CCME June 2013

Face-to-face with Tom Watson, ASHRAE President p46 NEWS – 1st ME IEQ Conference breaks new ground p6 |

Rhoss launches ME operations p8 | shecco releases guide on natural refrigerants p24 |

EMICOOL receives

CSR label p16

FOCUS: Air moving equipment p42

www.climatecontrolme.com

PERSPECTIVE: Achieving efficient data centre cooling p54 | Advanced compressor design for commercial applications with CO 2 p58 | Jean-Christophe Carette on the importance of practical training for hydronic distribution p48

PLUS: ASHRAE Update, Marketplace, Comings&Goings

JUNE 2013

DR FABRIZIO ROSSI Managing Director IRSAP Group

H.H. SHEIKH NAIF BIN SUHAIM AL THANI

DR GEORGE MARCUS CEO / PARTNER, Consortium Trading and Contracting Co.

A NEW BRAND OF COOL AIR HITS THE MIDDLE EAST!

For more information, contact Consortium Trading and Contracting Co. | Exclusive distributor for RHOSS HVAC products Tel. +974 44583126 | GSM: +974 33079526 | Fax: +974 44582911 | Email: Shahalam.Rhoss@ec-uae.com

Face-to-face with Tom Watson, ASHRAE President p46 NEWS – 1st me ieQ conference breaks new ground p6 |

rhoss launches me operations p8 | shecco releases guide on natural refrigerants p24 |

emicool receives

csr label p16

FOCUS: Air moving equipment p42

www.climatecontrolme.com

PERSPECTIVE: achieving efficient data centre cooling p54 | advanced compressor design for commercial applications with co 2 p58 | Jean-christophe carette on the importance of practical training for hydronic distribution p48

PLUS: ASHRAE Update, Marketplace, Comings&Goings

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Vol. 8 No. 6 | JUNE 2013 04 FROM THE EDITOR

contents

The labyrinthian exertions against temperature abuse

HAPPENINGS

06 The region 22 At large 32 Marketplace

36 EVENT REPORT Vox populi

Recommendations from the participants and delegates at the 1st Annual Middle East VRF Conference revealed an intensified call for the formation of a regional industry association and transparency via third-party certification.

42 FOCUS

Clearing a higher bar In the light of a growing concern over Indoor Environmental Quality and energy efficiency, air moving equipment manufacturers are ramping up technologies to meet the demands of an increasingly discerning market.

PERSPECTIVE

54 Achieving efficient data centre cooling As a result of increased IT performance and density of electronic equipment, data centres are becoming more difficult to cool. Blanca Beato Arribas suggests ways to obviate the challenges while working within stipulated parameters of cooling.

56 Throwing the spotlight on data centres Olivier Delépine throws light on cooling and air filtration from the points of view of energy efficiency and reliability.

58 Advanced compressor design for commercial applications with CO2

Oliver Javerschek and Dr Günter Dittrich offer an overview of applied standards and a brief introduction to compressor design strategies for compressors for trans-critical applications.

46

A ready reference for district cooling

ASHRAE’S first global District Cooling and Heating Design Manual, exclusively funded and sponsored by UAE-based Empower, has received the stamp of approval by experts.

B Surendar speaks to Thomas Watson, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member and 2012-13 ASHRAE President, to get an insider’s view on the document and its implications to the sector.

48

Get your hands dirty

Arguing that theoretical knowledge cannot compare with practical experience, which helps deal with unexpected challenges, Jean-Christophe Carette stresses the importance of practical training for hydronic distribution.

SpoTLIGHT QATAR

50

Summer and beyond

51

PQ picks up pace

Aided by the anticipation of a slew of construction-related projects in the peninsula, the 10th edition of Project Qatar achieves the distinction of being the busiest show yet

Hassan Sultan, the President of the Qatar Oryx Chapter of ASHRAE, in a free-wheeling interview with B Surendar, on the activities planned for the year and on issues related to IEQ and district cooling…

June 2013

www.climatecontrolme.com

3

from the

editor Publisher Dominic De Sousa

T

THE LAByRInTHIAn ExERTIonS AGAInST TEMpERATuRE ABuSE

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

he Dubai’s infrastructure marvels are often quoted in travel books around the world, but equally impressive is the emirate’s bedrock of regulation and enforcement covering some critical sectors. Take the Dubai Food Code, for example. Introduced in the public domain in April, the Code has set about demystifying the emirate’s guiding principles on food safety and articulating the specifics that all food establishments operating in Dubai need to follow.

As would be expected, the Code, the result of years of sustained contemplation, study and action, talks at length about temperature control and on how to prevent temperature abuse of food. It also talks of the importance of proper ventilation and indoor air quality in ensuring food safety.

If district cooling operators have nightmares about a legionella outbreak through ill-maintained cooling towers, so do hygiene managers at hotels and restaurants about microbial growth. Theirs is a constant vigilance to arrest the multiplication of micro-organisms in meat, seafood and cut fruit, to name three.

The extent of their concern, bordering on paranoia, as it well ought to be, came to light at the recently concluded fourth edition of the Food Chain conference in Dubai. At the same time, it was obvious at the conference that while hygiene managers might be vigilant, the same could not be said of all the links in the cold chain. The stakeholders at the conference acknowledged that temperature abuse did occur at various stages, be it while storing food in warehouses, loading or unloading them or while transporting them over short or long distances. Much in the same way, temperature abuse occurred at convenience stores, where cost-conscious owners instructed their personnel to switch the refrigeration off late in the night, leading to contamination of frozen meat, say.

While the situations call for the need for a better food safety culture and education among all food handlers, there is an urgent need for all-encompassing cold chain legislation, as the next logical step to releasing the Code. And as a further step, there is a need for empowering food safety inspectors with enhanced knowledge on the behaviour of refrigeration equipment, so they are able to enforce the rules and to better spot and book offenders. In transport refrigeration, for instance, enlightened inspectors would be quickly able to zero in on stacking malpractices, which prevent adequate air flow to the entire consignment, leading to spot contamination. Nothing could be scarier than a false sense of security that the meat (say) being transported is in pristine condition when it clearly is not.

Dubai’s strength has been in overcoming the common tendency of half-measures, and in food safety, as well, the emirate will surely not rest till it pins down even the prospect of violations.

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

B Surendar

45130 Essen - Emmastrasse 44 Tel: +49 (0)201-779861 Fax: +49 (0)201-781741 Andreas Sicking 59872 Freienohl - Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 16 Tel: +49 (0)2903-3385-70 Fax: +49 (0)2903-3385-82

Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle East early!

Did you know that Climate Control Middle East is also available electronically? Get a digitised copy of the magazine every month, before the issue goes for print! As a bonus, the digital version includes such features as a keyword search, annotation, highlight, note-making and hot links. For more details, please access www.cpi-industry.com/digital

Face-to-face with Tom Watson, ASHRAE President p46 www.climatecontrolm e.com NEWS – 1st ME PERSPECTIVE: Achievin Conference g efficient data centre Rhoss launchesIEQ new ground p6 | cooling p54 | Advance ME operationsbreaks d compressor design shecco releases guide p8 | EMICOOL receives for commercial on natural refrigerants p24 | CSR label Jean-Christopheapplications with CO2 p58 | p16 practical trainingCarette on the importance of for hydronic distributi on p48 PLUS: ASHRAE Update, Marketplace, Comings &Goings

FOCUS: Air moving equipment p42

Qatar on a

r ll

Visit us at booth No.

Also available at WWW.ISSuu.CoM/CpI-InDuSTRy

4

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Published by

JUNE 2013

The projected $100 bn government spending on infrastructure, in view of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, bodes well for the HVACR industry

INSIDE: CHILL OUR

sicking-media@email.de • www.sicking.de

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

F18

HALF-YEARLY SUPPLEM

ENT ON DISTRIC

T COOLING

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

US$15

© Copyright 2013 CPI. All rights reserved.

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

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happenings the region

1st Annual ME IEQ Conference breaks new ground

Discussions at the first-ever dedicated and focused regional conference on IEQ from an HVAC perspective called for a greater collaboration among different stakeholders to address the critical issue of indoor environmental quality

T

he 1st Annual Middle East Indoor Environmental Quality Conference, organised and conducted by CPI Industry, the publishers of Climate Control Middle East magazine, attracted participation from key personalities from government and quasi-government entities, as well as from facilities management experts, endusers, contractors, consultants, master developers, technology solutions providers and healthcare and hospitality professionals. Conducted on the 12th and 13th of May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event was inaugurated by H.E. Eng. Essa Al Maidoor, the DirectorGeneral of the Dubai Health Authority.

In his inauguration address, Al Maidoor said: “The quality of air influences the future of human health and the evolution of human life. All parties have to be involved, and coordination among different stakeholders is needed.” In addition, he encouraged the government and private sectors alike to adopt sustainable and green initiatives in all aspects of their daily operations.

In his plenary address, Dr Tawfik A M Khoja, Director-General, Executive Board, Health Ministers' Council for the Cooperation Council States, said that an environmental management system was important to mitigate the effects of the operation of healthcare 6

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 speaks to Phil Whitaker at the Camfil stand

facilities, as they generate hazardous and non-hazardous wastes.

Speaking against the backdrop of the Dubai Municipality’s upcoming projects related to IEQ, Eng Redha Salman, Director of Public Health and Safety Department, Dubai Municipality, said that DM would be conducting routine inspections, awareness campaigns and accreditation of more IEQ test laboratories. He also spoke of how the green building regulations, co-issued

by Dubai Municipality, would become mandatory by 2014,

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

which would force buildings in the emirate to comply with strict IEQ requirements.

Other topics covered on Day 1 of the event included the importance of filter performance; mould remediation, duct cleaning and maintenance; and technologies presently on offer relevant to IEQ, such as fabric ducting and diffuser systems, non-fibrous acoustic duct liners, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and radiant cooling systems.

Some of the speakers who presented on the first day of the conference were Philip Whitaker, Regional President,

Camfil Farr Middle East; Tawfiq Attari, Global Sales and Technical Director, DuctSox and James Day, Managing Director, Smashing Cleaning Services.

