CCME July 2013 by Climate Control Middle East

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Spotlight: Nuancing the filtration process p68 Report: NEWS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; regional entities win big at the idea Conference p6 | daikin McQuay launches the WCt 6,000 chiller p12 | MEPs

Room and Interviews: Fluke packaged and Aldes on vibration ACs in the and acoustics p58 UAE p44

Perspective:

Critical issues on transport refrigeration p66

Case-in point: geMS

american academy and its sustainability programme p60 tCti: Minimising aC costs through hVlS fans p62

vote to rid EU of HFCs p20 ASHRAE UPDATE: ASHRAE releases new guide p25 PLUS: Marketplace, Comings&Goings

JULY 2013

The fortress

braces for growth On the heels of the predicted continuous growth of the Kuwaiti HVAC sector comes the concern about a consequent increase in the overall power consumption in the country.

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Vol. 8 No. 7 | JULY 2013 04 FROM THE EDITOR

The beginning of the momentum

HAPPENINGS

contents

06 The region 18 At large 22 Marketplace

44 REPORT

Windows out, splits in BSRIA report predicts that the packaged air conditioning market will beneﬁt, owing to the apparent shift in momentum away from district cooling.

On ubIEQuity & invisibility

INTERVIEW

The presentations and discussions at the 1st Annual Middle East Indoor Environmental Quality Conference revealed the complexity and intricacy of the issue of IEQ. The first part of our report.

58 Vibrations – harbinger of things to come

Steve hood, General Manager of Fluke EEMEA, says that identifying the problem early can help a company’s maintenance team plan ahead to avoid costly equipment failure.

59 Attention on attenuators Gaëtan Pierrefeu, Aldes Middle East FZE, speaks about the importance of sound attenuators in maintaining a good IEQ.

CASE-IN POINT

60 An educated move GEMS American Academy decided to adhere to the criteria of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Rating System, Estidama, ahead of the mandatory deadline, and in time for the new semester. We bring you the case study of how this was achieved.

62 Fan following A manufacturing facility in Dubai installed a single Altra-Air Fan with WhalePower Technology from Envira-North Systems at its site, which resulted in a six-month savings of USD14,708.

66 PERSPECTIVE Wheels of chain Prakash krishnamoorthy, Carrier Transicold Europe – Gulf Ofﬁce, gives the transport refrigeration perspective on cold chain management and, in the process, addresses critical issues of concern…

68 SPOTLIGHT Nuancing the ﬁltration process We demand that we have the best IAQ. By the same logic, shouldn’t our technicians also have a safe working environment? If there is one professional ﬁltration language, shouldn’t we all speak it, asks Dr Iyad Al-Attar.

A posse ad esse – from possibility to reality

The discussions and presentations at the fourth edition of Food Chain established that the issue of food safety affects society in a variety of contexts.

Transcending "Made in China"

Through intensiﬁed efforts to research and develop new technologies, the country aims to offer the world products that are truly “innovated in China”.

The fortress braces for growth On the heels of the predicted continuous growth of the kuwaiti hVAC sector comes the concern about a consequent increase in the overall power consumption in the country.

July 2013

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FroM the

editor Publisher Dominic De Sousa

THE BEGINNING OF THE

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

MOMENTUM

Editorial Director & Associate Publisher B Surendar | surendar@cpi-industry.com COO Nadeem Hood | nadeem@cpidubai.com

he facts and figures emerging out of Qatar boggle the mind. As of now, the peninsula has reportedly earmarked over $220bn for development projects, of which the 2022-related construction activity alone is worth $100bn. Though the second figure is indicative of the importance the country is giving to hosting the FIFA World Cup, the broader framework is the Qatar National Vision 2030, which represents the grand scheme of things. Qatar is evidently determined to stand up and be counted on the world stage – not just for its fossil-fuel assets but also for the way Qataris come to view themselves and for their place in the global context. The 2030 Vision is a broad document that straddles many aspects of society, be it education, healthcare, industry or transport – 17 years hence, Qatar wants all these aspects – and more – to coalesce to transform itself into an advanced country. The grand scheme of things also includes a drive towards food security and food safety. The Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) is about securing water for agriculture and taking steps to optimise irrigation and agricultural approaches. The importance Qatar is giving to food security is evident in the fact that QNFSP was established by none other than His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar. In a related development, Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO), Yara International and the renowned Sahara Forest Project teamed up for an innovative pilot project that will grow vegetables using sea water and solar power. The project, a microcosm representation of the country’s grand aspiration, is based in Mesaieed, the backyard of QAFCO, which is the world’s largest single-site producer of urea and ammonia. Yara is the world’s largest supplier of fertiliser. In terms of food safety, the country’s Supreme Council of Health is involved in establishing a nodal national food safety agency as a first step towards ushering in stricter food safety measures and the percolation of a food safety culture among all stakeholders. Logic says that the emphasis on food security and food safety can spell only good news for the refrigeration industry. The extent to which the market for refrigeration equipment will grow is yet unclear; it surely has to be an alluring prospect, though. There is far greater clarity on the air conditioning side of things, however. In today’s terms, the size of the MEP building services market (that is, excluding the infrastructure-related MEP activity) is estimated to be worth anywhere between QR 20bn and QR 25bn. This range is likely to grow in the coming years, opening the doors for greater optimism. The challenge so far in Qatar has been the relative slowness of business. The conversion cycle of potential to actual developments is longer when compared to a place like Dubai – it takes about six months for a tender to result in a job. The conversion cycle has to – and will – change sooner than later, though. We surely are in the beginning of a grand momentum that is set to benefit the entire HVACR industry.

Assistant Editor Jerome Sanchez jerome@cpi-industry.com Contributing Editors Pratibha Umashankar prati@cpi-industry.com Anoop K Menon anoop@cpi-industry.com Senior Business Development Consultant Stephanie McGuinness stephanie@cpi-industry.com Design Genesis Salao | getty@cpi-industry.com Webmaster Troy Maagma | troy.maagma@cpimediagroup.com Database/ Subscriptions Manager Purwanti Srirejeki purwanti@cpi-industry.com Advertising Enquiries Frédéric Paillé: +971 50 7147204 fred@cpi-industry.com Stephanie McGuinness: +971 50 6679359 stephanie@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 Euro Zone and UK Sicking Industrial Marketing Wilhelm Sicking 45130 Essen - Emmastrasse 44 Tel: +49 (0)201-779861

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Spotlight: Nuancin g the filtration

NEWS – Regional entities win big at the IDEA Conferenc e p6 | Daikin McQuay WCT 6,000 chiller launches the

p12 | MEPs vote to rid EU of HFCs p20

process p68 Report: tecontrolme.com Perspecti Room and Critical ve: Case-in point: GEMS Interviews: American Academy packaged issues on and Aldes onFluke and its sustainability programm and acousticsvibration ACs in the transport e p60 p58 refrigeration TCTI: UAE p44 Minimising AC costs p66 through HVLS fans p62 ASHRAE www.clima

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happenings the region

Regional entities win big at IDEA Conference Empower, Emicool, Tabreed and Qatar Cool honoured

S-based International District Energy Association (IDEA)’s 104th Annual Conference & Trade Show, which took place from June 2 to 5 in Miami, Florida, and held under the theme “Building on Efficiency, Delivering Value”, saw Empower, Emicool, Tabreed and Qatar Cool – four major regional entities – bagging prestigious awards. Empower, which claims to be the largest district cooling service provider in the region, said in an announcement that it had won the first Global Innovation Award, for its effective use of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) in combination with reverse osmosis (RO) process, which optimised the efficiency of its large district chilled water plants, which also served to minimise the use of valuable potable water by testing a series of blended proportions to maximise water savings. According to Empower, the new Annual Innovation Award, not only reinforced Dubai’s commitment to environmental sustainability, but also celebrated innovation and creativity in technology, engineering and operations within the district energy industry. “We are thrilled and honoured to accept the first IDEA Innovation Award and hope that this leads to more collaboration and sharing of ideas within our industry going forward. Collaboration is key to enabling communities all over the world access to cleaner and more efficient 6

James Kassim of Tabreed accepting the 2012 IDEA District Energy Space Silver Award for Number of Buildings Committed to District Energy Beyond North America and the Gold Award for Total Building Area Committed Beyond North America

Empower CEO appointed to IDEA Board of Directors

Ahmad Bin Shafar is first UAE national to ever be nominated to the Board

hmad Bin Shafar, the CEO of Empower, the largest district cooling service provider in the region, has been granted membership to the Board of Directors of the US-based International District Energy Association (IDEA), the information and networking hub for the district cooling and combined heat and power (CHP) industries worldwide. Bin Shafar is the first UAE national to ever be nominated to the IDEA Board of Directors and the only candidate from a Middle East company to be nominated for a senior position. Announcing this in a news release, Empower revealed that IDEA held its Annual Business Meeting on June 4, during the Annual Awards Luncheon in Miami, Florida. During this meeting, IDEA announced the new board members. On being appointed to the prestigious Board, Bin Shafar said: “I am honoured to be appointed to this highly respected position alongside some eminent figures in the industry. With its searing temperatures and high usage of district cooling systems, the Middle East market can share its best practices and experiences with a much wider audience through its involvement with IDEA, the lynchpin of the entire industry worldwide.”

Qatar Cool's Mohannad Khader and Issa Qandeel accepting the District Energy Space Silver Award from IDEA President & CEO, Robert Thornton, for Total Building Area Committed Beyond North America and the Bronze Award for Number of Buildings Committed Beyond North America

Emicool accepting the 2012 IDEA District Energy Space Gold Award for Number of Buildings Committed Beyond North America

energy,” said Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower. Emicool, which bagged the Gold Award for The Greatest Number of Buildings Committed to District Energy Beyond North America, revealed that this was its third consecutive win, and reflected

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, accepting the IDEA Innovation Award from IDEA Chairman, Joseph Brillhart Continued on page 8 >>

happenings the region

Regional entities win big at IDEA Conference (from page 6) its commitment to promoting environmental sustainability in the UAE. Adib Moubadder, Managing Director at Emicool, speaking against the backdrop of winning the award, said: “Since its entry into the district cooling sector in 2003, Emicool has rapidly gained market share as a top tier district cooling service provider in the region. It is a great honour that IDEA has recognised our efforts three years in a row. This distinction will motivate us to increasingly develop efficient technologies for delivering clean and reliable energy services in the future.” National Central Cooling Company PJSC (Tabreed), the Abu Dhabi-based district

cooling utility company, won the Gold Award for The Total Building Area Committed Beyond of North America for 2012 and the Silver Award for The Number of Buildings Connected to District Cooling Beyond of North America last year. Jasim Thabet, CEO, Tabreed, on the company’s Web site, was quoted as saying: “Based on our strong performance in 2012, Tabreed are honoured to be recognised by the world’s leading district energy association. These awards, achieved against over 1,700 global members, are a testament to our delivery of vital cooling infrastructure that is enabling regional economic development and diversification across the GCC,

, Yo u r t r u s t e d pa r t n e r f o r Yo u r engineering, energY and environment solutions

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phone +971 4 445 7131, +971 4 447 4407 Fax +971 4 447 4410 p.o.Box 125787, Jumeirah Lakes towers tiffany tower, 30th Floor - Dubai, U.a.e. info@en3solutions.com www.en3solutions.com

the three Factor company

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Engineering

Energy

Environment

and our commitment to our clients to remain their partner of choice.” Qatar Cool shared the information in a communiqué that it had won the Silver Award for The Total Square Footage Served by District Energy and the Bronze Award for The Total Number of Buildings Served by District Energy Beyond North America in 2012. The company revealed it had also previously been recognised by IDEA. Talking about the district

cooling sector in Qatar, a Qatar Cool representative commented in a video prepared about the industry globally: “Qatar, with its National Vision 2030, has been a drive and an inspiration to the district cooling industry, with all that it offers: energy saving, conservation of resources, and positive role in the environmental issues.” Please turn to page 10 for a related story

Aeroduct gets Ul Classification

Tested for product performance by simulating anticipated everyday product usage

ubai-based Hira Industries has announced that its range of Aeroduct Duct Connector Fabrics has acheived UL Classification as per the NPFA 701 standards. The company pointed out that national, regional, city, civil defence and other municipality regulatory requirements have stipulated that materials used in bulding construction be certified or evaluated by a recognised third party before they can be approved for use, and that the UL Classification comes within this ambit. UL provided objective confirmation of product performance claims by simulating anticipated everyday product usage in controlled laboratory settings. Hira Industries gave details of the testing process: The UL testing on Aeroduct fabrics covers neoprene- and silicon-coated fibreglass fabrics, and vinyl fabrics. A flame is applied on each sample, and parameters tested include flame spread, afterglow and flame dripping. Besides UL listing, Aeroduct fabrics are also rated Class 1 as per BS 476, Part 7; Class 1 as per ASMT E 84. Aeroduct Silicon is the only fabric which is rated for use at 400°C for two hours, the company claimed. The UL-classified range of fabrics is also used to manufacture Aeroduct Insulated Duct Connectors, it added.

happenings the region

IDEA thanks attendees of conference Industry’s innovators honoured during the event

The Tabreed team, comprising Salam Kitmitto, James Kassim and Mohamad yassin, accepting the awards from IDEA President & CEO, Robert Thornton

The Empower team with the District Energy Space Bronze Award for Total Building Area Committed Beyond North America

Participants at the conference listening to a presentation

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

nternational District Energy Association (IDEA), in an official communiqué, has thanked the nearly 550 attendees who participated in the IDEA’s 104th Annual Conference & Trade Show, which took place from June 2 to 5 in Miami, Florida, USA. The Association also thanked the exhibitors and sponsors for their support for the event. The event organiser revealed that district energy/ Combined Heat and Power (CHP) owners, operators, innovators and leaders from around the world travelled to Miami to tap into the peer exchange and technical content at the conference, which included workshops, panel discussions and nearly 50 presentations, seven forum meetings and extensive peer and knowledge exchange, IDEA elaborated. According to IDEA, city leaders from Boston, Portland and Philadelphia shared with the audiences their insights into the opportunities and challenges of envisioning, designing, implementing and optimising urban futures with sustainable energy. The highlight of the conference was honouring of industry’s innovators with awards throughout the event. The other high point of the conference was an in-depth virtual tour of Miami Dade County’s District Cooling Plants by the attendees and a visit to Nova Southeastern University’s Central Energy Plant in Ft Lauderdale, where the tour took them through an ice thermal storage tank.

LIST OF AWARDS AND AWARDEES THAT IDEA HAS PROVIDED:  System of the year Award: Markham District Energy  IDEA Innovation Award: Empower  Norm Taylor Award: Hemant Mehta, WM Group  John Gray Scholarships: David MacMillan and Brendan Urke DISTRICT ENERGy SPACE Most Total Buildings Committed – North America  Gold: Veolia Energy North America – Philadelphia System  Silver: Markham District Energy  Bronze: District Energy St Paul MOST TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE COMMITTED – NORTH AMERICA  Gold: Veolia Energy North America – Philadelphia System  Silver: Enwave Energy Corporation  Bronze: Consolidated Edison MOST TOTAL BUILDINGS COMMITTED – BEyOND NORTH AMERICA  Gold: Emirates District Cooling (Emicool)  Silver: Tabreed (National Central Cooling Company) Abu Dhabi System  Bronze: Qatar Cool MOST TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE COMMITTED – BEyOND NORTH AMERICA  Gold: Tabreed (National Central Cooling Company) Abu Dhabi System  Silver: Qatar Cool  Bronze: Empower Energy Solutions

An Ecolab Company

happenings the region

“A quantum leap in air conditioning technology”

Daikin McQuay launches the WCT 6,000 water-cooled centrifugal chiller

aikin McQuay, the provider of advanced air conditioning solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications, launched the new WCT 6,000 tonne watercooled centrifugal chiller, which it claimed was the most efficient and largest commercial capacity district cooling chiller in the world. The event was held on June 10 at the Al Falak Ballroom, Burj Al Arab, Dubai. The product was formally introduced by Claudio Capozio, COO, McQuay Europe, Middle East and Africa and Luca Paolella, Vice President, Manufacturing Engineering, R&D, McQuay. Commenting on the features of the new product, Maged Makar, Business Development Manager, Daikin McQuay Middle East, said: “Chiller compressor design is a key factor to attain highest levels of sustainable plant room energy-efficient performance. That is why Daikin McQuay’s WCT 6,000 TR system includes a pair of two-stage centrifugal chillers, arranged in series counterflow, to reach the high lift typically required in district cooling systems. The two-stage centrifugal compressors have interstage flash economisers that increase the life of the unit.” He added that the unique “back-to-back” impeller design resulted in a 67% reduction in thrust load, improved reliability and longer bearing life. “In addition, diffuser control avoids surging, resulting in 10% efficiency increase at 12

François Boueri

Luca Paolella

part-loads, when compared with hot gas bypass. Furthermore, each compressor operates at a lower head, thus increasing the energy

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

performance at full-load,” he said. In his presentation, Capozio highlighted that the product had the highest capacity in

commercial applications, and that it could provide efficiency of up to 0.616 kW/tonne. He also pointed out that the WCT 6,000 TR system included two compressors, two lubrication systems, two economisers and two expansion valves for each unit, providing builtin redundancy and added reliability. He also threw the spotlight on the system’s series counterflow arrangement, pointing out that it provided the advantage of having a compact package, without the need for extra components like pipings, valves and pumps. The result, he added, was lower installed cost and less space required. Other features of the system highlighted during the formal introduction were:  The system comes fully assembled and factory-run tested before shipment  Controls are pre-wired, adjusted and tested, resulting in a “plug and

play” chiller  It uses HFC 134A, known for its zero ozone depletion potential (ODP), low global warming potential (GWP), high thermodynamic efficiency and positive pressure  The system has low sound levels of as low as 86 dB(A) at full load Speaking against the backdrop of the product launch, François Boueri, Daikin McQuay Middle East President, said: “We are thrilled to launch the WCT 6,000 TR chiller. The WCT concept is based on extensive market research, taking into account the wishes of many stakeholders in the industry: designers, installers, owners and regulators. WCT is destined to lead the district cooling industry in the Middle East, establishing new standards in efficiency and environmental responsibility. While offering faster payback for DC investors and easier installations for EPC contractors, WCT will also ensure that consumption of subsidised electrical energy is minimised. We can cool our cities today, while preserving the environment for the future generation.” He emphasised that Daikin McQuay offered full support to its clients at every stage of a project – planning, designing, installing, operating and maintaining. “We have established the highest efficiency trend on standalone installations with the revolutionary Daikin VRV system. Now, we will do the same in the district cooling segment, with the birth of WCT,” he said.

EmiratesGBC exclusive UAE operator of eco-label

environment-friendly energy, water and waste management commitment of hotels, serviced apartments and other accommodation facilities, Green Key is now regarded as a key consideration in promoting sustainable Will drive sustainability in development, the Council hospitality and tourism sector elaborated. In light of this, EmiratesGBC said that it would guide mirates Green Building hotels and other tourism Council (EmiratesGBC) establishments in pursuing has announced that the Green Key eco-label, as it has been assigned as the certified hotels are expected exclusive operator of the “Green to meet baseline criteria in Key” eco-label to promote environmental management sustainability in the hospitality and awareness, and efficient and tourism sector of the UAE. management of water, energy A non-governmental, and waste. non-profit and independent According to EmiratesGBC, programme, Green Key is several hotels in Dubai, Abu recognised by the World Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujairah Tourism Organisation and the have already achieved Green United Nations Environment Key certifications. However, Programme (UNEP), and is the with the large number of largest global eco-label relating hotels across all emirates and to accommodation, EmiratesGBC more developments in the explained. A prestigious pipeline, there is tremendous citation that underlines the potential in the market to

Fujitsu General and ElAPCO join hands

Introduce VRF (R410A) to boost UAE’s Green Building initiative

ujitsu General, the air conditioning and electronics company, has partnered with ELAPCO, the UAE-based distributors of air conditioning solutions, to bring their next generation line of OGeneral VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) air conditioning systems to the UAE. Announcing this in a joint communiqué, the two entities said that incorporating the ecofriendly R410A refrigerant, the VRF systems were engineered for sustainable green buildings, thus providing opportunities for building owners to obtain several LEED prerequisites. The new generation of Fujitsu General VRF (R410A) system is a centralised air conditioning system that cools large multi-

zone spaces with varying heating and cooling needs through intelligent controls, resulting in power savings, as the system is smart enough to know where to cool and when, the manufacturer claimed. It is best suited for UAE’s high-rise buildings, such as offices, hotels, residential properties and hospitals, because of the flexibility of control, it added. On the occasion of unveiling the VRF range, Yanagimoto, CEO of Fujitsu General ME said: “Fujitsu General is creating values for the new generation by fusing advanced technology

adopt Green Key certification. In this context, Adnan Sharafi, Chairman, EmiratesGBC, said: “Tourism and hospitality are key growth sectors of the UAE, with Dubai, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announcing the ambitious Dubai Tourism Vision 2020 to host over 20 million annual tourists by the turn of the decade. Today, with tourists being increasingly conscious and demanding of green features, certifying hotels and other accommodation facilities to the Green Key eco-label will further highlight the industry thought leadership of the nation. It will also complement the ‘green economy for sustainable development’ initiative of the UAE by integrating tangible sustainability features in hotels and other related establishments.” and marketing power. The introduction of the VRF technology and systems is a firm step in that direction.” Tariq Al Ghussein, CEO of ELAPCO Group, added: “The current prerequisite for the UAE and the Middle Eastern region is sustainable air conditioning solutions, due to the extreme climatic conditions here. We believe in the Fujitsu General philosophy of conserving energy, and with their first-hand innovation in the VRF range, our valued customers in this region will now have access to more comprehensive green conforming air conditioning solutions.”

