CCME - February 2010

Trane arrives at the Red Line

Honour for Ductsox-Mena

key perspectives on the region’s hvacr industry

FEBRuary 2010

INSIDE

show catalogue

Spotlight on antoine stephan, hamon Feature green focus for the chillers market?

Country in focus: Germany Plus ashrae Update, Marketplace SAUDI ARABIA

Turning to the sea

DC: Should we intensify our gaze seawards?

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...keep(s) your quality.

this month 04 editorial

Tweak, tighten, optimise

happenings 06 The region 16 Comings and goings 18 At large

Vol. 5 No. 02 | february 2010

30

Turning to the sea DC: Should we intensify our gaze seawards?

20 ashrae update 22 ahr REPORT 24 MARKETPLACE 26 country report

Made in Germany

After the annus horribilis that was 2009, the German HVACR industry is showing signs of getting on the growth path.

28 feature: Chillers Green focus

For the chiller industry, downturn or not, the drive to produce more efficient and environmentally friendly chillers continues, especially from a green context.

30 cover story Turning to the sea

In view of the non-availability of potable water and the limited availability of treated sewage effluent for district cooling, should we intensify our gaze seawards? If so, what are the inherent challenges… and solutions?

42 perspective

show catalogue

On neutral ground

Many international organisations have begun to discover the advantages of using hydrocarbons such as propane and propene as they are climate-neutral refrigerants, apart from being energy efficient.

Eurammon, the European initiative for natural refrigerants, presents case studies to support this view...

show catalogue

SAUDI ARABIA

50 end point

What you ‘sea’ is what you get!

Antoine Stephan, Director, Hamon CTC – Dubai Branch, with his years of experience in the field of district cooling and cooling towers, talks of the myths that pose challenges to using seawater in the UAE.

20 50

08

Inside: Retrofit News and Chronicle the tenants can track energy use on a 15-minute or half-an-hour basis. they can now benchmark themselves against other tenants in the same building. p7

Pit-stop strategy

the advantages, risks and challenges of a retrofit exercise february 2010 • www.cpi-industry.com

Tecom InvesTmenTs offIce (Building 4) in duBai internet City

Page 2

Interview Clay g nesler and iain a Campbell, JCi Page 5

Retrofit Champion Mario Seneviratne Page 7

retrofit news and chronicle is a joint initiative of:

2 Pit-stop strategy 3 Feature: Retroffiting?

LEED on!

5 Interview: The Empire’s new clothes 7 Retrofit champion: Mario Seneviratne

SAUDI ARABIA

41 February 2010

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

3

editorial

Publisher Dominic De Sousa Managing Director & Associate Publisher Frédéric Paillé | fred@cpi-industry.com

Tweak, tighten, optimise

T

he mind goes back to the Summer of 2006, when we launched Chill, the bi-annual supplement for the district cooling sector. Little did we anticipate at the time that the supplement would come to enjoy the goodwill and faith of the HVAC sector, in particular. And for that we are grateful.

With this issue, we are launching another supplement, called Retrofit News and Chronicle. A monthly, the supplement will track the retrofit activities in the region, including in its scope the HVACR, power and water industries.

As the name suggests, the supplement will contain news relating to ongoing retrofit projects in the region, the people involved and the products and services infrastructure available. In addition, it will feature case studies of marquee projects in the region and elsewhere and chronicle the evolutionary stages of ongoing projects. This may be a case of stating the obvious, but the aim of chronicling the projects is to get a feel for the progress being made, the challenges encountered along the way and the expertise and solutions that are put to work to surmount the obstacles.

While the focus will largely be on the building sector, be it from an energy efficiency, water efficiency or IAQ point of view, Retrofit News and Chronicle will also concern itself with industrial facilities and water and power plants. For example, a turbine inlet air chilling (TIAC) retrofit is certainly within the scope of the supplement.

This issue also is a curtain-raiser to The Climate Control Conference (C3), in Saudi Arabia.

This will be our first ever conference initiative in the Kingdom. Besides the new location – so far, we have held the event in Dubai and Abu Dhabi – another reason for being excited is the mix of topics, which took a while to arrive at. While the district cooling track will feature sub topics to provoke discussion and birth ideas and solutions, the topic that has us licking our lips in anticipation is ‘Large central chilled water plants and an integrated approach to district cooling, TIAC and industrial applications’. To our knowledge, this has never been discussed, and we are eager to know the outcome.

Coming back to Retrofit News and Chronicle, I hope you enjoy reading the articles. Please do send in your comments to surendar@cpi-industry.com; the feedback will help us evolve the supplement into better shape.

B Surendar

Editorial Director & Associate Publisher B Surendar | surendar@cpi-industry.com Associate Editor Jose Franco | jose@cpi-industry.com Contributing Editors Anoop K Menon | anoop@cpi-industry.com Pratibha Umashankar prati@cpi-industry.com Business Development Manager Vedran Dedic vedran@cpi-industry.com Design Rey Delante | rey@cpi-industry.com Head of Digital Services Nadeem Hood | nadeem@cpidubai.com Webmaster Troy Maagma | troy@cpidubai.com Database/ Subscriptions Manager Purwanti Srirejeki purwanti@cpi-industry.com ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Frédéric Paillé: +971 50 7147204 fred@cpi-industry.com Vedran Dedic: +971 50 5574019 vedran@cpi-industry.com USA and Canada Kanika Saxena Director (North America) 25 Kingsbridge Garden Cir Suite 919 Mississauga, ON, Canada L5R 4B1 kanika@cpi-industry.com Tel/fax: +1 905 890 5031 China Sean Xiao Hui China Business Media Group Room 403, Block 17, Wuyimingzhu, No 6 Jinshan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350008, China Tel: +86 591 8386 3000 Published by

Head Office PO Box 13700 Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 375 68 30 Fax: +971 4 43 419 06 Web: www.cpi-industry.com Printed by: Excel Printing Press, Sharjah, UAE © Copyright 2010 CPI. All rights reserved.

While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle East early!

4

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

Did you know that Climate Control Middle East is also available electronically? Get a digitised copy of the magazine every month, before the issue goes for print!

As a bonus, the digital version includes such features as a keyword search, annotation, highlight, notemaking and hot links. For more details, please access www.cpi-industry.com/digital (Zinio is a digital publishing firm based in the USA.) February 2010

happenings

the region

Saudi Tabreed bags Saudi Aramco project Utility provider to develop district cooling system for Dhahran area

S

audi Tabreed has signed an agreement with Saudi Aramco to develop and operate a district cooling system to cool all the buildings of Saudi Aramco in the Dhahran area. Under the agreement, Saudi Tabreed shall design, construct, finance, own, operate and maintain a centralised cooling plant and a network to supply chilled water to the Saudi Aramco buildings with a cooling capacity of 27,000 TR. The agreement is for a 23-year term.

Commenting on the occasion, Mohammed bin Abdullah Abunayyan, Chairman of the Board of

Directors of Saudi Tabreed, said: “This project reflects the keenness of Saudi Aramco to maintain the environment by using a district cooling system, which consumes half the electrical energy consumption as compared to that for traditional methods of cooling.

Abunayyan said that it was a matter of immense pride for Saudi Tabreed to be working on developing the project for an internationally acclaimed company such as Saudi Aramco. The representatives of Saudi Aramco showed immense professionalism during the discussions and finalisation

of the project, he added. This, he further said, reflected the keenness of Saudi Aramco towards the participation of the private sector in the development of current and future projects planned by the company.

During the occasion, Nabeel Abdullah Al-Jama, Executive Director for Community Services, Saudi Aramco, said that the deal emphasises Saudi Aramco’s concern with regard to energy conservation as well as to giving a chance to the private sector to invest and work in Saudi Aramco projects, which will reflect positively on the national economy.

DC breakthrough Zamil Industrial signs Murabaha facility with NCB for one of its subsidiaries

E

astern District Cooling Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zamil Industrial Investment Company (Zamil Industrial), has signed with The National Commercial Bank (NCB) the first non-recourse project financing done in the region for a district cooling project.

Zamil Industrial had signed in November 2007 a 22-year energy performance contract with Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) for the complete outsourcing of process and comfort cooling including the building of a central cooling plant to supply 20,000 TR within the premises of Saudi Iron & Steel Company (Hadeed) in Jubail Industrial City.

The total project size is valued at approximately SR 300 million and is expected to go on stream during 2010.

NCB acted as Sole Mandated Lead Arranger for a 13.5-year Murabaha facility for an amount of SR 206 million. The sponsors will bring the remaining amount as equity. The project is being developed by Energy Central Company, and advised by Gulf International Bank (GIB).

The loan agreement was signed in Dammam on January 27, 2010 by Abdulla Al Zamil, Chief Executive Officer of

6

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

Zamil Industrial, and Mansoor Durrani, Head of Project Finance, NCB, in the presence of Khalil Issa, CEO of Energy Central, and other representatives from Zamil Industrial, NCB and GIB. Al Zamil stated: “We are delighted to achieve this major milestone towards the completion of this very challenging project. The strong teamwork of advisors and financiers supporting our project developer is greatly appreciated.”

Durrani added: “We are privileged to be a part of this wellstructured Islamic project finance deal. We anticipate that there will be a number of similar district cooling projects to be financed with similar structures in the GCC, and are pleased that Zamil is the first Saudi entity to close such a transaction.”

Drake & Scull International, together with Zamil Industrial, are building the project. Zamil Cool Care will be the Operator of the various facilities.

Baker & McKenzie acted as Lender’s legal counsel, CJR Consulting as the borrower’s counsel and FVB Energy as the Technical Consultant.

happenings

the region

Empower to expand district cooling infrastructure Rise in demand in Dubai attributed to increase in awareness about district cooling as an alternative to conventional AC systems.

E

mpower has announced expansion plans to meet the rising demand for district cooling. The plans include bidding for more projects which want to benefit from the advantages offered by district cooling, including its environment-friendly features.

According to Empower, the announcement comes at a time when the total square footage committed to district cooling provided by it has reached 40 million square feet, covering 80 buildings in 2009, as the demand for district cooling has increased rapidly in the last decade.

In this context, Ahmad Al

Shafar, CEO of Empower, said: “We succeeded in building world-class district cooling infrastructure that is considered an ideal economic and environmental solution for residential and commercial units, offices and hotels.

In Dubai, residential units are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of using district cooling system as an alternative to conventional AC systems, leading to energy saving and environment conservation, as well as lower operations and maintenance costs. This is in sharp contrast to lower awareness of its importance in other parts of the Middle East.”

C

M

Y

CM

Ahmad Al Shafar, CEO of Empower MY

CY

MEED announces Arabian Power and Water Summit 2010

Industry leaders will analyse trends, opportunities and effective policies.

M

EED, the region’s business intelligence provider announced that the second Arabian Power and Water Summit will take place on March 30 and 31 at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA). HE Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, Director of Privatisation Directorate of ADWEA, will deliver the keynote address.

The event is expected to provide key intelligence on the industry with a comprehensive analysis of the current projects in the regional power and water market, with facts, figures and forecasting. Angus Hindley, Research Editor, 8

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

MEED, will update delegates on the progress of power and water restructuring programmes of key countries.

The Summit will be preceded by the Alternative Energy Forum, which will be held on March 29 at the same venue, and will also provide critical information and insights into trends within the GCC and discuss the possible implications of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference for the region. Also under discussion will be the creation of effective and workable energy conservation policies in addition to identifying the ideal portfolio for the future generation of GCC. According to MEED, the region’s power and water industry faces increasing February 2010

pressure to generate increasing energy and water supply due to its rapid population growth in the last few years, nudging key clients and developers to act and prepare for future demand expectations. MEED estimates that new power capacity requirement up to 2015 is 7,500MW and new desalination requirement up to 2015 is 310 million gallons per day, which calls for substantial investment.

“The power and water industry is vital to ensuring the economic success of the region. So it is of critical importance that companies and individuals have their fingers firmly on the pulse of industry developments and the opportunities within

it,” said Edmund O’Sullivan, MEED Events Chairman.

“Our second Arabian Power and Water Summit will host an unprecedented gathering of industry leaders and encompass prime intelligence and real facts.

Ahmed Gumatti, General Desalination Corporation, Libya, will speak on the ambitious power and water plans inhis country. Kamel Sid from Sonelgaz will provide an update about developments in Algeria. Senior representatives from Mubadala Development Company and International Power are expected to join the programme. Wartsilla, a lifecycle power solutions provider for the marine and energy markets, is the gold sponsor.

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happenings

the region

Trane arrives at the Red Line

T

rane has announced that it has fitted Dubai Metro’s Red Line, comprising 29 stations, with 305 Trane air-handling units and 1,120 fan coil units. The Red Line boasts 24 elevated, four underground and one ground-level stations. The company added that all Trane CLCPEuro units are designed to be energy efficient and provide a sustainable and reliable air-system.

“It is imperative for us to meet the highest standards of safety and customer satisfaction for Dubai commuters,” said Ahmed Mohammed Sharif, Electromechanical Systems Manager,

Construction Dept, Rail Agency, RTA. “By working with Trane and using its systems, we adhered to the standards and desired quality regulation needed.”

Aaid Ghassan Freiwat, Acquisition Director, Middle East, India and Africa: “Energy optimised CLCPEuro will save energy and reduce the carbon footprint of this mega project. The lower energy consumption of the system will contribute to a lower total cost of ownership for RTA, while exercising environmental responsibility. In addition the excellent indoor air quality will ensure the comfort and well-being of the commuters.”

A cool deal Seven pieces of AerFresco patio cooler/

heater ordered for the first hotel at CDC’s Pearl development.

S

paceBreeze said it has received an order, via its Qatar Distributor, the Al Emadi Group, for seven of its AerFresco CP7 patio cooler/heaters for the Construction Development Company (CDC), headquartered in Doha, Qatar.

The brief was to provide a year-round customer comfort for the outdoor dining area of the first hotel to be constructed and finished at CDC’s Pearl development.

Richard Ellicott, MD, SpaceBreeze, visited the customer in Doha to discuss the project. Subsequently, an order for seven pieces of AerFresco CP7 was placed, which, says SpaceBreeze, have now been installed and running successfully for several months. It added that CDC intends to purchase and install additional AerFresco units prior to the opening of its next hotel. It also reports that it is close to finalising a number of other sales in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

The standard AerFresco CP7 has over 7kW of cooling and can transform the immediate area under the parasol or sunshade extension into an area of comfort for diners or those who want to socialise outdoors, without suffering from the harmful effects of the sun.

The outdoor dining area of the Pearl Hotel, Doha showing four of the seven, AerFresco CP7 units, each fitted with LED lighting, infrared heaters and programmable misting.

