HVAC&R Nation June 2019 by AIRAH

Hot prospect Heat pumps: the new mustâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;have home appliance?

Skills

WORKSHOP

Humidifying and dehumidifying

Higher Education The steps to upgrading our national RAC training package

June 2019 / ISSUE 122

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June 2019 / ISSUE 122

Elevating our education 20

HVAC&R Nation is published by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating (Inc). AIRAH – National Office James Harrison Centre 3/1 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Tel: 03 8623 3000

Fax: 03 9614 8949

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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

Photo by Juan Photography, courtesy of TAFE SA.

Contributing writer

After some false starts and much hard work, Australia’s training materials for refrigeration and air conditioning are finally getting an upgrade. Sean McGowan lifts the lid on the new package.

Sean McGowan

Advertising sales

HVAC&R Nation regulars

Glenn Douglas glenn.douglas@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3018

The Toolshed

Global Update

John McGrath john.mcgrath@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3007

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. 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.

13,159 PLEASE CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT AND RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP IT.

Business Tips

Save time and recruiting headaches through a group interview

Around the Nation

Exclusive to this issue

Green Wedge

A brand-new reef constructed partly from recycled plastic.

Humidifying and dehumidifying

Industry news from around the world

WorldSkills Update

September 2018

See what’s new in the ‘Shed

Skills Workshop

Skilleroo Patrick Brennan is on his way to Russia after blitzing the competition in Melbourne

Who’s in the news?

Cool Tech

Sick of the bells and whistles on today’s smart phones? Check out the Punkt MP02

Hot prospect

In an age of high gas costs and rising global temperatures, heat pumps are emerging as an economically and environmentally sensible option.

Smoko with . . .

Q&A with Corey Walduck

Lighter Side

The shonkier side of the nation June 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Ed’s letter

THE APPRENTICE Ah, that headline brings back memories of when Donald Trump was just another moderately annoying celebrity on another moderately annoying reality TV show. A simpler time maybe. As it happens, I’m writing this on the eve of our own Australian federal election. There’s no Trump‑like wildcard – even Clive Palmer himself wouldn’t say he’s got a shot at becoming PM – and we’ve had pork barrels full of pre-election promises. Business as usual then. Well, not exactly. For the first time I can remember, the environment has become a mainstream issue. Infrastructure has been making headlines too. Both parties have pledged money to major road, rail and other projects. Of course, to build those things we’re going to need lots of new apprentices, and accordingly, millions of dollars have also been promised to vocational education. There are funds for TAFE places, apprentice incentives, and TAFE building upgrades. All of which will be welcome. But other investments are required too. It’s all very well to get more apprentices into TAFEs, however, we need to make sure that they get the right training – and that starts with the right training materials. For many years, our refrigeration and air conditioning

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teachers have been flagging the need for a review of the national training package. The basic refrigeration cycle may not have changed, but the technology, practices and regulations around it certainly have.

The good news is, we’ve got some very passionate educators and industry advocates like Smith, who have started the work and have already volunteered a lot of their own time to review and refine the package.

In a rapidly evolving sector like HVAC&R, the training courses must be updated constantly with new information. And as long-time educator Steve Smith, M.AIRAH, points out in our cover feature, that doesn’t mean you can just get rid of the old material. The legacy systems and refrigerants are still out there and require maintenance. The end result is that the training package has gotten fatter and fatter. Once there were only 12 subjects in a three-year course; now there are 27.

But to really get it right we could sure use some more resources. It might not be a headline-grabbing vote winner, but the national training package is just an important investment as apprenticeship incentives and TAFE places.

June 2019

@AIRAHnews

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

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June 2019

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2/05/2019 Nation 3:25:38 PM | 5 HVAC&R

Toolshed 1

Performance with bite

Measurement menus have been designed to be clear and unambiguous. According to Testo, a traffic-light system evaluates measurement results objectively for error-free volume flow and IAQ comfort data.

Kirby has announced a partnership with the SuperCool Group of Companies for the national distribution of Viper HVAC&R maintenance chemicals.

“Thanks to the broad selection of probes, all IAQ, ventilation and comfort parameters can be precisely and reliably measured,” says Testo. “The IAQ portfolio covers digital Bluetooth probes, digital cable probes, NTC and TC temperature probes (Type K), and five new digital PT100 temperature probes within the range.”

The range includes Viper coil cleaners, as well as the original Big Blu micro leak detectors and application tools. More products will be offered over time. All Kirby branch and field staff have been given training and resources to help customers select the best product for each job.

Users can also connect Testo’s Smart Probes for hose-free data measurement. And all reports and datasets can be processed and shared onsite with the customer, shared via email, or stored in the instrument.

“The Viper chemical range delivers superior performance without hazardous ingredients,” says Kirby. “The range is entirely non-toxic, NSF- and EPA-certified for use in and around food processing areas. Most importantly, it’s safe for technicians.”

Go to www.testo.com/en-AU/products/400 ■

“This is an exciting time for all,” says Jon Mitchell, SuperCool Group general manager. “SuperCool has enjoyed a long relationship with the Kirby business as Heatcraft. As Kirby embarks on new beginnings under the Beijer Group, we are pleased to join the journey with them.”

Fantech has created a new range of intelligent ventilation control systems called Aviator. They have been designed for the widest possible range of applications, from one fan up to a large system of multiple fans and sensors.

Kirby sales and marketing manager Brett Hedge, M.AIRAH, agrees. “As a leading wholesale business, we look to align ourselves with best-in-class, forward-thinking suppliers. SuperCool with the Refrigeration Technologies Viper range provides that for us.”

The Aviator range can drive a demand-control ventilation system that monitors the indoor environment via sensors. This provides real-time feedback to the fans, adjusting speed and ventilation rate to match specific requirements.

Go to www.heatcraft.com.au ■

Moisture management

“The range combines the latest innovations in controls hardware with intelligent applications developed by Fantech’s specialist Control Systems team,” says Fantech Group product manager Peter Henry, M.AIRAH. “Additionally, these applications provide centralised system monitoring and remote diagnostics while having the flexibility to be adapted to suit real-world requirements.”

The Condair DL is a new in-duct adiabatic humidifier designed to provide the accurate humidity control normally only available from steam humidifiers, but with the low-energy performance and evaporative cooling benefit of a cold-water system.

Three models are currently available: the Aviator Touch Pro, the Aviator Mini and the Aviator Max.

“By pre-heating the airstream with gas-fired heating, the same volume of moisture can be absorbed by the air as steam humidification provides, but at one-third the energy cost due to the economy of gas,” says Condair. “If a building’s waste heat can be used for the pre-heating process, the humidification energy savings are even greater.”

“Increases in energy prices are driving greater demand for cost-effective systems that can deliver energy-efficient buildings,” Henry says. “The Aviator system addresses these concerns while helping to create healthier and more productive spaces for building occupants.”

According to the company, the combination of spray and evaporative technologies maximises moisture absorption and provides humidity control at ±2 per cent RH.

Go to www.fantech.com.au ■

As with other adiabatic humidifiers, the Condair DL also offers evaporative cooling during the warmer months. It is claimed to provide over 680kW of cooling per hour from as little as 1kW of consumed electrical energy.

Next-gen testing

“Testo’s 400 solution is an all-encompassing answer to airflow and IAQ questions, combining smart technology, intuitive user features and diverse applicability in one sophisticated instrument,” says the company. Probes are designed so they can be exchanged quickly and easily. They can also be calibrated independently of the measuring instrument. And the Testo 400 can be used with other probes while the probe heads are being serviced and re-calibrated. 6

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June 2019

Champion chillers

The high energy-efficiency air-cooled modular chillers use R1234ze refrigerant and come equipped with screw compressors and shell-and-tube heat exchangers. Cooling capacity ranges from 240kW to 1,020kW in Eurovent Class A of efficiency with EER>3.2 and IPLV>5.2.

Go to www.condair.com.au ■

A new range of indoor air quality (IAQ) instruments has been launched on the Australian market: the Testo 400 series.

Eurothermal has announced the Blue Box Rev LGW series of chillers.

It also incorporates many anti-microbial features and has earned accreditation by the SGS Institut Frensenius in Germany for hygienic operation.

Air control

Because the refrigerant is classified as A2L (mildly flammable), Eurothermal has adopted some specific measures to further increase the safety level of the units.

