Acrnov17 web

ISSN 2058-4407

VOLUME 3 No10

Essential Information for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry

THE FUTURE IS GREEN, EFFICIENT AND HEALTHY

Etherea, the latest generation of air conditioning With its elegant, slim design, the new Etherea series provides much more than just cooling or heating.

Etherea units feature Panasonic’s nanoe™ technology which fights against airborne diseases.

The new Etherea series, using R32 refrigerant, achieves high efficiencies and boasts a rating of A+++.

NEW REFRIGERANT GAS

With its innovative technology, Panasonic is committed to creating a better life and a better world.

NOVEMBER 2017 Nov17_Cover.indd 1

www.aircon.panasonic.eu

For more details, call us on 01344 853182

acrjournal.uk 13/10/2017 12:33

BOOK NOW

PLACES EXTREMELY LIMITED!

AWARDS SHORTLIST

for the 2018 National ACR & Heat Pump Awards ACR ANCILLIARY PRODUCT

ACR CONTRACTOR

ACR PROJECT Sure Solutions

Muller Droitwich Refrigeration Upgrade

Bitzer UK

Elite Athlete Training Centre, University of Kent

Toshiba Air Conditioning Modular Hotels

DOMESTIC AIR SOURCE Matrix Energy Systems & Viessmann

Javac

Sure Solutions

Javac Service Manifolds

JD Cooling

A building with a challenge

Javac

RS Air Conditioning

Panasonic

Javac Gas Mate

Javac Javac Altima A2L

Javac The Javac XTR-PRO-DV

Aspen Pumps Storm Green XL

Connex Banniger >B< MaxiPro

Advanced Engineering VerteX®

Toshiba Air Conditioning LD2 Total Refrigerant Protection and Management System

ACR PRODUCT LG

Air-cooled, inverter scroll chillers

Daikin UK

Sky Air A-series

Marina Village Greystones

Finn Geotherm

Rural house in South Norfolk

DOMESTIC GSHP PROJECT Vaillant Group

Samsung

Replacement of 15 storage heaters with geoTHERM mini

Klima-Therm

R A Brown Heating Services

Samsung AR9500M Circlemiser

Toshiba Air Conditioning

Three-pipe heat recovery VRF air conditioning, SHRM-e

Install of NIBE F1245 triple ground source heat pump

Mollsion HPR

Large Scale Residential Project in Scotland

Mitsubishi Electric

Matrix Energy Systems & Viessmann

Star Refrigeration

Heat Different & Viessmann

Daikin UK

M Series MSZ-LN Range

Auto-leaning Duct accessory for VRV and Split air conditioning units

ETHOS

Saughall, home and outdoor pool

Grade ll listed 18th Century Water Mill

WELL DONE TO ALL FINALISTS WHO MADE THE SHORTLIST Sponsored by:

02_NACRHPA_2018.indd 2

17/10/2017 11:34

NON DOMESTIC GSHP PROJECT Matrix energy Systems & Viessmann Ltd Artlegarth Lodges

Bitzer UK

ECOLINE+ reciprocating compressor series for transcritical CO2 applications

Star Refrigeration ETHOS

Finn Geotherm

Flagship’s Wellbeing Plan

Ground Heat Installations Ltd Torus Housing

Heat Different & Viessmann Ltd Gravel Farm

HEAT PUMP INSTALLER R A Brown Heating Services Finn Geotherm Matrix Energy Systems

Geothermal Solar UK

Aaron Services

Cambo House

Stiebel Eltron

Visitor Centre for National Trust

REFRIGERATION PRODUCT Rab Specialist Engineers Ltd Cooling coil �lter

HEAT PUMP PRODUCT Grant UK

Aerona Heat Pump

Kensa Group

Kensa Evo Heat Pump Series

Javac

Stiebel Eltron

Javac Service Manifolds

WPL Classic Heat Pump

Javac

Javac Gas Mate

WHOLESALER/DISTRIBUTOR

Javac

First Choice

Javac Altima A2L

RW Refrigeration Wholesale

Javac

The Javac XTR-PRO-DV

Freedom Heat Pumps

Chemours

Climate Center

Opteon™ XL40 (R-454A)

Tecumseh Europe Sales & Logistics Wintys Reciprocating Compressor

www.acrheatpumpawards.uk THE TITANIC HOTEL, STANLEY DOCKS, LIVERPOOL

18th JANUARY 2018 For more information please contact julietl@warnersgroup.co.uk 02_NACRHPA_2018.indd 3

17/10/2017 11:33

04

CONT E NTS

Essential Information for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry

Are you making the right connections?

12

Not so very long ago, the idea that air conditioning systems could be controlled remotely via the internet would have been dismissed as a storyline from the latest sci-� blockbuster.

But as BSRIA’s Henry Lawson explains in this month’s issue, smart connected HVAC is now worth $600 million a year in the US, with that figure growing by around 20 per cent annually.

The UK market is, of course, significantly different with a much smaller proportion of rooftop units and more emphasis on VRF and splits. But smart technology is growing in influence around the world and an increasing number of maintenance and FM companies are beginning to take advantage of the benefits. It will be interesting to see if the rates of growth here match those from across the Atlantic.

Elsewhere, we take a look at the humble refrigerant cylinder. It might look much the same as it always has but these days contractors can track individual cylinders using an app. There really is no escaping the march of technology.

ACR MASTHEAD.indd 1

29/01/2016 16:44

Enjoy the magazine.

David Editor David Todd 01778 392094 david.todd@warnersgroup.co.ukx

24 R EG U L A RS

06 News 14 Mitsubishi Electric

Are we heading for a paperless world?

18

Co�ee Break Win great prizes with Refcom

36

Women in ACR Christine Gaskell of A-Gas

38 Tools Talk

New and improved manifolds from Javac

48 Changing Faces

Who’s new and who’s moved

DOWNLOAD THE ACR JOURNAL APP

FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET PC

50

What’s New The latest products and launches

GET THE LATEST NEWS, FEATURES, UPDATES AND OFFERS NOVEMBER 2017

Editor and contents.indd 4

17/10/2017 14:10

05

CO N T EN TS

ISSN 2058-4407

VOLUME 3 No10

Essential Information for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry

THE FUTURE IS GREEN, EFFICIENT AND HEALTHY

16 38

With its elegant, slim design, the new Etherea series provides much more than just cooling or heating.

Etherea units feature Panasonic’s nanoe™ technology which fights against airborne diseases.

The new Etherea series, using R32 refrigerant, achieves high efficiencies and boasts a rating of A+++.

NEW REFRIGERANT GAS

With its innovative technology, Panasonic is committed to creating a better life and a better world.

NOVEMBER 2017

28

Etherea, the latest generation of air conditioning

www.aircon.panasonic.eu

For more details, call us on 01344 853182

acrjournal.uk

Nov17_Cover.indd 1

13/10/2017 12:33

UK AD ETHEREA PRO 17 for ACR cover.indd 1

01/08/2017 12:05

About our front cover: www.aircon.panasonic.eu

Multimedia Account Manager James Knight 01778 395029 jamesk@warnersgroup.co.uk

What's New Theresa Geeson 01778 392046 theresag@warnersgroup.co.uk

Editorial Design Development Design

Advertising Design Natalie Reynolds

F E AT U R E S Air Conditioning

12 Fujitsu celebrates summer of growth

16 How well connected are your controls?

Indoor Air Quality

Production

Refrigerants

28 Be a cylinder champion 30 A2L safe? You may already

be covered

Energy Efficency

20 Why ventilation is vital

32 Hungry for higher energy savings

Leak detection

Mans�eld Pollard rises to toughest challenge

whatever the location

22

Freezing out the danger of gas leaks

Refrigeration

24 Holistic approach to choosing

your next system

26 Why maintenance should never

be overlooked

Ventilation

34

Heat Pumps

40

Why RHI provides an extra incentive

46

Weir House conversion raises the bar

Sue Ward 01778 392405 production@warnersgroup.co.uk

Subscriptions Single copy £3.00; Annual UK subscription £35.00 Overseas £65.00

Publishing Editor Juliet Loiselle CompCIPHE 01778 391067 julietl@warnersgroup.co.uk

Published by: Warners Group Publications Plc The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs, PE10 9PH 01778 391000 01778 394748 www.warnersgroup.co.uk © Copyright 2017

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

PRINTED BY WARNERS 01778 395111

acrjournal.uk Editor and contents.indd 5

17/10/2017 14:10

06

NE W S

PACAIR opens Birmingham o�ce PACAIR has opened an o�ce in Birmingham to cover the Midlands region and says the move extends the reach of its customer-focused approach.

The office on Solihull Parkway, near the NEC, will be managed by Sales Director Steve Rees, who has previously worked for both Mitsubishi Electric and Thermoscreens.

Nigel Palmer, founder and Managing Director of the air conditioning supplier, said: “We have reached the stage where it makes perfect sense to open a Midlands office and Steve was the ideal choice for the role. Not only does he understand the industry extremely well, he completely embraces our customer-focused approach.

www.pacair.co.uk

FORETRACK CHOSEN TO MANAGE GROWING TRANSPORT FLEET

Scottish soft fruit and swede producer Stewarts of Tayside is using Carrier Transicold’s updated Foretrack management system on six new temperature-controlled trailers with Vector 1550 refrigeration units.

The system allows transport managers to remotely alter the set point or operation mode as well as initiate defrosts and pre-trip checks, and clear alarms from a connected device anywhere in the world. It accesses Google Maps for tracking functionality, providing improved accuracy and coverage.

It also boasts a refreshed web portal and a new mobile app on both iOS and Android devices, allowing users access to the upgraded system from anywhere in the world. Foretrack can also generate improved operational reports,

Deane Flint, Sales Director for Mitsubishi Electric, said: “Nigel and his team have built a strong reputation for offering a high quality, cradle to grave solution for their customers and the addition of Steve Reece strengthens this in an important part of the country.

“Everyone in the company understands the need to add value to all the work they supply to customers and their approach mirrors that of Mitsubishi Electric in doing the right thing to deliver quality, sustainable solutions.”

PACAIR supplies Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba and LG air conditioning products, plus Bacharach VRF.

providing rapid analysis of a refrigerated fleet’s performance.

Jim Winn, distribution manager, Stewarts of Tayside, said: “Having remote access to our fleet data, coupled with the instant performance report capability, has completely changed the way we operate.

I can’t remember how we worked without Foretrack to be honest. We’re a 24/7 operation and the freshness of our produce is critical, so having such a reliable fleet management system is vitally important.”

The six new Vector 1550 units were specified on 13.6-metre Gray & Adams trailers and form part of a 27-strong, 100 per cent Carrier-cooled trailer fleet.

The customer will also specify Foretrack with its next batch of 10 trailers with Vector 1550 units. www.carriertransicold.co.uk

APP LAUNCHED FOR F-GAS AND EN378

A new app has been launched to aid compliance with EN378 and F-Gas requirements for �eld engineers.

Developed by REFCOM/BESA for AREA, the app is intended to make life easier for engineers and help them gain an understanding of what the new requirements of EN378 mean for them.

By inputting the design and use of a room as well as the refrigerant charge and type of gas, the app can identify where there are non-compliance issues and where taking additional measures will increase the charge allowable for A2L gases.

It also has a kgs-to-CO2 converter for engineers for filling out log books and equipment labels at installation, as required under F-Gas. www.area.eu.be

MHI ends AMP deal

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has ended its agreement with AMP, following the purchase of the distributor by rival manufacturer Panasonic.

Toshiba and Fujitsu had previously cancelled their arrangements with AMP. NOVEMBER 2017

NEWS_Nov17.indd 6

13/10/2017 16:32

Quality is no longer in doubt

Ducted

Slimmest on the market at 185mm

Ranked the Number One Global Major Appliances Brand*

Monoblock

*By Euro Monitor International

Cassette

65°C water.

250L tank

Individual Louvre Control

Mini MRV

300m pipe length + Hi COP

6 YEAR

Full R32 range

Smart Control with Occupant Sensors

WARRANTY MRV5 VRF New Generation for 2018

Controls

KNX Automation Compatible

Chillers

TurbocorÂŽ Compressor high efficiency Pure Air Distribution Ltd. 3000 Cathedral Hill, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7YB Tel: 01483 246800 Web: www.pureairdistribution.co.uk

Haier UK 5th Floor, One Crown Square, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6HR

p07_acrnov17.indd 1

13/10/2017 14:44:33

08

NE W S

TALL ORDER FOR TOSHIBA VRF UNITS Three young giraffe are being kept warm in their new home by Toshiba variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump-based air conditioning units.

Gerry, Tom and Dayo are the latest attractions to arrive at the Wild Place Project, a new venture established

by Bristol Zoological Society in South Gloucestershire.

The giraffe enclosure was built following an appeal that attracted support from the public and corporate sponsors. The purpose-built home, which stands on nearly two acres, was constructed by Keynsham-based firm Dribuild.

The enclosure is equipped with a heat-pump-based Toshiba SMMS-e two-

pipe VRF system, specified by Toshiba T7 partner Just Air Conditioning, and includes four ceiling-suspended indoor units and three wall-mounted units.

Wayne Raven, who headed the project for Just Air Conditioning, said, “The ceiling-suspended units had to be located above the public viewing balcony, to ensure they were out of reach of the giraffe, which can grow up to 18 feet tall.”

He explained: “The system is locked into heating mode, as its key function is to maintain comfortable temperatures for the giraffe when ambient conditions fall at night and in the autumn and winter seasons.”

Freezer solution boosts pet food business

Cold Store Rentals has installed a large exterior holding freezer for growing pet food business Cotswold RAW, who use fresh, seasonal ingredients to produce premium meals for dogs.

In 2015 the first blast freezer unit was installed by Cold Store Rentals to store ingredients and freeze down completed meals, with additional holding freezers fitted in 2016. In June this year a large exterior holding freezer was installed in conjunction with two ceiling mount refrigeration systems to temperature control the production facility.

Steve Prior, Managing Director of Cold Store Rentals, said: “Cotswold RAW is a great company to work with and undoubtedly the market leader within the expanding raw pet food sector. We are delighted to have been able to assist with improving their cold storage facilities, supplying them with bespoke, modular rooms that enable the company to expand without disruption to their business or distribution.”