July 2013

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happenings the region

Solar AC jackets for DED inspectors

Being used for the first time in Middle East to help cope with summer

Muhairi, director of the DED, as saying, “All the inspectors in our department will be wearing the jackets while they are carrying out inspections and raids at various outdoor sites…. We tried out the idea and found it to be a feasible one, especially as the summer is approaching and inspectors will have to face the heat. The black jackets are equipped with two fans at the back, which are battery operated and work on solar energy.” Al Muhairi, said the report, gave the finer details of

Photo courtesy DED

ccording to a Gulf News report titled, “Dubai department issues air-conditioned jackets to inspectors” by Mariam M Al Serkal, dated June 5, jackets with built-in cooling and air conditioning devices will be used by inspectors of the Department of Economic Development (DED) to help them cope with the summer heat. Officials at the DED reportedly said that the jackets would be used for the first time in the Middle East. The report quoted Omar Al

how it worked: The fans will distribute the cool air throughout the jacket and keep inspectors safe from the humid and hot outdoors. Two fans at the back pump fresh air around the wearer and out through the neck and sleeve ends. Moisture can also pass through the cloth. The electrical parts can be removed for washing. The jackets work the same way as a refrigerator does. The only drawback is the balloon

effect caused by the air flow. “The aim of the jackets is to help inspectors increase their efficiency at the job, and help them concentrate while they are outdoors,” Al Muhairi reportedly said. He also revealed that the jackets, manufactured by a Japanese company, were introduced by the department as per the suggestion of the Head of the Technical Department, Ahmad Al Merri.

DuctSox launches AeroSeal at ME IEQ Conference 2013 Also makes a presentation on textile ducting

uctSox MENA has announced that it used the opportunity provided at the 1st Annual Middle East Indoor Environmental Quality Conference Tawfiq Atari makes a point. To his right is Mario (IEQ), which took Seneviratne, the moderator of the conference place at the Dubai World Trade Center on May 12 and 13, to launch a new duct sealer, which, the company said, was now available in the market. The company’s Global Sales and Technical Director, Tawfiq Atari, also made a presentation introducing the technologies used by DuctSox textile ducting industry, as well as the advantages of textile over conventional galvanised ducting, during the conference. 14

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

EmiratesGBC calls for green retrofit

Aims to set up dedicated financing scheme and serve as facilitator

mirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) has proposed the creation of a financing scheme to promote the green retrofitting of existing buildings, to make them more energy-efficient, and would serve as facilitator of the project, which aims to strengthen the uptake of financially viable energyefficient projects in the country. Announcing this in a press release, the Council said that it would meet financing institutions, insurance agencies, suppliers and

regulators to lend momentum to the project. The Council pointed out that it had set up a dedicated taskforce to support the creation of a green financing scheme, and that the team worked with various stakeholders to address the challenge of funding green retrofit projects, and have been in discussions with banks and financial institutions to obtain their inputs. Giving insight into the proposed plan, Adnan Sharafi, EmiratesGBC Chairman,

said: “One of the key issues identified in our extensive studies to promote sustainable built environments is the lack of adequate financial support for retrofitting existing buildings to new green building standards…. Building owners also do not have any incentive to implement the energy savings because electricity bills are largely paid by the tenants. This encouraged us to focus on promoting the creation of a green financing scheme for existing buildings, as making them “greener” will be a strategic step to address the energy sector challenges we face today.” Research conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted that improving the efficiency of existing buildings has the highest potential for costeffective reductions in carbon

Saudi Energy 2013 concludes

Event sees increased international participation

iyadh Exhibitions Company (REC) and Energy Saudi Arabia have announced that Saudi Energy 2013, The 16th International Trade Exhibition for Electricity Power Generation, Alternative Energy, Water Technology, Lighting & HVAC, concluded its fourday run at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 29. Held under the patronage of the Minister of Water & Electricity, H.E. Abdullah Bin Abdulrahman Al Hussayen, and inaugurated by H.E. the Deputy Minister for Electricity, Dr Saleh Bin Hussein Al Awaji, Saudi Energy 2013 welcomed 7,150 trade visitors and

over 200 local and foreign energy companies, the announcement added. Organised by REC, Saudi Energy 2013 reportedly comprised four of Saudi Arabia’s top energy-related shows: SAUDI ELENEX 2013: The 16th International Electrical Engineering, Power Generation & Distribution Exhibition; SAUDI LUMINEX 2013: The 13th International Lighting Equipment Show;

SAUDI AIRCON 2013: The 14th International Exhibition on Air Conditioning, Heating, Ventilation & Refrigeration; and SAUDI WATER TECH: The 10th International Exhibition for Water Technology. According to the event organisers, exhibitors from Austria, Bahrain, China, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey

July 2013

emissions, EmiratesGBC revealed. In light of this, Sharafi added: “According to reports, the peak demand for electricity is expected to increase by 40% by 2020. Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings provides a financially efficient strategy for the UAE to tackle energy sector and environmental degradation challenges…. The UAE has clearly defined its goal of promoting ‘a green economy for sustainable development’ in the strategic vision announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. With a serious and firm commitment from different stakeholders, we can further accelerate this vision by offering tangible support for sustainable building projects.” and the UAE attended the trade event, with marked participation from China, Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with national pavilions. Saudi Energy 2013, claimed the organisers, provided a comprehensive technology showcase covering all energy sectors from electricity generation and distribution to alternative and renewable energy technologies; modern lighting products and technologies; water and water resources management technologies; and HVAC, and attracted all stakeholders in the energy sector, including government officials, investors and buyers. Saudi Energy is certified by the UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, the organisers revealed.

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happenings the region

CHRvI breaks new grounds Local and international companies showcase their latest innovations at the region’s first-ever dedicated HVAC exhibition

he first edition of the Cooling, Heating, Refrigeration, Ventilation and Insulation Systems (CHRVI) exhibition, held from June 4 to 6 at the Doha Exhibition Centre in Qatar, was touted as the first specialised exhibition dedicated to HVAC systems, not only in Qatar, but also in the entire Gulf region. Doha Municipality Director Eng Mohamed Al Sayed reportedly opened the exhibition, in the presence of other dignitaries, business leaders and representatives of several diplomatic missions in Qatar. According to the organisers, Heights Exhibitions and Conferences, the event, held in an exhibition space of 5,000 square metres, had 2,500 people from different fields registering to attend the exhibition and seminars, with nearly 7,000 professionals visiting the show. In addition, it attracted participation from 75 local, regional and international companies, which showcased the latest technologies in the fields of heating, cooling, refrigeration, ventilation and insulation, which avowedly contributed towards reduction of energy consumption, improvement of air quality and adoption of eco-friendly solutions. NAS (Nasser Bin Abdullah and Sons) was the exclusive premium sponsor of the event and Mannai Corporation, and Toshiba Air Conditions were the Main Sponsors, while Carrier Qatar, Daikin MaQuay Middle East and DVAC Company were the 16

other official sponsors who supported the event, the event organisers revealed. Alongside the exhibition, CHRVI also saw training sessions, seminars and educational lectures, conducted in cooperation with the Qatar ASHRAE Oryx Chapter, with professionals and specialists in the HVAC field from Qatar and

Eng Mohamed Al Sayed (extreme right) opens CHRVI 2013. He is flanked to his right by H.E. Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Sultan Jassim Al Thani

the region, as well as international experts from the UK, India, Japan, Egypt and Lebanon participating, the organisers said. More than offering the best and most recent technologies, the seminars would bring

together some of the most experienced and distinguished ASHRAE lecturers, Waleed Wahba, CEO, Heights Exhibitions and Conferences, reportedly said in a preevent statement at a press conference held on May 28

TESTIMONIAL Ritchie Engineering, the manufacturer of HVAC and refrigeration supplies under the yellow Jacket brand, an exhibitor at the inaugural CHRVI Exhibition, shares its thoughts on the recently concluded event.

“W

hen we decided to participate in the 1st Annual CHRVI Exhibition in Doha, we were told that it would be quite small. Although the number of exhibitors may have only been 64, the attendance for each day was excellent, keeping us busy until the end of each day. “Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President of Ritchie Engineering Co and Gregory Monti, President of MA-Line, two US companies, had the opportunity to be in the stand of Kazema Supply & Parts. We were very pleased to see the positive reaction of the visitors towards our quality products. The questions that were asked, plus the enthusiasm, [resembled] that of the larger exhibitions. We look forward to continued growth in Qatar, due to the exposure given to us in the show.”

(L-R) Sarkis Ohannessian, Product Manager, CIC, Parker Middle East; Frédéric Paillé, Managing Director and Associate Publisher, CPI Industry; Gregory Monti, President MA-Line; Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President, Ritchie Engineering; John Varghese, Director, Kazema Supply and Parts and Ahmed Samir Roshdy, Deputy General Manager, KSP-Global, Kazema Supply and Parts

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Mez-technik participates in CHRvI Showcased products for air duct systems and air-flow management process chain

ez-Technik, the German-based company specialising in products for the manufacturing of air ducts, as well as for the mounting and service of air duct systems, participated in this year’s CHRVI. Saying that the air duct flange system used in the production of ductwork was an important factor with regard to leak tightness, and, therefore, energy efficiency of air ducts, Mez-Technik revealed that it presented the new sealant Mez-Bluemastic-Gel, which, in the future, would also be used for the air duct profile systems Mez-Syphon-Flange 128S, 138S and 148S. The company claimed that these products had been tested for leak tightness class D according to EN 1507 and DW 144 TM1, and that the ready-to-use, water-resistant and adhesive sealant range provided corrosion protection (corrosion category 0), was temperature resistant from -30°C to 160°C, and met the VDI 6022 and EN 15780 hygiene requirements. In conjunction with the cooperation and development partner, RAS Reinhardt Maschinenbau, and selected mutual customers, Mez-Technik said that it was also working on an injection system for the RAS-Ductzipper designed to pair specifically with the MezBluemastic-Gel, which could also be used for retrofits. Further, Mez-Technik shared the information that it also presented its newly redesigned Mez-Ductsupport MS rail programme at CHRVI.

Al-Futtaim Engineering bags new project

Ministry of Public Works awards multi-million dirham MEP and civil maintenance contracts

at The Saint Regis Hotel, Doha. Speaking at the same press conference, H.E. Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Sultan Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Universal Refrigeration & Airconditioning, said that his company had wellqualified directors and managers to oversee a team of experienced sales, finance, engineering and

logistics staff to support the event. Hassan Sultan, President of AHSRAE Oryx Chapter, on his part, said that he was pleased to endorse the first HVAC Exhibition in Qatar, which provided a way for the engineers, stakeholders, official bodies and companies to learn about new technologies and benefit through their applications.

l-Futtaim Engineering has announced the signing of two contracts with the Ministry of Public Works to provide Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) and civil maintenance work to over 500 buildings across the UAE. The two-year multi-million dirham contracts will see the Al-Futtaim company’s Facilities Management division maintain 334 buildings in the Eastern and Northern Emirates and 189 buildings – a mix of schools, mosques, healthcare centres and hospitals – in Dubai and Ajman, the announcement added. Subramanya Rao, Divisional Manager – Facilities Management at Al-Futtaim Engineering, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with the Ministry of Public Works on these major projects. These contracts, in addition to our existing list of government clients, also reinforce Al-Futtaim Engineering’s reputation as a trusted partner in providing high-quality services to all our customers.”

July 2013

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happenings at large

GEA COM4 range now Eurovent certified

Specifications cover mechanical characteristics and rated values

EA has announced that beginning May 2013, all units from the GEA COM4 range of compact air-handling units are certified in accordance with Eurovent. This certification, says GEA, confirms that it delivers equipment that conforms to their published performance ratings, thus helping Eurovent assure customers of transparency on the market, as well as the possibility of being able to compare products of various suppliers. GEA gave details of its Eurovent-certified models: The smallest models, the COM4mini, are available in three output tiers, up to approximately 2,200 m³/h air-flow. GEA COM4plus, with seven model sizes, covers medium and greater output levels, up

to approximately 16,000 m³/h. The COM4top series covers five models, up to around 6,500 m³/h. Models in the COM4mini and COM4plus series are in weatherproof version, and are also designed for outdoor installation. The COM4top series was especially developed for indoor installation in tight spaces. For all three types, the model range consists of plug-in-ready units that are standardised and extensively pre-assembled at the factory. According to GEA, Eurovent specifications cover mechanical characteristics, as well as rated values and output data in accordance with the following standards:

Production capacity of world’s first fully automated assembly line for AHUs increased

* When associated with the standard version of the range

Mechanical characteristics (In accordance with EN1886) n Mechanical strength of the

Johnson Controls expands Guangzhou factory

n an official release, Johnson Controls has announced that it has expanded its Guangzhou factory to house the world’s first fully automated air handling unit (AHU) assembly line, which is a one-stop manufacturing

unit enclosure n Airtightness of the enclosure n Filter bypass leakage n Heat-transfer coefficient (thermal bridging factor) n Sound damping for the enclosure

Rated values and performance data (In accordance with EN13053) n Air flow – static pressure data – power consumption n Octave bands for conducted sound power – sound-power emission of the enclosure n Heat recovery n Heating duty* n Cooling duty* n Water-side pressure drop*

point for installation, assembly, testing and packaging, as also four additional variable refrigerant flow (VRF) production lines, in order to meet Asian and global demand. The expansion will increase the AHU

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

manufacturing capacity by 30%, the announcement added. The plant will also reportedly house a new VRF and small-tonnage chiller test centre to simulate a wide variety of extreme conditions to test the existing units and provide a platform for research and development of new products. According to Johnson Controls, with the new installations, more efficient and energy-saving air conditioning products will be manufactured in order to meet anticipated market demands in the next five years.

“Since our first entrance into China more than 100 years ago, we have earned the confidence and trust of our customers across Asia with our high-quality products, including York air conditioning and industrial refrigeration products,” said Soren Bjerg, Vice President and Managing Director of Johnson Controls Building Efficiency, Asia. “With the Guangzhou plant expansion, we aim to increase our manufacturing base to supply growing demand for our products, and to demonstrate our strong commitment to Asia and to our customers.”

EIA bats for HFCs at UK summit

Major retail groups push for end to climate-damaging supermarket refrigeration

he Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a UK-based NGO, has welcomed the renewed commitment to phase out HFCs demonstrated by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) at its 3rd Refrigeration Summit in London. Announcing this in a news release, EIA said that it had further called on the UK Government to support its retailers through the introduction of ambitious measures in the European Union F-Gas Regulation. The EIA pointed out that Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are potent greenhouse gases widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning, despite the availability of alternative climate-friendly refrigerants, and that the commercial refrigeration sector is responsible for over 30% of the UK’s HFC emissions. In this context, said EIA, the European Parliament is currently discussing amendments to the EU F-Gas Regulation that would ban the use of HFCs in new refrigeration equipment by 2020. According to EIA, UK retailers are at the forefront of replacing HFCs with natural refrigerants, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbons, with hundreds of stores now running on climate-friendly technologies. This has had a significant impact on retailers’ carbon footprints, not only through reducing the direct impact of HFC emissions, but also because increased energy efficiency of the systems has led to lower electricity usage. Tesco, which hosted the CGF summit, has 65 HFC-free stores in the UK, and announced at the summit that it would double the number this year, EIA added. The Agency also revealed that, despite the fact that British retailers stand to benefit from the introduction of HFC bans, the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), responsible for steering through the EU legislation, appears

reluctant to propose or support such measures. In light of this, Gregory Barker, UK Minister for Climate Change, during the summit, said: “This Coalition Government remains determined to be the greenest ever and we need our retail sector – which is of great importance to the UK economy – to follow suit and take a leading role on energy efficiency. Refrigeration is a significant part of this and that is why I’m calling on retailers to agree to freeze out costly HFC refrigeration.”

EIA Senior Campaigner Clare Perry, on his part, added: “Gregory Barker has called on retailers to phase out HFC refrigeration, and indeed, most leading UK retailers are starting to do this. The best way the UK Government can support these retailers and incentivise climatefriendly replacement technologies is to ban the use of HFCs in commercial refrigeration equipment in the new F-Gas Regulation. We urge Mr Barker to speak to his counterpart in DEFRA to ensure these measures are a priority for the Government.”

“Freshness and quality for agricultural products!” Dear reader, Appropriate cooling for fruits and vegetables is vital to keep the freshness and to reach the maximum storage duration. This is why we offer two versions of the Güntner agricooler: The ‘large surface design’, preferably for units with direct evaporation and for operation with medium temperature difference, and the high efficiency design, preferably for units with water/glycol mixture and energetically optimised operation with small temperature difference.

The advantages of the Special Agri (GACA): - Little dehumidification by means of optimised heat exchangers for small dT - Blow-through fans - Uniform air distribution by means of deflector - Max. air circulation - Small dimensions for more storage area - Easy to clean due to hinged tray and hinged drip plate - Up to 7 fans (Ø 400/450/500/630/710 mm) - For HFC or glycol

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July 2013

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happenings at large

MEPs vote to rid EU of HFCs Big win for climate as ENVI Committee agrees to ban the gas in new equipment from 2020

he European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) scored a significant win for the climate and a boost for the European economy when it decided, by an overwhelming 48 votes in favour to 19 against, to strengthen the EU’s F-Gas

Regulation to ban a source of super greenhouse gases in new equipment from 2020. The voting took place on June 19. Announcing this in a news release, Londonbased Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), gave further details: The regulation governs the use of climate-changing fluorinated gases, including

hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are many hundreds or thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide and are used in refrigeration, air conditioning, aerosols, foams, solvents and fire protection. EIA revealed that other measures adopted by the committee include an allocation fee that must be paid in order to access the annual HFC quotas under the “phase-down” mechanism. This improvement over the European Commission proposal, which reportedly freely allocated HFC quotas to chemical companies that already produced HFCs, was needed to prevent windfall profits and foil market manipulation that could hurt consumers. EIA claimed that, prior to the vote, along with a

Magnetic refrigeration set to become mainstream

coalition of NGOs, it had called on their supporters and other EU citizens to urge ENVI members not to falter in the face of pressure coming from the HFC chemical industry. Clare Perry, a Senior Campaigner for EIA, calling it a crucial victory against scaremongering and misinformation, which boded well for future negotiations with European Council, said: “This important piece of legislation now goes before the Council of the European Union, and we call on member states to show the same kind of leadership that Parliament has demonstrated. This is not only a fight against climate change, [but] it’s a chance to stand up for European businesses.”

using the temperature change from adding and subtracting a magnetic field, provided cooling without the need for refrigerants or expensive Industry players leaning towards the technology compressors. The article added that one of the key aspects to the development of n article, titled French Government. Cooltech’s Whirlpool’s domestic Camfridge, reportedly “Magnetic R&D Director, Tim Lorkin, is fridge was the use said that domestic fridges refrigeration said to have told a meeting of of an iron-based developed in association technology set to break alloy to provide the with manufacturing partner, the Institute of Refrigeration through” by Andrew Gaved, (IOR)’s Sirac Technology magnetic charge, Whirlpool, were likely to be in the RAC (Refrigeration Group that the developments which considerably available by 2015. and Air conditioning marked the start of a move reduced the price of the Giving details, the Magazine), dated May 30, towards the mainstream for technology over the rarearticle said that Cooltech, has put forward the view the technology, which, by earth magnets, such as together with six partners, that magnetic refrigeration gadolinium, initially used had advanced by the sector’s pioneers. will hit the mainstream development of market with launches Allesandro Pastore, a commercial planned in domestic and Camfridge’s Business product, thanks commercial sectors over the Development Director, to the backing next two years. The article told the Sirac meeting of technology supported the view with the investors, that the potential for news that French company, replacing traditional including EUR Cooltech, was to launch a fridges was great, 20 million (USD 500-W cold counter using the article revealed. 26 million, as of the principles of magnetic Camfridge was working June 29 value of European Euro with Whirlpool and other refrigeration later this year, while UK magnetic partners such as Indesit against the US refrigeration specialist, and Hotpoint, it added. Dollar) from the

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Distech Controls welcomes new investors Samsung Ventures a shareholder of Distech Controls

amsung Ventures Investment Corporation, the Venture Capital arm of the Samsung Group, and Distech Controls, provider of energy management solutions, have jointly announced that Samsung Ventures has become a shareholder of Distech Controls. Samsung Ventures, with the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Export Development Canada (EDC), EnerTech Capital, Fonds de solidarité FTQ and W2 Investments, announced a total investment of CAD 38 million (USD 36.2 million, as of June 29 value of Canadian Dollar against the US Dollar) in Distech Controls. They reportedly join Distech Controls’ existing group of investors and founder, President and CEO of Distech Controls Inc, Étienne

Veilleux, as shareholders. The investment will expand Distech Controls’ capital base and the proceeds of this financing will be used to accelerate the company’s growth plan worldwide, including acquisitions, the joint announcement elaborated. In this context, Veilleux said: “As a company in the energy management solutions and green technology space, we feel that it is critical to bring together the right team internally, as well as the right financial partners, to help us best serve the needs of our customers and partners. We have definitely accomplished this goal, bringing together both the capital required to fuel our growth strategies, as well as a fantastic group of investors that support mission-driven companies.” Michael Pachos, Senior Investment Manager at Samsung Ventures, added: “Distech Controls is a technology leader and has built a significant business in energy management solutions and building controls. The company has demonstrated both a technical and business vision in driving the adoption of advanced controls and energy management solutions, and we look forward to contributing to the progress of Distech Controls.”