10

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

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happenings

the region

SAV modules speed up Caravanserai project System installed at the hotel, in Liwa Oasis, in 18 days, says manufacturer

N

early 200 SAV MonoLink Modules have been supplied to the Hotel Caravanserai project at Liwa in southern Abu Dhabi, announced SAV Systems, adding that commissioning is a major factor in the design and installation of air conditioning systems in the UAE, where application of US LEED Green Building Ratings requires employment of a Commissioning Authority.

SAV Systems, provider of building services solutions, has patented the MonoLink design, which incorporates a single casting for the cross-over/bypass section requiring fewer joints that might be disturbed during installation or maintenance.

The MonoLink concept is fully assembled and tested off site and delivered complete with 500mm braided stainless steel hoses that are

impervious to dust, says SAV Systems.

The product, therefore, offers specifiers the option of an ultra compact connection system for fan coils that can drastically reduce installation and commissioning time. The prepackaged assembly combines all the components required for flushing and commissioning the system into a single, compact unit that will fit in the tightest corners. Thanks to the FitraCim combined ball valve and strainer fitted on the flow side, it is possible to clear out debris without having to drain down the fan coil.

According to SAV Systems, the time taken to meet the contract from initial contact to delivery ready for installation at the hotel was 18 days.

Hotel Caravanserai, located in the Liwa Oasis, is considered to be the gateway to the Rub al Khali desert – the

legendary Empty Quarter – 780,000 kilometres of rolling dunes and one of the world’s largest continuous deserts.

The new hotel has been built on a fast track programme aimed at opening in time for the next meeting in the 10-year camel racing cycle.

DSI bags Dh369-million MEP works contract This is the third project the company has won in the first quarter of 2010.

D

rake & Scull International Abu Dhabi, a subsidiary of Drake & Scull International (DSI), announced that it has been awarded a contract for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works for a prominent hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The contract has been awarded

by Arabian Construction Company (ACC) and is valued at Dh187 million.

This is the third project DSI has won in the first quarter of 2010, bringing the total value of projects won in the same period to Dh369 million.

“We are very pleased to

12

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

be able to contribute to the growing market for construction and property development in Abu Dhabi,” said Khaldoun Tabari, Vice Chairman and CEO of Drake & Scull International.

According to DSI Abu Dhabi, since the company was established in 1966, it has also worked on projects, such as, Baynunah Tower the Shangri La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, for which it won MEP Medium Project of the Year Award at the Middle East MEP awards in 2008, and the Yas Island Rotana Resort and Centro by Rotana Hotel.

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Spig Middle East LOB 7 , Office No: 7F09, Opp.Post Office Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, U.A.E. Ph. 00971 48817202 Fax 00971 48817223

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happenings

the region

Almasah project on track

The real estate company announces that 84 villas of Sahara Living will be ready for handover by October 2010, as scheduled.

D

ubai-based Almasah International Real Estate Company has announced that construction work on Sahara Living, an 18,116-squaremetre residential development, consisting of 84 villas, is nearing completion, and would be handed over

by October 2010, as promised.

“Sahara Living sold-out because of the great design, landscaping and community-feel,” said Almasah Chairman, Abou Taleb Talebi. “We have an obligation to deliver to the investors that believed in this project, and we would never let them down.”

Located in Dubai Industrial City, valued at Dh100 million and targeted

towards middle-income investors and families, each of the three-bedroom villas includes a small garden, with villa clusters grouped around community pools, BBQ areas and playgrounds, surrounded by greenery.

Reem Dubai Contracting was appointed for the main construction project and began work in April 2009.

Since then, say the developers, the project has made steady progress, despite many other projects coming to a halt in Dubai.

When asked how Almasah was able to continue work on schedule, despite the troubles facing most developers in Dubai, Talebi explained: “Our projects

are well-planned, and we have firm backing; otherwise we would not be here. We hope that the completion of our projects helps encourage more investments in Dubai, because we are confident in the vision of the city, and of the UAE as a whole.”

Almasah presently has a total of 19 projects under construction, with a total value of Dh3.2 billion, including Chess Tower, valued at Dh200 million, in Dubai Sports City, Nathalie Tower, Blue Moon Tower and Noah’s Arc Tower, jointly valued at Dh800 million on Palm Jebel Ali, and 14 projects, all located in Jumeirah Village South, valued at Dh 2.1 billion.

Bahrain set to host inaugural Green Building Forum The event will be held concurrently with the fifth gulfBID exhibition.

A

high-level forum to discuss environmentrelated challenges and issues facing the world through the eyes of the construction industry will be convened on May 5 in Bahrain.

The first Green Building Forum to be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), it is the first of its kind in the Gulf. The event will feature debate and discussion among local, regional and international business leaders, environmental pioneers and entrepreneurs, on the role of the construction and housing sectors in developing green buildings and a cleaner environment, under the theme, Innovating to Protect the Environment.

Topics under the spotlight will include: The Copenhagen Treaty and its relevance to the Gulf; Government Regulations and Green Codes 14

of Conduct; Green Building in the Gulf; Environmentallysympathetic Design and Construction; Challenges for the Construction Industry and Sustainable Building Materials; Smart Buildings; Renewable Energy Powering the Home; Carbon Trading or Zero Emissions; Innovation in Building; Recycling Waste; and Green Building Training and Education.

The Green Building Forum is organised

by Bahrainbased Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE), in association with international event consultancy, North Star Associates. HCE and North Star also co-organised the Gulf Industry

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

Forum in Bahrain in January.

Jubran Abdulrahman, Managing Director, HCE said: “The Green Building Forum is enormously relevant to the construction industry and the wider world. The Gulf’s construction sector is now looking to address environmental challenges and harness new opportunities and the Forum provides the intellectual platform for a high level exchange of information and opinions from regional and international experts.”

Ahmed Suleiman, Managing Director, North Star Associates, said: “The Forum is a demonstration of Bahrain’s potential as a base

for intellectual exchange on a number of key issues that are important to the future of the environment, wherever we are.

The Green Building Forum is a debating chamber relating not only to construction, but also energy usage, waste recycling, sustainable building materials and design.

“Moreover, the Forum will highlight education as a key component to changing our perceptions. That the power to make a difference is within the hands of everyone is the message that we hope delegates will take from the Forum.”

The Green Building Forum will be held concurrently with the fifth gulfBID exhibition – the exhibition for the construction and interiors industry in the Northern Gulf, which will be held from May 4 to 6 at the BIEC. The organisers advise early registration, as seats at the Forum are limited.

the region

Sandwich panels for the “superscraper”

Polyurethane foam systems supplied by BaySystems Pearl used for insulating cold stores in Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.

T

o guarantee that the cold stores in the world’s tallest building work efficiently, sandwich panels, consisting of polyurethane systems from BaySystems, have been used by the contractors, revealed BaySystems Pearl, Dubai.

BaySystems is the global umbrella brand for the polyurethane systems business of Bayer MaterialScience. The company´s joint venture system house BaySystems Pearl in Dubai supplied TSSC for the production of insulating panels. TSSC, in turn, supplied 4,000 square metres of the panels to the Burj complex, including

several outlets in Dubai Mall and the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa.

According to the manufacturers, the insulation material is a rigid polyurethane foam system which offers insulation with state-of-the-art fire protection. Thus, cold losses are significantly reduced even at low-wall thickness.

“The close cooperation between BaySystems Pearl and TSSC is typical for the intensive customer focus of our systems business, which Bayer MaterialScience has been operating globally since 2007 under the umbrella brand of BaySystems,” said Stephan Rosenthal, Senior

Country Representative, Middle East, Bayer MaterialScience.

“The long-standing, close cooperation with BaySystems Pearl enables us to provide high-performance, tailormade products for the region’s iconic projects,” added Pasquale Dellapenna, Director of TSSC. Feroz Saleem, Managing Director of BaySystems Pearl, seconding this view, said, “TSSC has been one of our oldest partners in the region and one of the market leaders in the field of cold stores. We are very pleased to be part of another landmark project with them in the region.”

According to Bayer

MaterialScience, based on this success, BaySystem Pearls’s Baymer products have been approved for use in other projects headed by Emaar Properties,

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PO Box 47324 Abu Dhabi, UAE Tel: +971 2 6329494 Fax: +971 2 6322445

February 2010

Fire Protec

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

15

happenings

the region

DuctSox-MENA wins award The international division’s success attributed to major Middle East projects.

D

uctSox, US-based manufacturer of fabric duct air dispersion products, named DuctSox-MENA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as DuctSox Manufacturer’s Representative Number One International Sales – 2009, on January 25, at the AHR Expo, 2010, in Orlando, Florida.

Tawfiq Attari, DuctSox MENA’s Global Sales and Technical Director, accepted the award from Cary Pinkalla, President, and John Lipscomb, International Sales Manager, DuctSox. Attari attributed the DuctSox international division’s success last year, to several major Middle East projects – a 200,000-squarefoot aircraft hangar in Qatar featuring DuctSox’s brand, Sedona-Xm, an antimicrobial treated permeable fabric ductwork with High-Throw SG Diffusers, which helped the facility owner save

From left to right: Cary Pinkalla, Tawfiq Attari and John Lipscomb

thousands of dollars in HVAC air distribution labour/ materials.

According to DuctSox,

another project, a complex of pharmaceutical warehouses in Saudi Arabia, featured 1,000 linear metres of

Sedona-Xm Comfort-Flow for maintaining strict temperature tolerances and product quality control.

BS Prashanth joins AHI Carrier

B

rey delante

S Prashanth, who was Senior Development Manager, District Cooling, Utilities & Infrastructure, Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA)/RAKEEN, Government of Ras Al Khaimah, since April 2008, has moved to AHI Carrier as Regional Manager since July 2009. He is heading the Building System & Services (BSS Division) for the Russian Federation, located in Sharjah Airport Free Zone.

Before Joining RAKIA/Rakeen, Prashanth worked as Business Development Manager at Palm Utilities, Palm District Cooling, Dubai World Group, Government of Dubai, since September 2005.

16

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

Previously, Prashanth worked as Sales Manager, Commercial Systems and Heavy Engineered Equipments at United Technologies, Carrier Corporation, based in UTS Carrier, Dubai, for almost 12 years.

In India, he worked at Fedders Lloyd Corporation Ltd for five years before moving to Dubai to Join Al Shirawi Group of Companies as Deputy Manager, and was with them for two years.

He is a member of International District Energy Association (IDEA) and of the American Society for Heating Refrigeration Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Falcon Chapter, where he is also President-Elect and Treasurer.

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happenings

at large

Dow makes a splash at AQUA-THERM Moscow 2010

It showcased new applications for PE-RT Resins at the international exhibition.

D

ow Europe took part in the international exhibition AQUATHERM Moscow 2010. The exhibition was held from February 2 to 5 at the Crocus Expo. Dow showcased advances in its portfolio of hot and cold water pipe resins. In addition, Sergey Druzhinin, Dow Basic Plastics Application Technology Engineer hosted a presentation titled, ‘PE-RT – New Applications for PE at Elevated

Temperatures’, at the Engineering Systems Problems and Solutions, part of the Technologies Conference Programme, on February 3.

Speaking of the company’s 25 years of experience in the European pipe industry, in Russia and CIS, Dragan Visekruna, Dow’s Market Manager for Pipe Applications in Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, said, “Our technical expertise and experience is

especially large in industrial pipes, and we foster close relationships with local producers of machine and equipment for multilayer pipes production.”

“Dow’s family of DOWLEX PE-RT Resins has a proven track record of almost 30 years for delivering excellent performance in hot and cold pipe applications, with over one million kilometers of DOWLEX pipe already produced.”

Danfoss wins AHR Expo Innovation Award

Nearly $11,000 entry fee presented to the Jacksonville Police Athletic League (JAXPAL) to help install a new HVAC control system.

D

anfoss’ Performer VSD, a variable speed compressor for residential use, was selected as the AHR Expo Product of the Year Award. The award ceremony was held during the 62nd AHR Expo, that took place from January 25 to 27, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida.

The Performer VSD was chosen from among the nine category-winners of the 2010 AHR Expo Innovation Awards – an industry-wide competition designed to promote and encourage product innovation. Danfoss won the award in the Green Building category, and then was selected from among the nine winners to earn the final award. Thirty-two products received honourable mentions.

“We are proud to receive this award because 18

it is welcome proof of the continuing Danfoss commitment to energy efficiency achieved through engineering innovation,” said Stephen Gugliotta, Director of Sales for Danfoss Air Conditioning.

The 2010 AHR Expo Innovation Award entry fees totalling nearly $11,000, was presented to the Jacksonville Police Athletic League (JAXPAL) to help install a new HVAC control system.

Since 2004, more than $45,000 has been donated to vocational schools and humanitarian projects for communities in states where the show is held.

“The AHR Expo Innovation Awards programme provides a unique opportunity to honour companies for their commitment to innovation, while also providing funds to organisations dedicated

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

to helping others,” said Clay Stevens, President of International Exposition Company (IEC), the organiser of the AHR Expo.

The Innovation Awards are jointly sponsored by

the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); the AirConditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI); and IEC.

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For event-related information, contact:

Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, CPI Industry Tel: +971 4 375 6831 GSM: +971 50 509 2457 E-mail: surendar@cpi-industry.com

Managing Director and Associate Publisher, CPI Industry Tel: +971 4 375 6833 GSM: +971 50 714 7204 E-mail: fred@cpi-industry.com

Events Manager, CPI Industry Tel: +971 4 375 6839 GSM: +971 50 85 85 905 E-mail: deep@cpi-industry.com

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Deep Karani

ashrae update How codes can help

ASHRAE EFC meeting focuses on sustainability by casting the spotlight on building codes and on CHP systems.

T

he ASHRAE Emirates Falcon Chapter on February 17 reiterated the importance that sustainability deserves by hosting a presentation on building codes, followed by a presentation on CHP systems. The Chapter meeting took place at the Arjaan Rotana, Dubai.

It was Matthew Plumbridge, Consultant (Environmental and Sustainability Planning) from the Department of Municipal Affairs, Abu Dhabi, who spoke on building codes. In his presentation, Plumbridge spoke of the International Energy Conservation Code, be it from the point of view of mechanical systems or in terms of lighting. In the case of mechanical systems, Plumbridge said, it was important to consider such factors as right-sizing the plant and equipment, energy recovery, set point and controls. And in the case of lighting, Plumbridge said, it was important to look at daylighting zones and lighting density for external and internal features.

In view of the fact that local conditions were different, Plumbridge said that the Abu Dhabi body was looking to develop the codes further.

“In the local context, for instance,” Plumbridge said, “it is important to consider district cooling demand management.” District cooling, he said, was less efficient, owing to unknown demand. In that context, he spoke of establishing supply water temperature at 4ºC to manage risk and 50 square metres per tonne of refrigeration as a benchmark that could be achieved.