The Kappa LGW series features high seasonal energy efficiency, reduced refrigerant charge, and a refrigerant with a GWP<1. The units also feature a sound-proofed compressor compartment with forced ventilation and a standard refrigerant leak-detection system inside the compressor compartment. All electronic components have been moved into the electrical control panel. Go to www.eurothermal.com.au ■

Toolshed 6

Quote me on that

“Customers can also add notes such as photos and drawings against each project for greater collaboration between themselves and Heatcraft.” ■

Kirby has enhanced its Smart Access Project Tools system to help users build and quote projects.

Users can now build large multi-systems within a single project, create multiple loads within a single system and more easily access the heat-load calculator, with more heatload types available.

Oliver Footwear has released a new model of safety boot: the All Terrain (AT) 65-490. “The AT65-490 boots incorporate new features and engineering advancements such as 100 per cent waterproof technology, full Cordura vamp for abrasion and caustic resistance, and Q-Flex non-metallic penetration protection insole,” says Oliver Footwear.

The interface has been updated for easier navigation and new customisable system and load templates have been built into the program. There are also increased capital equipment selection options, warning alerts if selection inconsistencies occur, and detailed reporting options for quoting and convenient forwarding.

The toe bumper, Cordura vamp and heel guard have been designed to provide all-round foot protection from impact and abrasion. The foot bed has also been designed to wick away moisture.

Users can also request a Kirby engineer to design a rack system to suit the project’s requirements and add the compressor rack to the project. “All customers can benefit from the addition of the standalone product selection capability, and for larger applications we have added scale in the tool providing the ability to build large multi-load systems and product selections to suit,” says Kirby’s Brett Hedge, M.AIRAH.

New boot in town

“Time-saving comes in the form of being able to create system and room templates and maintain a list of favourite loads to avoid re-entering details for common loads. These are just two added features.

DO YOU HAVE A NEW PRODUCT TO GO IN THE TOOLSHED?

The boots have an S3 rating for waterproof and penetration resistance, a steel toe cap with a wide profile for greater comfort, heavy-duty Kevlar stitching across all critical-wear seams, and a free-running quick-adjust lacing system that is designed to allow easy adjustment, and extend the life of the laces. The Oliver AT 65 series complies with Australian and New Zealand safety standards. The boots also come with a 30-day “comfort guarantee”. If you’ve been fitted in store and are not satisfied, you can return or exchange them. Go to www.oliver.com.au ■ Email mark.vender@airah.org.au All submissions received will be considered, though publication cannot be guaranteed.

June 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Global Update

SPAIN

MALTA

FRIGID FRAGRANCE

CONTAINER CRIME WAVE

Daikin’s Spanish subsidiary believes it has discovered the smell of cold. After deciding that the senses play a fundamental role in the way we experience thermal conditions, the company set out to find out what smells people associate with cold. A survey conducted in Spain found that 52 per cent of people associate the smell of a fireplace with cold, while 28 per cent mentioned the smell of rain. Based on the survey results, and its own ideas, Daikin has come up with a perfume that it calls the “essence of cold”. In keeping with the company’s origins, it combines the traditional smell of Japanese cedar with cinnamon, citrus, amber and sandalwood. “We know that to enjoy perfect conditions, it takes more than just air conditioning,” says Daikin’s video, “it has to be an experience for all the senses.”

Customs officials have found 144kg of cocaine stashed inside refrigerated containers at the Malta Freeport international port. The incident is the latest in a string of busts that have occurred over the past few months. According to the Times of Malta, more than 750kg of cocaine has been seized in 2019 so far. The latest shipment had an estimated street value of around Au$25 million. The packets were hidden across three containers. Smugglers have been hiding the drugs in refrigerant compressor compartments or behind panelling of an inner compartment. This time the containers were heading to Albania and Montenegro, but previous shipments have been destined for other parts of Europe. In 2018, 100kg of cocaine was detected and sent under controlled delivery to Croatia, where a criminal gang was arrested. ■

We wonder what an Australian cold perfume would smell like. ■

USA

SWEDEN

BAFFLED BY SCIENCE

LIKE TINDER, BUT COOLER

Engineers at Boston University (BU) have developed “acoustic metamaterials” that they claim can block 94 per cent of sounds, while still permitting airflow.

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, Samsung seems to think the same applies to women, judging from its new dating app: Refrigerdating.

The devices look like simple plastic rings, but are actually incredibly complex units created through mathematical modelling and 3D printing. These send incoming sounds back to where they came from.

Instead of posting a snap of yourself, you post a picture of what’s inside your fridge. Users then swipe “like” if they think you have the right ingredients for love.

Possible applications include silencing the noise from drone fans – likely to become a problem in a future of drone deliveries – as well as air conditioning. “Closer to home – or the office – fans and HVAC systems could benefit from acoustic metamaterials that render them silent yet still enable hot or cold air to be circulated unencumbered throughout a building,” says BU. They can be made into other shapes too, opening up the possibility using them as tiles or bricks as part of a sound-cancelling, permeable wall. ■ 8

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The app launched in Sweden to promote Samsung’s all-bells-and-whistles Family Hub Refrigerator, but it’s now available worldwide and is open to all brands and models of fridge. Before you start chucking out your old sauce bottles and rotten veggies, however, take heed of Samsung’s advice: “Don’t go styling your fridge now! If this is to work, it needs to be the real thing. Cheating and relationships don’t go together well.” ■

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June 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Feature

HOT PROSPECT After a difficult start, heat pumps are rapidly gaining traction in Australian homes, as Sean McGowan reports. But it wouldn’t be for long.

In October 1973, an oil embargo called on by the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) quadrupled the global price of oil in the space of just six months. Later referred to as the first oil “shock” or “crisis”, the embargo had many short- and long-term effects on the global economy. Among them was a greater interest in alternative energy sources and new technologies. These included the development of solar hot water heaters in Israel, and ground-source heat pumps across Europe. Although heat pumps quickly became popular on the back of their energy-efficiency promise, when OAPEC lifted the embargo and oil prices fell back to normal levels, they were no longer such a big money-saver. 10

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By 1979 when the second “oil shock” hit the world economy as a result of the Iranian Revolution, heat pumps were back in vogue. They garnered particularly strong support in Sweden, where an appetite for renewable energies combined with a market incentive program saw the heat pump market flourish.

BY ANY OTHER NAME Here in Australia, heat pumps have been used for some time – even if the technology has been recognised as something else. For instance, reverse-cycle air conditioners that provide cooling and heating are a form of heat pump, and dedicated heat pumps are used for domestic hot water heating. They are also an emerging technology in the industrial sector, where they can be used to recycle low-temperature water heat to a higher heat for industrial processes. But as Dr Paul Bannister, F.AIRAH, explains in a series of articles penned on behalf of Automatic Heating, the technology has been around for as long as we’ve had refrigeration. “A heat pump is just a refrigerator in reverse,” says Bannister. “In a refrigerator, we extract heat from something we want to cool and reject that heat to the environment. In a heat pump, we extract heat from the environment and add that heat to something we want to heat.”

Their popularity has continued to grow over the decades since, with two types of heat pump systems commonly in use across Europe today.

The components are identical: two heat exchangers (one evaporator and one condenser), a compressor and an expansion valve.

“Central Europe uses mostly hydronic heat pumps, while in northern and southern Europe, air-to-air heat pumps are the most popular applications,” says Andrea Voigt, director general at the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE).

“If you have an air conditioner that you use for heating in winter (reverse-cycle air conditioner) then you are using a heat pump,” says Bannister. “The air conditioner is extracting heat from the cool outside air and bringing it into the house via the heat pump cycle.”

June 2019

Feature

A JOB FOR FRIDGIES OR PLUMBERS? Given that most heat pumps in Australia are used to replace old gas-fired or electric domestic hot-water units, plumbers are typically the ones found installing such systems. Both Stiebel Eltron and Sanden International report that no refrigeration or air conditioning knowledge is required to install their hot water heat pumps. The refrigeration system in their units is fully sealed. “Some knowledge is required, however, by those specifying the products as a solution,” says Fletcher. “Being a refrigeration system at its core, the main requirement is the need for proper airflow in the case of air-source heat pumps – and avoiding the potential for recirculation of discharge air back into the unit, which will degrade performance.”

THERMODYNAMICS AT WORK According to Alan Pears, senior industry fellow at RMIT, a key factor underpinning the operating of heat pumps is that thermodynamics work from a base temperature of -273°C or absolute zero (the temperature of outer space). “We need to understand that even cold air or water actually contains a lot of thermal energy,” says Pears. “And all things being equal, if you increase the pressure of a gas, you increase its temperature. If you remove heat from a hot gas (under the right conditions) it condenses into a liquid – just like the humid air from your clothes dryer condenses on the cold surfaces in the laundry.”