EPA stamp for AMCA International

Its Certification & Testing Laboratory recognised under EPA Residential Ventilating Fan Program

he Air Movement and Control Association International, (AMCA), a notfor-profit trade association dedicated to the certification of manufacturer’s performance ratings, has announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognised its air movement equipment certification program, and has accredited it in accordance with the requirements of ISO Guide 65, “General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems”. AMCA pointed out that it was now both an EPArecognised laboratory and an EPA-recognised certification body that can determine Energy Star eligibility for products that fall under the EPA’s Residential Ventilating Fan programme. “To ensure consumer confidence in the Energy Star label and to protect the investment of Energy Star manufacturing partners, EPA requires all Energy Star products to be third-party certified. This requirement includes product testing in an EPA-recognised laboratory that meets international standard for quality and competency, review of the product by an July 2013

EPA-recognised certification body to determine Energy Star eligibility, and ongoing testing to ensure that products continue to deliver superior energy efficiency and performance.” AMCA explained. It highlighted that its Certified Rating Program (CRP) was created to provide a fair and credible method of comparing the ventilation performance of similar products. Not only are products certified, but a random verification programme ensured that those products still meet their original performance, and all testing for certification and verification is performed by laboratories independent of any manufacturer, it emphasised. All of the standards utilised for testing are reportedly recognised as American National Standards. www.climatecontrolme.com

marketplace

this section contains regional and international products information

GEA 2H ClEANdek Kv619 cooling tower fill packs

Semi-hermetic CO 2 compressor

aying that they are designed for application in counterflow wet cooling towers, GEA has announced introducing its new GEA 2H CLEANdek KV619 cooling tower fill pack solutions. The company claims that the product minimises fouling risk and achieves greater efficiency, and that these and other advantages are thanks to the novel surface geometry, which was developed with the aid of numerical flow mechanics. The manufacturer lists other product features and benefits:  As a result of the open structure with vertical channels, they offer very little resistance to air flow, which enhances the efficiency of the entire recooling process.  The microstructure of the surface assures an optimal water film, thereby supporting effective heat transfer.  CLEANdek KV619 is characterised by improved solids discharge at low pressure drop.  In addition to pressure-drop optimisation, the design also ensures minimal deposition and clogging. This reduces the risks of rotting and growth of fungi and bacteria. The fill pack is accordingly highly effective for most water characteristics.  The fill packs are available in various polypropylene qualities, including a flame-retarding version, in lengths up to three metres.  In addition, the KVC619 offers a PVC variant. The high quality of the welding process assures fill packs with great structural stability.

laiming that it is the biggest semi-hermetic CO2 compressor, GEA has announced introducing semi-hermetic six-cylinder GEA Bock piston compressor HG46 CO2 T. The manufacturer lists the following product features and benefits:  With a displacement of 21.8 to 30.2 m³/h, it is the biggest semi-hermetic compressor for transcritical CO2 applications, with operating pressures of up to 130 bar, currently available on the market.  At normal cooling – gas cooler outlet conditions: +35°C (90bar), evaporation temperature: 10°C  Superheat 10 K – it has a COP (coefficient of performance) of more than 1.85.  Its engineering design enables maximum standstill pressures of 150 bar on the high pressure side and 100 bar on the low pressure side.  The compressor is based on the already established HG34 CO2 T, and is used in numerous industrial heat pumps, as well as classical refrigeration applications, such as supermarkets.

Automatic Filters Inc Tekleen Filters

utomatic Filters Inc has announced introducing its new line of ABW (automatic backwash) filters under the brand name Tekleen, claiming that they are useful for the HVAC industry, especially in cooling tower applications. The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages:  Tekleen filters eliminate contamination caused by airborne dust, sand, pollen, algae and pipe scales, thus reducing maintenance and operations costs. These contaminates circulate through heat exchangers, chillers, and compressors, making the cooling system pump harder, thus lowering the efficiency of the system.  The self-cleaning water filters provide a solution where dirty water is a problem. The filters operate on line pressure alone. The self-cleaning process is triggered by a pressure differential and is accomplished in seconds, without interrupting the main flow.  The filters are offered in stainless steel construction at carbon steel prices.

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Carel

humiSonic humidifier

arel, dealing in humidification and evaporative cooling systems, has announced presenting adiabatic humidification – the humiSonic humidifier. Carel elaborates on its working: It features a water storage tank with piezoelectric transducers installed at the bottom. The surface of the transducer oscillates at a very high speed (1.65 million times per second) to prevent the water from moving due to its mass inertia, resulting in a column of water being generated above the transducers. During the negative amplitude of the transducer, an instant vacuum is produced. The cavity created allows the production of bubbles, which are pushed to the edge of the water column during the positive amplitude phase, where they collide. During this process, very fine particles of water are atomised on the edge of the column of water. The high frequency sound waves produced directly underneath the surface of the water cause the water droplets to separate, thus generating an ultra-fine

mist, which is absorbed immediately by the air stream. The manufacturer lists the other product features and benefits:  The ultrasound humidifiers guarantee energy saving (>90%) compared to common steam generators.  It is versatile, thanks to the dimensions of the droplets produced (average diameter 3-5um). This guarantees rapid absorption of the atomised water in the surrounding area, thus minimising possible condensation.

EIC Solutions Digital temperature control for electronic enclosures

IC Solutions, a manufacturer of thermoelectric air conditioners, electronic enclosures and transit cases, now offers a fully programmable digital temperature control (DTC) for fine-tuning of temperature inside air conditioned electronic enclosures. Announcing this, EIC claimed that the DTCfitted enclosures and transit cases protect controls, computers, cameras, telecom equipment and other electronic/electrical gear from particulate contaminants, oils, water and most other environmental hazards, as the weather-tight units are built to NEMA standards. The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages:  EIC’s digital temperature controls operate with a tolerance of +/- 1 °F through the use of a proportional-integralderivative (PID) control

 The humiSonic 0.5kg/H and 1.0kg/H models benefit over previous models in their ability to work with tap water as well as demineralised water, together with silver ion impregnation and automatic washing cycles guarantee superior hygiene standards.  It controls and maintains the desired level of humidity for specific environments, where humidity must remain constant.  It can be installed inside rooms and controlled chambers or within fan coils, where it is the ideal solution for combining accurate control of ambient humidity with temperature control.  With its humidity probe and current flow sensor, it can operate independently. Alternatively, the system has built-in Modbus for integration with BMS systems.  Washing cycles are carried out periodically, even if humiSonic is on stand-by, thus preventing accumulation of dirt inside the tank  The drain valve ensures that the humidifier empties completely, once the humidification cycle has ended, as well as in the event of a power failure.  The plastic tank, too, features silver ions, which are able to prevent proliferation of bacteria.

scheme. Essentially a control loop feedback mechanism, the PID controller dramatically increases accuracy in temperature regulation when compared to traditional thermostats, which have a tolerance of +/- 4 °F.  Because DTCs are programmable, the customer can control internal enclosure environments over very specific temperature ranges and time periods.  The use of a DTC also enables factoring in variables such as heat load fluctuations and power consumption, resulting in more efficient cooling solutions.  Typically, DTCs are mounted on the front panel of EIC air conditioned electronic enclosures, thus permitting easy access without requiring the enclosure to be opened.  DTCs can also be mounted in a variety of other configurations, customising the installation to meet specific customer needs.  Also available is a remote monitoring and control option for installations, where access to the digital temperature control on the enclosure is difficult.  DTCs used in EIC units are NEMA 4-rated, assuring the same level of protection and functionality as standard thermostat units, while providing customers with a higher degree of accuracy.

July 2013

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marketplace

This section contains regional and international products information

Ormiston Wire

Wire turbulators

RectorSeal Corp

Novent locking cap

rmiston Wire has announced introducing a new range of wire turbulators for heat exchanger tubes for use in commercial air conditioning, claiming that the specialist looped-spiral design significantly cuts the cost and size of exchangers while also improving overall performance. The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages: n The key to enhanced performance is the density of the wire turbulators, which can be varied to suit the flow of liquid or gas. n Because optimising the density maximises excitement and heat transfer coefficient with a minimum loss of

pressure, system designers can reduce the length, diameter and/or number of tubes required per unit, while flow pumps can also be kept to a minimum size. n The wire turbulators can be supplied in a range of metals to suit the application, with current production runs, including galvanised mild steel, stainless steel, copper and monel metal. n They can be supplied at lengths from 15cm up to 3 metres, and can be easily connected to achieve longer lengths, while diameter can be varied to suit any tube from 6.35mm up to 32mm. n The components are also available in a range of sizes.

Idrobase Group

The Tavolino 360°

ubbing it the latest idea, Idrobase Group has announced introducing Tavolino 360°, part of its “Cooling at 360°”, a patented solution that cools an area. Idrobase explains the concept: A cloud of micro-droplets of water come out of a ring of nozzles set around the fan 360° and hover in the air, and then, while evaporating, reduce temperature for up to 10°C with a range of four metres and an area of 50 square metres, without wetting people and objects. The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages: n The set includes a table, chairs, lights, Fog 40 module with 6.60gallon tank and four hour-autonomy, a connection line kit and “Fan 360°”, complete with ring and six-nozzles from which water droplets come out. n This is a different solution in comparison with the traditional models, which were effective only along their perimeter. n In addition to cooling, it keeps flying insects and mosquitoes away, suppresses smoke clouds and removes tobacco smell. n With low consumption of energy and water, it is ideal for cooling medium to small sized areas and rooms and service areas.

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

ointing out that locking caps are currently required for new air conditioning installations by the International Mechanical Code (IMC) and the International Residential Code (IRC), RectorSeal, manufacturer of HVACR products, has announced developing its brand of locking caps as a deterrent against the trend of teenage huffing deaths and black market refrigerant theft due to the inherently easy access to air conditioning equipment. According to RectorSeal, The United Parents to Restrict Open Access to Refrigerants (UPROAR), a lobbying group of parents who have lost their children to huffing, recommends Novent locking caps on its Web site. The manufacturer lists the

following product features and benefits: n The Novent locking caps can only be unlocked with a unique key available to licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractors through HVACR wholesalers. n It complements RectorSeal’s keyless GasGuard, which can be removed only with a proprietary socket tool. n It gives wholesalers and contractors the flexibility of an easy-to-install and tamper-resistant keyed or keyless locking cap. n They have an environmental impact, as their O-ring seals minimise refrigerant losses due to leaking Schraeder valves.

ASHRAE UPDATE

ASHRAE releases new guide

other relevant guidelines from users of UFAD, ASHRAE informed. For those in the construction, building commissioning and operations and maintenance industries, this design guide provided a wealth of information on an emerging technology, all while keeping in mind the typical flow of decision making, ASHRAE claimed. Throwing light on UFAD, James Megerson, lead author and a member of ASHRAE’s technical resource group on underfloor air distribution, said: “There are many advantages to UFAD that make it an attractive building system solution. It truly integrates the heating and air conditioning system with the entire building by utilising common building materials as the air delivery means. The raised access floor allows accessibility to other building system infrastructure, such as power and data cabling, to facilitate easier space reconfiguration. Due to the lower system operating pressures and potential to expand economiser operation, the system has the potential to use much lower energy than ducted systems.”

Covers design, construction and operation of underfloor air distribution systems

ointing out that the use of underfloor air distribution (UFAD) systems is increasing in commercial and institutional buildings in North America, ASHRAE has announced publishing a new comprehensive guide on their design, construction and operation. Titled UFAD Guide: Design, Construction and Operation of Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) Systems, it incorporated updated results from laboratory and field experiments, the announcement said. Also included were simulation studies, manufacturers’ literature, design experiences from practising engineers and

comings&goings

hristian Herten was elected President of Eurovent Association, with the election taking place during the 56th Eurovent General Assembly, hosted by the Danish professional association, Dansk Ventilation, on May 31 in Copenhagen. Announcing this in a news release, GEA said that Herten holds the position as Director for Quality, Health and Safety, and Environment Management for GEA Refrigeration Technologies, and succeeds Carlo Grossi (of DelClima, Italy), who had led the Eurovent Association from 2010.

Christian Herten elected Eurovent President

Jumbo Engineering names new General Manager

Comes with significant experience in the HVACR industry

Masood Raza aims to establish Jumbo Engineering as a leading name in the specialist project business

Since 2007, Herten, as Vice President on the Eurovent Board, had served the interests of the European HVACR sector as delegate of VDMA (German engineering association), the news release revealed. He reportedly brings a wealth of experience in the HVACR sector and his commitment to the field of air treatment and refrigeration. Upon taking over the presidency of the Eurovent Association, Herten said, “Eurovent will continue its successful work as representative of the European HVACR industry, and intends to further expand the services provided to our members.”

asood Raza has joined Jumbo Engineering LLC (JEL) as General Manager, effective February 2013. Speaking about his function in the company, Raza said that his primary role was to manage a team of highly experienced MEP and Service Engineers, and to establish the company as a leading name in MEP projects and annual maintenance contracts and in the engineering products trading business. “The Jumbo Group has a vision to diversify in the field of specialist project businesses, like district cooling and electrical infrastructure. The JEL team will focus on and ensure the same.” Raza, who has 24 years of work experience, and who has been in the UAE for the past 16 years, was previously connected with PAL Technologies, Shankland Cox and Mott McDonald. He is a member of ASHRAE and IDEA. He is based in Dubai and lives with his wife and three children. He can be contacted at masood.raza@jumbo.ae or at +971 55 123 5398.

July 2013

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event report

1st AnnuAl Middle eAst ieQ ConferenCe MAy 12-13, 2013

ON UBIEQUITY INVISIBILITY

The presentations and discussions at the 1st Annual Middle East Indoor Environmental Quality Conference revealed the complexity and intricacy of the issue of IEQ, with delegates highlighting the hurdles impeding the path towards achieving a better and healthier indoor environment. This is the first part of our two-part exclusive and extensive coverage of the event. 26

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

A GLASS OF CLEAN AIR LOOKS EXACTLY AS A GLASS OF DIRTY AIR. YOU CAN’T SEE INSIDE DUCTS AND YOU CAN’T SEE INSIDE THE AIR HANDLING UNITS

he 1st Annual Middle East Indoor Environmental Quality Conference, organised and conducted by CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Middle East magazine, was held on May 12 and 13, at the Hall 5 and Al Multaqua Ballroom of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Providing a sounding board for representatives from the government and quasigovernment entities, as well as for facilities management experts, end-users, contractors, consultants, master developers, technology solutions providers and healthcare and hospitality professionals, it brought to light various challenges the industry faced, as also possible solutions it could offer.

A key issue that emerged during the conference was that there was a gap between discussion and action in terms of IEQ. Phil Whitaker, Regional President, Camfil Farr Middle East, who made an Industry Insider’s Address on the critical importance of filter performance, attributed this lacuna to several factors, including the diversity and complexity of issues related to IEQ, the “invisibility” of IEQ issues and the lack of legal framework and legislative imperative that could drive commercial demand and the adoption of best practices. “The issue of Indoor Air Quality,” said Whitaker, “is diverse and multidisciplinary, which means that it covers everything: Civil engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, end-users, building owners, and so on.” The multidisciplinarity of the subject matter, added

Whitaker, has led to its complexity and to the impossibility of finding an all-encompassing solution to issues related to it. Speaking about the “invisibility" of the IEQ issues, Whitaker said that this resulted in the lack of impetus for people to find solutions. “A glass of clean air looks exactly as a glass of dirty air. You can’t see inside ducts and you can’t see inside the Air Handling Units. Generally speaking, when it comes to poor IAQ, especially on the air side, it’s hidden.” Shedding light on the economic challenges confronting entities in search of a better IEQ, he said, “IEQ is expensive and the fundamentals of IEQ cost money.” He explained that the initial costs, like those incurred in buying filters, were visible, but the same could not be said about its economic benefits. “The costsavings are often indirect and across budgets. The problem is that you see direct cost, but you don’t see the indirect cost savings, as they are spread across budgets,” he explained. He also threw the spotlight on the lack of legal framework and legislative imperative in terms of IEQ, which has led to weak commercial demand and, therefore, a need for independent performance verification of products. “We firmly believe that countries need legal

framework to drive IEQ,” said Whitaker, adding: “Air should be treated as a human consumable just like water and food. We all know how well regulated the food and the water industries are. But, for some reason, air, which we consume more than the other vitals like supporting ingredients, still seems to slip under the radar.” In this light, he called on all the related industries to support the local authorities in providing a legal framework that would govern IEQ-related issues: “We are the experts and we are the people who know what needs to be done. We need to provide support to the local authorities in any country that we find ourselves operating and try to encourage the adoption of this legal framework,” he urged. In the end, commenting on the observed lack of demand for independent performance verification of products, Whitaker said: “We have to deal in the ‘art of the possible’. We believe that the ‘art of the possible’ at this stage probably involves EN 779-2012.” He explained that every designer, building owner and contractor could have access to this information, and that it published both efficiency and energy consumption data, so one could make an informed and balanced choice about the products they would be looking for.

Mario Seneviratne, Director, Green Technologies and moderator for Day 1, in a Q&A with Philip Whitaker

July 2013

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event report

1st AnnuAl Middle eAst ieQ ConferenCe MAy 12-13, 2013

ThE SPEAkERS

His Excellency Eng Essa Al Maidoor Director-General, Dubai Health Authority President, UAE Society of Engineers

Dr Tawfik A M Khoja Director General, Executive Board Health Ministers’ Council for Cooperation Council States

Engr Redha Salman Director, Public Health and Safety Department, Dubai Municipality

Ghaleb Abusaa CEO, The Three Factors Company (en3 Solutions)

Dr Hussain Abdulrahman Director of Medical Affairs, Consultant and Head of ENT Department Dubai Hospital

Dr Iyad Al Attar International Air Filtration Consultant

Dr Assem Al-Hajj Academic Head SBE/Director of Studies CMS, Institute for Building and Urban Design, School of the Built Environment, Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus

Eman Al Madani Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Executive Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Ismail Al Marzouqi Facilities Manager Command & Control Center / District Cooling Plant, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate LLC

Eng Ali Uthman Al-Najim Deputy Chairman / Founding Member Saudi Green Building Council (SGBC)

Abolghasem Alavinegad Director of Campus Services, American University of Kuwait

Kandasamy Anbalagan Managing Partner Proleed Engineering Consultants

Tawfiq Attari Global Sales and Technical Director DuctSox-MENA

Stephanie Ayers Marketing Manager Evonik Industries

Reniel Barroso Project Manager Engineering & Energy, Green Technologies

George Berbari CEO, DC Pro Engineering

Sarfraz Dairkee General Manager Corporate Development & Engineering M.A.H.Y. Khoory & Company

James Day Managing Director Smashing! Cleaning Services

Timothy Eorgan Manager of Specified Products; Product Manager of Duct Sealants and Adhesives, Carlisle HVAC Products; Member, ASHRAE Technical Committee (TC) 5.2 on Duct Design

Sebastian Foerster Business Development Manager REHAU FZE Middle East

Ahmed Hussein Director Facilities Operation Department, du; Member of the Board, MEFMA

George Kenich Head Infrastructure & MEP, ALDAR Properties PJSC

Bobby Krishna Principal Food Studies and Surveys Officer Food Control Department Dubai Municipality

Anil Nair Regional Quality Head, Mondelez International (formerly Kraft Foods)

Stephen Pakenham-Walsh Seventeen FZE

Christopher Rajamani Technical and Business Development Manager, Al Hoty Stanger Laboratories

Daxita Rajcoomar HSE Compliance Manager, Human Resources & Shared Services, du

Richard Sprenger Chairman Highfield Middle East and Asia Awarding Body for Compliance

Sanjiv Sachdeva Managing Director Gulf Engineering System Solutions

Mario Seneviratne FIMechE, PEng, LEED Fellow, USGBC LEED Faculty™ | LEED AP (BD+C), MIEEE, MASHRAE Director, Green Technologies

Nabil Siyam Civil Engineering Division Department of Planning & Development, Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, Government of Dubai (Trakhees)

Paul Schwarz President Middle East Acoustic Engineering Society

Gordon P Sharp Founder and Chairman Aircuity, Inc

Michael Walrath Commercial Product Sales Manager Fresh-Aire UV

Philip Whitaker Regional President Camfil Farr Middle East

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

We bring you excerpts of some of the presentations... H.E. Eng Essa Al Maidoor

Director-General, Dubai Health Authority, and President, UAE Society of Engineers

“T

he booming economy of the UAE over the past years has attracted millions of people around the globe. With Dubai’s growing population, high temperature, increasing number of motor vehicles and construction activities, air and water pollution is also anticipated to increase. “Understanding the sources of indoor environmental contaminants and controlling them can often help in preventing and resolving building-related symptoms. Particular guidance for improving and maintaining the indoor environment should always be available. “Air is one of the

H.E. Eng Essa Al Maidoor inaugurates the conference. He is flanked to his left by Eng Redha Salman

H.E. Eng Essa Al Maidoor with James Day (left), Managing Director of Smashing! Cleaning Services

most important elements surrounding human life, and it directly influences his life and his welfare. Hurricanes and airborne viruses and diseases affect the world and us as individuals. So, the studies and the understanding of the air and its effects are some of the most important issues and are very essential in our life. “The fact is that the quality of air plays a big role in the future of human health and in the evolution of the human life. So, it is necessary to have coordination among all parties involved in the formation of this environment. Anyone who is involved in the designing of buildings, be it homes, offices, factories and other service facilities, should take into account the

availability of natural light and of natural ventilation…. “There is also a significant role for the environmental engineers to work for the protection of the external environment from gaseous pollutants, which have a large and direct impact on human health…. The health authorities also play a significant role in protecting the human health and welfare. They are the ones who study the diseases related to the respiratory system and work to analyse and understand the causes of these diseases for the prevention and the production of the necessary medicines. “Government entities, the engineers and the health sector should work handin-hand on all aspects, from legislation to regulation and practice, which promote high IAQ, which is one of the pillars for sustainable development in our life.”