The array of Day 1 presenters also included Ghaleb Abusaa, CEO of The Three Factors Company (en3 Solutions); Stephanie Ayers, Marketing Manager of Evonik Industries; Michael Walrath, Commercial Product Sales Manager, Fresh-Air UV and Sebastian Foerster, Business Development Manager, REHAU FZE Middle East.

Day 1 was chaired by Mario Seneviratne, LEED Fellow and USGBC Leed Faculty, and Director of Green Technologies.

The second day of the event saw discussions and presentations on the role of civil engineering in IEQ; air filtration; humidification and dehumidification; IEQ in schools; acoustics and vibration; LEED aspects of IEQ and ASHRAE perspective on IEQ. Nabil Siyam, Civil Engineering Division, Department of Planning & Development, Trakhees, emphasised on the importance of ensuring the air-tightness of facilities and of the installation of air flow barriers to reduce energy use and eliminate moisture and condensation. He also pointed out that tailoring parameters to project requirements was of utmost essence to guarantee that designs are applicable and doable.

International air filtration consultant, Dr Iyad Al Attar advocated that air filtration should be considered as a separate segment in HVAC systems and not simply an accessory. Throwing the spotlight on the importance of real-time testing of air filters, Al Attar said that filters might perform differently from what laboratory test results could show and that it was

Continued on page 8 >>

happenings the region

1st Annual ME IEQ Conference breaks ground (from page 6) fundamental to ascertain the physical and chemical characteristics of dusts.

Presenters on Day 2 of the conference also included George Berbari, CEO of DC PRO Engineering; Christopher Rajamani, Technical and Business Development Manager, Al Hoty-Stanger Laboratories; Paul Schwarz, Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Engineering Society; and Gordon Sharp, an ASHRAEDistinguished Lecturer and the Founder and Chairman of Aircuity.

Among the other speakers on the day were Sanjiv Sachdeva, Managing Director, Gulf Engineering System Solutions; Eman Al Madani, CSR Executive, Dubai Chamber of Commerce

and Industry; Reniel Barroso, Project Manager, Engineering & Energy, Green Technologies; Ahmed Hussein, Director, Facilities Operation Department of du and Timothy Eorgan, Product Manager of Duct Sealants and Adhesives, Carlisle HVAC Products.

The second day was moderated by George Kenich, Head of Infrastructure and MEP, Aldar Properties.

The conference also had a display track to it, where exhibitors of IEQ equipment had an opportunity to make live demonstrations and where end-users highlighted the IEQ measures they had deployed in their facilities.

Please turn to page 40 for a related photo feature

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Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Engineering

Energy

Environment

Rhoss officially launches operations in the Middle East Conducts a seminar on the company’s history and products on offer

R

hoss, the Italybased manufacturer of air conditioning and air handling products and systems, on May 29 officially launched its Middle East operations with the inauguration of Rhoss Gulf, at an event held at the Atlantis Ballroom B of the Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai.

In his inaugural address, Vincent Rozario, Managing Director, Rhoss Gulf, said that the company would predominantly cater to the GCC market and that it would be focused on the energy efficiency of its products and R&D, and would seek to offer HVAC solutions that provide better human comfort at affordable prices.

Dr Fabrizio Rossi, Managing Director and Shareholder of Rhoss, introduced the IRSAP Group, the parent company of Rhoss, and briefly spoke about some of its products, including radiators, chiller units, heat pumps, AHUs and radiant cooling systems. Commenting on Rhoss’ expansion, Rossi said that his company considered the Middle East a very promising and a very strategic market.

In a short seminar that ensued, a panel of speakers from Rhoss and partner companies presented on the company’s line of products, several international references and the latest trends in energy efficiency in ventilation systems and IAQ. The panel comprised Michele Scarpa, Area Manager, Middle East and Europe; Matteo Janes, Key Account Manager; Micaela

Dr Fabrizio Rossi

Vincent Rozario

Ranieri, Marketing Manager; Fred Guillo, Export Manager, Eminent Air and Dr Alan Tonon, Technical Manager, Labiotest.

Rhoss Gulf is part of the Al Shafar Group of Companies.

On May 27, Consortium Trading and Contracting Co also launched its official distribution of Rhoss Gulf’s HVAC products, at an event held at the Al Sonbok Ballroom of Sharq Village and Spa. The event was under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Naif Bin Suhaim Al Thani.

速

happenings the region

CE marking for Hira insulation products

Quality assurance helps meet long-term commitment to European distributors

H

ira Industries, manufacturer of technical insulation materials, has announced that it has received the CE mark for Aerofoam, its insulation range, after meeting quality requirements. It was the first insulation company from the Middle East to comply with the new legal requirement, earning it the CE mark – the hallmark of strict monitoring

of quality and testing regulations, it claimed.

The company revealed that it had invested heavily in 2011 in a new factory for closed-cell foam insulation and began its exports to Europe in 2012.

According to Hira, starting

2013, it reportedly became illegal to sell non-CE marked insulation materials to any country from the EU. Therefore, in order to develop the Aerofoam brand further in Europe, it obtained the CE mark for the product in April 2013, paving the way for a smooth transition to the new legal environment, in order to meet its long-term commitment to its European distributors. The company said

that it had further investment plans in certificates required by the European countries to ensure development of its products in a potentially big market.

Dubbing it as the “passport for products used for the entire European Economic Area (EEA)”, the company highlighted the implications of the CE marking: By definition, it covers all legal requirements prevailing in all member states. When the CE mark is applied to a product and/ or accompanying documents, it indicates conformity with the harmonised part of the European Standard (EN) or European Technical Approval Guideline (ETAG). This means that the product can be traded all over the European Union.

Breezair expands base in uAE

ClimaGulf appointed master distributor in the GCC region

B

reezair has announced winning a slew of major projects in a range of new application areas across the UAE, signalling its programme of regional expansion.

Among the key deals that the brand has clinched are the installation of Breezair evaporative air conditioning systems at VOLGA-Dneper Commercial Hangar in Sharjah Airport, RTA vehicle testing centres of TAMAM-Al Ghandi, Wasel vehicle testing centres owned by Saif Belhasa Group, RAK Ceramic’s production area and large commercial kitchens for a hospitality company in

10

Breezair on a factory roof in Dubai Sabu Abraham

Ruwais, the announcement revealed.

According to Breezair, its systems are exclusively distributed by ClimaGulf, which has been appointed the master distributor in the GCC region by Australia’s Seeley International, manufacturer of Breezair. As part of its regional growth strategy, ClimaGulf has reportedly forged an alliance with Muscat Electronics to promote the brand across the Sultanate of Oman.

In this context, Sabu Abraham, Managing Director, ClimaGulf, forecasting exponential growth over the next five years in the region, claimed that his company aimed

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Breezair at a vehicle testing centre in Dubai

to be the market leader with 20% market share of the branded evaporative cooling systems in the entire GCC region.

Binod Pillai, General Manager, ClimaGulf, added, “Breezair’s entry

into new sectors in the UAE represent a milestone for ClimaGulf, and reflects a recognition of air cooling systems being complementary to air conditioning and a viable option in the market.”

happenings the region

Alfa Laval conducts seminar on refrigeration Presents its growth strategy and latest products

A

lfa Laval, on May 7, conducted a technical seminar on refrigeration at the Holiday Inn Al Barsha, Dubai.

The company’s history, growth strategy and recent developments in its products were the topics touched upon.

Waseem Ahmed, Country Manager for Pakistan and Regional Manager for EQD & MDD, and Siraj Nettikkadan, Market Unit Manager for Refrigeration, Equipment Division, made a brief presentation on the company’s growth strategy, laying emphasis on Alfa Laval’s efforts to work through channels. They highlighted that the company was looking to add more channels and to grow with the existing channels.

Making a presentation on semi-welded plate heat

Tommy Ångbäck

Siraj Nettikkadan

exchanger (PHE) in NH3 refrigeration system, Tommy Ångbäck, Business Unit Manager for Refrigeration, pointed out that the PHEs could achieve a high COP factor, had high pressure and temperature fatigue resistance, were not damaged by freezing, and provided heat recovery

and condensing in one unit.

He also gave information on semi-welded PHE in NH3/ CO2 cascade systems. In his presentation, Ångbäck pointed out that since an internal leakage resulting in the mixing of NH3 and CO2 would result in a “disaster”, using semi-welded units in

Hörmann Middle East opens new office in Qatar Expands presence in region

H

örmann Middle East, the industrial, commercial and residential door manufacturer, has expanded its presence in the region with the opening of a new office in Doha, the second office in the region after its regional headquarters and assembly plant in the UAE.

12

Darius Khanloo

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

The company claimed that it had installed doors and related products like dock levellers, decotherm and roller shutters in Qatar for clients like the College of Media and Communication, Turkish Embassy in Doha, Jaidha Square, Epic for Berth and Port Infrastructure in Ras Laffan, Energy center at Pearl Qatar, Metal Research Weil Cornell Medical College Doha, Al Kissa Villa, Logistics Village Phase 2, Nakilat Phase 4A and Ras Laffan Port extension.

With regard to the company’s presence in Qatar, Darius Khanloo, Managing Director of

cascade systems would prove advantageous because leakages would only be external and would preclude the chances of NH3 and CO2 mixing with each other.

Another product he covered in his presentation was the U-turn NH3 liquid separator, especially designed for use with plate heat exchangers in ammonia applications. U-turn, he said, ensured efficient separation owing to different separation methods, including agglomeration, gravity separation, and centrifugal forces. He revealed that throughout the separation process, the surface tension would keep the liquid droplets trapped to the wall of the device.

Andrea Martini, ABC – Market and Business Support, gave a presentation on industrial air applications and products, commercial air products and outdoor air products. Some of the applications of air products mentioned in his presentation included cold storages, meat and fish refrigeration, and fruit and vegetable refrigeration.

Hörmann Middle East, said: “We are excited to open our new office in Qatar, which is a market we have been serving for several years now. We currently have a sizeable share of the Middle East market and now, with a direct office in Qatar, we hope to strengthen our presence. In Qatar, we have undertaken many prestigious projects till date and now, with the country gearing up for major projects and events like FIFA World Cup, we see great potential for our products. We have also obtained approval from Qatar Civil Defense for our fire-rated steel doors.”