A heat pump works by absorbing heat at the evaporator. This gas is pressurised by the compressor and as a consequence its temperature increases. Heat is then removed at the condenser, and the gas condenses to a liquid, still at high pressure.

An all-electric home can now be both comfortable

The refrigerant then passes through a valve, depressurising and cooling – like the spray from an aerosol can. It absorbs heat again in the evaporator.

and affordable

Since a heat pump just shifts and concentrates heat, it can offer very high efficiencies.

THE LOCAL MARKET

“Space-heating heat pumps can be over 500 per cent efficient,” says Pears. “That is, the electricity input is less than a fifth of the amount of heat transferred.”

A number of companies are driving the emerging heat pump market in Australia, including Automatic Heating, Sanden International and Stiebel Eltron – the last of these having developed and produced heat pumps in Germany since 1976.

With such high efficiencies possible, it’s little wonder that heat pumps are now attracting more attention here in Australia.

According to Stiebel Eltron’s national product manager Darren Fletcher, the uptake of heat pumps in Australia was once hindered by the poor performance of certain units. “Some manufacturers and distributors in Australia, new to the technology 10 to 14 years ago, made design mistakes, provided lower quality products, oversold the capabilities of their systems and provided poor customer service,” Fletcher says. “Increased disappointment from unmet expectations then caused category damage to the technology for some time.” However, he says the recent rise in energy costs – especially natural gas prices – and Australia’s push towards renewable energy has caused a resurgence of heat pumps in the local market. “Rising gas prices are making Australian consumers think a little more when deciding upon heating, cooling and hot water appliances,” he says. “And the market has worked out that a gas connection is not necessary – an all-electric home can now be both comfortable and affordable.” Domestic hot water heat pumps are becoming a substitute for traditional electric and gas water heaters. They may even garner a government June 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Feature

UNDERSTANDING HEAT PUMP EFFICIENCY The heat pump cycle

Normally when we think of efficiency, we think of it as a percentage of the energy we put into an appliance. Only some of it provides a useful output, the rest is wasted.

1 kW elec

Compressor

Thus we talk about a boiler being 90 per cent efficient – because only 90 per cent of the fuel energy input ends up as useful output heat, with the rest being lost via the flue or via radiant and convective losses from the boiler.

3 kW heat from air at 20°C

Source: Automatic Heating

The ratio of electrical energy input to heat output is called the coefficient of performance or COP – where the higher the COP, the more efficient the heat pump. For the heat pump in the diagram, the COP is 4 units of heat output divided by one unit of electricity input (i.e. a COP of 4).

rebate in some states, alongside more commonly known solar hot water systems. “Even compared to electric or gas-boosted solar hot water systems, heat pump hot water units carry advantages that make them arguably more attractive,” says Fletcher. As well as not requiring solar panels, heat pump hot water units can operate 24/7, and their electrical consumption can be as low as 500–700W. “They can also make ample use of onsite solar PV (photo voltaic) electricity, supplying on occasions the entire power load required by the unit,” he says. “This makes their energy intake 100 per cent renewable.”

Reflecting the HFC phase-down and the HVAC&R industry’s movement towards lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, Sanden International has started using R744 (CO2) in its hot water heat pump system.

But like Fletcher, Padwick says the optimal application for a hot water heat pump is when it can be connected to solar-generated power.

SPACE HEATING

“Training must be extended well beyond traditional approaches, trades and professions,” says Pears.

The potential offered by heat pumps for hydronic space heating is also significant, and while still in its infancy here in Australia, it could one day challenge traditional heating solutions.

“We are only in the early days of adapting.”

“Hydronic space heating through the floor or slab has a number of advantages over conventional reverse-cycle refrigeration heating,” Fletcher says.

If you’ve had any experience working with heat pump technology, HVAC&R Nation would like to hear about it. Drop us a line at mark.vender@airah.org.au ■

Among these is its ability to provide an even and comfortable heat from the floor up without drying or dehumidifying the air. It also creates no airflows or currents in the conditioned areas, makes no noise, and can offer higher efficiency when properly designed.

Although heat pumps are generally considered to be a technology for the residential sector, high‑temperature industrial heat pumps are slowly entering the market to replace traditional boilers. Having worked with the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) on the implementation of demonstration projects showcasing this technology, Pears says heat pumps can compete with gas boilers and furnaces. But there are some caveats.

The HVAC&R industry

First, Pears notes that industrial processes may need to be redesigned because of the greater importance of temperature differentials. And he says when costing heat pump systems, a number of factors must be considered.

must upskill itself if the

“The multiple benefits of heat pump systems need to be factored in as offsets to higher capital cost.”

technology’s promise is to

But most importantly, Pears warns that industry training is required if heat pump technology is to be adopted more widely. Plumbers are more likely to

be fulfilled HVAC&R Nation

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This means that in a space heating application, for instance, the heat pump will be very efficient at mild temperatures, but less efficient when it’s really cold.

have had experience with the technology than RAC professionals, so the HVAC&R industry must upskill itself if the technology’s promise is to be fulfilled.

IN INDUSTRY

“At an ambient temperature of 20°C, it has a high coefficient of performance (COP) of 4.5 and uses 1kW of energy to generate 4.5kW of heat – equating to 22 per cent of the energy used by a conventional electric storage hot water system,” says Sanden International managing director, Mark Padwick.

The key external factor affecting both the COP and capacity of a heat pump is the temperature difference between the evaporator and the condenser. The narrower this temperature difference, the easier it is to transfer the heat, and the more heat we can transfer for every unit of energy input.

“This is due to the low energy consumption and the short re-heat periods required to generate sufficient hot water,” he says.

“For space heating – particularly for hydronic heating with a slab water temperature around 30°C – efficiencies can be as high as 600 per cent, with typical values around 400-450 per cent,” Fletcher says.

R744 offers a number of benefits in this space. It has minimal GWP, is not an ozone-depleting substance, and gets very hot very quickly, allowing water temperatures of 65°C to be achieved without an electric booster.

4 kW heat to water at 80°C

Expansion valve

By contrast, heat pumps seemingly achieve the impossible – you get more heating out than the energy you put in. This is possible because we use energy to move heat rather than converting the energy directly to heat. As a result the apparent efficiency in terms of heat output is greater than 100 per cent. This is shown in the diagram.

HEATING IN A PHASE‑DOWN FUTURE

Heat pump cycle

The COP can be maximised by careful design of the heat pump (efficient compressor, fans and other components) and the use of a thermodynamically appropriate refrigerant.

June 2019

Early days indeed, but heat pumps are a technology definitely worth keeping an eye on.

CASCADING ADVANTAGES According to Alan Pears, significant advantages lie in the cascading or multi‑staging of heat pumps. “With most refrigerants, the lower the temperature differential between the condenser and evaporator, the more efficiently they work – CO2 being an important exception,” Pears says. “A reduction of just one degree across the heat pump can improve efficiency by 2–4 per cent. So if two heat pumps are installed in series, with the heat from the first unit acting as the input source of heat for the second, the temperature difference across each unit is smaller and each works more efficiently.” Cascading or multi-stage heat pumps are being used in some supermarkets and industry, as well as some commercial buildings. And Pears notes that where hydronic heating is used, they are emerging in the residential sector also. “Obviously they cost more to buy, but the efficiency benefits will improve their economics as energy prices increase, and as more people try to get maximum benefit from their solar power generation.”

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HVAC&R Nation

Green Wedge

REEFER GLADNESS A brand-new reef off Queensland’s North Stradbroke Island was constructed partly from recycled plastic. saving of 95 per cent carbon-equivalent compared to reinforcing the modules with steel mesh,” says Member for Redlands electorate, Kim Richards.

What do you do to create more fishing and tourism opportunities off your picturesque island home? If you are the powers that be in Queensland, you construct a 30-hectare $1 million artificial reef off North Stradbroke Island’s Point Lookout.

Pacific Marine Group was responsible for designing and constructing the modules in its Townsville facility, and transporting and installing them onsite.

A collaborative initiative between Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) – the traditional owners of North Stradbroke Island – and the Queensland government, the new reef is designed to boost tourism in the area.

“The original design required 940kg of reinforcing steel per module,” says Tony Collister, the R&D manager for Fibercon, which makes Emesh. “The Emesh option reduced 800kg of reinforcing steel per module.”

The initial “skeleton” was constructed using 38 modules, each weighing 17 tonnes and standing around 5m high. “The reef modules were reinforced using Emesh fibres, made from 100 per cent recycled plastic with a direct

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Collister says the use of Emesh reduced the project’s CO2 footprint by 100 tonnes, and reused 1.6 tonnes of waste plastic.