H.E. Eng Essa Al Maidoor speaks to Phil Whitaker at the Camfil stand

Members of the audience

July 2013

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event report

1st Annual Middle East IEQ Conference May 12-13, 2013

Dr Tawfik AM Khoja

Director General, Executive Board, Health Ministers’ Council for the Cooperation Council States

“T

he GCC healthcare sector is expected to grow by an annual rate of 11% and will be worth nearly USD 44 billion by 2015. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the leading growth areas and the market for in-patient and out-patient construction is becoming a big issue. There is also a very real need to have more beds in these two countries, but the main problem is the shortage of manpower. “There is also a lot of work going on, on the part of the private sector, in the construction of medical cities,

Visitors at the exhibition area of the event

Abolghasem Alavinegad and Dr Iyad Al-Attar

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

hospitals, health centres and clinics, and these will lead to an increase in the number of beds…. “Chronic illness in the GCC is also a serious issue. This leads to more patients in the hospitals and longer stay. The issue of maintaining and sustaining government spending for healthcare is another challenge…. Another issue is patient safety. In every GCC country, ministries are facing pressure from the media and the community to address issues of malpractice and infection control…. “New healthcare facilities are subject to more challenges. They are expected

to put the patients first and to provide personalised care. They have also been asked to have more productivity…. There is also a call from the government to reduce the maintenance and operating costs. “Another big problem in the GCC is that hurricanes and environmental changes put hospitals in danger areas. Another issue is that society looks to the hospital as a place of respite, a place for recovering and communication. It’s no longer just a place for treatment and operations. It has become a “society” place…. So, we need a new strategy, a new direction in the GCC. It’s not anymore just about building a hospital; we need to build a human hospital – something that will address our real needs….”

Kandasamy Anbalagan (left) makes a point

(From left to right) Eng Ali Uthman Al-Najim; Maged Farouck Hanna, General Manager, Society of Engineers; H.E. Eng Essa Al Maidoor and Eng Redha Salman

“D

ubai Municipality, at the moment, is within the phase of the 20102014 Strategic Plan, where it has specific plans and programmes related to the Indoor Environmental Quality and monitoring of that. “There are several inspection types that we carry out almost every day. They are either routine or follow-up inspection, or they are related to complaint or accident investigation, campaigns and survey assessment and studies. We have qualified engineers, as well as health professionals. The Indoor Environmental Quality issue is not a small subject – it’s a multidisciplinary subject. It has to do with engineering, public health and environmental chemistry, so sometimes you have to review the plans, sometimes you have to check the building management systems, sometimes you have to take samples and bring to

James Day and Dr Tawfik A M Khoja

Eng Redha Salman

Director, Public Health and Safety Department, Dubai Municipality the lab or analyse it on-site…. “We have annual awareness campaigns and seminars specifically addressed to the hotels, malls and restaurants, labour accommodations and residential buildings. We also have it for schools and mosques and government offices and buildings. “We are, at the moment, coming very close to the mandatory stage of the “green buildings” for the new buildings, and I think that it will give us more support and more lift for our programmes. Unfortunately, we don’t have so much accredited Indoor Air Quality test laboratories as we want. Having said that, we feel that there is more interest, and everyday there is an increasing level of interest among laboratories in this subject. “Another thing that we’ll be doing soon is starting the

registration of Indoor Air Quality services providers. We have grouped them under three categories: The consultancies which are carrying out risk assessment and studies, the contractors implementing solutions and testing organisations. “Before the end of this year, we are also going to launch a new Web-based service for the building managers or occupants of facilities, such as hotels, hotel apartments, residential buildings, spas and schools… All of them are going to be asked to submit their selfcompliance reports, which will reduce our visits to them. It is also going to serve as documentation for their compliance, and will help us in our studies and analysis in assessing the Indoor Environmental Quality sector even more efficiently."

Nabil Siyam, Civil Engineering Division, Trakhees and Ismail Al Marzouqi

July 2013

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event report

1st AnnuAl Middle eAst ieQ ConferenCe MAy 12-13, 2013

PLENARY DISCUSSION: IEQ IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

Ismail Al Marzouqi

Facilities Manager, Command & Control Centre, District Cooling Plant, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate “The objective is not only to achieve a sustainable or clean indoor environment, but we also need to achieve it while maintaining the cleanliness of the outdoor environment, and not at the expense of the outdoor environment. We cannot simply dump our waste from the district cooling plants or from the buildings.”

Abolghasem Alavinegad

Director Campus Services, American University of Kuwait “We all know what is needed, but how can we really practice it and do it? As a facility engineer, if your wife is not jealous of your building, you’re not doing your job right. We (the facilities engineers) have to be helped in order to do the job. The latest project that I am tackling is the improvement of the Indoor Air Quality, which, with the help of air filtration consultants, is currently seeing progress.”

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Kandasamy Anbalagan

Managing Partner, Proleed Engineering Consultants “When we look at the Indoor Environmental Quality, the approach is very different from the way we do it through ASHRAE 62.1. We look at the overall design and modify it, because they have considered 100% fresh air for the entire facility through the seasons. We modified it through re-circulating systems, heat recovery wheels and demand-control ventilation. So, it’s an ongoing design process.”

George Kenich Head Infrastructure & MEP, Aldar Properties

“One of the critical issues is the way the occupants use the facilities. In Harvard, we believe that we, humans, are the main cause for everything that happens in our environment inside. We always try to educate users and everybody around about how to use the facilities, and how to make our environment inside healthier for our wellbeing…. We first have to understand the cause [of indoor pollutants], then control it”

The conference saw a dedicated plenary discussion on IEQ in commercial buildings, where participants discussed tangible benefits of good IEQ in large public facilities. Here are the highlights…

Eman Al Madani

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Executive, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry From our initiatives, we had our productivity enhanced. Our staff members, who moved to the newly renovated offices, registered increased satisfaction levels, from 59% to 89%. We also saved a lot of money from using diluted “green” cleaning products and the carbon dioxide monitors. We are also leading by example, as we want businesses to learn from us. We would also want to learn from other businesses, if they are applying even better standards and practices.

Daxita Rajcoomar

Mario Seneviratne, Director, Green Technologies, moderates Day 1 of the conference

HSE Compliance Manager, Human Resources and Shared Services, du “Indoor environmental quality parameters should be maintained throughout the whole lifespan of the building, and not only at design and installation. If we don’t maintain the parameters throughout the lifecycle of the building, it defeats the purpose of why we have green buildings.”

Participants of the first plenary discussion on Day 1

Eng Redha Salman (centre) makes a point to Eng Adil El Basier, Avenues Mall, Kuwait

July 2013

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event report

1st Annual Middle East IEQ Conference May 12-13, 2013

PLENARY DISCUSSION: APPROPRIATE SPECIFICATIONS FOR AIR-SIDE SYSTEMS In this panel discussion, participants discussed, among other relevant issues, the importance of on-site performance testing, the effects of humidity and condensation and the effects of active air conditioning on the region’s energy demand.

Dr Iyad Al Attar

International air filtration consultant “Air filtration is not a commercial issue. Air filtration is an academic issue. In the past 10 years of [my experience] in the academia, I can tell you that there is no more complex issue in air conditioning than air filtration. Whatever you do in air conditioning is influenced by air filtration. I admire and am inspired by international standards, but I am here to challenge them to

address and accommodate our regional settings: Excessive temperature, humidity levels and high dust concentration. “What we need to do is some real-time testing. We cannot surrender ourselves to testing that is done in the laboratory…. I have proofs that when you acquire a filter, the filter performance will deviate from the performance stated by the test report…. “Physical and chemical characterisation is the answer. We seem to always jump to over-the-counter solutions – we have one filter to do it all. But how do we know if one filter is suitable for a particular application? And if it is appropriate for an application, how about the geographical location? “Real-time testing, in my judgement, will clear up a lot of confusion on filtration selection. Only when we collect particle size distribution, when we know the particle size distribution in the Gulf, for example, only then can an educated decision be made about air filtration selection…. I am for the departure of the field of air filtration from its commercial means to academic and scientific means….”

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Sarfraz Dairkee

Eng Ali Uthman Al Founding Member, Najim Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC)

“Humidity is both a bane and a boon – it’s a boon if you understand it, and a bane if your don’t – especially in terms of mould growth and its impact on energy environment, particularly in this part of the world, where the humidity levels are very high.... Condensation causes two big problems. It is a big drain on energy, as one gramme of condensation means 540 calories, and that is a very big penalty on energy performance. Another problem is the mould growth. Mould likes exactly the same temperature where we want to live, except it requires higher moisture levels…. Slightest leakages in the commissioning could play an important role, as the slightest condensation can also be the cause of moulds.”

Deputy Chairman and Founding Member, Saudi Green Building Council (SGBC) “One of the most important items is thermal control. In Gulf areas, in Saudi Arabia in particular, 80% of the electricity is consumed by buildings. In 20 years, there will be a jump [in energy demand] from 70 GW to more than 220 GW…. Seventy per cent of the energy consumption of buildings is attributed to active air conditioning…. The Saudi Green Building Council recommends the development of a clearer set of specifications on Indoor Environmental Quality in buildings for the GCC.”

event report 22-23 May 2013 The Address Dubai Marina, UAE

A POSSE AD ESSE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FROM POSSIBILITY TO REALITY

The discussions and presentations at the fourth edition of Food Chain established that the issue of food safety is real and tangible, and that it affects society in a variety of contexts. The participants enumerated several measures to transform the ideas generated into reality. This is the first part of our two-part exclusive and extensive coverage of the event. 36

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO TRAIN ARE THE MANAGERS. IT IS A BIG MISTAKE TO MAKE FOOD SAFETY TRAINING COMPULSORY ONLY TO THE WORKERS

ood Chain Dubai 2013, held on May 22 and 23 at the Constellation Ballroom of the Address Dubai Marina Hotel, organised and conducted by CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Middle East, attracted participation from senior government officials, industry leaders and technical experts, as well as from key decisionmakers and representatives from farms, hypermarkets, supermarkets, restaurants, malls, hospitals and food safety and consumer groups.

One of the key takeaways from the discussions and presentations at the event was that there was an observed absence of a food safety culture among stakeholders in the food industry, and that this was the missing link to achieve a higher level of food safety. In his Industry Insider’s Address, Richard Sprenger, Chairman of Highfield Middle East and Asia Awarding Body for Compliance, said that developing a food safety culture should always start at the “very top” of an organisation. “If you got poor food safety in an organisation, it is because the Chairman doesn’t see that it is important,” he explained.

He also pointed out that in organisations with a large number of employees, the leaders and the managers should be responsible for assisting the Chairman in realising the goal of creating an improved food safety culture that would protect customers. In creating a food safety culture, he added, one should not solely concentrate on training or inspection. “What we are talking about is training, implementation and competency; person-in-charge programmes and effective management; food safety management systems and a food safety culture. These things interrelate, and if one of them is missing, then your food safety is not going to be up to the standard that it should be,” he said. With regards to the actual workforce, Sprenger said that one had to create food safety performance requirements and expectations and to

July 2013

educate and train all staff members as well as managers. “The most important people to train are the managers. It is a big mistake to make food safety training compulsory only to the workers. Train the managers first, then the workers,” he urged. He added that it was necessary to develop a comprehensive food safety plan and communicate it to everyone involved. “Establish food safety objectives for individuals, and develop consistent consequences for food safety performance and behaviour, because what we are trying to do is change behaviour,” he said. The managers and owners, said Sprenger, needed to let the staff members know what was expected of them. The top management had to communicate to the staff members, in a clear and specific manner, what standards and requirements they had to comply with. “The important thing is monitoring. If you do not monitor, then, it tells your staff that it is not important.” In the end, Sprenger emphasised that education and training was not merely about changing behaviour: “It is about changing behaviour where it needs changing, and reinforcing what the people are doing when they are doing the right thing,” he pointed out. Furthermore, he spoke about the importance of letting the staff know the consequences of their actions, emphasising that consequences could determine whether people would correct themselves or repeat the erroneous actions.

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event report 22-23 May 2013 The Address Dubai Marina, UAE

H.E. Eng Saif Mohamed AlShara Acting Undersecretary , The Agricultural Affairs and Animal Sector. UAE Ministry of Environment and Water

The speakers

Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi Director, Consumer Protection Department, Ministry of Economy

Asia Abdulwahab Al Raeesi Head, Studies And Food Planning Section Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality

Ghaleb Abusaa Ceo The Three Factors Company (en3 Solutions)

Dr SUHEEL AHMED CEO Arabian Farms Development Co.

Safwan Saifuddin Altikarli Food Planning & Studies Specialist Food Control Department Dubai Municipality

Muhammad Altaf Senior Animal Product Hygiene Officer Food Control Department Dubai Municipality

Sultan Ali Al Taher Head Food Inspection Section, Food Control Department Dubai Municipality

Dr Rafiq Al Khatib Managing Director RMK The Experts

James Day Managing Director Smashing Cleaning Services

Jamie Ferguson MENA Regional Manager Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

Bobby Krishna Senior Food Studies and Surveys Officer Food Control Department Dubai Municipality

Bjorn Ostbye Project Development Manager EMKE Group (Lulu Hypermarkets)

Prakash Krishnamoorthy

Stephen Pakenham-Walsh

ChrisTOPHER Rajamani Technical And Business Development Manager Al Hoty Stanger Laboratories

Abdul Rashid CEO Pillsbury Consulting

Rakesh Saxena General Manager Trimac Inc

Muhammed Ali Shah Supply Chain Manager Global Shipping & Logistics LLC

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Sales Manager (Middle East) Carrier Transicold Europe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gulf Office

Richard Sprenger Chairman Highfield Middle East and Asia Awarding Body for Compliance

Seventeen FZE

Andre Stumpf Technical Expert, Sustainability Manager Carrier Transicold

Dr Joanne Taylor Course Leader, Msc Food Safety Management Higher Colleges and Technologies Director, Uae Training and Research, Tsi, Uk

Michael Wunsch Managing Director Barakat Quality Plus

H.E. Eng Saif Mohamed Alshara

Acting Undersecretary, The Agricultural Affairs and Animal Sector, UAE Ministry of Environment and Water

“T

*Excerpt taken from the translation of the Keynote Address delivered in Arabic

he food items used in the country is subject to a series of procedures in order to guarantee safe food exchange, such as intensive monitoring and inspection, sampling and periodic field visits to food facilities, including factories, restaurants, production farms, wholesale outlets and commercial markets, for monitoring purposes and for making sure that proper health routines are followed without violating the technical standards and rules of food hygiene No 1694 UAE S GSO, in addition to other related standards, legislations and technical specifications. “In regards to imported

food, the Ministry is working on a set of procedures that guarantee imported food safety before they enter the country and get distributed in the local market…. “Food is not allowed to be imported except from countries that are free from infectious and contagious diseases and from those who conform to the international accredited standards related to animal and plant health measures and quarantine and agriculture. “Circulars are initiated through the alert system managed by the Ministry and are distributed to concerned food monitoring authorities for them to take necessary steps to ban entrance and distribution. The same is applied for collection of

July 2013

locally produced food items that pose danger – infected, faked or non-compliant food items – using the same alert system, in case it is found to be so by the concerned local inspectors. “[The Ministry] accredits slaughter houses and Islamic societies supervising Halal slaughtering outside the country, where those are subjected to evaluation and monitoring from health and Shareah perspective to protect the consumer from all animal diseases and other contaminants…. “Imported food items are also subject to monitoring and inspection at the ports of entry of the country by the concerned local bodies appointed to monitor the food and to ensure that the accompanying documents with food shipments are checked, such as certificate of origin, health certificate and Halal certificate, in addition to physical inspection and sampling for laboratory tests….”

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event report 22-23 May 2013 The Address Dubai Marina, UAE

Asia Al Raeesi

Head, Studies and Food Planning Section, Food Control Department Dubai Municipality

“H

ow do we work and how do we organise our activities? Our baselines are the regulations. We are following the GCC standards and we have a unified set of GCC import regulations. In 2012 and in 2013, we are working on a project to unify and update these standards and have it approved at the GCC level. We have the GCC Food Code under way as well. “At the national level, we have the federal food law. The second level translates the federal law – the UAE standards – which is usually approved and adopted by technical committees working with ESMA. We are members in this committee, along with other food authorities. We have also different relevant codes that explain the standards. “At the local level we have order No 11-2003, issued by H.H. Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid, and there is an administrative order that explains this order. We also have the Dubai Food Code, just announced a few of months ago. This

Food Code contains the technical explanations with the rationale behind the different clauses for different food activities, from the fork to plate. We also have guidelines, and we are updating some of the old guidelines…. “We do the risk assessment. Risk assessment is part of our routine job. We deal with different cases, we analyse the data and we go with the regulations and our findings, and based on that, we make our decisions. This is the most important area that we deal with. “Advising, training and education are very important.

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

In the last five years, maybe you notice that we are concentrating a lot on the advising and training. That is because we want to establish the culture, because if we do not have the culture, all our monitoring tools will not work. We have to work with you to establish the appropriate culture and to put the right guidelines and tools to monitor the activities. “All our programmes will have no value if we do not have enough data to know if our programmes are working or not. We need to know the [number of] people who are getting sick of food poisoning. We need to know from which

food they are getting this, and what happened to cause this poisoning…. “From the food industry, we are requiring the following: use appropriate processes and technologies; training managers or PICs are mandatory for the food industry; labelling and consumer education; and other assurance programmes, such as ISO, is required from the industry to make sure that their activities are right. “From the consumers: we have to do active awareness campaigns, selective and responsible buying and good hygiene at home…. We have to be ‘with them’ at their homes; we have to be ‘with them’ in their cars while driving; we have to let them understand what the risk is…. We have to tell the consumers how they can protect themselves.”

FROM ThE PANEL DISCUSSION

After the addresses, a panel discussion ensued. It zeroed in on the presence of temperature abuse in warehouses, supermarkets and restaurants; the broken link between samples at testing laboratories and at the vendors; metrics for evaluating temperature compliance at groceries; and risk prioritisation of food and temperature control. We bring you the highlights… outside. So, you will see a lot of ice outside…. “It is your responsibility as a consumer to help the inspectors and the authorities catch those people, because we will never eliminate the abuse. We need to minimise it….”

there has been an E coli failure. On behalf of the laboratories in the UAE, I would like to thank the Dubai Municipality for coming up with these new rules and regulations, and for re-establishing the link between the vendors and the laboratories.”

Ghaleb Abusaa Abdul Rashid CEO, Pillsbury Consulting

“Groceries are challenged with allegations that they turn off the temperature control units in the evening, and just turn them on again in the morning…. It’s a big issue, because it is somewhere everybody goes to. Everybody, at some point in time, visits groceries and supermarkets in the neighbourhood. It is important that we address this issue…. “It is not only the managers or owners of the hypermarkets and supermarkets, the suppliers also have a role to play. A lot of the time, the suppliers who come to stock the chillers and freezers are given a lot of freedom by the manager of the supermarket, and there is no real control of how they stack and how they assess the risk of overloading the fridges. “Everybody wants to buy the latest products, so consumers will search around in the chillers of freezers to look for the best or the latest products, and that can affect stock rotation, which is obviously another critical point in terms of temperature control….”

CEO, The Three Factors Company (en3 Solutions)

“How do you, as a consumer, know if there has been a case of temperature abuse? When you enter the grocery shop or the supermarket, how do you know if they have switched their equipment off? It’s very simple. Imagine you are in a cold place like this venue, and you go outside on a humid day. What happens to your glasses? You will have a lot of condensation and you cannot see. On the other hand, in Europe, during the winter, if you are in a room temperature of 20 to 25°C inside and it is freezing outside, and you go outside. What happens? Similar thing. “So, when you go to a supermarket, wherever you find a chest freezer or a place to buy a chicken or meat, if you find a lot of ice accumulation on the body and on the product, it means that there was an abuse on the temperature. If the operators switch the air conditioning system off at night, the room temperature goes up, it absorbs more humidity. When the operator comes in the morning and switches the system back on, because the freezer itself is much colder than the surroundings, all the water will condense on the outer surface of the chest freezer and on the product from

Bobby Krishna

Senior Food Studies and Surveys Officer, Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality

Chris Rajamani Technical and Business Development Manager, Al Hoty-Stanger laboratories

“In my opinion, there has been a regulatory revolution in the past five years, the latest one being the Food Code that has been issued. I think, this is taking us closer to our goal of having a cleaner or more hygienic environment. “Laboratories in the UAE are governed by accreditation commissions. The government is bringing all these laboratories that are operating in the market within this jurisdiction, so what is happening now is that laboratories are also upping the ante on the testing procedures, bringing them to international levels…. “At the moment, we just don’t do testing. The language of a laboratory has changed. We try to educate our clientele and explain to them why there has been a salmonella failure, why

“I should tell you that most of the food that have been associated with outbreaks have had temperature abuse at a much later stage – that is, after it has been processed. So when you walk into a restaurant or a cafeteria or a supermarket, you are looking at the high-risk food counter, where you pick up your salads, your pasteurised milk or your sandwiches from. That’s where the focus has always been for Dubai Municipality in the last couple of years. We have been trying to educate people and the industry on how to handle high-risk foods. “I have not seen a real issue with frozen foods. We also look at the inspection reports, and the last time we have discussed about anyone switching the freezers off was about four years ago in one grocery store. It could be because we have not been detecting it, or it could be because we are not prioritising that in the inspections. Your feedback would certainly help. If you think that this is a major issue, then we need to look at it. But if you think that there is no problem, and if you have not come across these instances, do we really need to spend time discussing about that?

July 2013

www.climatecontrolme.com

event report 22-23 May 2013 The Address Dubai Marina, UAE

Q&A

After the panel discussion, the floor was opened for comments from members of the audience and for additional remarks from the panelists. Here is what they said…

Dr Suheel Ahmed

CEO, Arabian Farms Development Co (as a member of the audience): “I think the issue is with the B-class and C-class markets, which are in the lower end, and where about 50% to 60% of the products go into. These areas operate on a very thin margin, and they would do everything to sustain their business. This is probably the area where we need to look at temperature abuse…. There are back stores; those are where probably most of the temperature abuse occurs….”

Ghaleb Abusaa

Bobby Krishna

CEO, The Three Factors Company (en3 Solutions)

Senior Food Studies and Surveys Officer, Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality

“When you overload the chest freezers or the shelf with a lot of extra products to maximise your profit because of the low margin, it means that you also spoil the goods because you do not give air space to circulate around the product. Ultimately, you accumulate heat…. Again, when you have heat, the ability of the air to absorb more water comes, and you will still see ice…. In huge supermarkets and hypermarkets, if you have the air conditioning units circulating air with higher velocity, you break the stratification of the air above the chest freezer. You need to keep that air stagnant so no more hot air comes that spoils your product….”

