Sweet job! Ammonia the magic ingredient for Haigh’s Chocolates
Skills WORKSHOP
Silver brazing
Future focus 8
trends set to transform our industry
May 2018 / ISSUE 111
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2 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
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May 2018 / ISSUE 111
Future focus 20 HVAC&R Nation is published by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating (Inc). AIRAH – National Office James Harrison Centre 3/1 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Tel: 03 8623 3000
Fax: 03 9614 8949
www.airah.org.au/nation
Magazine team Communications Manager Matthew Dillon matt.dillon@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3000
Editor Mark Vender mark.vender@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3022
With a massive wave of new gear and innovative ideas set to break at ARBS this month, it was the perfect time to look at the technologies and trends most likely to transform our industry in years ahead. Sean McGowan investigates eight potential disruptors.
Contributing writer Sean McGowan
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HVAC&R Nation regulars
Glenn Douglas glenn.douglas@airah.org.au Ph: 03 8623 3018
8
The Toolshed
Skills Workshop 15
See what’s new in the ‘Shed
John McGrath john.mcgrath@airah.org.au Ph: 03 8623 3007
19
Exclusive to May
Could a simple coat of paint provide air conditioning?
ISSN 1834-9522 HVAC&R Nation is printed on paper sourced from well manned forests and other controlled sources.
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Silver brazing
24 Global Update Industry news from around the world
Disclaimer HVAC&R Nation is an official publication of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. Statements expressed in HVAC&R Nation do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of AIRAH or its members. No responsibility is accepted by AIRAH, the Editor or HVAC&R Nation’s supply partners for the accuracy of information or for errors or omissions. HVAC&R Nation is distributed without charge to all financial members of AIRAH. The publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from advertisers and contributors against damages or liabilities that may arise from material published. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission of the Publisher.
26 Around the Nation Who’s in the news?
28
Cool Tech The DJI Osmo Mobile can turn your phone into a professional video rig
28 Smoko with . . . Q&A with Tammy Stagg
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Lighter Side The shonkier side of the nation
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Sweet job! For choclatiers, temperature control is critical to making a quality product, so when Haigh’s Chocolate decided to expand its processing plant at Mile End in Adelaide the pressure was on. Fortunately, Cold Logic’s ammonia-based solution has worked a treat.
PLEASE CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT AND RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP IT.
May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 3
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4 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
For years, apac air conditioning has saved Australians from the melting heat of summer, not to mention all our other climate extremes. Now apac is back, bigger and better than ever. And with backing from Rinnai, Japan’s global leader in Hot Water,
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May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 5
Editorial
FORTUNE TELLING When you’re done, the maintenance records will be updated automatically, and you’ll be guided to the next job – the stack on an acoustic refrigeration system, which a sensor indicates could be failing.
So, a day in the life of an HVAC&R professional in around 2030 . . . what do you reckon it will look like? Odds on some sort of annoying alarm will wake you up in the morning and tell you it’s time to get out of bed. You'll slope off to have a shower, wishing you could sleep for just a little bit longer. Not much difference there. In the shower you might reflect on the system that’s warming the water for you. It could be solar heated on your own roof, or centrally heated at a neighbourhood cogeneration plant running on biomass. At this time of day your home battery system might feed some energy back into the grid to help manage the peak in demand across the suburb. After you dry off and get dressed you could perhaps sit down to a plate of “clean” bacon and eggs – that means it was grown in a lab from cells and no animals died in the making of it. Or they might come straight off the 3D food printer in the kitchen. You’ll have a cup of coffee too, even though the experts will have decided once again that it’s not healthy. Sometimes you’ll still like to live dangerously. Unlike a lot of people, you won’t use a share car to get you to work, as you’ll need to carry plenty of tools and other kit. Your work vehicle will, however, be autonomous, so you can catch up on some of that
As for working hours and pay . . . here the crystal ball starts to get very cloudy. And the truth is, it's been a bit opaque all along – most of this stuff is sure to be wide of the mark. I can’t even tip next weekend’s footy results, let alone the next big thing.
overdue paperwork on the way to your first job of the day. Yeah right. Instead you’ll catch up with friends on social media sites that have even weirder names than Kik and Houseparty, and play some retro games on your phone. At the job you’ll slip on your augmented reality glasses for the magnetic refrigeration unit you’re supposed to be fixing. The glasses will verify what the problem is and what you need to do to fix it. If you get stuck, you can always quickly contact the manufacturer’s helpdesk for guidance. If you’re lucky you might even get to talk to a person instead of a bot – it might be old fashioned, but you still like the human touch.
But it’s still fun to try. Moreover, it’s fascinating to look at what might happen based on the advances people are making in the field of HVAC&R. This issue we gave Sean McGowan free rein and told him to find some of the most exciting trends set to impact on the industry. He came up with eight – check them out on page 20. Quite possibly we’ll have to revise the list after ARBS. I’m going to be in Sydney for the show and look forward to meeting some of you face to face at the AIRAH stand. I’ll be interested to hear what you think the future holds.
@AIRAHnews
Mark Vender Editor mark.vender@airah.org.au
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6 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
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May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 7
Toolshed 01
Beijer teams up with Mastercool
The new product incorporates Permapipe’s well-established offering, Permablock. “The block portion used in Strut Block is Permablock,” the company says. “Permablock’s inorganic closed-cell nature ensures it won’t absorb moisture and will never rot. Neoprene sealing tape completes the strong sisal vapour barrier and provides a fully encapsulated seal. It has low thermal conductivity, minimising the potential for heat gain or loss and ensures maximum efficiency.”
Mastercool is a family owned and operated US company that has been supplying professional air conditioning, service tools and equipment for over 35 years. Now its products are available in Australia through Beijer Ref. The range includes a wide selection of HVAC&R gear, including blower fans, pressure regulators, couplers, vacuum pumps and gauges, charging scales and accessories, flush, portable electronic charging stations, recovery equipment (including cylinders), refrigerant identifiers, hoses and adaptors, leak-detection equipment, manifolds, hand-held diagnostic tools, tubing tools and value core tools. Both companies are hoping that the tools’ quality and competitive price point will make them a winner in the Aussie market.
Go to permapipe.com.au n
04 01
SimPRO is a solution provider for many different trade industries, including HVAC&R. Its software includes job estimating and scheduling, invoicing, asset maintenance and fleet monitoring. It is claimed to simplify and streamline workflows so that they can be completed in a timely and efficient manner.
“We at Beijer Ref are proud to be working with Mastercool to help bring this quality product to our shores,” says the company. “The Mastercool range hails all the way from New Jersey, USA, and the factory there makes sure that when you purchase one of their tools, you get a high quality, world class product, every time.”
“By using simPRO to make basic day-to-day operations much faster and easier to complete, administration and technicians can take their time to focus on delivering the best possible service to your customer,” says the company.
Go to www.mastercool.com or www.beijerref.com.au n
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“Features to keep track of inventory and monitor your fleet also mean that you can achieve greater transparency across your business by knowing who is using what and spending time and money where. simPRO combines workflows, operations and records to give business owners in the trade sector the opportunity to achieve a faster and better business.”
A load off your mind
Local company HVAC Innovations has created two distinct computer programs aimed at helping contractors get their heat-load estimates right.
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SimPRO is cloud-based software, so it can used by those in the office on a computer or laptop, or those out in the field with a tablet or smartphone.
Comload covers single-zone commercial projects, offices factories and the like. Resload Suite covers residential dwellings and consists of three distinct programs: the Resload single and/or multi-zone heating and cooling program; the Evapload single-zone evaporative cooling heat load program; and the Hydronicload heat load program for up to 50 rooms.
Go to simpro.com.au/campaigns/systemise n
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“With our HVAC programs working for you, you can get a system that delivers, What If? comparisons and graphics,” says HVAC Innovations. “This means the system is able to accommodate any change in building structure or glazing and provide instant answers to architects and owners.