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happenings the region

Food Chain Dubai 2013 closes on a stellar note

The conference threw the spotlight on the new Dubai Food Code, crucial issues in maintaining temperature throughout the cold chain, and on the importance of training and enhanced end-user participation

F

ood Chain Dubai 2013, held on the 22nd and 23rd of May at the Constellation Ballroom of The Address Dubai Marina Hotel, attracted participation from senior Government officials, industry leaders and technical experts, as well as from key decision-makers and representatives from farms, hypermarkets, supermarkets, restaurants, malls, hospitals, and food safety and consumer groups.

In his inauguration address, H.E. Eng. Saif Mohamed Al Shara, Acting Undersecretary, The Agricultural Affairs and Animal Sector of the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, highlighted the efforts of the federal and local government bodies in the UAE to formulate and make available laws and legislation to ensure the safety of food and to educate a wider range of consumers regarding the importance of food safety.

Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of the Consumer Protection Department, Ministry of Economy, discussed some of the provisions contained in the handbooks on Consumer Rights and Responsibilities and on Federal Law No. 24 – on consumer protection.

Asia Abdulwahab Al Raeesi, Head of Studies and Food Planning Section, Food Control Department of Dubai Municipality, spoke about Dubai Municipality's recent food safety initiatives and future programmes, giving emphasis on the Dubai Food 14

Jamie Ferguson

H.E. Eng Saif Mohamed Al Shara

Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi

Asia Abdulwahab Al Raeesi

Code, released in April 2013, and the Food Safety Clinic, a specialised programme geared towards the improvement of the performance of establishments that have a long history of noncompliance.

Other important topics covered on Day 1 of the event included developing a food safety culture; challenges in maintaining the cold chain and possible transport

refrigeration solutions for each; international legislation and regulations in transport refrigeration; remote monitoring and management of commercial refrigeration equipment; cold chain management best practices in warehouses; mould remediation, duct cleaning and maintenance from a food safety perspective and the critical importance of proper training for food handlers.

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Completing the array of speakers who presented on Day 1 were Prakash Krishnamoorthy, Sales Manager (Middle East), Carrier Transicold Europe – Gulf Office; Andre Stumpf, Technical Expert and Sustainability Manager of Carrier Transicold; Muhammed Ali Shah, Supply Chain Manager, Global Shipping & Logistics; James Day, Managing Director, Smashing! Cleaning Services; Ghaleb Abusaa, CEO, The Three Factors Company (en3 Solutions); Rafiq Al Khatib, Managing Director, rmk-the experts and Abdul Rashid, CEO, Pillsbury Consulting.

Day 1 was chaired by Richard Sprenger, Chairman, Highfield Middle East and Asia Awarding Body for Compliance.

The second day of the event saw presentations from senior officials of Dubai Municipality and a live consulting session on common design, installation and O&M challenges faced by food establishments. The session saw participation from a panel of refrigeration experts, consultants and maintenance service providers.

Sultan Ali Al Taher, Head of the Food Inspection Section, Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality, presented on some parameters for restaurants, catering units, hotels and convenience stores to prevent temperature abuse. He highlighted that items sold as cooked food should be prepared at a required minimum internal temperature of 75°C. He also said that thermometers should be regularly calibrated to ensure accuracy.

Bobby Krishna, Principal Food Studies and Surveys Officer, Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality, extensively spoke about Dubai food safety regulations and initiatives contained in the new Dubai Food Code.

Continued on page 16 >>

Phone: +971 4 8159 300 | Email: info@daikinmcquayme.com | Website: www.daikinme.com

happenings the region

EMICOOL receives CSR Label

Recognised for green initiatives and efforts to reduce wastage and CO2 emissions

E

mirates District Cooling (EMICOOL), has been awarded the Dubai Chamber Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Label, a standards certification instituted by the Centre for Responsible Business under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). Announcing this, EMICOOL said that the citation was received by Adib Moubadder, General Manager, EMICOOL, from His Excellency Hamad Buamim, Director General, DCCI, at a ceremony held recently.

Established in 2010, the CSR Label acknowledges corporate entities for their progressive approach to four impact areas – the workplace, marketplace, community and environment, the announcement added.

EMICOOL claimed that it had consistently endeavoured to establish a sustainable system of operations across its divisions, and had partnered with entities to encourage community building and development, which included their sponsorship of Feelings 2012, a youth-based community initiative, and the

Adib Moubadder (L), Managing Director at EMICOOL receives the Dubai Chamber CSR Label certification from H.E. Hamad Buamim

Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, as well as actively sponsoring the Dubai Autism Centre.

On the environment front, it had endeavoured to reduce wastage and carbon emissions by using energy-efficient district cooling equipment and supported ongoing green initiatives, such as the Dubai Police Academy’s

“One Million” trees project, EMICOOL revealed.

In this context, Moubadder said: “The commercial roadmap of Dubai is closely linked to the city’s ambition of setting a global example in sustainable and responsible living. Dubai Chamber’s extensive process of benchmarking corporates based on international

standards encourages companies to align themselves with such goals for collective development.

We are pleased to be recognised for our efforts in this respect, and hope to double our impact in the future.”

Speaking exclusively to Climate Control Middle East, Moubadder, commenting on what receiving the award meant for EMICCOL, said: “Receiving a prestigious award, such as the CSR label, is of utmost importance to EMICOOL. It reflects our unwavering commitment to operating our business responsibly through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and practices we adhere to in our daily operation. Furthermore, acquiring the CSR label has improved our business stature and helped us in assessing our existing CSR initiatives that led us to devising strategic plans for the improvement of our policies and management practices parallel to the constructive recommendations we receive from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.”

Food Chain Dubai 2013 closes on a stellar note (from page 14) In his presentation, he said that the new Code contained provisions on proper ventilation, sickness reporting, training of food handlers, management of allergens and on raw readyto-eat food of animal origin.

Safwan Saifuddin Altikarli, Food Planning & Studies Specialist, Food Control Department of Dubai

16

Municipality and Muhammad Altaf, Senior Animal Product Hygiene Officer, Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality, talked about the food trade control and labelling system and temperature-control parameters in warehouses, hypermarkets and supermarkets, respectively.

The expert panel in the

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

live consulting session comprised Abusaa, Day and Steven PakenhamWalsh, Consulting Engineer, Seventeen FZE. Speakers on Day 2, included Jamie Ferguson, Regional Manager (MENA), Meat and Livestock Australia; Michael Wunsch, Managing Director of Barakat Quality Plus; Dr Suheel Ahmed,

CEO of Arabian Farms Development Co and Bjorn Ostbye, Project Development Manager, EMKE Group (Lulu Hypermarkets).

The second day of the event was chaired by Dr Joanne Taylor, Training and Research Director, TSI Ltd. Please turn to page 41 for a related photo feature

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happenings the region

DEWA launches Carbon Footprint campaign

Encourages responsible energy consumption among users

D

ubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched a Carbon Footprint campaign to support the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative to foster sustainable living across the Emirate.

According to DEWA, the rising energy consumption is one of the leading factors in carbon emissions, which causes damage to the planet by increasing global temperatures and causing sea levels to rise.

Reflecting DEWA’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural resources, the new campaign seeks to raise awareness about responsible energy consumption and minimising excess energy use, while encouraging environmental best practices and reducing carbon emissions.

DEWA claimed that conservation and environmental protection have become a key part of its corporate culture, and that it seeks to share these values

with its customers.

DEWA explained the finer points of the campaign: As part of the campaign, it will list facts and figures about how much carbon emissions each customer’s monthly energy usage generates, as it wants to encourage customers to reduce their carbon footprint in line with the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which aims to reduce demand for energy by 30% in 2030. The objective is to inculcate the practice of reducing electricity

consumption and using green products, such as energyefficient light bulbs and ecofriendly appliances.

In this context, H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, said: “Every year, DEWA launches a range of initiatives to foster sustainable development across Dubai, while enhancing the emirate’s standing as an international example for conservation and environmental protection.

DEWA works with diverse sectors and communities to raise environmental awareness and identify effective solutions to the problem of global warming. The Carbon Footprint campaign is vital to the reduction of carbon emissions by educating our customers on responsible electricity consumption – contributing to a brighter, greener future.”

Port-A-Cool presents line of evaporative cooling units

Says units provide spot cooling where setting up AC systems is impractical

P

ort-A-Cool, US-based manufacturer of portable evaporative cooling units, on May 6 conducted a short seminar on its line of evaporative cooling units at the Arjaan Office Towers, Dubai, UAE. The short presentation was made by Ben Wulf, Vice President for Marketing and International Sales of the company.

After briefly speaking about the company’s history and profile, Wulf pointed out several advantages of using evaporative cooling. He emphasised that evaporative cooling units could reduce temperature and did not use any refrigerant, making it environmentally friendly. He said that the units only used AED 4 a day, at an average, 18

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Ben Wulf

and did not require any assembly. The units were durable and portable, he added.

Speaking of the most salient advantage of evaporative cooling units, Wulf commented: “Our units provide spot cooling where setting up air conditioning units is impractical. These units are designed to cool a spot, and not a whole area.”

happenings the region

DM's Bobby Krishna wins NSF International award Recognised for contributions in establishing risk-based approach to food safety in Dubai

Gina Nicholson, NSF Global Client Director of Retail Food Services; Jason Hofman (winner), Senior Quality Assurance Manager at Michigan Turkey Producers (accepted the award on behalf of Michigan Turkey Producers); Debby L Newslow (winner), President of DL Newslow & Associates, Inc and Bobby Krishna (winner), Principal Food Studies Officer of the Food Control Department at the Dubai Municipality

B

obby Krishna, Principal Food Studies Officer, Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality, has won the Leadership Trendsetter Award from NSF International.

While bestowing the honour, NSF International described Krishna as “influential in making food safety science more accessible to the food industry in the Middle East and India.”

The citation said: “He has opened channels of communication, created important resources for food safety practitioners and helped generate interest and scientific, reasoned debate on food safety best practices.

He forged partnerships with international organisations to 20

help the Dubai Municipality and the region connect with the rest of the food safety world.