He further said that while 20

with the subject of chilled water, it would be sensible to wonder whether or not we could engage in energy recovery from condensate water. “It is 13ºC water,” Plumbridge said, asking, “Instead of just using the water, why not use energy (chilled), as well?

In his presentation, Plumbridge spoke of a code for improving IAQ and for reducing carbon emissions.

While drawing the code, he said, it would be useful to consider such factors as natural ventilation, ventilation rate, outdoor air percentage and TES. Ainul Abedin, Principal Consultant at Ainul Abedin Consulting, who spoke next, conducted a masterclass on CHP/cogen systems, in the process sharing his decadeslong experience.

In his presentation, Abedin said that CHP feasibility and design depended on magnitude, duration, and electrical and thermal loads.

Matching a CHP plant’s heat/ power ratio with that of building or process load, he said, was required for optimum economic benefit.

That, he added, was a major challenge for HVAC engineers.

Getting into the nittygritty, Abedin said that the form and quality of the required thermal energy was important. If more highpressure steam was required, a reciprocating engine was less attractive as a thermal source than a combustion engine.

Saying that CHP/cogen power plants were rated against incremental heat rates (fuel input) by comparing incremental fuel requirements with

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

Matthew Plumbridge

Ainul Abedin

base case energy needs of a particular site, and that fuel consumption was the greatest contributor to operating costs, Abedin went into an elaborate description of reciprocating engines.

All recip engines, Abedin said, required clean and cool air for optimum performance. In that context, he added, it was crucial to avoid heated air, because power output dropped with a rise in engine temperature.

Quoting from experience, Abedin said that reciprocating engines had special requirements. For instance, he said, installing a separate exhaust for each engine reduced the possibility of condensation in the engine that was not running. Equally important, he said, was to allow for thermal expansion in exhaust piping (about 0.09 inches per foot).

Further, he said, it would help to slope the exhaust away from the engine to prevent condensate back flow.

Speaking, then, on combustion turbines, Abedin said that they had been developed for stationary use as prime movers. Advantages of combustion turbine design, he said, included dual-fuel design;

ability to meet stringent pollution standards; lack of necessity of cooling water; clean, dry exhaust; and lesser lubricating oil consumption.

On the flip side, a key disadvantage, he said, included a possible lower efficiency. “Also each 18F rise in inlet temperature decreases power output by nine per cent,” he said.

With the stage set, Abedin lapsed into a discussion on combustion turbine inlet air cooling (CTIAC) systems, which he said, increased the capacity and the efficiency of the turbine by increasing air density. Speaking of the importance of a CTIAC system, Abedin said, “When you need maximum power in summer, it derates by 30-40%; CTIAC helps to prevent this.”

Speaking, then, on the economics of CHP, Abedin said it was based on cost of equipment, installation, and operations and maintenance. For a CHP project assessment, Abedin highlighted the importance of a preliminary screening analysis, for simple payback, and a feasibility analysis, which consisted of energy analysis, conceptual development and financial analysis.

ADVERTORIAL

Save money, save the evironment Gas recovery and reclaiming is the way forward, says EnviroServe, against the backdrop of a joint exercise with Emrill, aimed at establishing systems and processes to handle refrigerants.

E

nviroServe, in collaboration with Emrill Facility Management, was involved in an exercise, the objective of which was to record the supply of virgin and reclaimed refrigerant and the recovery performed.

One of the initial steps of the exercise was to introduce 50 refillable cylinders, each weighing 12.8 kilogrammes, and with dual port valves. The cylinders were introduced into circulation on the grounds that they would gain acceptance and, thus, encourage users to use them over disposable cylinders.

Once the refillable cylinders gained acceptance, the time was ripe to put a total of 100 cylinders into circulation, whereby the main objective was to establish an infrastructure in which virgin refrigerant would be supplied in a controlled manner. The virgin gas supplied would, then, be analysed and the quantity recorded.

Equipment and training EnviroServe supplied all equipment needed by Emrill, with an understanding that Emrill would start with the recovery

programme. The arrangement was that the profits that Emrill earns over a period of time, would be diverted to EnviroServe as a gradual payment for the equipment supplied, which would eliminate initial investments by Emrill.

As part of the exercise, EnviroServe and Emrill have already conducted several workshops on the theoretical and practical aspects of the project.

Generally speaking, EnviroServe provides training and certification to key personnel, whereby the latter go through specific workshops covering regulation and technical guidelines.

The workshops are usually provided free of charge. During the workshops, the company’s refrigerant management system is introduced and the monitoring of Freon is detailed.

The three areas of focus of a workshop are…

1. Study of the environmental impact that CFCs and HCFCs have on the ozone layer and on global warming 2. Technical training on equipment operation and safety

3. Practical, on-site training. In this, recoveries are performed

Incoming recovered refrigerant Once the recovered refrigerant is collected in the EnviroServe recovery cylinders, the batch is analysed and banked until enough stock is achieved to be reclaimed. That is, assuming the gas is not compromised; in other words, assuming that it is not blended with other refrigerants, in which case the refrigerant is stored in a climatecontrolled facility area, from where it would be, then, shipped for proper destruction.

Reclaiming and supply The gas goes through a rigorous process of reclaiming, whereby it is checked in every stage, the oil extracted, and moisture and acid removed. Once ready, the gas is transferred into clean portable 12.8-kilogramme cylinders, ready for delivery.

Once the cylinders are delivered, the empty ones are brought back to the plant ready for the next shipment.

Conclusion Gas recovery and reclaiming is the way forward. It not only fulfills companies’ corporate environmental sustainability but saves them thousands of dirhams, as well.

For more information, please contact: Enviroserve PO Box 102766, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 885 24 34 | Fax: +971 4 885 24 14 E-mail: roy@enviroserve.ae Web: http://www.enviroserve.ae

February 2010

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

21

ahr report

Orlando warms the heart

A fledgling recovery in the US market fuels a healthy attendance at the AHR Expo…

S

igns of a recovering economy was a key view from many interviewed as to the main reason for the attendees at the 2010 AHR Expo, from January 25 to 27, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida.

According to the organisers, nearly 45,000 attendees and exhibitors filled the aisles during the Expo. They came from 120 different countries to see hundreds innovative products on display from 1,823 exhibiting companies.

More than 200 companies were first-time exhibitors at the AHR Expo. According to the organisers, the 28,582 registered visitors, a nearly 8% increase from the 2005 AHR Expo in Orlando, set a new record for Southeast HVAC/R shows.

Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition 22

Company, which produces and manages the AHR Expo, attributed much of the show’s success to an improving economy and the huge amount of valuable information offered at the event. “There is great interest and demand for ‘green’/ sustainable products and technologies,” Stevens said.

“Hundreds of exhibitors were featuring energy-efficient solutions and we offered a variety of educational sessions built around these interests.”

The following were the show highlights: • Several ‘Green’ features and educational sessions • The International Energy Agency sponsored, for the first time a workshop on Solar Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration • LEED half-day workshops, presented by the US Green

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

Building Council provided practical knowledge on how to be an essential and knowledgeable part of a LEED team and how to manage a LEED project from the first client meeting to final certification • Energy Star Your Customer’s Path to Green, Sustainable Buildings, presented by the US EPA’s Energy Star Programme • PM Live: Hydronic Design for Solar & Geothermal Heat Pump Systems, John Siegenthaler, Hydronics Editor of PM Magazine discussed the essentials of successful solar combisystem design • The presentation of the AHR Expo Innovation Awards.

Nine category-winners received the first place honour, while 32 companies were awarded Honourable Mention. Danfoss won the

AHR Expo Product of the Year Award for their Performer VSD, a variable speed compressor for residential use.

• Nearly $11,000 in entry fees from the 2010 AHR Expo Innovation Awards Competition was given to the Jacksonville Police Athletic League (JAXPAL) to help install a new HVAC control system • Powering the Smart Grid with the LonWorks Technology and RF Wireless Technology, presented by LonMark Americas • Introduction to Cloud Services for Buildings, presented by Ken Sinclair, Editor/Owner of www. automatedbuildings.com According to the organisers, the 2011 AHR Expo will be held in Las Vegas, from January 31 to February 2, 2011.

What they said The attendees included contractors, engineers and other industry professionals. Here’s what some of them had to say about the show…

“We are very happy with the traffic. It was more than we expected, given the current economy. There has been a lot of interest in our new high-efficiency commercial product.”

– April Johnson, Marketing Director, Weil McClain

“We got tonnes of good leads, and the traffic was great. This show has the best ROI of any show we do in this industry.”

– Martin Dingman, Product Manager, Siemens

“Traffic was heavy from the very beginning. The quality was great. We saw a lot of engineers.”

– Mark Adams, Channel Development Manager for Florida Schneider Electric

“A lot of interest in new products, and we saw a lot of manufacturer reps.”

– Tom Petersen, VP Sales & Marketing, Mars Air Systems

“It was absolutely fantastic!

We couldn’t have been happier. There was tonnes of

interest in our new software.”

– Jackie Catalano, Marketing Communications Manager, Emerson

“It started off with a bang and stayed steady all show long. We’re as happy as can be with the traffic we saw. We introduced a new product and received more leads than we did all of last year – and last year was a good show.”

– Lou Laroche, National Sales Manager, Airtec

“The aisles were flooded.

There was a steady flow of people, and we got quality leads.”

– Gene Ziegler, Regional Manager, Daikin AC

“We were impressed! We were a bit pessimistic, but the first-day traffic was steady, and there seems to have been a lot of international visitors.”

Steven Junge, President, –

Lattner Boiler Manufacturing Company

“It was a good first day.

to have your products at, if you want to be positioned for meeting the needs of the industry, now and going forward.”

We saw a good mixture of engineers and contractors.

There is a lot of interest in our new energy-efficient products.”

– Mark Handzel, National Sales, ITT R&CW

– Steve Hamlin, Sales Group Manager, Panasonic

“We were seeing people from a variety of places and diverse industry sectors.

People visiting our booth really liked all our options.

They saw what we had and got excited about how to use it in their own business.

It’s obvious attendance was much higher at this year’s Expo. We’re busy nonstop, which is just the way we like it!”

“As a first-time exhibitor, this was incredible for us. As a new company looking to meet customers, AHR Expo brings the largest and most knowledgeable crowds. This was a perfect fit.”

– Ben Pierce, Customer Service Manager, Clean Alert

– Todd Strem, Sales & Marketing Manager, WoodMaster

“The diversity in attendance at the Show was exceptional, especially the number of international visitors. We saw the buying behaviour improve from a lot of kicking the tyres last year to a much more significant resource commitment here in Orlando, which was critical to the success with the introduction of our new RIGIDconnect online business tool. We were extremely pleased!”

Steve Dyer, Director of Marketing, RIDGID

“The Show was great. We saw a lot more foot traffic in our booth, especially local contractors and applied distributors. Our broad product displays and minivignettes really helped us tell the complete story of LG’s offerings.”

February 2010

– Bill Johansen, Business Unit Manager, Building Technology, REHAU

“We were very pleased with the show this year. Visitors to our booth were very interested in retrofitting old buildings to enable energy savings. The consumer is searching for low-cost and minimal-disruption solutions, and we heard that over and over. It’s these timely topics and offerings that attendees hear about and see at the AHR Expo.”

– Harry Sim, CEO, Cypress Envirosystems

– Kelly Cutchins, VP Commercial Air Conditioning, LG Electronics

“We heard from many attendees in our booth that our variable speed compressors are the “wave of the future”, and that to see the wave of the future you need to attend the AHR Expo. It’s the Show you want

“We saw a lot of interest in renewable and comfort systems from all areas, and good engineering contacts, who have an appreciation for quality, and proven, truly sustainable systems. People who came to the booth understand the importance of the ‘whole systems’ approach to sustainable building, and are eager to work with us on making it happen.”

“We chose AHR to introduce the Premier VS-VH high efficiency heating system because the Expo is recognised as North America’s most significant HVAC/R show. We consider this to be our best show yet!”

– Susan Samson, Marketing Manager with Superior Radiant Products

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

23

marketplace

This section contains regional and international products information

ITT Bell & Gossett

ecocirc e3 Series Circulators

I

ntroducing a new line of energyefficient potable water recirculator pumps, Bell & Gossett say that the use of a revolutionary technology helps achieve significant energy savings while delivering instant hot water to every faucet.

According the manufacturers, featuring ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor) technology and a patented spherical motor design, eliminates the need for a conventional shaft, seal and bearing assembly. The rotor/impeller is the only moving part in the entire pump and it is magnetically balanced on a stationery ceramic bearing inside the pump housing to provide silent, long-lasting operation.

This design allows the ecocirc to use 68% less energy than most standard pumps and can save an average family of four more than 12,000 gallons of water a year by eliminating the need to wait for hot water to reach the plumbing fixture, claim Bell & Gossett. Using only 10 watts of power, the equivalent of a small nightlight, the ecocirc can save a home

owner hundreds of dollars in energy costs a year, they add.

Other special features include: • Maintenance-free, long-lasting operation • Seal-less and leak-free • Resistant to scale build-up, ensuring optimal flow • Only self-realigning bearing in the small pump market • Self-lubricating and automatically cooled by pump media • Resin-encompassed stators eliminate corrosion • Energy savings pay back the cost of the pump within months • The magnetically centred rotor can tilt to avoid small particles • Built-in temperature sensor automatically adjusts frequency and voltage • Built-in 24 hour timer • Motor is separated from wetted parts by a stainless steel partition • Superior starting torque • Easy to install

E+E Elektronik

The recirculator pump is also available with a timer module that adapts to all ecocirc circulators. The plug-in timer design makes it possible to convert the pump to a timer- controlled unit for greater energy savings.

According to Bell & Gossett, it acquired the technology in 2009 when ITT purchased German pump manufacturer Laing GmbH – a producer of energyefficient circulator pumps used in residential and commercial plumbing and HVAC systems.

Driven by government regulations, the European market has more stringent energy standards that require more technologically advanced pumps.

“The ecocirc demonstrates ITT’s ongoing commitment to more energyefficient products for plumbing and HVAC systems,” said Monica Levy, Director of Communications at ITT’s Residential and Commercial business.

“We are excited about expanding this platform of products going forward.”

Condensation Monitor Series EE46

P

ointing out that cooling ceilings and other critical areas in HVAC and technical installations, which are operating close to the dewpoint temperature, need an early alarm system against moisture formation, because of potential danger of condensation, E+E Elektronik has introduced the specially designed Condensation Monitor EE46. The product helps early detection of condensation so that immediate countermeasures can be taken, claim the manufacturers, and add that it can be installed in a few seconds on pipelines, walls and ceilings.

