Posted by
Watkins, Simon C on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Re-Using-a-mirror-for-axial-resolution-testing-tp6619710p7581080.html
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Recently (last year) we expanded our Center to include 5 new scope rooms.
These were all around 100-200 sq ft each and were to be built within a
converted classroom space. Previously we had thought of this conversion
but balked because of the cost of the changes in air handling needed. In
this case I used Watt Misers (power calculator widgets) to measure the
power usage by systems and was truly stunned by how things have changed.
Essentially if you are using current Diode based lasers launches, flat
screen panels and diode illuminators your power use and hence heat
production is quite low, lots and lots of power cordsŠ most of which lead
to 12 volt transformersŠ Which essentially mean little power is consumed.
For example a scope with a 4 line launch, 7 color diode illuminator,
inverted scope, 3 cameras, a small stage type warm/co2 stage, computer and
2x 30 inch screens used less than 400 watts when at full workload. By
comparison just one argon laser used @ 2.5kW (I think). The only heat
generator in the new space are the Ti Sapphire lasers which we vent into
the corridor and the larger heated chambers we use in the MPE animal
warming boxes. This is a particularly sensitive issue because the
super-res systems, specifically our SIM system (also in this space)
demands very stable temperatures. Nowadays the biggest heat producers are
the operators not the systems. As far as heat/cooling air delivery we use
solutions where air is pumped in through the ceiling diffused with baffles
and leaves either through another air vent in the ceiling or a vented
panel in the door, because of decreased heat load the airflow is never
that great (except in rooms with gas or MPE lasers). However, and because
of variable cooling need between spaces all rooms still have independent
thermal control and it does not vary over a 24 hour cycle.
Hope this helps
S
Simon Watkins Ph.D
Professor and Vice Chair Cell Biology
Professor Immunology
Director Center for Biologic Imaging
University of Pittsburgh
Bsts 225 3550 terrace st
Pittsburgh PA 15261
Www.cbi.pitt.edu <
http://Www.cbi.pitt.edu/>
412-352-2277
On 10/8/13 3:51 AM, "Csúcs Gábor" <
[hidden email]> wrote:
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>Dear All,
>
>Not a very scientific (though who knows) but still an important (in terms
>of comfort) question about the climatization of microscopy rooms. We are
>just in the middle of discussions about the arrangement of our new
>microscopy rooms. Most of the things are clear, however the planning team
>suggested a solution for the climatization that is new to me and I wanted
>to enquire whether anyone of you had experience with similar systems. In
>the "conventional" arrangement the cold air comes in somewhere at the
>ceiling and I think there is a general consensus that it is better if it
>is well distributed and not simply blown in into one direction. Our
>planning team however suggests a new solution, where the cold air would be
>blown in (through some canvas tubes) close to the bottom/floor. The warm
>air (that goes anyway upward) is sucked at the ceiling. According to them,
>although this systems creates a height-dependent temperature gradient
>(cold bottom, stable 22 C at the microscope level and warmer at the
>ceiling) but with this one can avoid the continuous mixing/turbulence
>where both the blowing in and the sucking away happens on the ceiling
>(conventional solution). Now, in theory this sounds good but we are
>somewhat skeptical how well this system works in practice and what the
>users say if their feet has colder (approx. 16-18 C) temperatures then
>their body. In a few weeks we will have the opportunity to check a similar
>installation, but I'd really appreciate if you could share your
>experiences with us. Obviously this is a important decision for us so any
>feedback is welcome.
>
>Thanks Gabor