“Krishna made significant contributions to establishing a risk-based approach to food safety in Dubai. He was instrumental in collaborating with WHO and with the CDC to set up a food-borne disease surveillance and outbreak investigation system, which is now being implemented throughout the UAE. He played a major role in developing the Person-inCharge personnel certification programme, which trains food safety handlers and managers.

The programme is ISO 17024-compliant and features customised training and materials, including a food

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

safety handbook published in the three most popular languages in Dubai.

“He is the main driving force behind the annual Dubai International Food Safety Conference, which attracts 1,500 food safety professionals. The event has made Dubai the centre of food safety activity in the region, helping it establish partnerships with food safety organisations and connect with regulatory agencies, academia and food industry professionals worldwide.”

Lauding Krishna’s achievements, Peter Bracher, Managing Director of the Global Food Division, AsiaPacific Region, at NSF International, said: “Bobby is dedicated to improving food

safety and is well respected in the food safety and enforcement sector in the Gulf region. His work has increased the awareness of practical food safety measures among quality control professionals throughout the region, and our auditors have seen improvements in food safety awareness that can be attributed to his work.”

Krishna runs the website www.foodsafe.ae to educate families and businesses on food safety. He created an online discussion group, the Food Safety Clinic, to spread information on topical food safety issues and to link the Food Department of Dubai Municipality to the food industry. The group is claimed to serve as a forum for interaction, discussion and networking for 950 food safety professionals.

He is working with the Food Safety Commissioner’s office in the southern Indian state of Kerala to set up a food inspection and grading system using the food safety handbook he wrote in Malayalam as a model.

NSF International, a global public health and safety organisation that provides expertise and accredited services across all food supply chain sectors, from agriculture, produce, processing, distribution and dairy to seafood, retail and restaurants, presented the 2013 NSF Food Safety Leadership Awards on May 2, during the 2013 Food Safety Summit held at the Baltimore Convention Center, USA. According to NSF, the awards recognise individuals and organisations for real and lasting impacts on food safety, and this year marked the tenth anniversary of the awards programme, which it created in 2004.

MDG Carbon and DCCE register projects

Expect to reduce 1.3 million tonnes of CO2

O

ver the course of 2012, MDG Carbon, UNDP’s innovative corporate carbon finance programme aimed at harnessing the resources of the carbon market to bring long-term sustainable development to developing countries, cemented its collaboration with the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE), which offers advisory and carbon aggregation services, by registering five Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in the UAE. Announcing this in a joint communiqué, the two entities listed the five new CDM projects, which reportedly serve to double UAE’s existing CDM project portfolio: • An initiative undertaken in conjunction with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to improve the energy efficiency of power generation in Dubai • Industrial energy efficiency measures in conjunction with Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) • Waste heat recovery in the Union Cement Company plant in Ras Al Khaimah • The distribution of almost 800,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) free of charge to residents of highdensity Dubai suburbs • The construction and operation of Dubai’s first solar photovoltaic power plant, paving the way for installation of a further 400MW of gridconnected solar power

Together, the five projects are expected, over the 10-year CDM crediting periods, to reduce a total of 1.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to approximately two per cent of Dubai’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Marcel Alers, Manager of MDG Carbon, commented: “UNDP’s collaboration with the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence has been extremely productive. In successfully registering five CDM projects, we are demonstrating that climate change mitigation need not be a cost and a brake on growth,

but can actually represent a successful business model that delivers important development co-benefits.”

Waleed Salman, Chairman of DCCE, added: “The registration of these first Dubai-based CDM projects can be seen as a milestone in the low-carbon development of the emirate, and is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as outlined in His Highness’ 'Green Economy for Sustainable Development’ initiative.”

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happenings at large

Dates for Fenestration Australia 2013 announced October event broadens scope to include representation from all sectors under its banner

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or the first time ever, The Australian Window Association (AWA) will join forces with other industry associations to host the Fenestration Australia 2013 exhibition and conference in Canberra from October 3 to 5. Announcing this in a press release, the event organisers said that the Window Film Association of Australia and New Zealand (WFAANZ), Skylight Industry Association (SIA) and Australian Institute of Surface Finishing (AISF) will work with the AWA to create a breakthrough industry

event this year, with early bird registrations beginning in early May. According to the organisers, a series of business sessions,

presentations, workshops and social functions relevant to all stakeholders will be featured within the threeday programme, and the

DuPont-commissioned report released Addresses development of sustainable energy for a growing China

D

uPont has announced publishing a report on the challenges and opportunities to secure China’s energy future at the SNEC 7th International Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition. Written in collaboration with Fortune magazine’s Content Marketing and Strategies Group, the report is said to examine China’s increasing demand for energy, the key challenges for the Chinese energy sector, the government’s energy strategy, that includes conservation and the sustainable exploitation of energy sources, such as fossil fuels, hydro, nuclear

22

communities and private and key renewables like sectors, DuPont revealed. solar. The report explains China’s GDP is expected how DuPont is working with government and private-sector partners in China to help develop sustainable energy solutions, the company claimed.

The report points out that sciencebased innovation will help make China’s SuStainable energy consumption of for a valuable energy growing chin a resources more How AdvAnced Science cAn Help Secure tHe cou ntry’S energy future efficient and spur development of viable, sustainable energy solutions that require collaboration between scientists and policymakers,

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

IN PartNershIP

wIth:

exhibition and AWA Design Awards have been expanded to include representation from all sectors under the fenestration banner.

Gary Smith, AWA Marketing Manager, commented about the event: “Prevailing trends in architecture, design and building sustainability place an unprecedented focus on the fenestration industry.

Previously disparate sides of the industry were being called on to work together all the time. It seemed a logical step to invite the window film, skylight and surface finishing sectors to participate in Fenestration Australia 2013, so we could offer the most comprehensive event possible.... By broadening the scope of the programme, the conference will become a source of information, training and networking opportunities that previously did not exist for our industry.”

to quintuple between now and 2050, creating extraordinary growth in energy consumption and reshaping international energy markets, according to the International Monetary Fund, and this is likely to boost energy prices and stimulate scientific innovation across the global energy sector, the report highlighted.

“DuPont has been using science and collaborative problemsolving to improve the quality of lives for more than two centuries,” said DuPont Greater China President Tony Su. “We look forward to helping China deploy energy technologies that will underpin the health, safety and prosperity of its citizens for decades to come.”

happenings at large

shecco releases guide on natural refrigerants

Report confirms North American cold chain and industrial refrigeration sector favours ammonia

C

ombining results from a survey of over 550 leading refrigeration system suppliers and industry experts, with an analysis of natural refrigerant use across Canada and the United States, market development company shecco has evaluated the use of natural refrigerants, including ammonia, in the latest industry report, “GUIDE 2013: Natural Refrigerants – Market Growth for North America”. Announcing this in a news release, shecco said that the Guide put forward evidence that climatefriendly refrigerants, carbon dioxide, ammonia, the group of hydrocarbons, water and air were viable alternatives in many heating, cooling and

refrigeration applications. shecco pointed out that several case studies made it clear that a wide range of applications where ammonia was being used today, including in cold stores and supermarkets, showed a preliminary energy advantage of over 30%, compared to a conventional fluorinated system. shecco highlighted the following findings based

ISO Certification for McCrometer Stamp of approval for FPI Mag and Ultra Mag Flow Meters

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cCrometer, provider of steam and gas flow measurement solutions, has obtained ISO 9001:2008 certification from the International Standards Organization (ISO) for FPI Mag and Ultra Mag Flow Meters, after TUV review. Announcing this, the company said that the ISO Certification meant that the FPI Mag Flow Meter, the Ultra Mag Flow Meter and MX Ultra Mag Flow Meter were manufactured consistently based on

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Climate Control Middle East June 2013

on real-life examples of successfully working natural refrigerant technologies: • CO2/ammonia brine system lowers monthly energy consumption of distribution centre • First all-natural supermarket relies on low refrigerant charge ammonia/CO2 • More efficient hot water delivery is possible with ammonia heat pump than from natural gas hot water heater • A wide variety of enduses are covered by ammonia shecco also drew attention to a few of the high points of the Guide saying that the unique ecosystem diagrams provide a visual representation of natural refrigerant end-uses in North America today. In addition, the concrete examples of ammonia enduses show the wide range of applications suitable for ammonia refrigeration. In

predetermined requirements compliant with international standards.

Benefits to ISO compliance include enhanced customer satisfaction through improved quality processes, reliability that the approved processes are regularly audited, environmental friendliness and recognition and acceptance for service in countries around the world, the company added.

McCrometer claimed that the FPI Mag Flow Meter was the industry’s only hot tap full profile insertion flow meter available on the market and that Ultra Mag Flow Meters were non-invasive, with a no-moving-parts electromagnetic sensing instrument designed for inline installation.

the “Food Chain” section, Baltimore-based Northeast Foods, which supplies McDonald’s with most of their hamburger buns, is cited as an example of natural refrigerant use in the food processing, storage and distribution sector. In the “City and Buildings” section, the world’s largest interconnected district cooling system in Chicago is said to combine ammonia chillers, ice tanks, and river water chillers to provide cooling for air conditioning in buildings.

Examples of ammonia use in construction, mine air conditioning, ice rinks and bobsled tracks are also cited.

“North America presents a clear opportunity for natural refrigerant solution providers, but still remains a market of largely untapped potential," said Nina Masson, shecco Head of Market Research.

"As business choices have become harder, this Guide puts forward evidence that natural refrigerants are viable options for a growing share of applications, but also draws attention to the challenges lying ahead.”

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happenings at large

IEA-REtD releases report

Throws light on communication best practices for renewable energy

I

EA-RETD has announced the release of a report providing best practice for renewable energy communication campaigns, after commissioning the scoping study with the objective of providing ideas, techniques and case studies on how the benefits of renewable energies can be better communicated to and by policy makers, decision makers and other stakeholders.

The study based on case studies and stakeholder workshops, reportedly concluded that more targeted, effective

Eurammon announces symposium date Event to focus on sustainable use of natural refrigerants

E

urammon has announced that its symposium this year will be held at the Klostergut Paradies in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, on June 28, with “Green Economy with Natural Refrigerants” as the underlying theme of the Information Day. The

26

communications campaigns could be achieved through the use of more consistent, holistic and rigorous approaches to preand post-campaign development.