June 2019

The Emesh option reduced 800kg of reinforcing steel per module Emesh is an Australian invention that diverts waste plastic from landfill and repurposes it to reinforce concrete in footpaths, cycleways and precast elements. ■

HVAC&R

MODULE

122

HUMIDIFYING

Skills Workshop AND DEHUMIDIFYING PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Managing humidity is one of the key functions of an HVAC system.

AIRAH

As well as affecting the comfort of occupants, humidity control also plays a vital role in ensuring indoor air quality. High humidity levels

Skills summary

can increase the growth of mould and mildew, which can affect

■ What?

But it’s not always about reducing humidity. Depending on the

An introduction to humidifying and dehumidifying.

■ Who?

Building owners and managers, maintenance specifiers and providers, regulatory authorities, system designers, installers and commissioners, consumers, tenants, occupants and HVAC hygiene and indoor air quality industry professionals.

Humidifying air Just as food stored in a refrigerator requires a certain humidity or moisture level in the air to prevent dehydration or permit normal evaporation of surface water, so people require a level which will maintain comfort and permit normal evaporation of fluids from the skin, lips, nose and lungs without the discomfort of ‘dryness’ necessitating frequent replacement by ‘thirst quenchers’. In dry climates, or when ambients fall below 5°C in winter, conditions within a room heated to 24°C can result in unpleasantly dry atmospheres which are not only uncomfortable but can also cause timber to shrink and a dangerous build-up of static electricity. The human body is sensitive to both temperature and humidity, and is most comfortable in temperatures of 22 – 24°C with relative humidity of about 50 per cent. If temperatures are lower, comfort can be maintained if humidity is increased – for example, 18°C and 80 per cent relative humidity would be acceptable. However, at higher temperatures, humidity should be lower – for example, 26°C and 35 per cent would be an acceptable combination. Many air conditioners are not equipped for ‘humidification’, but those which are equipped with water sprays before the cooling coil achieve a bonus from maintaining a relatively high humidity, in the form of both economies of operation and reduced complaints.

people’s health.

ambient conditions, it may be necessary to dehumidify or humidify an area. Humidification is often required to maintain comfortable indoor relative humidity, usually under heating conditions. This Skills Workshop looks at some of the techniques used to do this, as well as the thermodynamic processes behind it.

Methods of “humidification” include:

introducing fresh air but, when this air is ‘dry’, space humidity falls.

(a) Increased recirculation of air (b) Water sprays in the duct before the cooling coil

(b) Water sprays in the central air conditioning duct

Sprays are often installed on the upstream side of the evaporator or cooling coil, but in colder climates may be installed downstream of an outside air preheater coil, because cold outside air would not be capable of holding much more moisture until heated to at least 10°C.

(d) “Heater and humidifier” units (e) Evaporative cooling.

(a) Increased recirculation This is practical only within specific limits, because it relies upon water vapour derived from the occupants of the space and any appliances which add water vapour, such as tea and coffee urns, hair dryers, cooking appliances and so on.

When located upstream of the cooling coil, any surplus moisture may be removed by the cold coil, and the finned coil acts to catch the water drops and prevent free water being carried into the ducts.

The main limit is set by the need to maintain air purity and for the elimination of the odours which inevitably accompany water vapour from these sources. These can only be eliminated by

If located downstream of the coils, ‘spray eliminators’ would be required. Figure 1 shows the location of sprays in a typical system.

cooling coil water sprays

heating coil

outside air

duct

exhaust filter

C.C.W.

H.W.

supply air fan

return air Figure 1:plant A central station air conditioning plant used for humidification A central station air-conditioning showing the location of water sprays showing the location of water sprays used for humidification June 2019

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HVAC&R Skills Workshop

A B

Figure 2: Humidifying process along a line of constant wet-bulb temperature

Figure 3: Cooling and dehumidifying process

Humidification in specialised applications

This method can best be applied when both heating and humidification are required.

For hospitals, operating theatres, computer rooms, laboratories and museum treatment areas, it is often necessary to add moisture to the air to maintain a specified relative humidity, say 60–70 per cent, in the conditioned spaces. In hospitals, this is necessary for the health of patients, especially those with lung problems worsened by “dry” air.

It has an advantage where existing steam supplies can be tapped, and installation is simple, as there would be no need for pressure-reducing spray eliminators.

(d) Heater humidifying units

Computer room conditioners are required to maintain 60–70 per cent relative humidity to control static electricity and keep paper, tapes and electronic equipment in a state of equilibrium. Laboratory and museum needs may vary according to the type of work done. Generally, high relative humidity is required where “living” specimens and plants are involved, and low relative humidity is required where books, paintings and archaeological specimens are stored.

Compact humidifiers, which can be readily installed in any room or space, are common in the United States and Canada, where winter temperatures are much lower than in most of Australia. Many serve dual duties by using heat to vaporise the water, so heating the air at the same time. Others drop water onto a spinning plate, and use a fan to direct the atomised particles into the air.

(e) Evaporative cooling

Water sprays are not always suitable for adding moisture and specialised humidifiers, which inject steam or water in an atomised spray, are installed in these smaller applications.

As described earlier, the process of direct cooling by evaporation results in increased water vapour content in the supply air. In dry climates, therefore, evaporative cooling can perform the same task as more expensive mechanical systems, with the added bonus of a more comfortable humidity.

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The effect of water sprayed into the airstream depends on the temperatures of airstream and water sprayed. If the temperature of the water sprayed equals to the wet-bulb temperature of the airstream, the change of state will be along the line of constant wet‑bulb temperature.

spray eliminator

filter

sprayed D.E. coil

outside air

Some plant operators have found an additional cost‑reducing benefit in the cooling which results from the evaporation of water. In hot, dry summer weather, plants can be run with 100 per cent fresh air (no recirculation) with water sprays producing effective cooling plus satisfactory humidification. Under ideal conditions, the starting of the water‑chilling plant can be delayed by two to three hours at considerable cost savings. Spray eliminators are necessary to prevent water being carried into the duct. |

The simplest case to consider is to spray water into a moist airstream and assume all the water sprayed is evaporated. Since the total evaporation has occurred, air state B must lie nearer to the saturation curve. How much nearer to the saturation curve depends on the amount of water sprayed.

water sprays

In areas where low relative humidity may present a problem, water sprays can be installed to add moisture to dry air before the cooling coil.

HVAC&R Nation

Humidification means that the moisture content of the air is increased. Liquid water or steam can be injected into a moist airstream to increase its humidity.

return air

Water sprays for humidity control – plus evaporative cooling

Thermodynamic processes – humidifying

supply air

Some large air conditioning plants utilise water sprays that can be used in hot, dry weather to supplement the chiller plant and reduce energy use.

In particular, water sprays can leave deposits of solids on the cooling coils and should be kept clear of the coils, except where the water has low solids content.

pump

fan

water tray

refrigeration compressor Figure 4: System with central fan, split direct expansion refrigerant coil, filters, distributing ductwork, refrigeration compressor and controls, plus water spray (Reproduced from Trane original graphic, courtesy of Trane, Ingersoll Rand.) |

June 2019

HVAC&R Skills Workshop If steam is injected into an airstream, the change of air state takes place almost along a line of constant dry-bulb temperature, provided the steam is in a dry saturated condition.

Obviously this must be done without increasing the cooling or heating loads on the plant but, in the interests of energy conservation, increasing use must be made of this technique.

If the steam is superheated the dry-bulb temperature of the airstream may increase by any amount, depending on the degree of superheat.

The amount of moisture added and the energy transfer rate can also be determined by Equation (1) and Equation (2), respectively.

This method can only be applied to certain applications where the other methods are unacceptable, and therefore has very little use in normal air conditioning. The most obvious application would be in space vehicles, where the complete regeneration and recirculation of oxygen and water are essential for survival of the crew.

Dehumidifying air Normal comfort conditions for humans require temperatures of approximately 22° to 25°C, with relative humidities between 60 and 40 per cent.

Thermodynamic processes – dehumidifying

It is a characteristic of air that the warmer it becomes, the more water vapour it can hold. When warm air is progressively cooled with a certain quantity of water vapour contained within it, the relative humidity increases until the air becomes “saturated” (100 per cent relative humidity) and any further cooling causes some of that water to separate as dew or “condensate”. This point is called the dew point.

There are four principal methods whereby moist air can be dehumidified: (i) Cooling to a temperature below the dew point (iii) Absorption (iv) Compression followed by cooling.

