HVACR News October-November 2022

HVAC&R News 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/hvacrnews

GOING BANANAS

This issue’s cover story brought back some memories. Before moving to Melbourne at the end of 2014, I lived for four years in a pueblo (town) in rural Colombia. By Aussie standards it’s actually pretty big – about 150,000 people – but it has what you would call a village vibe. Everyone seems to know everyone, and you can’t walk three blocks without stopping for four or five conversations.

It’s in a banana region, meaning that the local economy is built on the plantations in the area. I’ll never forget the first time I arrived, descending in a small plane, looking out of the window and seeing that sea of green fronds.

A few of my in-laws and neighbours worked on the plantations. For a few months I taught English classes to the workers and their families. Most locals work

on or for the farms, so you definitely know when it’s payday. Just listen for how noisy the bars are!

Living in the town, I felt privileged to get a glimpse of this other world. And while I was reading this issue’s cover story on the refrigeration system used in a banana-ripening facility, it struck me that this happens a lot for people who work in HVAC&R.

In the time I’ve been editing this publication, we’ve done stories about HVAC&R systems for chocolate factories, barramundi farms, meat processing plants, motorsport facilities, international transport systems, hospitals, and plantations (of course) – just to name a few.

We often talk about the fact that heating and cooling are everywhere, even though most people don’t realise it. As a result of that, our industry gets VIP access to practically every type of facility that exists. And if you have to design or install an HVAC&R system for one of these facilities, odds are you will come to understand it in great detail.

I hope you enjoy this issue’s dive into of the world of banana production and refrigeration. We look forward to exploring plenty of other worlds, in future editions.

■

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

Gwen

Ken

Simon

1

Dwyer adds options

Dwyer Instruments has announced that its Series MSX Magnesense Differential Pressure Transmitter now has optional BACnet and Modbus communications, available immediately for use in building control applications.

This option is selectable for the MSX under the optional feature designated as -COM. The option allows the MSX to communicate via selectable Modbus or BACnet communication.

Dwyer says that for building pressure measurement applications, the Series MSX combines the stability and versatility of the original Series MS2 Magnesense II transmitter.

Product applications include the monitoring of filters in air handler units, building pressure in pharmaceutical/ semiconductor clean rooms, duct static pressure in commercial buildings, and air velocity/flow in VAV systems.

Go to www.dwyer-inst.com.au ■

2 Return of the MACH

Reliable Controls has released an updated version of its popular MACH-ProView LCD controller.

“The MACH-ProView LCD is a freely programmable BACnet building controller and BACnet operator display that provides attractive, customisable, high-resolution graphical interfaces facility managers can use to access, monitor, and control the comfort and energy performance of any space,” the firm says.

Reliable Controls decided to redesign the MACH-ProView LCD after learning one of the processors it depended on was no longer available.

Redesigning the MACH-ProView LCD gave the company an opportunity to improve controller performance in several meaningful ways, with a new processor, new memory, and other revisions.

“Start-up time is almost half that of the previous version of the controller,” the firm says. “Users can switch themes 10 times faster; and EQUIPMENTview – a customisable screen view that lets users display and access objects on the LCD –performs much more efficiently.”

Go to reliablecontrols.com/sales/ ■

3 Go with the Aroflo

Job management software platform AroFlo has added new functionality to its digital equipment for HVAC business owners.

“The new Request for Quotes feature is designed for HVAC professionals who rely on contractors, making it easier for them to organise labour faster and secure the best price for materials,” the firm says.

The new functionality allows trade professionals to tender contract work from within AroFlo by sending the requirements for a specific job to multiple contractors, requesting a quote. AroFlo says this cuts administration time and allows for an easy comparison of labour quotes and better prices on each job. This also applies to transactions with wholesalers or other suppliers.

The Request for Quotes system also interacts with AroFlo’s other core functionality, simplifying the process of generating a work order from an accepted quote, and pushing the data across to an accounting package.

AroFlo’s CEO Guy Arrowsmith calls the new Request for Quotes infrastructure “a huge win for HVAC professionals”.

4 Classic cassette

Daikin has a new addition to its VRV Round Flow Cassette range: the Round Flow Cassette with Sensing and Streamer.

According to Daikin, Streamer technology is the company’s latest advancement in integrated purification, effectively optimising indoor air quality for the comfort, wellbeing and productivity of building occupants.

“Built into the cassette, the Streamer emits a plasma discharge generating high-speed electrons that produce powerful oxidative decomposition capabilities,” says the company.

“This process actively removes bacteria, formaldehyde and odours and eliminates up to 99.6 per cent of pollen, mould and allergens from the air.”

The new cassette was designed with presence and floor temperature sensors to control and monitor both airflow and temperature distribution in the occupied space. The round flow design distributes air evenly across 360 degrees.

“Daikin’s new Round Flow Cassette with Sensing and Streamer features sophisticated sensing capability and Daikin’s marketleading Streamer technology built into the unit,” says Daikin National Commercial Manager Simon Langstaff, Affil.AIRAH. “Providing a higher level of comfort and indoor air quality than previous models, the new model takes advantage of the energy-efficiency benefits cassettes offer while maintaining a higher focus on occupant comfort.”

Go to www.daikin.com.au ■

5 Testo’s two‑in‑one sensor

“From small system to industrial plant – the new range of leak detectors covers all requirements and areas of application,” says Testo of the firm’s new 316 series. “A real-world first is the combined two-in-one sensor in the Testo 316-EX-2 for gas and refrigerant detection.

“All instruments of the new 316 series are equipped with attention-grabbing multiple LEDs, and visual as well as audible alarms, thus guaranteeing maximum safety. Additional time savings are provided by the sensor’s self-test and automatic zeroing, as well as the PPM display and documentation via the connected testo Smart App.

“Leaks can also be detected particularly reliably in fine mode using the expert functions, with the most common gas types being identified automatically.”

Go to testo.com.au ■

6 RY B is A OK

Air Odour Solutions’ RY-B series power pack has undergone a series of new performance tests.

“Our electrostatic air cleaners have been shown to have the highest power pack efficiency on the market,” says the company.

According to Air Odour Solutions, the RY-B series power pack has been further voltage tested and is electrically certified to AS/NZ60335.1 for market safety. The goal of this kilo voltage test was to measure the power pack’s voltage. The independent test results were low-voltage 8.6Kv max and high-voltage 15.6Kv max, for Ryd Air electrostatic air cleaners.

The power pack contains the necessary components to convert customer-provided input power to the high-voltage DC required for the ioniser and collection cell, which is a critical component in the electrostatic air cleaner for removing visible smoke, grease and oil in the kitchen exhaust airstream.

Go to www.aosaus.com.au ■

LG Electronics Australia has launched its new commercial air purifier, designed to improve and maintain the air quality of commercial indoor environments.

With a capacity of up to 158m², the new commercial LG Air Purifier is aimed at large commercial settings. The company says it is an efficient solution that is designed to help maintain the air quality of indoor environments by responding to changes as people traffic through the locations for long hours of operation.

“In Australia, there is a growing awareness about outdoor air pollution and the potential impact on our health,” says Andrew Barron, Head of Air Solution, LG Electronics Australia. “Similarly, with many of us spending a substantial proportion of our time indoors, from a commercial perspective, LG finds it essential to consider the quality of indoor air and how it can be managed and maintained.

“Our new Air Purifier is a solution for commercial buildings that can draw in polluted air, remove it via a large-capacity filter, and release clean air.”

