An Energy Efficient Vivarium
Jeff Freeman
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Australian BioResources
Mouse breeding facility
Moss Vale NSW
Australia
The challenge
Animal facilities are expensive to build and
operate:
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Full fresh air, humidity and temp controlled
15-20 ACPH
Pressure controlled
Highly filtered
Actively ventilated cage systems
Sophisticated controls & balancing
High steam and hot water use (washup)
Presentation objective
To describe a facility which has
implemented strategies that minimize
energy use while maintaining high
operational standards
Presentation overview
• Facility Description
• Energy conservation initiatives
• Focus area:
Ventilation of the mouse
accommodation pavilion
• Conclusions
Facility description
Facility description
Function
– An SPF facility for the breeding of GM mice
– Run as an agistment facility for
researchers across eastern Australia
– An import / export station
Facility description
Design requirements
– Biologically secure animal environment
– Conducive to animal breeding
– Safe for staff
– Low capital and operating costs
– ESD accountable
– Expandable
Facility description
Project parameters
– $A20million total project cost
– Green-fields site 130km from Sydney
– Stage 1: 18,000 box capacity
– Stage 2: 15,000 box capacity
– Stage 1, 12 months detailed design, 12
months construct
– Mouse accommodation: 2yr prototype
Facility description
• 4000m2 on 45 acre green-field site
• 4 buildings, each linked but fire separated
– Breeding pavilion (1500m2) containing 11 softwalled clean rooms
– Support pavilion (1400m2 )
(wash / import / export / labs)
– Plant and stores (610m2 )
– Administration and staff amenity (450m2)
Facility description
Energy initiatives
• Target 1: Box cleaning
High temperature disinfection rather than
steam sterilization wherever possible
• The heat to raise the temperature of water 1oC
at boiling point (phase transition) is 500X
greater than that required at lower
temperatures
• We use neutral detergents and a final rinse at
90oC
Energy Initiatives
Energy initiatives
• Target 2: Lighting
– T5 fluorescent tubes in most areas
– LED lighting in mouse rooms (low power,
low maintenance)
• Target 3: Chilled water (aircon)
– Oil free, frictionless bearing compressors
Energy initiatives
• Target 4: Highly developed system
monitoring and controls
• Target 5: Naturally ventilated office and
staff amenity area:
– Hydronically heated concrete slab
– Fresh air heat exchangers
focus area:
Mouse Accommodation
• Construction
– High degree of insulation
– Open plan with soft-walled rooms which
can be added as required
Mouse accommodation
Mouse breeding room
Clean room laboratory
Airflow schematic
Air volumes
Mouse accommodation
Energy use and cost
(1100m2 NUA, 17000 box capacity)
Capital cost
Capital:
– Overall facility $5000/m2 (equipped)
– Clean room pavilion: $3500/m2 (equipped):
Summary
The mouse accommodation module
appears to provide an operationally
effective environment at
• low capital cost
• low operating cost
Particle counts
Summary
• Multiple energy saving initiatives have
been incorporated into the facility
• The ongoing challenge is to monitor and
benchmark the effect of these
Our partners
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BioBubble soft wall clean rooms
Airlaw EVC’s
Kuttner Collins (mechanical engineers)
ICE Controls
Questions?