According E+E Elektronik, a special coating protects the sensor and electronics against dirt and dust, thus ensuring a long-lasting , stable and maintenance-free operation. It is designed to be powered by 24 V ac/dc, They explain how it works: • The fast-response E+E humidity 24

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

sensor is exposed to the temperature of the surface of the object by means of a thermal conducting foil.

• Therefore, the humidity sensor measures the same relative humidity as is present at the surface of the object to be monitored.

• If the preset set point of 90%RH is exceeded, the monitor switches a potential free contact and provides a signal, facilitating taking countermeasures, for example, to increase the temperature of the water in the pipe, to decrease the cooling power or to turn on the heat.

• In addition, a LED on the enclosure indicates the actual status.

February 2010

Trane

Active chilled beams improved control of temperature and humidity, generating better indoor air quality.

Trane’s ZN523 zone controls are factory- mounted onto the chilled beams units, pre-configured and tested to meet the requirements of their specific application. This minimises time spent coordinating control integration before or during installation.

Energy efficiency is inherent to the chilled beams technology, which requires higher chilled water and lower hot water temperatures than conventional terminal units, allowing for primary airflow temperatures closer to ambient.

In combination with a variable speed pump, additional energy savings can be achieved.

ATS. 0 9 _ E C O L I N E _ S I . A E //

S

tating that it intends to meet the demand for a product that combines comfort with tight control and high environmental quality, Trane has introduced active chilled beams with integrated controls to its Europe, Middle East, India and Africa markets.

According to Trane, the chilled beams are ideally suited for office buildings, hospitals, schools and airport terminals.

“Trane active chilled beams are designed to combine high output and low energy input,” said Jo De Clercq, air systems portfolio leader for Trane. “Providing comfort with tighter control, Trane chilled beams offer a tailored terminal solution to help meet specific customer needs and maximise their system performance.”

According to Trane, the units are designed to integrate into ceiling systems, as well as exposed surface mounted units that can incorporate lighting. The latest version, scheduled to be released during the first quarter of 2010, will include electrical heaters. The product also allows for site flexibility. Length and width are variable to adapt to different construction standards. Four widths (300, 600, 625 or 675 mm) and 15 lengths ranging from 1,200 to 3,600mm are available. The units, which can be fitted together to ensure aesthetic consistency, are installed in such a way that they do not hinder any future section-wall removals or additions. Also, they can be used in combination with green technologies such as free cooling, heat recovery and ground source water systems. This technology conforms to district cooling and heating distribution requirements, added Trane.

The active chilled beams incorporate the following features: Compact ceiling or surface-mounted units with two or four pipe coils providing both heating and cooling.

Unlike passive chilled beams, active chilled beams have an integral constant air-flow supply passing through nozzles, which induce air from the space up through the cooling or heating coil.

The filtered air allows for

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February 2010

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

25

country report

Made in Germany After the annus horribilis that was 2009, the German HVACR industry is showing signs of getting on the growth path. Jose Franco reports…

I

n a scenario where every manufacturer or distributor is driving in search of better opportunities in the HVAC&R industry, it seems that all roads lead to the Arab world, particularly Saudi Arabia. And it seems that most products and technological know-how are coming from the West, especially Europe’s biggest economy, Germany.

It may have been overtaken by China as the world’s largest exporter, but Germany still stands tall among the highly developed nations for its high-quality products and industrial knowledge.

So much so that it has tremendous experience and know-how to offer other countries, particularly the Gulf Arab states. This could be on various fields like engineering and solar energy.

Being the world’s top installer of photovoltaics, or the PV cells that help convert solar radiation into direct current electricity, Germany has a feed-in tariff for renewable energy. This tariff is a policy mechanism providing for the adoption of renewable energy sources towards grid parity, wherein electricity is equal to or cheaper than grid power.

26

This is one sector where the Germans could very well help the Gulf economies and the wider Middle East region, which has a year-round supply of strong sunlight. But there must be strong policy coming from governments.

In the UAE, for instance, where electricity is cheaper relative to other economies outside the Gulf, government must lead the way for the development of solar energy projects by offering incentives to actual developers.

“Yes, Germany has a lot to offer when it comes to solar energy technology,” says Dubai-based Tarek Hourani, Technical Sales Manager of Al Sahoo Trading Company, whose business started off with plumbing equipment and has diversified into the HVAC&R industry. “But the UAE government has to dictate the development of the sector by targeting actual developers and offering them incentives, to advance this endeavour.” He has no immediate suggestions on the kind of incentives that could be made available to developers, however.

But he says that in Europe, incentives for increased solar power use are in the form of lower taxes.

As stressed by Hourani, the UAE doesn’t have any project,

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

The fact that most warehouses for industrial refrigeration are increasingly investing in quality engineering to increase the systems’ lifespan, as they are undergoing complete automation.

save for the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, or Masdar, which is devoted to advancing the development and use of solar energy. It’s unlike in other parts of the Middle East, such as Lebanon, Syria and Jordan where the sector is developed, owing perhaps to higher prices of power consumption.

German companies have lots to offer the Middle East market, all right, but they face the challenge of coming up with the same high-quality products with affordable prizes, owing to the slump in global trade. They need to invest more in research and development for traditional products in, say, the HVAC&R industry, but aiming for lower cheaper production.

“We see the trend going towards medium-size quality due to the economic crunch,” says Hourani. “This means a demand for innovative companies to use new technology in doing the same job and products at lower costs.”

Dubai-based Adel Kamel, Managing Director for the Middle East of Güntner, admits that German products are a bit pricey. “[O]ur price is the major challenge for customers to agree with,” he notes. “Yet we are an established and leading brand, not to mention a brand that’s constantly innovating, so customers know that they are getting value for their money.”

Germany has lost to China in world exports, with the latter breaking a 13-month decline in trade as a result of the global downturn. China’s state news agency, Xinhua reported in January that China’s exports rose 17.7% in December, with total exports for 2009 at $1.2 trillion (£749bn), though total foreign trade over the year was down 13.9%.

“It is safe to say now that Chinese exporters have come right through the period of weakness,” Xinhua quoted

statistician, Huang Guohua as saying. The slowing decline in Chinese trade may also be a sign that its $586-billion stimulus package is working. As a country in the middle of transforming itself into a more modern and industrialised economy, China needs significant development. And experts say the country is fiscally strong enough to finance its plans for increased spending on infrastructure projects, as it sits on piles of cash.

Industrial production in Germany was also down 2.6% in December, owing partly to weaker production of cars and machinery. While a government’s car-scrapping bonus programme boosted car sales in the country for much of last year, this expired in September. Output in the construction sector

was unfavourable as well, dropping by 2.6%. However, the German economy this year will climb by 1.4% – described by economists as a steady but unspectacular growth – as export markets pick up.

Another big challenge facing foreign HVAC&R manufacturers wanting to do business in the Middle East is the region’s climate, which has high temperatures during summer and is hot most of the year. Dust is another major concern for outdoor units as well as well as lowkey maintenance, Kamel says, while the lack of technical know-how on the part of the users is also a challenge that should be addressed through better customer service.

Noting that major refrigeration consultancies in the Middle East are foreign-

based, Kamel says the lack of regional expertise hampers optimal and efficient designs.

In a region where water is scarce, manufacturers should consider concerns on energy saving, carbon-footprint reduction and overall more eco-friendly systems. “Since water is in scarcity, we are seeing gradual changes in the market with regard to using water as a coolant,” he says.

“Regions like Central Saudi Arabia are regulating this trend very effectively, and this is where dry-coolers come into the picture as major roleplayers.”

He, likewise, notes the current trend of refrigerants taking a turn to being less ozone-depleting, paving the way for increased usage of ammonia, which is a natural refrigerant. He also welcomes the fact that most warehouses

for industrial refrigeration are increasingly investing in quality engineering to increase the systems’ lifespan, as they are undergoing complete automation. “[W]e at Güntner believe deeply in continuous innovation,” he opines.

“We recently launched our revolutionary condenser series named Microox, which is based on micro-channel head exchanger technology.

“Compared to conventional fin and tube condensers, Microox is a whole new game altogether.” The firm’s new microox technology makes its condensers smaller but more efficient heat exchangers that have protection against galvanic corrosion.

Such German innovation is the stuff that the Middle East’s HVAC&R industry could possibly benefit from.

For a greener future, think red.

Our brazed plate heat exchanger (BPHE) technology is simple yet ingenious. The small hold-up volumes and true counter-current flow deliver high performance with minimal environmental impact.

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feature: chillers

Green focus

For the chiller industry, downturn or not, the drive to produce more efficient and environmentally friendly chillers continues, especially from a green context, writes Jose Franco.

T

here is no question the demand for chillers is heading towards green territory. It is, therefore, proper and logical for manufacturers to invest in environmentally friendly units of the machine that can implement a variety of refrigerants. Innovative products are a must but not enough, to make a company maintain or increase sales volume, however. Tapping new markets is another great way of doing such.

“The challenges for companies include maintaining sales volume,” says Maged Makar, Head of the Product Engineering Department at Daikin McQuay Middle East. “And you can maintain sales volume by adding new markets.” Saudi Arabia is top on the list, what with its rapid urbanisation, high population and massive investments in various projects in the transport, education and healthcare sectors.

Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates and Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Egypt are also on the list of Makar and other experts in the HVAC and refrigeration (HVAC&R) industry in the Middle East. These Arab states are seen either banking on the projected high oil export receipts and/ or reacting to a growing population and consumer demand by spending more on infrastructure projects and social developments.

UAE-based B S Prashanth, Regional Manager-Russian Federation at AHI Carrier, 28

remarks, “Ours is a hot and humid climate, so there’s great requirement for cooling systems, including chillers with wide-ranging applications. Manufacturers need to continue making products that could withstand hot climate.” He mentions in particular the residential and commercial (office complexes) buildings in the Gulf as having the highest demand for chillers.

As early as two years ago, BSRIA, a UK-based construction and building services consultancy, predicted the central plant airconditioning market in Saudi Arabia to nearly triple in value by 2012. “Saudi Arabia and Egypt are promising markets for air conditioning products because of a hot climate and rapidly growing population,” it says in a white paper, titled, ‘Middle Eastern and Indian

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

In the Middle East, where the chiller sector is estimated to reach $500 million this year on a 15-20% increase, Makar says, Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly be the biggest market.

market for air-conditioning 2008’.

In the UAE, reciprocating chillers (which can serve the smallest loads efficiently) were noted to have continued their presence in the market, although the popularity of this type of compressors has been in decline, owing to increasing demand by district cooling for centrifugal chillers. The same report says the UAE would enjoy the greatest progress of all compressor types with an annual growth rate of 20%.

Centrifugal chillers, which are used to cool large buildings in a centralised air-conditioning system, and absorption chillers that utilise water as the refrigerant are also big business in Egypt, the Arab world’s most-populous nation where district cooling has been gaining popularity.

The global chiller market

Camels on Jumeirah Beach, in Dubai: The hot and humid climate in the Middle East is a challenge to chiller manufacturers to produce innovative products

February 2010

in 2004, McQuay says the oil-free design eliminates the efficiency losses created by traditional compressors. Daikin McQuay is part of Daikin Europe, which operates under the umbrella of Daikin Industries. The global company posted about $13-billion turnover in 2009.

Chiller companies worldwide are seen to continue manufacturing products that could withstand hot climate, owing to the growing importance of the Middle East market, Prashanth says.

It’s this same extreme heat across the Middle East, African countries and most parts of India which hampers the sales

of moveable air conditioning units, according to BSRIA. And due to pressure from environmental groups, Prashanth adds, one challenge to manufacturers that stands out among many is to produce chillers that are highly efficient with reduced carbon emission. This will be in line with the provisions found in the Kyoto Protocol, which deals with issues on global warming, and the move against refrigerants being called by the Montreal Protocol. The sector has already begun using environment friendly refrigerants.

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was valued at $1.9 billion as at 2008, BSRIA noted, with the Middle East and India region having the smallest share.

The consultancy firm noted, however, of “significant markets” in India, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. “[O]verall the chiller market is expected to enjoy a slight increase over the next few years, although the growth rate will vary from country to country,” it says in an April 2009 article, published on its website.

“Reciprocating compressors continue to disappear from the majority of markets, with the trend leaning towards scroll and screw compressors.”

In the Middle East, where the chiller sector is estimated to reach $500 million this year on a 15-20% increase, Makar says, Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly be the biggest market. He and Prashanth disagree with other experts and entrepreneurs who find it difficult to penetrate the Saudi market due to a number of reasons, including too much bureaucracy. “I don’t think there’s a big problem in Saudi,” Prashanth says. “Just look for a good partner, and you need to know the market and its people.”

Most companies engaged in HVAC&R, in fact, are either raring to enter the Saudi market or planning to expand operations in the Gulf country of over 27 million people. Daikin McQuay signed a new distribution agreement in Saudi after having a presence there for the past 10-15 years, and put up an office in Abu Dhabi this year, which will be launched next month. “We have good sales volume in Qatar, and we are increasing our market share there,” Makar says. “We also have good market share in Saudi, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.”

All this is part of Daikin McQuay’s move to pursue further expansion and business partnerships across the region. Carrier, on the other hand, will continue to rely on its innovative products to maintain and advance its market share. Innovation is what most manufacturers have in their growth and expansion programme, with Daikin and McQuay recently putting up a $50-million research and development (R&D) centre, to develop and test newly created products, including chillers. It’s the world’s most advanced R&D centre dedicated to the HVAC industry.

In December, Daikin McQuay launched two new products – the air-cooled chiller and the magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller, which both boast highperformance and premium efficiency.

The first company to use magnetic bearing technology in the chiller sector

USA ǀ Brazil ǀ Europe ǀ Turkey ǀ South Africa ǀ UAE ǀ India ǀ Malaysia ǀ Thailand ǀ Philippines ǀ Indonesia ǀ China ǀ Korea ǀ Japan ǀ Australia

February 2010

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

29

cover story

30

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

Turning to the sea In view of the non-availability of potable water and the limited availability of treated sewage effluent for district cooling, should we intensify our gaze seawards? If so, what are the inherent challenges… and solutions? Story and pictures: B Surendar

W

ith Governmentmandated nonavailability of potable water for district cooling in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and with questions being raised about the adequate availability of treated sewage effluent (TSE) and also the costs associated with polishing the water to acceptable standards, many experts have been advocating the use of seawater for a while now.

