UNSW Centre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology
Client: UNSW
Location: Sydney, NSW
Project Value: $3.5M
Completion: 2014
Sector: Quantum Computing Research Infrastructure
Project Overview
Quantum computing research demands absolute reliability. At UNSW’s Centre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology, critical equipment such as dilution refrigerators and scanning tunneling microscopes must operate continuously — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — with zero tolerance for downtime.
To achieve this, UNSW required engineered infrastructure that combined ultra-high purity gases, specialist cryogenic systems, and a process cooling water plant built to exacting quality standards. Umech was engaged under a design-and-construct contract to deliver these systems from concept through to commissioning.
Umech’s Role
Umech delivered fully integrated laboratory and process systems including:
Process cooling water plant with motor control cabinet, pumps, heat exchanger, filters, and tank. Designed for redundancy with three chillers in duty/standby configuration, ensuring continuous cooling capacity even under failure conditions.
High-purity process water distribution system, with post-weld chemical passivation of stainless-steel piping to eliminate contamination, resist corrosion, and meet stringent research-grade purity standards.
Specialty gas systems for UHP nitrogen, helium, and oxygen, plus house nitrogen.
Helium recovery plant to capture, recycle, and reduce operational costs of this critical resource.
Auto-changeover manifolds for helium and oxygen, guaranteeing uninterrupted gas supply.
SIL-rated life safety system including oxygen depletion monitoring.
Engineering integration with existing UNSW infrastructure, coordinated with researchers and stakeholders.
Installation, QA, and commissioning under strict cleanroom and compliance protocols.
Technical Highlights
Engineered for guaranteed 24/7/365 uptime to support continuous operation of sensitive quantum research equipment.
Orbitally welded and Passivated stainless-steel process water piping delivering ultra-clean cooling water essential for dilution refrigerators and cryogenic systems.
Redundant cooling system with duty/standby chiller configuration for uninterrupted reliability.
Ultra-high purity (UHP) gas distribution systems orbitally welded for leak-free performance.
Cleanroom-compatible methods to protect research integrity.
SIL-rated safety controls meeting international life safety standards.
Outcome
The Centre was handed over on time, fully compliant, and immediately research-ready. With Umech’s engineered systems in place, UNSW researchers can operate advanced quantum computing equipment continuously — confident in the reliability of their high-purity cooling water, UHP gases, and safety systems.
This infrastructure now underpins some of the most advanced quantum research in Australia, enabling breakthroughs in quantum technology.
Planning infrastructure where downtime is not an option?
Umech delivers specialty gas, cryogenic, and high-purity process water systems built for continuous operation in the most demanding research environments.