The technology behind the cooling system of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Stadiums - Transforming outdoor 40°C into a chilly oasis

Come rain or shine, cold or hot, the stadiums hosting the 2022 World Cup matches are equipped with air conditioning systems ensuring the ambient temperature stays within the ideal range of 18 to 24°C.

This cooling system required over 13 years of meticulous preparation by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Dr. Saud Abdulaziz Abdul Ghani, a professor at Qatar University, known affectionately as Dr. Cool.

Originally a daunting challenge for Dr. Cool, whose expertise was primarily in automotive air conditioning, typically in small spaces, the task was to scale up this valuable experience to arenas thousands of times larger, the massive stadiums at the 2022 World Cup. In 2017, Dr. Cool had already applied this technology at the Khalifa National Stadium, and the World Cup marked the widespread adoption of this technology across other stadiums.

Exceptionally skilled and fortunate, presently seven out of eight stadiums in Qatar for this World Cup have implemented large-scale air conditioning technology. Each stadium applies its own unique design and cooling method, customized to fit the size and characteristics of each stadium.

Firstly, this technology will be powered by electricity through a solar energy farm to cool the water injected into the 'air conditioners' installed in the stadiums. The water is maintained at a constant 7 degrees Celsius before the cooling process begins. If you wonder where this water comes from, Qatar is a coastal country with the ability to desalinate seawater into freshwater through a complex system. Therefore, like oil, water in Qatar is abundant.

The cooled water is then blown by counter-rotating fan impellers, which will start blowing air streams from the cold 7 degrees Celsius water into cold 21 degrees Celsius air through 'air blowers' to cool the entire stadium, including the pitch and the seating areas for spectators.

As for the 'air blowers', these will be aerodynamically designed air vents shaped like balls with holes to act as outlets for cold air, each 'blow ball' will contain cold air and have a fan blade blowing out, installed all around the stadium and around the tennis court to achieve the best cooling performance. In addition to the 'blow balls', small cold air outlets are also placed on each tier of the stands to cool the audience watching the game.

After the cold air has been expelled from the pitch, the nature of the cold air will be heavier, so the uncooled air in the stadium will be pushed upwards, which is part of the convection phenomenon. This uncooled air is then sucked back and continuously cooled by the water system maintained at 7 degrees Celsius, making this system a cycle, providing the highest efficiency and avoiding energy loss.

To ensure that the temperature at the stadium is always maintained stable, the cooling system is equipped with temperature sensors around the stadium. Over 300 sensors will be evenly distributed in each stadium to measure temperature, humidity, wind speed, types of clothing worn, etc., to synthesize and provide data for the engineers in the control room to support them in making the optimal temperature adjustments.

Furthermore, to ensure the efficiency and energy saving of each cooling system while also saving energy for the water chilling unit, the canopy and outer shell structure will be made of polytetrafluoroethylene materials to limit heat from sunlight as well as prevent the loss of cold air in the stadium while still ensuring sufficient light for the entire stadium. Thanks to the stadium's 'attire,' the 40-degree Celsius temperature outside the environment cannot permeate into the stadium, helping to preserve the best temperature.

Both FIFA and Dr. Cool have strongly affirmed that this is the most environmentally friendly cooling system. Because this is a closed-loop air conditioning system, minimizing the loss of cold air. In addition, this system leaves little carbon footprint due to the electricity production process also comes from solar energy, taking cold air through water rather than hazardous chemicals, and does not emit any chemicals that pollute the ozone layer during operation.

As a result, this is seen as a definite breakthrough that will bring a promising future, helping to solve harsh climate conditions for competitions, not only cooling but also warming in cold areas, so that harsh matches like the 'White Snow of Siberia' no longer occur, players will always be ensured the best playing conditions to protect their bodies and health. At the same time, spectators will also enjoy watching more comfortably.

The cooling system at the World Cup Qatar 2022 is a testament to the remarkable advancement in cooling technology, providing both substantial capacity support and the most environmentally friendly approach possible through the application of nearly enclosed cooling systems. Thanks to Dr. Cool and Qatar for creating the best conditions for players and cheering fans in the stands to give their all in the World Cup matches, heated by excitement rather than weather.

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