Go to www.lg.com/au ■

8 Milieu Labs in control

With the goal of designing a better controller, Australian firm Milieu Labs was formed in March 2020. It has now launched its first patented product, the Milieu Climate Smart Thermostat.

Engineered in Australia, the controller has been designed for a broad range of heating and cooling systems. This includes ducted reverse-cycle systems, ducted gas heating, ducted gas heating with add-on cooling, VRF and multi-head systems.

“Achieving such a broad range of compatibility was a challenge, as there’s no standard interface for all AC brands out there,” says CEO Kevin Mundy, Affil.AIRAH. “Australia isn’t like the US where most of the systems all use the standard 24VAC control system. Australia does have 24VAC systems, but most brands have their own proprietary control system, so you need a different solution for each brand.”

The unit comes with the Milieu Climate mobile app, allowing users to control up to eight properties with up to eight air conditioners per property for a total of 64 systems. Go to www.milieulabs.com.au/ ■

GERMANY

CANADA

CLANCY OF THE OVER-GO

Australia’s Tom Clancy is set to travel to Germany’s Nuremberg in October to compete in the WorldSkills international competition at the giant Chillventa exhibition.

The scheduling of the competition came as welcome news for Clancy, who was due to compete in WorldSkills Shanghai, until that event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

“It’s an honour to be representing Australia at a refrigeration expo over in Germany,” Clancy says. “Chillventa itself is five times as big as ARBS, so I’m thrilled to get to go.”

Last month Clancy travelled from his home in Perth to Melbourne for a test run at ARBS 2022, the first time he had performed in front of a crowd.

“You just go into your own zone and get the work done,” he says of managing the pressure. “All your work normally is in front of people, so you just keep doing a good job, keep your work to a high standard, and you can’t go wrong.”

Chillventa is slated from October 10–13. ■

SPAIN

AC PAIN IN SPAIN

Spain’s government has declared that public places such as shopping malls, theatres, train stations and airports must set air conditioners at or above 27°C. Private homes are recommended but not required to do the same.

Shops must keep doors closed and turn lights off in windows after 10pm, and public places are required to keep heaters at or below 19°C in the winter.

The government says the decree “lays out a series of measures to save energy and use it more efficiently, which are urgent and necessary when it comes to reducing energy consumption in general, and reducing our dependence on energy outside the Spanish economy”.

Although Spain does not rely on Russian gas, the move was intended to show solidarity with other parts of Europe that may be affected by supply issues.

The measures were declared in the midst of a particularly hot European summer that increased energy demands, and set new record temperatures. A July heatwave saw more than 1,000 heat-related deaths in Spain and Portugal. ■

LICENCE TO KRILL

Researchers from the University of Toronto have created a new, low-cost “optofluidic” system that could help buildings save energy by dynamically changing their exteriors’ appearance.

The research is inspired by marine life such as krill, shrimp and crabs, which can respond to their surroundings.

Because most façades are static, they often let in too much heat or cold, meaning HVAC systems must work harder to moderate temperature.

The researchers developed a prototype optofluidic cell consisting of a 1mm layer of mineral oil sandwiched between two transparent sheets of plastic. Water containing a pigment or dye is injected via a tube, creating a “bloom” of colour. A digital pump controls the shape of the bloom, and the water volume determines size.

Computer models have simulated how an automated system using the cells compares to one that uses motorised blinds or electrochromic windows.

The result? The system reduces the energy required for HVAC and lighting by up to 30 per cent compared to other options. ■

USA

H2O THE WAY TO GO?

A multidisciplinary team at Harvard University is working on a design for a new type of air conditioner that it says uses a fraction of the energy typically needed by current models. The device uses water in place of refrigerants.

Dubbed ColdSNAP (SNAP stands for “superhydrophobic nano-architecture process”), the design incorporates a coating that, inspired by how duck feathers stay dry, repels liquids. The team applied the coating to certain places on ceramic, and then used it in a new type of evaporative cooler, which can work in environments that aren’t always dry.

When water evaporates to cool the air, a heat-exchange component made with the coating traps the humidity, and the air flowing into a room is more comfortable.

“We’re cooling at a much higher efficiency than a typical AC unit,” says Harvard University Professor Jonathan Grinham. “We’re able to achieve a cool temperature, and we’re able to do all that using less water than standards ask for.” ■

HOT CONCEPTS

Keeping people safe during the planet’s ever-growing extreme heat events was the main objective of the recent Cooling Solutions Challenge run by the US Department of Homeland Security. Louise Belfield reports.

According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Earth will warm by more than 1.5°C and 2°C during the 21st century unless deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming decades.

There will be more frequent hot and fewer cold temperature extremes, and the net damage costs of climate change are likely to be significant and continue to increase over time, says the IPCC.

In Australia, research by the CSIRO and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology supplied to Climate Change in Australia (www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au) suggest that here:

• Hot days will become more frequent and hotter Sea levels will rise

• Oceans will become more acidic

• Snow depths will be shallower Extreme rainfall events will become more intense

• Drought will increase over southern Australia.

The research goes on to present more dire warnings, but one thing is certain: there is clear evidence our Earth is warming rapidly, and will continue to do so, even if we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The catch-22 is that as the world becomes warmer, people strive to be cooler, and they usually do this by turning on, and up, their air conditioners.

And so the cycle continues, as these air conditioners consume large amounts of electricity and the refrigerants often contribute to global warming.

Clearly, we need to act. The words attributed to Albert Einstein can well be applied to our global crisis: “The world is a dangerous place, not because

of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS

In the US in June 2021, more than 2,500 people sought emergency treatment for heat-related illness in America’s north-western states, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Extreme heat events remain the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decided it would not be among those who look on and do nothing.

“Promoting national resilience against many threats associated with climate change, including extreme heat, is a US Department of Homeland Security priority,” says Kathleen Kenyon, DHS prize competitions program manager with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate.

Extreme heat events remain the leading cause of weatherrelated deaths in the US

Accept

“In addition to weather-related deaths, the rise in global temperatures produces extreme weather conductive to wildfires, flooding, and hurricanes and can cause cascading effects to critical infrastructure.”

So, in September 2021, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched the inaugural Cooling Solutions Challenge as the first in a series of prize challenges focusing on national climate resilience.

“Prize challenges help DHS engage citizen inventors in solving tough homeland security challenges, so we started the US$195,000 (AU$283,000) prize competition to find climate-friendly cooling solutions to counter extreme heat,” says Kenyon.

“It’s an important part of the DHS’ climate resilience strategy to prepare for and help everyday Americans during extreme heat events like those sweeping the US this summer.”

The challenge was designed to spark creativity and engage the public in finding unique ideas and solutions, Kenyon says.

“It had two stages centred around finding cooling solutions in four categories: first responders, personal use, households, and larger populations in indoor/outdoor venues.

“In the first stage, 13 finalists had interesting ways to counter extreme heat and received US$5,000 (AU$7,250). Those finalists moved to the winner round, with one grand winner receiving US$50,000 (AU$72,500) and one runner-up receiving US$25,000 (AU$36,300).

“Winners in four categories received US$10,000 (AU$14,500) each and one honourable mention won US$5,000 (AU$7,250).”

To keep the innovations on track, the DHS will continue to work with the winners to help them develop their solutions.

At this stage, the challenge is open only to US citizens, those with permanent residence, or US entities.

warm, humid air

water removed from air

warm, concentrated desiccant

Dehumidifier Subsystem Evaporative Cooling Subsystem

warm, dry air

cool, dry air

cool, highly concentrated desiccant

Desiccant Regeneration System

hot, dilute desiccant cool, dilute desiccant

hot, humid exhaust air Water Exhaust

Dehumidifier water exhausted

warm, humid outdoor air

How the Zephyr Innovation system works.