Q = ma (hA – hB) – ma (WA – WB) hW

(b) Introduction of increased quantities of outside air when its moisture content is low

If air is cooled to approximately 12°C, it will be able to hold just enough water vapour to give a relative humidity of 50 per cent at 22°C, with all surplus water being left as condensate or dew on the surface of the evaporator or cooling coil. The standard air conditioner is therefore designed to cool the air circulated through it to approximately 12°C, so that it both cools and dehumidifies to an acceptable level. Only if the incoming air contains insufficient water vapour will water sprays or similar humidifiers be necessary to restore ‘comfort’.

Figure 3 shows a cooling and dehumidifying process. Although the actual process may vary considerably (depending on the type of heat exchanger surface, surface temperature, and flow conditions), the net heat and mass transfer during the process can be expressed in terms of the initial and end states.

Equation (1)

(a) Using refrigeration to cool air below its dew point

(a) Refrigeration dehumidification

When moisture air flows over a surface, part of the airstream is cooled to a temperature below its dew point and some of the water vapour will condense and leave the airstream.

mw = ma (WA – WB)

It follows, therefore, that the normal processes that cause a drop in air temperature can be used to reduce the moisture content of air. The main dehumidification processes can be summarised as:

Moisture condensation occurs when moist air is cooled to a temperature below its dew point. Since the aim is the dehumidification, some of the spray water or part of the cooling coil must be at a temperature less than the dew point of the air entering the equipment.

The amount of moisture removed can be determined by Equation (1). The energy transfer rate (Q) can be determined by Equation (2). The last term on the right-hand side of Equation (2) is usually small compared to the others and is often neglected. ■

(ii) Adsorption

In the Earth’s atmosphere, the mixing of warm, moist air and cold air usually results in the condensation of water, first as “cloud’” then rain. Mountain ranges push airflows to colder, higher altitudes and again produce rain.

Here we mainly introduce the first method.

Equation (2) Where

mw = the amount of moisture removed (kg/s)

ma = air mass flow rate (kg/s)

WA = air moisture content at state A (kg/kg)

WB = air moisture content at state B (kg/kg)

hA = air enthalpy at state A (kJ/kg)

hB = air enthalpy at state B (kJ/kg)

hW = the enthalpy of condensate (kJ/kg)

(b) Introduction of increased quantities of dry air Large air conditioning plants can be so controlled that outside and inside air humidities can be measured, balanced against temperatures, and the proportions of fresh and recirculated air varied to produce the ideal temperature and humidity conditions at the minimum cost in energy. Thus high internal space humidities could be effectively reduced by introducing increased proportions of dry outside air.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

This month’s Skills Workshop has been adapted from Australian Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Volume 2, by Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH, and AIRAH’s accredited Professional Diploma in Building Services – HVAC&R.

AIRAH

Next month: Noise in ductwork systems June 2019

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June 2019

Business Tips

BEAT THE INTERVIEW BLUES

Trade business expert Hugh Bowman presents a new way for employers to cut down recruitment time and improve their chances of selecting the right person. Business owners often lament the process of recruiting new staff because of the sheer time it takes. There’s the pile of resumes to read, with no guarantee that they’re an accurate representation of skills and experience. On top of that you still won’t know how motivated someone will be to change from what they are doing now to a new work culture. Do they have an attitude that will suit your business? There are many ways to address these problems, but if I had to choose the one strategy that can make the biggest difference to your recruiting process, it would a group interview or information evening. It’s easy enough to organise, and something that every HVAC&R company can successfully do every time. The concept behind having a group interview is to encourage the applicants to “buy in” without taking up a lot of your time. Imagine you have 20 applicants. Normally this would mean 20 resumes to read and then an hour or more of phone calls and interview time for every person you want to interview. They also arrive in dribs and drabs, meaning you might end up organising interviews with people who you later realise are not the strongest candidates. In any case you spend a lot of time saying the same things to each person. And it doesn’t matter if there are 20 applicants or 100, the issue is the same.

By getting everyone along to a group interview, you only need to go through the information once. It also sets an end date – applicants will appreciate knowing what stage they are at in the process. And because you present the information to a group, it doesn’t matter if a few more people turn up, or a few less. There are no decisions over whether individuals should be invited or not. If they are not that interested, they won’t bother coming. Before the group interview, assuming there is an email invitation to your event, you as a business owner don’t have to spend any time talking to applicants or reading their emails. In fact, an assistant can easily run this for you. When the candidates arrive you give them the opportunity to see your workshop and office, and meet some of your key staff. All this helps them decide whether they are really keen to join

your organisation. And when you speak to them as a group you will be able to explain the role further: who your customers are, who they will be working with, and what expectations you have of them. Because you only need to deliver the talk once, you can go through these points in far more detail than in a series of one-on-one interviews. The group interview also quickly reveals who is a good fit. In every recruitment process that I run – even when we had 140 applicants in one situation – two or three people invariably stand out. You can then look at their resumes and invite them back for a more thorough one-on-one interview. There’s huge value in this process and I can’t recommend it more highly. A group interview not only saves time, but also increases the probability of employing the right person for the right reason. ■

Hugh Bowman is a former fridgie who now offers coaching programs, business workshops and business plans through his own company, ActionCoach. You can contact him on 0409 402 474 or visit actioncoachgeelong.com.au

June 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Cover Feature Photo by Juan Photography, courtesy of TAFE SA.

ELEVATING OURÂ EDUCATION 20

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June 2019

Cover Feature For many years the Australian training package for refrigeration and air conditioning has been in need of a thorough revision. Now it is under way. Australia’s Electrotechnology Training Package is a massive store of knowledge. It provides nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualifications for refrigeration and air conditioning. It also covers other occupations such as electronics, electrics, communications, controls systems, instrumentation, lifts, renewable/sustainable energy, fire and security, appliances and rail. The package has been delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs) across Australia since 1998 – more than 30 years. In 2014, a much-anticipated review was announced, but when a change of government resulted in large-scale reform to the national training landscape, the review was shelved. As part of this reform, the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) was created in late 2015 to manage and provide industry leadership of the national training scheme. The management

of the electrotechnology training package then came under the auspices of the Australian Industry Standards (AIS).

One of the members of the TAC is TAFE NSW product manager and long-time educator, Steve Smith, M.AIRAH. Smith says as part of the transition review, the committee identified a range of issues that they judged were inhibiting course delivery and required immediate rectification.

In 2015, another review of the package was announced. On this occasion, an Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee (IRC) was appointed to drive the priorities for the review. This transition review, now under way, will see the existing training package revised to meet the Standards for Training Packages 2012. All qualifications and units of competency will then be in the same format and meet the same requirements. Representing the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry on the 15-member IRC committee are Kevin O’Shea, president of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association (RACCA) and Noel Munkman , M.AIRAH, technical and training manager at the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). Both men (and the RAC industry) enjoy the support of the committee’s chairman, Larry Moore. They are further supported by a RAC Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) made up of industry members.

These include the separation of the two units on refrigerants and motors into four. New technologies are continuing to expand the content in these topics, leading to the change. Another three units will also be restructured. “The existing versions focused on the skills of installing, commissioning and fault-finding,” says Smith, “whereas the proposed replacements focus on the skills in relation to an application – for example, medium temperature cabinets and rooms.” The changes to the Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning trade units of competency include: • New-generation refrigerants including CO2, ammonia, hydrocarbon and HFOs

“The TAC is the engine room of the whole training package,” says O’Shea.

• Energy efficiency

“On the TAC, we have many people representing the RAC industry that have been involved in training for a long time. These people have the knowledge and the skills to be able to amend the training to suit our industry.

• Variable speed drives

• Control systems

• Maintenance.

“The IRC is fed information from the TAC, and the IRC assists in bringing their requests to fruition.”

This additional work has subsequently been inserted into the current transition review. The drafts of the proposed revised units have been regularly released for public and industry feedback.

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June 2019

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Cover Feature INDUSTRY ROUND TABLE

Once this overhaul is

A RAC industry round table meeting was held in Sydney in August 2018. Key industry bodies and organisations discussed the issues affecting the industry and how these would be addressed as part of the training package review.

complete, we will still need maintenance of the training

In attendance were representatives from AIRAH, AMCA, ARMA, ARC, RACCA, AREMA, Refrigerants Australia, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and the Department of Environment and Energy. “The main training issues affecting the industry were discussed, including what should be added or removed from the current trade qualification,” says Munkman. “There is general agreement on what must be added, including those changes as outlined (above).” While the proposed changes to the training package are undoubtedly both important and necessary, they may fall short of the expectations of some who would like to see the trade course realigned to better meet the needs of the industry into the future. But Munkman says rather than completely overhauling the training package, we would be better served by updating it regularly.

package going forward

THE OLD AND THE NEW One of the challenges facing the IRC and TAC committees – and the industry more broadly – is the sheer scale of training required. Just as new technology is being introduced at a rapid rate, older systems continue to operate and require servicing. It means both old and new technologies must be covered in the training package. “The main difficulty is that more has to be added, but very little can be removed,” says Munkman. “Older systems are still working, and still need to be maintained.” It’s an issue Smith says affects all trade courses.