NEW ONLINE REFRIGERATION SELECTOR FOR ENGINEERS

Wolseley Climate Center has launched an online refrigeration selector tool to help engineers specify products on the spot.

The new tool uses four steps to help customers find the best Danfoss system and components for their cooling project, whether it be a cold room or beer cellar. The customer can then download the technical system PDF, save, email or order the system into their chosen branch for delivery or collection. Live stock availability also allows users to see when and where they can collect products from.

Blair Reid, Service Director at Marcold, has been trialling the new tool. He said: “The selector is very easy to operate and I use it 24/7. It reduces email and phone call traffic and I would recommend others give it a try. The equipment selections can be chosen for different refrigerants and the selector allows you to compile a full install pack including pipe, insulation, solenoid valves, controller and expansion valve and a suitable orifice.”

Robert Franklin, Sales Director at Wolseley Climate Center, said: “Because such a large percentage of our customers’ work is reactive, we’re always looking for ways to make their lives easier. This new tool is intuitive and allows them to use it out of hours, from home, or on the road, reducing their dependence on staff in branch.”

The refrigeration selector is available on desktop, tablet and mobile. www.climatecenter.co.uk/ refrigeration-selector

NOVEMBER 2017

NEWS_Nov17.indd 8

13/10/2017 16:21

09

N EW S

Carrier chillers for ambulance call centre Carrier has supplied the air conditioning system for the new home of South East Coast Ambulance Service’s regional call centre at Gatwick Diamond, near Gatwick Airport.

The centre has three Carrier AquaSnap 30RBP high-efficiency chillers, equipped with a Greenspeed intelligence control system. The chillers supply cooling to six 39MQ Carrier air handling units, connected to 114 Carrier 42NH fan coils distributed around the building.

The chiller’s variable-speed condenser fans match cooling output to current load conditions. This enables the system to operate with outstanding part load efficiency, ensuring low carbon emissions and reduced running costs.

Variable-speed fans also deliver low noise operation, plus extended operational life due to reduced wear and

tear on compressors, fan motors and other moving mechanical parts.

A night-time mode makes it possible to reduce noise emissions further during the hours of darkness, ensuring neighbours are not disturbed when ambient conditions rise.

The Carrier air handling units are fully compliant with the recently introduced Eco-Design Regulation, which sets

standards for energy performance for air moving plant used in buildings across the European Union.

Based on a modular construction, the air handling units are equipped with heat exchangers and fans selected to deliver the highest efficiencies, and combined with filters and coils to ensure a low pressure drop. www.carrieraircon.co.uk

SuperClean condenser cleaner.

Gets condensers super clean.

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

SPRAY > WAIT > RINSE > CLEAN... any questions?

Distributed by

advanced engineering

Get the job done. Do the job right. Trust Advanced.

AE_CHEMICAL-ACRJ-210x145.indd 1 NEWS_Nov17.indd 9 AdvancedEngineering.indd 1

+44 (0)1256 460300 sales@advancedengineering.co.uk www.advancedengineering.co.uk

acrjournal.uk 27/07/2016 08:56 17/10/2017 12:15 13/10/2017 14:59:08

s

10

NE W S

CIAT LAUNCHES DX RANGE CIAT has launched a range of DX air conditioners for domestic and light commercial applications.

The range, which will be sold alongside Toshiba DX systems in the UK, includes portables, highwall splits, floor-mounted consoles, under-ceiling units, cassettes, ducted units, plus a range of multi-split outdoor condensing units.

David Dunn, Director and General Manager, CIAT Ozonair, said: “CIAT has an established reputation of quality, innovation and comfort performance with its air-side products. Now, with the launch of the new DX range, CIAT’s offering covers all the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) requirements for most applications. The launch of CIAT DX air conditioners gives

TEMPORARY CHILLERS KEEP SERVER ROOM RUNNING Temporary short-term hire of two compact 100kW chillers from Andrews Chiller Hire provided essential support to maintain optimum temperature within the data centre of one of Britain’s leading communications companies when its in-house airconditioning was taken o�-line.

With emergency maintenance work required on the existing cooling system at the communications centre it meant all existing air conditioning in their data centre would be switched off. To prevent equipment failure through overheating and subsequent business interruption, a temporary solution was required.

A technician from one of Andrews Sykes local depots visited the premises to conduct a site survey; assessing the situation it was determined that there was a need for 200kW of cooling duty on site. Due to a restriction in height and an inadequate on-site power supply the technician decided that the best solution would be to supply two 100kW temporary chillers and a 200kW air handler.

Andrews Chiller Hire offers chillers with capacities ranging from 30kW units to multi megawatt packages.

It also has over 20 depots throughout the UK which ensures that equipment can be despatched and on site as quickly as possible.

installers and contractors a high-quality option at a highly competitive price point.

“Together, the Toshiba and CIAT brands now offer a formidable and truly comprehensive range of products spanning all technologies, applications and value propositions, with everything available from a single source in the UK. With all the benefits this brings to the installer ease of ordering, reduced paperwork and joined-up technical support - we believe it is a compelling offer and unmatched in the UK.” www.ciat.uk.com

Blue Cube reveals expansion plans

Blue Cube Portable Cold Stores, suppliers of rental temperature controlled storage solutions for the food, pharmaceutical, logistics and manufacturing industries, is planning to double the size of its service team and expand its sales force in the North in the wake of new business wins.

Blue Cube recently announced plans to achieve 30 per cent growth in two years and relocate to larger premises and managing director Steve Blakemore said: “Having delivered the best results in the company’s history last year, we are excited to be implementing the recruitment drive. It will ensure we can accommodate future growth as we continue to win more business in our key target markets.”

Established in 2009, Staffordshire-based Blue Cube offers a wide range of temperature controlled storage solutions including blast freezers, blast chillers, portable cold stores and tempering units. www.bluecubepcs.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2017

NEWS_Nov17.indd 10

17/10/2017 10:53

11

N EW S

Tomorrow’s Challenges in Today’s Buildings Tomorrow’s challenges in today’s buildings is the theme of the BSRIA Briefing at the Brewery, London, on Friday 17 November.

The Briefing will explore the options of how technology and research can help to prepare and accommodate future needs both in the residential and commercial buildings of the future.

BSRIA Chief Executive Julie Evans said: “Julia Evans, Chief Executive, BSRIA said: “It is well known that 80 per cent of the buildings needed for 2050 already exist but will they be fit for purpose and will they alter to meet the changing needs of their occupants? These buildings already meet current regulations for energy and carbon but what isn’t clear is what might be needed to meet changing and varied expectations of the occupants.’’

Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes is the after-lunch speaker. He is the first person to reach both North and South Poles by foot and also made it into the record books by completing seven marathons on seven continents (including Antarctica) in seven days – soon after receiving emergency heart surgery. Only then did he take up climbing, starting with the North Face of the Eiger. At the age of 65, at his third attempt, he became the oldest Briton to conquer Everest.

ENTRIES OPEN FOR BCIA AWARDS

Entries are open for the 2018 Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) Awards.

Categories include Best Service and Maintenance Provider, Contribution to Training Award, Energy Management Award, Engineer of the Year Award; Independent Building Controls & BEMS Installer, Technical Innovation of the Year – Products, Young Engineer of the Year and Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects.

The events is at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 10 May. It is free to enter and the deadline is January 26. www.bcia.co.uk

www.bsria.co.uk

HONEYWELL SPONSORS IIR CONFERENCE

Honeywell will be a platinum sponsor of the first IIR Conference on the Application of HFO Refrigerants, from 2 to 5 September 2018 in Birmingham, organised by the IOR. Robert Kebby, Global Refrigeration Business Manager, Honeywell Refrigerants said: “We are continuously working with customers and partners to help them leverage HFOs to meet their sustainability and energy efficiency goals. We are pleased to sponsor the inaugural IIR International Conference on the Application of HFO Refrigerants, as these types of conferences provide important education and awareness on the global community’s adoption of HFOs.” www.ior.org.uk/HFO2018

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk NEWS_Nov17.indd 11

13/10/2017 16:23

12

AI R CONDI TI O N I N G

VRF GROWTH PLAYS KEY ROLE IN

‘UNBELIEVABLE’ SUMMER I t’s been quite a summer for Fujitsu with ‘very strong growth’ across the range, including VRF.

Fujitsu has traditionally been strong on mini-VRF systems but the fact that sales are building through to the Airstage VR II 3-pipe heat recovery system is particularly satisfying for Sales and Marketing Director Ian Carroll.

He said: “July, August and September were unbelievable. Customers who have bought mini-VRF from us and our distributors in the past are now coming back for the maxi systems. The projects are getting bigger and bigger and that doesn’t happen by chance.’’

Ian believes the increase in VRF sales is down to Fujitsu’s ‘cradle-to-grave’ approach and the focus on building longterm relationships with its distributors and customers.

He said: “It’s about the quality of the equipment, of course it is, but there’s a lot more to it than that. It’s also about the service that we and our distributors offer customers; it’s about the relationship.

“We don’t just take the order and say ‘give us a ring if you have a problem’. We genuinely want to be there every step of the way and be sure the customer is 100 per cent satisfied. It’s good old-fashioned service, really.

Fujitsu Training Schools Fujitsu is investing in the future with its Fujitsu Training Schools initiative.

A mixture of heat recovery VRF, mini-VRF and split systems has been supplied to Eastleigh, Dudley, Belfast and Kelvin colleges, giving students the opportunity to train on the latest equipment.

“It’s a great project,’’ Martyn Ives said: “and it also means we can use the venues for contractor training.’’

New focus

“We have a very flexible team, highly-trained and responsive. When the customers see that it gives them confidence and most people who buy VRF equipment from us end up coming back for more.’’

Technical Manager Martyn Ives has been with the business for 23 years and is delighted to see Fujitsu’s VRF offering

gaining in popularity. He said: “We have a very good team of engineers for equipment selection, to train installers and to advise end users, as well as offering exceptional after-sales service.

“Fujitsu has been in the UK for more than 30 years and has pioneered a number of AC products. Our strength is the work that goes into the product, the support we have here, and the fact that the stock is all available for next-day delivery.’’

Fujitsu has launched numerous new products in the UK this year, ranging from new-style indoor units to sophisticated touchscreen controls. All are available to be used with VRF products and Martyn believes that has helped put a new focus on the Airstage VR II. He said: “It can all make a difference and it reminds potential customers that we are here with a great product.

“More than that, the team all communicate with one another and will go the extra mile to give the customers what they need.’’ www.fujitsu-general.com/uk

Sales and Marketing Director Ian Carroll, left, and Technical Manager Martyn Ives

NOVEMBER 2017

Fujitsu VRF.indd 12

13/10/2017 13:38

LAST REMAINING PLACES

BOOK NOW! This popular awards lunch is again being held at The Belfry, near Birmingham on

Thursday 7th December 2017 This not-for-profit event invests in the training companies to enable them to provide the best skills to trainees and apprentices in the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration sector.

www.acrtoty.uk To book your places please contact Juliet Loiselle on 07786 336606 julietl@warnersgroup.co.uk CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

Sponsored by acrjournal.uk TOTY.indd 13

17/10/2017 11:59

14

M I TS U BI S H I ELECT R I C

A PAPERLESS WORLD? Ben Bartle-Ross looks at what installers need when they’re out on the tools.

W

e’ve recently taken delivery of our latest product catalogue and, at 379 pages, it is quite a weighty item, as it contains details on our complete range of air conditioning, chillers, heating, ventilation and controls.

It is highly unlikely that this will ever leave the offices of installers, designers and consultants and it is not really intended to be taken ‘out on the road’ but what about all the technical manuals, product sheets, list of fault codes, etc. etc. that we and other manufacturers produce?

As an installer, do you find yourself filling your van with all the individual manuals you need for each job? Or have you found an easier way to get hold of the essential information you need when you’re on a job?

Do you, for example, have to rely on phoning a technical helpdesk for an answer when having access to a relevant technical manual could be quicker and more straightforward?

In these days of smartphones, it is easy to access things over the Cloud and that is why Ben Bartle-Ross is a Technical Trainer at Mitsubishi Electric.

we have been developing a variety of apps helping access all of the technical and product information that anyone will need when installing, commissioning or maintaining any of our systems.

Die-hard traditionalist

As a manufacturer, one of the key apps that we have developed is called ‘ME Engineer’ which delivers quick access to service manuals, error codes and details on spares. It also has a QR Code section allowing you to scan the QR Code on the actual product to access the right information.

So sophisticated, online tools are available but whether it’s in the form of a smart app, or a pdf document, do you miss the option of being able to scribble your own notes or doodle around relevant diagrams?

From my point of view, I think we are still in a period where manufacturers still need to offer the three main support options for installers: 1) paper versions; 2) a telephone helpdesk; 3) online apps and tools.

However, we are rapidly heading for the day when manufacturers simply don’t produce any hard paper copies anymore.

So are you ready, or are you a die-hard traditionalist that always needs to see something in print?

Ben.Bartle-Ross@meuk.mee.com

brendan@blygolduk.com www.Blygold.co.uk

Anti-Corrosion Coatings For Fin Coil Heat Exchanges Without Coating:

With Coating:

Blygold UK Ltd, Unit 1a, Corinium Industrial Estate, Raans Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire. HP6 6YJ 01895 259346.

Blygold UK Ltd (North), Unit 2/3 Dinting Industrial Estate, Dinting Lane,Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 7NU 01457 859111

14_Mitsubishi.indd 14

13/10/2017 15:51

Opt

for better

Opteon™ low global warming potential products are a small choice for a big change.

Our strength is our fast response

opteon.com

Quality engineering products for NH3, CO2 and other refrigerants from leading European manufacturers • Open Refrigerant Pumps • Hermetic Pumps NH3/CO2 • Pressure Vessels • Surge Drums • Liquid Receivers • Economisers • Oil Recovery Systems • Chilled Water/Brine Chillers • Ammonia Spray Chillers • High Pressure Floats • Stop Valves NH3/CO2 • Ball Valves

• Electronic and Pneumatic Control Valves • Liquid Level Transducers • Flap Indicators • Oil Separators • Circular Welded Plate • Heat Exchangers • Shell & Tube Condensers • DX Chillers • Brazed Plate • Heat Exchangers • Capillary Hose • Leak Detection Equipment ©2017 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Opteon™ and any associated logos are the trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.

