Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Extreme conditions. Complex problem. Simple solution.

Merit was awarded the contract for the design and construction of specialised modular laboratory containers for the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

Three laboratories are required including:

Radionuclide laboratory

The design criteria for this laboratory is:

• Required range for a set temperature inside the container to be between 10°C and 25°C.
• Normal control range 18/25°C +/- 2K.
• Ambient temperatures range from -20°C (saturated) to +35°C (80% RH).
• Air infiltration 1.2m³/min
• Three occupants (light bench work)
• Heat load needs to be calculated based on the equipment provided by supplier.
• Maximum fresh water temperature (cooling water) is 32°C.
• Cooling duty is to be calculated to allow for the discharge of air by the installed fume cupboard.
• Container insulated to 0.4W/m²K
• Ensure that the specification for the Air Handling System and Insulation properties of the container meets the requirements for a polar environment.

Ultra clean chemistry laboratory

The design criteria for this laboratory is:

• Range for a set temperature inside the container to be between 10°C and 25°C.
• Normal control range 18/25°C +/- 2K.
• Ambient temperatures range from -20°C (saturated) to +35°C (80% RH).
• Air infiltration 1.2m³/min
• Three occupants (light bench work)
• Heat generation as per Radionuclide.
• Maximum freshwater temperature (cooling water) is 32°C.
• Container insulated to 0.4W/m²K

Experimental transport aquarium container

The design criteria for this laboratory is:

• Required range for a set temperature inside the container to be between -5°C and 25°C.
• Normal control range -1/1°C +/- 2K.
• Ambient temperatures range from -20°C (saturated) to +35°C (80% RH).
• Air infiltration 1.2m³/min
• Maximum seawater temperature (cooling water) is 32°C.

Average lead times

Each container will take 4 to 6 months to produce depending on design criteria.