AOPS HVAC – R Sea Trials aboard AOPS HMCS Harry DeWolf and AOPS HMCS Margaret Brook.

Irving Shipbuilding, The Royal Canadian Navy and Bronswerk Group conducted cold and warm climate sea trials aboard AOPS HMCS Harry DeWolf and AOPS HMCS Margaret Brook (Spring & Summer of 2022.)

Trials included the Builders trial, Arctic trial and Warm Weather trial.

Bronswerk also provided training to the Royal Canadian Navy on Bronswerk supplied systems.

The Arctic trial happened between Baffin Island and Greenland. The warm weather trial took place around the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Key West Florida.

Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships are designed to sail under an outside temperature of -29degC to 35degC.

Martin Tremblay, of Bronswerk Group was lead Automation Technician for both sailings.

Martin was there to ensure all Bronswerk supplied equipment worked as per design, and to conduct temperature/humidity measurements in all compartments on the ships.

The purpose of the cold climate triaI aboard AOPS HMCS Harry DeWolf was to identify any condensation on ductwork, and to prove Bronswerk’s equipment could keep the ship at the required humidity and temperature level. The temperature trial consisted of three temperature/humidity readings of all compartments during the span of a single day.

The warm weather trial required the same temperature readings be taken in all compartments, however in tropical conditions the tests involved the chilled water system under full load and the fridges/freezers system. AOPS chillers and cold store refrigeration systems are also designed and manufactured by the Bronswerk Group.

“Some of the highlights of these two trips included making new connections and friends. The Navy crew were very personable and ready to learn all about our systems. The client, Irving Shipbuilding, was equally supportive during the trials. All of us onboard learned from each other and enjoyed our time together.

We got up close and personal with a polar bear in the Arctic, we saw lots of different sea life including whales, sharks and pods of dolphins during our Caribbean trial.

Bronswerk gives me the opportunity to do many different things. I get to interface with clients, offer my expertise in a training capacity and travel. I enjoy the dynamic nature of my position at Bronswerk Group.”

As part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, Irving Shipbuilding is building six Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships. Bronswerk Group has been selected as the preferred supplier of offshore HVAC-R systems for the AOPS Fleet.

40 Years of Service to Canada

The story begins in Holland in 1947. The Dutch company, then called Bronswerk, was established to design, and build heating solutions for commerce and industry in the Netherlands later moving into the field of heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration (HVAC-R).

In 1969, Bronswerk became StorkBronswerk following the acquisition of the company by a Dutch conglomerate – Stork BV.

Read more

True commitment through local content

Bronswerk Group roots can be traced to the shipbuilding program that resulted in the Canadian Patrol Frigates (CPF) in the 1980s. This commitment from the Canadian government to develop the local shipbuilding industry allowed Bronswerk to grow and become a major industry leader in Naval HVAC-R, CBRN, Radar Cooling and other specialized qualified equipment.

Read more

Defence Global Through Life Cost

The total cost of HVAC systems onboard NAVY applications is not only limited to the purchasing cost of the equipment, the installation and the setup cost. The HVAC systems cost also includes the energy the systems consume overtime, the maintenance (both preventive and repairs) the spares, the consumables (refrigerant, oil, filters, gaskets, etc.), and the cost of disposal. Considering that the service life of HVAC systems and their equipment often extends past 30 years of service; it becomes clear that it is very important to optimize all activities throughout the system’s lifetime to minimize costs. 

Read more

This Montreal-based company is leveraging its work on NSS to increase their export opportunities

Since its inception in Canada in 1982, BRONSWERK  Marine has come a long way, from working on the Canadian Patrol Frigates (CPF) program in the late 80’s, to establishing its latest international presence in Australia. BRONSWERK is a great example of a Canadian-based company seeking international opportunities, while leveraging its success with the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). BRONSWERK teamed up with Canadian shipyards to work on those programs and grew as a company with them, proving the intent of the National Shipbuilding Strategy – to develop Canadian expertise and to develop Canadian leadership in a world class industry. Montreal-based Bronswerk is now a global leader in marine Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R). 

Read more

BRONSWERK Marine Success Through Innovation

BRONSWERK Marine has long been a major partner to the Royal Canadian Navy, starting with their work on the Canadian Patrol Frigate program back in the 1980’s. Since then, BRONSWERK has grown to become one of the major HVAC&R players on the world stage. 

Their success is driven by one objective to take full performance responsibility. BRONSWERK feels that if HVAC&R equipment bears the name, then it must work in harmony with the other components of the system. When BRONSWERK is contracted to install HVAC&R equipment on a new ship, they are making a 40-year commitment. Through their in-service-support (ISS) division, BRONSWERK still services some systems that are in use well beyond their original  intended lifespan. Providing excellence in their systems and equipment design not only serves the requirements of their customers but increases their ISS business. 

Read more

Providing an integrated HVAC-R approach

This is a very exciting time to be involved in the naval shipbuilding industry with major shipbuilding programs kicking off in Canada. These programs not only provide vital equipment for the Canadian Navy, they also provide key Government strategies to build modern innovative shipbuilding infrastructures, which BRONSWERK Group is thrilled to contribute to. 

As a global leading provider, BRONSWERK brings complete Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Solutions (HVAC-R) for the military, merchant marine and offshore industries. BRONSWERK has introduced new products to the market and its R&D program has rendered solutions that can be used in many systems and across many different applications, from frigates, support ships and research vessels to submarines. 

Read more

Industry spotlight: BRONSWERK leads by investing in the future.

Today is a very exciting time to be involved in the naval shipbuilding industry with major shipbuilding programs kicking off in Canada, Australia and the UK. These programs not only have goals to provide the ships for our Navies, they are also key Government strategies to build modern innovative shipbuilding infrastructures. They will be creating long term job opportunities and supporting a sustainable cost-competitive industrial base for continuous shipbuilding and subsequent in-service support. BRONSWERK Group is thrilled to contribute to these great opportunities. 

Read more