04
Acoustituff facing is designed to provide a sealed face to the insulation material, separating it from contaminates found in some ducted air streams. Its lightweight construction has been developed to allow low- to mid-frequency to pass through it into the insulation.
Piping hot – or cold!
Permapipe, an Australian-owned manufacturer of piping and insulation systems, has launched Strut Block, a new product to minimise pipe support deformation and increase the longevity of a range of systems, including those used in HVAC&R. “Strut Block is designed for use with uni-strut clamps,” the company says. “The rolled galvanised steel sleeve in the bottom of the block helps to distribute the point load from the uni-strut across the surface area of the block. The sleeve is one quarter of the full circumference of the pipe, a minimum 60mm wide, 2mm thick up to 250NB, and 3mm thick for pipes 300NB and above.” 8 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
“Bradford Supertel reduces noise from HVAC motors travelling though the ducts into the rooms, while its thermal performance helps maintain a consistent air temperature throughout the long network of ducts,” the company says. The product is available in thicknesses from 13–100mm and R-Values from R0.4–R3.0. It can be acoustically tuned with a range of factory-applied facing materials such as Acoustituff and Heavy Duty Perforated Foil.
Phone 0418 129 347 or email bern@heatload.net n
03
Great insulator
Bradford Supertel 32kg/m3 is a high-performance insulation that can be installed inside ducts to help ensure the HVAC system achieves the NCC energy efficiency targets and delivers thermal and acoustic comfort to building occupants.
“HVAC Innovations has spent 40 years in the industry and participated in the original AREMA/CSIRO subcommittee, which created the Resload and Comload method and data.” According to the company, the programs also have access to macro-driven entry with automatic run feature and weather data from 600 locations across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands.
Simple with simPRO
05
The Heavy Duty Perforated facing aims to protect the insulation material while maintaining its sound-absorptive properties. Its perforated construction is claimed to allow a broad range of frequencies to pass through it into the insulation. “Bradford manufactures to strict product tolerances and provides the most comprehensive warranty in the market,” says CSR, which offers the product in Australia. Go to bradforddesignsmart.com.au n
Toolshed 06
Green and gold duct
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Leading the charge
Ventilation Solutions Australia (VSA) has launched EcoDUCT in the Australian market.
Fieldpiece’s JL3KH6 Charge and Air Test Kit is designed to let you take a full system snapshot quickly and easily.
“Designed for high-rise apartments where ceiling space for services is limited, EcoDUCT is a premium Green Star 300mm x 70mm low-profile PVC duct, incorporating up to 50 per cent recycled PVC,” the company says.
It is claimed to have a wireless range of over 100m, meaning you can see what your air handler or evaporator is doing while you’re at the condensing unit. All measurements can be sent directly to a mobile device with the Job Link™ app.
06
The kit consists of two pressure probes for discharge and suction pressure; two pipe clamps for liquid line sub-cooling and suction line superheat; and two psychrometers for obtaining dry bulb, wet bulb, dew point temperature and relative humidity.
“One hundred per cent Australian made and owned, EcoDUCT is fully compliant to BCA standards, with a smoke development rating under 3 for all ducting and fittings. For fire and mechanical engineers, this means the use of an alternative solution to the building code for low-profile PVC ducting is no longer required.
The kit comes in a quick-access padded case.
“Fast and easy to install with no risk of corrosion, EcoDUCT is a lightweight and longer-lasting alternative to sheet metal ductwork.”
“Each tool is designed for agility and speed,” says Fieldpiece. “The pressure probes fit into tight spaces. The pipe clamps use the new Rapid Rail™ sensor design delivering accuracy, speed, and agility, even on the most awkward pipe configurations. The psychrometers’ flexible narrow probes and configurable magnet make it easy to measure supply plenums, ducts, and elevated registers.”
VSA’s business manager Justin Smith says: “Our mission is to bring the best products for the HVAC industry to market, and EcoDUCT ticks all of the boxes. With the whole system including fittings being fully BCA compliant, Green Star rated and Australian made, fire and mechanical engineers now have access to the best-practice solution they’ve been searching for.”
07
Go to www.fieldpiece.com.au n
Go to www.ventilationsolutions.com.au n
DO YOU HAVE A NEW PRODUCT TO GO IN THE TOOLSHED?
Email mark.vender@airah.org.au All submissions received will be considered, though publication cannot be guaranteed.
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May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 9
Feature
SWEET JOB! Chances are your first intr oduction to came courte chocolate m sy of the 197 aking 1 film adapta Charlie and th ti o n e Chocolate of Roald Dah Factory. Whil l’s still the stuff e c h of childhood ocolate wate rfalls are dreams, Sea n McGowan is magic to b e found in th discovered th e real world ere of confectio nary. Haigh’s Chocolates has been an icon of South Australia since founder Alfred E. Haigh opened the doors to the company’s very first store in King William Street, Adelaide, in 1915. Like Willy Wonka himself, Haigh must have been a hero to many kids in those dark days of the First World War. Despite the woes of the world, the business boomed. Even during the war years, when supplies were limited and sugar rationed, Haigh’s Chocolates managed to keep trading by making boiled sweets and wrapped toffees for the armed forces. Over a century later, Haigh’s Chocolates is Australia’s oldest family-owned chocolate maker. It remains committed to the art of premium chocolate making, operating from its factories in the Adelaide suburbs of Parkside and Mile End.
RECIPE FOR GROWTH In 2016 the company made plans to expand its Mile End chocolate processing plant. Having provided air conditioning maintenance to Haigh’s retail shops and existing warehouse for a number of years, Cold Logic was approached to develop refrigeration specifications for the new multi-million dollar factory. Once expanded, the plant would have the capacity to produce 2,000 tonnes of milk and dark chocolate per year – up from the 700 tonnes produced previously. The project was broken into multiple stages, and following a competitive bid process, Cold Logic was awarded the contract to supply and install the refrigeration plant to the first stage.
10 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
Facilities like this are only very rarely installed around the world.
And the success or failure of the whole facility hinged on this key piece of work. “The chocolate-making process relies on the skills of the chocolate makers, quality cocoa beans – and the ability for precise temperature control in chocolate conches, which requires an appropriate cooling and heating system,” says Haigh’s Chocolates’ project engineer, Shaina Reeder. Stage 1 included the installation of one reciprocating compressor to cater for the increased production of chocolate from raw cocoa beans – the most important process in the manufacture of chocolate, where temperature is critical. “On projects such as this, cooperation is extremely important, especially when the client is also the project manager,” says Cold Logic’s Dr Michael Riese. “Facilities like this are only very rarely installed around the world, and while there may be some specialist companies that can help with the project tracking side, subject matter expertise is invaluable.” As luck would have it, Cold Logic’s project engineer Laura Fortuna attended university with Reeder and studied for the same degree. As a result, each had a very good knowledge of the expertise the other brought to the table.
Feature FROM BEAN TO BAR
The use of quality cocoa beans is the first secret to making quality chocolate, and Haigh’s Chocolates is one of just a few chocolate makers in Australia to produce chocolate from raw cocoa beans instead of semi-processed beans.
Laura Fortuna is a finalist in the ARBS Young Achiever Award, to be presented at this year’s ARBS Industry Awards in Sydney on May 9.
“We speak the same technical language and have the same body of knowledge to work off,” says Fortuna. “It meant I was able to concentrate on Cold Logic’s scope of work, without having to constantly question requirements or educate the client about refrigeration.”
CONSTANT CRAVINGS In consultation with Reeder, Cold Logic determined that the loads of the new facility would be relatively constant, without any rapid changes in demand. The Stage 1 project addressed this base load through the installation of one compressor operating at +2°C SST (saturated suction temperature) on ammonia, and a single low-temperature surge vessel.
Like wine grapes, cocoa beans have different flavour characteristics depending on the variety, area of origin and processing procedures.