The question about the availability of TSE is a pertinent one, given that there is a demand for it for agricultural and horticultural uses. And then there is the cost. It is possible to purchase TSE at one-sixth of the cost of

potable water, but there is a cost associated with treating it. A third issue involving TSE is drainage, or rather the lack of it, from a blow-down point of view. When viewed against the backdrop of these three factors, seawater is regarded as a strong option. Says Craig Thomas of High Performance Tube company, “Using seawater to reject heat, when feasible, will free up potable water and TSE for other more important uses.” Adds Greg Cox of Mott McDonald, who has had extensive experience with a successful seawater cooling regimen in Hong Kong: “There is a higher demand on TSE for irrigation, so seawater, although having lower cycles of concentration,

In Hong Kong, air cooled is energy prohibitive.

Seawater for buildings near the harbour is the only realistic solution.

–Greg Cox, Mott MacDonald

February 2010

could be the correct choice, considering that it has the lowest overall energy usage.”

The concept of seawater is not a new one. As Thomas says, while it is new to district cooling, it is not to other applications. Indeed, seawater has been used commonly in refineries and the petrochemical industries, LNG, power generation and thermal desalination. One of the success stories for seawater cooling is Jubail in Saudi Arabia, where the volume of water used equals two-third of the flow of the Tigris and the Euphrates rives combined. And as for the UAE, Fujairah has been using seawater since 1993, George Berbari of CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

31

cover story Quotable quotes TSE can be used for other purposes, not only for district cooling. It can be used for flushing or irrigation. TSE with 300 or 220ppm of chlorine cannot be used directly but only after polishing, which means there is more energy consumed, so seawater with cooling towers is a feasible option.

–Prabhakar Naik, John Buck International

DC Pro Engineering, points out. “In Fujairah, we did district cooling with 2,000 TR that used seawater cooled with titanium and fibreglass tubes,” he says.

Amar Farjo of JCI backs Berbari’s observation. “We need seawater cooling towers, because they can save 57,600 gallons of potable water per kilo of cooling every day,” Farjo says.

A gamut of issues While there is a growing favour for seawater cooling in some circles, there are several aspects to consider. The various components – be they cooling towers, chillers, heat exchangers or intake systems – come with their attendant issues and challenges.

Cooling towers, for instance, come with a gamut of sub-issues. Typical questions revolve around the impact of seawater on the sizing of the cooling towers, the materials needed in building the towers and the environment around them.

Seawater impacts thermal performance in three ways, says Kent Martins of SPX Cooling Technologies. If seawater has 70,000 ppm of TDS, it lowers vapour pressure by five per cent, which is a negative impact, Martins says. The same seawater characteristic reduces specific heat (0.92 compared to 1 for freshwater). “The cooling tower,” he says, “must be sized three to seven per cent larger to compensate for 32

the reduced heat transfer characteristics of seawater at 70,000 ppm TDS in circulation.”

When it comes to material selection for cooling towers, corrosion of compounds can occur. Fibreglass, Martins says, is a good material for seawater exposure. Likewise, concrete towers also hold good, he says, but they would require a specialty mix and rebar design. Generally speaking, he recommends premium hardware materials and coatings.

Another sub-issue is the drift from the cooling towers. Circulating water is distributed as droplets or films to maximise surface area. Exit water for cooling towers contains water vapour, drift droplets and condensate droplets. It, therefore, becomes essential to reduce drift, and for this, careful installation is of paramount importance. “It is crucial to reduce drift at the source with the best available drift eliminator,” Martins says.

“That way, salt deposition will not be a major concern.

Also, drift eliminator data should be specific to the distribution system used.

Further, it would help to site the tower downstream from the prevailing wind direction and away from high-rise structures.”

Heat exchangers and chillers also come with a string of challenges, considering the corrosive nature of seawater. Newer plants use titanium to

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

TSE is not going to be readily available. What is the load profile of TSE, people may leave AC on when they go off for the summer, so demand for cooling, but no water. For me, only option to supplement TSSE with seawater and RO. –Robert Miller, FVB Energy

TSE is best solution economically, but the problem is that you need quite a lot of TSE, and in Dubai, STPs are under a lot of strain. TSE is definitely a good solution but use it with seawater and even potable.

–Paul Beaudry, SNC Lavalin Gulf Contractors

Seawater is a green option. It is a sustainable option.

–Aslan Al Barazi, IMEC

Continued on page 41

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introduction The caravan arrives in Riyadh Dear Colleagues:

It gives me great joy to welcome you to the third edition of The Climate Control Conference (C3), which for the first time, is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

And we are excited at the prospect… for more reasons than one.

The Kingdom has always appealed to us since the time we started Climate Control Middle East magazine, in January 2006. Home to some of the largest and longest-running refrigeration and single-user, central-cooling projects in the GCC, Saudi Arabia has always been a looming presence in all HVACRrelated discussions. At the same time, district cooling is relatively new to the Kingdom, whereas it has had a decadeplus-long run in the UAE and a decent stretch in the rest of the GCC. This opens up a tantalising possibility of discussions. Central cooling stalwarts in Saudi Arabia can share their operational best practices, honed over several decades, and their counterparts in the rest of the GCC can share their billing, metering and finance-driven technological innovations, in return.

Other topics for discussion include turbine inlet air chilling (TIAC) and refrigeration. Here, again, the Kingdom has much to share with the rest of the GCC. A highlight of the conference is a discussion, titled ‘Large central cooling plants and an integrated approach to district cooling, TIAC and other industrial applications’. As far as we know, this is a never-before-discussed topic… and that is a reason for much anticipation.

A discussion on ventilation will cap the three-day-long conference. During the session, the spotlight will be on car park ventilation and, then, shift to healthcare-related issues.

Right from the first edition of C3, the aim has been to include all the elements that make up the acronym, HVACR and, thus, present the industry a dedicated platform for discussion. With this edition, we are closer than ever to our destination.

B Surendar

Editorial Director, CPI Industry

structure of the event Day One (March 14, 2010) Theme: District cooling: the way forward in Saudi Arabia Moderator: George Berbari, DC Pro Engineering This track, lasting a day, will comprise a series of presentations and panel discussions.

The morning session will include presentations on the state of the district cooling projects in the Kingdom – the challenges faced by clients, suppliers, service providers, utilities, consultants and contractors.

The presentations will be capped by panel discussions that will seek to synthesise the messages conveyed through the presentations. Members of the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and also share their perspectives.

The post-lunch session will include presentations by a team of GCCbased consultants, contractors, utility providers and end-users. The focus of the presentations will be the challenges the GCC has experienced during over a decade of district cooling, the lessons that have been learned and the recommendations the GCC can offer for the benefit of district cooling projects in Saudi Arabia. The presentations will culminate in a panel discussion on the recommendations presented.

Theme: ‘Large central chilled water plants and an integrated approach to district cooling, TIAC and industrial cooling applications’ Moderator: George Berbari and Ghaleb Abusaa This track, lasting half a day, will foster discussion on the challenges and opportunities in offering an integrated approach to district cooling, TIAC and industrial cooling applications through large central chilled water plants. The track will explore possible models that can be implemented. In effect, the track will synthesise the discussion of the previous two tracks.

The discussion is a unique exercise – a first for the region.

Day three (March 16, 2010) Theme: ‘Refrigeration business applications’ Moderator: Ghaleb Abusaa, En3 Solutions, Jordan This track, lasting half a day (the first half), will comprise a series of presentations and a panel discussion on food storage, chilling and freezing; ice rinks; ready-mix concrete applications; refrigeration in the chemical industry; industrial process cooling; refrigerated transport and distribution; low-temperature applications; and refrigeration and the fishing industry.

Each presentation will end with a Q&A between members of the audience and the presenter.

Day TWO (March 15, 2010) Theme: ‘Turbine Inlet Air Cooling: what Saudi Arabia has achieved, and how the rest of the GCC can benefit from the lessons learned in the Kingdom’ Moderator: Ghaleb Abusaa, en3 Solutions, Jordan

Theme: ‘Ventilation challenges and approaches for car parks and the healthcare sector’ Moderator: Ian Jones, Vipac Engineers & Scientists

This track, lasting half a day, will comprise a series of presentations and a panel discussion that focus on the Saudi experience with turbine inlet air cooling (TIAC). It will explore current and future prospects of TIAC in the GCC countries. Further, it will explore the challenges facing power companies, contractors and consultants. Each presentation will end with a Q&A between members of the audience and the presenter.

This track, lasting the second half of the concluding day of the conference, will focus on two key areas of ventilation applications – car parks and the healthcare sector. Speakers will comprise endusers, consultants and technology providers. Areas of discussion will include CO monitoring and ventilation systems and special ventilation needs in hospitals and the pharmaceutical sector.

THE CLIMATE CONTROL CONFERENCE 2009

35

sponsors & exhibitors Panellists and moderators NASSER H AL AAMRY Senior Manager (Privatisation Programmes), National Water Company Saudi Arabia Before joining the National Water Company, Nasser H Al Aamry worked at the Saline Water Conversion Corporation, the Power and Water Utility Company for Jubail and Yanbu (Marafiq) and the Emaar Economic City. He graduated from King Saud University, in 1993, with a degree in BS Mechanical Engineering.

GHALEB ABUSAA CEO, The Three Factors Company, Jordan Having 39 years of experience in the HVAC industry, Ghaleb Abusaa, CEO of The Three Factors Company, has to his credit several refrigeration projects that broke new grounds in the region. He started with Gibson AirConditioning, in Kuwait, then moved to MARCO (Saudi Arabia), the local agent of York International (today JCI). During his long stint with MARCO, Abusaa became manager of its Central Region Branch. He was involved in a wide range of refrigeration projects that took the company to great heights. Some of the most prestigious projects he has been involved in include the King Saud University, King Khalid Military City, in Riyadh, and the King Abdulaziz Airport (Jeddah).

MOHAMMAD ABUSAA Regional Manager for Business Development , ADC Energy Systems As the regional manager for business development at the ADC Energy Systems, Mohammad Abusaa is in-charge of diversifying the company’s offerings, and expanding the business internationally.

His works include working with clients in the initial stages to develop, evaluate and take forward the different energyconcept designs. He started his career in 1999 in Saudi Arabia. Abusaa holds an MBA in International Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

36

THE CLIMATE CONTROL CONFERENCE 2010

ALI O M ADAM Chief Operation Officer, Tabuk Agricultural Development Company (TADCO), Saudi Arabia The Operation Division of the Tabuk Agricultural Development Company (TADCO), which Engr Ali O M Adam heads, is responsible for all the firm’s engineering activities. These include the operation and maintenance of TADCO’s fruit and vegetable cold stores, which has a storage capacity of 15,000 tonnes.

From 1990 to 1999, Adam was a research scientist in Agricultural Engineering at the Agricultural Research Corporation, in Sudan. He has a degree in BSc Engineering (Agricultural Engineering) from Sudan’s University of Khartoum.

SALAH ABDULAZIZ AL AFALIQ Vice-Chairman, Managing Director and CEO, National Trigeneration CHP Company (NTTC), Saudi Arabia A highly motivated entrepreneur with extensive experience in electromechanical contracting and HVAC and power industries, Engr Salah Abdulaziz Al Afaliq has founded six companies and put together an impressive portfolio of investors. He created one of the largest electromechanical contracting firms in Saudi Arabia, as well as the biggest trigeneration company in the Middle East. He was the president and managing director of Tubine Services Incorporated from October 1996 to July 2007 before taking the helm at the National Trigeneration CHP Company. He was also the president and managing director of the Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology Company between February 1993 and July 1999. He has a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a major in Aeronautics, from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

Dr ZEYAD A ALSUHAIBANI Assistant Professor, Engineering Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Now an assistant professor at King Saud Universisty, Dr Zeyad A Alsuhaibani joined the school in 1999. He earned a Ph D in Mechanical Engineering from the Michigan State University in

2005, and lists thermodynamics, heat transfer, energy and turbomachinery amongst his fields of interest. He did his undergraduate studies at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, earning an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, in 1996.

GEORGE BERBARI Founder and CEO, DC PRO Engineering Having a 25-year experience in the Middle East’s HVAC industry, George Berbari is credited for having played a major role in the establishment of district cooling in the region, where the sector has grown to a million tonnes in operation from 1995 to 2008. The sector is planned to hit 10 million tonnes over the next 10 years. Berbari has brought more than 20 technologies into the Middle East, and pioneered six new applications in the field of district energy.

His company is an electromechanical consultancy specialising in district energy services and green buildings MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) design. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the American University of Beirut, graduating in 1985. He received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the university in May 2008. He has several papers published in the ASHRAE Journal and Climate Control Middle East.

CARLOS DE CEBALLOS Commercial Director, Apina He joined Apina in 1999, and had been put in-charge of developing the ammonia absorption systems and, later, of the company’s international expansion.

Carlos de Ceballos began his professional life at Alfa Laval, where he designed heat exchangers for chemical process applications and the refrigeration industry. He is an industrial engineer, who studied at the Instituto Católico de Artes e Industrias, which is the school of engineering at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, in Madrid. Apina has operations in 12 countries, and has a broad presence across the Middle East.

DON EPPELHEIMER Senior Applications Engineer, The Trane Company A recognised expert in the HVAC industry, Don Eppelheimer has been involved in the development and support of HVAC systems at Trane since 1972. As a senior principal applications engineer, his areas of expertise include variable air volume systems and comfort cooling, direct expansion systems piping and controls, chilmetrics, personal comfort, indoor air quality and cold air distribution.

He is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and graduated from the Michigan State University in 1972 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. When not thinking about chilled water, Don and his wife, Laura, are rafting chilled water or engaging in their favourite pastime, ornithology.

ROBERT GEDAY SNC Lavalin Gulf Contractors, Saudi Arabia A mechanical engineer with more than 20 years of experience in Saudi Arabia, Robert Geday is in-charge of establishing and developing his company’s districtcooling business in the kingdom, and of co-ordinating the operations with the head office in Abu Dhabi. He moved to the Middle East after working with Lavalin engineering teams on two projects – a hydroelectric power plant and an aluminium smelter plant. He launched, developed and managed a number of businesses, including services for gas turbines and air-handling equipment. A graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique, in Montreal, Canada, Geday speaks fluent Arabic besides English and French.

COLIN GOULDING COO, Saudi Tabreed Cooling Company He has been with Saudi Tabreed since 2005 as chief operating officer, and was part of the team which established the first district cooling plant in Saudi Arabia. He also took part in the setting up of Tabreed UAE, and helped establish district cooling in the Middle East from 1997 to 2003. From 2003 through 2005, he established district cooling in Qatar.

