HVAC&R Nation September 2019 by AIRAH

Skills

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Custom coil design and specification

Digital diagnosis Going behind the error codes in smart AC units

A new reality

How VR is changing the way we train apprentices September 2019 / ISSUE 124

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September 2019

September 2019 / ISSUE 124

A new reality 10

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

Source: TAFE SA

Contributing writer

No, this isn’t the gaming lounge at your local TAFE – it’s the classroom. Sean McGowan finds out how VR is being used to train the next generation of fridgies.

Sean McGowan

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The Toolshed

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Global Update Industry news from around the world

ISSN 1834-9522

HVAC&R Nation is printed on paper sourced from well manned forests and other controlled sources.

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.

Exclusive to this issue

Cool Tech The Valve Index headset could be your portal into a virtual world

Legal Speak What is your legal position if you suffer a workplace injury?

AIRAH News South Australia’s HVAC&R industry turned out for AIRAH’s Apprentice Awards Night

Around the Nation Who’s in the news?

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.

13,314

Digital diagnosis

Have you been frustrated by error codes on modern AC units, or have they made your life easier? Fridgies, manufacturers and educators weigh in on the smart technology that is changing our industry.

Smoko with . . . Q&A with Kevin Navarro, Affil.AIRAH

March 2019

PLEASE CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT AND RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP IT.

Green Wedge Making a battery out of thin air in South Australia

Lighter Side The shonkier side of the nation September 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Ed’s letter

REALITY 2.0 Technology … I’ve kind of fallen out of love with it over the years.

When I was a kid you couldn’t keep me off computers. Despite them being very basic by today’s standards, I’d play with them for hours.

Each new piece of tech was cause for excitement. Crowding around the first double-screen Nintendo Game and Watch in the schoolyard. Getting Karateka off a mate on floppy disk for the Apple IIe. Hooking up a multiplayer session of Doom over a LAN. Or the original Gran Turismo on the Playstation, cranked up loud. Good times. It was clear where we were going, even if we never talked about an end-point: more realistic graphics, more realistic experiences. Virtual reality. And it wasn’t just games I liked, it was all the tech stuff. I ended up working in IT, my first career. But somewhere along the way the thrills stopped. Technology started to annoy me. Am I the only one? Maybe it was having kids and spending so much time telling them to get off their screens. Although strangely, they seem more interested in watching videos of other people playing games than playing the games themselves. I started rolling my eyes when I heard about the latest you-can’t-live-without-it gadget or app.

Spending a relaxing lunch taking out orcs with a bow and arrow.

And when we lined up the teachers at TAFE SA to talk about their virtual reality training for this issue, I was a bit leery. Obviously, there are benefits –

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Somewhere along the way, the thrills stopped. Technology actually started to annoy me students can explore high-tech plant rooms that they might not get to experience any other way. But part of me also resists the idea of bringing too much technology into our lives. Fortunately, it looks like the TAFE SA team has found a balance. See what you think – the feature starts on page 10. Speaking of balance, to counteract my grumpy middle-aged prejudice against new technology, I decided to go and try it out myself at a VR arcade near the AIRAH office. And I’ll admit it, more than once the little boy inside me couldn’t help smiling in wonder. It’s clever stuff. VR may be mostly about games now, but more applications will follow. There’s a virtual road stretching out ahead of us – grab your goggles and have a look. ■

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Mark Vender Editor mark.vender@airah.org.au

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Toolshed 1

Seal of quality

The performance data for compressors of the HS series ranging between 20 and 75Hz is now available for all conventional refrigerants. The corresponding Varipack frequency inverter can be selected as an accessory for any compressor. New technical information also contains additional details about operating screw compressors with external frequency inverters. New CSVH3 and CSVW3 compressor models have been incorporated into the software, and Bitzer has added new refrigerants for the CSH.6 series. A further screw compressor has been integrated in the form of the CSW10593-400Y.

Clean Air Australia has launched AeroBarrier, a single-step envelope sealing technology that allows builders to “dial in” their desired performance. “Developed at the University of California, Davis, AeroBarrier replaces the labour-intensive, multi-step, multi-product process used during traditional air sealing,” says the company. “The aerosolised sealing technology simultaneously measures and seals envelope leakage in homes, multi-family apartments and other commercial buildings. “Applied at rough-in or after drywall installation, the computer‑controlled process takes the guesswork out of finding and sealing leaks, providing a reliable, cost-effective way to seal the building envelope and quickly meet any building specification for air tightness. At the end of the sealing process, the AeroBarrier system generates a final report detailing and verifying the results.”

In the scroll compressor segment, ORBIT, ORBIT+ and ORBIT FIT scroll compressors can now also be selected for operation with external frequency inverters in the Bitzer software – for all conventional refrigerants in the frequency range from 35 to 75Hz. Bitzer has also added the refrigerant R452B.

Go to www.bitzer-software.com ■

4 Rapid retrofits

Clean Air Australia says that AeroBarrier is suitable for high‑performance builders and commercial contractors – and can be used to achieve even the most stringent Passivhaus specifications for envelope tightness of 0.60ACH or less.

Polaris Technologies has re-launched a popular R22 retrofit option for HVAC systems.

“Used for compartmentalisation, the AeroBarrier technology has proven to be instrumental in dramatically reducing noise, odour and other cross-unit contamination issues in multi-family applications.” Go to www.cleanairaust.com.au ■

The Polaris “Intelligent Series” requires upgrading of the outdoor unit only – existing pipework and the indoor unit remain. Polaris Technologies director Tony Power, Affil.AIRAH, claims that using the Intelligent Series units reduces installation time by up to 60 per cent.

A champion damper

“The installation involves simply replacing the indoor electronics module and installing a wired wifi-enabled touchpad,” he says. “Only the outdoor condensing unit is replaced.”

Shapeair has added the Low Leakage Volume Control Damper VCD-L to its range of units for different requirements of air ventilation systems.

Power says that this offers significant savings to building owners in terms of building works and occupant disruption. He also notes that energy savings using the inverter technology are up to 50 per cent compared to old R22 system performance.

The damper features a linkage-free geared drive system to operate the blades for control and full shut-off. The gears and bearings are made with an engineered polymer that is intended to provide high strength, high temperature resistance, and abrasion and impact resistance commonly found in automotive applications.

The range includes 240V 10kW and 15kW units, as well as a 415V 16kW system. Polaris plans to expand this going forward. The Intelligent Series offers a two-year commercial warranty. Go to polaristechnologies.com.au ■

“This ensures Shapeair gears and bearings have high tensile strength, flexural modulus and minimal thermal expansion,” says the company. “The geared design also mitigates maintenance as the load from controllers is distributed evenly for maximum life span. “Damper frame and blades are constructed from high‑quality aluminium extrusions with a unique interlocking detail including an engineered blade-tip seal to ensure positive locking and minimal leakage.

Control and automation specialist Controlstore has launched Tosibox, a new connectivity solution that offers improved security in today’s Internet of Things (IoT) environment.

“Tosibox has taken connectivity and made it simple,” the company says. “Secure connectivity is essential for remote access, remote maintenance, continuous monitoring, and real‑time data collection and data logging for your IT network.

“Where design brief aspects are critical with complex challenges to run not only efficiently, but also economically, the features of the Shapeair VCD damper exceeds project requirements.”

“Tosibox Lock is a new industrial VPN router sharing access to devices. Tosibox Key is a VPN client used to access the network. It’s a simple, secure point-to-point connection, with two-factor authentication, automatic security updates and latest encryption technology.

Go to www.shapeair.com.au/product-category/dampers/ ■

Show me the data

“With Tosibox Lock and Key you can create a fully secure remote connection with plug and go implementation within minutes, without special IT skills.