THE SELECTION CRITERIA

The judging was done in two stages, Kenyon explains.

“The first was based on how well the solution addresses the problem, how unique it is, how it benefits the four categories, how the technology will be used, the potential trade-offs, and the business model,” she says.

“In the second stage, the proposed solutions needed to address all the judging criteria in the first stage and were also judged on cooling capacity, energy usage, water consumption, emissions, refrigerant, ease of operation, affordability, regulatory compliance, and how it applied to the four categories.

“We received great entries and the judges from DHS, FEMA, S&T and the private sector reviewed each of them thoroughly.”

The judges even changed the “runner-up” award to “most innovative solution” and added US$5,000 (AU$7,250) to the prize money because they were so impressed by the winning entry in this category.

Scoring the highest in all judging criteria was Zephyr Innovations, for its ultra-efficient air conditioning via liquid desiccant dehumidification and evaporative cooling solution.

The innovation is a cooling system that uses a compressor-free/refrigerant-free technology to significantly reduce energy consumption and the associated emissions, and earned the business the grand prize of US$50,000 (AU$72,500).

“Space cooling is no longer a luxury, but a necessity,” says Jacob Miller, CTO of Zephyr Innovations.

“Today, nearly three billion people lack adequate access to cooling and face increased risk of heat stress and related health disorders.

“Access to cooling supports higher productivity, positive health outcomes, and enhanced economic development.

“A warming planet, increasing population, urbanisation, and income growth are leading to a dramatic acceleration in space cooling equipment deployment.”

However, as Miller points out, because of its high energy intensity, comfort cooling is becoming one of the largest risks to the climate.

Miller has long been interested in developing novel, first-of-kind thermal solutions that drive down energy usage to benefit both the user and the climate.

“I’ve worked in the HVAC&R space for over a decade, primarily in a research capacity but also in executing larger projects,” he says.

“I led the design of the customised, high-efficiency 80 MWp (megawatts peak) chilled water plant for the Tesla Gigafactory Nevada site, and in 2019 I was motivated by the Global Cooling Prize (GCP) competition to develop an air conditioner with a 5x lower climate impact.” (Ed’s note: see HVAC&R Nation, June 2021.)

“As a GCP finalist, I kicked off my current effort, culminating in a new concept, new company, and new motivation to deliver sustainable cooling.”

From

left, Zephyr Innovations founders Ronn Kliger and Jacob Miller, with summer engineering intern Luisa Guarco.

Zephyr Innovations’ approach to air conditioning is driven by the desire to lessen its impacts on global warming, says Miller.

This means addressing two shortcomings in existing air conditioners – the use of vapour compressor and the use of refrigerants.

“Vapour compressors are, by far, the largest consumer of energy in an air conditioning system,” he says.

“Eliminating these power-hungry devices would make air conditioners much more energy efficient and reduce the demand for electricity –frequently generated by burning fossil fuels.”

The refrigerants in air conditioners also contribute to global warming when they leak from air conditioners or are improperly disposed of at end of life, Miller explains. Creating an air conditioner that does not require a refrigerant eliminates this environmental threat.

Zephyr Innovations achieved this by separating the dehumidification and the cooling functions of an air conditioner.

“The cooling is achieved in a well-known, highly efficient manner via evaporative cooling,” says Miller. “When water is exposed to dry, warm air it evaporates, absorbing heat from the air to generate water vapour, thereby reducing the air temperature.

It impressed the judges so much that they increased the prize money from US$20,000 to US$25,000 (from AU$29,000 to AU$36,300) and changed the award name from “Runner-up”.

Small World Sciences CEO Don Chernoff says his innovation originally came to him while playing tennis on a very hot day.

Sitting in the cool of the shade that day, it got him wondering why it is that someone can be comfortable in shade even when the high temperature and humidity is the same in the shade as out of it.

“That’s when I realised that the sun can add about 10°C of heat to the body via infrared radiation, and that current ‘cooling’ clothing does nothing to block or reflect this extra heat load,” Chernoff says.

government who are concerned about global warming and working on solutions to help.”

And because Chernoff was starting a research project with NC State University college of textiles to develop his revolutionary clothing idea and needed funds to advance the research, entering the Cooling Solution Challenge was a no-brainer.

“This challenge recognises the need for people to adapt and provides funds for research, and I needed funds to be able to move forward with my idea,” he says.

“We are still in the R&D phase and just starting the research, trying to figure out the best approach. But the idea is to block or reflect the infrared heat from the sun, using fibres, before it reaches the skin or the roof of a building and conducts that heat to the body or that structure.

“We’re trying to do something that hasn’t been done before, so we need to figure it out, and that takes time and money. Once we figure it out, assuming we do, we need people to accept it and use it.

“I think if we achieve our goal people will be lining up for it.”

Chernoff says it was this year’s heatwave at the Australian Open (AO) in particular that really motivated him to work harder on the project.

As a tennis player himself, he empathised with the players. Chernoff plans to have tennis players be the first to try out his fabric when it is ready.

“I’d love to talk to the AO tournament directors about how they plan on dealing with increasing heat and if they think our technology might help them,” he says.

“But evaporative cooling requires dry air as an input, which is problematic in humid regions such as Sydney,” he adds.

To address that, Zephyr’s winning Ultra Efficient Air Conditioner (UEAC) has a dehumidifier that kicks in before the cooler and removes the moisture from the incoming air so that dry air is provided to the cooler.

The dehumidifier uses a liquid desiccant, which absorbs moisture from the incoming air using a chemical process that does not require power, Miller says.

“This liquid is then circulated through a regeneration system, the primary power consumer in our system, which exhausts this moisture to the outside air and reconcentrates the desiccant so that it can be re -used in the dehumidifier.”

Zephyr Innovations is still in the early stages of development and has many challenges ahead.

“These challenges include verifying the material properties of the liquid desiccant,” says Miller, “its interactions and behaviour in our dehumidifier and regeneration system, optimising the designs of our subsystems, and no doubt various other things we are not anticipating.”

Miller hopes to be able to demonstrate a working prototype by the end of 2023.

MADE IN THE SHADE

The Most Innovative Solution winner in the Cooling Solutions Challenge was Small World Sciences, for its improved cooling textiles solution for clothing, solar shades, and temporary structures.

So, he started looking around for technology that could be used to make clothes that would make him feel as if he was in the shade.

“Global warming is a big problem that will only get bigger,” Chernoff says.

“We need better ways for people to adapt to it, so it was great to discover there were people in

“I would love to see players at the AO wearing clothing with our technology to keep them cooler and healthier on the court.

“I’d expect pro athletes to be the early adopters; then the general population would see how it helps athletes and they would use it more widely and in other ways we hadn’t even thought of.”

Chernoff is working towards having the fabric ready in a year or two. ■

SNAPSHOT: THE WINNERS

ULTRA-EFFICIENT AIR CONDITIONING

The grand prize winner of the Cooling Solutions Challenge was Zephyr Innovations for its Ultra-Efficient Air Conditioning via Liquid Desiccant Dehumidification and Evaporative Cooling system.

A cooling solution that uses a compressor-free/ refrigerant-free technology to significantly reduce energy consumption and the associated emissions, this entry scored the highest across the board in all judging criteria.

Potential benefits of the Ultra-Efficient Air Conditioning are a cost-effective, highly energy efficient, and climate -friendly solution that could replace conventional HVAC systems in buildings.

This would reduce the negative energy and environmental impacts from current and future cooling demands, and make it easier to adapt and transition to greener HVAC solutions.