He was previously with Courtaulds, Carrier, York and Halls. Goulding holds a

BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Greenwhich, in the UK. HISHAM HAJAJ Regional Business Development Manager, Stanley Consultants Qatar Hisham Hajaj is responsible for acquiring new business for his company, and is tasked to liaise with clients for ongoing projects. He has more than 32 years of experience in mechanical system and management, and is a member of IDEA, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. Presently the vice-president of the UAE Falcon ASHRAE chapter, Hajaj has work experiences in the US, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the UZ-based Wright State University, in Dayton, Ohio. He enjoys travelling and playing basketball and beach volleyball.

OMAR HAMZE General Manager, Saudi Services for Electro Mechanic Works Company (SSEM), Saudi Arabia Omar Hamze is credited to having transformed the Saudi Services for Electro Mechanic Works Company (SSEM) into a firm that executes multibillion-dollar projects from being one that posted a turnover of $2 million in 1982. With Hamze at the helm, SSEM has penetrated all power and water segments, earning Grade 1 classification for both electrical and mechanical works from the Saudi Department of Classification. He joined SSEM, which has become an industry leader, as a site engineer in 1975 and became deputy general manager in 1979.

He is a graduate of Electrical Engineering from the California State University-Long Beach.

ALBERT HAYKAL Vertical Market Leader – District Cooling Trane For the last nine years, Albert Haykal has been instrumental in strengthening Trane’s leadership within the district cooling market in the Middle East. This has made the company secure over 30 district-cooling plants – including those at Dubai Mall, The Palm Jumeirah, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai Investments Park and Dubai

World Central – with a combined capacity exceeding half a million tonnes. Having worked at Trane for the past 22 years, Haykal has held various positions, amongst these as sales manager for Strategic Projects-UAE & Gulf. He has been working with various customers in the region to promote the importance of systems efficiency, sustainability, environmental impact and carbon footprint in the HVAC industry, especially in the district-cooling applications. In 1987, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the American SAUDI ARABIA University of Beirut.

KHALIL ISSA Founding CEO, Energy Central Company Khalil Issa brings 18 years of experience in and extensive knowledge of the HVAC industry to the Energy Central Company, in Bahrain, as its CEO. He has been instrumental in the establishment of the company in 2005, and is responsible for driving its business planning and organisational structure, the development of its business ventures, and in directing the company’s various divisions. He began his career in the US as marketing engineer at The Trane Company. He then moved to Saudi Arabia, where he was marketing manager at Zamil Air-Conditioners and, later, he became its director for planning and business development. Issa has an MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering degree from the University of Colorado, USA. ABDULLAH MOHAMMAD AL JARDAN General Manager and Board Member, City Cool Saudi Arabia Armed with 20 years of experience in management, technical and marketing and sales operations, Abdullah Mohammad Al Jardan joined City Cool Saudi Arabia in January 2007.

He had spent nine years as central regional branch manager of Al Kawther Company, one of the leaders in water treatment in Saudi Arabia, and 10 years at Saline Water Conversion Corporation.

He graduated in 1987 from King Saud University, in Riyadh, with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. dr ABDULLAH A S AL JUFFALI Physics Department, King Saud University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Being with the Physics Department THE CLIMATE CONTROL CONFERENCE 2010

37

sponsors & exhibitors of Riyadh’s King Saud University, Dr Abdullah A S Al Juffali has supervised a number of graduate students on their master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. He earned a PhD in Physics at the University of Cardiff, in the UK, where he did a paper on the finite element modelling of solar cells and the nanocomposite of lithium batteries.

ABDUL HAMID AL MANSOUR CEO, Saudi Tabreed Cooling Company Abdul Hamid Al Mansour set up and established Saudi Tabreed in 2005, heading it with a vision and mission to create a leading district cooling company in Saudi Arabia. Starting off his career with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) in 1979, Abdul Hamid Al Mansour went on to become both director-general and director of O&M from 1987 to 2005.

He set up mega desalination plants at SWCC, which he managed for 18 years, and laid down procedures for the operation and maintenance of plant activities. Presently, he is a member of the US-based International District Energy Association. He had served on the board of the International Desalination Association, also in the US, between 1996 and 2003, and was elected president for the term 2003-2005. Al Mansour has a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Petroleum and Minerals, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and an MS in Engineering Management from North Eastern University, in Boston, USA.

scr

een

Holiday Inn Riyadh - Al Qasr location map

conference hall (Cabaret style seating arrangement)

rio

Lunch and coffee breaks area

floor plan 38

THE CLIMATE CONTROL CONFERENCE 2010

snc

entrance

TRANE

exhibitors

SAUDI ARABIA

registration

cpi industry

ANTOINE STEPHAN Director, Hamon CTC – Dubai Branch As director of Hamon CTC-Dubai, Antoine Stephan’s responsibilities include developing the company’s business in the Gulf and the wider Middle East region. He joined the Hamon Group in 1994, when he completed an MBA programme, and has been managing the Dubai branch office since 2006. Headquartered in Belgium, Hamon has offices and agents in 25 countries across five continents. A civil engineer, Stephan graduated from the American University of Beirut in 1986.

TAWFIQ ABU SOUD Executive Director, Drake & Scull Water and Power (DSWP) Being the executive director of Drake &

Scull Water and Power (DSWP) for the past 13 years, Tawfiq Abu Soud is the company’s longest-serving executive.

He has had the opportunity to build, diversify and expand the divisions and departments which he developed and is now directing. He is responsible in his current role for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with existing and potential business partners. His vision for the company is to make it one of the leading water and power engineering firms in the region, alongside the already leading MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) and the growing civil contracting services of Drake & Scull International. Soud holds an MBA from the University of Hull, in the UK, and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Southern Illinois University, in the US. FOUAD YOUNAN CEO, City Cool Fouad Younan has more than 22 years of experience in the air-conditioning and

district cooling business. Now the CEO of City Cool, Younan left Emicool in 2008 as its general manager for two years, following a one-year stint as the CEO of Qatar Cool. He stayed for 17 years at UTS Carrier starting from 1987, becoming general manager from 1996 to 2005 after having been promoted to various leading positions in the service and sales departments. In 1985, he earned a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, USA. MOHAMED R ZACKARIAH Chief Consultant, Protecooling, Saudi Arabia Having a 20-year experience in the HVAC industry and in building mechanical services, Mohamed R Zackariah is the chief consultant of Protecooling, which is under Suhaimi Design, in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He started his career as a design engineer with Zamil AirConditioners in 1990. Later he joined the Saudi Consulting & Design Office (SCADO), and became the head of its

mechanical department in July 2008. He has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering-Guindy, in Chennai, India.

He is a member of ASHRAE and ISHRAE. ABDULLAH ZENEEH Managing Partner, Rio Electronics Abdullah Zeneeh is the managing partner of Rio Elecromechanical, and oversees all aspects of company activities related to quality and timely completion of SAUDI ARABIA projects. His role focuses on ensuring optimum productivity and adherence to quality and safety standards, by way of acquiring newly developed equipment and updated technology. Zeneeh has been in the UAE since 1982, and his experience includes having worked on commercial, residential, oil field, cold stores and other applications. Zeneeh has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, which he earned in 1979.

PROFILES gold sponsor

TRANE A global leader in the air-conditioning sector, Trane provides systems and services that enhance the quality of air in homes and buildings. It offers customers a broad range of energy-efficient HVAC systems, dehumidifying and air-cleaning products, service and parts support, advanced building controls and turnkey contract solutions.

It maintains a good reputation for reliability, high-quality and product innovation, and has a powerful distribution network. The company is more than just an equipment provider, as it works with facility owners, designers, developers, operators and installers to reduce costs and raise productivity. An active player in LEED organisations and advancing the concept of green buildings, Trane is a good partner in delivering benefits to the environment and businesses. It has more than 29,000 employees and 29 production facilities in about 200 company-owned and independent sales locations worldwide. In 2006, Trane posted revenues of $6.8 billion, $4.9 billion of which came from equipment systems and $1.9 billion from services.

silver sponsor

bronze sponsor

SNC-LAVALIN GULF CONTRACTORS (SLGC) District Cooling Plants Builder Abu Dhabi, UAE Created in 2004 to provide turnkey solutions for district cooling projects, the SNCLavalin Gulf Contactors (SLGC) has since evolved into an engineering, procurement and construction firm for over 35 district-cooling plants in the region. It has completed more than 20 commissioned plants, adhering to its commitment to deliver projects within budget and on schedule. SLGC is committed to quality, safety and environmentally sound projects.

A subsidiary of the Montrealbased SNC Lavalin, SLGC is assured of support from its parent company’s worldwide network of over 21,000 personnel.

RIO ELECTROMECHANICAL A provider of specialised services for the HVAC&R industry, Rio Electromechanical recognises the value of a partner that works diligently and creatively to find the best solution for a project. Its specialties include value-added engineering services – design, procurement, construction, project management and operation and maintenance – to the building and process-control sectors. A client-driven company, Rio strives to exceed expectations in project solutions. Its professionals are well-experienced in conceptual design, detail engineering, costing, construction, testing and commissioning of various systems in projects like malls, district cooling, factories, office complexes, hotels, oilfields, airport terminals and hospitals.

THE CLIMATE CONTROL CONFERENCE 2010

39

sponsors & exhibitors associate sponsor

STANLEY CONSULTANTS USA Stanley Consultants is an American firm providing engineering, environmental and construction services throughout the world. Its staff of over 1,800 professionals represents 31 nationalities, and reflects six decades of international engineering experience. For more than 90 years, Stanley Consultants’ members have used the latest management and engineering technology to deliver innovative solutions on more than 23,000 engagements in over 98 countries. The company has designed over 612,000 tonnes of chilled water capacity produced through district energy plants of varying sizes.

Recognising the need for district cooling services in the Middle East, Stanley Consultants has established offices in Abu Dhabi and Doha which are dedicated to providing on-site services, and designed to co-ordinate with its offices in the US. exhibitors

ADC Energy Systems Dubai, UAE With over 400,000 TR of district cooling experience in the UAE, ADC Energy Systems is a leading provider of solutions involving engineering, procurement and construction. These EPC solutions are dedicated to projects involving industrial refrigeration, district cooling, turbine inlet air-cooling, renewable energy, combined heat and power infrastructure.

Serving the MENA region, ADC continues to build on its strength in the design, production, installation and after-sales service of energy systems.

AL WASAIL Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Founded in Riyadh in 1990, Al Wasail specialises in the manufacture and supply of polyethylene pipes and relevant fittings. It supplies its products and services to customers worldwide from its manufacturing base at the Al Qassim Industrial City. It has 23 sales 40

THE CLIMATE CONTROL CONFERENCE 2010

networks and several plants across Saudi Arabia. The main applications for its products include, among other things, agriculture and irrigation, oil and gas pipeline, civil and industrial processes pipe works, chemical industries, water treatment plants, mining industries and lift and gravity water supply systems.

ECONOSTO MIDEAST BV The Netherlands Starting its operations in Dubai from 1983, Econosto Mideast BV has since grown from strength to strength. It has offices and agents in most of the Gulf countries, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa and the Asian sub-continent. It is part of the Econosto Group, which was established in 1892 in Capelle a/d Ijssel, The Netherlands.

HAMON Belgium Since 1906, Hamon has been one of the leading engineering, procurement and contracting companies in the international scene.

It provides integrated solutions for a clean environment, is active in the manufacturing of key components and the installation and after-sales services of cooling towers, heat exchangers, air pollution and chimneys. Headquartered in Belgium, Hamon has offices and agents in 25 countries across five continents. Its branch office in the UAE is called Hamon CTC-Dubai. ventilation track sponsor

DESICCANT ROTORS INTERNATIONAL (DRI) DRI is a global provider of components, products and systems for energy recovery, indoor air quality, fresh air treatment, evaporative cooling, humidification, RH control and green buildings. With over 200 man-years of research and development, DRI, or Desiccant Rotors International, has perfected the art and science of manufacturing rotors for both latent and sensible recovery as well as

for dehumidification. It exports over 70% of its manufactured equipment to many countries worldwide. DRI’s green products help optimise the energy performance of air-conditioning systems, resulting in reduced utility bills. For the past seven years, the company has been awarded a 100% success rating under the evaluating programme of the AirConditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). It has a worldwide network of sales offices in India, the US, Brazil, Europe, the UAE, Turkey, Africa, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Korea and Australia. event partner

PREMIER EVENTS Dubai, UAE An exhibition and events management company, Premier Events has a wide range of client portfolios – from individuals to multinational firms – believing that no matter how small or big an event is, a customer’s satisfaction is of utmost importance. Headquartered in Dubai, Premier Events also has teams situated in Saudi Arabia and Japan. supported by

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT PARK (ENPARK) Dubai, UAE Established in 2007, the Dubai-based Energy and Environment Park (ENPARK) is a free zone dedicated to clean energy and environmental technology. It aims to offer commercial and residential space, research centres and education and leisure facilities within a sustainable community. Tenants at ENPARK will be part of a fully integrated knowledge community offering opportunities for partnerships, networking and a comprehensive support system for success.

The commercial component of ENPARK includes expansive open areas, niche business cenres and office spaces while the residential part includes ecologically friendly tower apartments and lofts and detached villas and townhouses catering to different lifestyles and incomes. As a free zone, ENPARK offers 100% tax-free ownership, full repatriation of capital and profits, no currency restrictions, hassle-free registration and licensing, quick visa processing and intellectual property protection.

cover story Continued from page 32

Recommendations and suggestions The cooling tower must be sized three to seven per cent larger to compensate for the reduced heat transfer characteristics of seawater at 70,000 TDS in circulation.

–Kent Martins, SPX Cooling Technologies

Avoid locating high-rise structures or sensitive equipment in the critical zone. Distance of plume level will vary with wind speed and direction.

–Kent Martins, SPX Cooling Technologies

The cooling tower must be thermally derated to compensate for seawater chemistry.

–Kent Martins, SPX Cooling Technologies

overcome the challenge of the aggressive nature of seawater. Earlier, coppernickel was widely prevalent, Thomas says, but it came to be found that copper is prone to erosion and washing away. Also, ammonia does not go well with any copper alloy, observes Farjo. In that context, he says, titanium is the “gold standard”. Though high on costs, it is immune to erosion and corrosion and has the longest life expectancy.

Besides a corrosion point of view, there is also the conductivity point of view.

Most other materials simply do not match up to titanium when considering resistance to corrosion and conductivity.

For instance, the thermal conductivity of stainless steel is less than that of titanium.

Intake systems also have their attendant sub-issues, ranging from costs of installation and maintenance to environmental acceptability (safety of fish and fry, which are prone to getting sucked into the system). Screens and strainers are integral parts of intake systems. Says Daniel Bewg of GLV-EIMCO Water Technologies, “We put a screen before the cooling water pump and a strainer after it. Bewg says there are several factors to consider, be

it to determine the method of filtration or the size of the intake channel. For instance, an important aspect to consider for filtration is the flow rate. A passive screen would work with a low flow rate (less than 0.1 m3/s). In the case of a medium flow rate (0.1 to 5 m3/s) or large flow rate (greater than 10 m3/s), Bewg says, bar filtration, and bar and screen filtration would serve the purpose.