Bitzer has released a software updated that enables the selection of performance data for even more components in its product range.

“The software is only recently available in version 6.10.0, which enables users to select many new compressor models and refrigerants, with a key focus on the long-standing company’s screw compressors,” says Bitzer. 6

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Be sure with Controlstore

September 2019

“Adding new devices, users or access groups into the network is simple with drag and drop. The controlled IoT network of always-on VPN connections enables data collection and continuous monitoring (including audit trail).” Go to www.controlstore.com.au ■

Toolshed 6

Red light, green light

In July, Embraco was one of many manufacturers at the Gold Coast for Metcash Expo – the southern hemisphere’s biggest event for supermarkets and convenience stores.

Low-cost semi-conductor refrigerant sensors may save money, but they are also prone to disruptive and expensive false alarms.

The company was promoting Plug n’ Cool, its self-contained R290-based refrigeration solution. The unit has been designed for reach-in applications in food retail, and is claimed to reduce a store’s refrigeration energy consumption by more than 30 per cent, while also improving cooling performance and food preservation. According to Embraco, the system provides a “plug and play” option that accelerates the installation process by 70 per cent, and can replace the traditional machine room, avoiding refrigerant leakage and saving space in the cabinet and store.

Sensitron Smart3-H refrigerant gas detectors/sensors are made in Italy and have been designed to offer cost-effective solutions while also offering smart professional features. “The dual-beam infra-red sensor offers excellent linearity and accuracy and offers high immunity against false alarms,” says the company. Along with a standard 4–20mA output it offers three relay outputs and integrated RS485 output with an optional card that fits inside the sensor housing. Three LEDs clearly display the status: green is on; orange is fault; and red is alarm. An integrated buzzer also signals alarm or fault condition.

7 Embraco’s modular solution

The Sensitron features built-in self-diagnostics and according to the company the sensor and hardware can easily be controlled. It comes with an IP42-rated enclosure for fast and failsafe installation as well as easy maintenance.

“Cabinets with Plug n’ Cool are easy to maintain, requiring less specialised labour for installation and maintenance,” says Embraco. “Refrigeration systems are assembled and tested in the factory and are ready for installation. Modular in design, the equipment has a competitive total cost of ownership and it can be used in different store formats, from small family businesses to large wholesalers, which increases in-store design flexibility.”

For more information email sales@gasalarm.com.au ■

Go to www.embraco.com ■

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.

September 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Global Update

MEXICO

NO SUCH THING AS BAD PUBLICITY?

DEAD CLEVER

An English air conditioning contractor has provoked some (ahem) heated debate with a billboard ad in Nottingham. Not Just Cooling owner Lee Davies designed the ad himself and originally tried to get it placed it on buses. But the artwork was rejected because it could cause offence. The billboard advertising company had no such scruples. Since it appeared, the ad has been criticised for being sexist. Some have pointed out that it condones commenting on women’s bodies, and commenting on them as if they were someone’s possession. “I don’t mean to offend anybody,” Davies told the BBC. “I saw an advert like this in America, I chuckled to myself and thought ‘Why not?’. Air conditioning is a very hard thing to advertise.” Davies is considering doing a follow-up ad with the slogan, “Your husband is hot”. ■

“With better cadavers, we will develop better skills, and reduce medical errors,” says the UNAM’s Diego Pineda. “And that will have a positive impact, because medical errors are the third-most-common cause of preventable death in the world.” The chemical preservation formula is currently in the process of receiving Mexican and international patents. ■

NEW ZEALAND

PEAK BODY FOR PNG

READY FOR NEW REFRIGERANTS

Under a 25-year agreement signed with PNG’s Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), PNGRACA will assist with regulations, laws and licensing of the industry standards, and increasing and improving the training and expertise of future apprentices and tradespeople. “We have to ensure that licensed technicians and their companies are following the rules and guidelines set out by CEPA and PNGRACA in our bid to make our mark in global warming issues and provide to industry and people a safe environment to work in,” says PNGRACA president Daniel Geoghegan, Affil.AIRAH. The PNGRACA’s official launch will be held in Port Moresby on November 8, along with a trade expo for local and overseas industry stakeholders. ■

The formula is said to have several advantages over formaldehyde, which was previously used. It takes just 15 days to prepare a body (as opposed to three months) and after this time the corpse does not require refrigeration. Formaldehyde is also highly carcinogenic, and it dehydrates bodies, making them stiff and colourless – and not especially suitable for teaching.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The Papua New Guinea Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association (PNGRACA) was recently established to promote good practices in the country’s HVAC&R sector.

Researchers at Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM) have found a chemical formula that can preserve corpses for teaching purposes without the need for refrigeration.

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As the HFC phase-down gears up and the country transitions to low‑GWP refrigerants, the New Zealand government has approved a licensing regime for technicians who work on commercial or industrial refrigeration, heat pump, or air conditioning systems that use flammable, toxic, or very high‑operating‑pressure refrigerant gases. The regime will cover all low-GWP refrigerants with hazardous properties, such as CO2, HFOs, hydrocarbons and ammonia. It will not, however, cover HFCs. A collective of industry bodies has criticised this decision. “We feel it waters down the licence and potentially leaves the door open for more risk and shortcuts which could result in damage, injury or even death,” a statement read. Meanwhile, Refrigerant Licence New Zealand (RLNZ) has announced it will be working with several international training providers to deliver online and practical training in flammable and natural refrigerants. ■

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September 2019

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Cover Feature

Air conditioning and refrigeration students at TAFE SA’s Tonsley campus.

A NEW REALITY Source: TAFE SA

Once the stuff of Hollywood sci-fi movies, virtual reality is now being adopted by TAFEs to engage and train students. Sean McGowan reports.

When teaching refrigeration and air conditioning, it’s not always easy to combine theory and practice.

HVAC&R systems can be studied from the safety of their classrooms.

in their workplaces,” says TAFE SA lecturer, Shannon Baldock, Affil.AIRAH.

Take, for example, a lesson on how to identify hazards and risks in a supermarket plant room where a CO2 refrigeration system is operating. First you have to find a suitable supermarket that is close enough to the TAFE and happy to receive a site visit from a large group of apprentices. Then you have to actually organise the trip, as well as all the OH&S rigmarole that goes with it.

READY PLAYER ONE

“And in the case of CO2 and ammonia, it is not practical to take an entire class into a plant room due to restrictions around safety and ease of access.”

Luckily, there is now another way. Students at TAFE SA are putting the latest in virtual reality (VR) technology to the test. They are donning headsets and stepping into a virtual world where 10

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According to TAFE SA, students studying Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration at its Tonsley campus are among the first in Australia to trial new VR headsets in an educational setting.

A total of 46 stand-alone VR headsets have been purchased by the TAFE for the pilot program.

Teaming up with Adelaide-based firm Lateral Vision, TAFE SA has created virtual tours and environments that students are now using as part of their training in the safe use of CO2, hydrocarbons and ammonia.

So far, three refrigerant safety courses have been created in VR: a next generation CO2 refrigeration plant operating in a new supermarket; an ammonia plant running at an ice factory; and content on flammable refrigerants, including hydrocarbons.

“We have chosen these subject areas as many of our students do not have access to this equipment

This content has been filmed at physical locations using a purpose-built camera designed to capture VR imagery.

September 2019

Cover Feature TAFE SA lecturer, Shannon Baldock, Affil.AIRAH

Anyone who tells you that you can do everything in VR is selling you something “We use a special 360-degree camera that records stereoscopic imagery,” says Lateral Vision director, Alex Tolson. “When students view the content in a VR headset they are able to see things as if they were there.” The use of stereoscopic imagery gives depth to the visuals. It provides a better representation of the size of the machinery and equipment in the environment, and allows users to see things as if they were on a real‑life job site. “We have learned a lot about the 360-degree video capture process during the pilot,” says Baldock. “We have also learned that VR is most effective when used in specific subject areas, such as hazard identification.” He says the longer-term plan is for the TAFE to build the capacity for video capture and editing in-house. “The fact that the content can be made by our lecturing staff who have full ownership of it, and are happy to use something that works, is one of the appeals of this technology.”