“The system uses a condensing plate heat exchanger to reduce the ammonia charge onsite, and to use some of the waste heat for heating water to 27°C, with two gravity-fed plate heat changer evaporators used to create 12°C and 7°C water,” says Fortuna. The 540kWr load has been met using a single, six-cylinder reciprocating compressor on a variablespeed drive. Fortuna says any changes in demand were considered to be gradual and did not need the rapid capacity variations often provided by a screw compressor.
Stage 1 Roasting Raw cocoa beans are received at Haigh’s Mile End factory and roasted in 200kg batches at high temperature to enhance the colour and flavour, while removing moisture and bacteria.
Because the chocolate is transported in the process through jacket pipes, Cold Logic also determined it necessary to install a 610kWr hot water boiler discharging water to 65–70°C. Three storage tanks at 7°C, 12°C and 65°C were used to buffer out any fluctuations and changes in demand.
Stage 2 Winnowing After the beans are cooled to approximately 60°C, the outer husk of the bean is cracked and removed in a process known as winnowing that leaves small cocoa “nibs”.
Stage 3 Milling
“Continuity and even control were the guiding principles in the design of Stage 1, hence it was important to have dedicated storage and buffer tanks that would reduce any spikes in demand,” says Fortuna.
The cocoa “nibs” are then ground under heat and pressure to form a liquid cocoa mass, which is warm, dark and bitter. This liquid is pumped into one of six storage tanks that hold a variety of different cocoa liquors.
As the water temperature supplied to the chocolate conches is one of the critical factors in the chocolate-making process, a dedicated storage tank and custom tempering loop was designed to deliver water at between 11°C and 12°C at all times. Cold Logic designed a safety system to meet the current Australian Standards that govern the use of ammonia refrigeration systems, which have been in effect since October 2016. As well as the use of ammonia leak detectors and pressure relief valves, pressure and temperature transducers form part of a customised control system that was developed between Cold Logic and Tristar Electrical. According to Fortuna, the sensors are used to control the general operation of the refrigeration plant as well as act as “safeties” to avoid dangerous operating conditions. The ELK unit that controls the tempered water supply to the conches.
Haigh’s sources the very best cocoa beans from around the world. In 2014, it was the first Australian-owned chocolate manufacturer to achieve international UTZ certification for the use of ethically and sustainably farmed cocoa beans.
“The system returns into safe mode status long before any mandated safety features, such as pressure relief valves, take effect,” she says.
Stage 4 Mixing and refining Depending on the recipe, batches of cocoa liquor are mixed with icing sugar and milk powder (if making milk chocolate) to create a chocolate paste. This is then fed through a two-roll refiner that reduces the particle size to 100 micron. A five-roll refiner is then used to reduce the mixture’s particle size further, turning the paste into an extremely fine powder (18 micron).
Stage 5 Conching The conching machine is a large, deep and heated mixing vessel in which the chocolate undergoes hours of aeration and mixing. The exact nature of this process is a closely held secret, as even small changes in temperature variation and profile can affect the taste, smell and palatability of the finished product. Source: Haigh’s Chocolates
May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 11
Feature
A view of the main factory showing two five-roller refiners on the left and two conches in the background.
GOOD THING, SMALL PACKAGE One of the major challenges of the project was the design and installation of the new refrigeration plant within a pre-designed plantroom, located in the heritage-listed building shell at Mile End.
“Due to the nature of the existing building envelope, there was also only limited space for the plant’s pipework, which had to accommodate both the process and services,” she says. Additionally, as this was the first stage of a multi-stage project, access pathways had to remain available so more equipment could be installed later.
Fortuna says this determined the layout of certain Maintenance access was also a major consideration ARBS HVAC&R_AwardsVisit_2xhalf.pdf 4/4/18 am pieces of equipment, as well as clearances from 1walls. in11:33 the plantroom layout.
Inside the plant room showing the low pressure surge accumulator and plate heat exchangers.
“While there is plenty of space now, once the final stage of the project is complete, the plantroom will be packed tightly,” Fortuna says. “So the stairs to the switchboard room have already been made removable to provide access to the compressors in the future.”
arbs.com.au
12 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
Feature According to Haigh’s, it will allow the company to almost triple its previous throughput, facilitating expansion into Australia’s eastern states. As ambient temperatures change and throughput within the facility increases over time, Cold Logic personnel are expected to monitor the new plant and undertake fine tuning of the control parameters. While they’re doing that, they’ll be able to savour the sweet smell of success. n
PROJECT AT A GLANCE THE EQUIPMENT
CHOCOLATE, RIGHT ON TIME As on most projects, delivery timelines for critical path equipment placed pressure on both Cold Logic and the various equipment suppliers. For example, a titanium condensing plate heat exchanger ordered through a local supplier had to be manufactured in the USA, adding weeks to the delivery timeline. Combined with quality assurance issues and scheduling changes at the factory, it meant the plate heat exchanger arrived just before the new plant was to be commissioned.
Boiler: Automatic Heating Compressor package: Cold Logic Compressors: Hasegawa Condensers: BAC Evaporators: Eka-Kool Process machinery: Bühler Group Pumps: Grundfos Sensors: Danfoss/ECEfast/IFM
makes it easier to work around each other, ask for help and make small changes to the schedule.” The new refrigeration plant was commissioned in two stages. Pre-commissioning was completed to ensure that the refrigeration plant worked as designed, and that signals were being sent and received correctly. Once the process side was started up and loads were applied to the plant, a second stage of commissioning was undertaken in liaison with the process machinery supplier.
VSDs: Danfoss
THE PERSONNEL
For this reason, Fortuna says only a small amount of fine tuning was required prior to the new facility opening in late March 2018.
Client: Haigh’s Chocolates Controls: Cold Logic / Tristar Electrical Mechanical services design: Cold Logic
“Only a small group of contractors in Adelaide The Mile End facility is now the largest cocoa work on food manufacturing facilities, and everyone bean processing plant in Australia, and the most ARBS HVAC&R_AwardsVisit_2xhalf.pdf 2 4/4/18 11:33 am knows everyone,” says Riese. “Sometimes this really modern facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Mechanical services contractor: Cold Logic
PRESENTING THE 2018 AWARDS FINALISTS IN ALL CATEGORIES.
RECOGNISING E XC E L LEN C E
AWARDS FINALISTS ARBS AWARDS DINNER When Wednesday 9 May, 7:00pm Where ICC Sydney Grand Ballroom Darling Harbour Book arbs.com.au/awards-dinner
ARBS Industry Awards are proudly sponsored by:
ARBS YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD
ARBS PRODUCT EXCELLENCE AWARD
• • •
•
Laura Fortuna - Cold Logic Firas Shawash - Exova-Defire Jason Harrison - Airmaster Australia
• •
ARBS SOFTWARE/DIGITAL EXCELLENCE AWARD • • •
YORK YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller - Johnson Controls FireboxTM - Trafalgar Fire Containment Solutions ACDHUM-LD - Air Change
ARBS PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARD •
Tuggeranong Office Park Building Services Network - Airmaster Australia Fujitsu General Online Parts Store - Fujitsu General Australia Clarity - HydroChem
• •
F Mayer Refrigerated cold storage/distribution centre - Strathbrook Industrial Services & Danfoss Australia Spotlight Retail Group - SEDAC Building Energy Management System ICC Sydney - A.G. Coombs Group & AECOM
ARBS OUTSTANDING INDUSTRY EDUCATION/TRAINING AWARD
ARBS OUTSTANDING SERVICE & MAINTENANCE AWARD
•
• • •
• •
Refrigeration & Climate Control Centre of Excellence - AMCA & Box Hill Institute Professional Diploma of Building Services, HVAC&R - AIRAH Mobile CO2 Training Unit - Danfoss (Australia) Pty Ltd
Airmaster Australia A.G. Coombs Group Pty Ltd City Holdings Australia
Gala Dinner ARBS HALL OF FAME 2018 - All will receive the Award • • • • •
Stephen Gilchrist - CIBSE ANZ John Bosci - AIRAH Mark Padwick - AREMA David Seedsman - AMCA Warren Cole - RACCA
Join us for a gala night to remember on Wednesday 9 May, 2018 at the ICC Sydney Ballroom with guest MC Tony Squires, host of the weekly sports panel show Back Page Live on Fox Sports.
arbs.com.au
May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 13
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14 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
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See us at ARBS 2018 Stand 2112/2137
HVAC&R
SILVER BRAZING
MODULE
111
Skills Workshop PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
n What? A guide to silver brazing or hard soldering, including joint preparation, basic brazing procedure and recommendations for designing joints.
n Who?