IMPROVED COOLING TEXTILES FOR CLOTHING, SOLAR SHADES AND TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

The Most Innovative Solutions Winner was Small World Sciences for its Improved Cooling Textiles solution.

The goal of Small World Sciences is to develop fabrics that can be mass produced and used in products such as temporary structures, outdoor shading, window shading, roofing materials, or clothing for assets or personnel that are exposed to extreme heat.

These fabrics could provide a cooling benefit that is affordable, easy to use, and good for the environment. They could also help people adopt greener solutions and reduce their climate footprint. ■

Vapour compressors are, by far, the largest consumer of energy in an air conditioning system

Small World Sciences CEO Don Chernoff

Skills summary

■ What?

An overview of the theory and fundamentals behind the science of airflow, as it relates to ducted air distribution systems.

■ Who?

Relevant for anyone involved in the process of testing, adjusting and balancing air systems within the HVAC&R industry.

Determining the airflow in a duct network

FUNDAMENTALS OF AIRFLOW IN DUCTS

The objective of most HVAC air distribution applications is to circulate air through a ductwork system to deliver air at terminal units or to exhaust air from the building, or parts of a building.

Pressure is required to overcome the duct system losses (air resistance) and make the air flow. Losses can be due to friction within the duct, fittings and components, or the pressure needed to overcome the existing pressure in a room or space, or the pressure needed to create a pressure differential between two areas.

Successful design relies on good installation, and if an installation is not good practice, then added air resistances will need to be overcome, increasing running costs for the life of the system.

This Skills Workshop provides an overview of the theory and fundamentals behind the science of airflow, as it relates to ducted air distribution systems.

Constantvolume system

The air quantity in each duct is the sum of the air quantity in the downstream ducts

There are various steps to take when determining the airflows in a ductwork system.

1. Establish airflows for each terminal outlet

2. Establish cumulative air quantities for each duct section; each branch, sub-duct and main duct, back through the system towards the fan

3. Account for diversity (see Applying airflow diversity) in the air quantities as appropriate to the system operation.

This will result in a mud map schematic of every duct, sub-duct and grille/ terminal unit, and its corresponding design airflow rate.

Terminal units

The starting point in any ductwork system balancing process is establishing the air quantities to be delivered by each terminal unit.

Note: A terminal unit is the air delivery unit located at the end of a duct run/ air pathway. A terminal unit could be a supply register, chilled beam nozzle, fan coil unit or VAV terminal, any air delivery component or unit.

These air quantities will have been calculated by system designers, for each individual space served by the system, based on the space air conditioning/thermal comfort requirements or ventilation needs (or both).

Branch and main ducts

When calculating air quantities for branch and main ducts, the procedure is to work backwards from terminal outlets towards the central plant/fan, adding quantities from each terminal unit (louvre, VAV terminal, induction unit, grille, etc.), each branch and sub-branch to create the running total.

The air in each main supply duct segment is determined by accumulating the air quantities in each branch duct fed from the particular segment under consideration.

There are differences in the way constant-volume and variable-volume systems are treated.

Variable-volume system Diversity can be applied to the central ducts

Due to their variable airflow nature, a diversity factor can be applied to some variable-volume systems to more accurately represent the actual main duct airflows during system operation.

Applying airflow diversity

In variable-volume systems, the actual accumulated air quantity may be less than the total accumulated value due to the application of diversity.

Diversity means that not all terminals/rooms/zones will be calling for the same amount of air at the same time. This is because the heating and cooling loads do not occur simultaneously for all zones served. As a result, the central plant/fan unit will not be required to deliver the total summated airflow that would theoretically be required by each terminal unit, but some lesser value. This is often the case where the building heat load may shift throughout the day. An example of this is a building that experiences radiant heat from the sun on the east facade in the morning, but throughout the day the radiant heat load shifts to the west facade.

The amount of diversity that should be applied to the airflows in a variable-volume system depends on the thermal disposition of the terminals served from each duct segment; e.g., a network with outlets serving areas of similar thermal characteristics would have no diversity (i.e., a diversity factor of 1.0), while those portions of the network serving areas with significantly differing thermal characteristics (e.g., different faces of a building) may have a diversity factor of 0.7.

Diversity factor = AHU design air volume (at any time) Sum of VAV terminal VMAX values (at that time)

PROUDLY SPONSORED

System pressures

Pressures within duct distribution systems are expressed in the following terms:

• Static pressure

• Velocity pressure

• Total pressure.

As air passes though the duct, the air has two pressure-related components: what is commonly understood as pressure (more correctly referred to as static pressure) and air velocity (which is converted into pressure and is commonly called velocity pressure). These two pressures are added together to determine the total pressure.

The units that are used when recording these pressure readings are Pascals (Pa).

Static pressure

Static pressure is the pressure that exists within the fluid and is exerted equally in all directions (bursting pressure). This is actually the potential energy of the fluid.

Static pressure can exist when the fluid is at rest or in motion, and can be either positive or negative.

Static pressure may be changed into velocity pressure and vice versa, this will incur a loss of efficiency depending on the conditions (e.g., if the duct section is gradually enlarged, the velocity pressure will be reduced, and the static pressure increased).

The symbol for static pressure is ps

Consider the basic duct system illustrated in Figure 1. There is a fan and a duct with an internal hinge plate and a hinged flap on the discharge duct.

Hinged plate

Fan

Figure 1 – Basic duct system

As shown in Figure 2, with the flap closed and the fan running, the airflow is zero.

Static pressure

ps

Hinged flap

Figure 3 – Velocity pressure in basic duct system

Total pressure

Total pressure is the sum of static pressure and velocity pressure, and is a measurement of the total energy within the fluid. The symbol for total pressure is pt At any point in a system, the total pressure at a point can be calculated as: pt

= ps + pv

where:

ps = the static pressure at the point pv = the velocity pressure at the point.

If pt and pv are known, then the value of ps can be determined.

For a given total pressure, if static pressure increases then velocity pressure decreases and vice-versa.

Velocity pressure is always positive, while static pressure can be positive or negative.

Both static and velocity pressure can be measured with an instrument called a Pitot static tube, more commonly referred to as just a pitot tube.

Figure 4 shows the relationship between total, static and velocity pressure. pv ps pt

Total pressure = Static pressure + Velocity pressure Airflow

Closed

Figure 4 – Relationship between total, static and velocity pressure

Duct system pressure losses

Figure 2 – Static pressure in basic duct system

The hinged flap in the duct does not move and yet the pressure in the duct can be seen to rise. The pressure shown is the static pressure. This is due to the pressure exerted on the duct walls by the pressure being developed by the fan (not the airflow).

Velocity pressure

Velocity pressure is the pressure that relates to the fluid flow. This is the kinetic energy within the fluid. Velocity pressure is always positive for a moving airstream.

Air will flow naturally from a region of high pressure to one of low pressure.

The symbol for velocity pressure is pv

Considering our basic duct system again, with the end flap open and the fan operating, air will flow through the duct, and the hinged plate will open to allow airflow (as shown in Figure 3). The pressure shown is the velocity pressure. This is due to the pressure exerted on the plate by the moving stream of air. Note that the manometer in the diagram has one end measuring total pressure and the other end measuring static pressure.

The air handling unit (AHU) or fan must be capable of developing a total static pressure that is the sum of internal static pressure (of the unit coils and filters internal to the AHU) and external static pressure (of the index duct run external to the AHU) plus any system effect issues. The total system resistance or pressure loss in a ducted air distribution system is a combination of friction and dynamic losses.