ENHANCING, NOT REPLACING

“It’s not about doing all our training in VR,” says Baldock.

Studies have shown that the use of VR in the classroom increases a student’s ability to retain information by between 60 and 70 per cent. Anecdotal evidence from the TAFE SA pilot program supports this claim, while feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. But can VR really replace hands-on learning?

“VR works well in certain applications, so it’s about using VR to augment parts of training. Anyone who tells you that you can do everything in VR is selling you something.” A secondary VR trial at TAFE SA is allowing for the remote delivery of lessons. Students equipped with VR headsets can remotely connect and interact with scheduled classes being held at the Tonsley Campus via a live-stream, 360-degree video from the classroom.

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Cover Feature

VR vs AR vs MR With so many realities to navigate, it’s worth knowing the difference between virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. According to Philadelphia’s renowned Franklin Institute – one of the USA’s oldest centres of science education and development – the differences are clear. Virtual reality (VR) implies a complete immersion experience that shuts out the physical world. Using VR devices, users can be transported into real-world and imagined environments. Augmented reality (AR) adds digital elements to a live view, often by using the camera on a smartphone or tablet. Examples of augmented reality experiences include the lenses on Snapchat and the game Pokemon Go.

VR allows the TAFE to teach students about the latest HVAC&R systems without having to constantly update its classroom equipment.

Mixed reality (MR) experiences combine elements of both AR and VR, where real-world and digital objects interact.

Source: TAFE SA

AUGMENTED APPRENTICES

The lessons learned from this project will allow for a rapid uptake as the technology matures

Just as virtual reality (VR) is finding its ways into TAFE refrigeration and air conditioning courses, a specially designed augmented reality (AR) tool is also soon to be available for apprentices in the industry.

The primary goal is to prevent the emission of climate-damaging refrigerants. RRA believes that providing access to training with the latest lower‑global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants is crucial to this objective.

Being developed by Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA), the AR tool will help TAFEs around Australia better facilitate training in refrigerant recovery.

“The augmented reality training videos will allow apprentices to view the animated internal workings of equipment and systems to gain a greater understanding of the process of removing gases, before they have to do so in the real world,” says Farrelley.

“This is of particular benefit to the refrigeration department, as we have students that travel to Tonsley from all over the state,” says Baldock.

“Our organisation has been actively involved in industry education for a number of years, through a partnership with TAFE Australia,” says Kylie Farrelley, general manager of RRA.

Such has been the success of the VR refrigeration pilots that similar programs are likely to be rolled out across other TAFE SA courses in the future. The technology is also being considered for use in professional development.

“Through this relationship, we identified problems with the affordability of new refrigerants and technologies. Given the constant pressure on TAFE funding, it wasn’t always possible for apprentices to train with the latest technologies and products.”

“We see this project as a proof of concept, that we hope will be adopted in some form across TAFE SA,” says Baldock.

RRA has been working with TAFE NSW, Canberra Institute of Technology, Box Hill Institute and Silversun Pictures to develop the series of technical AR programs that focus on refrigerant recovery training using the latest refrigerants.

“The lessons learned from this project will allow for a rapid uptake as the technology matures.”

While the content will be created in VR, it will be transposed to AR so it can be accessed from any device at any time without the need for specialised equipment. The AR program is the first step in what RRA advisor Michael Bennett hopes will eventually become an “always-available” online tool allowing technicians in the field to have access to a host of HVAC&R topics. “A sort of Siri or Alexa for fridgies,” says Bennett. Footage of the AR training program can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2J7coLl

A CALL TO INDUSTRY Baldock says that with the pilot VR training program now under its belt, TAFE SA is actively seeking the collaboration of the HVAC&R industry to help with more training content. “We’ve proven that the technology has a practical application in the training environment, so now we need more content to offer students,” he says. TAFE SA has already received strong interest from industry participants, including those leading the way in natural refrigeration, to provide access to plant rooms and equipment where filming can take place. “That’s what the project is about now,“ says Baldock, “not so much the bells and whistles of the VR hardware but content, which is what it should be about.” ■ 12

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Refrigerant Reclaim Australia is making use of augmented reality to teach apprentices how to reclaim refrigerant.

September 2019

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September 2019

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Cool Tech

GOGGLE

Don’t stand too close to someone when they’re playing Budget Cuts.

PLAY The new generation of VR headsets could well be filling out Christmas stockings this year.

If you want to know how big the business virtual reality business is going to be, just look at the companies getting involved.

A “knuckle” controller tracks the movement of every finger (so you can, in theory, flip someone a virtual bird). The display has 1,440 x 1,600 resolution per eye and a refresh rate of 120Hz. And specially designed ear speakers are optimised to provide a virtual world of sound as well as sight.

Google and Samsung have headsets that work with their phones. Facebook has a standalone VR unit called the Oculus and HP has the Reverb headset. There’s also the Playstation VR, which is already making its way into loungerooms around Australia.

“Early in our VR experimentation, it became clear that helping a VR user achieve an appropriate suspension of disbelief required not only a reliance on the narrative, environmental, and emotional methods of traditional games and films, but also an entirely new category of physiological problem‑solving unique to VR,” says the company

At the higher end of the scale – in price and technology – is the Valve Index. It works in tandem with a high-end PC to deliver the ultimate gaming experience.

GRIPPERFIX

“When we don a headset to play Budget Cuts, we expect VR to make us feel like our body has been transported into an office full of murderous robots rather than simply showing us their environment through a static screen.” Critics have noted that Valve Index still has some teething technical problems. At this point, it might be a better to let a tech-savvy friend buy one and set it up and just go over to their place to play it. The Valve Index sells for around $1,500, but other units are more affordable. Which means you or someone in your family could well be playing a game of virtual Fruit Ninja after Christmas lunch this year. ■

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CC-HV&R-015

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124

CUSTOM COIL DESIGN AND SPECIFICATION A heat exchanger, also known as a coil, is a device in which heat is transferred from hot fluid to cold fluid. The term fluid includes air, water and refrigerants. Some common examples of heat exchangers are chilled water coils, hot water coils, evaporators and condensers. Custom engineered commercial coils are available for almost any application where heat transfer takes place.

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A best-practice introduction to custom heat exchange solutions

■ Who?

Relevant for mechanical contractors, consultants, OEMs and installers operating within refrigeration, air conditioning and process cooling and heating applications.

This Skills Workshop takes you through the options available and critical considerations for good coil design.

Coil types Cooling coils

Heating coils

Fluid cooling coils are most commonly used in chilled fluid systems for comfort conditioning of a forced air stream and in process systems for dehumidification purposes. For use with water, glycols, brines or thermal oils.

Fluid heating coils are most commonly used in hot water systems for comfort conditioning of a forced air stream and in process systems for drying purposes.

Condenser and evaporator coils Unique requirements such as single or twin interlaced, split face circuiting, loop back circuits can be engineered to allow precise capacity control and increased efficiency. The interlaced circuiting ensures uniform refrigerant distribution over the entire face area of the coil. Variable fin spacing ensures that no frost is built up on lowtemperature applications.

Steam coils Standard construction is available for high- and low‑pressure applications. Same or opposite end connections can be specified. September 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

HVAC&R Skills Workshop Principles of heat transfer

Q = UAΔT where:

Q U

= Capacity =O verall heat transfer coefficient determined by materials used and velocity of hot and cold fluids

A = Total surface area ΔT = Temperature difference between hot and cold fluids Any changes that affect U, A, or ΔT will have a direct effect on the rate of heat transfer.