“The current training package was approved in 2011, but that represented a minor revision on the 2006 training package,” he says. “A lot of changes have occurred since then in equipment, refrigerants, technologies, standards and regulations. It just needs updating to keep up with these changes.”

“In NSW, the first version of our trade course was created in 1969 and was aligned to the functions and system types in existence in those days,” he says. Fast-forward to 2019, and as a result of new content being added to the original course to reflect new technologies, the training package has more than doubled in size and scope.

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June 2019

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8 Hope St, Melrose Park, NSW 2114

“The course I did as an apprentice contained 12 subjects,” says Smith. “The course version we are using today contains 27 subjects, yet the duration is still three years.” In simple terms, today’s apprentices are required to learn all that was taught in 1969, as well as an additional 50 years’ worth of change. “This includes new technologies in compressors, motors, valves, electronics and computers, an ever‑expanding array of refrigerants and the prolific collection of regulations and legislation,” says Smith. “I’ve had the luxury of adding all this to my original skillset as they were introduced – as everyone in my generation has. But we have this flawed expectation that a new apprentice will be able to absorb it all in the 100 days they spend at a TAFE or college.” Despite the challenges, O’Shea says the rewrite will enhance the training package significantly, and be of great benefit to the RAC industry more broadly. “I know that at the end of this review, the training package will be better than when we went into this exercise,” he says. “But what we need to remember is that once this overhaul is complete, we will still need maintenance of the training package going forward.” The review of the package should be complete by the end of June and ready to use by the first term of 2020. For updates, go to www.australianindustrystandards.org.au/ stakeholder-registration/ ■

Cover Feature

THREE INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES THE EDUCATOR

TAFE NSW’s Steve Smith has been more closely involved with the current review of the RAC component of the Electrotechnology Training Package than many. He believes deeper change is required if training is to remain relevant to the RAC industry in the future.

be pertinent to most, if not all, students, and will provide them with the core skills necessary to grow into any specialist sector.

Focused skill-sets

“The world is changing, and industries are changing,” he says. “Maybe it’s time we had a close look at what ours might be like 10 years from now, and create an educational structure that will support our up‑andcoming tradespeople better, irrespective of the sector they are employed within.” To this end, Smith has a short wish-list of changes he would like to see to the current training package:

Skills identification Steve Smith, M. AIRAH

THE APPRENTICE

Identify the skills that are core to the majority of sectors in our industry and realign the Certificate III trade course to these. The Certificate III will then

THE EMPLOYER

“HVAC&R is represented by two passionate fridgies in Noel and Kevin at the IRC, and both are fighting for the future of our industry. A show of support from the broader industry community would go a long way to making a full review and rebuild of the trade course possible.” ■

“Ours is a physical trade, and we are expected to contribute physically on the job. While the information was relevant to that stage of our apprenticeship, I believe we would benefit more from seeing these learnings in a real-time, workshop setting.” ■

“I would have preferred more time to learn outside the classroom about the functions of a refrigeration

As one of the nation’s largest retailers, and employer of 16 HVAC&R apprentices working in installation and maintenance, Woolworths’ national installation manager – refrigeration, Shaun Merry, hopes the review of the training package will see more emphasis placed on the safe handling of natural refrigerants.

only a small percentage of the trade – Merry says Woolworths spends a lot of time mentoring its apprentices internally to ensure they are skilled in the aspects of the trade relevant to its sites.

He says the training package should focus on three main elements: personal safety, the refrigeration system, and the control system. “Natural refrigerants are becoming more commonplace every day, so training on how to work on systems employing natural refrigerants in general needs to increase,” he says. “While human safety is of paramount importance, it is also increasingly critical for a technician to understand cause and effect within a system. CO2 cascade systems, for example, have dependencies on other systems – you cannot simply shut down one side for maintenance as this could result in considerable stock loss and equipment damage.”

Dario Ferlin, M. AIRAH

Smith is hopeful that further changes of the training package are not too far away, and says it only needs industry support.

system, fault-finding and setting up in a workshop, rather just than the theory of these things.

As a third-year refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice working for Recharged Air and Electrical in Cairns, Jennah Wone would like to see more hands-on training included within each practical module of the training package, and less time spent on the computer. “Most RAC apprentices have been out of school for a couple of years or more, and value hands‑on skills and discussion rather than individual, computer‑based reading and theory,” she says.

Jennah Wone

Create a wide array of focused skill-sets that provide training in the myriad specialisations that exist in our industry. This would permit people to upskill into other specialisations by attending short courses when needed.

Acknowledging that Woolworths’ apprentices work almost exclusively on supermarket commercial refrigeration and HVAC systems – which makes up

“While training is essential, I’m not sure a training package alone is sufficient to meet industry needs,” adds Dario Ferlin, M.AIRAH, refrigeration and sustainable innovations engineer at Woolworths. “We need to attract greater numbers of high‑potential talent into our industry, but unfortunately we remain somewhat unseen and not given consideration by those seeking vocational direction.” Woolworths is undertaking a review of its apprentice numbers and strategy moving forward, to ensure it has an adequate number of suitable technicians. Part of this strategy incorporates the company’s own training plan. “No matter how refined the RAC training package is, we recognise that it is a well-rounded training package for the trade and cannot be tailored specifically to our needs, or anyone else’s,” says Merry. “So our own specific training plan is designed to complement this.” ■

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WorldSkills

MANIFOLD DESTINY

Although the event itself ran seamlessly, the same couldn’t be said for Brennan’s performance. “After the first day of competition, Paddy didn’t get as much done as what we thought he should have,” says Balke, “mainly because he put a lot of pressure on himself. We had the past gold- and silver-medalwinning countries there. We had the international chief judge and deputy chief judge with their countries also competing. So there was a lot of heavy hitters in our category.

Queensland refrigeration apprentice Patrick Brennan is on his way to Russia after a world-beating performance at the Global Skills Challenge in Melbourne. Working in HVAC&R can take you to some far-flung places. Just ask Patrick Brennan, Australia’s WorldSkills champion in refrigeration and air conditioning, who on his way to Russia to showcase his talents.

A TOUGH TEST

Brennan will be competing in the 45th WorldSkills International Championships, in the city of Kazan. The event will be huge, involving more than 60 countries and 1,600 competitors across 56 different skills, watched by an anticipated audience of 250,000.

Over the first three days competitors had to install and commission a glycol refrigeration system. The final day involved two refrigeration and two electrical fault-finding tasks. These had to be done within half-an-hour, with bonus points for competitors who finished quickly. The final task was to recover the refrigerant from a high-wall split system, evacuate, recharge and carry out a capacity check, using a psychrometric chart to prove the workings.

For Brennan, the test was a stern one, involving fridgies from nine other countries and four days of competition.

In the lead-up to this event, member countries were asked to select their representatives. It was with this in mind that WorldSkills Australia recently organised the Global Challenge in Melbourne. Patrick Brennan already held the title of Australian champion in refrigeration and air conditioning. But he and many other “Skillaroos” needed to perform against international competition to book their seat to Kazan.

In Brennan’s corner was his training mentor, and the event organiser and chief judge, Carl Balke, Affil.AIRAH. Kirby (formerly Heatcraft) provided all the equipment for the event, and RMIT hosted it, with great support from the resident teachers, especially Larry Ford.

Photo courtesy of WorldSkills Australia.

“But he came back in for the second day and absolutely smashed it out. He was the only one to have the refrigeration system running. He was quite proud of what he’d achieved, and I was too.” By the end of the third day all the competitors had got their systems running in some way, shape or form, with three or four fridgies, including Brennan, clearly in the lead. Brennan lifted again, blowing the competition out of the water on the fault-finding and retrofit. He not only won the gold, he beat his nearest rival by nearly 10 marks in what is usually a tight contest. In the process he took out the Best in Nation award for the highest score of any Australian. “I was over the moon,” says Brennan. “It was a big tick for me and Carl to see that we’re at the pointy end not only of our skills but of our country as well.”

