Saudi Arabia sets up two giant cooling stations at Makkah
MAKKAH, May 12, 2021
Saudi Arabia has announced the installation of two giant cooling plants inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The Ajyad station has a production capacity of 35,300 refrigeration tonnes (RT) while the new central station has a capacity of 120,000 RT, reported Saudi Press Agency.
These mammoth cooling stations are part of the kingdom's efforts to provide quality services to the visitors and pilgrims at the holy mosques using the latest technologies, such as the ultraviolet light air purification technology, stated the report, citing a senior official.
"The new central station is currently feeding the Third Saudi Expansion as well as half of Mas’a (area for the ritual of Sa’i between Safa and Marwa). Once fully completed, this station will feed all facilities of the Grand Mosque in the future," explained Mohsen Al Salami, the Director of Operation and Maintenance Administration of the General Presidency.
On the Ajyad station, Al Salami said out of the total 35,300 RT output, only about 24,500 RT is being currently used.
As part of its elaborate preparations, General Presidency makes available back-up cooling stations besides the main ones to maintain the desired temperatures, in case of malfunction, and ensure the indoor air quality inside the Grand Mosque, he stated.
According to him, the filtration process is performed nine times a day before releasing the well-treated fresh air into the mosque.
"This ensures 100% air purity is carried out in three stages, namely: moving air into filters using fans, capturing pollutants and particles and then pushing back clean air into the space," explained Al Salami.
There is periodical maintenance of the air cooling system carried out by highly qualified engineers and technicians, he added.