Coil design – glossary of terms Face area Face area is determined by multiplying fin height (m) by finned length (m).

Face velocity Face velocity is the speed of the air across the face of coil. Typical face velocities for heating coils are 3–3.5m/s. Cooling coils are generally limited to no more than 2.5m/s due to condensate blowing off the fins.

Coil rows Coil rows is the number of vertical rows of tubes in the direction of airflow.

Fluid (tube) velocity Fluid (tube) velocity identifies the speed of the fluid through the coil tubes. Typical ranges for velocity are between 0.3m/s and 1.8m/s. Fluid pressure drop is directly correlated to tube velocity.

Number of tubes fed Number of tubes fed is the number of tubes coming off the header and feeding into the coil.

Coil capability schedule

Circuit type

Tube

Circuit type is the ratio of number of tubes fed to tubes high.

Tube diameter (mm/inches) Inner groove tube option Tube materials

5mm, 7mm, 7.94mm, 3/8", 1/2", 5/8"

Number coil passes Number coil passes is the number of times the fluid passes along the coil finned length.

5mm, 7mm, 3/8", 1/2"

Counter flow

Copper, copper nickel, stainless steel

Counter flow is when the heat transfer media travels in the opposite direction to the airflow as it moves from row to row. Failure to design or pipe coil for counter flow in cooling coils will result in a loss of cooling capacity.

Coil handing

Fins Fin profiles Fin materials

Corrugated, sine wave, louvre (split fin), flat Aluminium, copper, stainless steel

Protective coatings Water based, self-etching epoxy resin applied by total coil immersion or “flooding”’. Super coat

Coil handing is the side the headers are located when looking at the “air on” face of the coil.

RIGHT HAND

FIN WIDTH (“W”)

LEFT HAND

OUT

AIR

Number of rows

5,000 hours neutral salt spray.

Fin spacing

Number of tubes per circuit

Food grade.

Tube spacing

Available in double dip application.

Patton coat

Blue fin Other coatings available on request

Row

Polyester-based epoxy giving excellent corrosion resistance. Supplied standard on Patton condensers and evaporators. Pre-coated fin e.g., Blygold

Number of circuits Finned pack length

Row spacing

Frames Frames

HVAC&R Nation

END PLATE

FIN HEIGHT (“H”)

Super hydrophobic properties give faster condensate run-off, improving heat transfer.

FIN LENGTH (“L”)

Aluminium, galvanised, stainless steel, brass www.airah.org.au/nation

September 2019

Number of tubes per row

HVAC&R Skills Workshop Best‑practice coil design •

For optimum coil performance, always design and connect coil in counter-flow for all multi-row coils (a special exception is a “loop back” evaporator circuit).

•

To prevent condensate loading, the maximum finned height on cooling coils should not exceed 1,100mm.

•

The ideal ratio of coil finned height to finned length is 1:2 to 1:3. This gives the most economical coil because most of the manufacturing cost is in the finned height.

•

return water connection. Such design ensures that the coil is always completely filled with water, regardless of the water volume supplied, and that the coil may be drained completely. •

Standard fluid coil circuiting CIRCUIT CODE

Whether it is an evaporator, a condenser or a water coil, proper circuiting of the tubes plays an important role in achieving maximum heat transfer rate with minimum fluid pressure drops.

•

Depending on the quantity of water flowing and the desired water pressure drops for any specific task of heating or cooling, various forms of circuiting arrangements are used. The type of circuiting selected must consider the capabilities of other system components such as the water pump, to ensure that it can overcome the water pressure drop that is generated due to the circuiting arrangement chosen. The circuiting must be designed to generate an optimum pressure drop; if the pressure drop is too low the heat exchanger will under-perform, and if it is too high the available pump will lack enough power to pump water through. In other words, the circuit design will need to be a compromise between the running cost and the capital cost of the heat exchanger.

•

Coils are designed to be self-venting by supplying water to the coil so that the water flows upward in the coil, forcing air out through the

DESCRIPTION

Quarter circuit (1/4 face tubes feed)

Half circuit (1/2 face tubes feed)

P – circuit (3/4 circuit face tubes feed)

Full circuit (all face tubes feed)

Q – circuit (1½ face tubes feed)

Double circuit (2 rows tube feed)

Consideration must also be given to the site location (e.g., coastal, fruit ripening rooms, pool exhaust environments will place added corrosive stress on the coil). Choosing the right materials and coil coatings can greatly increase coil life. However, even with appropriate materials and protective coatings applied, coils must still be maintained to remove airborne dust, dirt and corrosive particles. Regular cleaning with mild detergent rinsed off with low‑pressure water, especially of the “air on” coil face is also necessary to keep surfaces in good condition and keep your system at peak performance.

Coil Nomenclature

Coil nomenclature Coil details For example

44T 4000 88

TUBE Ø (mm) Cu 10(3/8”), 13(1/2”) & 16(5/8”) COIL HANDING

COIL W

WATER

EVAPORATOR

CIRCUIT TYPE Q

1/4

1/2

CONDENSER

CROSS FIN

3/4

STEAM

1-1/2

SPECIAL

1 CIRC

2 CIRC

HORI.

VERT.

UNI

FPI 2

No. Rows

COIL FINISH

No. of TUBE HEIGHT

NATURAL

PATTON COAT

SUPER COAT

BLYGOLD

OTHER

ALUMINIUM

GALVANISED

STAINLESS STEEL

BRASS

FIN LENGTH mm

FRAME

14 15

No. of CIRCUITS / FEEDS FINS

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

ALUMINIUM

COPPER

STAINLESS

Next month: Controls fundamentals September 2019

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Quality, technical support and service. Guaranteed.

Fluid • DX • Condenser / Heat Reclaim • Steam • CO2 Stainless Steel • Crossfin • Marine

Over 30 years’ experience with a proven track record in the design and supply of customised coils. We understand best practice and deliver on performance and quality. “Walker Celano is pleased to acknowledge the expertise and service provided by Beijer Ref Australia during the design, production and supply of specialised CO2 coils custom-fitted to Patton Cabinet coolers and bespoke servery cabinets at Oasis Bakery, Fairfield VIC.” Lorenzo Mingerulli, Managing Director Walker Celano “We have used the custom coils from Beijer Ref on multiple projects over the years on various air cooled chillers. Quality and specific application setup has always been a key factor and has been met every time.” Allan Balfe, Chiller Technical Supervisor Airmaster “Quality, technical support and service are always delivered.” Norm Jackson, Managing Director Diamond Air

Contact us for a competitive quote backed by exceptional customer service and technical support. www.beijerref.com.au coilsales@beijerref.com.au

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Feature

DIGITAL

DIAGNOSIS Today’s sophisticated air conditioning systems are providing more and more data and information to technicians. But does this really make life easier? Sean McGowan asks the fridgies and other key players in the industry. As air conditioning systems have become smarter, are they helping us sort through the important information, or simply overloading the users and technicians with data? The truth – as is often the case – lies somewhere in between. There are many technicians who welcome the information age and the self-diagnosis that comes with it. But some are also frustrated by today’s “intelligent” units, and the need to familiarise themselves with error codes and new methods of fault-finding. To help shine a light on the issues, HVAC&R Nation put some questions to key industry stakeholders. They included RAC technicians (some of whom agreed to respond on the basis of anonymity), leading air conditioning manufacturers ActronAir and Daikin Australia, and a TAFE teacher.