SILVER BRAZING Silver brazing can be easily done if the correct procedure is followed. The main points to remember are:
To minimise the effects of oxidisation on the prepared parts of the joint, the flame from the heating torch should cover the joint throughout the brazing operation.
1. Clean the joints mechanically. 2. Fit the joint closely and support it. 3. Apply the flux to match the silver brazing alloy if required. 4. Heat evenly to the recommended temperature. 5. Apply the silver brazing alloy as directed. 6. Cool the joint properly. 7. Clean the joint properly and thoroughly. The heating of the joint must be done very carefully, directing a greater amount of heat to the largest piece being brazed.
Other types of brazed joints A silver‑brazed joint requires a lot of careful preparation to ensure the joint is perfectly clean. This often causes problems when working in the field on old equipment. Because of this, and because of the cost of the silver alloy brazing rod and the necessity of using a flux that could cause corrosion, most brazing is now carried out using either:
Neither of these types of brazing material requires the use of a flux when brazing copper and copper‑base alloys. Phos copper has a melting point of 715°C and a tensile strength of 370MPa.
Caution: Never use a refrigerant or compressed air.
The 15 per cent silver brazing alloy material has lower melting point (645°C–700°C) and a higher tensile strength of 700MPa. The advantages of the lower melting point and higher tensile strength of the silver brazing alloy brazing material results in its wide use in refrigeration work.
SBA 245 (dark blue tip) is a free‑flowing, low‑temperature alloy which is commonly used in the refrigeration industry for joining dissimilar metals. A suitable silver brazing flux should be used with this alloy.
The parts of the joint to be brazed must be made to fit accurately and must be clean. The parts must have contacting surfaces of sufficient size, for example a tube sliding into a fitting (not a press fit), to obtain a strong joint. The contacting surfaces need not be very large (three times the thinnest section is sufficient). If the parts are dented or out of round, these faults must be corrected before the brazing operation is started. The parts must be supported securely during the operation so no movement takes place.
Tube-to-plate joints
• SBA 115 – 15 per cent silver brazing alloy brazing rod.
Carbon dioxide or nitrogen should be circulated through the refrigeration system during any soldering operation on a complete mechanism to prevent an explosion.
The flux behaviour is the best way to determine the temperature of the joint as the heating progresses. The flux will dry out, the moisture (water) will boil off at 100°C and then the flux will turn milky in colour. Next, it will bubble at approximately 315°C; following this, it will turn into a clear liquid at about 600°C. This temperature is just short of the brazing temperature. The brazing alloy itself melts at 610°C and flows at 620°C.
JOINT PREPARATION
• phos copper or
NOTE
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Especially relevant for anyone involved in the installation and maintenance of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, but also more widely applicable to general HVAC technicians.
The silver-brazed or hard-soldered joint is used extensively in refrigeration work. Silver brazing incorporates the use of a high-silver-content welding rod and appropriate flux. This type of brazed joint can be used to join copper to copper, copper to brass, and brass to steel; these are all common types of joint used in refrigeration systems.
NOTE
Skills summary
One of the best methods of connecting parts together in a refrigeration system is to use welded (brazed) joints. This type of joint is used to connect tube to tube, or tube to fitting. It is leakproof, permanent and gives maximum strength.
Phos copper, SBA 102 and SBA 105 have adequate joint strength but, because of their low silver content, have low ductility. This makes them unsuitable for applications where frequent straining or bending is encountered – for example, where temperature variation causes expansion and contraction of the tube.
Poor design
Good design
Good design
Good design
Tube-to-tube/fitting joints
Poor design – unnecessary flare
Poor design – large restriction
Good design
Good design
Figure 1: Some recommended designs which may be successfully silver brazed.
May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 15
HVAC&R Skills Workshop Joints between light and heavy parts
8. Continue feeding the brazing alloy into the joint until a continuous fillet is formed outside the end of the expanded tube. 9. Clean the joint with a damp cloth and inspect. apply alloy here
Good design
Poor design
Figure 2: Some recommended designs which may be successfully silver brazed.
Procedure 1. The outside of the tubing ends and inside of fitting sockets must be thoroughly cleaned down to the bare metal. The tubing is pointed downwards to prevent entry of particles (Figure 3).
Figure 4: Tube joint prepared for brazing.
4. Air must be eliminated from the tubing by passing dry nitrogen gas through the tube during and after welding until it has cooled. This prevents oxidation (black scale) inside the tubing, which naturally would act as a contaminant in the system. The nitrogen should be allowed to flow quickly enough to displace the air that is in the tubing and parts.
NOTE
Figure 5 illustrates the connection of the dry nitrogen gas cylinder to a coil that is to be brazed. The pressure of a dry nitrogen cylinder is approximately 14,000kPa. No cylinder should be used without a pressure-regulating valve.
fitting
fitting
apply alloy here
start heating here
fitting
5. Light the oxyacetylene torch and adjust for a neutral flame. 6. Apply heat to the joint, keeping the torch in constant motion as shown in Figure 6. 7. Continuously move the flame back and forth until both pieces are evenly heated, and apply alloy at the point where the tube enters the socket.
fitting
apply alloy here
Figure 6: Applying heat to joint.
Fig 3 : Cleaning tubing ends and fitting sockets.
2. Apply a thin layer of suitable flux to the entire outside contact surface of the tubing. If too much flux is used, some will run into the tubing where it will contaminate the system. The function of the flux is to: • protect the weld from oxidation during heating • dissolve the oxides present on the piping • reduce the surface tension of the brazing alloy in relation to the metal on which it flows, enabling the molten brazing metal to “wet” the surfaces. 3. When all fittings and sections of tubing are ready to be brazed, they should be assembled, securely locked into position, firmly supported and properly aligned so that the tubing is correctly placed within the fitting (Figure 4). There should be a uniform but thin clearance space all around, as the strength of the brazed connection depends on the thickness of the brazing alloy in the space. The thinner the layer of filler materials, the stronger will be the joint. 16 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
Figure 5: Venting with an inert gas.
HVAC&R Skills Workshop
Figure 7: Shielding work with a wet cloth.
The joint may be cooled quickly or slowly. Cooling with water is permissible but caution must be taken to prevent water entering the tube or fittings if any end is unsealed. This water may be used to wash the joint at the same time. Visual inspection of the joint will quickly reveal any places where the filler rod did not adhere, but it is advisable to watch for this adherence and make any corrections during the brazing operation.
Some tips for silver brazing • Ensure that the working area is adequately ventilated, though not subjected to excessive draught.
(c) removing parts for protection remove coil and solenoid parts
• Where possible, shielding the work with a wet cloth or sheet of non‑flammable material is an advantage. Because of the high temperatures required for silver brazing, the flame should be directed away from solenoids, shut‑off valves, driers and other parts which may be damaged by overheating. Heat transfer may be prevented by placing water‑soaked cloths over the fittings at places where heat is not needed or by removing the parts that must be protected. Examples are shown in Figure 9.