TitanAds.indd 2 p15_acrnov17.indd 1

28/03/2014 09:47:29 CH_1703_AZ_003_Opteon_UK_ACR_Journal_92x275.indd 1 24/07/2012 16:36

03.08.17 15:26 13/10/2017 14:51:56

16

CONT ROL S

HOW WELL CONNECTED IS YOUR AIR CONDITIONING? Henry Lawson, Senior Market Research Analyst, BSRIA World Market Intelligence, looks at the growth of smart connected HVAC systems.

P

ut yourself in the shoes of someone who is responsible for a chain of offices or other buildings. These could be hotels or restaurants; shops, banks, offices or petrol stations to name just some possibilities. A key part of your job will be keeping these buildings comfortable for staff and customers alike, while also keeping costs down. This means not just energy costs, with all the associated environmental issues, but also the costs of maintenance and repair.

Heating and cooling is now increasingly taken for granted in non-residential premises, even in temperate climates like the UK. Where it functions poorly or breaks down altogether, the effects are soon felt in dissatisfied or absent customers, as well as in demotivated and less productive staff.

For larger buildings, a building automation or control system (or BACS) can help address this, as well as providing a lot of other benefits. The costs of installing and running a BACS, along with its relative complexity, means that it is generally only viable for larger and more complex buildings. Even in the USA, only about 15 per cent of all non-residential buildings have a BACS and these are heavily skewed towards the upper end.

Another related challenge is that for smaller buildings it is also unlikely to be cost-effective to have an engineer available “on site” to deal with any problems, resulting in additional downtime when a problem occurs.

While “lighter” versions of BACS are emerging, for many smaller buildings, especially those that form part of a chain, an alternative is emerging in what is commonly known as “smart connected HVAC”. As the name suggests, the HVAC

unit, such as a chiller, rooftop or VRF unit, is fitted with a device which is connected to the “network” – which usually means the internet.

Significant business

By this means, all of the information that the unit generates about its state and performance can be passed to an application in the Cloud, which is accessible to the maintenance engineers.

This means that faults can be detected and an engineer despatched to address it along with the correct parts, often before the client has noticed a problem.

More significantly, the data collected can be analysed, often from large numbers of air-conditioning units in different buildings. Patterns can be detected indicating, for example, that units are performing inefficiently, or that a unit or part is likely to fail within a given timeframe. This can potentially transform the service and maintenance operation.

In the USA, smart connected HVAC

is already a significant business, worth in excess of over 600 million US dollars in 2016, with a majority of this being accounted for by services. The business is also growing at more than 20 per cent annually.

In a majority of cases the device connecting to the internet is “factory fitted” to the air-conditioning unit, which lowers the cost and makes it available to be used later. However, there are also a large number of “retrofit” installations, which makes sense when a chiller for example can easily be in service for 15 years or more. The service tends to focus on equipment that is high value, like a chiller, or very widely deployed, like rooftop units in the USA In the USA, smart connected HVAC is being offered mainly by companies that are already strongly established as HVAC suppliers, as building controls suppliers, or by ones that are strong in both areas. Some suppliers are moving into the commercial market from the large residential market. The HVAC supplier has the advantage that they can easily read and interpret all of the data supplied by the unit. A third part supplier, in contrast, has to interpret what may well be proprietary protocols to get the complete picture. The result is likely to be less rich and granular information.

Some HVAC suppliers are using smart connected HVAC as a tool to help to support and build up their own service and maintenance business. This can even underpin a value proposition where air-conditioning is provided as a service and where the client rents rather than purchases the equipment.

However, smart connected HVAC is also proving highly attractive to dedicated service and maintenance companies and facility managers.

NOVEMBER 2017

16-17_BSRIA.indd 16

13/10/2017 15:46

CON T RO L S

Internet connections

Here in Europe, the air conditioning market is somewhat different to that in the USA. While major global players like Daikin still lead, there are also a lot of regional players. The types of air conditioning units favoured also differ.

Here in the UK only about one per cent of the value of the market is accounted for by rooftop units compared to 20 per cent in the USA. In contrast, VRF and large splits are much more favoured in the UK than in North America.

However, the principle of smart connected HVAC can be applied to any type of air-conditioning unit, though it may not be cost-effective where large numbers of very low-value units are deployed. And of course, similar processes can be implemented for other types of HVAC equipment such as boilers.

In Europe maintenance companies are already starting to use internet connections to monitor air-conditioning equipment remotely. BSRIA will be reporting further on these developments going forward.

Much more detailed information and analysis of the US market for Smart Connected HVAC is available from BSRIA in the report “US Smart Connected HVAC in Commercial Buildings Study 2017”, published in July 2017.

Opt

for better

Opteon™ XP40 – A refrigerant that offers up to 12% improvement in energy performance. opteon.com

www.bsria.co.uk

©2017 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Opteon™ and any associated logos are the trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk CH_1703_AZ_003_Opteon_UK_ACR_Journal_92x275.indd 2 16-17_BSRIA.indd 17

03.08.17 15:26 13/10/2017 15:46

18

COM PET I T I O N

OCTOBER WINNER & RUNNER-UP

Winner of a one-night break for two at a Hallmark Hotel was Trevor Reeve of Adcock Refrigeration.

Comedy tickets and three-course meal and glass of wine for two at Zizzi was won by Karina Mikulasova of Pump House.

Welcome to our word search competition, sponsored by Refcom,

the UK’s leading F-Gas company certification scheme. Find out how to apply for your company certification, or renew your existing certification, online at www.refcom.org.uk/f-gas.

To demonstrate best practice, Refcom also operates Refcom Elite.

To find out more visit www.refcom.org.uk/refcom-elite There are some brilliant competition prizes this month from Refcom, the UK’s leading F-Gas register.

Simply find the 10 words we’ve hidden in the word search for your chance to win.

I

V

L

Q

I

M

T

M

X

Z

U

ELITE

R

O

G

S

L

E

A

K

A

G

E

ENERGY

E

I

N

D

U

S

T

R

Y

I

N

ENGINEER

B

B

N

E

V

Y

G

U

Z

T

E

LEAKAGE

M

L

R

E

N

G

I

N

E

E

R

LEGISLATION

E

T

F

T

R

A

I

N

E

D

G

INDUSTRY

V

L

E

T

I

L

E

E

W

V

Y

INSPECTION

O

I

N

S

P

E

C

T

I

O

N

NOVEMBER

N

D

K

T

O

D

A

Y

J

W

G

TODAY

L

E

G

I

S

L

A

T

I

O

N

TRAINED

The winner of this month’s competition will win: THE VIEW FROM THE SHARD WITH 3-COURSE MICHELIN DINING AND BUBBLES FOR TWO.

One runner-up will win:

COMEDY TICKETS AND 3-COURSE MEAL PLUS GLASS OF WINE FOR TWO.

CLOSING DATE IS WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2017

*Prizes may vary from those pictured.

Send your entry to: Competitions Department, ACR Journal, Warners Group Publications, The Maltings, West Street Bourne, Lincs, PE10 9PH Name ...................................................................................................................................... Company ..........................................................................................................................

Job Title .................................................................................................................................. Business Address ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................ Post code ...................................... Tel ...................................................... Daytime/evening (please circle) .............................................................................. Company email address .....................................................................................................................................................................

Please sign here if you wish to receive or continue to receive a regular

FREE copy of The ACR Journal

FREE e-newsletter

Signed ........................................................................... Date ...................................................................

In relation to air conditioning and refrigeration products, please tick the most relevant box below.

Purchase Specify Use Install Maintain Manufacture None of these Do you: Warners Group Publications plc will automatically provide you with relevant direct mail and/or telephone information. If you do not want to receive this information tick here . We may also e-mail you with information about relevant products/services. If you do want to receive e-mail please tick here . Warners Group Publications plc will occasionally allow selected third parties to contact you about their products/services. If you do not want to receive relevant direct mail and/or telephone information from third parties please tick here . If you do want to receive relevant email from third parties please tick here . All prizes are subject to availability and may change.

NOVEMBER 2017

COMP.indd 18

17/10/2017 14:33

PEACE OF MIND DOES EXIST. IT’S CALLED CERTIFICATION.

ENJOY CERTIFIED QUALITY IN YOUR EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEM. Third-party certified performance data is instrumental to enable transparency, allow fair comparison, and highlight the true energy costs.

The COOLING TOWER certification programme “Eurovent Certified Performance” helps eliminate over-sizing and expensive customer verification tests due to underperforming uncertainty, while keeping operating costs under control. This programme responds to the Ecodesign regulations.

Check performances on line www.eurovent-certification.com

The COOLING TOWER certification is actively supported by the participating manufacturers:

By Eurovent Certita Certification, a leading Third-Party certification body in Indoor climate - Ventilation & Air quality Process cooling & Food cold chain.

Getty Images © Hans Neleman

p19_acrnov17.indd 1

13/10/2017 14:53:46

20

I NDOOR A I R Q UA LI T Y

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR While the air quality debate has historically been largely centred around external pollution within town and cities, air pollution can have surprising knock on effects for indoor air quality (IAQ) in both rural and urban areas.

As indoor pollution can be responsible for a number of health issues, Alan Macklin, Group Technical Director at Elta Group, explains why ventilation systems are vital no matter where the property is located.

F

ollowing the government’s recent focus on improving the air quality within major cities, most people expect the air quality in the countryside to be better than that of built up areas.

For the most-part this is true, since emissions and pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, are significantly greater in urban areas.

While outdoor air quality tends to grab the majority of the headlines, indoor air quality is just as important – especially given the amount of time that many people spend inside.

Why pollution happens

When it comes to air quality, the majority of focus has fallen on towns and cities.

This is understandable since many play host to congestion and factories which are the primary producers of air pollution build-up. What’s more, in these built up areas, pollution can become trapped between buildings and without any air movement, can quickly mount.

Depending on the time of year, a superior air quality is not always guaranteed in the countryside, as the weather can play an impacting role.

When built-up areas experience strong breezes, pollution can drift out from the cities to cover the neighbouring countryside. In much the same way that pollution becomes trapped between buildings in cities, it can also build up in the countryside in low lying areas such as valleys.

While attention has been paid to improving air quality, it’s important to consider how this build-up of pollution can further impact the indoor air quality levels within homes and workplaces, and the impact that poor IAQ can have.

Indoor air quality in the workplace

With many businesses and office spaces located in polluted cities, employers have a duty to ensure that the IAQ provided to staff is of a high standard. A happy workforce doesn’t happen by accident and businesses can underestimate the effect of poor IAQ on office morale.

Aside from irritating respiratory conditions, such as asthma, a poorly ventilated office environment can lead to headaches, dizziness and low levels

NOVEMBER 2017

20-21_IAQ Elta Group.indd 20

17/10/2017 13:10

21

I N D O O R A I R Q UA LI T Y

of concentration. In fact, studies have shown that a CO2 level above thousand parts per million has a direct and negative impact on human cognition and decisionmaking. This means productivity is lower for employers – as a direct result of air quality.

Indoor air quality at home

Good IAQ is a vital part of our health and can be effected within the home by anything from the use of cleaning products, to the levels of moisture in the air leading to condensation. Dust, mould or fungus spores, and pollen all contribute to poor indoor air quality regardless of whether a property is located within the town or countryside.

Properties in the countryside are much more likely to be off the grid and therefore rely on oil to heat their homes. However, it is important to consider the impact this can have as the burning of fuels in flueless appliances, such as paraffin stoves, portable gas heaters, gas stoves and ovens, and wood burning fires, can also accumulate indoors if ventilation is poor.

While regulations for new buildings have been improved to ensure that homes are more air-tight than ever, there are unsuspecting suspects that can all contribute to poor indoor air quality. Man-made carpets, furniture and laminate flooring can all be responsible for harnessing gases produced by cooking and heating, and can all contribute to

indoor air pollution meaning that it is essential adequate ventilation is in place.

What can be done?

Measures to clean up emissions from factories and vehicles have greatly improved air in built-up areas. In the meantime, ventilation provides the solution to poor IAQ by removing the unseen pollutants and particles.

For properties in the countryside, simply opening a window will allow fresh air to disperse throughout the building.

However for those based in the city, this simple action will not provide the fresh air needed to create a comfortable environment, nor is it possible due to security risks. The result is that all too often the indoor air becomes trapped,

leading to recirculating particles, unpleasant odours, condensation causing moisture and increasing CO2 levels.

Modern ventilation systems have since been developed to deliver efficient and effective ventilation for businesses both large and small. However the need to educate homeowners on the minimum ventilation rate remains just as prevalent.

Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) units are commonly used within domestic buildings seeking to improve its IAQ. These low maintenance ventilation units help prevent and cure condensation dampness related problems by supplying a regulated stream of fresh, clean air.

They can also be used to control other indoor air pollutants that contribute to poor IAQ. Similarly, Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (DMEV) units have quickly become the first choice option for homeowners due it its ability to serve a constant supply of fresh air to airtight homes.

In most cases, ventilation is the best way to deal with the issue of poor indoor air quality and there is a wide array of options available depending on the property size, specific air quality issue and location. Whether located in a town or rural area, all properties need to carefully consider what sources of particles they are exposed to and install a ventilation system which is able to cope. egbuildingservices.co.uk

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk 20-21_IAQ Elta Group.indd 21

13/10/2017 12:30

22

L E AK DET ECT I O N

FREEZING OUT THE

DANGERS OF GAS LEAKS The demand for gas detection equipment is growing throughout a wide range of industries, with companies keen to improve the efficiency of their cold store systems and ensure the safety of their staff. Shaun Evers, Managing Director of Stonegate Instruments, discusses how technology is playing a pivotal role in reducing both leaks and the costly associated effects.

T

he old adage that prevention is better than cure is true in many circumstances, but sometimes it is simply impossible to predict when disaster may strike.

Refrigerant gas leaks, for instance, often occur before staff realise anything is wrong. While it is impossible to predict when a leak may happen, the latest technology is making it possible to alert workers the moment gas escapes. This enables companies to identify the cause of the leak and make the necessary repairs before either workforce or the environment comes to harm.

Businesses and contractors have had chance to come to terms with the latest set of regulations governing the handling of F-gases since the rules came into force in the EU in January 2015.