THE MANUFACTURERS Are traditional fault-finding skills being supplanted by technology? According to ActronAir’s group product manager, Ben Muras, Affil.AIRAH, the traditional skills used in fault-finding a system are still often required. “While systems are becoming smarter, allowing for more information to be provided to the technicians, a technician is still required to interpret said information on most occasions,” he says. “But what has been supplanted by technology

Without an understanding of the fundamentals and training, the data will just

is the difficulty in matching the skill of the technician to the fault in question.”

look like a bunch of numbers

Muras says that service companies will often have a team of technicians with different skills levels and experience. Trying to match their availability and schedule to each job can be challenging. “With more information being provided to technicians, there is now less reliance on these factors,” he says, “allowing companies to better respond to customer needs.” Blake Mortimer, M.AIRAH, engineering support manager at Daikin Australia, says that despite all the technological advancements, air conditioning systems still have the same fundamentals and main components of systems from 20 years ago. In this way, he says traditional fault-finding skills remain extremely valuable. “There have been diagnostic tools introduced that allow a technician to watch and record operating conditionings of the system. But without an understanding of the fundamentals and training, the data will just look like a bunch of numbers.” Are the “smarts” found in modern systems proprietary in nature and specific to the brand, or is there a language common across different brands? According to Muras, although there are obvious commonalities between brands, one or two things usually make each one slightly different.

“This is often the outcome of third-party control systems that have been designed with the intent of a one-size-fits-all approach,” he says. “But the reality is each individual system they are applied to is different.” Muras explains that ActronAir’s controls and electronics are manufactured in house and specifically designed for the company’s products. “This allows us to be more definitive in the error codes we display, and where we display them, to assist in the diagnosis of the system.” Do technicians have anything to fear from smart technology and its role in diagnostics and fault-finding? Daikin Australia’s technical manager, Pravneel Singh, says that any fear among technicians comes from not knowing the proper fault-finding diagnostic skills required to work on RAC products. “We believe technicians need ongoing training and support on products,” says Singh. “We have numerous different fault codes, and the fault-finding procedures may differ between models, so as a technician it is vital to be up to date with new technologies and changes in product.” More importantly, he says, technicians need to be trained to diagnose correctly.

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HVAC&R Nation

Feature THE TECHNICIANS From a technician’s perspective, what are the benefits of the smart functions and features offered by modern-day systems?

Smart diagnosis is there to assist you, and that can

“When you learn what information the unit is collecting, and how it’s using that information to come to a conclusion, you can tell very quickly what the issue is likely to be,” says Artisan Air Conditioning & Refrigeration’s Corren Cox.

only be a good thing “Any form of industry training to upskill or familiarise yourself with new product and technologies is crucial in today’s market,” says Singh.

“It’s got to the point where testing is only required to confirm your diagnosis.”

Muras agrees that technicians have nothing to fear.

Are traditional fault-finding skills being replaced by this technology?

“New technology entering the market is not something new to our industry, and technicians have always adapted with it,” he says.

“Knowing the fundamentals is crucial,” says Cox. “You cannot simply rely on a piece of technology to do the job for you.”

“But in saying that, at ActronAir we also understand people’s exposure and acceptance of these changes differs. We factor this in when it comes to designing our products, to ensure that a technician – regardless of their exposure – can use and leverage the smarts included in our systems.”

Cox says critical thinking and skills required to test your diagnosis are as important as ever. However, these must now be applied differently.

We hear of technicians frustrated by the need to call a manufacturer’s helpline to decipher a fault code. Is this a common occurrence? “It can certainly be frustrating,” says Muras. “To put ourselves in the technician’s shoes for a quick moment – it’s a hot day, the air conditioning isn’t working, and everyone is looking to you to fix it.”

“Smart diagnosis is there to assist you, and that can only be a good thing.” Are technicians frustrated by needing to call a manufacturer’s helpline to decipher a fault code? “I can definitely see where they are coming from,” says Cox. “It wasn’t that long ago that calling a 1300 number and waiting up to an hour for even a code definition was the norm.”

Muras says ActronAir has factored this into its designs.

“But these days most manufacturers have apps that are specifically for service technicians and they’re awesome! Plus, there’s always social media – the answer is often no further than a Facebook post away.”

“Where possible, we look to build products that are easy to work with and part of that is making the management of fault codes as simple as possible,” he says. “This doesn’t necessarily require a complicated solution – it can be as simple as maintaining consistency in the fault codes used across our product range and accompanying them with meaningful descriptions.”

Should technicians be seeking training to familiarise themselves with each brand they work with, or is there a common language across brands?

ActronAir makes a point of including a physical copy of error descriptions in an easy-to-find location with every system.

Most manufacturers offer training courses because, as Cox says, it’s in their best interests to have properly trained technicians working on their products.

“In this way, technicians can quickly understand what the different fault codes mean, and if required, can easily find the descriptions to assist in quickly identifying the issue with the specific product they are working on.”

“But I can speak from personal experience – once you put the time and effort into demystifying a PC board,

HVAC&R Nation reached out to air conditioning technicians to discover the most common complaints and issues associated with technological smarts in modern air conditioning systems.

Most manufacturers now provide online access to relevant documentation, so it pays to ensure you know where to find this before attending the site. But it’s not always easy to read through lengthy documents – particularly if you are in transit from one site to another. Muras suggests that a phone call to the manufacturer’s support team can be useful.

Some of the biggest bugbears were self‑diagnosing systems, helpline call waiting times, and receiving non-specific advice from support centres.

“ActronAir has our own, locally based support team that also offer extended hours during summer to assist with these queries.”

“Smart is a fairly subjective word,” says one domestic air conditioning installer who asked to remain unnamed.

Singh says Daikin provides all ARC licensed technicians with access to fault-finding apps. These provide access to Daikin troubleshooting manuals, service news, flow charts and diagnosis information for most of the company’s models – as well as product brochures, spare parts and technical training information. “Nonetheless, we receive a lot of phone calls for onsite help,” Singh says, “and our team work tirelessly with technicians for fast and accurate diagnostics.” |

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While Cox believes he has been lucky to have the opportunity to attend training programs with all the big manufacturers, he says this is only one element to consider. “The most important thing is that you need to have a healthy interest and willingness to understand the technology. This is far more important that training alone.”

THE EDUCATORS From a teacher’s perspective, how have built-in “smarts” affected people’s skillsets? According to TAFE Queensland refrigeration teacher Jack Johansen, Affil.AIRAH, most new inverter air conditioning systems have built-in fault diagnosis or plug-in Bluetooth diagnostic tools. When a fault is detected, the air conditioning system restarts itself. If the fault re-occurs after a set number of restarts it shuts down and alerts the user or technician that a fault has been detected. “By using the remote control or wall controller, the technician can retrieve the fault code – for example, E7: faulty condenser fan – which narrows down the fault-finding process,” says Johansen. In recent years, this has evolved further. “Manufacturers now have a device that plugs into the inverter board,” he says. “It sends live information via Bluetooth to an app on your smart device, and will give live readings of the thermistors in the machine such as evaporator superheat, compressor, condenser and liquid line readings.” According to Johansen, this functionality has effectively removed what could have once taken hours to find manually, and replaced basic logical control wiring sequence diagnostics. But he believes that technicians should still learn these things. “This is still essential knowledge due to the fact that refrigeration or low-temperature market applications have not yet caught up in this regard.

COMMON COMPLAINTS

How can technicians be better prepared to respond to faults?

its major components, what they do and how they do it, all the major brands start to look very similar when the covers are off,” says Cox.

“The units are more intelligent in their operation – sometimes too smart. But the extra features and buttons on domestic controllers frequently confuse those not familiar with air conditioning, such as the elderly. Unless customers are motivated to really look into their manual and learn all the features that these new systems provide, it basically becomes stuff that they will never use.”