(a) flame directed away from valve body
excessive heat can damage tube-to-body gasket and manual opening stem packing Figure 9
There are other processes used for joining metals using an oxyacetylene set as a heat source. These include soft soldering, bronze welding and fusion welding; however, use of these is comparatively minor in the refrigeration industry compared with the use of silver brazing. n non-flammable shield
(b) cooling a brazed connection
MORE INFORMATION EDITIO
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It is necessary to thoroughly wash and scrub the completed silver‑brazed joint when flux has been used. Any flux left on the metals will tend to corrode them and residue flux may also temporarily stop a leak which will show up at a later date.
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Figure 8: Shielding work with a sheet of non‑flammable material.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
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This month’s Skills Workshop has been taken from Australian Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Volume 1, by Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH.
Next month: Split system AC units – Secure fixing and safe condensate discharge May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 17
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18 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
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Green Wedge But one new idea promises a simpler solution. Yaron Shenhav and his colleagues from SolCold, a firm based in Herzliya, Israel, have come up with an alternative that doesn’t require electricity. Instead, their special paint uses sunlight to lower the temperature of a building.
It’s like putting a layer of ice on your rooftop which is thicker when there is more sun
“It’s like putting a layer of ice on your rooftop which is thicker when there is more sun,” Shenhav says. “As long as the sun is shining on it, it would be continuously cooled.” The paint works on the principle of laser cooling, which is used in atomic clocks – like those aboard GPS satellites – and can cool objects by as much as 150°C. By transmitting photons at a specific frequency to slow down molecules, it reduces the energy of an object, and therefore its temperature. Shenhav had the idea of using sunlight to achieve the same effect.
COOL NEW PAINT JOB In the quest for smarter and more sustainable air-conditioning technology, one concept has held special interest: solar cooling. With so much sunlight, especially in Australia, wouldn’t it be great if we could use it to cool our buildings?
An Israeli start-up is looking to revolutionise air conditioning by developing a paint that cools down when exposed to sunlight.
Some innovative solutions are already being trialled. The CSIRO, the Stockland Group and NEP solar, for example, have developed a desiccant air conditioning system that uses roof-mounted thermal collectors to concentrate and collect solar energy.
The foremost resource EDITION 05 EDITION 05
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But although sunlight is free and abundant, it has a much broader spectrum and range of frequencies. The SolCold team overcame this obstacle by using two layers of paint – one to filter the sunlight, and the other to do the cooling. Lab testing is now under way. So far, the paint has worked better on metal than concrete, and appears more effective in buildings with lower ceilings. Simulations show houses could be as much as 10°C cooler with the paint. Over the next two years, the team will conduct real-world tests. Look out – the HVAC&R toolkit of the future could include a paintbrush! n
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VOLUME
VOLUME
01
02
Australian Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Volumes 1 and 2 AIRAH is delighted to bring one of Australia’s foremost resources for training in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry to the education sector: Australian Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Volumes 1 and 2, authored by Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH. The completely revised fifth editions have brought a new dimension to this highly regarded resource, with a new full-colour format, hundreds of updated and upgraded images and improved text, which make for easier reading and understanding. For more information, go to www.airah.org.au/ARAC
Contact: Glenn or John 03 8623 3000
May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 19
Cover Feature
FUTURE FOCUS From the ete rnal push fo r energy effi phase-down ciency to re s, our industr frigerant y has shown ability to em an appetite brace chang and an e. With this showcasing month’s ARB the latest in S exhibition novations, S eight trends e a n McGowan set to transfo picks out rm the worl d of HVAC&R .
PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE Following in the footsteps of other sectors, predictive maintenance in the HVAC&R sector is quickly replacing traditional schedule-based maintenance regimes. According to leading mechanical contractor Airmaster, predictive maintenance improves the effectiveness of maintenance by evaluating the condition of the HVAC plant through periodic and continuous condition monitoring.
Tenant complaints reduced by 68 per cent as a direct result of the predictive maintenance
This “smart” monitoring dictates and directs maintenance activities to ensure a building’s HVAC&R systems achieve peak performance on a continual basis.
Within one year, and despite a 13 per cent increase in occupancy rate, electrical energy consumption at 222 Exhibition Street fell by 11.5 per cent. Tenant complaints reduced by 68 per cent as a direct result of the predictive maintenance regime.
As one of the first sites to have a predictive maintenance program applied, 222 Exhibition Street in Melbourne has seen a reduction in asset failure, improved tenant comfort and significant energy savings resulting in an improved NABERS energy rating.
Among the technologies used in predictive maintenance are innovative building management and controls systems, sensors, and even thermal imaging tools, which can be used to identify minor electrical faults before they develop into major failures that could cause critical equipment breakdowns. n
20 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
Cover Feature FAULT DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS (FDD) An estimated 40 to 50 per cent of Australia's commercial building energy consumption is attributed to HVAC systems. So just imagine how much energy could be reduced if inefficient or poorly operating HVAC equipment could be identified and rectified more easily. No wonder the CSIRO believes the emergence of automated fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) tools could be a game-changer. Some tools are already available, and the technology is poised to facilitate huge energy savings and emissions reductions from commercial HVAC systems. Some FDD tools are designed to be able to pinpoint tens, if not hundreds, of proven faults in HVAC equipment. Pre-programmed algorithms alert building management staff to potential issues, and help them identify the cause and even suggest preventative solutions. Cooltech’s scalable MRS solution uses a glycol/water coolant instead of refrigerant gases.
Recently, the CSIRO participated in an industry trial of FDD tools, including the deployment of a FDD tool at its Phytotron building at the Black Mountain Science Innovation Precinct in Canberra.
Source: Magnetic Refrigeration – Proof of concept – over 20kW machine.
MAGNETIC REFRIGERATION Magnetic cooling (or refrigeration) is based on a principal almost as old as James Harrison’s fluid-based refrigeration discovery. According to Cooltech Applications, a leader in the field, the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) causes the temperature of magnetocaloric materials (MCM) to rise when they are exposed to a magnetic field and fall when they are removed from it. “The temperature with the strongest effect (the Curie temperature) depends on the properties of each material,” says Cooltech. “The power generated by the system depends on the type of materials and their characteristics (mass and shape).” In a magnetic refrigeration system, a controlled magnetic field applies a series of magnetisationdemagntisation cycles to the magnetocaloric alloys. Each cycle creates a temperature gradient in the material, with a rapid succession of cycles producing the final, stabilised hot and cold temperatures in the refrigeration system.
Acoustic waves created by the driver (for example, a loud speaker) make the gas resonate. As it oscillates back and forth, it creates a temperature difference along the length of the stack. This change in temperature is created from the compression and expansion of the gas by sound pressure. Sound too cool to be true? Over 10 years ago, American ice-cream icon Ben & Jerry’s funded the development of a working prototype by Penn State University. This was interfaced into a standard retail ice-cream freezer cabinet that had its compressor and condenser removed. The evaporator tubing carried a single-phase liquid that was circulated through a heat exchanger in the thermoacoustic unit, to create environmentally friendly, energy efficient cooling of the cabinet’s ice-cream. n
An environmentally friendly fluid such as a glycol/water mix is then used to create an efficient heat transfer, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Magnetic refrigeration is already being used in a range of refrigerators and display cabinets and is sure to grow further as the technology develops. n
THERMOACOUSTIC REFRIGERATION Thermoacoustic refrigeration works by using soundwaves and a blend of gases such as helium and argon in a “resonator” to produce a cooling effect. The main components of a thermoacoustic refrigeration unit are a closed cylinder, an acoustic driver, a porous “stack” and two heat exchangers – one hot and one cold.
Could thermoacoustic refrigeration become flavour of the month?