These regulations include bans or restrictions on F-gases in some new equipment, such as refrigerators, heat pumps and air conditioners, conditions on the quantities of gases and rules regarding containment, use, recovery and destruction of HFCs.

Costly

However, while chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) gases have been banned in new refrigeration equipment, and replaced by hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), even these gases are not environmentally friendly and still have a global warming potential of more than 3,000 times that of CO2.

Responsibility for complying with these restrictions lies firmly with the equipment operator. This may not necessarily be the owner – it could be a third-party contractor taking legal responsibility

NOVEMBER 2017

leakdetection.indd 22

13/10/2017 13:43

23

L EA K D ET ECT I O N

for equipment upkeep – but in the first instance, the owner should assume responsibility until contractual exchanges have taken place.

A refrigerant gas leak can be costly not only in terms of penalties for breaching regulations, although successful prosecutions by the Environment Agency have seen fines totalling thousands of pounds handed out to operators who allow highly potent F-gases to escape.

Exposure to such gases can be harmful to workers, with symptoms ranging from irritation of the throat, eyes and skin to frostbite, chemical burns and in the most severe cases lung and brain damage.

Damage

Leaks also damage the environment, with the Carbon Trust estimating that a leak of 1kg of refrigerant gas can have the same impact as a van driving for 10,000 miles.

For businesses, leaking equipment spells spiralling energy costs. If gas escapes, equipment must work harder to remain at the correct temperature, using increasingly larger amounts of energy as it does so. If left unrepaired for three months, a small leak in a typical

300kW refrigeration system could result in increased energy costs of £1,400 – not to mention the bill for the repair when it is eventually identified.

Gas emissions occur for a variety of reasons, including equipment malfunction, improper maintenance work, mechanical damage and accidental release during refrigerant replenishment.

Whatever the cause, it is imperative that workers are alerted to any release as quickly as possible.

Technology plays a vital part in identifying leaks as soon as they occur.

As around 60% of gas escapes before anyone notices, it is impractical to expect employees to identify leaks; moreover, the latest EU regulations stipulate that equipment with 300kg or more of refrigerants be fitted with a leak detector.

These detectors must have a sensitivity of 5g/year and should be checked after 25 hours of continuous use and calibrated with a 1,000ppm gas to air mix.

Sophisticated

The latest gas detection systems can be programmed to detect a wide range of both toxic and non-toxic gases, including

HFCs. These sophisticated detectors alert workers with audio and visual alarms, and have a battery back-up system in the case of power failure.

LED colours can be used to indicate the status of each sensor. These are arranged in different zones, so in the event of a gas leak, it can be swiftly identified and repaired without delay.

As regulations on the use of refrigerant gases become increasingly stringent, technology exists to help businesses combat potentially dangerous and costly emissions. Even the most sophisticated devices on the market have a return on investment time of just two years, therefore installing technology to monitor leaks in cold storage offers a simple yet effective solution for operators in any sector.

Stonegate Instruments designs, develops and manufactures electronic equipment for the refrigeration industry including gas detectors. The company’s products are proven in cold storage facilities for reducing energy, carbon emissions and the associated costs.

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

www.stonegate-instruments.com

acrjournal.uk leakdetection.indd 23

13/10/2017 13:43

24

R E F R I G E R AT I O N

HOLISTIC ROUTE TO YOUR NEXT SYSTEM Eric Winandy, Director of Integrated Solutions at Emerson, discusses the pressure on retailers to phase down HFC refrigerants, and the need to be thoughtful when specifying new systems.

Eric Winandy, Director of Integrated Solutions, Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions

I

n October last year, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol was signed, mandating a clear timetable by which countries would phase down the production and usage of hydro�uorocarbons (HFCs). Environmental leaders hailed the Amendment a ‘huge win for the climate’ – as the coolant is up to 4,000 times more potent than CO2.

But while the phase down of HFCs is praised, unfortunately reports indicate we

NOVEMBER 2017

Emerson_ACR Journal.indd 24

are already falling behind in refrigeration.

Research analysed in a whitepaper report we supported with University of Birmingham academic Toby Peters, suggests that the retail sector is behind schedule in the transition from HFCs to natural refrigerants, and will have to make decisions quickly in order to catch up.

There is a risk in this however – as with any quick decision – that in their haste to meet the transition timeline, retailers may select new equipment that doesn’t take into account broader business and environmental factors. They need to take a holistic approach to specifying new refrigeration systems – from considering energy efficiency and the environmental impact of the whole system, to long term economic and operational outcomes.

Comparing solutions: take a holistic approach

As alternatives to HFCs are considered, there are two primary natural alternatives available – CO2 and hydrocarbons such as propane. To-date, CO2 seems to have a head start with a number of food retailers committing themselves to what may on the surface appear to be the most obvious choice.

But the research by the University of Birmingham concludes that although CO2 systems are most commonly being installed across Europe, there are significant long term benefits from what are known as integrated display cases, which operate more like domestic fridges, and use propane as their refrigerant. These benefits, which can include improved energy efficiency, reduced refrigerant leakage and lower maintenance requirements, can contribute to better environmental performance and significant cost savings in the right application.

To put this into context, we commissioned an independent study to compare the costs of two different refrigeration systems operated by a leading discount supermarket over a ten year lifespan. It found that the combination of lower capital cost, reduced maintenance and down time, coupled with improved energy efficiency, could deliver savings of up to €51,055 per store when using integrated display cases, as opposed to a ‘remote rack’ CO2 system. That is a material benefit, but when multiplied across an entire network of stores over Europe, the environmental and cost benefits of thinking holistically could be extremely significant. For example if a typical European discounter Photo credit: Shutterstock

13/10/2017 16:41

R E F R I G E R AT I O N

operates 10,000 stores worldwide, that is more than €510 million in savings.

Close-up: integral systems

Given CO2 refrigeration systems are being widely adopted and understood, let’s take a closer look at hydrocarbon integral systems, as a less familiar territory that can bring several potential benefits for retailers.

The primary difference is in the architecture - ‘integral’ refrigeration describes stand-alone display cabinets and freezers that each contain their own cooling system – much like a domestic fridge.

Integral units predominate in the drinks vending machines and ice cream freezers found in corner shops around the world.

Most supermarkets have some integral units, even if their main system is remote.

But integral systems can also be used to provide refrigeration for entire stores provided the heat generated is removed to an external chiller or heat exchanger through a simple pipe containing water or brine. These are referred to as water cooled integral systems, and need no plant room, unlike those required by CO2 systems.

Given integral systems are smaller and less characteristic of the HFC architecture being replaced, it is understandable that retailers aren’t automatically selecting this option.

However, the fact that this system entails self-contained units, means it can provide a range of unique benefits including flexibility in store design. Because these units are self-contained and set up for ‘plug-and-play’, they are quick to install or move safely. This could be of increasing importance as stores can have refits as often as every five years, but refrigeration equipment can have a lifespan of up to 15 years. Additionally, the self-contained design requires a much less intensive installation and maintenance process when compared to other systems.

In terms of environmental benefits, hydrocarbon integral systems also have lower energy consumption. Research has shown the reduction of the total equivalent warming impact (TEWI) is eight percent greater than that of CO2 systems.

Furthermore, less emission leakage and simpler maintenance compared to other systems helps to ensure the integral systems run more effectively and for longer, therefor having a lower overall environmental impact over its lifetime.

It’s not to say that one refrigeration solution will ultimately be right for all retail applications. However, the Kigali Amendment has presented us with an opportunity to select the most cost effective and crucially environmentally friendly refrigeration technology for

25

the decades to come. As I said before, retailers need to ensure they take a holistic approach to selecting new systems, and as HVACR professionals, it is our job to help them with that.

More information on the phase down of HFCs and full access to the whitepaper Emerson commissioned with the University of Birmingham, European Retail Report: The Transition to Clean Cooling, is available on the Emerson website: http://www.emersonclimate.com/ europe/en-eu/About_Us/News/Pages/ Studies Eric Winandy is Director of Integrated Solutions for Emerson Commercial and Residential Solutions Europe, based in Aachen, Germany. Eric has more than 25 years of experience in air conditioning and refrigeration research and applications. He has authored and co-authored papers and articles on compressors and applications topics, and he is reviewer of the International Journal of Refrigeration, member of the scientific committee of Gustav Lorentzen Conference on natural refrigerants. Eric is also an active member of the HVAC&R professional Associations ASERCOM (Association of European Refrigeration Compressor and Controls Manufacturers), IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), IoR (Institute of Refrigeration) and the EHPA (European Heat Pump Association). Eric holds a degree in mechanical engineering — aerospace from the University of Liège, Belgium, and a Ph.D. in Applied Thermodynamics from the University of Concepción, Chile.

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk Emerson_ACR Journal.indd 25

17/10/2017 13:11

26

R E F R I G E R AT I O N

odic

ck ng

atic

m

ur

to

g

ed

ve

ot

sing

all

WHY MAINTENANCE SHOULD NEVER BE OVERLOOKED Ed Whinyates of Stonegrove Refrigeration highlights the importance of looking after refrigeration equipment and some of the options available.

W

e all know that if you buy a car and service it at regular intervals, then it performs to the standard that the manufacturer designed and reduces the risk of problems as the vehicle ages. All mechanical equipment needs periodic servicing to keep it in its best operating condition.

Refrigeration is no different.

Refrigeration moving parts suffer from everyday wear and tear and regularly need to be refilled, replaced, checked and cleaned. A well maintained and serviced refrigeration system is designed to perform to its optimum for a number of years, which helps with reducing energy usage and minimises equipment downtime.

Whether it is a new capital investment, or an older refrigeration system, having a

Planned Preventative Maintenance contract (PPM) with companies like Stonegrove Refrigeration safeguards your investment.

Legislation and regulations

There are national and European standards that need to be taken into account when looking at maintenance. European Legislation EN378 (section 4 & section 5) cover the strict operation, maintenance and repair of refrigeration systems.

This includes (but is not restricted to) inspection, cleaning and leak detection.

For systems that do not contain natural refrigerants, the very minimum level of maintenance any company should have is based around the F-Gas regulations on leak testing. An end user is responsible for the prevention of leaks from equipment, but refrigeration contractors that maintain

your equipment share this responsibility.

There are specified thresholds for leak check intervals. These are based around the CO2Â equivalent which takes into account the quantity of F-gas in the equipment and the global warming potential of the gas. Your refrigeration maintenance provider will be able to offer advice on this and calculate on your behalf.

Over and above the legal requirements, within the European legislation and F-gas regulations, an underperforming system will have a dramatic impact on your business - and not in a good way!

What type of PPM contract is best for you?

There are generally three main parts every refrigeration system needs inspected.

These are the evaporator, compressor

NOVEMBER 2017

26 Stonegrove.indd 26

13/10/2017 16:07

R E F R I G E R AT I O N

and condenser. These main operating parts need regular scheduled inspections and maintenance checks to ensure that the whole of the refrigeration system functions at peak efficiency.

The right refrigeration service company can customise a pre-planned maintenance contract based on your equipment, your needs and your budget.

However, as an owner and user of refrigeration equipment, when deciding on the type of PPM to go for there are a number of Key questions to ask yourself.

Can you afford for your equipment to breakdown?

When your refrigeration system is regularly checked, potential problems can be found and fixed before any major problems occur. This helps to avoid expensive downtime.

How long do you want your refrigeration system to last for?

Regular cleaning and maintenance not only makes your industrial refrigeration system work more efficiently but helps it last longer. Reducing wear and tear keeps critical parts working correctly. If parts are worn or dirty a system has to work hard to maintain its level of performance, putting even more pressure on plant. If one part fails it can lead to a chain reaction that causes critical components to fail. Having the correct PPM ensures fewer failures.

Do you want to minimise the running cost of your equipment?

Poorly maintained refrigeration plant wastes energy by running inefficiently and has a much higher risk of breaking down.

It has been calculated that regularly servicing your refrigeration system can save up to 10% on your energy bills.

When refrigeration plant is operating at peak performance energy consumption is hugely reduced. For example, keeping condensers and evaporators clean maintains efficient operating pressures leading to a reduced run time and it easier to maintain the set temperature.

A correctly maintained refrigeration system will improve performance and minimise the risk of potentially costly system issues and repairs.

Types of refrigeration maintenance contracts available

As a critical element of any business using refrigeration systems and equipment, the importance of maintaining a refrigeration system cannot be underestimated.

Maintenance providers like Stonegrove, who employ correctly trained and certified engineers, are able to offer tailored contracts to meet the needs of the end user. This ensures efficient operation, reduced running costs, a greater working life span and minimising potential system failures and downtime. Frequency of maintenance can depend on the type,

27

size, age and use of a system. A clearly laid out maintenance schedule can identify items within the refrigeration system that need to be checked and how often.

Aside from maintenance that complies with legislation and regulations (as well as manufacturers recommendations) there are further avenues that can be explored – all of which add benefit to a maintenance schedule. These include, but are not limited to, Thermal scans of rooms and control panels, vibration analysis, calibration of temperature probes, calibration of leak detection, calibration of PRV’s and laser alignment.

Keeping records

It is both the responsibility of the equipment operator as well as the refrigeration maintenance provider to keep detailed service and maintenance records.

Not only does this comply with the required leak test legislation, but provides an accurate equipment log and notes all repairs and maintenance carried out.

This offers an excellent audit trail and reference point for future maintenance.

For further information about how Stonegrove can help with your service and maintenance requirements: www.stonegroverefrigeration.co.uk 01279 408690 ed@stonegroverefrigeration.co.uk

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk 26 Stonegrove.indd 27

13/10/2017 16:08

28

R E FR I GE RA N TS

BE A CYLINDER CHAMPION

A-Gas Managing Director John Ormerod explains why careful management of the humble refrigerant cylinder is good for your business and the industry.

I

t is easy to take for granted the humble refrigerant cylinder. These unloved, re�llable steel containers rarely make the industry headlines but they are a key component in most refrigeration or air conditioning jobs. They have to be easy to use, robust enough to handle any journey and made to last.

Thousands of refrigerant cylinders pass through our A-Gas depot at Portbury every year – full, empty or returned with recovered refrigerant to be separated and reclaimed and made available to the market. We ensure that they are fit for purpose and tick all the regulatory boxes safety and quality wise.