Passive screens are prone to buildup of marine matter, mainly in the form of zebra mussels, because it is not possible to chlorinate the screens. To prevent the occurrence, it becomes necessary to coat them with a copper-nickel material.

The pipework walls are prone to mollusc and crustacean infestation due to the settlement of larvae. If not properly addressed, says Cox, they will dislodge when mature and collect in the condenser tubes.

In view of such factors, maintenance is of critical importance in a seawatercooling regimen, be it for intake systems or condenser tubes. Cox talks of the need for a proper maintenance framework and for involving a girth of experts, be it sustainability advisors, marine biologists,

To prevent microbial growth, it will help to maintain velocity at greater than two metres per second and to keep the tube wall temperature at lesser than 50C. –Craig Thomas, High Performance Tube company

A resilient solution to overcome corrosion and system failure is to cross-connect the system. That way, it will be possible to overcome single points of failure.

–Greg Cox, Mott MacDonald

Using seawater itself for dilution before sending the outgoing water, instead of using a cooling tower, is worth investigating.

–Ahmed Abdul Ghani, Allied Consultants

For projects away from the sea, considering that the water table is two metres, why not extract water and put an RO system?

That way, we will be dealing with 5,000ppm salinity instead of 40,000ppm salinity.

–George Berbari, DC Pro Engineering

Such beach wells can be successful, if the Government allows them.

–Ahmed Abdul Ghani, Allied Consultants

water treatment specialists, operators, manufacturers, cost consultants and legal professionals.

Seawater is the future, agree many in the district cooling fraternity, and is, perhaps, integral to ambitious coastal developments in the region. In view of that, they recommend prudent planning in developments to later accommodate a seawater-cooling regimen.

Says Jamie Saunier of TAS: “If district cooling plants are built to accept TSE today, at some point in the future, if February 2010

the Government implements seawater, then you would be faced with huge capital costs to convert or upgrade to seawater.

So we are better off designing to accommodate later.”

Note: This article is based on the Sea Water District Cooling Symposium, on November 14, 2009, at Atlantis, Dubai. Despite extracting information from an event, held a few months ago, the author of this article, after ascertaining from the organiser, IMEC, guarantees that the statements and observations by the participants in the symposium are not outdated.

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

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perspective

On neutral ground

Many international organisations have begun to discover the advantages of using hydrocarbons such as propane and propene as they are climateneutral refrigerants, apart from being energy efficient. Eurammon, the European initiative for natural refrigerants, presents case studies to support this view...

A

ccording to the International Institute of Refrigeration1 20% of the global warming potential of refrigerating and air conditioning systems come from leaks (direct emissions), while 80% results from their energy consumption (indirect emissions). Today’s refrigeration systems consume around 15% of the world’s available electrical energy.

This implies that reducing this energy demand would make an important contribution towards reducing the threat to global warming.

In this context, special importance is attributed to natural refrigerants such as ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons, which offer high-energy efficiency as well as being climateneutral. Expert opinion recognises ammonia as the most efficient refrigerant.

But hydrocarbons such as propane, propene and isobutane also have outstanding thermodynamic properties.

Refrigerating and air conditioning systems that run on these refrigerants are particularly energy-efficient.

This fact has been recognised by numerous international companies, including Ben

1 42

& Jerry, Pepsi and Unilever.

They use hydrocarbons for refrigeration in both their chilling units and freezers.

Various tests in the field have confirmed energy savings between 10 and 30% compared to HFC systems.

In addition, certain hydrocarbons can also be used as a ‘drop-in solution’ for synthetic refrigerants. For example, propane (R290) and propene (R1270) have similar thermodynamic behaviour to the HCFC R22. They use the same technology, which means that many of the existing installed components are compatible. For higher ambient temperatures or higher humidity levels, propane and propene are more efficient than R22.

MAKING AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTFRIENDLY The Chinese air conditioning system manufacturer Gree Electric Appliances is one of the companies using propane to replace R22 and R410A in new systems. The company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of room air conditioners, with a production output of more than 70 million units a year.

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

Propane (R290) and propene (R1270) have similar thermodynamic behaviour to the HCFC R22. They use the same technology, which means that many of the existing installed components are compatible.

The Chinese use HCFC R22 as a standard refrigerant, but these refrigerants contribute considerably to global warming as well as destroying the ozone layer. Altogether, China’s air-conditioning systems generate annual HCFC emissions amounting to 260 million T of carbon dioxide equivalent, thus constituting one of China’s largest sources of emissions.

This is why in late 2009, Gree, assisted by the implementing agency GTZ Proklima, started pilot production of room air conditioning systems based on propane. The quantity of refrigerant ranges from 200 to 350g for rated cooling capacities of 2 to 4 kW, depending upon the model. Significantly, the air conditioners have a higher efficiency than both R22 and R410A models, whilst requiring a smaller mass of system materials. In addition to the reduced charge size, GTZ Proklima with UK-based consultant Daniel Colbourne, assisted with the safe design of the air conditioners. A production line will turn out 180,000 systems per year.

The change-over in refrigerant will save 560,000 T of carbon dioxide equivalents in direct emissions over the

entire service life of the air conditioning systems. To this should be added a further 320,000 T of carbon dioxide equivalents in indirect emissions saved by the improved energy efficiency of the systems. For the final consumer, this translates into benefits in terms of lower electricity bills.

The best project practice, which is intended to have a role-model effect for China’s entire air conditioning industry and beyond, is being funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, within the framework of the International Climate Initiative based on a decision of the German Federal Parliament.

substances for transport and storage. At the pharmaceuticals company Roche, this takes place in tanks with a volume of 300 L which are cooled down to -40°C in a clean room atmosphere.

Here, the company wanted an efficient refrigeration system to cope with fast changes in temperature between -50 and 130°C with an accuracy of +/- 1 K, with automatic drainage and refilling of the SUPPORTING tank’s cooling jacket.

BIOTECHNOLOGICAL Furthermore, compliance with the RESEARCH Roche Environment Protection Guidelines One important process in the research restricted the choice of refrigerants and production of biotechnological to substances the ozone Nuaire CCME ICP Feb10:Layout 1 8/2/10 15:17 that Pageprotect 1 products is freezing and defrosting layer and the climate. To meet these

products being cooled from absorbing unnecessary heat and saves energy.

The system design minimises the quantity of refrigerant and guarantees an ESEER (European Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of more than 4.2, although based on local conditions, the real seasonal cooling COP (coefficient of performance) is around 6.

FRUIT STORAGE – DELAYING THE RIPENING Companies in other industries are also opting for hydrocarbons, such as the British fruit grower Mansfields.

The family company stores apples and cherries in a controlled atmosphere so that they will be available in top quality all year round, regardless of when they were picked. State-of-the-art measuring, control and refrigerating systems monitor temperature, humidity, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, keeping them at the required level to delay the ripening of fruit and vegetables. Mansfields wanted an efficient, HFC-free refrigeration system for the warehouse in Chartham near Canterbury. The refrigeration experts International Controlled Atmosphere Storage and SRS Frigadon designed a propane secondary refrigerant system completed in 2008 with an output of 1,150 kW. Five air-cooled factory-assembled packages charged with altogether 90 kg propene provide refrigerating energy for the secondary circuit at a temperature of -9°C. The special safe design of these chillers and a detailed safety analysis was provided by Re-phridge. A brine mixture of water and salt is used as the secondary refrigerant. The circuit is filled with 30,000 L and works at an operating pressure of only 1.5 bar to cool the heat transfer fluid down to -3°C. The brine is pumped to the 36 controlled-atmosphere cold storage rooms which are kept at a constant air temperature of -0.5°C and 1.5°C. The secondary refrigerant also cools the preparation and loading areas.

The evaporators in the warehouses are defrosted by off-cycle defrost. This entails interrupting the refrigeration process so that the brine absorbs heat from the ambient air which is used for defrosting. This method prevents the

ES-LCDM. Simple touchscreen navigation and control.

“The new Ecosmart intelligent control panel from Nuaire.

Who said nobody’s lifting a finger to save energy these days?”

With its new intelligent control panel for fans and ventilation systems, Ecosmart from Nuaire represents the most flexible energy-saving ventilation control system on the market today.

There’s no wasted energy because air volume can be precisely set through the integrated speed control. As part of a constant pressure system, you get ventilation ondemand,only when a room isoccupied,to achievethe maximum possible savings.

There’s also atricklefunction as standardenablingyouto set a backgroundventilation rate to keep rooms fresh when unoccupied too while still conserving energy.

While integrated BMS features enable any central system to control and monitor the fan or air-handling unit. But that’s not all.

Because Ecosmart doesn’t just save energy.

With its new state-of-the-art, easy to use touch screen control panel, it saves your client’s energy too. In fact, saving so much energy has never taken so little effort.

Ecosmart from Nuaire. It doesn’t cost you the earth.

For more information please contact Andrew Kirton

e andrew.kirton@nuairegroup.com m +97150 3491404 t +9714 312 4982 w nuairegroup.com/ecosmart Nuaire PO Box 24459, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the Middle East.

February 2010

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

43

perspective free trial* subscription to

Climate Control Middle East is available on subscription basis. To qualify for FREE trial* annual subscription, please fill the form, below, and fax to (+971-4) 4341906 or e-mail to purwanti@cpi-industry.com.

Should you have any colleagues who would want to receive the magazine, please copy and pass on this form.

If you do not qualify for a free annual subscription, the following rates will apply: UAE GCC: Middle East (non GCC): Outside Middle East:

$100 $120 $140 $150

name: job title: company: industry sector no. of employees: my purchasing authority is: below US$10,000 between US$10,000 and US$50,000 above US$50,000 address: po box city: country: tel. no.: fax no.: e-mail: mobile no.: date: signature: Due to overwhelming response, only paid subscriptions will guarantee receiving every issue of the magazine.

44

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

February 2010

requirements, Peter Huber Kältemaschinenbau developed a chiller that works with a small charge of 1.8 kg propene. The core element of the system is a two-stage semi-hermetic reciprocating Bitzer compressor, which is designed for use with propene. After being brought down to a temperature of -60 to -30°C, the propane then cools the silicone oil circulating in the cooling jacket. The output is 12 kW at a secondary refrigerant outlet temperature of 0°C, and 6.5 kW at -40°C. The safety concept of the system comprises separate refrigeration circuits into several sections so that in the event of a burst pipe, any refrigerant leak is limited to the affected section rather than the complete charge.

Additional components in the refrigeration system, commissioned in 2006, include a plate heat exchanger acting as evaporator, a water-cooled coaxial condenser and a Modbus-based control unit.

AS SAFE AS REFUELLING STATIONS “The case studies show that non-halogenated hydrocarbons are suitable for reliable refrigeration in many different branches,” says Monika Witt, Chairwoman of Eurammon, the European initiative for natural refrigerants.

“However, certain requirements have to be met when using these substances.

Potential sources of ignition have to be identified and eliminated early during the planning phase. The systems have to be designed so as to avoid leaks: this includes reducing the number of joints and applying permanent corrosion protection. As far as possible, the refrigeration system should be installed on the roof or equipped with a gas detection and ventilation system so that the gas can be exhausted in the event of a

State-of-theart measuring, control and refrigerating systems monitor temperature, humidity, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, keeping them at the required level to delay the ripening of fruit and vegetables.

leak. Components containing the refrigerant must be clearly marked as such, so that service technicians are informed accordingly and can take corresponding precautions. Good initial and advanced staff training plays a crucial role, as faulty maintenance is one of the greatest risks when operating refrigeration systems with hydrocarbons.”

Having said that, Witt rests her case when she points out: “But even if the flammability of hydrocarbons pose a challenge, these substances can still be handled safely, as demonstrated every day in thousands of refuelling stations all over the world.”

Presentation: “Improving Energy Efficiency in Refrigeration”, JeanLuc Dupont, Head of the Scientific and Technical Information Department, International Institute of Refrigeration, Asgabat, March 1, 2007

C

PI Industry, in collaboration with ENPARK, is proud to announce a focused training workshop, titled ‘Profitability through sustainable development’, which will empower participants with tools and clearly defined strategies to pursue their sustainable goals in their organisations. This, in turn, will translate into cost-savings and profitability.

The workshop, under the joint initiative’s ‘Sustainability Series’, will be held on April 7 and 8 at Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Dubai Knowledge Village. The series will include four subsequent workshops, which will be specific to the areas of modelling tools required for green building certification; they will be held in Q3 and Q4 2010.

Who is the trainer?

Sougata Nandi (see profile), the Director of Sustainable Development at TECOM Investments and ENPARK, will conduct the introductory workshop, which will contain detailed and compelling content for you to arrive at pragmatic and powerful solutions. Nandi’s credentials are exemplary. His Energy and Water Conservation Programme at TECOM has generated savings worth $7 million in less than three years with nominal investment. He is currently the LEED AP for 45 projects of TECOM Investments, simultaneously pursuing LEED certification in various categories like Existing Building, Core & Shell and Commercial Interiors.

Who should attend?

The workshop will benefit... n Sustainability managers and directors n Facility managers/engineers n Facility owners n Campus managers/engineers n Project development managers/engineers n Architects

n n n n

Consultants Contractors Suppliers Service providers

Objectives of the introductory workshop

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to: n Define sustainability in the context of your own organisation n Understand the key components of a sound approach to sustainable development, resulting in increased profitability n Define your organisation’s short-, medium- and long-term goals n Come up with an implementation plan

Workshop Timings

Indus tries Utilities Buildin g desig n Buildin manag g ement

Workshop Methodology

The workshop will be conducted using a combination of the following: n Appropriate case studies n Demonstration of frameworks n Demonstration of key tools n Group exercises for problem solving – scenarios will be developed by participants, and groups will be formed to come up with effective resolutions

Registration will be at 0800 hours, with the workshop commencing promptly at 0900 hours each day. There will be two short breaks for refreshments and one long break for lunch. The session will conclude at 5pm on both days.

No empty claim this

Cost-savings and profitability are not an illusory goal but reality. Organisations are saving millions of dollars through energy and water conservation that pay back in months.

See real case studies on these at the workshop.

