Global Update

UK

REFRIGERANT CRIME TRACKER

Refrigerant gases have now been added to the Global Environmental Crime Tracker, and initiative of the UK-headquartered Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). “We are now seeing a surge of illicit trade in climate-wrecking hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),” the EIA says. “HFCs were introduced as replacements to their ozone-destroying predecessors but are now being phased down in efforts to combat climate change, with the European Union’s F-Gas Regulation an example of early action.” Developed with the EIA’s Intelligence Team, the global refrigerant seizure tracker contains information dating back to 2001.

“Seizure data is collated from news reports, data submitted to the Montreal Protocol and direct communications with governments and enforcement authorities,” the EIA says. “The interactive dashboard and live mapping allow users to zero in on precisely the information they want, such as refrigerant type, exporting country and smuggling method.

“And because we believe in sharing information to bolster awareness and enforcement efforts around the world, we’ve made the tracker free to use and accessible for everyone, from fellow environmental campaigners to journalists and the public.” ■

SWITZERLAND

HYDROCARBONS AT HOME?

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has revised its safety standard to allow larger charges of flammable refrigerants in household appliances such as air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. The move could open the way for greater use of low-GWP flammable refrigerants such as hydrocarbons in residential air conditioning.

The standard in question is Standard IEC 60335-2-40, which deals with the safety of electric heat pumps.

“The new edition of IEC 60335-2-40 will enable R290 to be used in many AC and heat-pump systems which were previously blocked from using this refrigerant by the outdated version,” says Asbjørn Vonsild, the convenor of the IEC working group. “This will enable a thousand-fold reduction in direct climate emissions compared with systems using R410A.” The new edition of the standard allows the use of larger charges if additional mitigation measures, such as refrigerant sensors and circulation fans, are in place. It also introduces a new method for calculating maximum charge by taking into consideration design features that will prevent the escape of refrigerant. ■

US

BEHIND THE SCREEN DOOR

In shades of dystopian science fiction films such Blade Runner and Minority Report, thousands of US supermarkets have replaced their clear fridge and freezer doors with opaque doors featuring iPad-like screens showing what’s inside.

Developed by the startup Cooler Screens, the doors use a system of motion sensors and cameras to display the fridge and freezer contents. They also show product information, prices, deals, and advertisements.

The tech provides shops with an additional revenue stream and a way to modernise the shopping experience. Using facial recognition and other smarts, the screens can serve ads to consumers based on variables such as the approximate age the technology believes they are, their gender, and the weather. But the new fridge technology has received a frosty reception.

“Why would [they] do this?” one shopper posted on social media. “Who on God’s green Earth thought this was a good idea?”

“The digital cooler screens … made me watch an ad,” tweeted another irate shopper, “before it allowed me to know which door held the frozen pizzas.” ■

WORLD

COOLING ON THE MENU

World Refrigeration Day is coming up on June 26!

To celebrate, a new initiative has been launched to explain cooling’s essential role in protecting human health and the planet. The Cooling Keeps Food Fresh campaign will describe why cooling is necessary for food safety and how it supports nutritious diets that sustain our health, help reduce food loss and waste, and protect the environment.

Central to the campaign is the support of Chefs4thePlanet – an international community of chefs from around the world who are concerned about the impact of food on our planet and our health.

Leading chefs from around the world – including Chefs4thePlanet co-founders Anne Le More and Sebastien Ripari – have signed on to the campaign. They will describe how cooling is necessary for their locally inspired cuisine. The chefs’ recipes will be accompanied by tips educating consumers on the cooling choices they can make in their home to save money, prolong the life of products, and understand how food waste and loss contribute to climate change. ■

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COUNTDOWN TO ARBS

Returning to Melbourne in August is ARBS 2022, Australia’s only international air conditioning, refrigeration and building services trade exhibition.

The ARBS Seminar Program always serves up excellent information.

One of the most influential events in the HVAC&R and building services calendar, ARBS 2022 is a welcome return for the industry. It is set to host over 200 exhibitors, a renowned industry awards program and a comprehensive seminar presentation series.

With a focus on emerging trends and technologies – including smart IoT solutions, automation and control, refrigerants, energy efficiency and sustainability – ARBS 2022 will reconnect global exhibitors and leading industry experts with contractors, consultants, engineers, technicians, and trades. The goal is to showcase the most extensive range of HVAC&R and building services solutions in the southern hemisphere.