The project, said IEA-RETD, has been carried out by a consortium consisting of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Green Budget Germany/ Forum Ökologisch-Soziale Marktwirtschaft FÖS, and the global renewable energy communications agency, Collings & Monney.

According to Collings & Monney, the report aims to overcome common communication barriers preventing the widespread use of renewable energy technologies, such as the misperception in the public about the benefits, opportunities and capabilities of renewable energies.

symposium will reportedly provide interested parties with information on how natural refrigerants can be used sustainably through a variety of practical examples, from the point of view of end-users.

With speakers such as Bob Port of ConAgra Foods, Bruce Nelson of Colmac Coil, Villim Mergl of CoolTool Technology, and Christoph Peters of Kälte-Klima-Peters, one of the focal points will be environmentally friendly food refrigeration solutions, eurammon informed, and added that the symposium would offer operators, planners and system engineers a wide range of reference projects, which show, for example, how direct expansion systems can reduce the refrigerant charge or

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Systemair acquires Menerga in Germany Acquisition geared towards increasing sales and expansion of technical know-how

S

ystemair has announced signing an agreement to acquire Menerga in Germany, a European manufacturer of air handling units for comfort, pool and process ventilation. The finalisation of the agreement was expected to occur in May, it added.

Commenting on the agreement, Gerald Engström, Systemair’s President and CEO, said: “We are very pleased to have succeeded in acquiring Menerga, who have first class reputation in pool ventilation systems. We can see great synergy in our sales companies and believe that we, through this, are able to increase sales volumes significantly in the future. They bring, at the same time, technical knowhow in the area of complex comfort and process ventilation systems, which can be made use of at some of our other air handling unit factories within the group.”

how less energy is required through the use of waste heat.

According to eurammon, the highlight of the event will be a comparison between the life-cycle costs of refrigeration plants that use different refrigerants like ammonia or carbon dioxide, to drive home the point that the use of natural refrigerants is not only an ecologically sustainable practice, but can also be economically attractive.

On the occasion of the symposium the Natural Refrigeration Award 2013 would be presented to three winners for their outstanding theses in the field of natural refrigerants,

who would be given an opportunity to present their works and projects to an international audience, eurammon revealed.

ASHRAE upDATE

Guideline 1.4P on the cards

Will establish uniform procedure for design, construction, testing and operational information to building owners and operators

A

SHRAE has announced that the proposed Guideline 1.4P, The Systems Manual for Facilities, is designed to provide procedures for producing a systems manual as a resource for training, operations, maintenance and upgrading of facilities, and applies to information from planning, commissioning process, design, construction, testing and training activities and operations planning for new, renovated and existing facilities, equipment and assemblies. The proposed guideline was reportedly open for an advisory public review until June 2.

According to ASHRAE Standard 202P, Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems and other ASHRAE guidelines on commissioning require development of a systems manual, as do several other standards and energy- and sustainability-related codes. However, no document or guideline outlines how to assemble a systems manual to current requirements. Guideline 1.4P provides these procedures, Gerald Kettler, Chair of the Guideline 1.4P Committee claimed.

“Establishing a uniform procedure for transmitting the design, construction, testing and operational information to building owners and operators is critical to the proper and efficient operation of facilities,” Kettler said. “Guideline 1.4P provides the structure and procedures for the transfer and maintenance of that information. It also is intended for use as operator and occupant training information.”

Other commissioning guidance from ASHRAE includes Guideline 0-2005, The Commissioning Process; Guideline 1.1-2007, HVAC&R Technical Requirements for the Commissioning Process; and Guideline 1.5-2012, The Commissioning Process for Smoke Control Systems, ASHRAE informed.

ASHRAE has revealed that it is also working on several other guidelines and a standard related to commissioning: Guideline 0.2P, The Commissioning Process for Existing Systems and Assemblies; Guideline 1.2P, The Commissioning Process for Existing HVAC&R Systems; Guideline 1.3P, Building Operation and Maintenance Training for the HVAC&R Commissioning Process; and Standard 202P.

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Climate Control Middle East June 2013

ASHRAE invites papers for conference Focus on design, construction and operation of buildings in developing economies

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SHRAE has announced that papers are being sought for a conference it is organising, titled “Efficient, High Performance Buildings for Developing Economies Conference”, along with the Philippines Chapter, which will take place on April 24 and 25, 2014, in Manila, Philippines. The event is being co-sponsored by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and endorsed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), ASHRAE said ASHRAE gave the following details regarding paper submission: Abstracts of 400 words or less are due by July 12, 2013. If accepted, papers are due by October 18, 2013.

Submittal information can be found at www.ashrae.org/ Developing2014.

Papers are sought on the following themes: DESIGN CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES • Hot and humid climates • Thermal comfort preferences and cultural expectations • Impact of thermal design criteria on energy use and occupant well-being INDOOR AIR QUALITy • Impacts of outdoor air quality issues • Potential application of natural ventilation ENERGy EFFICIENCy • Indoor environmental quality constraints on energy efficiency • Reductions in emissions of global warming gases through use of renewable energy • Energy impacts associated with water use

STANDARDS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS • Green building programmes in developing countries • Energy efficiency standards • Indoor Air Quality and comfort regulations REFRIGERATION • Refrigerants: Limitations and opportunities for applications, for example, improved food preservation RURAL COMMUNITIES • Water use • Lack of energy infrastructure • Combustion using low-grade fuels According to ASHRAE, the conference addresses the challenges developing countries face in sustainable construction, such as rapidly growing energy demand and population density and urbanisation, and focuses on aspects relating to design, construction and operation of high-performance buildings, including the HVACR industry’s role in meeting this objective.

A key motivation behind the conference is reportedly to utilise traditional construction practices.

The Conference seeks to bring people from diverse cultures and climates together to share building design approaches that are responsive to local needs, said Ashish Rakheja, Conference Co-Chair. “The papers and presentation will provide examples of how to apply the latest technology to achieve cost-effective solutions to support high-performance buildings in developing economies,” he said.

In addition to paper presentations, invited speakers from around the world will focus on the most critical challenges facing developing economy countries, ASHRAE revealed.

comings&goings BSRIA CEO reflects on industry progress

A successor is being sought as he has decided to step down

"I

t is

astonishing how things go in cycles and our industry is no different.

Forty years ago, researchers were starting to get to grips with issues of indoor air pollution, then linked to smoking, Radon gas and ‘sick building syndrome’. A huge body of evidence began to be amassed, and the techniques such as air leakage testing using pressurisation and tracer gas methods, were born. These are now taken for granted, developed, refined, and now turned into BS, CEN and ISO standards that apply across the world,” These are the reflections of Andrew Eastwell, as he

prepares to stand down as CEO of BSRIA in April 2014, and has accordingly advised his Board and staff about his intention.

Eastwell shares his insights gained after years of being part of the organisation: “The recent sudden rush to meet legal energy targets for buildings has quite rightly focused on reducing demands, re-using heat and cold and supplying what remaining demand there is with low carbon, highly efficient devices, but just for a little while, we have taken our eye off the IAQ ball. It is time to re-focus efforts to make sure that, in our aims to be energy meagre, we don’t swap one set of problems for another.”

On his decision to relinquish his post, Eastwell says: “I, too, am part of this cycle, having been on the first wave of IAQ research, but now it is time to pass the BSRIA baton….

The search is now on for my successor. But from what I can see, there is plenty of enthusiasm and talent around to see BSRIA thrive and grow as it has done in the past decade.”

Ecotherm appoints Dr Stangl International Sales Manager Will focus on franchise system and software tools to develop sales and organisation

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ecently, Dr Christoph Stangl, who has been active for almost two years as the Marketing Manager, International, and Press Officer for Ecotherm, has been made Dr Christoph Stangl the new Sales Manager, International, at Ecotherm, Austria, and takes on the added responsibility, the company announced.

Ecotherm gave the following details about Dr Stangl: Born in 1972, he studied Industrial Mathematics at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz from 1990 to 1994 and received his Doctorate in Technical Sciences in 1996. After four years as a Researcher and Assistant Professor at the Institute for Industrial Mathematics at the same university, he co-founded a Web agency. In 2003, he became Managing Partner and Director at a communication agency in Bad Aussee. He has worked for Ecotherm since 2011. He writes children’s book series in his spare time.

“Ecotherm has grown rapidly in recent years and has become one of the worldwide market leaders. My main tasks will be to optimise our international sales structure, improve processes and develop new sales tools such that Ecotherm can successfully continue its growth,” said Dr Stangl. The main tools for achieving these objectives are to launch a franchise system and the sizing software, Ecosize, the company added.

INTERVIEW

region?

Our strategy is to have a presence in all GCC countries and to open sales and marketing offices to serve all of our clients, including the Government, contractors and consultants.

Hunt-ing for growth Climate Control Middle East speaks to Nawaf Al Masoud, CEO of Huntair Arabia, to gain an overview of the company and its strategies and outlook in the region Could you give us a short overview of Huntair Arabia?

Huntair Arabia is a joint venture, established in 2010, between Alessa Advanced Projects Company (AAPC) and HUNTAIR. AAPC is a subsidiary of Alessa Industries Group, founded in 1935 and headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The group is the mother company of Alessa Refrigeration and Air conditioning Company (ARAC), which manufactures and produces air conditioners and refrigerators in its

factory in Riyadh and Hamad Abdullah Alessa and Sons (HAASCO), the commercial arm of the group for home appliances. AAPC specialises in domestic, commercial and industrial cooling systems, in addition to air handling units and, recently, in data centers and computer rooms cooling.

HUNTAIR is a subsidiary of the CES Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nortek.

The CES Group of affiliated companies provides customengineered air conditioning solutions.

Nawaf Al Masoud

What is Huntair Arabia’s view of the GCC/Middle East region?

The GCC market is booming, particularly Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Qatar. We think that the positive trend for these areas will continue in the next five years.

What are your company’s strategies vis-à-vis the

June 2013

Do you still have plans of expanding your operations in the Middle East?

Our strategy is to be in all of the GCC and Middle East countries. We are also looking to work closely with the biggest consultants and contractors that operate in such countries.

Could you speak to us about some of the projects you are working on?