Sustainability Series

An ENPARK, CPI Industry training initiative

Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Dubai Knowledge Village, UAE • April 7 & 8, 2010

Workshop Outline

Introduction (1 hr) n Objectives of the workshop n Global trends in sustainability n Local trends in sustainability n Review delegates’ concepts, experiences and exposure to sustainability Components of Sustainability (1 hr) n Define sustainability n Sustainability elements as tools for enhancing profitability n Why corporates should embrace sustainability n How sustainability blocks recession and fights economic downturn n Implementing sustainable development effectively within an organisation n Case study Energy and Water Conservation (5 hrs) n Implementing effective energy and water conservation programmes • Organisational maturity matrix • Rate your organisation • Energy auditing methodology • Role of energy manager • Implementation strategies n Components of energy and water conservation • HVAC • Lighting • Water n Tools required • Measurement and verification protocols • Ascertaining energy bills – normalisation • Lighting energy calculations • Performance contracting n Exercise – what is relevant and important to your organisation? n Stakeholder engagement n Case studies Building Green

(4 hrs) n Why build green n How to build green & green building criteria

n

n n

• Site sustainability • Water conservation • Energy efficiency • Materials and resources • Indoor environmental quality Tools required • Light pollution • Lighting power densities • Energy modelling • HVAC load calculation • Ventilation standards • Regional material quantities • Measurement and verification protocols Exercise – define your relevant green criteria set Case studies

Wrap up

n Key learnings n Individual action plans

Session Plan:

0900 – 1030 1030 – 1100 Coffee Break 1100 – 1300 1300 – 1400 Lunch Break 1400 – 1530 1530 – 1600 Coffee Break 1600 – 1700

(1 hr)

1.5 hrs 0.5 hrs 2.0 hrs 1.0 hr 1.5 hrs 0.5 hrs 1.0 hr

Attendance Cost

Before March 18, 2010: AED 2,600 FOR 2 DAYS On or after March 18, 2010: AED 2,900 FOR 2 DAYS Registration includes lunch and refreshment breaks.

CPI INDUSTRY reserves the right to cancel the workshop up to one week prior.

All registered attendees will be contacted directly by CPI INDUSTRY in the event that the workshop is cancelled.

About the Trainer Sougata is an Energy Engineer from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the leading LEED™ AP in the region with four of the first 10 LEED certified projects in the GCC to his credit. Sougata is involved in Energy & Water Conservation, Sustainable Development and LEED Certification for 14 years, 10 of which are in Dubai. Sougata is an Emirates Energy Award winner in 2007, and his Energy and Water Conservation Programme has helped TECOM Investments win the Emirates Energy Award in 2008.

Sougata is the LEED AP for the 3rd, 5th, 6th & 8th LEED Certified projects in the GCC. These include the first LEED Platinum Commercial Interior and the largest LEED certified project (as of May 09) in the region. Sougata has been selected as Who’s Who Member of the Year for 2009-2010 for his contributions to the business community. Sougata is also a leading author of articles on sustainable development in magazines like Climate Control Middle East and H2O. He currently holds dual technical responsibilities of implementing sustainable development at TECOM and developing Enpark as a sustainable community, and works as Director of Sustainable Development at TECOM Investments and Enpark (www.enpark.ae).

Sougata was engaged by several prestigious projects in Dubai for executing Energy Conservation Programmes through the Performance Contract mechanism. These projects include…

• Zomorrodah Complex of Dubai Real Estate Centre • Mazaya Centre of Government of Dubai’s Real Estate Department • Headquarter complex of Emirates National Oil Corporation (ENOC) • Al Mozna Building of Dubai Investments • Labour Camp of Thermo – where he designed and installed one of the first retrofit grey water treatment & reuse plants in Dubai • The Tower, Union Tower, Al Musalla Towers and Net. Community of Union Properties

Sougata is also managing the Energy and Water Conservation Programme at TECOM Investments since August 2006 and his portfolio of projects include…

• Dubai Internet City • Dubai Media City • Dubai Knowledge Village • Dubai International Academic City • Dubai Outsource Zone • Dubai Studio City • International Media Production Zone • Dubai Industrial City • Dubai Healthcare City

His Energy and Water Conservation Programme at TECOM has generated savings worth US$7 million in less than three years with nominal investment.

Sougata is currently the LEED AP for 45 projects of TECOM Investments, simultaneously pursuing LEED certification in various categories like Existing Building, Core & Shell and Commercial Interiors.

About CPI Industry The fundamental aim of CPI Industry is to adopt a fresh approach to analysing the industrial sector in the Middle East. Established in 2003, as a division of Corporate Publishing International, CPI Industry publishes magazines, guides, directories, reports, supplements and web sites that address sustainability issues with earnestness and keen intent. Its magazines, Climate Control Middle East, H2O and MEGAWHAT have made reporting on sustainability a well-oiled habit. In addition to publishing, CPI Industry organises and conducts events, which have a strong sustainability feature to them. A case-in point is The Climate Control Conference (C3), which has thrust sustainability to the forefront in all its editions.

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What you ‘sea’ is what you get!

Antoine Stephan, Director, Hamon CTC – Dubai Branch, with his years of experience in the field of district cooling and cooling towers, talks of the myths that pose challenges to using seawater in the UAE. The beginning I was born in Beirut in 1964. I went to a French school – College Protestant Francais. After schooling, I entered the American University of Beirut, from where I graduated in BE Civil Engineering, in 1986. Because of my background and my education, I have a French way and an American way of looking at things, which I feel, is important to understand the world today – combining the European culture and the practical approach of the Americans.

I started my career in contracting in 1987, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I was there till 1989. The two years there were slow years for me, with not much happening. I moved to France and worked in the contracting estimation sector.

In 1992, Paris experienced a recession. I thought it was the right time to do an MBA and took the course. I felt it was designed more for people who wanted to focus on changing their careers. What I mean is that the course was not for beginners, but for hardened professionals.

Joining Hamon I graduated in 1995 and joined Hamon, because I was interested in international trading.

Thanks to my job with Hamon, I came back to the Middle East, where I took up the role of Business Development Manager. I was in charge of market surveys of the Near East and the Middle East. I was responsible for knowledge development for all Hamon divisions.

After two years, I was given the opportunity to work on the cooling aspect of the business – cooling towers (CTs), to be more specific. I worked in this division for a few years. And then, Hamon went through restructuring. I was made in charge of the business units for all the countries we dealt with; the task was to organise the companies.

I worked in this position for a few years. Then, I was in charge of servicing clients, like Bechtel, in the Middle East.

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February 2010

Antoine Stephan

DC in Dubai In 2004, the district cooling sector became active in the Middle East in particular, in the UAE. So I set up a base for Hamon in Dubai in 2006. We got our first order from the Dubai Civil Aviation for 33 cells, for the extension of the airport. It was then that we decided to come here and set up an office the same year.

We decided to come to Dubai, because the decision-making actors are here – actors like contractors and consultants.

We started the office in 2006, for project management. Today, the projects are installed here, but the engineering is done in Europe.

We are now in a leading position.

To date, we have been instrumental in providing 56,000 TR of cooling since 2005. So in five years, we have managed to serve the sector with our hard work, knowhow and our professional approach.

So, although we arrived late in the market here, we are in a good position.

Being part of the Hamon family Hamon is a 106-year-old company in cooling systems division. So it has a culture. Hamon is like a big family and creates a special feeling of belonging.

As a result, people become so attached to it that they stay with the company for long.

As an employee, you feel dedicated.

It’s a pleasure to work in an environment, where quality matters, and you study in-depth and with a long-term approach. Hamon is an international group that has proved to be successful in many different fields –power, oil and gas, metal industries, chemical industries and district cooling, which in particular, is comparable in size to an industrial application.

Seawater cooling – a change of perception needed Here, in the UAE, there is a lack of in-depth knowledge about seawater cooling. In other words, there are several myths circulating around. This has led to a particular perception about it.

During the boom period, there was no proper discussion or a communication of ideas on seawater cooling. Simply put, it was summarily dismissed without it being given a chance or a decent hearing. I found it frustrating, because I like to bring optimum value to end-users. Now, it’s happening, but we are still behind other countries in getting the information across to the decision-makers.

We had raised the issue from Day One for optimising not only water but also power. The stumbling block for seawater cooling is the issue of capital costs, though.

At Hamon, we have the strength and ability to cater to all types of water – TSE, brackish, seawater … just about any type. Why, we are even cooling water with acid in some types of applications.

We can cater to the particular needs of clients, and this is where we bring value.

We are not in the business of packaged cooling towers but in specialised applications. We also propose different hybrid cooling towers, which we feel, will save water. Another option is to press into service air-cooled systems in tandem with cooling towers.

Noise reduction is an issue with cooling towers. At Hamon, we can tackle this, as we are very strong in this.

And also, what are the considerations to bring down power costs? Optimising power and opex is the answer. This has never been considered here. The point is, we can bring value to the market.

Top: St Simeon’s Cathedral, 1992 Above: Baalbeck, Lebanon, 1995 Left: French Alps, 1997

February 2010

CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST

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endpoint It’s a pleasure to work in an environment, where quality matters, and you study in-depth and with a long-term approach.

Here, in the UAE, there is a lack of in-depth knowledge about seawater cooling.

Top: Sydney 2002 Above: Torino, Italy, 2006 52

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Kerala, India, 2007

At Hamon, we have 200+ engineers – project engineers, R&D engineers, testing engineers…. They look at every project in-depth and integrate it with the needs.

Whenever we have the opportunity, we give seminars and bring the advantages of seawater cooling to the attention of clients, as a way of educating people.

Another issue that is important is the optimising of the sourcing of materials for cooling towers, be they in the form of fans or motors.

Every big supplier has facilities in China and India. But here, in the GCC, you have limitations, born out of incorrect perception. We can propose good-quality products coming out of China, but the perception towards China is that they produce sub-standard, counterfeit products. The point is, China has good quality control and pricing, if you are talking of a European supplier who has set up a factory in China with good quality requirements. So, in this case, you are safe, as far as China is concerned. What I’m trying to say is that we need more discussions and more flexibility to bring this young market to maturity.

When I arrived in Dubai, I came with an industrial background.

Hamon actually participated in the Jubail project, in the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, where you have the petrochemical industries. They were using seawater cooling towers in a channel for 20 years. Then the pumping capacity for this became saturated. So they needed Phase 2.

There were two main scenarios:

February 2010

1. Construct or extend the channel 2. Do grouping of cooling towers These were disregarded. They finally chose to go with individual cooling towers for each use. Hamon was the first to supply individual cooling towers (90,000 m3, 26 cells). So we are very aware of the disadvantages, the environmental impact in the Gulf region being one of them.

We have studied the situation in Qatar. They are using seawater cooling towers there. The UAE is lagging behind Qatar in this respect, as there are no big seawater cooling applications here.

In this context, we would like to do the groundwork and develop a seawater cooling regimen here, given the fact that we are in the business for 40 years. We have achieved 1.5 million m3/hour of cooling the world over. So this is a wellknown domain for us.

The finer points of district cooling As district cooling involves chillers and heat exchangers, you need to use titanium, which makes it expensive. In the case of cooling towers, though, this is not an issue. We don’t need titanium.

We use high grade of hardware. But in the case of chillers and heat exchangers, this becomes an issue.

When I arrived here in the UAE, the potential clients said, ‘We cannot rely on seawater intake’. This was because Dubai was reclaiming a lot of land, as a result of which, the coastline was changing. So, if we had set up the seawater intake plant at a particular location, it would have had to be relocated, if they had reclaimed the land to establish the coastline farther

endpoint During the boom period, there was no proper discussion or a communication of ideas on seawater cooling. Simply put, it was summarily dismissed without it being given a chance or a decent hearing.

Santorini, Greece, 1998

away than where it was.

Another belief was that seawater intake is very hot. But this is not true, because we are talking of the same Gulf water. If the same Gulf seawater is being used in Jubail in Saudi Arabia and in Qatar, then this perception cannot be true. As I said earlier, there are several myths that need to be dispelled.

So the challenge is not with cooling towers, but with the cost of titanium, which you need to use in heat exchangers. Another challenge is the delivery time.

We, as cooling tower people, are not affected. But it is the other side – chillers and heat exchangers – that makes seawater cooling an expensive proposition. And of course, you have the limitation of seawater intake, because the developers are constantly reclaiming the land and, thus, the coastline changes.

Addressing the problem

French Alps, 2006

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In Bahrain, they have had no other option but to go for seawater cooling. In Saudi Arabia, it was the easiest option. Here, in the UAE, they say that TSE is better, but you don’t have enough plants to give you TSE. The sea is open, it is free. The investment cost – titanium – is an issue, but water savings is for ever. But I cannot convince the client to go in for chillers; it’s not my job. As a cooling tower supplier, though, I hold the flag very high.

Also, from an environmental perspective, people say that seawater cooling has drawbacks. But the fact is that the salt evaporated from the sea near Dubai or Abu Dhabi is much higher in concentration than from any seawater cooling tower. As I said, there are several myths circulating in the air.

It was proved when we highlighted Jubail in our study and did model testing that the salt concentration going into the atmosphere is high compared to what comes out of a cooling tower.

February 2010

You can conduct a model study using a computer software and simulate the process. So you can prove this 100% scientifically.

In the UAE, we showed the study to one or two consultants, but the drawback was not with us – the cooling tower people – but with the cost of titanium, as a result of which, the capex was high.

Also, let us not forget that during the boom period, the market was growing too fast. People did not have time, or allotted the time, to think things through. At the time, the only concern was capex. Now, during the downturn, people have that much more time to cogitate and consider the facts by eliminating all the myths.

My family I am married and have two boys – Cyril and Mario – aged 10 and six. They enjoy living in Dubai as much as is possible.

My wife’s name is Noura.

I like travelling a lot. When it comes to sports, I like skiing in the French Alps.

Here in the UAE, I take my boys to Ski Dubai to practise.

I also like music, theatre and art. In music, I like jazz, rock, classical, New Age and world music. I have a collection of 1,000 CDs. To me, culture is very important, and this is what I miss in Dubai. I like a cultural environment, because I have spent 18 years in France.

In Paris, you have theatre, concerts, museums…. But Dubai is improving.

The theatre scene is more active in Abu Dhabi than in Dubai. But the art scene – galleries displaying art – is good in Dubai.

I love books, especially fiction and books on spiritualism. I recently read a book about the human brain – My Stroke of Insight – written by a Harvard neurologist. It’s amazing how the human brain works. The writer has understood how the brain functions and how you can manage the intellectual aspect of it. It has given me an insight into life.

Our staff are experienced with: conceptual design, detail engineering, cost estimation, construction, testing and commissioning of: District Cooling MEP works for: • Mall and Shopping Center • Industrial Sectors and Factories • Commercial and Office Building • High Rise Building • Residential Housing Developments • Hotel and Hospitality Developments • Oilfield Projects • Airport Terminals • Hospital and Clinics, and clean zones

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