COUNTDOWN TO RUSSIA Despite the amazing result, Balke says it hasn’t gone to Brennan’s head. “Paddy is still growing as a competitor, as a young adult and as a fridgie,” he says. “Because we did so well, the target’s on our back and the other countries are now lifting the intensity of their training.” Brennan agrees that the hardest part lies ahead. “It ramps up from here with a lot more training and fine-tuning,” he says. “It’ll be a bit stressful, but you only get one crack at it.” Luckily, Brennan has one more hit-out before the main event. He and a handful of Skilleroos have been invited to Russia to compete in the national championships. “I’ve never travelled overseas, let alone to Russia,” says Brennan, “Everything’s in another language and I don’t know how I’ll cope with that.” Although the location will be a factor, both Brennan and Balke say the biggest challenge will be the pressure. The pair deliberately run their practice sessions in a busy corridor at Queensland TAFE where the other apprentices can interrupt at any time with their questions, but it’s still not like WorldSkills. “Having a four-day competition where you’ve got to compete at your best every day, all day, that’s where the challenge is,” says Balke. “You’ve got a time limit and you’ve got judges watching everything you do and they’re marking everything from your safety to your quality of work,” says Brennan. “It’s a bit nerve-racking when you see eight judges standing at your booth watching what you’re doing. It’s something you can’t really train for. But I’m going to go over and give it the best crack I can.” ■

For more information on WorldSkills go to worldskills2019.com

Caption

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Around the Nation 1

1 WORLD REFRIGERATION DAY Get ready to celebrate – June 26 is World Refrigeration Day! Stephen Gill, former president of the Institute of Refrigeration, hopes it will raise awareness of refrigeration and the role it plays in modern life and society.

from Kirby; Phill Raso from the City of Perth; and Raymond Frangie from Norman Disney & Young.

implementing a sustainable sales strategy across Australia and New Zealand.

The event runs from 9am–4pm at HBF Stadium and costs $150 for AIRAH members, $220 for non‑members, and $80 for students. But bookings close on June 5, so get in quick!

“I am pleased and privileged to have joined MHIAA,” he says. “And I look forward to helping them bring their goals to life.”

The Symposium will be followed by the Perth Industry night – sometimes dubbed the ARBS of the west.

“Refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump technologies and applications have evolved out of a human need for food, comfort and thermal processes, with a history dating back centuries,” he says.

“AIRAH Industry Nights are a way of compressing 12 months’ worth of industry changes and improvements into two or three hours,” says regular attendee Daniel Belotti, M.AIRAH, from DB Mechanical Consulting.

“However, it remains a longstanding frustration for those working within the industry that it is not widely recognised that modern life could not exist without it. Nor is there any appreciation by wider society for the skills and knowledge employed on a daily basis by industry professionals.”

“If you’re time poor it can really help to get you up to speed on new developments. I often come home with my ‘show bag’ then spend the next few days reviewing the material and researching products, services and technology or filing the material for future reference.”

Support for a global day has already come from the US, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Africa and across Europe.

Go to www.airah.org.au/events ■

Industry Nights are free to attend, but you must register.

In Australia, AIRAH has thrown its support behind the initiative, as have a number of other organisations including the ARC, Woolworths and Actrol. Keep an eye on the AIRAH website for more information on events taking place near you. And in case you’re wondering, the date was chosen because it’s the birthday of Lord Kelvin. ■

He is keen to take MHIAA’s supply chain to the next level.

Another big event coming up this month is AIRAH’s Future Trends Symposium in Perth on June 13.

“I am a strong believer in teamwork,” he says. “And I will work closely with my new team to make sure that we achieve all our objectives.”

The full-day event features presentations on the latest developments and innovations in HVAC&R, including the changing nature of refrigerants, the digital revolution in the built environment, commissioning, sustainability and solar technology.

MHIAA has also welcomed Hatch, who assumes the role of national accounts manager. “I’ve dealt with key national accounts in the past, and pride myself on the strong and established relationships that I’ve built over time,” he says.

Among the list of speakers are Chris Bong, M.AIRAH, from Veolia; Paul Jackson, F.AIRAH, from Engineering Commissioning Services; Brett Hedge, M.AIRAH, |

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has appointed Amir Naqvi (above left) as supply chain manager and Damian Hatch (above right) as national accounts manager. Naqvi is described as “a seasoned supply chain professional” and brings 15 years of expertise to the team.

2 PERTH THE PLACE TO BE

3 NAQVI AND HATCH

Hatch will be responsible for developing and |

June 2019

Go to mhiaa.com.au ■

4 HEATCRAFT BECOMES KIRBY As part of an Australia-wide rebrand, Heatcraft has announced a new trading name and logo. The business will now be known as Kirby. The rebrand is an evolution of the acquisition of Heatcraft Australia by Beijer Ref in April 2018. “The new logo, Kirby – A Beijer Ref Company, unifies the business with the global Beijer Ref Group and carries forward the heritage of the Kirby brand, established in Australia since 1924,” says the company. “Heatcraft has been a leading force in the industry since 2004. It built its success on a foundation of product innovation and the strength of its people from the merger of the former Kirby and Lovelocks wholesale businesses to today. As a Beijer Ref Company, Kirby will continue its commitment to quality and innovation, making the appropriate investments to expand capability and increase total market share.” Over the coming 12 months, all Heatcraft storefronts will undergo a rebrand to Kirby. “The new Kirby business will continue to operate alongside the group’s Beijer Ref Australia operation as two independent businesses,” says the company. Go to www.heatcraft.com.au ■

5 PRESSED FOR SUCCESS A new air conditioning system for a 21-storey student block in Melbourne has made effective use of Conex Bänninger’s MaxiPro press fittings as the pipework jointing solution.

Around the Nation 6

If you're a tradie it pays to learn what you can claim at tax time You can claim a deduction for expenses incurred as an employee tradie if: ■

you spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed

■

it was directly related to earning your income

■

you have a record to prove it.

TAXI

Tips: ■

Include all your income on your tax return – including cash!

■

Use the ATO app’s myDeductions tool to keep track of your expenses.

Car expenses

Travel expenses If you are required to travel away from home overnight for work, you can claim a deduction for accommodation and meal expenses. Receiving an allowance from your employer does not automatically entitle you to a deduction. You need to be able to show you were away overnight for work and you spent the money.

Clothing expenses

You can claim a deduction for the cost of travel while performing your duties. This includes travel between different work locations, including for different employers.

You can claim a deduction for: ■

the cost of buying, mending and cleaning uniforms that are unique and distinctive to your job (eg a uniform your employer requires you to wear)

■

protective clothing your employer requires you to wear (eg hi-vis vests, steel-capped boots and safety glasses).

Normal trips between home and work are private in nature and can’t be claimed. This applies even if you: ■

live a long way from your usual workplace, or

■

have to work outside normal business hours (eg weekend shifts).

In limited circumstances, you may be able to claim the cost of trips between home and work, but only if you: ■

don’t have a usual workplace and you travel between home and different workplaces for the same employer at least every few days, or

■

carry bulky tools or equipment for work (eg an extension ladder) provided:

You can’t claim a deduction for plain clothing worn at work, even if your employer tells you to wear it or you only wear it for work (eg jeans or a plain shirt).

Tools and equipment expenses

– your employer requires you to transport the equipment for work – the equipment is essential to earning your income – there is no secure area to store the equipment at the work location – the equipment is bulky – at least 20kg – and difficult to transport. If you claim car expenses, you must: ■

keep a logbook of your work trips, or

■

be able to show us your claim is reasonable if you use the cents per kilometre method (for claims up to 5,000 km only).

You can claim a deduction for tools or equipment you are required to buy for your job. If you also use the tools or equipment for private purposes, you can’t claim a deduction for that use. For example, if you have a tool set that you use for private purposes half the time you can only deduct 50% of the cost. If the tools or equipment are supplied by your employer or another person, you can’t claim a deduction. If a tool or item of work equipment you only used for work:

Your vehicle is not considered to be a car if it is a vehicle with a carrying capacity of: one tonne or more, such as a ute or panel van

■

nine passengers or more, such as a minivan.

In these circumstances (eg if you use a ute) you can claim the proportion of your vehicle expenses that relate to work – such as fuel, oil, insurance, repairs and servicing, car loan interest, registration OICE and depreciation. TAX INV

■

cost more than $300 – you can claim a deduction for the cost over a number of years

■

cost $300 or less – you can claim an immediate deduction for the whole cost.

Other common deductible expenses TAX INVOICE

Keep receipts for your actual expenses. You cannot use the cents per kilometre method for these vehicles and must use a logbook to show your work-related use.