Disposable cylinders are banned for environmental reasons in the UK and across Europe, Australia, India and Canada. The increasing effectiveness of the F-Gas Regulations has meant that the use of refillable cylinders will grow in importance as the stepdowns in the

John Ormerod

production of virgin refrigerants make deeper inroads.

Engineers must return all empty cylinders to the supplier. This can be inconvenient at times as cylinders are often left on site or abandoned in the hidden recesses of plant rooms but the advent of cylinder rentals and financial penalties is encouraging installers to return to the sender.

Low risk

Most engineers do return their refrigerant cylinders to their suppliers – in most cases the wholesaler – but we still have a number of waifs and strays that go missing never to be seen again. From a transport perspective installers should always ensure that cylinders are fixed securely in the back of vans and ideally, for safety reasons, the vehicles should have a bulkhead separating the storage area from the driver. It is not mandatory but it is preferable to have the rear area ventilated too.

Cylinders are classified as dangerous goods but these days most refrigerants are low risk as they are largely non-flammable.

This allows engineers to transport large numbers without tripping over the regulations relating to pressurised goods.

To be on the safe side no other equipment should be connected to the cylinder while in transport. The cylinder valve should also always be closed and capped to reduce the risk of leaks.

There is a direct cost associated with the return of the cylinder. By this I mean the time from when it is sold by the reseller to

NOVEMBER 2017

A-Gas Nov.indd 28

17/10/2017 13:12

R EF R I G ERA N TS

the time it is returned to the wholesaler as empty. Leaving an empty cylinder sitting in the back of a plant room for months on end is of no benefit to anyone in the industry.

The cylinder represents an asset to the industry – at all levels – and any loss adds to production costs.

Tracking system

A-Gas has to continually invest in cylinders to have enough to meet the needs of customers. This is why rentalbased schemes have penalties in place to encourage people to return them but most arrangements these days will include a rent-free period during which these costs can be avoided if the cylinders are returned within the period agreed with the supplier.

The challenge most contractors have is that they do not keep a close eye on which engineers has picked up what cylinder and where. When this happens it is quite easy for that cylinder to disappear from the system. If an engineer leaves the cylinder on site and the contractor does not have a tracking system then it is understandable that they will rack up rental bills.

A-Gas can help here. One of the functions of our Gas-Trak Online™ (GTO) F-Gas app is the cylinder manager tool

allowing the contractor to track individual cylinders. Dates and locations are included in the reporting feature, which makes it easy to monitor via the traffic light system signalling which cylinder is where. Launched more than two years ago, Gas-Trak Online is being used to great success by A-Gas customers who have grasped the opportunity to have a cylinder management tool at their fingertips.

Efficient management

The return of cylinders containing recovered refrigerants is a key issue for the industry. It is crucial that these cylinders are repatriated along the supply chain with the appropriate documentation, including the waste consignment note, and most wholesalers will help contractors with the paperwork.

Bear in the mind that recovery cylinders contain hazardous waste and are considered to be dangerous goods.

ADR rules and the Hazardous Waste Regulations come into play here and contractors need to be up to speed on both.

29

This aspect is becoming increasingly important in terms of F-Gas as we move towards 2020 when in the case of some gases only reclaimed product can be used.

Installers will need a paper trail for each cylinder right down to the batch number.

Moving further on to 2022 when in some instances reclaimed product can only be used for servicing, the law will demand increased levels of documentation and so coming up with an efficient system to manage this in advance makes much sense.

But I am pleased to report that generally speaking contractors are realising the benefits of efficient cylinder management and the industry is becoming aware of the cost and environmental benefits of ensuring that cylinders find their way home to be used time and time again.

01275 376600 www.agas.com

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

Cylinder management is playing an increasingly key role in the industry

acrjournal.uk A-Gas Nov.indd 29

13/10/2017 13:47

30

R E FR I GE RA N TS

A2L SAFE? YOU MAY ALREADY BE COVERED There are significant changes underway in the industry with R32 being ushered into the UK market, but knowing what you need to upgrade can be a minefield.

Advanced Engineering Technical Director Colin Pratt explains why you might not have to fret just yet.

’R

32 Safe’ and ‘A2L Safe’. These terms are everywhere in the industry at the moment.

Understandably, some of you may be dreading having to potentially spend thousands of pounds to upgrade your equipment to ensure compliance.

But the truth is you may not need to.

The move from R401A to R32 makes a lot of sense from a green perspective.

After all, R32 has a low GWP and we really need to be doing all we can as an industry

to be more environmentally conscious.

Unfortunately, the trade-off with A2L refrigerants is that they’re mildly flammable so knowing that you and your engineers are working A2L Safe is important.

There’s also your customers’ peace of mind to consider. While some may read ‘mildly flammable’ as hardly flammable at all and not worry, adopting a ‘don’t worry’ approach won’t be a sufficient explanation for a customer who notices ‘flammable’ PROMAX Minimax

labelled on the side of a unit and comes to you with concerns.

It’s never worth taking a risk with flammable materials, even if there’s only a slight chance. A small chance is still a chance and you will be liable if anything does go wrong.

As it stands, there is no legislation in place regarding the use of specific tools when working with R32.

Reading literature from individual manufacturers will lead you to the discovery that each interprets things differently.

And this can lead to confusion.

If you’ve bought equipment from us in the recent past then there’s every chance you may already possess equipment that is classified as safe with A2L refrigerants, such as R32 and 1234yf.

PROMAX RG3000

NOVEMBER 2017

Advanced upgrading.indd 30

13/10/2017 12:31

31

R EF R I G ERA N TS

In fact, many of the HVAC premium brands have already been flagged A2Lsafe. Promax, TIF, and Robinair, which are now all owned by Bosch. A number of the company’s products have been rigorously tested and are safe to use with A2L gases.

If you own any of the following you can be confident that they’re R32 ready. ₀ Promax RG6 - 110v & 240v ₀ Promax RG5410a Extreme - 110v & 240v ₀ Promax Minimax - 110v & 240v ₀ Promax RG3000 - 110v & 240v ₀ TIF ZX-1/1A - Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector ₀ TIF XP-1A - Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector Bosch has backed the above products and confirmed they’re safe, meaning you can rest assured over their safety if you already own them. If you’re buying them now, then you can consider yourself future-proofed for these new refrigerants.

Bosch has released an “additional users operating manual” which can be downloaded from our website ( http:// www.advancedengineering.co.uk/ wp-content/uploads/Promax-A2Linstructions-EMAIL.pdf). This provides the necessary instructions necessary for operating safely with A2L refrigerants.

There are, however, some products you will need to upgrade, so it’s worth doing your homework to avoid unnecessary risk.

It’s important to identify which models are suitable for A2L as not all might promote themselves as being A2L ready.

So we’d recommend doing your research.

And when it comes to R32’s arrival, our primary advice is to plan ahead. By purchasing products economically as and when the need arises, you may not need to upgrade everything at once.

Manifolds

As there is only a 3% difference in pressures, and the line connections and oil are the same, you may be able to get by using the same gauges for a little while.

But, if you’re buying new ones for R410A, it may make sense to buy ones that work with R32 as well.

To add to your options, we will be offering a premium manifold for the UK market for refrigerants such as R410A and R32 later this year.

Vacuum pumps

It’s important to know what makes a vacuum pump A2L-safe. For example, we recently introduced a new range of Bosch Robinair vacuum pumps into the UK market. There are various CFM models, but it’s important to know that alongside the 5CFM model, there is a 5CFM A2Lsafe model available.

The major difference between the A2L safe vacuum pump and the standard 5CFM pump is that it’s a 240v unit rather than dual voltage. Spark free electronic motor cut-out switch and On/Off switch.

Technically, you can use your existing vacuum pump and gauges when working with R32 or A2L refrigerants, however, like the manifolds, we’d suggest considering A2L-safe products when the time comes to replace or purchase kit.

TIF ZX-1/1A

Stay safe, stay prepared

It’s worth remembering that, should an incident occur, the subsequent HSE investigation would examine the equipment used to see if enough care was taken to mitigate risk.

While there’s no legislation currently in place demanding A2L-approved equipment, choosing A2L-safe products demonstrates that you’ve removed this risk.

Although you may be fine for now and some of your equipment may already be suitable, the time’s never been more right to weigh up the additional benefits (and costs) of choosing A2L-safe products.

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

www.advancedengineering.co.uk

acrjournal.uk Advanced upgrading.indd 31

13/10/2017 12:31

32

E NE RGY E FF I CI EN CY

HUNGRY

FOR HIGHER

ENERGY SAVINGS

Where should the ACR industry aim its efforts to get the greatest ‘bang for its buck’ in terms of energy efficiency? The answer is the UK’s biggest manufacturing sector – food and drink – which is larger than automotive and aerospace combined. John Grenville, Managing Director of ECEX, explains.

A

ll the statistics concerning food and drink manufacture point to a compelling case for boosting the sector’s energy efficiency and, therefore, a potentially enormous market for ACR installers and manufacturers.

Food and drink is a £95.4 billion turnover industry making it the single largest manufacturing sector in the UK with a Gross Value Added (the measure of the value of goods and services produced) of £21.9bn.

The Carbon Trust estimates that around 10% of greenhouse emissions and 16% of the UK’s electricity consumption are attributable to the use refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, all of which are common elements in food and drink manufacture.

The food industry is responsible for 12% of the UK’s industrial energy consumption and uses over 4,500 GWh/

yr of electrical energy, according to the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB).

Enormous potential

Another set of figures, this time from food production machinery manufacturer M&P Engineering, suggest that the entire food chain, which comprises agricultural production, manufacturing, distribution, retail and consumption, is responsible for 18% of the total UK energy use.

In the UK the food chain consists of approximately 300,000 enterprises and employs 3.3 million people and accounts for £188 billion in consumer expenditure.

All these figures point to one thing – there is enormous potential to reduce energy use within the food industry by improving the overall efficiency of refrigeration processes and to develop systems that fully use resources.

NOVEMBER 2017

energy_ecex.indd 32

13/10/2017 13:44

33

EN ERGY EF F I CI EN CY

Indeed, ACRIB says reducing its environmental impact both in direct emissions (leakage of refrigerant) and indirect (energy use) is one of the most important challenges for the sector and its essential users.

It is being addressed with many energy saving innovations and environmental initiatives, not all of which involve great investment or disruptive installation.

Improved efficiency

For example, ECEX Air Intake Screens offer a simple, but extremely effective solution, cutting maintenance times as well as contributing to carbon reduction – a classic win-win situation.

ECEX Air Intake are long lasting, weather-resistant filters designed specifically for high velocity airflow applications such as chillers, dry air coolers, air handling units, cooling towers and air conditioning units.

In the food and drink sector, these simple but effective products are helping save

energy and improve operational efficiency at leading soft drinks manufacturer Lucozade Ribena Suntory’s (LRS’s) factory in Coleford, The Forest of Dean.

To counter pollen, leaves and dust are deposited on filters and heating/ cooling coils at LRS’s factory – located in a forest environment – four ECEX Air Intake Screens were fitted to the supply air intakes, replacing existing banks of pre-filter media in-front of the intake louvres to reduce clogging from dust, and a further two Air Intake Screens on the cooling towers to prevent fans and pumps being affected by leaves, pollen and dust.

The results have included large savings on filter changing costs and a dramatic reduction in energy consumption. The cooling towers will also benefit from less maintenance and faster servicing since the towers no longer needing to be stripped down to clean the internal components.

Maintenance: a lucrative revenue stream A recent survey of the food and drink industry by consultancy BDO in association with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers reveals that nearly half the survey respondents (45%) employ strategies to mitigate changing energy prices. The most popular among these were arranging fixed price agreements with energy suppliers (70%) and to invest in energy efficient technology and machinery (65%).

However, maintenance remains a powerful tool in the fight against higher energy consumption. Indeed, it is the most costeffective way to ensure reliability, safety, and energy efficiency in ACR plant and equipment.

Maintenance is also an area ripe with opportunities. According to some studies, total building costs could be slashed by up to 50% simply by switching from reactive to predictive maintenance.

So, for example, ACR professionals can expand their services to offer advice on predictive maintenance techniques (such as vibration analysis, infrared thermography, ultrasonic testing and motor current analysis to diagnose problems in advance). This ensures that the equipment is up to the job.

If it is, then it must be well serviced so that it continues to operate efficiently.

www.ecex.co.uk

They can also offer preventive maintenance services such as: ₀ Advising how to implement a solid, well-managed maintenance plan which will contribute to a longer life for chillers, air handling units, condensing units, and so on, and reduce their total cost of ownership. ₀ Maintaining an operating log and compare the performance recorded with design and start-up data. ₀ Checking for leaks and moisture ingress. ₀ Treating water with appropriate chemicals to reduce scale and corrosion and prevent biological growth. ₀ Cleaning to ensure coils and fans continue to operate at their optimum performance.

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk energy_ecex.indd 33

13/10/2017 13:44

34

V E N T I L AT I O N

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE A bypass ventilation system for the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre presented a new set of challenges for air management experts.

A

ir management specialist Mans�eld Pollard has delivered one of its most technically complex projects to date at the new Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC).

The Bradford-based company was approached by Interserve Construction to assist them with the design and implementation of a mulch dryer bypass system at the £154m GRREC facility.

The centre will handle 200,000 tons of council green bin residual waste every year; work in combination with city wide blue, brown and purple bin recycling; divert 90% of green bin residual waste away from landfill, saving millions of pounds; release recyclable resources from household waste; produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 22,000 households and heat the equivalent of

some 8,000 homes; deliver a saving to Glasgow of 90,000 tons of CO² every year; as well as saving the city approximately £254m during the 25-year contract.

The design brief was to provide a bypass ventilation system from the mulch dryer. The dryer takes the waste from the city of Glasgow, after segregation and processing a sludge is created, this sludge is then passed through a dryer to create briquettes for gasification to drive the turbines and produce electricity.

The hot gas exhaust from the dryer then enters the main extract system.

At full capacity, this heat input into the system amounts to sum 900kw of thermal energy. The main extract system serves the whole facility and in winter the extract air temperature can fall to quite low temperatures. This air is eventually passed through a biomass filter to remove

odours before being discharged to the atmosphere. The heat generated by the dryer ensures that the temperature within the bio-filter remains above 7 degrees Celsius to keep the bacteria alive which is used to reduce the odours.