This saved 660 Megawatt hours (MWh), which equates to 630 tonnes in carbon emissions and a reduction in energy-related costs of $90,000. n
INNOVATION ON SHOW AT ARBS
At this month’s ARBS exhibition in Sydney, the popular Speaker Series will feature a number of topics that explore the future trends to impact the HVAC&R industry. Among them will be a presentation from CSIRO researcher Dr Josh Wall, M.AIRAH, on the latest findings from a range of real-world FDD case studies in commercial buildings. Dr Wall will look at six different FDD solutions from Australian service providers that were implemented, and review the results. The session is on Tuesday, May 8 at 8.30am and costs $45 to attend. For more information or to register visit www.arbs.com.au
May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 21
Cover Feature PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION
With the price of technology continuing to fall, an industrial micro-revolution is taking place as each home, business and community becomes a potential manufacturer. According to Murray Hogarth, senior advisor for Green Capital, 3D printing represents a redistribution of power away from big business – a democratisation of manufacturing if you like. With 3D printers now available at the likes of Officeworks and even Aldi, the days of waiting for a spare part to arrive from a far-off warehouse are theoretically over. Simply print it overnight, and install it the next day.
A different kind of “drop-in” solution.
Buildings are one of the few remaining products created largely in situ and bespoke. But this is changing. Thanks to digitisation and the ongoing desire to reduce costs, lessen construction time and improve on-site safety, prefabricated offsite construction techniques are becoming more popular. And they are already revolutionising how we design and create our buildings. “If you put this emerging trend together with the potential for additive manufacturing techniques (see 3D printing below) and robotic construction and installation methods, you really do have an exciting vision of construction in the not too distant future,” says Bryon Price, F.AIRAH, business development manager for A.G. Coombs. So far, prefabricated construction has largely been applied to replace conventional construction of items such as ductwork, vertical and horizontal risers, and plant room components. The move to full modular construction will see the majority of the building form constructed offsite.
Additive manufacturing is also being applied to construction, where large-scale concrete “printers” can form buildings within hours. A Chinese materials company showed it was possible to “print” 10 houses in just 24 hours using a custom-built machine that outputs layers of construction waste mixed with cement. Each building features 3D-printed walls and structure. The only section not produced by the 3D printer was the roof of the buildings. While such construction techniques create relatively basic structures in fast time, another Chinese construction firm has more recently “printed” an impressive 400m², two-storey concrete villa in just a month and a half. And at the South by Southwest festival in March, a US charity and a robotics company teamed up to unveil a 3D-printed house measuring 75m2 that was fully up to code and permitted for people to inhabit. While the prototype cost around $13,000, that price is expected to come down to just over $5,000. Not bad going! n
85 per cent of Australians surveyed were willing to turn down their thermostat by 2°C
According to a poll commissioned by the Australia Institute, more than 64 per cent of Australians support the idea of incentivising energy users to curb their energy use. The poll also found that 85 per cent of Australians surveyed were willing to turn down their thermostat by 2°C. Among the successful funding recipients of the demand response trial are energy retailers, a demand response aggregator, and Victorian-based smart thermostat developer. Zen Ecosystems’ innovative thermostat is expected to be rolled out to more than 10,000 homes and businesses. The thermostats will be networked to a centralised control platform and remotely controlled when a demand response event is called by AEMO. The same technology has been used successfully in California across a range of markets including retail and hotels. n
AUGMENTED REALITY (AR)
DEMAND RESPONSE
“This will significantly change how building services are incorporated into the built form,” says Price. He says multiple modular “technology paths” are being tracked by a number of organisations around Australia, all applying various approaches and materials. n
3D PRINTING
Call of Duty – HVAC&R!
Demand response projects will have a big impact on HVAC&R systems.
A $35.7 million pilot project was recently announced by ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to manage electrical supply during extreme peaks. This means you’ll be hearing more about demand response in the coming months. Demand response involves paying an incentive to energy users to reduce their power consumption, switch to back-up generation, or dispatch their energy storage for short periods when electricity reserves reach critically low levels.
From spare parts to sausages – 3D printers can produce them.
While manufacturers like Danfoss are already utilising 3D printing to have prototypes and components additively manufactured (the scientific term for 3D printing), it is no longer just the domain of multinational corporations. The technology also promises much for individual technicians and small businesses.
The demand response pilot will be trialled over the next three years in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales to free up temporary supply of electricity during extreme weather – such as prolonged summer heatwaves – and unplanned outages. “We’re hopeful this will create the proof of concept for a new market mechanism that will ultimately be to the benefit of Australian consumers,” said AEMO managing director and CEO Audrey Zibelman. n
22 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
The term augmented reality (AR) refers to a direct or indirect live view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated perceptual information that is both visual and auditory. You may have seen it used before by architects who often have iPads with AR software to bring their design to life onsite. Any number of AR video games are also currently available. In the HVAC&R industry, Daikin in the Netherlands has trialled high-tech “smart glasses” to help its service engineers in the field. The AR spectacles support onsite engineers by providing access to technical information such as databases and error codes. The glasses also enable video conferencing with helpdesk staff and colleagues around the world – all hands-free so the technician can follow instructions immediately. The glasses feature voice recognition and can even recognise objects and codes. A GPS function on the glasses shows the service desk where the technician is, and also allows the service desk employee to see exactly what the engineer sees. n
With exciting new products and brand ambassadors on stand, don’t miss ActronAir at ARBS 2018. Come and visit us at stand 3010
As Australia’s largest locally owned air conditioning manufacturer, we’re excited to once again be showcasing our wide range of award winning products at ARBS 2018. AT ARBS THIS YEAR: NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS EXTENSIVE PRODUCT RANGE ON DISPLAY
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR STAND STAND 3010
PRODUCT ADVICE AND DEMONSTRATIONS DAILY SIGNINGS, MEET & GREETS AND MERCHANDISE GIVEAWAYS: SEMINARS Sessions will be held daily, providing an overview on: New products Residential and commercial products Controls New ActronAir headquarters
Robert Whittaker – UFC Tuesday 8 May: 11.30am – 1.30pm Beau Scott – NRL Wednesday 9 May: 11.30am – 1.30pm Mark Winterbottom – V8 Supercars Thursday 10 May: 11.00am – 12.30pm
For more information and to register your attendance, please contact us at: rsvp@actronair.com.au
Be sure to also visit ActronControls at stand 3054, featuring their extensive product range on display and the launch of an exciting new product!
May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 23
Global Update
UK
GRIM FUTURE? The Grimsby Ice Factory has been named one of Europe’s most endangered heritage sites. Heritage organisation Europa Nostra has included the factory in its seven most threatened heritage sites in Europe for 2018. An Albanian church, a Bulgarian monument, a Georgian hermitage, a Romanian casino and a Greek orphanage are other buildings on the list. “These gems of Europe’s cultural heritage are in grave danger, some due to neglect or inadequate development, others due to a lack of expertise or resources,” Europa Nostra says. “We are therefore hopeful that the sites included on this new list will be saved for future generations.” Built in 1900, the Grimsby Ice Factory is thought to be the UK’s oldest facility of its type. The factory boasts 90-year-old equipment, representing a snapshot of the UK’s refrigeration heritage. n
SWEDEN
BIOPLASTIC FANTASTIC
JAIL TIME DUE FOR R22
Imagine a prototype refrigerator where all the visible plastic parts are made of recyclable bioplastics from renewable sources.
Having pleaded guilty to the serious crime of illegally importing and selling R22 refrigerant, a Californian man faces up to 10 years in prison.
Iconic Swedish manufacturer Electrolux has developed just such a prototype, which features bioplastic that has a carbon footprint more than 80 per cent lower than conventional materials.
Mahmoud Alkabbani, 64, the owner of USA Car Parts of Garden Grove, was arrested in June 2017. He is accused of entering into an agreement in 2013 with a Chinese company to purchase R22, which was packaged in cylinders bearing counterfeit “Glacier” trademarks.
The bioplastics in the Electrolux fridge come directly from renewable resources, such as corn or sugarcane, and are recyclable. The material used in the refrigerator has been provided by NatureWorks, a world-leading supplier of biopolymers. The fridge is still in development, and there is currently no timeframe set for its official launch. n
USA
GERMANY
SNAP DECISION FOR CALIFORNIA
RAPID LEGIONELLA TEST?
