Chongqing—On March 31, reporter Ran Zheng from Bridging News visited Terminal 3B of Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, the world's largest satellite hall. Fresh off its March 30 trial run, the terminal operates efficiently with a zero-carbon air-conditioning system.

"The terminal covers 363,000 square meters, with two underground floors and four above ground," said Ren Yi, deputy general manager of the Terminal Area Project Department of Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Terminal 3B Expansion Headquarters. 

Ren continued, "One key design concept is inspired by the river and mountains, with arcs guiding passengers toward the boarding gates, simulating the water flow."

Terminal 3B's X-shaped satellite hall efficiently manages large passenger flows, with four-finger corridors converging at the center for quick access to boarding gates and a seamless travel experience.

The terminal incorporates advanced technology for greater energy efficiency. A high-efficiency equipment room optimizes water, heating, and electricity, while the air conditioning system outperforms industry standards by 30%. It targets an energy efficiency coefficient of above 5.6 within a year.

An innovative "zero carbon" air heat source system replaces gas boilers with air-source heat pumps, cutting direct emissions. This upgrade is set to save 1.4 million cubic meters of natural gas annually, reinforcing the terminal’s commitment to sustainability.

The terminal's locally made glass curtain walls and skylights showcase Chongqing's industrial growth. Its south-facing skylights use thermal dimming glass, adapting to temperature and sunlight for optimal shading. This innovation cuts air-conditioning energy use, enhancing overall efficiency.

Ren also highlighted the terminal's architectural design, noting the presence of terraces about 11,000 square meters on the north and south sides. Visitors can enjoy views of Terminal 3A from the south terrace and watch planes take off and land, providing a unique perspective of airport operations.

Following the commissioning of T3B, the airport will feature a comprehensive layout of four runways, three terminals, and one satellite hall, which will support an annual passenger throughput of 80 million, aircraft movements of 580,000, and a cargo and mail handling capacity of 1.2 million tons. These upgrades will further strengthen the airport's status as a crucial international aviation hub in Western China.

(Huan Ran, as an intern, also contributed to the report)