Planning

The biomass filter and extract system operates at a fixed mass flow rate whilst also requiring a minimum temperature, yet the sludge dryer will vary its output both in flow rate and temperature dependent upon the sludge throughput.

The challenge put to Mansfield Pollard was to provide a balanced bypass system with heat input to ensure that the air entering the main extract system, maintained a constant mass flow rate and air at the biofilter was kept above 7c.

Mansfield Pollard’s engineers designed

NOVEMBER 2017

Mansfield Pollard.indd 34

17/10/2017 13:13

35

V E N T I L AT I O N

an air bypass system connected to the output of the dryer. This consisted of four staged 225kw direct fired gas heaters with modulating dampers, filters and flow measuring devices. Temperature, pressure, and flow sensors were located at strategic locations on the system and as the dryer reduced its output, signals are sent to the 4 heater branches to modulate the dampers and proportionally fire the heaters to maintain the desired conditions. If the dryer is switched off, the bypass system provides the system with 900kw of thermal energy and 10.8 m3/s of air. A small bleed air system was incorporated into the discharge of the dryer to allow a very small amount of air to pass through the dryer and prevent the build-up of noxious or potentially dangerous gasses.

Complex

The installation of the system posed its own challenges. The system could only be installed after the dryer was in place with the ductwork, heaters and dampers installed some 12m up in the air. Meticulous planning was carried during the design phase to ensure the systems could be accessed for service and maintenance. The equipment was arranged so that gantries could be installed to allow access to as much equipment as possible from one location and facilitate the replacement of key components in service with minimal interruptions.

The whole site was managed by a Siemens distributed control system, which provided Mansfield Pollard’s system with set points and enables signals from the remote monitoring control room. As part of the installation, the team provided status feedback and safety interlocks communicated back to the DCS through a BacNet to Profibus translator.

Paul Dresser, Commercial Director at Mansfield Pollard, said: “This was by no means an easy project to deliver but the close partnership with Interserve and Viridor ensured we could successfully meet all the requirements of our client.

To date, this project remains one of the most technically complex ventilation and control projects we have delivered.” www.mansfieldpollard.co.uk

Serving up a kitchen treat for top hotel

M

ans�eld Pollard has supplied a bespoke kitchen ventilation solution for a leading hotel. The company was appointed

by Bettaquip Food Service Solutions to design, install and commission a system for the new production kitchen at the 4-star Formby Hall golf resort hotel and spa near Liverpool.

Bettaquip approached Mansfield Pollard and asked their air management experts to design a solution that would overcome a wealth of challenges that are to be expected with such a historic building. The present house, built for William Formby, dates back to 1523 but it is believed that the family has occupied the site since the 12th century.

The challenges included low ceilings, large structural steelwork, and limited plant space. Other major factors to consider were that a large central cooking island requiring an airflow rate of 5 m³/s, and both the 18th tee of the golf course and wedding reception balcony area were in close proximity to the exhaust point. This meant that noise emitted from the ventilation plant would have to be significantly reduced so as not to create a nuisance for both golfers and wedding parties alike.

The in-house team designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned a bespoke central island canopy, along with an extract and supply ductwork system, sound attenuation and controls package.

Scott Donoghue, Head of Projects & Kitchen Ventilation, said: “This was a great example of how Mansfield Pollard can take a project from the early design stages through to completion in an agreed time frame. We provided our customer with a system that was designed and installed to the highest possible standard, ensuring that challenging space constraints and demanding lead times were all overcome.

Most importantly, we kept our promise and 100 per cent completion rate for delivering a complex project on time, every time.’’

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk Mansfield Pollard.indd 35

17/10/2017 13:13

36

WOME N I N ACR

WOMEN in the

ACR industry

C H R I S T I N E

G A S K E L L

In the latest in our Women in ACR series, we meet Christine Gaskell, quality and process analyst at A-Gas UK. What does your job involve on a daily basis?

In the A-Gas laboratory at Portbury near Bristol I carry out routine analysis of the waste refrigerants that we receive from customers and quality control checks on the gases that we supply them. A significant part of our business is collecting and processing recovered refrigerants. This involves removing contaminants and then returning the clean gases to the market.

These recovered refrigerants play a key role in the supply chain as the F-Gas restrictions on the production of virgin refrigerants begin to have an impact on the market. A-Gas has invested heavily in new equipment to recover refrigerants as it has recognised that this area of the refrigeration industry will grow in the coming years.

We test for purity, composition and moisture, and carry out residue analysis and monitor acidity levels. We carry out

Christine Gaskell ensures that refrigerants are in tip-top condition at A-Gas

these checks to ensure that what we are selling is exactly what is being received by the customers and that they have confidence that what they are buying is going to do the job properly.

I am also involved in method development work on behalf of A-Gas. Here I look at how to improve laboratory processes and investigate alternative ways of carrying them out. I examine how the instruments work and perform, and see how we can improve the efficiency of them.

What is your background?

I am a chemist and while at university undertook research into catalysis. This is used traditionally to increase the rate at which a chemical reaction takes place or open the possibility of a new reaction pathway that wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t normally occur.

I investigated metal and metal oxide catalysts and studied how the reaction proceeded on the surface. The outcome I was looking for was a product with greater purity and less contaminant. This is an important and interesting area of green chemistry.

How did you join the refrigeration industry?

I am 31. I graduated in 2008 and then completed a PhD at Cardiff University in catalysis and finished my post-graduate work in this field in 2012. I then moved to Bristol with my husband and was looking for a chemistry-related job. I saw

NOVEMBER 2017

Women in ACR.indd 36

17/10/2017 14:06

37

WO M EN I N ACR

this position with A-Gas advertised and thought this maybe was the one for me.

What makes it the job for you?

The first thing that attracted me to the role was the instruments and the techniques used. I didn’t really know that much about refrigerants when I began working for A-Gas but the analysis techniques, and particularly one instrument, involving spectrometry is something I had been familiar with. This can fingerprint molecules based on their mass by firing a high energy stream at the particles. I like working with equipment in the laboratory, and finding out what happens in processes, and through this work my knowledge of refrigerants has widened.

them it is a job that lacks the necessary glamour. I think it all boils down to the fact that many women don’t know about the opportunities that are available and the great careers that are on offer.

A traditional route into the industry is through the technical engineering roles but these tend to be male dominated and maybe we have to look at this aspect of recruitment in a different way.

Why are there so few women working in the industry?

Do you have time for a job and a family?

I suspect it may be due to a lack awareness of the opportunities that lie in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

The manual side of the industry does put off some women and it could be that for

I am married to John and I have a son Daniel who will be two in December. In my spare time I like to garden and, when I have the opportunity, play the violin.

Unfortunately, with a young son I don’t

get this particular instrument out of the case very often these days. I had passed my Grade Eight music examination but unfortunately I just haven’t the time to play the violin at the moment.

What’s your next career move?

This role really suits me as I only work two days a week. I have a really good worklife balance and this allows me to look after Daniel and also have a stimulating job. When Daniel is older I will be able to consider future career moves. Having said that, I do enjoy this job because I am not stuck at a desk all day and I am working with a really good team. www.agas.com

F-GAS Guide: Everything you need to know before 2018.

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk

Women in ACR.indd 37

17/10/2017 14:06

38

TO O L S TA L K

NEW AND IMPROVED

Introducing the updated Javac service manifolds… redesigned to meet the ever-changing needs of engineers and the industry.

T

he rising price of R410A, coupled with the growing in�uence of F-Gas regulation, now mean a large number of jobs are switching to the lower GWP-rated R32.

Therefore, Javac has developed and redesigned its R410A manifolds to be dual scale and include both R410A and R32.

This adds to the versatility of the Javac manifold series, allowing the installer to tackle both older R410A reclaims and new R32 charging. The Javac manifolds are available in 2-valve or 4-valve models.

In addition to the gauges, new ¼ turn valves have been installed in the manifold.

These new valves feature a larger bore which offer an increased in flow of refrigerant, allowing the engineer to get the job done quickly and efficiently. The new valves not only allow for a speedier operation but also a more controlled one. The valves are easier to adjust by small proportions, making it easy for the engineer to get the correct pressure.

Protection

The forged aluminium body is durable, robust and lightweight in order to meet the toughest HVAC environments. A wide sight glass allows for visual checks on the refrigerant and long life rubber seals mean the manifold is built to last.

The Javac service manifolds feature large 80mm gauge heads for easy and accurate reading. The gauge heads also come with rubber protection surrounding them, to help prevent damage. A sturdy carry case with laser-cut foam protects the manifold during transportation.

Overall, the Javac service manifolds are a vital component in any engineer’s arsenal. They raise the bar in manifold technology with their ergonomic features, usability, accuracy and versatility.

For more details please contact the Javac sales team: sales@javac.co.uk www.javac.co.uk 01642 232880

NOVEMBER 2017

Tools talk.indd 38

17/10/2017 14:07

To find out more call Hitachi on 020 3901 0912 @hitachiheating hitachiheating.com

yutaki-scombi exceptional performance you can trust With its world-renowned reputation for reliability, Hitachiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s air to water heat pumps deliver exceptional performance for heating and domestic hot water.

Yutaki-SCombi is a fully integrated renewable energy solution with MCS approval, an ErP rating of A++ and one of the best COPs on the market. Supplied pre-plumbed, pre-wired and with all major components factory fitted, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engineered to save you valuable time and energy too.

p13_acrnov17.indd 1

13/10/2017 14:46:12

40

H E AT P U M P S

EXTRA INCENTIVE Graham Hazell of the Heat Pump Association (HPA) provides an update on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme and looks at how proposed reforms could impact on the industry.

T

he Brexit referendum in 2016 and the general election in 2017 have both served to cause unforeseen delays to changes (“reforms”) to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.

This caused some degree of uncertainty amongst installers and consumers despite the fact that the 2015 autumn spending review allocated monies up to 2021 to the value of £1.2bn.

The previous government had proposed a number of reforms to further ‘improve’ what is a unique scheme across Europe. One of its cornerstones, which sets it apart from the failed scheme in Northern Ireland, are the expenditure limit protection mechanisms which include regular reviews of expenditure and mechanisms for reducing tariffs (degression) or even temporarily suspending the scheme in the event of a potential forecast overspend.

As this is a rapidly unfolding saga it is quite possible that any observations can quickly become out of date, so what follows may well have been overtaken by more recent announcements.

Timings

The current situation is that preliminary legislation was laid in Parliament to allow MCS Installation Standard for Heat Pumps MIS 3005 version 5.0 to be eligible to raise an MCS certificate for the purposes of RHI eligibility (July 2017).

Since then an additional addendum to the RHI regulations has been laid before parliament (30 August 2017) with an anticipated effective date of 20 September 2017 because they come under a negative resolution, i.e they are passed unless specifically opposed (which is unlikely since all three major political parties have at one time or another supported and/or proposed the RHI scheme!).

These changes are as follows: ₀ ASHP Domestic tariff increase 7.63p to 10.18p/kWh ₀ G&WSHP Domestic tariff- small rise from 19.64 to 19.86 p/kWh ₀ Heat Demand limits (DRHI only) of 20,000kWh (gross*) for ASHP & 30,000kWh (gross)*) for GSHP (*see below) ₀ Budget limit degression thresholds This latter point is significant since it

ensures that predicted future expenditure remains within the budgets as approved

by Treasury and prevents premature decreases in tariffs for technologies which are heavily deploying. It is this sort of financial expenditure protective measures that the scheme in Northern Ireland did NOT have and led to overspend and premature closure of the scheme.

What was NOT included in the legislative package outlined above were the more ambitious ‘reforms’ requiring positive approval of the Houses of Parliament such as: ₀ Tariff guarantee capabilities for NonDom GSHP & WSHP >100kW

Will the proposed additional reforms be implemented?

As can be seen the majority of reforms proposed in the government response 14 December 2016 have already been included in this latest package in August 2017. Whether the other reforms will be adopted has yet to be seen.

Heat Demand Limits (HDL)

As identified above one of the new reforms introduced to the DRHI scheme is to impose Heat Demand Limits to reduce the rate of return that sometimes is believed to occur on “large” projects. These limits, as stated above, mean that any size project can still apply for DRHI but the payments will be capped to a maximum energy projection. This does not mean these systems become ineligible, just capped.

However, these caps are based on gross energy demand and are reduced to the proportion of renewable energy.

NOVEMBER 2017

HPA article.indd 40

16/10/2017 11:37

41

H E AT P U M P S

As an example: Take an ASHP system with a ‘deemed’ (EPC) energy demand of 26,700 kWh and a MCS SCoP of 3.33.

The cap is 20,000 gross so the other 6,700 kWh is ignored. The deemed energy demand is then reduced by the ratio of input power i.e. 1/3.33 = 0.3, so the eligible energy is 1-0.3 = 0.7 x 20,000, = 14,000 kWh. Had the tariff not been increased under the existing scheme but the HDL applied then the annual DRHI income would have been: 14,000 x 7.63p/kWh = £1,068 per annum.

Without the HDL cap it would have been 26,700 kWh x 0.7 x 7.63 p/kWh = £1,426 pa.

However, we chose 26,700 kWh for a reason! Under the new RHI regulations the tariff for ASHP is 10.18p/kWh and hence the capped income will be: 20,000kWh (capped) x 0.7 x 10.18 p/kWh = £1,425 - almost the same as under the non-capped system without a tariff increase!

In other words, the tariff rise will offset the HDL capping up to roughly 26,700 kWh for ASHP systems and after that the return will tail off as the additional cost of larger systems are only offset by energy savings alone with the RHI remaining a fixed amount. At least this method of calculation means the rate of return gradually tails off after the HDL rather than falls off a cliff!

However, DRHI G&WSHP systems have only a very modest inflationary rise prosed for their tariff so there is practically no tariff increase effect to offset the HDL. Positively, at least the HDL for G&WSHP is set much larger at 30,000 kWh gross. Hence a GSHP system of 35,000 kWh (deemed by EPC) with an MCS SCoP of 4.0 will receive DRHI payments based only on 30,000 kWh gross and will be calculated as follows: 30,000 kWh x (1- 1/SCoP) x 19.86 p/ kWh = £4,469 pa

Who will benefit from these tariffs if increased?