BOOK IT IN!

Registration is now open, is free, and grants entry into the exhibition across all three days. The organisers say that registering in advance is the smart way to avoid the queues as the ticket is sent directly to your mobile phone or email.

For more information and to register visit www.arbs.com.au.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Running in conjunction with the exhibition is the ARBS Seminar Program. These sessions explore the latest advances and best practice methodologies within the HVAC&R industry. Highlights include:

Ashak Nathwani AM, ARBS Education & Research Foundation, University of Sydney: Role of HVAC in detecting and eliminating COVID-19 infections in indoor settings. With COVID-19 dominating our industry for the past two years, this insightful presentation will outline the tests carried out at the Australian National Maritime

In 2018, water treatment experts Hydrochem won the ARBS Software/Digital Excellence Award. Museum by ventilation professionals from ARBS Education & Research Foundation, in association with researchers from University of Sydney. The tests simulated airborne aerosol (SARS-CoV-2) dispersion from an infectious person, namely Laura - the breathing thermal manikin (one of a kind in Australia), who exhaled the tracer gas: nitrous oxide.

Seagren, M.AIRAH, Fantech: The application of HVAC equipment in commercial Passive House projects. This presentation will provide attendees with a simple understanding of Passive House design and construction and examine how this impacts HVAC equipment selection. It will discuss the importance of equipment test data for acceptance and outline some typical examples. It will also provide valuable installation considerations for contractors.

Noel Munkman, M.AIRAH, the Australian Refrigeration Council: What’s happening to refrigeration and air conditioning trade training? Participants in this session will better understand the national training system and where the refrigeration and air conditioning Industry fits into it. Munkman will cover the main changes in the recently revised RAC qualifications, skills sets and competencies contained in the national UEE Electrotechnology Training Package, including the latest refrigerants, standards and technologies.

ARBS 2022 AWARDS

For more than 12 years, ARBS has recognised and celebrated talent from within the HVAC&R and building services industry with its Industry Awards program. A panel of industry experts evaluate and select the finalists based on various criteria such as leadership, sustainability, performance, and origination. The winners will be announced and honoured at a gala dinner on August 17 at the Crown Palladium.

ARBS 2022 YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD

■ Grace Foo, M.AIRAH – DeltaQ ■ Myles Bradley – Outback Tradies ■ Richard Phillips – Exergenics

ARBS 2022 PRODUCT EXCELLENCE AWARD

■ Danfoss Turbocor and Smardt Chillers – High Lift

Oil Free Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller ■ EVO MEP – 21m Vertical Riser with

Ducting and Refrigerant Gas Services ■ Temperzone – Econex

ARBS 2022 PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARD

■ Glaciem Cooling – Advancing Renewables with PCM Thermal Energy Storage ■ A.G. Coombs and Aurecon – 25 King St, Brisbane ■ McClintock Engineering –

Gatton Central Energy Plant

ARBS 2022 OUTSTANDING EDUCATION AND TRAINING AWARD

■ AMCA Australia – Building Ventilation Summit ■ Superior Training Centre –

Flammable Refrigerants Training ■ AMCA Australia – AMCA Australia

ARBS 2022 SOFTWARE/DIGITAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

■ Exergenics – exOptima ■ Crowley Carbon – Clarity ■ CopperTree Analytics – Kaizen

ARBS 2022 HALL OF FAME

■ AIRAH – Gwen Gray, L.AIRAH ■ AMCA – Chris Wright, M.AIRAH ■ CIBSE – Ian Small ■ AREMA – Ken Ball ■ RACCA – Noel Munkman, M.AIRAH ■ AIRAH – Simon Hill, L.AIRAH

NEED TO KNOW

ARBS 2022 notes that it takes the health and safety of its exhibitors, attendees, and staff seriously and will operate with a valid Victorian Government COVIDSafe Plan.

Where

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)

Exhibition dates

August 16–18, 2022

Register

www.arbs.com.au

Cost

Exhibition Free of charge, trade visitors only Seminars Costs to be advised with final program Awards Presentation Dinner Costs to be advised.