Straight duct losses are based on the size and shape of the duct, the airflow and the velocity, which when combined determine the friction factor. In straight parallel ducts, dynamic loss is insignificant, so the total loss can be assumed to be all friction.

Duct fitting losses are a function of the same conditions, shape, airflow and air velocity, but for duct fittings both dynamic and friction losses are significant. The pressure drop of a fitting is equal to the friction factor multiplied by the velocity pressure.

Pressure drops from equipment (air terminal units and air devices) can be found from the manufacturer’s supplied technical data sheet and are generally based on size and airflow.

Refer to AIRAH DA03 and the AIRAH Technical Handbook for further information.

Pressure behaviour in a ducted air system

Figure 5 illustrates the typical pressure changes that occur along a duct system.

The total pressure decreases continuously throughout the system in the direction of airflow (A–F).

Between sections A–B, the static pressure drops because of the friction loss in the straight duct, the velocity pressure remaining constant.

Static pressure

Figure 5 – Pressure changes that occur in a duct system

At the gradual contraction B–C , the duct area is reduced and the velocity is correspondingly increased. Because the friction loss is virtually negligible and the dynamic loss in this fitting is small, there is only a small drop in total pressure.

The marked decrease in static pressure is caused by the conversion of static to velocity pressure in accordance with the equation:

pt = ps + pv

In straight section C–D, the drop in total pressure again corresponds to the drop in static pressure due to the friction loss. The change in pressure is more pronounced in this duct section, where the air has increased velocity, because the friction losses are proportional to the square of the velocity.

In the divided flow/branch take-off fitting D–E , the flow is decelerated in the branch so that the velocity pressure is reduced. The total pressure drops appreciably because of the high dynamic loss that occurs in this particular fitting. The static pressure, however, rises with the conversion of velocity pressure to static pressure.

For the last section of straight duct E–F, the velocity pressure remains constant and the static and total pressure decline uniformly due to friction loss.

As we can see from this analysis, although the total pressure continuously falls in the direction of flow in a ductwork system, the static pressure may rise or fall and can, in certain situations, fall below atmospheric pressure.

Understanding this distinction between static, velocity and total pressures is important when designing a ductwork system.

Refer to Figure 6 for a representation of pressure gradients through a typical system.

Measuring pressure differential

Static pressure measurements can be used to measure the pressure differential across ductwork components. Pressure differentials can be used to verify fan performance (on the fan performance curve) or check flow rates from grilles or diffusers from manufacturer-supplied resistance data.

Static pressure at a point can be measured with a pitot tube with the total pressure line disconnected. ■

This new DA manual discusses the testing, adjusting and balancing of air distribution systems in HVAC&R applications.

DA04 promotes best practice for the balancing of air distribution systems in the industry. It has been prepared to provide both theoretical and practical knowledge.

is a complete revision of the previous version, titled DA24 Water Systems Balancing

This manual promotes best practice for the balancing of

in HVAC&R, recognising acceptable industry-standard techniques. It also highlights the importance and complexity of hydronic balancing.

REFRIGERANTS – WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Expert Group Principal Consultant Graeme Dewerson

Every year there are more refrigerants on the market, all labelled with a jumble of numbers and letters. Is there any rhyme or reason to the way refrigerants are named?

The short answer is yes.

IT ALL ADDS UP

The naming convention for refrigerants is taken from the ASHRAE 34 standard.

For single components, the R number actually describes the chemical formula of the molecule. That is, the number of carbon atoms, number of hydrogen atoms, number of fluorine, chlorine, iodine atoms and the number of double bonds.

The 400 series and 500 series refrigerants are blends, and the R number refers only to the order in which the gases were registered with ASHRAE. The first blend to be registered was designated R401, the next R402, and so on.

The 400 series blends are zeotropes. These are blends where the components have differing boiling points and act separately. These refrigerants exhibit glide and can fractionate during leakage.

The 500 series are azeotropes. These are blends where the components have a chemical relationship and act as a single component. So, no glide or fractionation issues.

KNOW YOUR ABCs

Sometimes it seems like there isn’t much consistency in the names either. Is it important whether a refrigerant has a capital letter in its name, like R410A, or a lower-case letter, like R134a? Well, the large or small “A” does have meaning. Refrigerants are either a single chemical (as in the case of R134a, R600a, R22, or R1234yf), or are a blend of two or more refrigerants (as in R404A, R410A, R513A).

A small a, b, c, at the end is used for a single component refrigerant and and denotes structural isomerism. This is where two chemicals

have the same chemical formula, but the atoms are arranged differently.

An example is R600 and R600a – both have the formula C4H10, but they are different.

R600 is a straight-chain hydrocarbon and is referred to as butane (or n-butane in older nomenclature). The structure is as per the below:

As a very simple rule, if a refrigerant is a 400 or 500 series gas, the suffix will be a capital. Everything else has a small letter suffix.

BLENDED SOLUTIONS

A capital letter at the end of a refrigerant name is used for blends and simply refers to a blend that has the same components but in a different ratio.

For example, the R407 range of refrigerants is made up of R32, R125 and R134a in varying proportions, depending on what the blend is designed to do.

H CCC CH

HHH H HHH H

R600a is a branched hydrocarbon, and is referred to as methyl-propane (or iso-butane in older nomenclature). The structure is as per the below:

R407C, which is used for air conditioning and heat pumps has the composition:

R32 23% R125 25% R134a 52%

R407F, which is used as an R404A/R22 replacement in medium- and low-temperature refrigeration applications, has the composition:

H CCC H

HHH HH

HCH

H

They have the same number of carbon and hydrogen atoms, but a different arrangement (and different chemical properties).

R32 30%

R125 30%

R134a 40%

R32 and R125 have lower boiling points, higher pressures and more capacity to move heat at lower evaporating temperatures. R134a has a higher boiling point, lower pressures and doesn’t move heat so well at lower evaporating temperatures. You can therefore see how the blend composition is changed to provide the right balance between capacity and pressure to work at different temperature applications. ■

Graeme Dewerson works with the Expert Group, consulting with business and government bodies on climate change policy, renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects.

COOL BANANAS!

As part of a new 30,000m² plus distribution centre, a major retailer has added the latest banana-ripening technology direct from the USA.

Sean McGowan reports on the installation of the refrigeration systems that make it all possible.

In Australia, bananas are grown in both tropical and subtropical regions. This ensures the industry is diverse in terms of the geographic location of farms and availability, the varieties of bananas grown, and their flavour.

The tropical regions of Queensland produce most of the nation’s bananas, with more than 90 per cent grown in Far North Queensland. Subtropical bananas are grown in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, as well as in Western Australia’s food bowl near Carnarvon.

It usually takes eight to 10 months for a banana crop to grow, depending on the location, with banana bunch stems typically harvested green. Averaging 150–200 bananas each, a bunch stem can weigh as much as 50kg. Banana hands are removed from the bunch stem and cut into clusters of between three and nine individual bananas – like those you see at the supermarket.

These bananas are then packed into cardboard cartons, placed on pallets and put into coolrooms to bring the temperature of the fruit down to 14–16˚C before they can be transported to market.

More than 28 million of these cartons are packed in Australia each year, many finding their way to supermarket distribution centres around the country. Traditionally, bananas were stored and ripened by supermarkets in pressurised ripening rooms. These used a variety of tarps and airbags to seal off individual pallets. But this is said to have created a number of operational and maintenance issues, as well as inefficiencies in the ripening process. Hence the advent of tarpless ripening room technology.