“One thing that we’ve learned when we did the Food Safety Clinic is that most of the owners that we have spoken to have a problem with managing finances or funding food safety. They said that they operated on a very thin margin…. Are we going to have super groceries, which are able to give the food products at the same cost as the companies that keep profit to the minimum….? It’s not that we want people to abuse temperature and lower the prices. What I was thinking is that there is a huge economical impact of all these things we are talking about. Somebody must be willing to pay for it. Consumers will definitely have to bear the cost…. There is a huge problem in working out a feasible way or a sustainable way, otherwise, we could end up with a lot of establishments closing down…. I think governments really need to look into this and come up with sustainable measures….”

Richard Sprenger

Chairman, Highfield Middle East and Asia Awarding Body for Compliance

“Enforcement has to make sure that if you sacrifice temperature, holding food at high temperature, then you lose shelf life. Enforcement has to make people throw the food away in those situations….”

Chris Rajamani

Technical and Business Development Manager, Al Hoty-Stanger laboratories “Usually, the storage areas at the back of the facilities are not air conditioned, again to save cost. So, I think that’s where the regulatory authorities need to step in and go and inspect on a regular basis and find out if they are meeting industrial specifications….”

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

report

rooM and PaCKaged aCs in the Uae

WINDOWS T

OUT SPLITS

IN With the UAE Government’s emphasis on developing and substituting oil and other natural resource revenues into sustainable long-term economic growth, and with the country's gradual recovery from the economic slump, the BSRIA report predicts that the packaged air conditioning market will benefit, owing to the apparent shift in momentum away from district cooling. We bring a summary of the report.

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

he BSRIA report on room and packaged air conditioning in the UAE has been released recently. Prepared by David Garwood, and dated May 2013, the report takes into account the impact of the global recession on the air conditioning market, as well as of the improving conditions, thanks to revival of construction projects and return of private investment to the country. The report says that, though large new projects are few, the packaged air conditioning market has remained relatively healthy, with 2012 witnessing some markets recovering lost share. According to the report, the Arab Spring has benefited the Dubai hospitality sector, resulting in the Dubai International Airport being used as a hub for on-going travellers and Dubai being seen as a holiday destination. Despite this, suppliers report that the air conditioning market is not accepting price increases, as it is still in “recession shock”, and that the Chinese brands are starting to come up with better quality products with lower prices, increasing the competition amongst the global brands in the marketplace, the report points out. At present, this is mainly for windows and wall-mount units, as the Chinese brands' share is still weak in products which are traditionally sold towards more commercial markets, it adds.

MAJOR TRENDS AND OUTLOOK The report highlights the following trends and forecasts:  There is a continued swing away from windows towards wall-mount units and growth in ducted split units.  The packaged market is set to benefit from the

movement away from district cooling projects towards stand-alone applications, though the market will face stiff competition from screw chillers.  The windows market is declining in the UAE, and is now saturated with Chinese OEM brands.  The high wall-mount split market is relatively positive, following the decline of windows and the lack of interest in district cooling. This will lead to more opportunities.  There are some relatively large projects in 2013 up for tender. They include:  Emaar Business Park (Basic models of wall mount - maybe 4,000 units)  Al Kurj Housing complex (maybe a total of 7,000 units)  Dar Al Sheikh complex (wall mount and roof tops)  The outlook for the VRF market is positive, especially in Abu Dhabi, where Estidama legislation is driving trends towards the installation of energyefficient equipment.  At the moment, a majority of VRF projects are coming from the government, and are mainly developed in Abu Dhabi and freezones. However, with the economic situation improving and the construction market recovering from the crisis, the VRF market is expected to receive a boost this year.  Residential villas in Abu Dhabi offer a good opportunity for VRFs, as they are viewed by the industry and end-users as an energy-efficient product.  The VRF market is highly concentrated. All products sold are heat pumps, as major players no longer have cooling only products in their portfolio.

2.1 MARKET SIZE The windows market is declining in the UAE. Market conditions are slowly changing with preference towards wall mount splits. There is still a market for windows, though it is much more a declining market mainly for replacement. Housing accommodation at the low end will still be left with a hole in theAND wallPACKAGED for the positioning of a window unit. Wall mount splits are now being installed in ROOM AIR CONDITIONING construction engineer huts which would have been an opportunity for windows.

UAE

There is no through the wall / moveables market in UAE. For the latter, any units imported are directly Figure 2 Overview of air conditioning re-exported for other markets within the market region. by product type, % by volume and value, 2012 Volume Value (US$) The most popular type of single ductless split is wall mount, which represents close to 96% of all ductless single splits. Wall mount benefited recently from the decline in the economy, as some projects that would have been for ducted splits, went down the wall mount route to save on costs. This trend is now slowly changing back, towards ducted splits. All splits are cooling only. There is no market for multisplits products in UAE. Japanese style ducted splits are the preferred option in villas and small low rise offices. It has taken share from wall mount in the high value residential market. There is no US-style ducted split market in the UAE. The VRF market is highly concentrated. All products sold are heat pumps as major players no longer have cooling only products in their portfolio.

The most popular type of single ductless split is wall-mount, which represents close to 96% of all ductless single splits OBSERVATIONS

The market for rooftops is reported to be flat lining and is expected to remain at relatively the same level with modest growth at best within the forecast period. Applications include warehouses, small Source: BSRIA Overview of air conditioning market by product type, % by volume and value, 2012 factories, schools and mosques.

The report, which has taken into account market size, structure and segmentation, Table 1 Volume of the market for packaged air conditioning (units), 2011-2013(E) says that the windows market is declining in the UAE, 2011 2012 2013E and that market conditions Windows/through the wall 110,080 103,148 94,896 are slowly changing, with Moveables 0 0 0 (1) preference towards wallSplits 347,711 406,532 432,610 mount splits. VRF 1,214 1,307 1,477 The report makes the Roof tops 19,340 9,584 9,680 Indoor packaged 0 0 0 following observations: Total 478,345 520,571 538,663  Despite the decline, there is Source: BSRIA still a market for windows, ROOM PACKAGED AIR CONDITIONING UAE Note: AND 1. Including all ducted and ductless splits though it is mainly for ROOM AND PACKAGED AIR UAE Table 1: Volume of the market forCONDITIONING packaged air conditioning (units), 2011-2013(E) replacement. Housing accommodation at the lowTable 2 Value of the market for packaged air conditioning (AED million), 2011-2013(E) end will still be left with Table 2 Value of the market for 2011 packaged air conditioning million), 2011-2013(E) 2012 2013E(AEDAverage Average Average a hole in the wall for the AED AED AED MSP AED MSP AED MSP AED 2011 2012 2013E Average Average Average positioning of a window million million million 2013E AED AED AED MSP 2011 AED MSP 2012 AED MSP AED unit. million million million 2011 2012 2013E 123.9 114.4 105.3 1,126 1,109 1,109 Windows/through the wall  Wall-mount splits are 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Moveables 123.9 114.4 105.3 1,126 1,109 1,109 Windows/through the wall now being installed in (1) (2) 937.6 1,055.7 1,132.9 2,696 2,597 2,619 Splits 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Moveables construction engineer huts, (1) (2) 49.4 54.3 61.7 40,666 41,580 41,763 VRF 937.6 1,055.7 1,132.9 2,696 2,597 2,619 Splits which would have been an 431.9 214.3 217.5 22,331 22,364 22,474 Roof tops 49.4 54.3 61.7 40,666 41,580 41,763 VRF opportunity for windows. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Indoortops packaged 431.9 214.3 217.5 22,331 22,364 22,474 Roof  There is no through-the0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Indoor 1,542.8 1,438.7 1,517.4 3,225 2,764 2,817 Total packaged wall/moveables market in Source: BSRIA 1,542.8 1,438.7 1,517.4 3,225 2,764 2,817 Total the UAE. For the latter, any © BSRIA Summary 56662/37 Note: 1. Including all ducted and ductless splits Page 7 of 19 Source: BSRIA units imported are directly 2. Indoor andall outdoor at 1st point of distribution, eg. manufacturer to distributor Note: 1. Including ductedunits and ductless splits re-exported for other 2. Indoor outdoor at 1stair point of distribution, manufacturer to distributor Table 2: Value of theand market for units packaged conditioning (AEDeg. million), 2011-2013(E) markets within the region. Table 3 Value of the market for packaged air conditioning (US$ million), 2011-2013(E)  The most popular type of Table 3 Value of the market for 2011 packaged air conditioning (US$ million), 2011-2013(E) 2012 2013E Average Average Average single ductless split is wallUS$ US$ US$ MSP US$- MSP US$- MSP US$2011 2012 2013E Average Average Average mount, which represents million million million 2011 2012 2013E US$ US$ US$ MSP US$- MSP US$- MSP US$close to 96% of all ductless million million million 2011 2012 2013E 33.7 31.2 28.7 307 302 302 Windows/through the wall single splits. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Moveables 33.7 31.2 28.7 307 302 302 Windows/through the wall  Wall-mount benefited from (1) (2) 255.3 287.5 308.5 734 707 713 Splits 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Moveables the recent decline in the 13.4 14.8 16.8 11,073 11,323 11,373 VRF (1) (2) 255.3 287.5 308.5 734 707 713 Splits economy, as some projects 117.6 58.4 59.2 6,081 6,090 6,120 Roof tops 13.4 14.8 16.8 11,073 11,323 11,373 VRF that would have been for 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Indoortops packaged 117.6 58.4 59.2 6,081 6,090 6,120 Roof ducted splits, went down 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Indoor 420.1 391.8 413.2 878 753 767 Total packaged the wall-mount route to Source: 420.1 391.8 413.2 878 753 767 Total BSRIA save on costs. This trend is Note: 1. Including all ducted and ductless splits Source: BSRIA now slowly changing back 2. Indoor and outdoor units at 1st point of distribution, eg. manufacturer to distributor Note: 1. Including all ducted and ductless splits towards ducted splits. 2. Indoor and outdoor units at 1st point of distribution, eg. manufacturer to distributor © BSRIA Page 6 of 19 Summary 56662/37  All splits are cooling only. Table 3: Value of the market for packaged air conditioning (USD million), 2011-2013(E)  There is no market for July 2013

www.climatecontrolme.com

report

rooM and PaCKaged aCs in the Uae

ROOMAND ANDPACKAGED PACKAGEDAIR AIRCONDITIONING CONDITIONING ROOM

UAE UAE

Figure33Packaged Packagedair airconditioning, conditioning,volume, volume,2012 2012 Figure

Residential villas in Abu Dhabi offer a good opportunity for VRFs, as they are viewed by the industry and end-users as an energy-efficient product

Source: BSRIA Source: Figure 3:BSRIA Packaged air conditioning, volume, 2012

Figure44Packaged Packagedair airconditioning, conditioning,value value(US$ (US$million), million),2012 2012 Figure

plants will certainly benefit rooftops and other DX products, with a number of low-height buildings needing stand-alone air conditioning. Applications include warehouses, small factories, schools and mosques. However, no major or significant growth rates are expected. Any opportunities will simply hold the market up at its current level. ROOM AND PACKAGED AIR CONDITIONING

UAE

Source: BSRIA Source: Figure 4:BSRIA Packaged air conditioning, value (US$ million), 2012

FORECAST

Forecast assumptions 

After contracting 3.3% in 2009, real GDP started recovering in 2010 (0.9%), 2011 (4.9%) and it is expected to expand 2.3% in 2012 and 2.8% in 2013



Improving construction market with business starting to return to Dubai Emirate



Continued movement away from district cooling towards stand-alone applications



High stock levels (due to Arab Spring uprisings) may result in price reductions

Legislative trends



Estimada and Esma regulations are expected to be tightened

Special events



Arab Spring uprisings continue to disrupt business

Other



None to report

Economic/GDP Construction Market views Weather/stocks

Forecast

BSRIA ©©BSRIA

Page99ofof19 19 Page

Summary56662/37 56662/37 Summary

4.1 ROOM AIR CONDITIONING (WINDOW / THROUGH THE WALL; MOVEABLES) indoor packaged thepulled out ofthe residential period. The best Many global brands in have thishigh-value market or are trying to push demand towards wall outcome mount UAE.by decreasing their prices of splits market. would be a growth splits closer to that of windows. There isfor still2013 a market for windows, though The need for multi-split  There is nofor US-style ducted of single digits less than it is much more a declining market mainly replacement. products is too small to split market in the UAE. five per cent. Suppliers in Construction are slowly changing with preferences towards singlethe splits and VRF in some forecast anypractices demand.  The market for rooftops market report a slight applications. and competition is tough of the air residential Japanese-style ductedMargins splits are low is reported to be flat, and for a decreasing increaseslice in government conditioning cake. option are the preferred is expected to remain at activity, and this has in villas and small lowrelatively the same level, started to encourage private There is no through wall and moveables market in UAE. at rise offices. It hasthe taken with modest growth investment. The movement share from wall-mount in best within the forecast away from district cooling 4.2 SINGLE DUCTLESS SPLITS This is a positive market following decline of windows and lack of interest in district cooling. This 46 Climate Control Middle East Julythe 2013 will lead to more opportunities. There are some relatively large projects around in 2013 up for tender and these include:

CONCLUSION

In the final analysis, the report observes that many global brands have pulled out of room air conditioning (window/through-the-wall; moveables) or are trying to push their demand towards wall-mount splits by decreasing their prices of splits closer to that of windows. The report states that construction practices are slowly changing with preferences towards single splits and VRF in some residential applications. However, says the report, margins are low and competition is tough for a decreasing slice of the air conditioning pie. The report concludes that the outlook for the VRF market is positive. Respondents expect year-onyear growth and new entrants, once the market has reached significant size.

country report

China

TRANSCENDING

MADE CHINA IN

Being a major HVACR manufacturer on a global scale may no longer be the ultimate goal for China. Through intensified efforts to research and develop new technologies, the country aims to offer the world products that are truly â&#x20AC;&#x153;innovated in Chinaâ&#x20AC;?. Jerome Sanchez has this report.

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Market research agency, GfK, shared some numbers relevant to the Chinese air conditioning industry

The Chinese government has selected 40 cities as pilots for energy-saving reconstruction for public buildings

18,000 18,000

16,200 16,200

16,000 16,000 14,000 14,000

12,310 12,310

12,000 12,000

9,372 9,372

10,000 10,000 8,000 8,000

10,756 10,756

16,074 16,074

10,733 10,733

8,628 8,628

6,503 6,503

6,000 6,000

3,126 3,126

4,000 4,000 2,000 2,000 0 0

2009 2009

2010 2010

2011 2011

Value sales, in million USD, split types Value sales, in million USD, split types

Volume sales, in K unit, total air con Volume sales, in K unit, total air con

2013 Jan-Apr 2013 Jan-Apr

2012 2012

2013 Jan-Apr 2013 Jan-Apr

Value sales, in million USD, total air con Value sales, in million USD, total air con

Volume sales, in K unit, split types Volume sales, in K unit, split types

7,743 7,743 6,202 6,202

2012 2012

22,850 22,850

2011 2011

25,000 25,000

2010 2010

23,400 23,400

2009 2009

With the rapid development of the Chinese economy in recent years, heating and cooling systems have become increasingly important components of houses and other buildings in China. The economic boom, coupled with the higher living standards of people, has ushered in a new wave of construction projects. According to an academic paper titled, “Trends and Perspectives in HVAC&R Technology in China”, written by RZ Wang of the Institute of

Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one and a half billion square metres of area of buildings are being developed every year since the year 2000, and the trend is projected to continue until the year 2020. As the increase in construction projects is seen to have a direct effect on energy consumption in China, the Chinese government has formulated more stringent energy management laws and regulations. An offshoot of stricter regulations and monitoring, the current focus of the Chinese HVACR industry is mainly on saving energy, environmental protection and providing comfortable and healthy living conditions for its billion plus population. Wang points out that the national standards and certification systems provide an impetus for the sustained

4,796 4,796

18,000 18,000

growth of the HVACR industry in China. In addition, the increased awareness among the Chinese HVACR industry players, related organisations and research centres of the importance of R&D, drives innovation in the country's HVACR sector.

THE HvACR MARKET IN CHINA

According to reports, the HVACR industry in China has rapidly developed in recent years, and the market for HVACR products has been consistently expanding. Jones Wu, Regional Manager, Middle East, Gree Electric Appliances, Overseas Sales, says that in the first half of 2013, the total central air conditioning business in China increased by an average of 15%, owing to the macroeconomic control policies from the Chinese July 2013

28,050 28,050

30,600 30,600

28,500 28,500

22,000 22,000

government. He delves into the details of the figures provided: The chiller business takes around 10% growth compared to the numbers from 2012, with a shift from reciprocating chillers to screw chillers and centrifugal chillers. He says that the reciprocating chiller business is down by 17% and the direct-fired absorption chiller segment decreased by 13%, while the screw chiller business is up by 25% and centrifugal chiller by 10%. “The unitary air conditioning market grew by around 10% and the VRF market by 18%. This is due to the energysaving policies pushed in by the Ministry of Environmental Protection,” says Wu. He adds that his company is expecting another big boost for high-efficiency chillers and VRFs in the second half of 2013, owing to the policies on energy saving and www.climatecontrolme.com

country report

CHINA

waste management, jointly launched by the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in China. Peck Zhao, Marketing Manager, Overseas Sales, Commercial Air Conditioner Division, Midea, agrees with Wu, particularly in terms of VRFs. “VRF systems have been recognised by most markets, and China, as the largest VRF market (at USD 3.4 billion), will see an eight per cent growth rate year-on-year. The number of residential and commercial buildings is continuously increasing, though the government has been trying to control it in the last three years,” he says. He also attributes the growth of the VRF market to the fact that mini-VRF systems are now being recognised by real estate developers. “Aside from new houses, renovated existing facilities will also use mini-VRFs, which is a good replacement for single split units,” he explains. Zhao also shares the information that the chiller market will see a recovery this year, with a three per cent growth, and that the RAC 50

Some IT technologies will also be adopted, such as control over the Internet, through a smart phone, through SMS or by using your voice market will remain flat, due to an increase in the price of inverter split. Despite the recent economic crisis, Wu believes that the outlook for the Chinese HVACR industry remains positive, as it is largely kept afloat by the macroeconomic promotion policies of the government. “The Chinese government has selected 40 cities as pilots for energysaving reconstruction for

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

public buildings. Each area is required to finish no less than four million square metres of energy-saving reconstruction for existing large public buildings,” he reveals. He predicts that by the end of 2015, the market size for central air conditioners will be around USD 3.8 billion, as the energy conservation construction project will rapidly push the development of the sector. Zhao admits that the expansion of the Chinese market slightly slowed down in 2012, but the increase in the demand for air conditioning systems in the rural areas in China and the strong levels of consumption from the rising middle class herald further growth.

Research and development of HVACR systems in China

“Company-based research centres,” says Wang, “have played an important role in the development of HVACR products in China.” He points out that before the year

2000, Chinese refrigeration companies, for example, were very “weak” in terms of R&D, as there were no PhDs and Masters’ graduates interested to work in them. “After the year 2000, there were many changes, as many good companies developed interest to have Enterprise Technology Centres and to host post-doctorate programmes, supported by the state government. Typical examples of these companies are Midea, Haier, Xinfei, Gree and Shuangliang. Many PhD graduates joined these companies through the Enterprise, and universities jointly supported postdoctoral programmes, Wang says.” Wu says that for Asian HVACR companies, focusing on developing new advanced technologies has been the trend, instead of following and copying the technologies from the US and European countries. “Take Gree as an example,” he points out. “Gree spent six per cent of its turnover on new AC technology and product development in 2012, which

A brief commentary on refrigerants The industry players shared their insights regarding the direction China is heading to in terms of refrigerants. Here is what they said:

Zhao: “Although R410A (HFC) is

the dominant air conditioner refrigerant in many countries, in most developing countries, R22 (HCFC) is still used. A large number of researchers and engineers are, therefore, searching for candidates to replace high-GWP HFCs and nextgeneration refrigerants, but the perfect alternative has not yet been found. “There is this latest news: With increasing interest amongst air conditioning manufacturers looking at the ‘mildly flammable’ R32, Chinese manufacturer Midea has received TUV approval for both R32 and R290 (propane) products. The approval from the German certification body covers the EC low voltage directive and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) directive.”

Wu: “The Chinese government is

encouraging the local AC manufacturers to shift their R&D and production lines from R22 to R410A, R134A or R32. Nowadays, three-fourths of the centrifugal chillers in China use R134A, and around 90% of screw chillers use R134A. Most of the VRFs sold in China use R410A. “The four leading AC manufacturers in China have signed contracts with the Foreign Economic Cooperation Office of the Ministry of the Environmental Protection (MEPFECO) and with the China Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (CRAA) to promise that they will finish the HCFC production line improvement in eight months’ time, since April 2013. This will decrease R22 consumption by 3,000 metric tonnes. They will choose R32 to replace R22.”

is almost five times more, compared to the percentage of five years ago.” He reveals that Gree is planning to increase the percentage to eight per cent by year 2016, because it believes that it is critical for a company to be in a leading position in terms of research and development of new technologies if it wants to survive under tough competition. Speaking for his company, Midea, Zhao says that it dedicates three per cent of its sales revenue to R&D. Highlighting the twin issues the industry is concerned about, Wu says: “I believe that the thrust areas of

R32 as an alternative refrigerant. Zhao endorses the view that R&D among Chinese HVACR companies is driven by energy efficiency and IEQ. Against the backdrop of technologies emerging from China, he says that inverter compressors without rare earth elements will be launched and mass produced in a few years’ time. He also mentions the addition of value-added functions in HVAC systems, including PM2.5 purifying and air stream control. “Some IT technologies will also be adopted, such as control over the Internet, through a smart phone, through SMS or by using your voice,” he adds.

