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M.A.R.V.E.L. energy saving technology

Designed for commercial kitchens M.A.R.V.E.L. offers unmatched savings while improving staff working conditions

M.A.R.V.E.L. is a state-of-the-art controls platform incorporating Demand Controlled Ventilation as a key feature. The controls adjust real time kitchens exhaust airflow rates, depending on the status of the cooking appliances. If only one cooking zone is operating, only the airflow required for that zone would be automatically adjusted. The other zones would continue to operate at a low flow rate. With M.A.R.V.E.L., a zone can be as small as a hood section.

This means impressive energy savings at all levels of the kitchens ventilation, along with a sensible and tangible improvement of chefs’ and their teams comfort.

  • Unmatched energy savings by reducing the exhaust airflow rates by up to 64%.
  • Impressive reduction of the energy required to filter, cool or warm up the make-up air.
  • Significant reduction of the fans electricity consumption.
  • Fastest reaction time of any demand system to ensure the exhaust airflow rates reduction is not made at the expense of the air quality.
  • Improvement of the working conditions due to the reduction of the noise levels and of the air drafts risk.
  • Continually Self balancing system that significantly reduces the time consuming manual ductwork balancing during the commissioning phase.
  • Improves the commercial kitchens’ profitability while reducing the original capital investment.
  • Shorter return on investment, even for small kitchens thanks to a simplified version of M.A.R.V.E.L.

At 800 kWh/m², the catering business is the most energy-consuming activity out of all commercial and residential buildings in the United States, far ahead of the hospital sector (at 600 kWh/m²)(1). This observation may also be considered valid in many other countries.

M.A.R.V.E.L. is designed to provide the lowest possible level of energy use for the catering business. How does it achieve that?

This video presents the key features and innovations Halton’s engineers thoroughly developed to offer the most efficient energy saving technology for commercial kitchens.

(1) Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Transforming the Market (WBCSD World Business Council for Sustainable Development).

Adjustment amplitude, accuracy and fastest reaction time with Halton’s IRIS sensors

M.A.R.V.E.L. is based on the innovative and patented Halton’s IRIS infrared sensors. The sensors “scan” the surface of the cooking blocks to monitor the cooking activity directly “at the source”. There is no lag in response time waiting for the smoke to rise and break a light-beam of traditional detectors or to wait even longer for temperature only sensors. M.A.R.V.E.L responds instantaneously to any change in cooking status as soon as it occurs. This instantaneous reaction time allows the exhaust to increase to quickly extract heat and vapors during cooking periods.

M.A.R.V.E.L.’s algorithm compares readings from multiple sensors, infrared, exhaust plenums temperature and space temperature sensors installed in each of the kitchen zones. The temperature can actually decrease initially during the start of a cooking process (frozen product into deep fryer for instance), but the M.A.R.V.E.L. system interprets this change to a cooking activity. That is not possible with temp only type systems.

This unique combination and M.A.R.V.E.L. exclusive algorithm enables safely modulating between off, idle or cooking, whatever the cooking appliances’ type.

M.A.R.V.E.L. directs the exhaust airflow only when and where it is needed in the kitchens.

Depending on the kitchen configuration, every hood module, ventilated ceiling’s exhaust plenum or ductwork branch is equipped with an ABD Automated Balancing Damper, whether the kitchen ventilation is managed by one or several fans. The ABD’s are continually self balancing based on input from M.A.R.V.E.L.’s algorithm. All dampers independently adjust their position based on the required exhaust level to “deliver” the right exhaust airflow at the right time.

This means that If just one cooking zone is operating, only the airflow for that zone will be automatically adjusted. The others will continue to operate at a low flow rate. With M.A.R.V.E.L., a zone can be as small as a hood section.

The vast majority of the DCV systems switch the entire kitchen to the maximum exhaust airflow as soon as the smallest zone requires virtually eliminating any potential energy savings.

M.A.R.V.E.L. reduces the exhaust airflow rates by up to 64% and offers unrivalled energy savings

Reducing the peak exhaust airflow rates and adjusting them for appliance activity impacts the capacity and energy use of the air conditioning and heating systems, therefore the cost to treat the make-up air.

The simple equation is, the least amount of exhaust coming out of a kitchen equates to the least amount of make-up air that has to come in. This reduction contributes to the least amount of energy to filter it, cool it, warm it up and “deliver” it to all the kitchen’s/restaurant’s areas.

The Capture Jet™ technology reduces the peak exhaust airflow rates required compared to conventional suction only hoods. M.A.R.V.E.L. permanently, accurately, and reliably adjust them, reducing overall exhaust levels to an unmatched 64% or more.

The combined impact of M.A.R.V.E.L. and Capture Jet™ drastically and positively impacts not only the operating cost, but the original capital investment by the client.

M.A.R.V.E.L. also saves a lot on the fans operation. That is what we mean by unmatched energy savings.

Did you know that when the fan rotation speed is decreased by 40%, its electricity consumption decreases by 78%?!

M.A.R.V.E.L. intelligent and exclusive algorithm continuously adjust the rotation speed for the fans to deliver the right exhaust airflow rates at the lowest possible pressure. Easier said than done for a system that has the ability to constantly adjust the exhaust airflow rates regardless of type of appliance, activity level or configuration of the kitchens.

M.A.R.V.E.L. is fully capable of matching exhaust requirements, excels in simplifying very complex challenges and optimizing the ventilation performance. The fans run at the lowest possible rotation speed while all hoods or ventilated ceilings areas do have the correct exhaust airflows. This maximizes the savings made to filter, cool or warm up the make-up air

Would M.A.R.V.E.L. be the most advanced airflow optimization solution without also improving working conditions?

If you’re speaking of exhaust airflow rates reduction, you’re also speaking about the reduction of the noise levels and the risk of air drafts for the chefs, their teams, and even their guests in case of open or display kitchens.

This is what M.A.R.V.E.L. is all about… making kitchens a better place to work in and improving the attractiveness of a sector which has challenging recruiting and retaining trained personnel.

Halton Connect is a state-of-the-art IoT (Internet of Things) platform whose core is an advanced cloud-based portal. It enables 24/7 remote monitoring of the solutions designed by Halton. It allows access to important and useful information along with powerful data analytics to the end users. It also provides crucial information to our engineers. In return, they can remotely and safely control all systems and their settings when required.

This digital “two directions” technology opens the way to Premium Services that are vital to keep the performance of the systems and technologies at the initial design level and during the entire lifecycle. Even better! They enable continuous optimisation of your systems, resulting in even lower operating costs.

Halton Connect for commercial kitchen ventilation