The National Gallery, London

Project Overview

The National Gallery, London, houses one of the greatest collections of Western European painting in the world. These pictures, dating from 1250 onwards, belong to the public and entrance to see them is free.  The imposing building is situated on the North side of Trafalgar Square, facing Nelsons Column. The site occupied by the National Gallery, between the north side of Trafalgar Square and Orange Street, has had a history of successive developments. These have been largely prompted by the continuous growth of the collection and more recently by the growing demand for ancillary spaces due to changing visitor needs and expectations. The Gallery is widely recognised as a building of immense importance, confirmed by its Grade 1 status, and the existing building is the cumulative effort of many generations of architects. The principal significance of the interiors lies in their overall layout and architectural quality at the main gallery level. The National Gallery contains over 2300 paintings and has a combined floor are of 46396 m2.

Due to the size and nature of the collection, efficient, reliable climate control is a critical requirement.  The temperature in the gallery must be controlled to within +/- 0.5 deg at all times. Heat is generated by 3 gas fired boilers and a CHP system. The LTHW system is an existing system which, due to its age, is losing water through leakage in the pipe work.  The specification therefore called for a pressurisation station which would take up minimum space, minimise and monitor any fresh water make up, and also maintain a nearly constant pressure in the system so as to have the least impact on the integrity of the existing pipe work. The Transfero System has minimum space requirement as the pressureless vessels have 100% acceptance of the LTHW system water expansion, water make up is monitored by an integral contact  water meter, and it maintains the system pressure to within +/- 0.2 bar.  Minimum air permeability is assured by the butyl construction of the bags containing the water within the vessels. The Transfero TPV also degasses the system water in a separate diffusion proof degassing vessel.

Products Supplied by Engineering Appliances

TRANSFERO

TPV and 2 x 1500 litre TG expansion vessels.