Conclusion

The Chinese HVACR industry has developed rapidly in last 20 years and, thanks to the contribution of both local

and international companies, China is now a major manufacturer of HVACR products. “R&D in the HVACR industry in China,” concludes Wang, “has been changing a lot in [recent] years.” He observes that many of the major Chinese companies have established their own R&D centres, and most of the world’s main HVACR players have established their AsiaPacific research centre or laboratories in China. With the intensified effort among HVACR companies and learning institutions to research and develop new technologies, the aim of the Chinese government to further elevate the worldwide reputation of the country from being a “maker” to being a “developer” or an “innovator” may not be far from becoming a reality. 

R&D mostly focus on two factors: Energy efficiency and environment friendliness.” In the context of energy efficiency, he observes that most of the air conditioning manufacturers are developing and promoting their inverter technologies and inverter AC products, which include light commercial unitary AC products, VRFs, screw chillers and centrifugal chillers. In terms of environment protection, Wu says that most of the Chinese AC manufacturers put their focus on the development of R32 AC products, and that about 90% of the improved production lines will select July 2013

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country special KUWAIT

S S E R O R F E T ES H R T O AC O F R

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

H T W O ed iti t ic wa n d re Ku cer p e the con se h t of e rea f o h th nc s l e owt es nt i wer e h gr om ue o he e h us or c seq all p in t t o ct n er n me n u O tin se co ov tio ro he n C a e p e t co VA out th um ry. J has H ab in ns nt ez rt. co cou ch po n re a S

still take its toll on the industry.

IN THE FACE OF THE CRISIS

The construction sector in the GCC region, with which the HVAC sector has a direct connection, is reported to see an average annual growth of nine per cent until 2015. In fact, quoting Andrew DeGuire, Vice President of Strategy and Acquisitions at Johnson Controls, an article titled, “Gulf HVAC sector warms up again” by Sona Nambiar, (available on the “The Big 5 Kuwait” Web site), reports that the construction market in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait will witness an annual growth of more than 10%. This bodes well for the HVAC sector, as, with temperatures in the region reaching a peak of 50°C during the summer months, the presence of HVAC systems in residences and commercial buildings is inevitable. It could, therefore, be said that the growth of the region’s construction sector will directly feed the HVAC market. Bassel Hallak, General Manager, Trane, Kuwait, agrees, but believes that the effect may not be felt immediately. “Generally speaking, the HVAC sector benefits from the growth of the construction market, although a bit later – taking into consideration the time between the project launch and the initiation of HVAC works on site,” he explains. He points out that, though his company, too, has noticed an improvement in the construction sector in the previous months, the potential decline in economic growth seen this year may July 2013

According to reports, the HVAC industry in the GCC region has successfully survived the economic downturn, compared to most developed markets of the world. “Gulf HVAC sector warms up again”, still quoting DeGuire, reports that the GCC HVAC market has seen annual growth in expenditures of 12% from 2008 to 2011. The same article adds that the GCC HVAC market is expected to grow by eight per cent annually from 2011 to 2015.

Although the construction projects may have slowed down, the crisis does not impede our ability in any way. we are still completing projects on time and on cost Shedding light on the general outlook of the HVAC industry in Kuwait in the light of the economic crisis, Hallak says, “[The outlook] is similar to most commercial, local supply industries in an economic crisis cycle…. Although the construction projects may have slowed down, the crisis does not www.climatecontrolme.com

country special KUWAIT

CUTTING ENvIRONMENTAl COSTS Climate Control Middle East spoke to Dr Adel Husain of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Department of Building and Energy Technologies, who shared information about the ongoing sustainability efforts in Kuwait…

“I

n Kuwait, buildings are the largest consumers of electrical power and energy. Air conditioning (AC) and lighting in buildings account for over 85% of the peak power demand, and nearly 65% of the yearly electricity consumption. Consequently, most research efforts on energy conservation pursued by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) since 1980 have been directed towards enhancing energy efficiency of buildings and their AC and lighting systems. The implementation of the Energy Conservation Code of Practice for all new and renovated air conditioned buildings since 1983 is a major achievement of the energy conservation programme. This code was developed by KISR, and is being implemented by the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW). Electricity consumption per capita in Kuwait is among the highest in the world. There is an international commitment to minimise the burning of fossil fuels in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Therefore, the

power saving. The efforts are aimed to lessen the dependency on fossil fuels and to fulfill the vision of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Al-Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jabber Al-Sabah.”

implementation of further conservation measures for reducing the energy demand of buildings has been the main goal for Kuwait. This approach clearly shows the serious interest of Kuwait and of the GCC regional leading oil exporting countries to diversify energy resources through renewable energy and clean energy technologies. Currently, Kuwait aims to explore the potential of innovative and renewable energy technologies for largescale implementation of 70 MW of renewable energy for electricity production and peak

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

ON THE ENvIRONMENTAl PROTECTION AUTHORITy “Kuwait has the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which is an independent government institution that monitors environmental aspects of international and global concern. Its activities range from monitoring seawater marine pollution and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) to monitoring outdoor air contamination and land soil. This is done with over 20 research monitoring stations. Most of the related research concerning environmental impact assessment have been carried out and governed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific research (KISR), which is also in-charge of monitoring the radiation level at different stations located in Kuwait. Kuwait is an international member of many global agencies. Being a Kyoto signatory member, concerns related to greenhouse gases are top priority of the petroleum industry. In fact, a newly developed fourth petrochemical refinery is being planned to be built “green” with zero emission.”

Bassel Hallak

impede our ability in any way. We are still completing projects on time and on cost.” In terms of strategies employed by Kuwaiti companies to combat the crisis, Hallak says that with Trane’s history and experience, and with the company’s international support and infrastructure, his company is able to maintain the level of its products and services to new and existing customers in Kuwait.

GROWTH AND IMPlICATIONS OF ENERGyEFFICIENT TECHNOlOGIES

According to a presentation at the 2011 Kuwait District Cooling Summit by Prof Abdullatif Ben-Nakhi of the Department of Power and Refrigeration, College of Technological Studies – Kuwait, which cited the DC Consortium Report for 2009, residential buildings in Kuwait consume about 60% of national power. In addition, quoting a 2009 report from the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and Water, he points out that building air conditioning accounts for 70% of Kuwait’s peak power demand and over 50% of the country’s annual energy consumption. Citing the same DC Consortium Report, he also says that over 70,000 residential buildings

One concern that arises when speaking about the infusion of new technologies in HVAC systems is the increase in price that comes with it. Can the Kuwaiti market still afford the new technologies on offer? are projected to be built in five cities in Kuwait by the year 2015. Fadi Hachem of DC PRO Engineering, in his presentation at the same event, was reportedly quoted saying that the GCC countries have one of the highest

environmental footprints per capita in the world in terms of peak electricity load/ capita, carbon emissions/ capita and annual power consumption/capita. He emphasises that, with the power failures and crises in Kuwait since the summer of 2006, it is essential to adopt energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions to meet the expected growth in Kuwait. “Increasing energy consumption, growing awareness of energy efficiency and sustainability is leading to the transformation of efficient air conditioning technologies, which use natural sources of energy that saves power and maintenance costs compared to traditional HVAC, reports “Gulf HVAC sector warms up again”, quoting a Frost & Sullivan research. In the light of the growing concern about energy efficiency in HVAC systems in the country, Hallak says that his company works with its customers through costeffective solutions that reduce the overall cost of ownership of the equipment. “This, of course, includes premium fullload and part-load equipment efficiencies that reduce the energy bill,” he adds. He also says that his company offers

predictive and preventive maintenance programmes that improve the reliability and energy efficiency of equipment, while reducing its environmental impact. One concern that arises when speaking about the infusion of new technologies in HVAC systems is the increase in price that comes with it. Can the Kuwaiti market still afford the new technologies on offer? “Absolutely,” says Hallak. “As mentioned earlier, these offerings are aimed at reducing the overall cost of ownership of the equipment and are tailored to suit our customers’ needs and expectations. The question is, can the market afford to not adopt these technologies?” Hallak reveals that Trane has expanded its services and controls portfolio to support existing installed equipment. “We retrofit, upgrade and optimise existing equipment with the latest technologies available, in order to ensure that building owners make the most out of what they own,” he says, adding that his company’s products offer the best efficiencies in their class. “Our CenTriVac centrifugal chillers’ efficiency is higher by at least seven per cent compared to our competitors, taking into consideration July 2013

the weather conditions in Kuwait. Add to this the documented and guaranteed 0.5% refrigerant leak rate, compared to the industrystandard of two per cent,” he claims. He also speaks about adiabatic cooling, which, he says, is another documented energy saver, with immediate energy savings verified by customers in the Middle East. He says that, with the addition of controls and the recently introduced Trane Boost (a tailored programme to ensure optimum return on investment with cooling systems), his company’s line of products deliver cost-effective, reliable and responsible solutions.

Conclusion

Though the industry players welcome the development of the region’s construction sector, and its consequent positive economic effect on the GCC region’s HVAC sector, they sound a warning about the increase in power demand that may come with the growth. With the growing awareness of sustainability in the region, HVAC companies are striving to offer new products that consume less electricity, which, ultimately, help the market cut down on power cost. www.climatecontrolme.com

country special KUWAIT

INTERVIEW

Kuwait —

climatic conditions and challenges to air filtration To gain a first-hand account on key HVAC system maintenance issues and the effects of Kuwait’s climatic conditions on equipment, in the context of air filtration, Climate Control Middle East turns to Dr Iyad Al Attar, international air filtration consultant. Al Attar in conversation with Jerome Sanchez… What are some of the crucial HVAC system maintenance issues that you encounter in your projects in Kuwait? Could you share with us information on what steps were taken to remedy them? The story begins when one or both cases listed below occur: Case 1: Reliance on a single stage of filtration with low efficiency – mainly an Aluminum mesh filter. Case 2: Improper installation of air filters is done, which would result in air leakages and, finally, dust deposits on the coil rather than the filter. Increased accumulation of dust deposition on the coil will reduce the heat transfer mechanism and, eventually, the coil would require washing to remove the particle settlement. The challenges in doing so are:  Water droplets may be trapped inside the coil, promoting the growth of micro-organisms.  Dust may be washed into the coil and not totally out of the coil (See Figure1).  Rust may develop due to coil washing by water. Coil replacement as an option could definitely be considered at a later stage, if the washing continues (See Figure 2).  The aluminium filter media may corrode and the filter material disintegrate (See figure 3). To remedy such practices, preventative air filtration measures must be 56

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

conducted, which include:  Multi-stage filtration  Leakage-free installation  Appropriate filter selection  Frequent visual inspection  Regular filter replacement: Leaving an air filter in operation beyond clogging will reduce the air flow and frost will form on the coil, and the human occupant will immediately complain that the air conditioning units are not performing well (See Figure 4)  Disposing of used filters and refraining from re-using them (See Figures 5 and 6)  Re-enforcing the role of fresh air and pre-filters, which greatly affects the performance of subsequent filters In your opinion, how do the climatic conditions in Kuwait affect the air filtration segment? There are several challenges in terms of climate conditions in Kuwait. They are:  Frequent sandstorms  Excessive temperature  High humidity levels Humidity can affect the filter performance, as water droplets may accelerate filter clogging with dust settlement due to permeability reduction. Therefore, filter media water repellency has to be considered while selecting air filters for a humid region. High temperature ranges affect the air viscosity, which, in fact, affects the pressure drop response. Further, excessive heat may disintegrate the filter

Figure 1: Trapped water droplets inside the coil after washing

Figure 2: Dust settlement and rusty coil behind a single stage filtration, which has been washed several times

Figure 3: Disintegrated filter material of a pre-filter in an Air Handling Unit in Kuwait

then all air cleaning would take place before the coil, where it would be much easier to conduct maintenance.

Such evaluated concentrations may cause bridging of particles to form a so-called dust cake layer, as they deposit on the filter medium. Subsequently, this layer of dust acts as a filter in its own right and causes another layer of deposit to be formed structure, causing a serious damage to the HVAC equipment, which affect the human occupants’ health. Sandstorms pose the ultimate challenge to the HVAC systems in Kuwait. Sandstorms are very frequent and transport high dust concentrations to challenge the filters in the Air Handing Units (AHUs). Consequently, the lifespan of the air filter is shortened, which is not cost-effective in the long run. Such evaluated concentrations may cause bridging of particles to form a so-called dust cake layer, as they deposit on the filter medium. Subsequently, this layer of dust acts as a filter in its own right and causes another layer of deposit to be formed. Dendrite is an example of dust cake agglomerate on the filter surface, which impairs it from acting as depth filter. Pre-filters play an important role in allowing fibrous filters to perform as depth filters. In fact, large particles can be easily removed by means of a prefilter. Surface deposition occurrence on a depth filter prior to the full utilisation of its thickness signifies that the depth filter is merely acting as a surface filter. In other words, the surface pores will strain particles larger than their diameter. Do you know of any new HVAC system-maintenance techniques and/

Figure 4: Frost development on the cooling coil due to restriction of air flow caused by filter clogging

Figure 5: Worn out filter media after multiple attempts at cleaning by compressed air

Figure 6: Disintegrated filter media from the filter frame of pocket filter due to regeneration/cleaning attempts

Figure 7: Dust accumulation on the final destination of the HVAC system

or equipment currently available to the Kuwaiti market? Duct cleaning is now widespread in Kuwait and is performed by different companies using different techniques. Although it is very difficult to assess the effectiveness of duct cleaning performance, it is necessary to perform it if the dust has already settled in the duct and on air diffusers. If air filtration was performed to the fullest to meet preventative measures,

How does one ensure that good indoor environmental quality is maintained throughout a facility? Does one have to regularly conduct Indoor Air Quality tests? How often does one have to service HVAC systems? Indoor air sampling can be conducted indoors, as well as outdoors. Selection of sampling equipment depends on the application and the filter class installed on your HVAC system. Appropriate selection of sampling equipment must be carefully conducted to ensure it is suitable for the application in hand. However, there are cases to be considered that does not make the sampling measurements representative of the air quality past the installed filters. Some of these cases are:  If there is infiltration from the windows and/or doors, as particles from outdoors may seep into the indoor space and influence the reading.  If there is pollutant emission from the indoor sources that would alter the results. Sampling is a useful tool, but it requires a professional team, not only to best benefit from the capabilities of the device, but also to provide meaningful results that can actually be used for engineering interpretation. The sampling process could be continuous or intermittent, depending on the requirement of the application. In your view, how important is preventive maintenance and regular cleaning in ensuring good IEQ and that HVAC systems maintain their energy efficiency? Professional textbook maintenance is the paramount key towards better HVAC performance. Technicians and maintenance crews must be equipped with both the tools and the knowledge to protect the HVAC equipment and the human occupants of the indoor space. If filters are replaced and maintained properly, then energy usage is reduced and the HVAC systems remain in great shape to perform. Air filtration is a preventative measure. It has to deal with particle capture at the earliest stages of the HVAC system. Leaving dust to accumulate on the final destination of the HVAC system, i.e. the air diffuser, does not satisfy the preventative nature in the definition (See Figure 7). July 2013

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interview

FLUKE ON VIBRATION and ACOUSTICS

Vibrations—

harbinger of things to come Arguing that any change in vibration in equipment is the first sign of potential problems, Steve Hood, General Manager of Fluke EEMEA, says that identifying the problem early can help a company’s maintenance team plan ahead and avoid costly equipment failure. Hood in conversation with Jerome Sanchez… In your opinion, how important is early detection of vibration, which may be a sign or a source of problems, in equipment? Catching early defects has always been the plus point when it comes to predictive maintenance. Changes in vibration are the first indications of a potential problem before other symptoms like heat, sound, electrical consumption and lubricant impurities. Catching the problem early means you can plan ahead for your maintenance and avoid costly downtime failures. Once the first signs of failure appear, a machine generally only has a matter of months before failing completely. The question to ask yourself is, ‘would you like months of advance notice?’ What are the most common causes of vibration in machines? It has been known for many years that imbalance and misalignment are the root causes of most machine problems. These two conditions produce the most important forces that act inside a machine, and these forces are the causes of other problems, such as rolling 58

element bearing damage and looseness. Imbalance, misalignment and bearing damage are collectively known as the “Big Three”, and account for most of the problems. Besides mechanical problems, with the use of variable frequency drives in most industrial systems today, electrical problems, like excessive leakage currents, high shaft voltages and transients, are also known to cause vibration problems. How does one differentiate between normal vibration and vibration that requires attention and troubleshooting? All rotating pieces of equipment generate a unique vibration signal or “signature”. These unique signals are usually captured in series, with the signal’s amplitude (y-axis) depicted over time (x-axis). This is called a time waveform. The wave form contains all the information about the vibration of the machine at the point where it was measured. But, the individual patterns of vibration caused by different events, like imbalance and misalignment in the machine, are all overlapped and jumbled

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

together, which makes it very difficult to analyse the time waveform. A frequency analysis performed in the data collector or software clarifies and simplifies the time waveform data. The result is called a vibration spectrum (or “vibration signature”, “FFT”, or “spectral plot”). Spectrum is the plot of the vibration signal’s amplitude (y-axis) against frequency (x-axis). By this method, you can see the vibrations caused by the basic rolling elements, as well as the vibrations caused due to the problems. This pattern recognition is the key part of vibration analysis. But significant training and experience are necessary to read the patterns.

What are the possible adverse effects of vibration to the machines if left undiagnosed and unresolved? If left unresolved, the machines will eventually fail, and you will have a downtime. In today’s industrial environment, 65% of the energy consumption is through motors and drives. So, making sure you minimise the downtime of these motors also means energy-wellspent. Besides saving money, minimising downtime also helps in reducing safety risks due to motors failing all of a sudden. You can also prevent secondary damage to other systems coupled to these pieces of equipment. Vibration testing provides a way to determine where the machine is on the failure curve and, then, react appropriately. Could you briefly speak about some of the products from Fluke that are related to acoustics and vibration? Fluke’s value brand company, Amprobe, does have sound meters in its portfolio of products. The Amprobe SM-20-A Sound Meter has been designed to check compliance with safety

A frequency analysis performed in the data collector or software clarifies and simplifies the time waveform data regulations and perform acoustic analysis. It is used by safety engineers, and health, industrial and safety officers, as well as quality control officers. The SM-20-A offers a PC interface. They use two different weighting filters required by the IEC651 and ANSI S1.4 Type 2 for audio filtering. The A weighting is for general noise sound level and the C weighting is for measuring sound level of acoustic material control in various environments (ie 94dB 1 kHz, etc). Fluke also has products related to mechanical troubleshooting, like the Fluke 810 Vibration Tester and the Fluke 805 Vibration Meter. Could you briefly describe the innovations and new technologies infused in the products that you have mentioned? The new Fluke 810 Vibration Tester is a troubleshooting tool for mechanical maintenance teams who need an answer “now”. The tool’s diagnostic technology helps them to quickly identify and prioritise mechanical problems. The Fluke 810 Vibration Tester puts the team one step ahead, by using a simple step-bystep process to report on machine faults the first time measurements are taken, without prior measurement history. The combination of diagnoses, severity and

repair recommendations helps the team make informed maintenance decisions and address critical problems first. The Fluke 805 Vibration Meter measures overall vibration, as well as specific variables, like bearing condition and temperature, to provide a more complete picture. It has a combination vibration and force sensor tip that compensates for user variance (force or angle), yielding accurate, repeatable readings. It also has a four-level severity scale and onboard processor to calculate bearing condition and overall vibration using easy-to-understand textual alerts (Good, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Unacceptable). Its sensor sensitivity can read a wide range of frequencies (10 to 1,000 Hz and 4,000 to 20,000 Hz) covering most machine and component types. Finally, it has a straightforward user interface that minimises the user inputs to RPM range and equipment type. How is the market reception towards the products that you have spoken about? Maintenance teams today are maximising uptime with limited resources, and our products are able to do and deliver just that. We take the hassle away from diagnosing vibration problems by using a third-party consultant or having to rely on in-house specialists, who might not have the time to review data. The Fluke 810 and the 805, with the help of their on-board diagnostic engine, analyses the data on the spot and gives the engineer an indication of the current health of the machine. It helps them make quick “go, no go” decisions that will maximise uptime and reduce downtime. Also, these testers fit perfectly under their existing predictive maintenance plans within the company.

INTERvIEW

AlDES

ATTENTION ON ATTENUATORS Gaëtan Pierrefeu, Managing Director, Aldes Middle East FZE, speaks to Climate Control Middle East about the importance of sound attenuators in maintaining a good Indoor Environmental Quality, and points out some key issues that concern the sound attenuator sector. Here is what he said... how important are acoustic attenuators in maintaining a good IEQ? Acoustic attenuators play an essential role in the move to provide good Indoor Environmental Quality. Simply put, attenuators are part of the three-comfort requirements presented by clients—nothing to see; nothing to hear and nothing to feel. What innovations or new technologies do the acoustic attenuators currently on offer have? Aldes ME offers a complete range of acoustic attenuators for the HVAC segment. We are always on the lookout on how we can improve our products. In fact, our wide range of acoustic louvers have been tested, rated and certified to provide users with high quality air distribution. To ensure that we meet standards and market requirements, our louvers are fully certified by the Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA). In your point of view, how is the market reception of these technologies? Does your market give priority to the initial investment cost or is the market shifting their attention to the total lifecycle cost of the system? As earlier pointed out, sound attenuation products are very critical in the HVAC system. It is not the main function of the system itself, but improper sizing of sound attenuators has a bad effect on the indoor acoustic comfort. From in industry perspective, today's market is still focused on concentrating on the initial cost, without taking into consideration aging equipment and the tolerances to add sound attenuators. What are the key issues that concern the sound attenuator sector? Across product design and eventual installation, the key issues would include proper sizing at the construction stage. Some installers, who are looking at cutting corners or minimising their cost, have opted to go for less performance in sound attenuation. This is not a strategic move to do, as it results in a higher noise level in the building. What are the key maintenance concerns of sound attenuators? how does one ensure that sound attenuators continue to function as expected? Sound attenuators are easy to operate and do not require high level maintenance. However, a regular check on the units should be done to ensure the integrity of the baffles and the cleanliness of the equipment.