Other work-related expenses you can claim include: ■

protective equipment such as sunscreen, sunhats and sunglasses

■

union fees

■

phone expenses if you have to make phone calls or send texts for work.

Remember, you can only claim the work-related part of the expense.

C066-00066

■

For more information, go to ato.gov.au/occupations

The mix of studio, multi-bedroom and duplex apartments was developed by global construction company GSA and will house more than 300 students. Auscool Air Conditioning and Mechanical Services was appointed to install the air conditioning system, comprising more than 40 units. “Specifying MaxiPro meant we didn’t have to wheel any large gas bottles around the site for welding and nitrogen purging,” says Auscool director Andrew Hume. “It eliminated the risk of fire onsite and, as we didn’t have to wait for hot works permits, we were able to start straight away.” MaxiPro has been engineered to cope with high operating pressures, allowing for up to a maximum 48 bar, with a permanent maximum operating temperature range of -40°C to 121°C. “Our team onsite have liked working with the MaxiPro range and particularly enjoy that it speeds up our time working on a job, especially one as large as GSA’s,” says Hume. Go to www.conexbanninger.com.au ■

6 TAX TIME! The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has prepared a one-page cheat sheet to help tradies work out what they can and cannot claim.

Source: GOTAFE

to claim a deduction where you haven’t spent the money or it’s not related to earning your income. Make sure you have records to prove your claims.”

representatives CA Group Services applied for funding to complete a number of projects. In March, the Hon. Gayle Tierney, Minister for Training and Skills, and Higher Education announced that the funding had been approved.

Go to www.ato.gov.au/tradie ■

“We are excited to be able to partner with industry to deliver training relevant to their requirements,” says GOTAFE Interim Executive Director of Education Louise Pearce.

7 FEMALE FRIDGIES JOIN FORCES Last month saw the first Women of HVAC&R night in Cairns. The event was the brainchild of Jo Piggott, from Cairns A/C & Refrigeration, who wanted to create a space for women in the local industry to connect. “Working in a male-dominated industry, often women are in the background, referred to as just the office or admin chicks!” says Piggott. “We are much more than that. We all have our own skills which are needed to run successful HVAC&R businesses. “I have lived in Cairns for five years and have a fantastic network, however, none are from my industry. I have realised that the blokes are very well connected, having worked together, done TAFE or met on job sites. This also prompted me to organise the event.” Thirteen women from different businesses attended and discussed the possibility of setting up a mentoring group for young women who are thinking of entering a trade, and ways they could raise awareness about mental health and suicide.

“This will ensure our apprentices are at the forefront of industry practices and equipped with the tools and skills they need to provide the outcomes required from the industry moving forward.” Over the next two years, the project will deliver an innovative industry-wide HVAC&R workforce engagement strategy and action plan that supports the ongoing development, rollout and continued upskilling and support of the HVAC&R workforce. A mobile upskilling solution will deliver training in flammable refrigerants. This will initially be used for post-apprenticeship graduates, then to enhance apprenticeship training. According to Ian Tuena, AM.AIRAH, who helped develop the funding proposal, it will incorporate virtual reality systems and system augmentation presentations. ■

9 SIMPRO’S GLOBAL ROADSHOW

To claim a work-related deduction, you must have spent the money yourself, and you can’t have been reimbursed. It must also be directly related to earning your income. And you must have a record to prove it.

“There are so many tradies our there with their tough exterior that are afraid to speak about mental health,” Piggott says.

If the expense was for both work and private purposes, you can only claim a deduction for the work-related portion. Deductions for tradies include travel expenses, clothing expenses, self-education expenses, home office expenses, phone expenses, tools and equipment, and other expenses.

For more information contact info@ cairnsacandrefrigeration.com.au ■

Those are the questions simPRO will be answering at its “Inspiring a Connected Business” sessions, running from June 11–19 around Australia.

8 $2M FOR TRAINING

“Learn why it is important to ensure your business data is connected,” says simPRO. “See our latest innovations to centralise your business information. And maintain your team’s knowledge and training with the latest from our learning and development team.”

The ATO also warns that you are accountable for the claims you make in your tax return, even if you use a registered tax agent to prepare and lodge it on your behalf. “There’s no such thing as a standard deduction – this is a myth,” says the ATO. “There’s no ‘safe’ level

There is another night planned at the end of June.

The Victorian Department of Industry and Training has granted nearly $2,000,000 toward improving skills and education opportunities in the refrigeration industry. GOTAFE, Bendigo Kangan Institute and industry

What is a connected business? Why do you need a single source of truth for all your data? And how can you bring it all together?

The sessions are free, but you must register – spaces are limited. Refreshments will be provided. Go to www.simprogroup.com/roadshow ■ June 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

Cool Tech

PURE COMMUNICATION designed-for-addiction notifications and other distractions. It puts you in charge.”

If you feel like it’s time to turn off the notifications and noise, the Punkt phone might be for you. For the past few years mobile phones have been getting bigger, smarter, and let’s face it, more of a distraction.

In a world of ever-more complex smart devices, here is a phone that simply handles texts and calls.

“Focus is at a premium in the digital age,” say the folks from Punkt. “The MP02 makes it easier to be where you are, whether that’s a family weekend away or an important business meeting. It gives you freedom from a constant onslaught of

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True, you could probably dig out an old Nokia or flip-phone, but it’s not going to have the street cred and minimalist style of the Punkt.

stylish dumb phone”

“It’s a phone for keeping,” says Punkt, “not replacing.”

The MP02 has been described as the “ultimate stylish dumb phone”.

The MP02 has been

Boasting “effective simplicity”, and described as a “true antidote to information overload” the phone is designed for onehanded use.

So if you’ve decided that enough is enough – that Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Insta have stolen enough of your time – then the Punkt MP02 may be for you.

If required, the MP02 can act as a wi-fi hot spot, so you can connect a laptop or smartphone if internet access is a must.

Could this be the phone of the future? Cost is about $525 from www.punkt.ch ■

June 2019

described as the “ultimate

Smoko with . . .

Name: Corey Walduck ng rigeration and Air Conditioni Company: Garden City Ref

mechanic Occupation: Refrigeration industry do you work in? What part of the HVAC&R ration and air conditioning, We cover all areas of refrige the way through to industrial t from residential air con righ d trailers/containers and blast freezers to refrigerate re’s not much we don’t do. air dryers/water chillers. The industry? ut working in the HVAC&R What’s the best thing abo on. rk wo we s location The variety of equipment and ry day. eve nt ere diff but e, sam It’s the d in the industry? How long have you worke This will be my 10th year. to be either rentice haha. It would have Favourite tool: Not my app d for me. har tty er. They both work pre my multimeter or impact driv do you think HVAC&R industry, what If you didn’t work in the chippie. a be ays said I wanted to you would be doing? I alw . now for will have to do I guess renovating a house t of HVAC&R Nation? What’s your favourite par ckers. There are usually some cra The photos that are sent in. uiser. Dream car: Dual-cab Landcr

told by the wife. Dream date: Wherever I’m nt to travel Dream holiday: I really wa ope but haven’t Eur to n bee e Australia. I hav seen our own backyard. Club and dry. Drink of choice: Canadian en to? What song did you last list ” ntry Cou You kes “What Ma by Luke Bryan. : Favourite quote or saying . rter sma not er ard rk h Wo Favourite smoko snack: . Subway footlong of some kind Sporting hero: Was always a big Darren Lockyer fan. … When I’m not working I’m s dog the Probably out with g chasing wild pigs. Or arguin out ng goi ut abo sus mis e with th to chase pigs.

June 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

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

Ahead of the pack APAC Commercial HVAC AC

Visit apacair.com.au for more information

1 WINNER

1 HEAT PUMP HELPER

Wayne found this in a high-rise basement plant room on the Gold Coast. “There are three pool and spa heat pumps with little airflow to make them work efficiently,” he says, “so someone has solved the problem by installing an 8kW AC to heat the room!”

2 BANK ERROR

David sent through some pics of a heaterbank insulation job he had to redo. The plumbers cement sheeting was replaced with heat resistant mill board.

3 HIGH COMPRESSION

Thanks to Brodie for sending in this highly original install. Note the milk crates for easy maintenance access.

4 SAFE AS HOUSES

Who needs wall brackets when you’ve got a pile of cement bricks, a wooden brace and a strap off the roof for good measure? Thanks to James for our latest tie-down special.

5 BURIED BUT NOT DEAD

Amazingly, this system was still running when a customer in Townsville called David out to have a look. “I think my air conditioner is short of gas,” was his diagnosis.

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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June 2019

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June 2019

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HVAC&R Nation

June 2019 / ISSUE 122

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