We are working on several projects in the UAE, including the Burj Alhilal, and in Oman.

www.climatecontrolme.com

29

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HUNTAIR ARABIA P.O Box 2091 Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 1 4031212 Fax: +96614069041 Web: www.huntair-arabia.com email: info@huntair-arabia.com

marketplace

This section contains regional and international products information

GEA Delbag EBE air-duct filter enclosures

C

laiming that their explosion protection opens new areas of applications for EBE filter enclosures, for example, in the food and beverage industries where organic dust can occur during milling and can produce explosive atmospheres, GEA has announced expanding its Delbag EBE filter enclosure range by addition of a version designed for use in areas subject to explosion hazards.

The company lists the following product features and benefits: n The Delbag EBE air-duct filter enclosures are certified for use in hazardous-area zones 20, 21, and 22, as well as for areas of Zones 0, 1, and 2, that are endangered by dust explosions. n They may likewise be employed in plants with gas, mist, and vapours in the explosion groups of Categories IIA and IIB, as well as for operation in Zones 1 and 2 with gases of Explosion Group IIC. n EBE filter enclosures are effective not only for air purification in the electronics industry, in processing plants and in libraries and museums, but also for bakery and mill applications and with the production of tobacco and spirits. n Their modular design enables combination of the systems to provide a variety of facility capacities. n The airtight enclosures are made of galvanised sheet steel or stainless steel with brazed or welded profile connections, effective for suction- or pressure-side operations (maximum 2,000 Pa). n They are fitted with filter media from Classes G3 to H13, with various filter sizes. n Several filter stages can be combined in a series. n Extensive accessories are available for the filter enclosures, such as pressure drop measuring devices, connection fittings and protective grids.

Fan coil unit with single cassette with SWIRL air outlet

S

aying that it offers even more comfort and can also be employed in hospitals, GEA has introduced what it claims to be a further-developed fan coil unit from its Single Cassette range. The product was reportedly presented during ISH 2013 held at Frankfurt from March 12 to 16.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and benefits: n The design outlet cover with its new SWIRL technology features a circular, patented form that produces a controlled swirl outlet flow, and significantly reduces the risk of draft, and optimises air distribution in a room. n The energy-efficient EC fans reduce power consumption by up to 75%.

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Climate Control Middle East June 2013

n As a result, the unit is qualified to carry a Class A Energy Efficiency Label in accordance with Eurovent classification.

In addition, optimised heat exchangers assure greater cooling duty than before. n The original fan coil model with air outlets to four sides profits from this development, and is now based on the same unit platform. n Both single cassette variants satisfy the hygiene requirements and roomair quality specifications in the revised VDI 6022, thus offering even more flexibly. n The use of new synthetic materials offers smoother surfaces, which are less sensitive to dirt and enable even

quieter operation. n The GEA MATRIX system – with its integrated field bus – provides intelligent temperature control and allows simple networking of GEA HVAC systems. n Integration of single cassette units into building-services management systems is possible via various interfaces. n It is available beginning in the second half of 2013.

An Ecolab Company

marketplace

this section contains regional and international products information

Aldes AMCA-certified louvres

A

ldes Middle East has announced the Middle East launch of six new louvre models that it says have been fully certified by the Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA), giving complete assurance to target market consisting of Middle East specifiers, engineers and developers.

The products include the AG 638A and the AG 639A (Fresh air louvres); the AG 644 and the AG 644A (Sand

intake or polluted air exhaust in commercial, residential and industrial premises. n The AG 644 and the AG 644A are sand trap louvres, mainly used for air intake, and serve as a pre-filter for the protection of air conditioning plants located near dusty environments or deserts, and are self-cleaning and maintenance-free. n The SU 631 and the SU 632 are acoustic louvres used for either fresh air intake or polluted air exhaust in commercial, residential and industrial premises. Both models are designed to provide optimal noise attenuation with minimal airflow restriction.

trap louvres) and the SU 631 and the SU 632 (Acoustic louvers), Aldes revealed.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and benefits: n The fresh air louvres are manufactured in extruded aluminium construction (frame/blades) with RAL 9010 surface finish as standard supply. n The AG 638A and the AG 639A can be generally installed on outside walls and used either for fresh air

EIC Solutions protector Series DVR enclosure with pre-packaged thermoelectric cooler

E

IC Solutions has announced expanding its Protector Series line of pre-packaged electronic enclosures with thermoelectric air conditioners. The company claims that the enclosures are weather-tight and feature rugged, powder-coated steel construction that protect contents from environmental factors, theft and vandalism.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages: n The pre-packaged DVR Cooler cabinet is now available in wall- or pole-mount models and switches, amplifiers and integrates a drop-in DVR network gear. rack-mount bracket that n They come in four sizes allows 19-inch rack(L"xW"): 24 x 24, 30 x 24, 36 x mountable DVRs to fit 30, 48 x 30. Each size may be into a standard wallused with the 4U DVR rackmount enclosure, allowing mount bracket. Many more protection and cooling for sizes are available in the wallelectronics in places where mount, workstation and racksecurity/surveillance devices mount lines. are being used. n Additionally, the rack-mount n They may be fitted with a 200, 400, 800 or 1500 model accommodates BTU thermoelectric air single or multiple 19-inch conditioners, which do not use rack-mount devices such as a compressor, refrigerant or servers, routers, modems,

34

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

filters, and there are no moving parts (other than fans), making the units maintenance-free. n The air conditioning units are mounted to the enclosures in either flush- or throughmount styles to meet varying installation and application requirements. n Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, they are built to NEMA standards, available in NEMA 4 configurations. n Pre-packaged units are shipped complete with

no assembly required, and may also be equipped with a heater for complete control over cabinet interior temperatures. n Made in the USA, they are available in either 120V AC or 220V AC modes and operate in temperatures of up to 140ยบF n A variety of options exist for the DVR cooler, including heating capability, rain shrouds, digital temperature controllers and tamperresistant packages.

Bitzer

new Ecoline range of reciprocating compressors

RELIABLE SERVICE ...

C

laiming that it has higher efficiency and an expanded range of applications, Bitzer has announced introducing New Ecoline range of reciprocating compressors comprising semi-hermetic models (4.1 to 221 m³/h at 50 Hz), semi-hermetic, two-stage models (19.7 to 101 m³/h at 50 Hz), open models (19.7 to 151.6 m³/h at 1,450 U/min.), Ecoline R134a compressors (34.7 to 152 m³/h at 50 Hz), Varispeed compressors (8 to 99 m³/h at 50 Hz) and condensing units (4.1 to 151.6 m³/h at 50 Hz).

The manufacturer lists the following product features and benefits: n Reciprocating compressor series (4 to 221 m³/h) is an “omnivore” in terms of refrigerants, as it can be made available for refrigerants other than R134A, such as R404A, R407A, R407C, R407F, R507A, hydrocarbons and the new HFO and HFO/HFKW mix. The exceptions are the highpressure CO2 and R410A refrigerants, for which special compressor models are required. n The coefficient of performance (COP) has been improved throughout the series by six per cent in terms of the usual nominal points and even up to 12% for the low condensing temperatures important for annual capacity (seasonal efficiency). n With motor version 2, it can be used in low-temperature applications and medium-temperature applications with, for example, R404A, which has an evaporation temperature of up to 0°C, even at tropical ambient temperatures. n Motor versions 1 and 3 are provided for heat pumps, medium-temperature applications with R134A, and special applications. n It can even be used as a replacement part in existing systems. n It is compatible with its predecessor compressor, as it features an unaltered mounting hole pattern and the same pipe connections – with efficiency gains even when repairing existing systems. n A newly designed compressor plate optimises the efficacy (higher cooling capacity with minimal energy requirements). n All the compressors are also suitable for operation with external frequency inverters.

... IN THE HARSHEST CONDITIONS. SIPOS 5 THE INTELLIGENT ACTUATOR When using actuators, you need to be assured of reliable performance.

You need absolute confidence that your actuation technology will continue to perform, without loss of torque, even if faced with unreliable power supplies. At SIPOS, we can offer this assurance.

Using intelligent electronics incorporating an integrated frequency converter, the SIPOS 5 compensates for fluctuations in voltage and frequency: the guarantee for actuator functionality, even in the harshest conditions.

Top marks in all disciplines • High tolerance to supply voltage variation • Ability to maintain torque under severe voltage / frequency variations 220 V-10% ... 230 V+15% 380 V-10% ... 460 V+15% • Operating frequency range 40-70 Hz • High availability • Long supply cable capability without loss of torque

SIPOS Aktorik GmbH Email: info@sipos.de Im Erlet 2 . 90518 Altdorf . Germany Phone: +49 9187 9227-0 www.sipos.de Fax: +49 9187 9227-5111

June 2013 camel90x271.indd 1

www.climatecontrolme.com

35 09/04/2013 14:29

event report

1st annual middle east variable refrigerant flow conference FEBRUARY 24 - 25, 2013

Vox populi

Recommendations from the participants and delegates at the 1st Annual Middle East VRF Conference revealed an intensified call for the formation of a regional industry association and transparency via third-party certification.

We bring you the third and last installment of our in-depth report.

D

ay two of the 1st Annual Middle East VRF Conference saw a cluster discussion, in which the participants and delegates, including representatives from government bodies and agencies, the industry, the media and the academia, exchanged ideas, insights and perspectives on some of the key industry issues and views posited during the two-day conference.

Based on the discussion, the participants were asked to draft recommendations on a range of topics, including the formation of an association for VRF stakeholders, standardisation of codes and regulations for VRF system certification, information dissemination among VRF system manufacturers and training for installation and maintenance personnel.

One of the key issues to emerge from a presentation by Ghaleb Abusaa, CEO, The Three Factors Company (en3 Solutions), delivered prior to the cluster discussion, was that district cooling service providers were able to take a huge share in the Dubai market in less than 15 years, because they managed to set up an association dedicated to the industry, which also sells and educates people about district cooling as a technology.

Abusaa, then, threw a challenge at the VRF industry and called upon the stakeholders present to spearhead a similar formation for VRF systems.

Abusaa said: “Those who are eager to see VRF systems take a bigger share of the market should join hands and keep personal competition aside for the benefit of the industry itself.”