The state of California has reinforced its reputation as an eco-leader by adopting the SNAP rules, designed to reduce emissions of HFC refrigerants.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich claim to have developed a 35-minute test for legionnaires’ disease.
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia declared the SNAP rules illegal last year, ruling that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) could not use a section of the Clean Air Act to target HFCs including R404A, R134a, R407C and R410A. “The board’s action . . . preserves the federal limits on the use of these powerful chemicals and refrigerants, and provides more certainty to industry,” board chair Mary D. Nichols says. “We applaud the actions of many industries, which already have made significant investments in developing and using more climate-friendly alternatives to the high-global warming HFCs.” n
USA
Until now, a detailed analysis of the potential source of a legionnaires’ disease outbreak has taken days to complete. And while a rapid clinical test for detecting the pathogen by identifying compounds of Legionella in patient urine already exists, it serves only as a first indication and is not suitable for screening the water of technical systems. The team of scientists has developed a measuring chip that detects the dangerous pathogen Legionella pneumophila and identifies which of the approximately 20 subtypes is present. Using 20 different antibodies, the system provides a complete analysis within 34 minutes. n
24 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | September 2017
Alkabbani offered the R22 refrigerant for sale on eBay. He subsequently made an agreement to sell four cylinders to an undercover agent for US$330 each — more than 10 times the amount he had paid for the substance. Alkabbani will be sentenced next month. n
ITALY
MCE MOLTO BENE! Italy’s version of ARBS, the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) show, has claimed record attendances this year. According to the organisers, this year’s event – held from March 13–16 in Milan – attracted more than 2,400 exhibitors and 162,000 trade visitors. There was a 6 per cent increase in overseas visitors and a 4 per cent rise in visitors from Italy. The main increases were from countries such as India, the Far East and Middle East. In addition to the US and Canada, Argentina and Uruguay also registered large increases. The European presence was also significant, notably Ukraine, Romania, and Croatia. One of the highlights of the show was the inaugural running of the Biomass Innovation Expo. Biomass domestic heating is big business in Europe, registering a 15 per cent increase in the first half of 2017. It is now worth approximately €600 billion ($Au950 billion). n
VISIT BITZER AT ARBS 2018 SEE THE FUTURE COME TO LIFE
ARBS STAND 3075 ICC SYDNEY, 8 - 10TH MAY 2018
ARBS returns to Sydney in 2018 and BITZER will be there with our latest future-proof technology on display. Experience the ECOSTAR condensing unit in action, see the latest BITZER and BUFFALO TRIDENT products and learn how digitalisation is transforming our industry. We’re looking forward to seeing you at ARBS! For more information, call 1300 BITZER or visit www.bitzer.com.au
May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 25
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1
TOP TRADE TRAINING IN TASSIE
Good news on the training and education front – the Tasmanian government is investing $7 million to establish a Trades and Water Centre of Excellence in Hobart. The new centre will include onsite accommodation and a new purpose-built workshop. It will offer training courses covering plumbing, electrical, automotive, plastics, refrigeration and air conditioning. “To maximise enrolments, the facility will offer online courses and training to those in other parts of the state,” said Minister for Education Jeremy Rockliff. “Importantly, this will remove the barrier of travel for theory training that has been the case to date. “We plan to work closely with local employers and industry to ensure the new centre is delivering real skills for real jobs.” The new centre has received stakeholder support from all peak industry bodies, including Master Plumbers Tasmania, Air-Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association, the Tasmanian Building and Construction Industry Training Board, Master Electricians Australia and the National Electrical and Communications Association. Go to www.tbcitb.com.au n
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A TRADE COOLER THAN THE REST
The Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE) in Victoria has produced a fantastic video to promote the industry and the benefits of choosing a career in air conditioning and refrigeration. “Typically, people wanting to become tradies select the more commonly known trades such as plumbing, carpentry and electrical,” says Kate Storer from GOTAFE. “Being a fridgie can be a little less known and fashionable.” GOTAFE secured funding from the Higher Education and Skills Group (HESG) and called on videographer Joel Egan at Now Motion and a cast of apprentices from
local employers (such as Shawn Makar, pictured) who supported the initiative. Together they put together a series of videos that will be used in a range of different settings including social media, radio and print advertising. GOTAFE will also get careers advisors at schools in the region to share the footage by providing it to them on USBs and showing it to students at careers expos and trade tasters. Go to www.gotafe.vic.edu.au for more information, or youtu.be/K25ChDaAhek to watch the video. n
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SEARCH AND YOU SHALL FIND
AIRAH has relaunched its online HVAC&R Industry Directory – the digital version of the ever-popular hard-copy industry directory for products, manufacturers, suppliers and more. The new site is called HVAC&R Search and boasts greatly enhanced functionality over the previous version. There’s an easy search function, as well as separate sections for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, building services and business services. Links within the listings also let you easily visit a company website, email or call. For businesses, listings can now be managed and updated directly. Paid plans are also available, with additional features including the ability to add videos, images and articles, and upload product and services information. Listing your company is free – just follow the simple registration process at the site to make sure clients can find you. Go to www.hvacrsearch.com.au n
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ARMA GETS SMART
The Australian Refrigeration Mechanics Association (ARMA) has announced a new refrigeration and air conditioning smart card for tradespeople and businesses.
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The organisation has developed the card to hold information about all qualifications in one place, with the goal of giving prospective employers or inspectors instant access to real-time licensing information. It is also aimed at helping consumers determine whether the tradesperson they hire is qualified for the scope of works. “Unscrupulous RTOs offering five- to seven-week part-time courses in Certificate III refrigeration and air conditioning and two-to-three-day courses in Certificate II split system courses for peripheral trades will no longer have validation of their certificates via ARMA’s stringent vetting process,” says the ARMA website. “ARMA's quality assurance processes includes ensuring only qualified assessors are validating individual licences.” The card is connected to online services including a Facebook consumer page and consumer webpages. ARMA has also added a consumer forum to its website, connecting industry with consumers and offering expert advice. Go to www.arma.org.au n
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THE UN WANTS FEMALE FRIDGIES!
OzonAction, in cooperation with UN Women, is seeking to collect experiences and short “stories” from women working in the HVAC&R sector for a new project. The initiative is aiming to raise awareness of the opportunities available to women and to highlight the particular experiences and examples of women working in the sector. It will explore their motivations, training and education, the challenges they may have faced along the way, their experience, and day-to day details of their working lives. “Being aware of the experiences of women working in the RAC sector and the opportunities available can encourage and inspire other women to consider careers in the sector and support girls to seek to follow a similar career path,” OzonAction says. Accepted submissions will go into an official publication, and the authors of the two most relevant and interesting submissions will be invited
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to attend an award ceremony and side event organised by UN Environment OzonAction at an international Montreal Protocol meeting. Entries are due by July 31. Go to web.unep.org/ozonaction n
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STAIRWAY TO HVAC HEAVEN
Western Australian glass company Cooling Brothers has supplied DigiGlass panels that pay tribute to one of the greatest rock groups of all time – Led Zeppelin. The images of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant are a part of “Legends Corner” for Rock Art Building-01 in Melbourne – a permanent public art exhibition. The installation is described as a “respectful tribute to rock music and to legendary rock musicians”. The photos were taken by equally legendary music photographer Robert Knight, who over a 50-year career has snapped everyone from Slash, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton, right through to more recent bands like Green Day and Maroon 5. The images on the Rock Art Building-01 were taken at The Seattle Centre Concert Hall in Washington State. Knight was stoked that his work could be exhibited on such a scale. “Led Zep in my mind was the greatest rock band of all time and when these photos where done it was at their peak of performing live,” he says. “I think Cooling Brothers did a great job and seeing the photos on glass just looks amazing!” The panels measure 4m each and were produced on the new DigiGlass line at Cooling Brothers’ 7,000m2 facility in High Wycombe, Perth. Go to coolingbros.com.au n
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positions in financial planning across Japan, Australia, France, Germany and the UK.