July 2013

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case-in point

GEMS AMERICAN ACADEMY

EDUCATED MOVE 01

GEMS American Academy decided to adhere to the criteria of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Rating System, Estidama, ahead of the mandatory deadline, and in time for the new semester. We bring you the case study of how this was achieved.

GEMS American Academy to the criteria of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Rating System, Estidama, ahead of the mandatory deadline. The initiative was developed and promoted by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), an internationally recognised large-scale sustainable urban planning UAE and rapid growth body. It aims to constantly improve Product Multi V III the quality of life across Case study four sustainability pillars: As part of its sustainability environmental, economic, programme, GEMS American social and cultural, whilst Academy decided to adhere preserving and enriching Abu

background

GEMS American Academy, located at Khalifa A, one of the new areas in Abu Dhabi, is part of GEMS Education. The school, spanning across three floors and general classrooms and other facilities, opened its doors to 2,300 students from Pre-K Location Abu Dhabi, (three-year olds) to Grade 8 in September 2011.

Educational

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Dhabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical and cultural identity. Aim: The most important factor for GEMS American Academy was the care and well-being of its students and other occupants. The school management, therefore, aimed to provide its students and staff with a cool and comfortable environment suitable for teaching and learning, with superior Indoor Air Quality and ventilation. As a result, significant consideration and investment

went into the filter systems, as well as the maintenance requirements and costs. Challenges: From a design aspect, there were particular limitations, whereby, the machines on the roof of the school were not allowed to be visible within a 10-metre radius, to ensure that the appearance of the school met with its Arabian environment. A further prerequisite also included the need for affordable solutions to ensure the best use of funds across a wide spectrum of schooling requirements, and an energy-efficient HVAC solution that had a total output of no more than 5,000 kW to avoid installation costs. Finally, one of the biggest challenges for the project was the need for a solution that could be delivered in less than five months, in time for the school to open and accept students for the new semester. Method employed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sustainable initiatives: Trinity Engineering Services, along with the LG team, worked closely on the project from the initial design 61 phase

on the project from the initial design phase and was always available to provide us with the support we needed, whether we required consultation, technical information, or support. Their readiness and commitment to project is highly regarded.” efficiency ofthis the VRF system of no more than 4,800 kW,

between maintenance intervals a the 3 stage filtration system elimina ing virus and allergy makes to achie a high level of clean air in spac such as schools. The easy to inst and versatile system allowed the ro units to and be matched no higher mixed withthan 2.7m, splitting the units into two separa was due to incorporating outdoor units, proving that so that no installation costs High Pressure Oil Return Multi V is successful for were enforced. The overall units that manage to work as o Finally, and one of the biggest chal(HiPORTM), a new school building structures, cost efficiency proved to be unit, adhering to local regulation lenges for the project, technology that is used in addition to office betweenwas 25%the and need 30%. Multi V III systems installed at the s for a inverter solution that could be delivered with the system's buildings.” comprise 124 outdoor Conclusion compressor,in called Acknowledging the units as well lessthethan five months, in time for LG’s Multi V system has V-Scroll. Thethe V-Scroll inverter role LG played, he added: 304 indoor units. The total capacity school to open and accept stuensured that the school compressor is 11% more “Without LG’s exceptional the system is 4,396kW. dents for the new receives semester. a high measure of efficient than a conventional support on this project

The air filter systems were, therefore designed to ensure long life between cooling efficiency, but also compressor. It also has easy and meeting the tight maintenance achieves 14% energy savings washable filters, making it deadline, the school would compared to the previous possible to maintain high have not been completed intervals, and systems, while meeting the quality air for the occupants. in time to accept new Estidama criteria. Reportedly, 55,000 CFM LG students. The LG team the three-stage Highlighting this, Multi V units were delivered was always available to Mechanical Manager for in less than five months, provide us with the support filtration system Trinity Engineering Services, meeting the set deadline, we needed, whether we eliminated virus Mehul Dasani, said: “The and allowing the school to required consultation or Solution flexibility of use derives from Beneﬁt open on schedule. Thus, LG technical information. Their and allergens to GEMS American Academy the versatility of Multi V provided a solution utilising readiness and commitment system itself. A wide range Multi V units throughout the to this project is highly supply clean air to structure with a total output of indoor models can be regarded.” the structure High quality air via the 3-stage filto ensure that the interiors received high quality air via a three-stage filtration system and flexible design adjustable to different energy regulations. When the LG team met with the Chief Engineer at GEMS, they proposed changing the design from a chiller system to LG’s Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system to provide the school with the high level of efficiency to meet the Estidama criteria at a low replacement cost. The air filter systems were, therefore, designed to ensure long life between maintenance intervals, and the three-stage filtration system eliminated virus and allergens to supply clean air to the structure. The easy-to-install and versatile system allowed the roof units to be no higher than 2.7 metres, by splitting the units into two separate units that managed to work as one, adhering to local regulations. Multi V III systems installed at the site comprised 124 outdoor units as well as 304 indoor units, with the total capacity of the system being 4,396 kW. The increase in the

tration system and flexible design adjustable to different energy regulations

When the LG team met with the Chief Engineer at GEMS, they proposed changing the design from a chiller system to LG’s Variable Refrigerant Flow at(VRF) system to provide the Multi V units installed GEMS American Academy school with the highest measure of efficiency and meet the Estidama cri14 percent in energy saving “The flexibility teria. of use derives from the versatility compared to the previous sy of Multi With V system itself, a wide rangeofofadindoor the increased demands tems models can be mixed and matched with outdoor vancing technology, the LG air filters units proving Multi is efficiency successful forlow school The LG Multi V system saves appro allowthat a high levelV of at a mately 14 percent in energy savin building structures in cost. addition replacement Thetoairoffice filter buildings. syscompared to the previous system tems exceptional are designedsupport to ensure Without LG’s onlong thislife project

and meeting the tight deadline, the school would have not been completed in time to accept new students.” Mehul Dasani Manager Mechanical, Trinity Engineering Services

Facilities at GEMS American Academy July 2013 on the project from the initial design

between maintenance intervals and

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This increase in efficiency is a result

case-in point

trade CirCle teChniCal indUStrieS

FAN

employee comfort. Later, a In humid and hot climates, single HVLS fan was installed building operators struggle to reduce the energy required with cooling large open for cooling. This resulted spaces. There was a time in a six-month savings of when interior space was USD14,708. naturally ventilated, and air CASE STUDy: was circulated to provide AIM: 92 Railway Street, Box 668 a level of comfort to the After identifying high Canada occupants of a structure. As 92 Railway Street, Box 668 Ontario, Seaforth, Seaforth, Ontario, Canada operating costs associated we have evolved, so have N0W 1W0 N0W 1W0 with air conditioning, TCTI our cooling techniques. (519) 527.2198 (519) 527.2198 approached Trimac Inc, These techniques have www.enviranorth.com www.enviranorth.com representative of Envirabecome effective in reducing ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ North Systems in the Middle temperatures, but have also ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ East, to install an HVLS fan become large consumers of to increase circulation and electrical power. By utilising a minimise air conditioning blend of these new techniques costs. In order to achieve with historically proven In the Emirate of Dubai climate control companies are thriving. Dubai houses climate specific this objective, a decision methods, a building operator and distribution companies from around the world. Its location provides many was made to implement the can achieve bothmanufacturing effective In humidadvantages and hot toclimates, building struggle withseacooling large open spaces. the the companies locatedoperators there. Proximity to major and air hubs makes this an ideal Historically, technology in June of 2012, cooling and efficiency. centre for manyventilated multinationaland businesses. its location also provides uniqueofclimatic space was naturally air wasHowever, circulated to provide some type comfort to the occupants with the provision that energy challenges.As we have evolved, so have our cooling techniques. These techniques BACKGROUND consumption have be measured of the structure. become DUBAI CLIMATIC ChART Dubai very houseseffective climate- in reducing and evaluated regularly. (See temperatures, but have also become large consumers of electrical power. By DUBAI CLIMATIC CHART specific manufacturing and Figure 1) utilizing a blend of these new techniques with historically proven methods, a building operator can distribution companies from both effectiveness and efficiency. aroundachieve the world, thanks to MEtHOD EMPlOyED – its location. However, the SUStAINABlE INItIAtIvES: location also poses unique Trimac presented an option The Altra-Air Fan is designed to efficiently circulate large volumes of air in open spaces. The goal is to climatic challenges. Due to install a 6.1m HVLS ceiling provide even circulation from wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling. In hot climates, utilizingdistribution this to these challenges, most fanby to increase of technology, fan produces a column of air which turns at the floor and creates comfortable nonbuilding owners and the operators the aconditioned air at ground cool their facilities breeze utilising for the occupants of the structure. In air conditioned facilities level, employees disruptive thiswhere has proven to large air conditioning units typically work. The proposal reduce energy consumption while maintaining or exceeding previous comfort demonstrated levels. designed to provide relief for the capability occupants while maximising of a single 6.1m Altra-Air Fan their productivity. WhalePower Technology This paperIncreasing is designed to provide insight into a case study of a manufacturing with facility in Dubai, UAE. occupant Envira-North At productivity the 2,500m² air conditioned site, one fan was installed to reduce the energyfrom required to coolSystems to can generate considerable increase air flow and create employees. The This in aabove 6-month savings ofmonthly $14,708.00 USD. The chart demonstrates average temperatures inrainfall comparison chartresulted above demonstrates average monthly temperatures in comparison with and daily sunlight hours. revenue. However, to an additional cooling effect of with rainfall and daily sunlight hours. improve productivity, energy three to four degrees Celsius consumption is increased. The in the area of influence. The Due to these climatic challenges, most building owners and operators cool their facilities savings utilizingwould large be created resultant energy costs can air conditioning units designed to provide relief for occupants while maximizing their productivity. offset the additional benefits through two avenues – Increasing occupant productivity can generate considerable revenue. However, to improve of increased productivity. thermostat settings and free productivity, energy consumption is increased. These created energy costs can easily offset the Owners and operators are cooling. (See Figure 2) additional benefits of increased productivity. Owners and operators are now challenged to provide now challenged to provide comfort levels while minimizing costs. comfort levels while tHERMOStAt SEttINGS: minimising costs. It is commonly accepted Recognising the climatic that wind-chill factor lowers challenges in operating, the apparent temperature, Trade Circle Technical making the air feel cooler Industries (TCTI), a than it actually is. Thermostat division of Wafi Industrial, change was achieved at the ___________________________________________________________________________________ installed air conditioning site by better understanding Dean(glassWood in its 2,500m² GRP the wind-chill factor or Basic International April 1, 2013 reinforced plastic) plant Sales Manager Effective Temperature (BET) prior to commencement of created by HVLS fans. manufacturing operations. Air Figure 3 examines the conditioning was considered relationship between actual necessary to maintain a air temperature and the consistent temperature for velocity at which it is Inside TCTI in Dubai after the installation of a 6.1m Altra-Air Fan manufacturing purposes and moving. Armed with both

INTRODUCTION

FOllOWING

The

A manufacturing facility in Dubai installed a single Altra-Air Fan with WhalePower Technology from EnviraChallenge North Systems at its site, which resulted in a six-month savings of USD14,708. We bring you the case study.

The Abstract

Inside TCTI in Dubai after the installation of a 6.1m Altra-Air Fan

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

___________________________________________________________________________________

conditioning was considered necessary to maintain a consistent temperature for manufacturing purposes and employee comfort. After identifying high operating costs associated with air conditioning, TCTI was approached by Trimac Inc. (representative of Envira-North Systems in the Middle East) to install a single HVLS fan to increase circulation and minimize air conditioning costs. A decision was made to implement the technology in June of 2012 with the provision that energy consumption be measured and evaluated regularly.

TCTI

Facility Layout

The manufacturer determined that the improvement in air flow produced by the fan gave employees the sensation of a fresh environment and lower overall temperature

92 Railway Street, Box 668 Seaforth, Ontario, Canada N0W 1W0 (519) 527.2198 www.enviranorth.com

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Solution

Trimac Inc. presented an option to install one 6.1m HVLS ceiling fan to increase distribution of the conditioned air at ground level (where employees are working). The proposal demonstrated the capability of a single 6.1m Altra-Air Fan with WhalePower Technology from Envira-North Systems Limited to increase air flow and create an additional cooling effect of three to four degrees Celsius in the area of influence. ___________________________________________________________________________________

set point, free cooling was automatically achieved at the site. The cooling threshold was adjusted to a warmer temperature, decreasing usage hours of air conditioning and increasing savings. Free cooling created even more savings as the temperature decreased from peak summer temperatures. Operating air conditioning units were now required for a shorter period of time.

RESUltS: As a standard practice, TCTI tracks electrical consumption Dean Wood Figure 1: TCTI Facility Layout (Before) via meters. Two meters track International Sales Manager April 1, 2013 electricity consumed by air Facility Layout conditioning and lighting. these variables, one can While examining their successfully determine that in consumption, it was noted 92 a temperature of 25°C with that a 10% increase in overall Se air moving at a speed of 1.5 production from 2011 to 2012 metres per second, the BET had occurred. During this is less than 20°C. This creates increased production, there __________________________________________________________________________________ an environment too cold was no increase in hours of forTHERMOSTAT occupants, SETTINGS encouraging operation, and therefore, no theIt operator to accepted increasethat the increase in the lighting load. is commonly wind chill factor lowers temperature set point and Nofeel other major changes were the apparent temperature, making the air cooler than itcontinual actually is.savings. Thermostat change made is achievable bythe year and create during better understanding the ‘wind-chill factor’ Basic only orthe additional load from Effective Temperature (BET) created by fans. was added. (See FREE COOlING: theHVLS fan motor 92 Railway Street, Box 668 Additional savingsgraph canexamines be 5.) The neighbouring the Figure relationship Seaforth, Ontario, Canada created byactual adjusting the After completion of the between air temperature and the velocity at N0W 1W0 “Cooling Threshold” and with both these installation, the manufacturer which it is moving. Armed variables, (519) 527.2198 one can successfully determine of attaining free cooling. Free that a temperature began to evaluate the project www.enviranorth.com 25⁰C with air moving meters per cooling is the periodatofa speed time of 1.5by monitoring energy second, the(and BET is less than creates an Figure 2: TCTI Facility Layout (After) just before after) air 20⁰C. This consumption and gauging __________________________________________________________ environment too cold for occupants, encouraging the conditioning is required. In employee comfort levels. The The savings would be created through two avenues; ‘Thermostat Settings’ and ‘Free Cooling’.operator to increase the temperature set point and terms of savings, free cooling manufacturer determined create continual savings. ___________________________________________________________________________________ is defined by a decrease in that the improvement in air Dean Wood tor lowers annual usage hours created by flow produced by the fan International Sales Manager April 1, FREE 2013 COOLING the capabilities of HVLS fan gave employees the sensation el cooler Additional savings can be created by adjusting the ‘Cooling Threshold’ and attaining ‘ technology. of a fresh environment and hievable by Free Cooling is the period of time just before (and after) air conditioning is required. I Figure 4free demonstrates lower in overall savings, cooling is defined by a decrease annual temperature. usage hours created by the cap or Basic how, as the temperature The reaction allowed the HVLS fan technology. VLS fans. increases, energy costs rise. manufacturer to increase the chart below the temperature set increases, ByThe adjusting thedemonstrates thermostathow as temperature point energy on costs rise. By

TCTI

onship city at variables, erature of ers per eates an aging the nt and

Figure 3

ing the ‘Cooling Threshold’ and attaining ‘Free Cooling’. re (and after) air conditioning is required. In terms of se in annual usage hours created by the capabilities of

thermostat set point, free cooling is automatically achieved. The cooling threshold is n warmer tem decreasing u conditioning savings. Fre even more s temperature peak summe Operating ai units are now shorter perio

______________________________________________________________________ Figure Dean4Wood International Sales Manager

July 2013

www.climatecontrolme.com

The Results

May

33.1

29,142

2,197

33.8 °C

36,379

2,770

+ 0.7 °C

7,237

25 %

TOTAL

25.7°C *

126,439

$ 8,992

25.4°C *

134,554

$ 9,438

- 0.3°C *

8,155

+6%

case-in point

* indicates average - all monetary shown in USD Two meters figures trackareelectricity

As a standard practice, TCTI tracks electrical consumption via meters. consumed by air conditioning and lighting. While examining their consumption, it was noted that a completion ofhad the occurred. installation,During the manufacturer began to evaluate the project by monitoring 10% increase in overall productionAfter fromINDUSTRIES 2011 to 2012 this increased production, TRADE CIRCLE TECHNICAL energy consumption and gauging employee comfort levels. The there was no increase in hours of operation and therefore no increase in the lighting load. No other manufacturer determined that the improvement in air flow produced by the employees the sensation of a fresh major changes were made during the year (only the additional load from the Altra-Air fan motorfan wasgave added). environment and lower overall temperature. The reaction allowed the manufacturer to increase the temperature set point on the air conditioners, thus providing immediate OFFICE CONSUMPTION ELECTRICAL COOLING CONSUMPTION – PRIOR TO INSTALLATION savings. The original set point was increased from 25°C to 27°C. Month

2011

Temp.

Kwh

Jan Feb Mar Apr May

21.1 21.6 23.9 29.0 33.1

23,047 24,732 23,571 25,947 29,142

TOTAL

25.7°C *

126,439

2012

From Cost

Differences

January part of the was moved Temp. 2012, Kwh Costoffice staff Temp. Kwh and vacated Cost the

premises. was connected with 12 ton (separate) a/c2 %unit on 1,566 20.2 The °C office 23,503 1,614 - 0.9a°C 455 92 Railway Street, Box 668 1,741 21.1 two °C meters. 24,182 To offset 1,684 this adjustment, - 0.5 °C - 550 - 2chart % one of the the following Seaforth, Ontario, Canada 1,621 24.0account °C 21,116 + 0.112 °C ton unit. - 2,455These -figures 10 % takes into estimated 1,280 usage of one N0W 1W0 1,867 27.8 °C 29,375 2,090 - 1.2 °C 3,428 13 % (519) have been accounted for in all calculations. Example usage of527.2198 12 ton 2,197 33.8 °C 36,379 2,770 + 0.7 °C 7,237 25 % www.enviranorth.com

MONTH

KWh

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

845 1,267 1,690 2,112 2,112 2,112 2,112 1,690 1,267 422

87 131 174 218 218 218 218 174 131 44

unit in June at 12kw x 0.103 USD per KWh x 10 hours per day x 22 25.4°C * $ 9,438 rate. - In 0.3°C * of the 8,155 + 6 in % per month x134,554 80% utilization spite reduction office load,* indicates energyaverage consumption increased in April and May (mainly Figure 5 all monetary figures are shown USD 92 Railway due- to the early start of a/cin units, caused by higher dayStreet, timeBox 668 Seaforth, Ontario, Canada temperatures). N0W 1W0 After completion of the installation, the manufacturer began to evaluate the project by monitoring *all monetary figures shown in USD ELECTRICAL COOLING CONSUMPTION – FOLLOWING INSTALLATION (519) 527.2198 energy consumption and gauging employee comfort levels. The manufacturer determined that the ___________________________________________________________________________________ www.enviranorth.com 2011 2012 Differences Figure 6 improvement in air flow produced by the Altra-Air fan gave employees the sensation of a fresh Month Dean Wood Temp. Kwh Cost Temp. Kwh Cost Temp. Kwh Cost ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ environment and lower overall temperature. The reaction allowed the manufacturer to increase the International34.4 Sales Manager April 1, 2013 Jun 34.6 4,964 53,788 4,527 - 0.2 - 2,117 - 4% temperature set point 55,905 on the air conditioners, thus providing immediate Jul 36.6 78,461 7,296 37.7 57,770 4,939 + 1.1 OFFICE - 20,691 - 26 % CONSUMPTION savings. The36.4 original80,216 set point was Aug 7,478increased 36.6from 25°C 63,330to 27°C. 5,513 + 0.2 - 16,885 - 21 % $ 8,992 days

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Altra-Air Fan

MONTH KWh $ + 0.5 - 30,170 - 32 % - 0.2Jan - 35,666- 42 %+ 0.8Feb - 33,475- 52 %+ 1.4Mar 51845 0 %87 one of the two meters. To offset this adjustment, the following chart Apr 1,267 131 TOTALinto account 31.5°C * estimated 485,889 usage $ 44,525 * unit. 346,938 $ 28,936 + 0.4°CMay * - 138,952 - 34174 % takes of one 31.9°C 12 ton These figures 1,690 Jun 2,112 218 have been accounted for in all calculations. Example usage of 12 ton * indicates average Figure 7 Jul 2,112 218 - all monetary are per shown in USD unit in June at 12kw x 0.103 USD per KWh x 10figures hours day x 22 Aug 2,112 218 days per month x 80% utilization rate. In spite of the reduction in Sep 2,112 218 office energy the consumption in April and Mayfor (mainly While load, considering entire yearincreased of electrical consumption cooling, a savings USD Oct of $14,708.00 1,690 174 due to the early start of a/c caused by higher dayJune time1, 2012. Considering Novthis date 1,267 131 was created. However, the units, fan was not installed until and the fact 422 was due 44 temperatures). that previous electrical consumption was actually higher than the previous year.DecThe increase Sep 34.4 95,716 9,080 34.9 65,546 5,743 Oct January 30.9 85,889 8,064 staff was 30.7 moved 50,224 4,202the From 2012, part of the office and vacated Nov 26.0office 64,111 5,813 with a 26.8 30,636 premises. The was connected 12 ton (separate) a/c2,220 unit on Dec 21.4 25,592 1,830 22.8 25,643 1,792

Air Conditioning Savings

*all monetary figures shown in USD

(primarily) to increased production as the temperature remained fairly consistent from the previous ___________________________________________________________________________________ year. Following the installation of the fan, electrical consumption was reduced on average 34% per Dean Wood month. International Sales Manager April 1, 2013

Using a 10-year life span (conservative estimate) for Altra-Air Fans, this project provides a net cash flow of USD 141,880 temperature remained fairly consistent from the previous year. Following the installation of the fan, electrical consumption was reduced on an average of 34% per month.