TARPLESS TECHNOLOGY

Championed in the US, this technology has eliminated the use of tarps by allowing each room to be more carefully controlled to the product and ripening requirements, therefore increasing ripening efficiency. In fact, such is the popularity of the tarpless ripening room technology that Thermal Technologies Inc. (TTI) –a leader in ripening rooms based in South Carolina – is responsible for ripening more than 70 per cent of all bananas in North America.

Following its own investigation into tarpless ripening room technology in the US, refrigeration specialist Cold Logic was approached by TTI about a number of new supermarket projects in Australia.

“The retailer had supplied TTI a list of preferred contractors, and Cold Logic was on the list based on our expertise and success on other projects,” says Troy Adams, Produce Executive at Cold Logic.

Cold Logic consequently worked through TTI to become the US company’s exclusive Australian partner, with an initial contract signed in 2015 before work began on the projects in 2018.

“We were contracted by the retailer to provide refrigeration upgrade design and installation to suit new ripening rooms,” says Adams, “but also engaged by TTI in our role as their Australian business partner.”

Although the firm previously provided refrigeration services for other ripening room technologies, overseeing the entire installation of a tarpless system was a first for Cold Logic. And the team was eager to take on the challenge.

The banana ripeness chart – they left off 8, ready for banana bread.

Cold Logic’s Contracts Division Manager

Grant Cannan travelled to TTI’s headquarters in Blythewood, South Carolina, to view the factory and visit some installations. He brought back a swathe of technical information and IP that allowed Cold Logic to design and size the refrigeration systems serving the rooms with certainty and without risk.

A FRUITFUL PROJECT

Although the installation of TTI’s tarpless ripening room at one site used the refrigeration system serving existing ripening rooms, the retailer’s new distribution centre allowed for a best-practice refrigeration design.

“The existing installation makes use of a glycol system with additional heat exchangers, modified pumping system, and tempering systems for individual room control,” says Adams.

Both distribution centres received a combination of banana ripening rooms and multi-fruit rooms that can be controlled to take a variety of different types of produce individually.

The rooms are designed around standard truck load sizes for pallet numbers to avoid waste in terms of both over- and under-fill of the ripening rooms. This also maximises throughput.

TTI says the advantage of its technology is that it can deliver a consistent, high- quality fruit to the exact colour stage the retailer requires, while also increasing shelf life and reducing shrinkage (product loss).

Additionally, TTI says it enables the retailer to present quality fruit at various stages of readiness to customers – effectively fruit to eat now, and to eat later.

In the multi-fruit room – designed for fruits with different ripening temperatures – cooling evaporators are supplied from dual glycol loops. This is to avoid temperature shock of the fruit that requires the higher temperatures for ripening.

LESSONS LEARNED

Dr Michael Riese, M.AIRAH, business development manager at Cold Logic, shares some of the lessons learned from working with tarpless ripening technology.

Attention to detail

“Small details can become significant problems and showstoppers. Putting entire rooms into a vacuum can be a significant challenge when not addressed right from the beginning.

[We have to] ensure every penetration is carefully sealed right from the start rather than after the fact, or run the risk of potential leaks.”

Everyone on board

“Achieve a full understanding of the finer system details across all contractors and how they integrate – especially for personnel on the ground.”

Outside your control

“External events can have significant impacts on project requirements and are outside of your control. A good example was changes to fire regulations as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire in London. Such changes can significantly increase compliance costs that were not budgeted for in proposals.” ■

The temperature- and humidity-controlled environment replicates the climatic conditions where the bananas were grown and would have ripened naturally on the plant if not already harvested.

The new tarpless banana ripening rooms are able to operate at room temperatures between 10˚C and 20˚C, with the actual operating temperature dependent on the condition of the incoming product. This is achieved by a 918kW closed-loop, propylene glycol cooling reticulation system that runs at subzero temperatures through a tempering loop to achieve a consistent temperature.

In contrast, the multi-fruit rooms can operate at room temperatures between 2˚C and 15˚C. This is achieved by a closed-loop subzero propylene glycol that is cooled by the main ammonia (NH3) system that is also serving other areas of the distribution centre.

Each ripening room features its own humidifier unit – controlled by a humidity sensor – to provide stable humidity settings as required.

Airflow is achieved via a series of cells, with each pallet stack provided with a dedicated cell and fans. The addition of buffers and curtains within the ripening room shape airflow to the correct flow in line with the design.

PULP NON-FICTION

On arrival to the distribution centre, the boxed green bananas require a period of 24 hours for their temperature to stabilise.

The next day, the ripening room is sealed and the vaporisation of ethylene – a naturally occurring plant hormone that contributes to the ripening and flowering of plants – is initialised. The ethylene is produced from liquid to vapour by a generator.

With the assistance of fans to circulate the air, a modified atmosphere in the ripening room is achieved.

BENDING THE TRUTH

True or false: Australians consume 5 million bananas every day.

True. Put these bananas end to end, and they’d stretch from Sydney to Melbourne.

True or false: Bananas are always bent.

True. Once developed, instead of growing towards the ground, bananas turn towards the sun. This is called negative geotropism.

True or False: The banana is composed of more water than a human body.

False: The banana has a higher percentage of water than a human body.

True or false: Bananas are actually herbs, not fruits.

False. The banana “tree” is officially classed as a herb because its tree stem is succulent rather than woody, but the bit we eat is fruit. ■

Source: Horticulture Innovation Australia and pbs.org

“The amount of ethylene added to the room’s atmosphere is determined by the seasonal variation of product,” says Adams. One litre of liquid is typically used per ripening cycle.

On day three, following ethylene injection, a ripener determines whether further conditioning is required, or whether the turn of the fruit has begun. At different times of the season the fruit may be stubborn, particularly if the climate conditions are cooler when harvested.

If the turn of the fruit has begun and is minimal but visible, the fruit spores will have absorbed the ethylene, which will promote the fruit to continue its own metabolic production of ethylene. The room is vented at the end of the ethylene cycle, removing both the ethylene vapour and the CO2 that has formed in the room’s atmosphere. The space is then replenished with fresh air, allowing the fruit to respirate and continue to ripen.

At this time, personnel are able to enter the room and check the bananas for a change in colour, from green to yellow..

“The person in charge of the ripening process typically spot-checks 10 boxes of bananas,” says Adams, “and cuts the fruit open looking for latex flow under the peel. Changes are then made to the room’s setting depending on the state of the product.”

At this point, the room temperature set-point is changed.

Fresh air is increased, and the respiration rate of the room will also increase as the fruit begins to produce its own ethylene.

Daily checks of the ripening fruit are made in the days following. Depending on the progress, further changes to the room settings will be made, with fresh air turnover every three hours on days four to seven to remove any lingering CO2 that inhibits ripening.

The new banana and multi-fruit ripening rooms shown from above. Main supply lines and controls for modified atmosphere rooms are located externally to the rooms and generally hidden out of sight.

RIPE ON TIME

Several noticeable changes take place simultaneously during a banana’s ripening process.

Tissue softening commences, during which starch is degraded to sugars in both the pulp and peel, and rupture strength of cell walls slowly deteriorates. The peel of the fruit turns to light green and then to yellow as chlorophyll is broken down. During colour change, the banana’s pulp becomes softer and sweeter as the ratio of sugars to starch increases, and a characteristic aroma is produced. Various enzyme systems are involved in all the changes. Eventually the peel becomes spotted brown and then completely brown and the pulp loses its firm white texture to become brown and gelatinous. ■

Source: CargoHandbook, the world’s largest database on transportation of cargoes.