September 2019

Another air conditioning technician says that self‑diagnosis of systems has caused him nothing but headaches. “With self-diagnosis, there is a reliance on the unit to find the fault,” he says. “Granted I have been guilty of not being thorough and trusting the self‑diagnosis, and being wrong. “But for units to be able to self-diagnose all the time means they are linked, and when overvoltage occurs all the major components and boards can be, and frequently are, affected. Now on all board failures we quote to replace all boards in and out, and have a note saying there may be flow-on effects after these parts are replaced. We require this after being stung many times. “It sucks because to the customer it seems like we are untrained to diagnose the exact problem. In reality, there may not be just one direct fault or a direct fault may have caused several others.”

Feature

If you work with a specific brand that utilises electronic control, you need specialist training From a teaching point of view, Johansen says it is difficult to remain neutral. ActronAir’s QUE control features smarts to assist technicians servicing a product.

Mechanical high‑pressure and low-pressure controls and valves are still the majority in this market.”

and brand-specific internal fault diagnosis, the more advantageous it is for the manufacturers.”

Are such features causing traditional fault‑finding skills to be replaced by technology?

Do technicians have anything to fear from smart technology and its role in diagnostics and fault-finding?

Johansen says some skills are most certainly being replaced, as the technology provides more awareness of what’s happening inside the system without the need for enthalpy charts or the physical checking of superheat temperature difference (DT).

Johansen works regularly with tradespeople 20 years or more his senior, and understands why some are frustrated with new technology.

His concern is that such features will make future technicians lazy when it comes to understanding the system. “The skill replacing traditional fault-finding skills is more IT based,” says Johansen. “And the better the technician can navigate around smart devices

“It has taken them decades to amass the knowledge to become adept in their field of expertise, and then along comes an app that does what they do but quicker,” he says. “Unfortunately for apprentices who can more easily log onto these devices, they lack the understanding that senior tradespeople have to beneficially interpret the information to successfully diagnose the faults.”

He says all tradespeople have brand preferences, but it is the TAFE teachers’ job to cater to employers’ needs above their own personal preferences. Because every brand is unique in terms of smart diagnosis, it can be a challenge. “There are so many brands and every brand has different fault codes,” Johansen says. “All we can do is teach the similarities and the basic foundation of the inverter boards that give the fault codes.” To this end, TAFE Queensland regularly sends its teachers to manufacturer-run, brand-specific training, so they are better equipped to answer apprentice questions during TAFE training. And Johansen strongly recommends technicians do the same. “If you work with a specific brand that utilises electronic control, you need specialist training. It is in your best interests – it reduces warranty claims and return trips on warranty jobs.” ■

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HVAC&R Nation

Legal Speak

UNLUCKY BREAK

You should report your injury to your employer as soon as possible casual workforce. WorkCover insurance is often referred to as “workers compensation” and its purpose is to ensure workers receive support via benefits and financial compensation as a result of a work related injury or illness. Different laws apply in each state and territory. For example, the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC Act) addresses what happens when a Victorian worker is injured or killed. It covers insurance, workers compensation, claims, rehabilitation, return to work and dispute resolution. The administration of workers compensation schemes differs slightly in each state and territory, so check in your location (see breakout).

Frank Gambera explains your legal position and what to do if you get injured at work. What should you do if you get injured while on the job? The good news is that there are options available for employees, contractors and sub‑contractors to claim compensation for workplace injuries. Claims can be made from WorkCover, directly with your employer (if they are self-insured and manage their own worker’s compensation claims process) and for common law damages.

WHAT COUNTS AS A WORKPLACE INJURY? The definition of a workplace injury is very broad, and can range from minor to severe. The types of injuries that workers may suffer due to an employer’s negligence can include neck and head injuries, head injuries, fractures or breaks, loss of body parts, amputations, loss of senses including hearing, smell, vision and touch, and psychological injuries. To count as a workplace injury, it must have happened as a result of work and/or during work hours or while travelling for work, or be a pre‑existing condition or disease that was caused or worsened by work or a work injury.

If you have been injured at work you will be entitled to compensation. These are “no-fault” schemes – you can still make a claim even if the accident was your fault.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM INJURED AT WORK? You should report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. You normally must notify your employer within 30 days of your accident. You should arrange an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. In order to claim compensation for weekly payments or medical expenses you should complete a Worker’s Injury Claim Form and give it to your employer together with a Certificate of Capacity from your doctor. The next step is making a claim through WorkCover. WorkCover is a compulsory insurance that covers all Australian works, providing protection against workplace related injuries or illnesses regardless of who is at fault. Most organisations must provide this insurance to their full-time, part-time and

CHECK YOUR REGS ACT: www.worksafe.act.gov.au NSW: www.workcover.nsw.gov.au NT: www.worksafe.nt.gov.au Qld: www.workcoverqld.com.au 22

HVAC&R Nation

SA: www.workcover.com Tas: www.workcover.tas.gov.au Vic: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au WA: www.workcover.wa.gov.au

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September 2019

In order to make a claim for common law injuries, a worker must prove that they have suffered a “serious injury” by an impairment assessment. If the 30 per cent impairment threshold is not reached, the worker may make an application for a serious injury certificate to the WorkCover authority (WorkCover). If there is no deemed “serious injury”, nor grant by WorkCover, then the matter must proceed to court where the plaintiff must satisfy the judge that their injury is a “serious injury” in accordance with the relevant legislation. If the worker has a deemed serious injury, they will be entitled to pursue damages for both pain and suffering and economic loss.

ARE CONTRACTORS AND SUBBIES COVERED? If contractors and subcontractors fall under the “worker” umbrella in the legislation they will be covered for workers compensation purposes, however, this may not be clear for everyone. For example, WorkSafe Victoria considers the whole relationship between the employer and the person doing the work to determine whether they are considered a “worker” and eligible for compensation in the event of a workplace injury. Subcontractors may need to take out their own insurance policy in the name of their business but should firstly contact their local WorkSafe or WorkCover organisation to check how they are covered in the context of their specific employment relationship. But whether you are an employee, contractor or sub-contractor, if you are injured on the job, there are options available to get compensation to cover the expenses related to your injury. ■

Frank Gambera is a director for McMahon Fearnley Lawyers Pty Ltd. Contact him on 03 9670 0966 or through www.mcmahonfearnley.com.au

The Industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First V R F H Y B R I D T E C H N O LO G Y

SWITCH TO

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIME

Mitsubishi Electric introduces NEW HVRF outdoor unit with R32 refrigerant.

Refrigerant Concentration Limit Reduces the need for refrigerant leak detection system.

For more information on our products please visit www.mitsubishielectric.com.au

Ideal Comfort

Less Refrigerant

Providing milder off coil temperatures using chilled water.

Refrigerant required only between the outdoor unit and HBC.

Phone:1300 280 625

September 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

AIRAH News

Award winners and finalists (L-R): Josh Aquaro, Lachlan Elliott, Anthony Filippakis, Stud.AIRAH, Dylan Biggins, Ben Winter, Stud.AIRAH, Jacob Adkin and Thomas Mergard.

SOUTHERN STARS It was a night for South Australia’s brightest apprentices to shine – and for the industry to celebrate. At the end of July, AIRAH held its annual SA Apprentice Awards to recognise up-and-coming professionals in South Australia’s HVAC&R sector. The event has become a fixture of the calendar in SA, partly for the recognition it gives to apprentices, but also for the opportunity it affords for industry to come together and let their hair down.

A HAPPY WINTER This year the Apprentice of the Year award went to Ben Winter, Stud.AIRAH, of Airmaster. He joined Airmaster in 2016 and assists in the maintenance operations at the Myer Centre in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall precinct. But Winter says he might never have gotten into the industry if it weren’t for a chance encounter with an HVAC tech while he was working on a car in his driveway.

