Ventilation under Heroes’ Square
Péter Tóth, building services engineer
MúzeumCafé 14.
In connection with the extension of the Museum of Fine Arts the idea is that, with respect to engineering and energy supply, the newly designed part should be independent from the old building. Yet a new energy centre could not be installed. After all, what would Heroes’ Square look like with chimneys? Building services engineer and managing director of Pentaplan Ltd. Péter Tóth talks about the related matters. The key term is geothermic energy use. This means that the energy of the earth’s heat is used for heating, cooling and ventilation. Water gained from the earth via wells is let through the system. Then, applying special technology, the water is returned to the earth. There are several issues concerning the quantity and location of the wells. Test drills have not yet been done, though that will determine how much water we can gain from the soil. Yet we can state that the physical conditions enable the system to work and that the relevant technology exists. The hydro-geological circumstances are advantageous in that the area in question is located near an old branch of the Danube. Thus there would always be sufficient water in the soil. Nevertheless, returning the water to the earth may encounter problems. Supposing it rains for three days. The below-ground water level may rise and water cannot be fed back. However, the plan can only be finalised after the test drills. At present we are working on the tender, which has to include how these ideas can be implemented, the technical parameters and the financial aspects. A mining engineer makes plans for the wells and a hydrologist assists with planning the exterior utilities. Based on the results of their work, the mines inspectorate and the water authority provide the necessary licences for the undertaking.