Research and Development Center

EVAPCO's leadership in product design and quality continues today in the state-of-the-art Wilson E. Bradley Research Center located in Taneytown, Maryland. The 60,000 square-foot facility is among the largest and most advanced of its type in the HVAC and refrigeration industries.

Air Cooled Condenser Steam Lab

The world’s first air cooled steam condenser lab was built by EVAPCO in 2011. This lab allows for testing of full size heat exchanger cores using steam under vacuum to produce conditions identical to those of operating ACCs at power plants. The steam lab is a truly state-of-the-art facility that provides EVAPCO with unparalleled confidence in thermal ratings for Air Cooled Condensers.

Advanced Technology ACC Test Module

In the summer of 2018, EVAPCO completed construction of another "world's first" lab, the Advanced Technology ACC test module. The new lab is a stand-alone single module that allows EVAPCO to measure, monitor and observe the Advanced Technology ACC in operation while condensing steam under vacuum.

These facilities allow our team to understand and optimize ACC design with unprecedented precision.  

Environmental Chambers

Specially designed environmental labs analyze and test cooling towers and closed circuit coolers up to 1,400 nominal tons (6,150 kW) in capacity, greater than the capacity of EVAPCO’s largest factory assembled units. Through these environmental labs, EVAPCO is able to test the outer limits of every unit available, as well as future, more efficient units. EVAPCO is able to simulate and analyze unit functionality in all weather conditions and types through these labs.

Ammonia Refrigeration Labs

The ammonia refrigeration labs consist of an environmental test chamber for testing high side evaporative condensers up to 700 nominal ammonia tons (3015 kW) and a unique low temperature evaporator laboratory. The low temperature evaporator lab is powered by a 250 HP (186.4 kW) compressor capable of -40ºF (-40ºC) saturated suction temperature.

Committed to innovation in the ammonia refrigeration industry, a low charge ammonia refrigeration system test stand was built and commissioned. This lab was developed to test full-scale low charge ammonia systems up to 60 refrigeration tons at -20ºF saturated suction temperature.

Independent CTI Certification

Combined, these facilities offer the capability of simulating a wide range of environmental conditions to match those encountered in actual field applications. The computerized data acquisition systems ensure precise measurements of thermal performance and confidence in EVAPCO's thermal ratings. As part of EVAPCO’s commitment to transparency and industry standards, all EVAPCO products are tested and verified for CTI certification by an independent third party using their own equipment. Every product is annually recertified in order to maintain current standards.

A Focus on Quality and Durability

In addition to thermal testing, EVAPCO's engineers and technicians continuously focus on the quality and durability of all the components that go into EVAPCO products. Accelerated life testing of materials, stress measurement and fatigue testing of fans, and performance qualifications of pumps and motors are all performed in specialized test equipment at the EVAPCO research center. These ongoing research programs assure that only the highest quality equipment is consistently delivered to the customer.

EVAPCO's Wilson E. Bradley Research and Development Center is a key component for global leadership in innovation and quality in EVAPCO products.