five days, as cited in ASHRAE Guideline 12-2020. These systems include community water supply pipes, building plumbing, and evaporative cooling equipment. First steps in starting up a cooling system The first step to a safe evaporative cooling system restart is to confirm that the quality of the water coming into the system is acceptable. That may mean flushing the facility’s feed lines as well as checking for “dead legs” throughout the distribution system. Microorganisms can grow in water distribution systems containing water that has been stagnant for longer than five days For the cooling tower specifically, fully draining and thoroughly cleaning all elements, including the cold and hot water basins and all mechanical equipment, is recommended. More on this later in the article. After cleaning, the cooling tower must be thoroughly flushed with fresh water and refilled. Your water treatment professional may recommend operating the cooling tower at elevated chemical levels verified via biological test before returning the system to standard chemical levels. Upon verifying acceptable water chemistry and biological activity, and documenting the treatment steps, the cooling tower components are ready for inspection before re-starting. Inspections and checks to do before restarting your cooling system Tower casing: Inspect the exterior of the tower for leaks and cracks. We recommend walking around the tower twice. First, be aware of trip points and focus on the lower portion of the tower. The second time look higher for cracks and leaks, signs of vibration and loose hardware, and presence of rust that may have been caused by an overflowing hot water basin. Louvers, Fill & Drift Eliminators: Check louvers for deterioration and excess scale build-up. Inspect the fill media for build-up of scale, algae, and other contaminants. Some light scale is typical on fill and can be easily removed with brushing. If the fill is heavily scaled and damaged, tower performance will be adversely affected. Drift eliminators should be clean and free of debris. Ensure the seals are in place and in good condition. Cold water basin: It is vital that your cold water basin and anti-vortex screens are clean, free of debris, and properly in place. If you have other equipment in your cold-water basin such as basin sweepers that go to side filtration, check nozzle placement to ensure proper water flow. Inspect water level probes, whether manual or electronic, for corrosion. When the basin is clean and operational condition of components is confirmed, refill the cold water basin to the recommended operating level. Hot water basin: Remove the basin covers to clean the water distribution system basin and nozzles. Then properly secure the covers. Piping: Check all supply and return piping to and from the tower; confirm valves are open and the water treatment system is operational. Mechanical Equipment – Fan, Motor, Gearbox, Belt Drive and Driveshaft Fan: Check the fan; blades must turn freely with proper tip clearance between the blade and the shroud. Verify blade pitch to eliminate vibration. Check the fan; blades must turn freely with proper tip clearance between the blade and the shroud. Verify blade pitch to eliminate vibration Motor: Turn the motor manually and confirm hardware is tight and free of corrosion. Moisture and heat are detrimental to motors. Check that open drain holes match motor orientation. Belt drive: Check tension on your belt drive. Inspect pulleys for corrosion and loss of metal in the grooves. Geardrive:  Check oil level. Check oil appearance for cloudiness or particulates, signs of water and other contaminants. Check and lubricate bearings. Driveshaft: Check alignment of driveshafts and couplings. Inspect for corrosion and damage. Check rubber components for cracks and brittleness. Start-Up Procedure Start pumps only with fans off. Check water level in hot water distribution basin and avoid overflow. Confirm water flow through the cooling tower is clean. Check cold water basin. If using a mechanical float valve, ensure that it is functioning correctly. Confirm water level sensor is operating correctly and that make-up water flows when required. Check below and around basin perimeter to rule out leaks. Start the fan motor at low speed – 25-30%. Observe fan operation and listen to confirm free movement with no obstructions. If fan operates freely, increase to full speed; Continue listening for unusual noises and monitor vibration levels in the cooling tower and on the fan deck. This article provides an overview the many considerations necessary to safely restart a factory-assembled cooling tower after an unplanned shutdown. These guidelines are merely a starting point for the process. Always consult the manufacturer and the cooling tower user manual and follow the recommended practices before proceeding. By Stephen Andrew, Parts & Service Manager - EMEA, SPX Cooling Technologies, Ltd., Worcester, UK and Robert Swafford, Aftermarket Channel Manager, SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc., Overland Park, KS, USA.