Endorsing this view, recommendations from the participants established the fact that industry

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Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Every manufacturer’s product should be governed by only one regulation. At present, everyone’s declaration is under different rules, and we need only one regulation representation was missing in the region and, therefore, the formation of an association would give VRF stakeholders a “voice”. In line with this, Moan Abraham of Johnson Controls shared the information that there would soon be a GCC-based organisation of air conditioning manufacturers and suppliers, and that bylaws were currently being drawn out. He pointed out that forming an association with a committee exclusively dedicated to VRF was more feasible than forming a completely independent VRF association.

Refrigeration expert Yaqoub Al Matouq, speaking during the cluster discussion, also contributed some valuable information on the subject of forming of an association, saying that during a meeting with AHRI, industry stakeholders present agreed to set up an organisation, though the location

of the headquarters could not be decided upon. Therefore, the parties present resolved that AHRI would remotely run the association for three years, and then, after the necessary legal framework was ready, it would hand over the association to the GCC countries, which would then choose the location of the headquarters.

Another key point that came out of the exercise was that the efficiency of VRF systems had not yet been proven owing to the lack of standards in the technology’s certification process.

“We need a third-party certification system to cleanse this industry,” said Peck Zhao, Marketing Manager, Midea.

“Every manufacturer’s product should be governed by only one regulation. At present, everyone’s declaration is under different rules, and we need only one regulation,” he added.

The participants were of the opinion that VRF manufacturers and suppliers were providing information about their products under different conditions or partial load percentages.

They recognised the need to unify the standards and codes and suggested that the governments had to formulate regulations so that VRF manufacturers would be able to calculate their data based on some specific conditions.

They were also unanimous in saying that data coming from manufacturers should be supported by third-party certification.

The recommendations also reflected the desire of the participants to see a collaborative effort among VRF stakeholders to promote the technology, test their respective systems and present the results to the public in order to promote the culture of transparency within the industry.

In this exclusive in-depth coverage of the conference, we also bring you excerpts from some of the presentations made.

Xiucheng Ji

Senior Engineering Manager for VRF Systems, Johnson Controls Asia Engineering Centre, China

“S

o, how can we achieve high efficiency?

The most important thing is the compressor. For this product, we used a special DC inverter compressor to improve part-load efficiency….

Everyone knows that over-

compression loss is very big, particularly in partload. You will see that this product provides over 12% efficiency improvement at 25% part-load test point, and over nine per cent efficiency improvement at 50% part-load test point….

“In this product, we also used BLDC fan motor. With the BLDC motor, motor efficiency is up to 85% at full-load. A BLDC motor at full-load will reduce about 33% in power consumption.

“High-efficiency heat

exchanger is especially important for high-ambient temperature designs. Since the pressure is very high in systems running in highambient temperatures, if the heat exchanger is not good, we will unload the compressor….

“The discharge pressure needs to be controlled in systems running in highambient temperatures, because, if it is not controlled precisely, the compressor may unload, so the deration will be

very high…. The discharge temperature control is also very important, because sometimes the system will unload, the compressor cannot run in highspeed, because we need to protect the compressor temperature.... We also need to consider using highperformance coils in systems running in high-ambient temperatures, to lower the high pressure and to let the system run at high speed with high performance, so the deration will be low.” 

Peck Zhao

Marketing Manager, Midea Commercial Air Conditioner, Global Sales Company

“D

igital scroll technology allows seamless capacity delivery from 10% to 100% without gap. In addition, this compressor

can control humidity very precisely, because the whole system, the discharge temperature and suction temperature are very stable. This is a mechanical movement compressor, so there is no harmony wave created and no interference caused to other equipment….

“The digital scroll compressor has a lowside design, making it

suitable for high-ambient temperature operations, like in the Middle East. The low-side design means that the motor is always working in low temperatures and it is close to the suction gas.

This is different from how inverter high-side design compressors operate. So, there is no risk in highambient temperatures. That is why the digital scroll VRF can work to up to 54°C.

“The digital scroll technology has the ability to produce an output capacity that exactly meets the demand. It can also better control humidity, even at low capacity. It also has a wide capacity range, has a longer piping and a higher vertical difference. It is a simplified system, which means fewer components, less PCBs and less service costs.” 

June 2013

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event report

Sana Hamdani Strategic Marketing Engineer, Daikin McQuay

“T

he three main components of the total lifecycle cost are investment cost, running cost, and maintenance cost….

“The difference in investment cost between a chiller and a VRF is low; it is only six per cent. If you will investigate, the main component of the investment cost is the main equipment – which shows that a VRF system is more expensive than a chiller. But, for a chiller system, you need to add other components, like pumps and cooling towers, which will increase your investment cost in equipment. The water/ refrigerant costs are more or less the same.

For the controls, most of the time, a chiller will require more costly controls compared to VRF systems…. There is also a possible infrastructure cost increase, because with the chiller, you may have to reinforce your roof or you might have to invest in electricity, for example.

“For the running cost,

38

1st annual middle east variable refrigerant flow conference FEBRUARY 24 - 25, 2013

when you compare a VRV with a chiller, you may realise savings of 50% in electricity, but when you compare it with a packaged non-inverter ducted unit, you may have up to 83% savings in electricity consumption….

“The running cost is simply the electricity consumption multiplied by electricity cost. But how do you simulate electricity consumption?

Electricity consumption will depend, first of all, on your operating load, and your real-life operating load will depend on the outdoor temperature. The second element will be the representation of efficiency you will take. The last point, of course, is the efficiency of the technology you offer….

“We need to adjust temperature points and weight to better fit the Middle East climate. We need to develop a formula that is suitable for us and that is common for the whole GCC [region], which will allow us to compare in a fair basis the efficiency of different systems.

“In principle, seasonal efficiency is a much better representation of efficiency, because this will be in line with your reallife operation condition.

However, the “bin” hours, the load and the weight have to be adjusted to reflect our regional conditions.

“A VRV system is more expensive to maintain than a non-inverter packaged unit, but can be cheaper compared to chillers.

Regular maintenance can ensure optimal energy efficiency and can reduce total cost of ownership.

Therefore, it is important to take a more proactive approach in maintenance, which may be costly at the beginning, but may offer a quick return on investment.”

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Amjad Abu Alika

“L

Academy Manager LG Electronics G has taken the initiative and has invested in infrastructure in Dubai to provide different kinds of training. Attending

training sessions in the LG Academy in Dubai is free for everyone. We can provide training for engineers in design and installation and for technicians in installation and servicing.

We have trained, from 2003, 9,000 participants, and we are expecting 700 more participants in 2013.

The training centre is located in Jebel Ali, and it is furnished with facilities and practical and display rooms.

“In 2012, we had a special programme to certify the installing companies in the market. We invited 10 of their staff members to attend a 10-day training.

In the last step, they had to install the system by themselves in the Academy, then, we certified them….

So, whenever you deal with them, you know you are on the safe side….” 

Ghaleb Abusaa

CEO, The Three Factors Company (en3 Solutions)

“I

like to see a group introduced to the table that says ‘VRF systems’. To do that, we need to know the approximate tonnage or the percentage in the market and for the manufacturers to give us an approximate

average figure of power consumption per tonne.

That way, we could show the information in comparison to other systems. This is on the shoulder of the manufacturers….

“Why are we always saying ‘district cooling is better!’ or ‘VRF is better!’?

Look at the 90% to 98% of the air conditioning market, which is dominated by very bad inefficient equipment: the direct expansion and

standard small chillers and room air conditioners with split AC units. Let us increase the share of VRF and district cooling on the account of the non-efficient equipment….

“How was district cooling able to dominate and take a huge share in this Dubai market in less than 15 years? Because [the service providers] were planning properly and they managed to have an association that is dedicated to the market

and sell and educate people about district cooling.

Why not do something like that for the VRF systems?

Are we willing to form an association for the VRF industry, similar to that of the district cooling and district energy?

“Those who are eager to see the VRF systems take a bigger share of the market should join hands and keep the personal competition aside for the benefit of the industry itself….

Erick Melquiond

Managing Director, Eurovent Certification System

“O

ur principle is that we need to be a third party and we have to be independent. We are relying on third-party labs. We are using 14

different labs in Europe, and depending on the product and on the knowledge, we will concentrate all our products from all over the world in one single lab…. The bottom line of this is that you have very precise and comparable data of a product from one manufacturer to another.

This is where the value is.

“Our certification is on a voluntary basis. We don’t

have a regulation anywhere telling anybody that you have to be Euroventcertified. Some people will say, especially from the government, that if its voluntary, it is not going to work, and that we should make it mandatory. Well, try with your kids – the difference between “you have to do this” and “maybe it is interesting to do it”.

You will a much better

chance of success if you give a choice. This is what we do….

“Testing conditions do not really reflect the everyday use of the product. So, you are going to tell me: ‘Well, what we are doing is useless!’ Not really, because at least all the products are being tested in the same conditions, so then you can compare. Then, you draw your conclusion.” 

June 2013

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39

1ST ANNUAL MIDDLE EAST

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONFERENCE 12 - 13 May 2013 Hall 5 & Al Multaqua Ballroom Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

The team from Smashing! Cleaning Services

H.E. Eng Essa Al Maidoor, Dubai Health Authority, inaugurating the conference

Kandasamy Anbalagan, Proleed Engineering Consultants and Sarfraz Dairkee, M.A.H.y. Khoory & Company, during an interaction with the audience

H.E. Eng Essa Al Maidoor

Dr Tawfik A M Khoja, Health Ministers’ Council for Cooperation Council States

Tawfiq Attari of DuctSox makes a point to Eng Adil El Basier of Avenues Mall, Kuwait

Mario Seneviratne, Green Technologies

Eng Redha Salman, Dubai Municipality

Phil Whitaker, Camfil Farr

40

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

The audience listening to a presentation

Sultan Ali Al Taher, Dubai Municipality

Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, Ministry of Economy

Joanne Taylor, TSI Ltd

Jamie Ferguson, Meat and Livestock Australia

H.E. Eng Saif Mohamed Al Shara, UAE Ministry of Environment and Water

Bobby Krishna, Dubai Municipality

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

Above and below: Members of the audience

22-23 May 2013 The Address Dubai Marina, UAE June 2013

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41

focus

air moving eQuiPment

Clearing a higher bar In the light of a growing concern over Indoor Environmental Quality and energy efficiency, air moving equipment manufacturers are ramping up technologies to meet the demands of an increasingly discerning market. Jerome Sanchez has the report.

