Two-Stage FREECOOL®

Maximum Cooling Efficiency Without the Energy Penalty

Single-stage evaporative cooling has limits. Traditional DX refrigeration is energy-intensive. Most facilities compromise, accepting either inadequate cooling or excessive energy costs because they assume those are the only options.

Two-Stage FREECOOL® delivers both performance and efficiency.
This advanced indirect/direct evaporative cooling system achieves lower supply air temperatures than single-stage evaporative systems while using a fraction of the energy required by conventional refrigeration. It's the solution for facilities that need serious cooling capacity without the operational costs of DX systems.

Solutions

From air handling to energy recovery, our engineered systems reduce costs, improve productivity, and create long-term sustainability.

Solutions for Every Climate Challenge

At SCE®, we don't just supply equipment—we engineer complete climate control systems tailored to your specific challenges. Every solution integrates our patented technologies, proven methodologies, and global partnerships to deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

The Cooling Challenge

Standard evaporative cooling can only reduce air temperature to approach the wet-bulb temperature, effective in dry climates but limited in its cooling capacity. DX refrigeration can achieve any target temperature but consumes massive amounts of energy to do so.

Between these extremes, facilities struggle to find the right balance: enough cooling to maintain comfort or process requirements without energy bills that undermine profitability.

Two-Stage FREECOOL®  bridges this gap.

How It Works:

Indirect Then Direct

Two-Stage FREECOOL® combines indirect evaporative cooling in the first stage with direct evaporative cooling in the second stage, creating a cascading cooling effect that achieves temperatures well below what single-stage systems can reach.

Stage One: Indirect Evaporative Cooling Air passes through a heat exchanger where water evaporates on one side, cooling the supply air on the other side without adding moisture to it. This pre-cools the air while maintaining low humidity.

Stage Two: Direct Evaporative Cooling The pre-cooled air then passes through direct evaporative media where additional cooling occurs through direct water evaporation. Because the air is already cooled from stage one, the final temperature achieved is significantly lower than direct evaporative cooling alone could produce.

The result: supply air temperatures that approach DX performance levels while consuming 75-90% less energy.

When you Install Two-Stage FREECOOL®, You're Fundamentally Changing the Cost Structure

Achieves significantly lower supply temperatures than single-stage evaporative systems
Reduces energy consumption by 75-90% compared to equivalent DX refrigeration capacity
Maintains low humidity in the first stage before adding moisture in the second stage
Delivers consistent cooling even in demanding ambient conditions
Cuts operational costs dramatically through reduced electricity consumption
Lowers peak demand charges by minimising electrical load during high-use periods
Reduces carbon footprint through energy-efficient operation
Improves indoor air quality through continuous fresh air circulation

Ideal Applications

Two-Stage FREECOOL® excels in environments where cooling demand is high, but energy budgets are constrained:

Warehouses & Distribution Centres: Maintain comfortable temperatures for workers in large spaces where DX cooling would be prohibitively expensive to install and operate.

Manufacturing & Production Facilities: Control climate in production environments where processes generate heat and traditional cooling systems struggle with the thermal load and energy costs.

Retail Spaces: Provide comfortable shopping environments in large-format retail without the energy consumption of conventional HVAC systems.

Data Centres & IT Infrastructure: Pre-cool supply air before additional conditioning, reducing the load on precision cooling equipment and cutting overall energy consumption.

Climate Considerations

Two-Stage FREECOOL® performance varies with ambient conditions, performing optimally in moderate to low humidity environments. In South African climates, particularly inland regions with dry conditions, these systems deliver exceptional performance and energy savings.

Our engineering team assesses your specific location, seasonal variations, and cooling requirements to determine whether Two-Stage FREECOOL® is the right solution and what performance you can expect year-round.

Every Two-Stage FREECOOL® system is custom-designed based on:

Local climate data and seasonal temperature/ humidity patterns
Cooling load calculations for your specific space and application
Required supply air temperatures and airflow volumes
Integration with existing HVAC infrastructure or complete standalone installation

The Sustainable Choice

Energy efficiency isn't just about cost savings, it's about operational sustainability. Two-Stage FREECOOL® delivers:

  • Massive reductions in electricity consumption compared to DX systems
  • Lower carbon emissions through reduced grid power demand
  • Water-based cooling that's environmentally preferable to refrigerant-based systems
  • Improved indoor air quality through 100% fresh air supply rather than recirculated air

For facilities with sustainability goals or ESG commitments, Two-Stage FREECOOL® provides measurable environmental benefits alongside economic advantages.

  Every Two-Stage FREECOOL® installation includes:

Detailed climate and cooling
Ensures the system is correctly sized for your facility’s cooling requirements
Custom system design
Ensures the solution is engineered around your facility’s specific needs and conditions
Professional installation
Verifies correct commissioning and system performance from day one
Operator training
Equips your team to operate the system and make seasonal adjustments effectively
Service Level Agreements
Keeps your system maintained, optimised and performing reliably
Three-year warranty program
Protects your investment with an annual SLA renewal
Ongoing support
Provides expert support for optimisation and troubleshooting

When Cooling Costs Demand Smarter Technology

The choice between inadequate evaporative cooling and expensive DX refrigeration is a false choice. Two-Stage FREECOOL® proves you can achieve serious cooling capacity with minimal energy consumption. Lower temperatures. Lower costs. Lower environmental impact. That's the Two-Stage FREECOOL® advantage.

Ready to cut cooling costs without compromising performance?

Let's discuss your air handling requirements and design a system that delivers the performance, efficiency, and reliability your operation demands.
Contact

info@sc-engineering.co.za | +27 (0)11 568 4440

info@sc-engineering.co.za
+27 (0)11 568 4440

Head Office

120a Buckingham Avenue,
Craighall Park,
Johannesburg,
2196

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