Around the Nation 1
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5 Cold Hard Facts 2021
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December 2021
Gregor Riese
COOLEST. CONFERENCE. EVER.
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“Matthew’s technical knowledge, experience, market contacts, and commercial acumen will support Hydroflow’s growth efforts across Australia,” says National Sales Manager David Clarke.
AIRAH is taking a new approach to its Refrigeration Conference this year, with the goal of opening the event to more refrigeration contractors, technicians and apprentices. It will be held in person in Sydney and online on May 17–18.
Go to www.hydroflowaus.com.au
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The conference will begin on Monday, May 17, with an education session. This is split between three main topics: the fundamentals of refrigeration; energy efficiency in refrigeration; and a coolroom design workshop.
The Advisory Note provides information on the HFC phase-down and Montreal Protocol, the state of the current refrigerant market, HFC alternatives, refrigerant trends, and an assessment of what the phase-down means for commercial HVAC systems.
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SWANSON GOES WITH THE ’FLOW
“With the phase-down of HFC refrigerants, there will be reduced supply, and this is likely to result in increasing cost of the gas over time,” says A.G. Coombs. “This has been observed with an increasing cost of R134a over the past five years.”
Hydroflow Distributors has appointed Matt Swanson as Senior HVAC Business Development Manager. He will be responsible for business improvement across Australia through specification and sales of the IMI TA (Tour & Andersson) product portfolio.
The note advises keeping an accurate schedule of all assets incorporating HFC refrigerants, speaking with mechanical maintenance providers to identify any HFC plant operating inefficiently, preparing a refrigerant management plan, reviewing chiller plant replacement strategies, and considering systems that can offer both cooling and heating at the same time to leverage cost efficiencies.
Swanson comes to the role with significant experience in international product management and national sales management. He previously held the positions of National Industrial Business Manager with Crane Distribution Limited (Tradelink Plumbing Centres), and Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand with Frese Asia Pacific. Before moving into business development at 30, Matt was the youngest member of Crane’s Senior Management Team and Tradelink’s Guiding Coalition.
Go to bit.ly/3tPbdaI
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Over more than 14 years, Swanson has built up a wealth of experience in HVAC product supply, valve sizing, fault-finding, and system value engineering, and has also spent time working in building automation. He developed an interest in fluid mechanics when completing a mechanical engineering degree at Monash University. 26
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HVAC&R News
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www.airah.org.au/hvacrnews
CHOOSE WISELY, SAYS A.G. COOMBS
“As the world grapples with rising temperatures caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, refrigerants are under renewed scrutiny,” A.G. Coombs says. “Common refrigerants are classified as greenhouse gases, which can be hundreds or even a thousand times worse from a global warming potential (GWP) versus the equivalent volume of natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide (CO2).”
Discount rates apply for students – just $75 to attend the full-day education session.
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A.G. Coombs has produced an update on its advice about refrigerant use for commercial HVAC systems.
The following day – Tuesday, May 18 – features a full day of conference technical presentations. Attendees will hear from both international and local experts as they review the latest from refrigeration industry.
Go to www.airah.org.au/refrigeration2022
Katanga Mangala
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NEW OPENINGS AT OPIRA
The Opira Group has announced the opening of a New South Wales office with the appointment of a new regional director: Gregor Riese, Affil.AIRAH. Riese joins Opira as an environmental scientist and |
April–May 2022
occupational hygienist with extensive experience in the waste management and recycling industries since 1996. He completed a master’s in occupational hygiene and toxicology and is also an accredited WELL AP and NABERS Indoor Environment Assessor. Opira has also welcomed a new team member to its Perth Office – Katanga Mangala. Mangala brings more than 10 years of experience in occupational hygiene and environmental consultancy across a variety of industries. Mangala is studying for his master’s in occupational hygiene and toxicology at Edith Cowan University. “We are excited about the new growth across our organisation,” says Opira, “and we look forward to supporting our customers with all their indoor air consultancy requirements.” Go to www.opira.com.au
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JUST THE FACTS
A new version of Cold Hard Facts – Australia’s definitive reference on the HVAC&R industry – has been released. The big takeaway is that Australia has probably passed “peak bank”. In other words, our total quantity of refrigerant is now starting to shrink, and with it, the associated emissions. This shows that Australia’s HFC phase-down and other efforts around the world are having an impact. The rapid transition away from R410A to R32 in air conditioners is continuing. Hydrocarbons are signalled as another growth refrigerant, especially in applications with charge sizes under 150g such as refrigerated display cabinets and portable air conditioners. But the transition to natural or alternative low-GWP synthetic refrigerants is not happening as quickly in other sectors. The report notes that despite a concerted move by major supermarket chains to deploy trans-critical CO2 systems, demand for R404A remains strong. In other words, although Australia has probably passed peak bank, there is still plenty of work to do. “With an existing refrigerant bank in installed equipment that has a total global warming potential of approximately 100 million tonnes (Mt) CO2e,”