“Australian retailers look for Stage 4.5 out-turn into stores,” says Adams, referring to the rating system applied to a banana’s colour where Stage 1 is green, and Stage 7 is completely ripe.

Stage 4 will typically have three-quarters of the banana yellow, with the remainder still green (said to be ideal for retail display). Stage 5 sees the body of the banana yellow, with only the tips green.

If after five or six days the stored bananas have prematurely reached Stage 4.5, the ripening room temperature is decreased to retard further ripening.

“The main controlling factor in this ripening process is accurate pulp temperature being consistent through the pallets and cartons,”

says Adams. “Achieving excellent control of this is the intellectual property of TTI.”

SECURE SUPPLY

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic interrupting both installations and limiting the movement of Cold Logic staff across state borders, the tarpless ripening rooms at both distribution centres were completed successfully.

Adams says the original intent was for TTI personnel to travel from the US to supervise the first installation and commissioning, and train Cold Logic staff and operators. But with international travel restricted, they relied on extensive video conferencing instead.

“We worked closely with the field team and the client ripening staff to ensure progress, while remote commissioning by TTI with Cold Logic personnel on the ground was also adopted,” he says.

With climate-change-driven weather events already shown to affect key banana growing regions, tarpless ripening rooms help ensure supply of our favourite fruit, while protecting the livelihoods of local producers.

Next time you grab a bunch of bananas from the shelves of your local supermarket, there’s a good chance they were ripened with this impressive technology.

Cool bananas, huh? ■

PROJECT AT A GLANCE

A

External view of the newly installed tarpless ripening rooms with rapid roller doors for easy access and space saving.

1 POP IT IN YOUR QUOTE

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has partnered with Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to produce a brochure that promotes the value of always using a licensed RAC technician.

As well as raising awareness of the industry, it is intended to help improve recovery rates from residential systems at end of life. One of the barriers for recovery is price. If an installer charges for the time spent recovering refrigerant from an old system, they will very likely lose out to someone who doesn’t.

“We all know how difficult it can be for a licensed technician to compete on price with someone who may be cutting corners, not recovering used refrigerants, and trimming the price accordingly,” says ARC CEO Glenn Evans.

“To help redress that balance, fridgies can attach this brochure to their quotes to explain that only ARCtick licensed technicians safely and legally recover gases from fridges, air conditioners and heat pumps.”

The brochure is available as a free download from the ARC and RRA websites for licensed technicians to include with their digital quotes.

Go to www.arcltd.org.au/technical-services ■

2 GLOBAL

EXPANSION

FOR SIMPRO

Trade business management software company simPRO has opened two new office spaces in Singapore and the Netherlands.

The two new offices employ six local team members in sales, business development and implementation consultant positions. simPRO also has locations in Brisbane, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Broomfield, CO; and St. Ives, UK.

“Our new office locations in Singapore and the Netherlands represent strategic growth of the simPRO brand and cements our global leadership position in trade business software,” says simPRO CEO Sean Diljore. “simPRO’s move into these high-growth markets builds on our core mission to help trade businesses that are essential small businesses for communities to grow and thrive.”

The openings of these locations were under development prior to the COVID pandemic, which caused the plans to be put on hold. According to simPRO, this provided an opportunity to put more time and research into the regions under consideration. It also allowed more time for customer contacts to be made and demand for field management software to grow.

Go to www.simprogroup.com/au ■

3 TTRA READY TO GROW

As of July 1, 2022, Tri Tech Refrigeration Australia (TTRA) is operating as an independent business unit under the Climatech Group umbrella.

“It marks an exciting turning point for TTRA as they embark on their next phase of growth, capitalising on the incredible tailwinds the industry is experiencing at present,” says the company.

After much deliberation, TTRA founder Greg Atkinson selected Climatech Group as the partner to help position TTRA as a leading refrigeration company in Australia.

According to TTRA, the company has a depth of experience in the deployment of sustainable natural refrigerants, while TTRA are experts in the deployment of zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) refrigeration solutions for a plethora of projects – food processing, cold storage and distribution, pharmaceuticals, mine cooling, gas and chemical.

Together, Climatech Group and TTRA say they intend to offer innovative, environmentally friendly systems, utilising zero-ODP refrigerant solutions, to both industrial and commercial spaces.

Go to ttra.com.au ■

4 HALF TON UP FOR SEELEY

Seeley International is celebrating its golden jubilee in 2022 – 50 years of manufacturing air conditioning and heating solutions.

With its global headquarters in Australia, more than 500 employees and three manufacturing facilities, Seeley International exports to more than 100 countries around the world through its global distributor network. The company also has sales offices

in the US, UK, France, Italy and South Africa, and has delivered millions of installations around the globe.

The company says its large R&D investment is focused on energy efficiency, emissions reduction, peak demand reduction, improved health and biological control, as well as extreme climate performance capability.

“2022 is an exciting year for us, because it marks 50 years of Seeley International – a golden anniversary that is immensely gratifying,” says Frank Seeley, Affil.AIRAH, Founder and Executive Chairman.

Group Managing Director, Jon Seeley, Affil.AIRAH, says Seeley is looking forward to the next 50 years.

“We have a key role to play in national and global emissions reduction, since conventional air conditioning is a major contributor to energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions,” says Jon Seeley.

Go to www.seeleyinternational.com ■

5 BOOST FOR MAINTENANCE

AIRAH has partnered with field-servicing software provider Uptick to offer DA19 HVAC&R Maintenance as an integrated online solution.

The partnership will allow Uptick to provide AIRAH’s DA19 inspection checklists, routine maintenance frequencies, and asset-class taxonomy to its premium customers.

AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH, says the partnership will help HVAC&R companies improve compliance and meet the expectations of facility managers to provide comprehensive service.

“AIRAH is excited to enter into this partnership to integrate our DA19 HVAC&R Maintenance manual into an online solution,” Gleeson says. “This will help facilitate greater energy efficiency, system sustainability, better asset management, the digitisation of maintenance, and much more.

Uptick CEO Aidan Lister says the partnership with AIRAH is another step towards his firm’s vision of making the compliance of every building in the world visible in real time.

“We’re excited to be the first software vendor to partner with AIRAH on DA19,” Lister says. “We look forward to the opportunities this presents our flagship customers to maintain their customers’ assets to the highest standards.”

Go to www.airah.org.au/da_manuals/da19

Jon Seeley, Affil.AIRAH

6 AIR QUALITY HITS HOME

A new indoor air quality study from Daikin has revealed more than half of Australians have experienced health issues due to poor air quality at home.

The company says its Understanding indoor air quality in Australian homes research shows that humid conditions, poor ventilation and a lack of awareness of how to improve air quality at home is impacting the immune systems of millions of Australians.

The survey of more than 2,000 Australians was commissioned by Daikin in May 2022, and found that more than half of Australians (52 per cent) have experienced health concerns such as respiratory problems, asthma, allergy symptoms, poor sleep and headaches due to poor air quality at home.

According to the findings, 84 per cent of Australians are concerned about indoor air quality, with COVID -19 contributing to 40 per cent of Australian adults changing the way they think about – and manage – air quality in their home.

“While many Australians know that good indoor air quality is important,” says Dan Tosh, General Manager Marketing and e-commerce at Daikin Australia, “our research has found that some of the simplest choices and behaviours to improve indoor air at home go overlooked.”

Go to daikin.com.au/articles/air-quality/ understanding-indoor-air-quality-australian-homes ■

7 FOUR ON THE TROT FOR MHIAA

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioner Australia (MHIAA) has been awarded the Canstar Blue 2022 Most Satisfied Customer Award for the fourth year in a row.

