Hydronic Microclimate Control Systems (HMCS)

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AgriTech North’s Hydronic Microclimate Control System uses cold climate conditions, waste heat, and renewable thermal energy to deliver low-power cooling, heating, and dehumidification.

By combining hydronic heat transfer with a compressor-free adsorption chiller, the system operates without refrigerants, reducing its environmental impact as well as enabling self-maintenance, crucial for remote communities.

Rendering of complete hydronic heating ventilation air conditioning and dehumidification units installed in a greenhouse environment with circular ducting and a person shown for scale

Render of HVAC system and air ducts in greenhouse 

Superior Energy Efficiency

Our HVAC system uses up to 71% less energy compared to compressor-based refrigerant systems over 40RT. This exceptionally low power consumption is achieved by using waste and renewable thermal energy rather than electrical energy as the primary power source. 

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illustration of a silhouette person figure removing a hydronic coil which is less than fifty pounds for self-maintenance and pressure washing which is not possible with conventional refrigerant coils

Render of AgriTech North's HVAC coils in a duct 

Self Maintainable

Adsorption chillers require far less maintenance than traditional chillers and do not use refrigerants, making maintenance simpler and safer.

AgriTech North's power-washable coil with a hydronic coolant eliminates the need for a certified Red Seal trades person. The system is designed for self maintenance, crucial for remote communities.

single-line diagram illustrating how the hydronic HVAC-D unit is able to provide heating, cooling, and dehumidification year-round in the same package with adsorption chiller, cooling tower, boiler, thermal battery, and a heat source such as waste heat, solar thermal, geothermal, or similar

AgriTech North’s HVAC system schematic, summer operation 

Renewable Thermal Energy Sources

Heating is primarily supplied by natural and waste-heat sources such as solar thermal, geothermal, and data-centre heat. Harnessing renewable thermal energy reduces operational costs and environmental impact.

During cold seasons, cooling and dehumidification are provided by cooling towers harnessing the outside temperatures. During warm seasons cold input is provided by an adsorption chiller harnessing thermal energy as low as 60°C to produce cold water.

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illustration of exactly how an adsorption chiller works, producing chilled water for air conditioning and dehumidification from hot water with cooling water ejecting mid-grade waste heat

Schematic of an adsorption chiller 

Adsorption Chiller

AgriTech North’s Hydronic Microclimate Control System produces chilled water using an adsorption chiller that operates on exceptionally low electricity use. Instead of relying on a compressor, it’s powered by low grade thermal energy, hot water between 60-95°C, making it an ideal solution for renewable and waste heat integration. These chillers are reliable, rugged, low-maintenance and offer a long service life, delivering cooling performance at a dramatically lower operating cost.

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Rendering of a multi-coil hydronic H-HVAC-D unit with removable pressure-washable coils in-line with ducting and installed in a greenhouse

Render of AgriTech North's HVAC coil assembly shown operable year round

Sustainable Design

The use of hydronics and a compressor-less cooling system eliminates high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants from the HVAC design.

Significantly reduced electricity consumption, combined with the reuse of waste heat as thermal energy, greatly reduces the system’s environmental impact compared to traditional HVAC systems.

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