ActronAir was the major sponsor of the night and provided a split system unit as a lucky door prize. Airefrig and Climat Commercial also provided sponsorship, and Air Diffusion and CPS donated tool vouchers as part of the prize packages.

“I was looking for a career change and he suggested an apprenticeship if I liked problem solving and if working behind a desk didn’t appeal to me,” Winter says. “I looked into the career opportunities and enrolled in a TAFE course shortly after.”

Andrew Downs from SAGE Automation appeared as a guest speaker. In a talk that resonated with the audience, he spoke about his own experience starting off as an electrical apprentice, then building a business out of his garage that now spans three continents. His main message was that you don’t need a university certificate to achieve great things – with hard work and application, you can work your way up.

You don’t need a university certificate to achieve great things – with hard work and application, you can work your way up are so many opportunities out there. The HVAC&R industry presents many options to someone starting an apprenticeship; whether it’s running their own business, spending 20 years learning everything about a specific brand or the chance for further education.” Winter says the hardest thing so far has been transitioning from working alongside a technician to working by himself. “The added responsibility to my employer and the customers, along with teaching and guiding apprentices working with me, was not without its challenges,” he says. “I try to live up to the high standards set by the technicians and managers that have and continue to help me.”

Now in the fourth year of his apprenticeship, Winter believes it has been a great move.

After the hard work he has put in over the past four years, winning the Apprentice of the Year Award was obviously a big moment.

“I like the variety that each day brings,” he says. “I might start with an early-morning fire test and finish by repairing an evaporative cooler or finding a water leak in a riser. I work mainly in commercial HVAC but there

“I felt incredibly surprised to be selected and having met the other nominees, honoured to win,” Winter says. “The industry has a strong future given the quality of people coming through the apprenticeship system.” ■

WINNERS Apprentice of the Year Ben Winter, Stud.AIRAH (Airmaster)

Runner-Up Apprentice of the Year Jacob Adkin (Applied Air Conditioning)

Encouragement Award Dylan Biggins (Retail FM Woolworths)

Airefrig Scholarship Award Josh Aquaro (Adelaide Commercial Refrigeration Services) The event was held at the Hackney Hotel. 24

HVAC&R Nation

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September 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Around the Nation 1

1 ARBS AWARDS ARE GO!

“Paddy has been here for the last three weeks and it has been very productive,” Balke said. “We have had fantastic support from Kirby, who have donated equipment listed for the competition. As we don’t know the layout of the system, we have been training with differing formats to simulate a ‘blind’ competition.”

The biggest exhibition in Australia’s HVAC&R industry is on again next year. ARBS is coming to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 19–21.

Brennan was raring to go for gold.

Those of you who have attended previous events will know that one of the highlights is the ARBS Industry Awards. The awards recognise excellence in Australia’s HVAC&R and building services industries across a range of areas. The accolades up for grabs are the Young Achiever Award, the Product Excellence Award, the Software/ Digital Excellence Award, the Project Excellence Award, the Outstanding Service and Maintenance Award, the Outstanding Industry Education/Training Award, and the ARBS Industry Hall of Fame. “The ARBS awards program continues to identify and showcase the skills, products and performance from within the HVAC&R and building services industry, while encouraging and congratulating the talent which sustains our industry,” says ARBS events organiser Sue Falcke.

“It emphasises our expertise in the spare parts business as well as our capability to provide excellent support for leading companies. JNG is committed to providing the very best spare parts distribution in the industry.”

As this issue of HVAC&R Nation went to print, Australian refrigeration and air conditioning WorldSkills champion Patrick Brennan was preparing for his tilt at the international WorldSkills tournament in Kazan, Russia.

The full range of ActronAir spare parts is available from JNG Australia. Next day delivery is available to most metropolitan areas.

Brennan’s trainer and mentor, Carl Balke, Affil.AIRAH, reported that the preparations had been intense. The pair were training full-time, from 7.30am to 4pm, five days a week at SkillsTech Acacia Ridge TAFE Queensland. www.airah.org.au/nation

HVAC&R Nation wishes Paddy the best of luck in the competition. For updates on his progress, check out www.hvacrnews.com.au ■

“We are very proud to add an Australian-owned manufacturer to the growing number of brands which JNG supports,” says the company.

2 PADDY POWER

Crowds of 250,000 people are expected – no pressure then!

According to JNG, the partnership promises to provide an excellent standard of spare parts distribution and knowledgeable and efficient customer service.

Go to www.arbs.com.au ■

HVAC&R Nation

The competition is slated for August 22–27.

Spare parts distributor JNG Australia has announced a new partnership with ActronAir and will be distributing the company’s spare parts.

Nominations are now open for the awards, so if you know of someone who deserves an award – or think you deserve one yourself – now is the time to speak up. Nominations close on November 15.

“To gain selection in the Skillaroos team and to represent Australia is a great honour,” he said. “I will give everything I have and more to make my family, my friends, my workplace, my town and my country proud.”

3 PART AND PARCEL

ARBS Industry Award winners will be honoured at a gala dinner on May 20.

For spare parts enquiries call JNG Australia 1300 553 000 or email spareparts@jng.com.au ■ |

September 2019

4 MIND YOUR BMCS Building services specialist A.G. Coombs has published an advisory note about building management control systems. “In modern buildings, building management and control systems (BMCS) are responsible for the operation of critical systems including air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, backup power supplies and, often, building security and access,” reads the note. “These critical systems can be let down by compromised computer systems. Microsoft ends support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7 operating systems on January 14, 2020. Release of software patches and support for security and performance issues for these operating systems will end. “If your operating system is affected, your BMCS platform could be at risk for cyber-attack, malware, and other threats. To keep your building secure, it is important to act.” Go to www.agcoombs.com.au/ news‑and‑publications/advisory-notes ■

5 LIFE’S GOOD FOR LINDA LG Electronics Australia has appointed Linda Louskos as the company’s marketing manager for air conditioning and mobile. Louskos brings significant experience to the role, most recently two years in the mobile division at Samsung Electronics in marketing. Before that, she was responsible for driving air conditioning marketing initiatives for both Fujitsu General and Daikin Australia. In her new role with LG, Louskos will lead the marketing and communications strategy for the company’s air conditioning and mobile categories. “It is a pleasure to join the team at LG Electronics Australia and work for such a reputable and internationally recognised company,” says Louskos. “I am looking forward to implementing my previous experience to driving and growing the company’s air conditioning and mobile marketing initiatives in Australia.”

Around the Nation 6

LG’s general manager of marketing Angus Jones has also applauded the appointment. “Linda brings a wealth of industry expertise to LG Australia and we are thrilled to welcome her fresh perspective and tenacity across the business,” Jones says. “Her exceptional track record and proven leadership capabilities will no doubt see her drive successful campaigns as an integral part of LG Electronics Australia.” Go to www.lg.com/au ■

6 APPRENTICES GET A $4K BOOST The Australian government is offering small businesses up to $4,000 to address industry skills shortages. The Additional Identified Skills Shortage (AISS) package offers up to $4,000 to eligible employers in small businesses, and $2,000 to new apprentices commencing a Certificate III or IV qualification on or after July 1, 2019. Air conditioning and refrigeration is one of 10 industries covered by the scheme, which aims to create and support up to 80,000 new apprenticeships over five years. Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Michaelia Cash, says the new incentive targets occupations with critical skills shortages. “The AISS is an important part of the Australian Government’s $525 million package Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow, an investment that will upgrade and modernise Australia’s VET sector and encourage more people to pursue a career in the skilled workforce.” The full eligibility requirements and a list of occupations eligible for the AISS can be accessed through Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers. The government is also lowering the age for eligibility for the Support for Adult Australian Apprentices incentive from 25 to 21 years for apprentices that commenced work from July 1. ■

7 COOL DESIGN

• Best performance in the first year of apprentice training – Jamison Michael Watts (Ant’s Airconditioning & Refrigeration)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has been recognised at the 61st annual Good Design Awards ceremony.