Consumer review and comparison site Canstar Blue runs yearly independent surveys on Australian consumers across 300 different goods and services. As part of the 2022 review, more than 1,000 consumers were asked to rate air conditioning brands across the country.

To take part in the survey, consumers must have purchased a new air conditioner in the past three years. They then list the brand and rate their

experience across overall satisfaction; quietness; performance and reliability; ease of use; value for money; and functionality and features.

In the 2022 awards, MHIAA outperformed all other brands to achieve a 5-star rating in five of the six categories in the survey.

“Here at MHIAA we are extremely honoured to have received the Canstar Blue award for the fourth consecutive year,” says MHIAA Managing Director Yuji Ito.

Go to mhiaa.com.au ■

8 SOUTHERN GUNS

The winners of the annual AIRAH South Australian Apprentice Awards were announced recently at a dinner function in Adelaide.

Sponsored this year by Kirby, Air Con Serve and Airefrig Australia, the event was an opportunity to recognise some of the brightest young talents in our industry. Nominees are put through a rigorous evaluation process, including interviews with members of AIRAH’s SA division committee.

Taking away the Apprentice of the year award was Taylor Hartman, from Oomiak.

Evgeny Radzievskiy, Stud.AIRAH, from O’Connors, took out the Runner Up prize. The Encouragement Award went to Corey Kemp from Amertec Refrigeration. Scott Roberts from Control Air Australia scored the Airefrig Scholarship Award.

Congratulations also to finalists Charlie Pietsch, Meg Weckert, Cooper Halliday and Jeb Tester. ■

9 DEALERS’ TIME TO SHINE

Mitsubishi Electric Australia recently hosted its Diamond Dealer Awards weekend at Daydream Island, marking the annual celebration of the company’s dealer network.

The three-night event gathered business owners from across the nation and included a “white island party” and sports-themed evening featuring keynote speakers.

Zane Barron, General Manager – Living Environment Group (LEG) National Sales, thanked guests for

their loyalty, acknowledging how challenging the past two years had been.

“The Diamond Dealer Awards is always a great opportunity to thank our incredible network, and this year we intentionally chose to do things differently,” said Barron. “After another unprecedented year for many, it was important for us to make sure our dealers left feeling appreciated and inspired. We look forward to another successful year ahead.”

General Manager Awards for 2021–22 were presented to:

RAC, Brisbane Air – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, accepted by Barney Lindner.

• Mr Slim/Com-Pac, Elite Heating and Cooling, accepted by Fabian Muscat.

City Multi Jaymel Air Conditioning, accepted by Daniel Caruso (see photo).

Go to www.mitsubishielectric.com.au ■

10 RELIABLE AGREES TO DEGREE C

Reliable Controls has added Degree C to its Australasian Dealer Network.

Degree C is a Tasmanian-based company with offices in Hobart, Launceston and Ulverstone. According to Reliable Controls, Degree C has grown from “humble beginnings” 45 years ago into a highly respected HVAC&R, electrical and industrial service provider with more than 285 employees statewide.

Jason Duncan, the Australasian Regional Sales Manager for Reliable Controls, says the company has a very stringent process for new dealer applications to ensure all the Reliable Controls Authorised Dealers have professional, sustainable businesses and the technical aptitude to deliver high-quality outcomes.

“When I met with the Degree C team, I could tell right away they were a top-level company,” says Duncan. “Their professionalism and processes coupled with strong values and a will to deliver quality outcomes was clear from the get-go. We are very excited about this new partnership.”

Go to www.degreec.com.au ■

Taylor Hartman (right) with Kirby HVAC&R’s Sean Kelly

Daniel Caruso from City Multi Jaymel Air Conditioning

Name: Elissa Tucker

Company: Zip Heaters/Water and studying through TAFE NSW.

Occupation: Service technician.

What’s the best thing about working in HVAC&R? Learning new things every day, and being able to try something new every day.

How long have you worked in the industry? Since the start of this year.

What has surprised you about the job? That my job can be physically demanding, and learning how compressors work.

If someone wanted to find you on a worksite, they should look for the person who is … Happy, enthusiastic and bright.

Favourite tool: Drill.

Best on-the-job advice you ever received: Work hard, be respectful and adapt to change.

Dream car: Ford Ranger.

Dream holiday: New Zealand.

Favourite smoko snack: Choc-chip muffin and skim cap with two!

What did you listen to on the way to work today? Early 2000s playlist.

Sporting hero: Well, I’m a [CanterburyBankstown] Bulldogs supporter, so the whole team! But if I had to pick one it would be Aaron Schoupp, Kyle Flanagan or Matt Burton.

When I’m not working I’m … Spending time with family and friends or watching the Doggies play.

GOOD BONES

Yeppoon in central Queensland is home to the eye - catching net-zero Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre.

Some net-zero buildings manage to achieve their sustainability credentials by relying on high-tech solutions such as onsite renewables or clever facades.

The Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre, however, will be more or less net zero emissions over the course of its life because it’s maintenance free.

Naturally lit and ventilated, the centre is unstaffed and open 24 hours a day.

Located in Muttaburra in the geographical centre of the Sunshine State, the project recently earned recognition from the Australian Institute of Architects for its sustainability performance based on passive thermal control.

“This creates its own microclimate,” the AIA says, “even in an extremely hot, arid environment.”

The centre features a model of the Muttaburrasaurus Langdon dinosaur, which was discovered by Doug Langdon in 1963 while he was mustering.

About a decade ago, representatives from the community approached

architect Brian Hooper to design an attraction to celebrate Langdon’s find.

Years in the planning, the centre is built from locally sourced rocks, with the local Muttaburra community chipping in to help with construction.

Hooper’s vision was to create a building in the landscape, rather than a building with landscape around it.

The vision wasn’t just about aesthetics. Known as earth berming, this technique uses the rocks and ground around a structure as a heat sink to keep the space cool.

And because the rocks were sourced locally, the Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre’s embodied energy is low. ■

Green Wedge

1 COPPER COVER-UP

Stephen in Underwood, Queensland, was shown this entry by a customer. “He got called out to a unit that was leaking and found the source,” says Stephen. “Copper sheet covering aluminium pipe.”

Graham says: Generally aluminium pipe is used in domestic refrigerators. I struggle to see why it would be used in a flare joint.

2 CALL THE RSPCC*

“I came across this after a couple of 40°C days,” says Wayne from WA. “And they were wondering why it stopped working!”

Graham says: I was going to say a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous, but when I look at this there is no knowledge evident.

* Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Condensers

3 ANOTHER RUBBISH INSTALL

This creative cover for a condensing unit was snapped by Antonis in Queensland. “Also note the pair coil insulation,” he says.

Graham says: Maybe someone forgot to order the unit cover. Full marks for innovation! Interesting comment about the pair coil insulation. Under-insulating suction lines, especially in low-temperature installations, is almost criminal. It costs energy and ultimately leads to the breakdown of the compressor.

4 HOME SWEET HOME

Luke found this setup at a duct installer’s house in Queanbeyan. “I give him points for ingenuity,” says Luke. “Don’t think I will come across something like this for a while.”

Graham says: I don’t believe I have ever seen an evaporative cooler delivering air at floor level – not really designed to provide comfort. Maybe the gas heater would be effective, hard to say, but really, why would you!

5 ADHERING TO THE STANDARDS

“A customer cancelled his order for some P3 plenums after the holiday break,” says Scott in Queensland. “No longer required …”

Graham says: Hard to tell much from the image, other than it’s a very messy duct installation that looks in need of a transition.