The dramatic difference in savings following the installation of the HVLS fan is better demonstrated using the above graph.

Figure 8: (Case Study Results, 2,500m2 A/C Facility) The difference in savings following the installation of the HVLS fan

___________________________________________________________________________________ Dean Wood

the air Sales conditioners, thus been accounted for in all (See Figure 7) International Manager April 1, 2013 ___________________________________________________________________________________ providing immediate savings. calculations. For example, While considering the Dean Wood set point was The original usage of a 12-tonne unit in entire year’s electrical International Sales Manager April 1, 2013 a increased from 25°C to 27°C. June at 12kw x 0.103 USD consumption for cooling, From January 2012, part per KWh x 10 hours per day savings of USD14,708.00 was of the office staff was moved. x 22 days per month x 80% created. However, the fan The office was connected utilisation rate. was not installed until June 1, with a 12-tonne (separate) In spite of the reduction 2012. Considering this date, air conditioning unit on one in office load, energy and the fact that electrical of the two meters. To offset consumption increased in consumption was actually this adjustment, Figure 6 April and May, mainly due higher than the previous year, takes into account estimated to the early start of air it was computed that the usage of one 12-tonne unit. conditioning units, caused by increase was primarily due to Figures in Figure 6 have higher daytime temperatures. increased production, as the 64

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Case study results: The energy savings in air conditioning by using Altra-Air Fan can be seen in Figure 8. Quantifying annual returns becomes difficult, based on fluctuating energy prices. For this particular application, the first 10,000 Kwh consumed are based on a price of USD 0.0626, while the Kwh above 10,000 are charged at a price of USD 0.1034. These rates and overall increasing energy prices resulted in an even greater return on investment. (See Figure 9) However, based on the final investment of USD 5,200 (inclusive of product and installation costs), project capital was returned in under four months. This was largely due to the timing of

application, the first 10,000 Kwh consumed are based on a price of $0.0626 USD, while the Kwh above 10,000 are charged at a price of $0.1034 USD. These rates and overall increasing energy prices will result in an even greater return on investment. FINAL NUMBERS

However, on the final investment of $5,200 USD on fluctuating energy prices.based For this particular Investment: $ 5,200 USD (inclusive of while product installation costs), project capital was ed on a price of $0.0626 USD, theand Kwh Savings: $ 14,708 USD 138,952 Kwh in under 4 energy months.prices This was largely due to the timing D. These rates andreturned overall increasing Payback: 3.5 Months of the installation as in Dubai, March through November falls month savings of USD 14,708, 5). Change is in the Air, Street, Box 668 IRR: 282 % within theFINAL mostNUMBERS suitable time 92toRailway generate savings. Climate Control Middle East. Seaforth, Ontario, Canada apart from having a positive USD Investment: $ 5,200 USD Retrieved from http://www. N0W 1W0 impact on productivity. wasistoshown providein the climatecontrolme.com/ A better representation the impact(519) the527.2198 projectThe hasgoal made Internal Rate of Return (IRR) capital was Savings: $ 14,708 ofUSD www.enviranorth.com en/2012/01/change-air/ even circulation from wall calculation. This138,952 performance Kwh measure is used to compare the efficiency of a number of different the timing to wall and floor to ceiling, ___________________________________________________________________________ Payback: 3.5 Months capital investments options. It should be notedwhich that was the achieved. calculation does not incorporate inflation or mber falls Climate – Dubai International IRR: in external 282factors % fluctuation (such as; maintenance, electrical costs and consumption). Airport (n.d.) Historical The Altra Air Fan is

sion made is shown in the Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

Weather Dubai International designed to efficiently Airport. Retrieved from http:// circulate large volumes of VALUES www.tutiempo.net/en/ air in open spaces. The fan s becomesthe difficult based on prices. For this particular INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN ompare efficiency offluctuating a numberenergy of different Climate/Dubai_International_ produces a column of air YEAR CASH FLOW (Cn)while the Kwh 00 Kwh consumed are based on (n) a price of $0.0626 USD, the calculation does not incorporate inflation or Airport/12-2012/411940.htm which turns at14,708 the floor and 14,708 14,708 at a price of $0.1034 USD. These rates and overall prices 00 - 5,200increasing energy NPV = (-5,200) + + + etc. creates a+comfortable none,terelectrical costs and consumption). (1 + r)¹ (1 + r)² (1 + r)³ return on investment. 01 14,708 Further readings disruptive breeze for the 02 14,708 FINAL NUMBERS Product Manufacturer, (Canada). occupants of the structure. al investment of $5,200 USD03 Investment: $ 5,200 USD 14,708 Envira-North Systems Ltd - http:// This has proven to reduce installation costs), project capital Savings: $ 14,708 USD INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN 04 was 14,708 www.enviranorth.com energy consumption, while Based 138,952 Kwh upon these values, the internal rate of return for this project is s. This was largely due to the05timing 14,708 Facebook: https://www.facebook. maintaining or exceeding Payback: 3.5 Months ubai, March through November 282.8271% and a total return of in$147,080.00 on an small investment 14,708 14,70806 falls 14,708 14,708 com/EnviraNorth previous comfort levels )me + to generate savings. + + +IRR: etc. 282 % (1 + r)¹ (1 + r)² (1 + r)³14,708 of $5,200.00. a 10facilities. year lifeThe span (conservative estimate) for 07 air Using conditioned Twitter: technology is ideally suited a net 08 14,708 Altra-Air Fans, this project provides cashhttps://twitter.com/ flow of $141,880.00. the impact the project has made is shown in the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for hot climates. EnviraNorth 09 14,708 ance measure is used to compare the efficiency of a number of different 10 14,708 s. It should noted thatrate the calculation not incorporate values, thebeinternal of return does for this project isinflation or Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/ REFERENCES *all monetary figures shown in USD Figure 9

tors (such as; maintenance, electrical and consumption). total return of $147,080.00 oncosts an small investment Figure 10

ing a 10 year life span (conservative estimate) for is project provides a netINTERNAL cash flow ofOF $141,880.00. RATE RETURN

(Cn)

NPV =

(-5,200) +

14,708 (1 + r)¹

14,708 (1 + r)²

14,708 (1 + r)³

etc.

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2013, April 4). Economy of the United Arab Emirates. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Economy_of_the_United_Arab_ Emirates Dubai Weather (2011). Dubai

Figure 11

photos/envira-north YouTube: http://www.youtube. com/user/enviranorth Middle East Representative of Altra-Air Fans, (Canada). Trimac Inc – http://www.trimacinc.com Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/TrimacInc

Based upon these values, the internal rate of return for this project is Information Site. Retrieved from the installation, as inreturn Dubai, Conclusion 282.8271% and a total of $147,080.00 on an small investment http://www.dubai-information-site. ___________________________________________________________________________________ A single Altra Air estimate) Fan through November ofMarch $5,200.00. Using a 10 year life span (conservative for com/dubai-weather.html installed at the 2,500m² air falls within the most suitable Twitter: https://twitter.com/ Altra-Air Fans, thisWood project provides a net cash flow of $141,880.00. Dean TCTI (n.d.) Trade Circle Technical Industries. Retrieved from http:// www.tcti.net/ Wood, Dean (2012, January

July 2013

trimacinc

April 1, 2013

The Appendix

_____________________________________________________________________

Dean Wood

International Sales Manager

conditioned site resulted in time to generate savings. International SalesofManager considerably reducing the A better representation SD energy required to keep the the impact the project made employees comfortably cool. is shown in the Internal Rate This, in turn, resulted in a sixof Return (IRR) calculation. __________________________________________ This performance measure is used to compare the efficiency of a number of April 1, 2013 different capital investments options. It should be noted that the calculation does ______________________________________________________________ not incorporate inflation or fluctuation in external April 1, 2013 factors, such as maintenance, electrical costs and consumption. (See Figure 10 and Figure 11) Based upon these values, the internal rate of return for this project is 282.8271% and a total return of USD 147,080 on a small investment of USD 5,200. Using a 10-year life span (conservative estimate) for Altra-Air Fans, this project provides a net cash flow of USD 141,880.

Tubercle Technology, Developer, (Canada). WhalePower Corporation – http://www.whalepower.com

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perspective CARRIER TRANSICOLD

The wheels

of chain Prakash Krishnamoorthy, Sales Manager (Middle East Area) at Carrier Transicold Europe – Gulf Office, gives the transport refrigeration perspective on cold chain management and, in the process, addresses critical issues of concern…

chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Any interruption to the cold chain constitutes a hazard to the health of the consumer, because it ought to be remembered that cold does not kill microbes, it just slows their development. Hence, a robust cold chain is not just essential but critical. So what are the risks involved in the event of an interruption to the cold chain? There are three types – microbial, chemical and physical. These are general risks associated with refrigerated transportation and not specific to interruption of cold chain. In the case of microbial risk, a cursory glance at the temperatures of the principal pathogens where multiplications stops, does tell quite a story. For the toxicogenesis of staphylococci and Clostridium botulinum A and B, the temperature is +10°C. It is -12°C for all bacterial multiplication and -18°C for microbial multiplication. In short, owing to the clear

danger from microbes, any interruptions in the cold chain, even for a short period of time, are hazards for consumer health. Chemical risks are owing to accidental contact with a non-food substance, such as lubricating oil spilt on the floor or on cooling units. Also, presence of residues from cleaning products or disinfectants can lead to chemical risks. Physical risks are caused by solid particles of various types and sizes. Air-borne dust circulated by a unit’s fans, or introduced via the air vent or when the vehicle doors are opened, is one such situation. Also, dirt from vehicle floors, refrigerating chambers and handling areas can lead to contamination. As far as physical risks are concerned, the moral of the story is: the vehicles must

be clean and the packaging adequate. At this juncture, it is worth looking at ATP (Agreement on International Transport of Perishables Foodstuff), which is regarded as a key regulating body of the transport refrigeration industry. ATP is basically the agreement on the international carriage of perishable foodstuffs and on the special equipment to be used. The first ATP regulation was defined as far back as 1971. Seven countries signed the regulation. From 1975 onwards, there have been progressive agreements among 35 additional countries, including the United States, and those belonging to the European Union, eastern Europe and northern Africa. ATP’s mission is simple: Ensure the minimum equipment specifications for international transport and ensure the quality of perishable foodstuffs during their transportation. ATP’s regulations, revised each year by a UN working group, are applicable to all national and international transport activities. ATP stakeholders

Refrigerated transport is a very important link in the cold chain. Higher risks of cold chain failures occur during transportation, as the environment – in the forms of speed and external temperature, to name two – changes continuously.

Courtesy Carrier Transicold

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

include box manufacturers, unit manufacturers, installers and transporters. In the case of box manufacturers, ATP stipulates that, in the case of isothermic devices, the coefficient of heat transfer (k) must be certified by a test in a tunnel by a certified laboratory. And, in the case of carriers, the refrigeration capacities must be certified for each model by an authorised laboratory; the test results are valid for six years. In the case of an assembler of a refrigerated vehicle, which basically constitutes the box and the refrigerated unit, the refrigeration unit should have a safety coefficient > 1.75, which corresponds to a pull down time of six hours to reach -20°C with a 30°C ambient. Higher safety coefficient is considered when chilled produce are involved, as many are extremely temperature sensitive. And, in the case of a transporter, the refrigerated vehicle must have an ATP certificate delivered by an institution with a governmental agreement (TUV in Germany, Cemafroid in France and CRT in the United Kingdom). The transportation temperature of the products, according to their nature, must be specified. Class A: set point from 12°C to 0°C Class B: set point from 12°C to -10°C Class C: set point from 12°C to -20°C A key element in transport refrigeration is a set of loading practices for goods. We need to keep in mind that transport refrigeration is designed only to maintain temperatures and not to cool the product. Poor air distribution is one of the

Did you

know

WHAT IS MULTITEMPERATURE CONCEPT?

The same truck can carry different products  At different temperatures  Products that are not compatible  Maintaining precise temperature regulation with sufficient air flow ensuring product safety  Maintaining various compartment configurations to suit the customer’s requirement The advantages of multitemperature units include negating the need to send two (say) trucks to carry things at different temperatures, flexibility (different compartments can carry loads at different temperatures), better fleet utilisation, fuel savings and reduction in carbon emissions and noise pollution.

primary causes of product deterioration. Typically, the sources of heat ingress are conduction (from the product), convection (through open doors) and radiation (through the trailer floor, sides and roof). Hence, a simple action like trying to park the vehicle in the shade, when not in use, helps remove the heat that has entered the body from the sun. The loading should be done after pre-cooling the box to the desired

temperature. Care should be taken to ensure that products are always loaded at the correct temperature, and that they are loaded from a refrigerated bay. This is extremely critical to maintain the cold chain. The benefit is as much in the details. For instance, care should be taken to ensure that fresh produce are not wrapped in plastic, as doing so prevents air circulation from reaching the load. It must be ensured that the evaporator is not obstructed with the loaded goods, and that air circulation is not impeded at all times. Equally important, it is essential to defrost 30 minutes after loading for fresh products and to stop the unit at the time of opening the doors. Correct pallet use is also part of transport refrigeration best practices, where ever used. For instance, orientation should allow airflow to the head of the body. Pallets should allow airflow through and under the load. Airflow down the side of the load (minimum 25 mm airflow around the sides of load, and preferably 50) is important. Airflow from the rear door (minimum 100 mm from the rear door) is equally important. A word of caution: loading to the ceiling will cause short cycling.

rules, cleanliness, cold chain and product temperature. Personnel health should be controlled regularly, and this includes wearing of clean clothes. The loading personnel must control:  The cleanliness of the inner sides (walls, roof and floor)  Product temperature before loading  Proper product packaging  Separation between non-packaged food and packaged food  Separation of incompatible products Before loading, the box must be pre-cooled to the required temperature and, then, the product loaded at the correct temperature. Refrigerated transport is a very important link in the cold chain. Higher risks of cold chain failures occur during transportation, as the environment – in the forms of speed and external temperature, to name two – changes continuously. Risks of cold chain failures can be minimised by following ATP standards and by respecting good loading and hygiene practices. Doing so will lead to improved quality of transported products and consumer health protection.

CORRECT lOADING

Generally speaking, correct loading means not mixing refrigerated and dry goods in the same compartment. Speaking of which, in the event of a second compartment, it ought not be cooled by a fan from the first compartment for good hygiene and to maintain better temperature control. Speaking of hygiene, transport refrigeration is as much about the personnel involved. They should be trained to uphold hygiene

July 2013

The writer is the Sales Manager (Middle East Area) at Carrier Transicold Europe – Gulf Office. He can be contacted at krishnamoorthy. prakash@carrier.utc.com

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Spotlight This is the sixth in a multi-part, in-depth series on air filtration

Nuancing the

filtration process We demand that we have the best IAQ. By the same logic, shouldn’t our technicians also have a safe working environment? If there is one professional filtration language, shouldn’t we all speak it, asks Dr Iyad Al-Attar.

A Air filtration is a complex process. However, we seem to add to its complexity by adopting certain unprofessional practices in terms of installation and maintenance. In reality, there are several parameters we need to consider in order to make an educated selection of air filters for each application. But, when the language spoken on site is different from that spoken in the meeting room while acquiring filters, accountability gets

Uncontrolled increase of depth and/or the number of pockets would, in fact, have a counterproductive effect on the pressure drop and the effective filter surface area somewhere lost in between.

The impeding challenge

The most significant challenge in achieving better predictions of filter performance is posed by the lack of homogeneity of the filter media, as shown

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

in Figure 1. Historically, filter media randomness recorded an annoying challenge to scientists, which impedes the task of mathematically predicting the pressure drop of the filter. As RC Brown has stated it in his book, Air Filtration: An Integrated Approach to the Theory and Application of Fibrous Filters1,

the structure is neither highly ordered nor completely random. This sort of randomness is more difficult to describe when comparing it to complete order or to a total randomness. Some pressure drop models have suggested the inhomogeneity factor (ξ) to accommodate for media randomness.

CN Davies2 has described the pressure drop of the filter as follows:

(

)

∆P = 16πα 0. 5 (1+56α 3 )

4µαU h 2

ξπ d f

Where α is the packing density, df is fibre diameter, U is face velocity, μ is air viscosity and h is the filter medium thickness.

Re-generating a disposal filter

It is a common practice to regenerate depth filters (mainly disposal) either by compressed air or water. But attempting to do so will result in damaging the filter media and distorting the pore structure, which would lead to efficiency degradation due to the re-entraining of previously captured dust into the air stream. It is, perhaps, understandable that such a practice is surrounded by good intentions of extending the lifetime of the filter. However, there are other engineering approaches available to improve the lifecycle of the filter without exposing the human occupants and/or the application at hand to greater risk of particle deposition. Figure 2 shows dust-loaded pocket filter after multiple attempts of cleaning and reusing. Another common practice is to use multi-pocket filters to extend the surface area, so that it is greater than the frontal area and, therefore, registers an enhanced efficiency and lower pressure drop. However, there are limits in terms increasing the surface area in a pocket filter design, for the following reasons: ď Ž If the depth is increased excessively, the pocket will wobble/vibrate, which would make the filter lose previously captured particles, leading to the filter scoring lower efficiency. It is also important to realise that increasing the pocket depth would require greater space in the Air Handling Units (AHUs), which signifies higher cost and greater space to accommodate the AHU in the mechanical floor or the roof. ď Ž One could also increase the number of pockets, however, beyond a certain number of pockets in such

When one considers an increase in the surface area, the emphasis should be placed on a surface area that would participate in the air filtration action Figure 1: The inhomogeneity of filter fibrous medium

Figure 2: Dust-loaded pocket filter after multiple attempts of cleaning and re-using

a constrained space, filter pockets may touch one another, causing reduction in permeability, which would lead to greater increase in pressure drop.

This could worsen if the movement of the pockets is not restrained properly, causing the pockets to over expand, as shown in Figure 3.

July 2013

When one considers an increase in the surface area, the emphasis should be placed on a surface area that would participate in the air filtration action. In other words, it is critical that the air accesses the filter media in order to utilise the surface area. Uncontrolled increase of depth and/or the number of pockets would, in fact, have a counterproductive effect on the pressure drop and the effective filter surface area. Consequently, the face velocity and, eventually, the overall efficiency of the filter, would suffer. One way to introduce greater surface area is to install minipleat filter, which is manufactured by several companies worldwide. This minipleat cassessette is also referred to as V-bank filter, which contains multi-panels of pleated media installed in a rigid plastic frame with a casting material to connect the media pleated panels to the frame. This type of V-bank filter provides a surface area that could range from double to triple of the that of the pocket filter, and provide the same filter class as that of the pocket filter, but at a lower pressure drop. These filters also have lower initial pressure drop and higher final pressure drop, which implies that their entire lifetime is greater than the pocket

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Spotlight application. Pleated panel deflection, pleat deformation (Figure 6) and pleat crowding are all factors contributing to the filter’s permeability reduction.

The human quotient

Figure 3: Uncontrolled expansion of media pockets reduces filter permeability

When filtration training is addressed, the names of the facility managers, maintainence engineers and purchasing managers are written at the top of the list. In fact, by doing so, we disregard our maintanence crew (technicians), who

re-generated dispoal filter defeat the intended purpose of air filtration. But are we willing to invest in them? Yes, it is of paramount importance that the technicians are aware of how to perform the required procedures of textbook filtration and maintenance. But, it is equally important that we spare a serious thought to their health and well-being, for it is no less important. In light of this, wearing masks and protective uniforms is critical in reducing the risk of high dust concentration exposure. If we demand that our technicians care about our Indoor Air Quality, shouldn’t we also care about them? If Managers and technicians work in the same place, shouldn’t they be speaking the same filtration language? 

References:

1 Brown RC, 1993. Air Filtration: Figure 4: Installation of minipleat filter (arrow pointing at the missing clip)

Figure 5: Typical installation of pocket filters

An Integrated Approach to the Theory and Application of Fibrous Filters, Pergamum Press, Oxford. 2 Davies CN, 1952. The Separation of Airborne Dust and Mist Particles, Proc. Inst. Mech. Engng 1B, 185-198.

Figure 6: Pleat deformation during operation of minipleat filter

filter. With a proper prefilter installed, the minipleat filter can even serve for longer time. Another underlying advantange in installing minipleat (Figure 4) to supersede pocket filters (Figure 5) is the abillity to easily spot missing clips. By simply eyeballing the installation, the effect of the missing clip would be clearly evident, as shown in Figure 4, indicated by an

“arrow”. The missing clip signifies substantial leakage in the AHU. It is very difficult to spot a missing clip in pocket filters and, therefore, such installations require a thorough visual inpection, which may not be carried out scrupulously at all times. Filter media should also be selected appropriately to ensure that it can sustain the pleating process, as well as the climate and operating conditions in the concerned

Climate Control Middle East July 2013

Yes, it is of paramount importance that the technicians are aware of how to perform the required procedures of textbook filtration and maintencene. But it is equally important that we spare a serious thought to their health and well-being, for it is no less important eventually apply the acquired filtration techologies and initiate the filtration process. They face harsh weather conditions while doing their job. We demand that our technicians be aware of the fact that a leaking filter and

IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless otherwise referenced, the images used in this article are copyright of the author.

Dr Iyad Al-Attar is an Air Filtration Consultant. He can be contacted at: iyad@iyadalattar.com