VIC SAFETY ALERT
The Victorian Government has issued a safety alert for specific Vulcan Heritage and Pyrox Heritage gas heaters. Director of Energy Safety Paul Fearon said both brands of the Heritage heater produce high levels of carbon monoxide under certain conditions. “If the house is well sealed and the heater is operating at the same time as a kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan, carbon monoxide from the heater can be drawn into living areas,” he said. According to Energy Safe Victoria, anyone with one of these heaters should call Climate Technologies on (03) 8795 2462, or for those living in DHHS housing, 1800 148 426. The issue is said to be caused by the old technology in these space heaters not being compatible with many new or renovated homes that have less ventilation. As a result, and in addition to the testing and replacement program now in place, all Vulcan Heritage or Pyrox Heritage space heaters have been withdrawn from sale and their manufacturer has ceased production. “This is a timely reminder that everyone should have indoor gas appliances, especially heaters, checked by a qualified gasfitter every two years,” Mr Fearon said. Go to www.esv.vic.gov.au/news n
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NEW FACE AT FUJITSU
“I’m pleased to welcome Mr Nakao to the Fujitsu General Australia leadership team, where he will oversee the finance and credit division,” said Fujitsu Australia’s managing director Philip Perham. “He will play a pivotal role in steering the organisation towards future business goals and strategies, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Australian business.” Koji Nakao will also hold the position of director for Fujitsu General New Zealand, a subsidiary of Fujitsu General Australia. For more information contact Fujitsu General on 1300 882 201. n
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RAPID RECOVERY FROM A-GAS
A-Gas is currently launching its new refrigerant recovery systems with one show already completed in Melbourne and another one scheduled for ARBS in Sydney on May 9. The company claims that the new units will be able to recover gases up to 10 times faster than conventional equipment. A case study carried out at a supermarket in 2017 on a low-temperature R404A circuit removed a total charge of 320kg with a recovery time of 30 minutes and 33 seconds. Metro coverage will be provided this year in the form of fully equipped trucks and trained technicians who will be available 24/7.
Koji Nakao has been appointed to the position of deputy managing director at Fujitsu General Australia. Nakao is making the switch Down Under from Fujitsu General Limited, Japan. He has more than 30 years of experience within the company, and has held global
The service will cover a wide range of jobs, from rooftop packages with charges of 10–30kg, to domestic fridges with charges of 300kg, and even supermarket racks with charges of 200–400kg. Go to www.agas.com n
May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 27
Cool Tech DJI is famous for its pro video and aerial gimbals and has used this expertise in creating the Osmo Mobile. Thanks to its three-axis stabilisation, it cancels out your movements to produce professional-looking footage. ActiveTrack technology allows the Osmo Mobile to automatically keep your smartphone facing you as you move. It also gives you shortcuts for making time-lapse and slow-motion video. And there’s a function to stream live to YouTube and Facebook.
SURE SHOOTER The selfie stick has just been taken to the next level Over the years mobile phone cameras have gradually eaten away at the advantages of professional setups. Most models these days boast a mountain of megapixels and easy-to-use video editing software, making them the tool of choice for YouTubers and Instagram snappers alike. But one area that has still divided mobile phones from top-level set-ups has been the ability to produce
quality action footage. Sure, shaky shots are fine if you’re making the next Blair Witch Project or going for that home-made vibe, but silky smooth tracking shots were only possible with a very expensive professional gimbal. Now, however, hand-held motorised gimbals have finally come down in price enough to reach the average punter. One such unit, retailing for around $300, is the DJI Osmo Mobile.
The Osmo Mobile also helps you take a few special types of photos that often fail on a mobile. You can do one-second long exposures without a tripod for sharp night shots. There’s an easy panorama function too, that automatically captures and blends nine separate photos together. Osmo Mobile uses an optimised Bluetooth connection to detect your smart device and sync up automatically and quickly if it has been paired before. The Osmo Mobile has a maximum run time of 4.5 hours and comes with rechargeable batteries or can be charged by USB. It’s made of magnesium alloy and weighs just 300g – sans mobile, obviously. It will hold phones 58.6–84.8mm wide. It also comes with accessories such as a tripod, an extension rod, and vehicle and bike mounts. If you like taking footage of that downhill mountain-bike run but want to smooth out the shakes, this could be your new favourite toy. n Check out the Osmo Mobile – and the videos – at www.dji.com
Smoko with . . .
Name: Tammy Stagg
ditioning Ser vices Company : Mick’s Air- Con trades assistant) er (and occasional on-site Occupation: Office manag industry do you work in? What par t of the HVAC &R on installs, rati ige refr l rcia me estic and com Running the business – dom d appliance ser vicing). repairs and maintenance (an &R ut working in the HVAC What's the bes t thing abo ry day is different. eve and ple peo at gre h some industry? Networking wit d in late d in the industry? I starte How long have you worke ht years ago. eig d rne retu but ile , left for a wh high school as my first job side cut ters. Makita DF030D drill . . . and Favourite tool? My little do you think HVAC &R industry, what If you didn't work in the in a former life… r che s a primary school tea you would be doing? I wa The Lighter Side. tion of HVAC &R Nation? What's your favourite sec Cor vet te Dream car : 1970s T-Top to cook . . . Dream date: Not having with the family. Dream holiday: Camping ate milk. Drink of choice: Chocol ys all day. listen to? Triple M – it pla What song did you las t
28 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
dom listens. : Knowledge speaks but wis Favourite quote or saying ? Who gets time for smoko Favourite smoko snack: supercar drivers. lly have one but like my V8 Sporting hero: I don’t rea e I’m not working!? . . . You mean there’s a tim When I’m not working I’m
Tammy ’s d
ream rid
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May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 29
The Lighter Side This month’s Lighter Side is brought to you by
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1 WINNER
6/02/2018 10:21:38 AM
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THAT CRITTER N“The AME fault lights indicated a fault with the outdoor PCB” says Richard,
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from SA. “Something used the compressor wrap as a nest. Can anyone identify the skeletal remains?” n
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TJakeHEfromBASICS Acacia Gardens found this when he was called in to investigate a leaking indoor unit. “Turns out water can’t flow upwards with the pipework,” he says. Who knew? n
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ENOUGH IS GOOD ENOUGH N“WellEAR there’s a first time for everything,” says Tammy in Queensland. “Mick has just gone to a job to find they have used 1/4” and 3/8” pair coil instead of 1/4” and 1/2 ” pair coil. They still used the 1/2” flare nuts . . . But she’ll be right – silicon and thread tape will fix it all up!” n
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IND YOUR ORIFICE M Mick pulled this orifice from a Danfoss TX valve on a prawn trawler. “Apparently the engineer thought it wasn’t big enough and decided to make it better by cutting it with a 1mm cutting disc on the angle grinder.” n
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ANYONE? JWillENGA came across this install in Forbes, NSW. “Wholesaler is literally four blocks away,” he says. “Must have been a pretty lean quote.” n
HAVE YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING SCARY, UGLY OR JUST PLAIN FUNNY? If your entry is deemed the monthly winner, a bottle of Jim Beam bourbon 750ml will be on its way to your door. Please include a postal address with your entry. Entrants must be aged 18 years or over. Send submissions to Editor, Mark Vender at mark.vender@airah.org.au
30 | HVAC&R Nation | www.airah.org.au/nation | May 2018
I N N O VAT I O N LIVES HERE. As leaders in innovation, our emphasis is on future technologies with several significant and exciting products and services being launched at ARBS.
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May 2018 | www.airah.org.au/nation | HVAC&R Nation | 31
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