• Most deserving student in the second year of apprentice training – Lucas Pilot (Sodexo Remote Sites Australia) • Best performance in the second year of apprentice studies – Megan Sue Dixon (CMS Engineering)

The Avanti Plus split system air conditioner received a prestigious gold accolade in the product design category for outstanding design and innovation.

• Most deserving student in third year of apprentice training – Lorenzo Cecamore (Mechanical Project Services)

The Good Design Awards attracted a record number of submissions with close to 700 design projects evaluated in this year’s international design awards.

• Best performance in the third year of apprentice training – Kirsty Egerton (BurkeAir)

“We would like to thank Good Design Australia for this important accolade and we are both honoured and proud that our Avanti Plus unit has been recognised in this way,” says MHIAA managing director Yuji Ito. “We are committed to bringing Australian consumers the latest innovative products with improved features and energy efficiencies.” The award was presented to Ito as well as Hiroyuki Otake – general manager of technical division at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems in Japan – who flew to Australia on behalf of the MHI Group companies. Go to www.mhiaa.com.au ■

8 PRIDE OF THE WEST SIDE The 2019 winners of the West Australian Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Awards have been announced. A record crowd of more than 350 attendees came together at the new Westin Hotel Grand Ballroom in Perth. Adding a touch of history to proceedings, the venue stands on the same site where sponsor Baker Air Conditioning opened its first premises more than 80 years ago. Other supporters of the event included AMCA, AIRAH, South Metropolitan TAFE and the Alan Roberts Memorial Fund. The winners were: • Best Performance in Pre-Apprentice Studies – Oscar Phillip Holil (Australian HVAC Services) • Most deserving student in the first year of apprentice training – Dylan Gregory Moses (Centigrade Services)

• Best performance in Diploma studies – Mark Anthony Fuente (Heat Exchanger) • Refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice of the year – Christopher Kuek (Rankin Park) • Airefrig Australia scholarship award – Ryan Connor May (Southern Air) • Trainer of the Year – Burke Air (BSA) ■

9 WHAT IS A ZERL? You might have noticed a new type of label appearing on some air conditioners. The zoned energy rating label (ZERL) includes more detailed information to help customers choose the best air conditioner for their climate zone – and save money. The new labels will be mandatory on new models from April 1, 2020. To help industry understand the changes and explain them to consumers, free information sessions are being held around Australia. The sessions run for about two hours and cover why there has been a change to the label, how to read the new label and explain it to customers, the transition arrangements between the old and the new labels, and how retailers should display the label in store, including regulated responsibilities. The session will also cover questions that you might expect to get from customers. Morning tea is included. Some of the sessions will be over by the time you read this, but others are being held in early September. Communication materials are also being developed. Go to www.energyrating.gov.au/news ■

September 2019

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Green Wedge

ENERGY OUT OF THIN AIR? Well, not quite thin air, but in South Australia they are making a battery out of compressed air. The mine has been out of action since 2013, due to low zinc prices and yields. Now it is being repurposed by into a $30 million 5MW/10MWh fuel-free Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) facility – essentially a giant battery operating with air.

As we transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, one big challenge has appeared. Solar and wind systems generate enormous amounts of electricity, but not always at the times we need it. We often hit peak demand when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing.

So how does it work?

Cue the search for an efficient and sustainable energy storage system. Batteries have become larger and cheaper over the past decade, but they are still expensive – and contain materials that don’t really qualify as sustainable. Other solutions – such as thermal storage using phase change materials – show promise, but are yet to hit the mainstream.

At off-peak times, the system uses electricity from the grid to compress air and store it in an underground cavern. This is kept at constant pressure using hydrostatic head from a water column.

At the Angas Zinc Mine in Strathalbyn, about 60km outside Adelaide, a new kind of energy storage project is under construction.

At the same time, heat from the compressed air is collected and stored before the cooled air displaces water out of the cavern up to a water reservoir on the surface. When power is required, hydrostatic pressure forces the compressed air to the surface. There it is heated

Smoko with . . .

l.AIRAH Name: Kevin Navarro, Affi Company: Ellis Air

conditioning and Occupation: Apprentice air refrigeration technician ut working in HVAC&R? What’s the best thing abo views from the top of the No two days are the same, trades, using both your buildings, being a jack of all king people’s day better head and your hands, and ma R system operating. when you get their HVAC& d in the industry? How long have you worke Six months. piece mini bit set. Favourite tool: Bahco 26Handiest tool ever. ever received: Best on-the-job advice you r back. you n tha d hea r Better to use you HVAC&R industry, If you didn’t work in the I’d still be a sparky. what would you be doing? nt has been with What’s the happiest a clie generator running, your work? When I got the power restored for battery bank charging and ion/venue that a self-sufficient accommodat

HVAC&R Nation

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hosting had lost power and was also e. tim the at ion ept rec ng a weddi and the bride py hap y ver as nt w clie The came out and and groom of the wedding ks. drin offered me food and tinel Island. Dream holiday: North Sen the way What did you listen to on cast. pod to work today? The JRE nt: For my next birthday I wa ls trai the for bike dirt ew A n or some new tools. :

Favourite quote or saying “If all else fails, get a bigger hammer.”

September 2019

Banana Favourite smoko snack: a h wit s ffin and choc-chip mu e. latt double-shot … When I’m not working I’m ting ple com At the moment, my uni degree.

with the stored thermal energy and drives a turbine to generate electricity. The project is being built by Canadian company Hydrostor, with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the South Australian government’s Renewable Technology Fund. “Compressed air storage has the potential to provide similar benefits to pumped hydro energy storage,” says ARENA CEO Darren Miller. “However, it has the added benefits of being flexible with location and topography, such as utilising a cavern already created at a disused mine site.” It would also make a useful addition to a solar or wind farm, to store energy for times of peak demand. Watch this (ahem) space. ■

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September 2019

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5/8/19 2:45 pm | 29

HVAC&R Nation

The Lighter Side This month’s Lighter Side brought to you by:

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Visit apacair.com.au for more information

1 WINNER

1 WATCH YOUR HEAD!

Patrick got a weekend call-out after a building manager tried to reset this chiller himself. “Needless to say, I found the problem,” says Patrick.

2 IFFY SPLIT

“I guess they lost their hammer drill,” says Cameron, who came across this set-up in Brisbane. Apparently, the installer made the hole big enough so the door could still open. Looks like a special arrangement for the power supply too.

3 CRAZY DRAIN

“Found this condensate drain when carrying out a ducted service,” says Aidan in Queensland. “All I could say was wow!”

4 CAUGHT ON TAPE

Steve in Queensland was called out to inspect this new unit. When he moved the ceiling tile he found the previous contractor had re-used the existing return air-transition plenum and used silver tape to cover the exposed coil. “In addition, the isolator was mounted to the condensing unit (illegal), none of the flexi-ducts were secured to the spigots, there was no safety tray, and the drain looked more like a rollercoaster track,” says Steve.

5 PERFECT FIT

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen – or just hang a high-wall split anywhere you can. Thanks to Rob in WA for the pic.

HAVE YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING SCARY, UGLY OR JUST PLAIN FUNNY? If your entry is deemed the monthly winner, a 700ml bottle of Jim Beam will be on its way to your door. Please include a postal address with your entry. Entrants must be 18 or over. Send your hi-res (>500KB) photos to Editor, Mark Vender at mark.vender@airah.org.au

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September 2019

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September 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

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