The Star Brisbane is part of Queen's Wharf, an incredible new entertainment district with a series of cutting-edge refrigeration systems keeping food and beverages fresh in the precinct.
With the support of commercial refrigeration and air conditioning specialist, Shelair, BITZER equipped the impressive precinct with 27 cool rooms and freezer rooms, 63 remote refrigeration cabinets, three beer systems and two blast chillers.
Like most projects of this scope, it was a collaborative effort, with tier-one contractor Multiplex commissioning mechanical services contractor Ellis Air to provide the building component. BITZER's distribution partner ACTROL in turn supplied the refrigeration packages to refrigeration contractors Shelair and Ellis Air.
This included the food and beverage packages, comprising multiple refrigeration and cold room systems, beer systems and post-mix systems.
BITZER's sales and engineering team assisted ACTROL by supplying 11 low- and medium-temperature refrigeration racks as well as Buffalo Trident evaporators of different sizes and configurations.
ACTROL provided engineering support, carrying out thermal and system loads for the contractors and confirming that the consultants' requirements were met. ACTROL also assisted with the extensive pipework.
Shelair completed Stage A and B1 of the installation, paying close attention to detail. The pipework was done with careful planning, the electrics were precisely executed, and the commissioning was completed to a high standard.
Pipework and water-cooled condenser flow controls and connections were all custom-designed. Electrical, cold room and evaporator installation went smoothly.
With close cooperation among project partners ACTROL, BITZER, Ellis Air and Shelair, the project was carried out to ensure maximum efficiency and sustainability.
The entire Queen's Wharf precinct is targeting a six-star Green Star rating, which means the project is being built to a world-leading standard for sustainability.
To meet strict sustainability targets, each BITZER maxi rack features an IQ MODULE mounted on the main compressor. The module controls and monitors the peripheral devices, records operating data and can be conveniently operated with the BEST SOFTWARE.
It simplifies installation and system integration as well as compressor operation and service.
VARISTEP capacity control on the remote units provides precise compressor control and monitoring, saving energy when the compressor is outside normal operating parameters. Electronic expansion valves on the evaporators control refrigerant flow and ensure the system operates as accurately and efficiently as possible.
Throughout the project, BITZER and ACTROL provided information to the consultant and mechanical contractor, ensuring that the selected equipment and electrics met the complex design parameters.
Water-cooled condensers were required due to the location of machine rooms throughout the building.
However, due to high static head pressures, traditional shell and tube heat exchangers were unsuitable. Instead, BITZER supplied high-pressure plate heat exchangers to meet the project requirements.
The delivery of the equipment and the required dates for the crane lifts meant that there were time constraints on the delivery, which were met to the customer's satisfaction.
ACTROL provided technical support to the contractors and ensured that the consultants' requirements were met, assisting with the dimensioning of the pipework and holding stock on-site for delivery to the site for crane lifts.
Ellis Air project manager, Matthew Raynham, said BITZER provided support at every stage of the project life cycle.
“ACTROL and BITZER helped with the design, before the installation contractor was appointed, and again when the Skydeck leases were let. Ellis Air ensured that the same level of quality was maintained throughout the fit-out,” he said.
The Star Brisbane opened in August 2024, and BITZER has already secured the supply of refrigeration systems for the next project, the Star's new Sky Deck Part B1.