Any applications for RHI which are then accepted and accredited from 14 December 2016 to 20 September 2017 will benefit from the increased tariffs from

20 September onward without any imposition of Heat Demand Limits, i.e. eligibility is back dated but payments are not.

Applications made after 20 September 2017 will have HDL’s imposed and this will affect the rate of return for ‘larger kWh’ projects in line with the limits identified above and the case examples given.

So where does this leave us?

Firstly, with the expectation that applications for DRHI and NDRHI will be possible right up to April 2021 it clears much of the uncertainty felt over the last 18 months since the government consultation of March 2016. Secondly, If the project is over 26,700 kWh ASHP or a G/WSHP system over 30,000 and its DRHI is applied for before the new reforms become law (20 September 2017) and it is subsequently accredited, then the HDL’s will not apply nor be backdated and such applicants will be the best off.

By the time you likely read this article these measures will already be in place.

Now we look forwards and wonder what life will be like after the current incentive closes to new applicants after April 2021! www.heatpumps.org.uk

BEGINNING OF THE END FOR OIL HEATING SYSTEMS?

T

he HPA has welcomed government plans to phase out the use of oil to heat buildings and produce hot water.

Claire Perry MP, Minister for Climate & Industry, said during a briefing that the government intends to phase out the use of heating oil to heat buildings and domestic hot water during the 2020s, in both domestic and non-domestic heating systems. ​Mike Nankivell, President of the HPA, said: “This momentous announcement is vital to assist in cleaning up the emissions from UK heating systems. It is extremely welcome as it gives much needed insight into the direction of travel and enables businesses to plan for the future, whether a supplier or a consumer.

Mike Nankivell

“In addition it demonstrates clear intent by the government to seriously tackle the issue of relatively high carbon emissions from heating systems using oil as the predominant fuel and should act as a precursor to other fossil fuels which produce relatively high emissions.”

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk HPA article.indd 41

16/10/2017 11:37

42

H E AT P U M P S /C A S E ST U DY

GRANT AERONA³ STEP BY STEP We look at an installation of the latest Grant Aerona³ air source heat pump.

T

he MCS-approved Aerona³ is Grant UK’s third generation inverter driven air to water heat pump, with an ErP rating of A++.

The compact Aerona³ offers three outputs, 6kW, 10kW and 16kW, and combines design features such as weather compensation controls and a base tray heating element to prevent ice formation in cold weather conditions.

It is aimed at properties which want to incorporate renewable technologies when space is at a premium. Grant promises easy installation and maintenance for both installers and end users and the Aerona³ comes with a 5-year guarantee (subject to T&C’s) when fitted by an approved installer.

CASE STUDY

The company says the units boast an impressive Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) even when external temperatures drop as low as -20°C. The HPID6 model produces 6kW at a SCOP of over 4 when tested at low temperature and average climate conditions. This means, for every kilowatt (kW) of energy used to run the heat pump, over 4kW of energy is being given to the heating system in return.

The output from the Aerona³ will modulate down or up depending on the climate conditions and the demand on the heating system, giving the homeowner peace of mind that their heat pump is working as efficiently as possible every day of the year.

www.grantuk.com The Aerona³

01380 736920

This installation of a 16kW unit was carried out on a small business unit:

Step One The anti-vibration feet are put in position - these raise the heat pump off the ground.

Step Two The heat pump is placed onto the feet and fixed, giving the required clearance between the building and the unit.

Step Three The plumbing connections are made.

Step Four The condensate pipe is connected.

Step Five The mains electrical supply is connected and the remote controller is wired to the PCB.

Step Six The heating pipework is lagged to reduce heat loss.

NOVEMBER 2017

Grant heat pumps.indd 42

13/10/2017 16:25

43

H E AT P U M P S

Leading manufacturer takes power from system that uses river as key heat source.

G

ripple UK, the world-leading manufacturer of wire joining and tensioning systems, is using renewable energy and ecofriendly heat pump technology in its newly expanded HQ.

sq metres of factory space and office buildings, distributed through Jaga unit heaters, underfloor heating and oversized radiators. The system utilises Gripple products, as the heat pump pipework is secured on its industrial hanging system.

The employee-owned company has just completed a significant renovation project to extend and upgrade its factory and offices, which were officially opened just outside Sheffield in July.

A key factor of the project was that it should be as environmentally friendly as possible and renewable energy company Energy Jump was brought on board, identifying the adjacent River Don as a key heat source.

The river contains heat emitted by a nearby steel factory, so Energy Jump fitted Stiebel Eltron heat pumps to extract the heat from the river. Three WPF 66 heat pumps and one WWK 300AH now provide all the heat needed for the 2,200

Transformed

Gordon Macrae, special projects manager at Gripple, said: “This is a great example of industry utilising the power of nature.

We got rid of the inefficient old gas heaters and have provided comfort to our employees, while remaining sympathetic to the surrounding environment.”

The eco credentials of the heat source is reflected in other areas of the project; Energy Jump also installed a 116KW solar PV system while a green wall has been created using hydroponics (fish excrement as a plant fertiliser). Energy Jump and Stiebel Eltron worked closely with the Environment Agency to ensure standards were met and that the River Don salmon fish pass that was being constructed at the time was not disturbed.

Rob Samuelson of Energy Jump said: “We’ve transformed a cold and draughty space into a comfortable working environment in a matter of weeks - thanks to the swift pump sizing and support given

by Stiebel Eltron, the green credentials of Gripple’s UK plant are very impressive.”

Mark McManus, Stiebel Eltron UK Managing Director, said: “We are pleased to have worked so closely with Energy Jump, Gripple and the Environment Agency on this project, to be able to reassure the client that its approach to nature was respected. This was the brief given by the employees themselves, so could not be compromised. The end result is a much more efficient, aesthetically pleasing and sympathetic system.”

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

www.stiebel-eltron.co.uk 0151 346 2300

acrjournal.uk Eltron.indd 43

13/10/2017 16:26

44

H E AT P U M P S

WEIR HOUSE CONVERSION RAISES THE BAR Weir House in Bristol is one of the UK’s latest major regeneration projects.

Transformed into 30 modern flats by social housing association Merlin, it required cost-effective and efficient heating. Daikin Altherma Flex Type air source heat pumps have helped halve energy bills, while playing a part in its 2016 South West Construction Excellence Value award.

P

art of a £4m conversion from a redundant 1960s office block, Weir House sits within Bristol’s St Anne’s area. Overlooking a weir on the River Avon, the year-long conversion was financed in part by Merlin and Bristol City Council to upgrade the property’s appearance and meet current thermal insulation standards.

Merlin required a target Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) energy performance rating of 80 by 2019 to ensure Weir House’s social housing tenants could meet rising energy costs. In addition, a change of heating usage was required after venting issues materialised following the installation of gas boilers.

Combining heating, hot water and cooling in one system, Daikin Altherma Flex Type air source heat pumps were installed in a decentralised configuration by Daikin installer, Moore of Devizes.

Peter Crouch,

Development Manager at Merlin, said: “Electric heating would have given us a SAP rating of 65-67 – well below our corporate target of an average of 80 by 2019. With the Daikin air source heat pumps the SAP rating is 80-plus.

“This is good news not only for the environment, but also for the affordability for our residents who are very costconscious. The typical electricity bill was estimated at £800 a year if the original electric boilers were used, and this is halved to a predicted £350-£400 a year using the air source heat pump system.”

Maximum comfort

Moore of Devizes director Les Moore, who helped managed the Daikin installation at Weir House, says the heat pump condensing units are on a new steel platform on the roof, with hydrobox units and matching hot water cylinders in each flat.

NOVEMBER 2017

Daikin project.indd 44

13/10/2017 16:19

H E AT P U M P S

In addition, with the hydroboxes’ compact 600 x 695mm footprint – alongside 200 litre cylinders on top – they easily fit within airing cupboards to minimise floor space demands.

Les Moore added: “Tenants have standard third party domestic controllers to turn their systems on and off – and set the room temperatures they want. We ensured they had individual instruction on their systems, so they could get maximum comfort without wasting money on excessive heating.”

While Weir House has benefitted from a decentralised installation, the Daikin Altherma Flex Type systems can also be centralised, with each hydrobox located in a single plant room.

Weir House also benefits from the Daikin Altherma Flex Type’s cascade technology, using renewable energy from the heat pump and recovering heat from the cooling operation. This enables the three storey building’s hot water tank to reach 80 degrees without using an electric heater, while automatic heating takes place during low energy tariff periods – providing residents with continued cost savings and meeting their hot water demands.

Available in five capacities from 8-16 horsepower (hp) (or 22.4-44.8kW), Daikin Altherma Flex Type 8hp units can support five hydroboxes, while a 16hp unit can support 10 hydroboxes (which are also available as single or three phase variants).

Merlin’s Peter Crouch said: “The key drivers were making the best use of location, and maximising affordability for customers. Affordable housing in Bristol is at a premium with a historic low supply but demand on the increase, as shown by the high number of applications for this scheme. We had around 400 people apply for just 30 available units.

Energy efficiency

“As this is affordable housing and we are retaining ownership over a long period, our requirement was to create a balance between cost and quality, further taking into account affordable warmth for our residents and the longevity of the products we specified and used. This is good for customers and for us, as our commitment to the scheme means it is of good quality and materials are long-lasting.”

With the combination of Daikin Altherma Flex Type heat pump installations within Weir House

45

and its impressive aesthetic enhancements since its regeneration, this has led to not only its Value award win in May 2016, but further shortlisting at two awards: National Constructing Excellence in November 2016 and the Innovative Development Award in October 2016.

Peter Crouch added: “With it being our first major refurbishment with new technology in the form of air source heat pumps we are watching with interest the data being received on heating use and energy costs in the block, plus the ease of use for residents and any ongoing maintenance required.”

Enabling energy efficiency SAP targets of 80 by 2019, selecting the Daikin Altherma Flex Type air source heat pump has provided one centralised heating, hot water and cooling system. Providing a significant £400plus saving for Merlin tenants, incorporating renewable heating technology has resulted in an efficient and cost-effective heating solution for Weir House. www.daikin.co.uk

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

acrjournal.uk Daikin project.indd 45

13/10/2017 16:19

Star Refrigeration Careers Industrial Refrigeration Engineers Salary: £26k - £46k per annum Location: UK Wide

Star Refrigeration are looking for qualified industrial refrigeration engineers based UK wide to join our fast growing team of engineers across the country.

We are searching for applicants who are comfortable with industrial refrigeration equipment and ammonia systems.

The successful applicant will follow a defined skills path including ongoing training and learning opportunities.

We offer unrivalled job security and as a growing company there are always possibilities for career progression, with frequent opportunities to apply for new roles across the Star Refrigeration group.

All Star employees are entitled to our benefits package which includes: • Engineering salary: £25K-£46K depending on competence based grading structure.

Further progress can be made through a variety of roles and professional routes within the company • Annual leave: 35 days • Pension: 8% non-contributory pension with option to increase • Company car scheme: choice of car or van • Professional Development: biannual reviews on development to encourage career growth • Medical Insurance: Private Medical BUPA insurance when joining the company with additional family option • Childcare Vouchers: up to £243 per month to put towards childcare costs • Permanent Health Insurance: generous long term illness cover equal to 50% of salary plus pension until age 65 • Life Assurance: employment cover for 6 x annual salary to help your family • Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 fully confidential service offering practical support and access to counsellors for a range of personal, as well as work related issues • Star Share Ownership Plan: option to become a company shareholder through pre-tax saving scheme

If you want to be a part of our world class engineering team, get in touch today.

To apply, send your CV to Nadia Rae, HR Manager - nrae@star-ref.co.uk.

For full details visit www.star-ref.co.uk. www.star-ref.co.uk

p46_acrnov17.indd 1

info@star-ref.co.uk

+44(0)141 638 7916

@starrefrig

Star Refrigeration Ltd, Thornliebank Industrial Estate, Glasgow, UK, G46 8JW.

13/10/2017 14:49:16

Call us now on 01474 338705/338725 www.ashburyassociates.co.uk Email: info@ashburyassociates.co.uk

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

DEVELOPMENT TECHNICIAN

DESIGN ENGINEER - INDUSTRIAL

Scotland to £45k + com + bens + car This well established refrigeration contractor is looking to further strengthen its team with the appointment of a BDM’s to cover South East and Scotland. You will be responsible for calling on end users in the food and beverage process sectors. Generating enquiries and securing orders for refrigeration equipment and systems.

Ref: T3420

South East to £27k + bens Excellent opportunity for a mechanically biased engineer to work in a research and development department.

Responsible for operating test rigs and to supply engineering support to the team. You need to be practically minded with an appreciation of general engineering principles.

Ref: T3421

South East to £50k + bonus+ bens + car Experienced industrial refrigeration design engineer is required by this leading contactor. You will be responsible for the design, selection and pricing of industrial refrigeration Systems, Including ammonia systems for food and manufacturing process applications. A strong technical background is essential.

Ref: T3407

PROJECT MANAGER

CHILLER ENGINEERS

North West c£neg + bonus + Car allow This specialist refrigeration contractor has a requirement for a project Manager. You will be responsible for overseeing the installation of refrigeration systems in the pharmaceutical process sector. You will be predominately office based but you will be expected to travel to sites in the UK and Overseas.

Ref: T3418

CONFIDENTIAL CAREER ADVICE We are always happy to discuss specific positions with you or to have an informal chat about your career.

All candidates receive a friendly, professional and confidential service and as part of this we are available to advise you on what potential career options are available to you.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ENGINEERS North West to £38k+bens Experienced air conditioning service engineers required to provide technical support for service/installation engineers working in the field on a quality range of air conditioning equipment. This is a predominantly office based role.

Applicants must have extensive experience on VRV/VRF. Ref: T3419

We take into account your current skill set and qualifications and the steps you need to take in order to achieve your ultimate goal.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS

REFRIGERATION DESIGN ENGINEER

North West & South East to £50k + com + bens + car Dynamic sales professionals required to join this international manufacturer of specialist components and systems for the HVAC and refrigeration sectors. You will be responsible for calling on consultants, contractors and OEMs. The ideal applicant will have experience of selling into the Building services sectors.

Ref: T3411

Hampshire to £50k + bens This well established manufacturer of bespoke refrigeration systems including pack systems and condensing units is looking to employ and experienced design engineer.

You will be responsible for the design and selection of compressors (recip & screw) and associated equipment for a wide range of applications.

Ref: T3406

West London to £46k+ o/t + veh This major manufacturer of air conditioning chillers is looking to appointment an engineer based in the South East.

You will be responsible for the service, maintenance and commissioning of a wide range of chillers including recip, and screw.

Ref: T3386

INDUSTRIAL REFRIGERATION ENGINEERS Nationwide to £32k+van+o/t+t/t Industrial refrigeration contractor requires an additional engineer to be responsible for the service and maintenance of a wide range of industrial refrigeration systems within food process applications. Industrial refrigeration including ammonia experience required.

Ref: T3390

For Forfurther furtherdetails detailsplease contactcontact either TERRYWHITE WHITEororROGER ROGERPRICE PRICEat TERRY Ashbury The Old Rectory, Springhead Road, AshburyAssociates, Associates Ltd., Crown House, Home Gardens, Northfleet, 8HN Dartford, Kent DA11 DA1 1DZ t 01474 338705/338725 f 01474 338749 t 01322 424636 f 01322 424637 ee info@ashburyassociates.co.uk info@ashburyassociates.co.uk

BACK IN BLACK XTR-PRO-DV DUAL VOLTAGE X-CONNECT TECHNOLOGY

The all new XTR-PRO-DV features our eighth generation of best selling refrigerant recovery technology from over 40 years of manufacturing.

The new DUAL VOLTAGE technology enables a quick and easy switch between 110v to 240v on site. An industry first “X-CONNECT TECHNOLOGY” protects the XTR-PRO-DV’s vital components against incorrect voltage e.g. 240v supply added when switched to 110v. For all CFC’s/HCFC’s and HFC’s.

SAME GREAT RECOVERY RATES www.javac.co.uk p47_acrnov17.indd 1 Untitled-10 1

sales@javac.co.uk

@javac_uk_ltd

17/10/2017 12/04/2017 11:16:09 14:06:20

48

C H ANG I NG FACES

NICK BEAL

TECHNICAL SALES AGENT, WATERLOO AIR PRODUCTS

Waterloo Air Products has welcomed back Nick Beal as a Technical Sales Agent after a gap of 14 years. Nick first joined Waterloo in 1995 and spent eight years with the experts in air terminal device manufacture. Since then, he has worked in various roles in air distribution and ventilation including a period of time spent as a consultant.

He said: “It’s like I’ve never been away. When the opportunity to come back arose, it felt like the perfect fit. I’ve slotted straight back into it.

Although a few things have changed, there are a lot of familiar faces around the factory, in fact I’ve known some of the sales reps for years and I know many of the products inside out.”

Nick is not the only member of the Beal family to enjoy a career with Waterloo. He explained: “My grandad Joe was actually one of the first sales reps. Later my dad and uncle both joined the team, I even met my wife at Waterloo!

“It’s really good to be back, I’m looking forward to using my experience and knowledge to help customers get the right air terminal devices to suit their project.”

For more information visit:

PETER FORD

TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER, COOL PROJECTS

Cool Projects has appointed Peter Ford as Technical Project Manager. He has extensive experience in the retail sector, working for clients including Boots, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Primark, Argos and H&M, and has also spent time in the commercial sector managing larger projects. At Cool Projects he will be responsible for installation projects for clients including Boots and The Co-op.

Managing Director Adam Dyne said: “As Cool Projects celebrates 20 years in the HVAC industry, we are delighted to welcome Peter. His expertise and experience will be a real asset to our clients as we continue to develop and grow this successful business.”

Peter said: “I have known Adam for many years and I have huge respect for Cool Projects. I am really excited to join one of most professional HVAC businesses in the industry and look forward to being part of the next phase of Cool Projects’ development.“

www.waterloo.co.uk

For more information visit:

ADAM RADFORD

UK & IRELAND SALES MANAGER, RITCHIE ENGINEERING

Adam Radford has joined tools specialist Ritchie Engineering as UK and Ireland Sales Manager, overseeing the sale of all Yellow Jacket products from the company’s European distribution centre. Adam joins from Dawson Rentals – Temperature Control Solutions, where he most recently worked as a technical support engineer. His previous positions within the company included customer support and refrigeration workshop engineering positions where he tested, modified and repaired cold stores, blast freezers and tempering units.

Neil Stewart, International Director of Sales at Ritchie Engineering, said: “With a refrigeration sales and service background and education in the industry, we are better equipped to serve both the wholesaler and contractor within reach of our European distribution centre. We are confident that Adam will help Ritchie Engineering continue its history of providing the highest level of sales and service while partnering with our customers to take full advantage of Yellow Jacket marketing and education programmes.”

For more information visit:

STEVE SANSOM

new modular scroll chillers Chiller Strip Ad_ACR_Journal_180x20_Final.indd NOVEMBER 2017

Changing Faces.indd 48

1

INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGER, BSRIA

BSRIA has appointed Steve Sansom as its new Information & Knowledge Manager. Tim Page, Head of Membership & Marketing, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Steve into this crucial and central role to reinforce the information and knowledge team. Steve’s diverse and professional experience in information management, research, customer service and online resource supervision is second to none.

Steve, who has worked at Surrey County Council Libraries for the past 24 years, said: “I am thrilled to join BSRIA at this exciting time to ensure members, clients and the wider industry gets the most out of the information and knowledge department at all times. Members can search and order from our online catalogue of over 80,000 items on building services and BSRIA members also have access to downloads, webinars and our far-reaching legislation and compliance database.

www.ritchie-engineering.co.uk

delivering tomorrow’s efficiency standards today

www.coolprojects.co.uk

For more information visit:

www.bsria.co.uk

Call us today on

020 3901 0912

or visit hitachiaircon.com

16/10/2017 19:08

17/10/2017 12:13

49

CHA N G I N G FACES

CAROL FITZGERALD

SALES ADMINISTRATOR, SEYMOUR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL

Thermal insulation specialist Seymour Manufacturing International (SMI) has made a new appointment as it seeks to build on a recent run of recordbreaking sales. Carol Fitzgerald has taken on a sales administrator role at the company’s Shropshire headquarters.

Carol, who moved to Telford three years ago, had previously spent 12 years working in France and held sales positions in the drinks industry. She will focus on boosting SMI’s sales in mainland Europe. She said: “This is a fantastic range of products, which I know from my experience are far ahead of anything available in countries like France. There is so much potential for SMI to expand further into Europe. I’ll be heading over there very soon to meet up with some key players, encouraging them to trial the products.’’

For more information visit:

www.seymour-mi.com

KIERAN GRIFFIN MANAGING DIRECTOR, BSS

BSS, part of the Contract Merchanting Division of Travis Perkins, has appointed Kieran Griffin as its new Managing Director. After graduating from the University of Portsmouth, he joined the Travis Perkins Group, starting his career as a graduate management trainee for the group’s Keyline Builders Merchants brand. Kieran quickly established an impressive track record in the business, moving to sister brand Travis Perkins and working his way up from branch manager to regional director. In the last ten years, he has successfully held Managing Director positions in Group businesses including CCF, Travis Perkins and Keyline Builders Merchants.

Kieran said: “It’s an extremely exciting time for BSS, with ambitious plans in place. Our aim now is to continue to build on the successful platform we have built and help take the company to the next level. Our goals are to build on our market position to ensure we are the number one choice in the commercial and industrial HVAC industry. To do this, we will continue to develop our product and service proposition to ensure we stay one step ahead of the competition.”

For more information visit:

ANDY THORN

PRODUCT SALES DIRECTOR, SYNAPSYS SOLUTIONS

Synapsys Solutions has appointed Andy Thorn to the new role of Product Sales Director. He joins from Honeywell, where he spent more than 25 years in various senior positions. These included roles within sales, marketing and engineering departments within Trend and Honeywell.

Andy will manage the existing sales team and focus on the sustainment and growth of sales of energy products and software, while increasing the business portfolio.

Harvey Roft, Synansys Managing Director, said: “This new role is an essential part of our ambitious growth plans to provide new energy products and services over the next few years. We are delighted that Andy has chosen to join us and are in no doubt that he will be a great addition to the company.

We would like to wish him every success in his new role.”

For more information visit:

www.synapsys-solutions.com

www.bssindustrial.co.uk

JOHN CURLEY AND STEPHEN NORGATE

REGIONAL TECHNICAL SALES MANAGERS, CONEX BANNINGER

Fittings and valves manufacturer Conex Bänninger has appointed two Regional Technical Sales Managers in the South East. John Curley, left, and Stephen Norgate, who have more than 50 years of experience between them, will support the company’s push towards specification, supplying large commercial projects like hospitals, schools and office blocks.

John said: “The quality of Conex Bänninger products is second to none and the wide range of products provides a great opportunity for me to build the brand across a variety of sectors.”

Stephen said: “In my region within five years I would like Conex Bänninger to be the number one choice for merchants, contractors and specifiers. As part of our work towards achieving this goal we’re dealing closely with big national distributors, local independent merchants and specification firms.”

Dan Wild, Business Unit Director UK & Ireland, said: “It’s great to have John and Stephen on board. With such a wealth of experience and knowledge of the business sector, we can continue to achieve sustained growth.”

For more information visit:

www.conexbanninger.com

Heat Recovery VRF with industry leading efficiency and enhanced capacities

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

ESEER UP TO 8.17

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

acrjournal.uk Changing Faces.indd 49

13/10/2017 16:01

50

PRODU CTS

The guide to what’s new for The ACR Journal readers, offering vital industry news including the latest products and services to be introduced.

New DYNACIAT range boasts compact solution CIAT has announced the launch of its new DYNACIAT range of compact water-cooled chillers and heat pumps designed for medium-sized buildings.

The range features 17 models in two product lines: the DYNACIAT LG, watercooled chillers and heat pumps, and the DYNCIAT LGN, condenser-less chillers.

All are available from 25 to 190 kilowatts (kW).

Eric Pollet, product manager, CIAT, said: “The new generation offers increased performance in a plug-and-play compact unit while anticipating customer needs and demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.”

The new DYNACIAT range increases its European Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ESEER) coefficient by 15 per cent (up to 6.22) and SCOP by 13 per cent (up to 6.37). The increased efficiency and subsequent reduction in power consumption significantly improves the return on investment of the unit.

DYNACIAT units are capable of automatically adjusting cooling capacity, preparing variations in load and using only the number of compressors needed to ensure optimum operation and energy efficiency.

The entire range ensures compliance with current Ecodesign standards and European regulations, and anticipates those of tomorrow.

CIAT’s intuitive systems for management, real-time monitoring and supervision, such as Connect Touch and CIATM2M, optimise energy consumption even further. Available with a high- or low-pressure pump and in water-cooled or condenser-less versions, the DYNACIAT provides an all-in-one solution with its integrated hydraulic module. Its reduced footprint (1.30 sq m) ensures easy installation in new or existing buildings alike. The extensive operating range enables DYNACIAT to address the specific needs of diverse sectors such as storage process and data centres as well as applications such as comfort heating and cooling or brine environments.

Fully encased in metal panels in Standard version, DYNACIAT ensures quiet operation. For noise-sensitive environments, such as residential neighbourhoods, its low-noise version’s compressors include additional acoustic insulation. www.ciat.com

J & E Hall extends offer of digital single scroll units J & E Hall has updated and extended its range of digital single scroll commercial condensing units. The new V3 units, aimed at the small cold store, convenience store and restaurant markets, are now offered in four, six and eight horsepower models with improved access and features.

Electronic controls optimise the operation of the units by varying the capacity with the digital compressor. Fixed speed compressor units are unable to do this but the digital compressor units allow you to match the duty required by the evaporators. Hinged doors have been added to improve access and additional isolation valves make it easier for engineers during servicing and maintenance. The controller program has also been updated to include communication with third party controls and the addition of an optional serial card.

The units, designed for medium temperature applications, can operate with the lower GWP refrigerants R448A and R449A as well as R404A, R407A and R407F. They are also compliant with EU Ecodesign legislation. With capacities up to 24kW and evaporation temperature ranges between -20°C and +10°C, the units are especially suitable for multi-evaporator systems.

The condensing units come fitted as standard with an oil separator for additional compressor protection and are acoustically lined for further reduced noise levels. The Carel electronic controller is connected to an LCD interface for ease of use. A simple manual Changeover bypass function allows the units to operate in the event of an electronic controller failure.

www.jehall.com

To advertise your product in the ‘What’s New’ section please contact

theresag@warnersgroup.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2017

Products.indd 50

13/10/2017 12:15

ULTIMATE COMFORT | ULTIMATE EFFICIENCY

Multi V 5 LG’s latest Variable Refrigerant Flow system is equipped with a host of technological advancements.

These include ‘Dual Sensing Control’ which monitors both temperature and humidity levels. LG’s own designed and manufactured 5th generation Ultimate Inverter Compressor and Bio-mimetic fans offering Larger System Capacity. New 4 sided coil with ocean black-fin coating, with improved seasonal efficiencies. Making Multi V 5 the ultimate climate control and comfort solution.

www.lg.com/uk/business

This product contains Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (R410A)

p51_acrnov17.indd 1

13/10/2017 14:48:18

Three new leaders just arrived in town Welcome to the future

Introducing the new Sky Air A-series with ultra-efficient Bluevolution R32 technology, available in three models: the world-class Alpha, Advance and Active.

The new Sky Air with R32 delivers future-proofed, best-in-class climate control for your business and customers.

Design flexibility. More compact. Quieter. With an extended operating range in all climate conditions.

Help is at hand. Quicker and easier installation and usability, even for replacement systems.

Daikin at the heart of the system. Exceptionally low running costs. Even lower environmental impact. All thanks to Daikinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tried, tested and trusted technology.

Geared for comfort. Optimal remote control, geared to your customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; individual needs.

R32 is an industry revolution. Be part of it.

Get ahead of the competition.

Talk to Daikin about Sky Air today. www.daikin.co.uk/leadtheway

p52_acrnov17.indd 1

13/10/2017 14:58:12