T

The recently concluded 1st Annual Middle East Indoor Environmental Quality Conference, produced by CPI Industry, the publishers of Climate Control Middle East magazine, saw a myriad presentations and deliberations on the effects of poor IEQ on occupants.

Poor performance in school, decreased productivity and increased chances of contracting respiratory illnesses were just some of the consequences discussed during the event. With 42

more and more reports and case studies on the subject highlighting the manifold adverse effects of poor IEQ, the call for improvement of indoor environment is growing ever louder.

THE EConoMIC AnGLE

As with other product segments within the HVACR industry, the air moving equipment sector was also affected by the global economic downturn. Industry players are unanimous in saying that the dent that the construction sector sustained during the economic crisis heavily affected the HVACR industry. Commenting on this, Ghassan Freiwat, Commercial Leader, Trane Middle East & Africa, says: “The economic downturn probably impacted Dubai more severely than anywhere else in the GCC. One of the most evident manifestations

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

of the slowdown was that the large district cooling plants, designed and built to provide efficient cooling to multiple buildings, were hit hard, as many buildings were either not built or not completed.”

Tawfiq Attari, Global Sales and Technical Director, MENA Market, DuctSox MENA, a fabric air dispersion product manufacturer, adds: “The construction sector has been among those hit the hardest. But it has managed to effectively stabilise in the region over time.”

The industry players, however, do not paint a completely grim picture of the crisis years. In Attari’s opinion, the GCC region was less affected by the crisis, compared to Europe or the other regions across the world. “Although there has been an impact, of course, the local economy attempted to use all the available resources to stabilise the financial

Regular high-quality maintenance is essential for the well-being, comfort and productivity of occupants and that it should be one of the foremost priorities of all owners, occupants and facility managers

air quality. He also reveals that his company is seeing an increase in regulation and guidelines from the authorities that help drive the industry and the users to move to higher and more sustainable levels of performance with respect to air-side products.

EyES on EMERGInG MARkETS

sector and to reduce the negative impact that can still be seen across countries that have not yet managed to get out of the crisis,” he says.

Bhartesh Tamse, Division Manager, Euroclima Division, Faisal Jassim Trading Company, describes the downturn as a “blessing in disguise”. “Post recession, the client or the consultant had more time on the submittal, which was good for a highly quality-driven product like ours. There were only special projects available in the market,” he explains.

Freiwat, speaking against the backdrop of his company’s strategy during the crisis years, says, “Buildings that are air conditioned still require air handling units of some description, and, while the economic crisis did cause a slowdown in projects, the main drivers over the last few years have come from a different direction.” The “drivers” he refers to may be categorised under “external” and “indoor environmental factors”. “In the larger environment,” Freiwat points out, “the interest for more efficient (sustainable) HVAC systems has seen a growing requirement for ‘greener’ products.” He says that, on the other hand, occupants have also been calling for improved levels of indoor

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are widely perceived by the industry players to be big potential areas, owing to the huge budget their respective governments have allocated for infrastructure and housing projects.

“It is already evident,” says Freiwat, “that Saudi and, to a lesser extent, Qatar, are the growth opportunities for the next few years.” He explains that Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with large infrastructure projects and multiple housing schemes, so the potential for large chilled water systems and high volumes of DX/unitary equipment is assured.

Attari supports this line of thought when he says, “In Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the government spending shifts towards infrastructure, housing and other development projects.”

He, however, sounds a note of caution: “This has led to a growth in the market, but our products need huge open areas like malls, airports and exhibition centres. So, housing projects will not increase our market.” But, he adds that an increased spending in commercial projects and the growing dependency on effective air dispersion in the region has had a major impact on the growth of his company’s products.

Despite hailing the two countries as the new El Dorados for the industry, Freiwat shares his view that the “market” cannot always be equated with a country or a product. “It is clear that there is a ‘new construction’

and a distinctly different, and very large, ‘existing building’ market,” he says, and explains that as the existing stock of buildings age, there will be a growing requirement for service, maintenance, repair, upgrade and replacement.

“In mature economies, the balance between the new construction business and existing buildings has already tipped in favour of the latter.

So, for me, the emerging market is service,” is his take on the subject.

RESponDInG To THE CHALLEnGE As the adverse effects of poor IEQ on occupant comfort and productivity come to light, they also get increasingly documented and reported. In turn, the call for technologies and innovations to address the problems intensifies.

In addition, in the light of

June 2013

continuous increase in energy demand, and the consequent depletion of fossil fuel reserves, energy efficiency standards governing a wide range of products, including HVACR equipment, have become more stringent.

“We have responded effectively to the growing concern for IEQ and efficient energy use,” says Attari. Speaking about his company’s products, he says that fabric ducting is 24.5% more efficient compared to conventional sheet metal duct and diffuser systems, as supported by a recent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) energy study carried out by the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Iowa State University.

He adds that fabric ducting systems increase fan performance and efficiency, leading to savings in terms

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focus

AIR MOVING EQUIPMENT of energy used in the process. He claims that his company’s products are antimicrobial, which is essential to a client in need of good air quality, free of microbes and fungus.

“There is definitely an increased interest in energyefficient products. For example, it is now almost a standard practice for fresh air units to be installed with heat recovery wheels and, occasionally, heat pipes,” confirms Freiwat. Explaining the contribution of heat pipes in reducing energy consumption and in providing better humidity control, he points out that heat pipes eradicate the requirement for electric heaters to dehumidify the air stream.

“The development, however, is around controls,” says Freiwat. “By ensuring that an effective integrated controls system is designed from the start, an installer, owner or operator can all reap considerable benefits.”

He enumerates the benefits of incorporating factory-installed controls:  An installer can significantly reduce installation and commissioning time and, consequently, complexity and risk.  For an owner-operator, controls can deliver higher levels of efficiency and performance, including lower maintenance costs and increased lifespan of the product.

On behalf of Faisal Jassim, Tamse says that the AHUs Euroclima offers come with fan wall with EC motors, and are certified by a third party in terms of hygiene. He claims that his company also has a complete range of fan coil units with EC motors, and that it offers CFD and seismic analysis for large units.

A paradigm shift?

Although industry players admit that initial cost still remains an important factor 44

Bhartesh Tamse

Ghassan Freiwat

Tawfiq Attari

for users in deciding to acquire their respective company’s products, they are of the view that the market is gradually shifting its priority from first cost to total cost of ownership.

“Understanding the link between IEQ and energy efficiency is an important step further for the companies of today,” says Attari. “The success of the business is often linked with the company’s willingness to invest in new technologies and operations, and the market is receptive of this.” Speaking about his observations in his company’s market segment, he says that he has noticed a gradual shift in market priority, as customers are becoming more interested in the quality of air dispersion, as well as in long-term factors, such as sustainability and total cost of ownership. “Total cost of ownership,” explains Attari, “includes not only the initial purchase cost of the product, but also the additional indirect costs attached to it, including installation, maintenance, replacement or even the social and environmental costs that some products might have.”

Freiwat says, “With increasing building regulations and competition across all industries, plus a growing trend for systems that are gentler on the environment, we do see a growing interest towards quality and total cost of ownership.” The “competitive pressures”, however, he adds, mean that the initial cost is still a major factor influencing

market decision.

Speaking about the situation in the retrofit market, Freiwat says that owners often demand unrealistic payback periods, even though the savings or the improvement in quality of their systems are very attractive.

Tamse supports the view of the two industry players and adds that, though a majority of his company’s competitors are still in first-cost approach, there is an observable gradual shift in priority from price to quality among many clients and consultants.

of a sheet metal duct system is very difficult and costly, resulting in extended periods between necessary maintenance. Speaking on how his company’s products can address the aforementioned issue, he says that the zippered parts of a textile duct are easy to remove and that fabric can be easily washed in a washing machine and reassembled. “Fabric ducts are very easy to launder and clean when necessary, making planned maintenance cost-effective and very simple,” is his verdict.

Tamse endorses the importance of creating a clear and comprehensive O&M manual and of educating installers and end-user regarding the proper handling and timely cleaning of the equipment.

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Issues of maintenance and regular cleaning

“The element [of maintenance and regular cleaning] is as important as initial design,” says Freiwat. “An air system delivers the air that we breathe, year after year, and seeing the condition of many systems in use today can be an alarming experience.” He points out that regular high-quality maintenance is essential for the well-being, comfort and productivity of occupants, and that it should be one of the foremost priorities of all owners, occupants and facility managers.

“Cleaning of air moving equipment,” elucidates Attari, “is very important as quick-forming bacteria have a negative impact on the environment and is hazardous to human health, especially when using traditional galvanised or metal ducting.”

He cautions that the cleaning process of the inside surface

Conclusion

Innovation has become increasingly important at a time when new demands require urgent responses.

If the observations of the industry players are any indication, there is, at present, a growing demand for technologies that contribute to energy savings and to the betterment of the indoor environment. As Attari puts it, “Additional commitment to innovation is especially important in the industry of air-moving equipment.” He adds that for companies in the industry, understanding the importance of innovation and continuous dedication to improvement ensure continuous growth and sets them apart from their competitors.

A CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST MAGAZINE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

SUMMER 2013

THEORY & PRACTICE Interview

THOMAS WATSON Life Member & 2012-13 ASHRAE President

PerSpective

Jean-Christophe Carette Hydronic College Director TA Hydronics

interview ashrae

for district cooling systems to be successful, their components must be designed to function as a properly integrated system

Thomas Watson, PE, Fellow Life Member, is Chief Engineer, Daikin McQuay, Staunton, Virginia.

He oversees new product development for centrifugal compressor technology and is primarily involved in technical areas related to refrigerant applications, aerodynamics, bearing design and motor applications. He holds five patents related to refrigerant, gas and chiller compressors. His ASHRAE presidential theme is "Broadening ASHRAE’s Horizons", which emphasises the role of ASHRAE members as leaders in the application of sustainable design and practices in our communities worldwide.

46

CHILL Summer 2013

A ready reference for district cooling

ASHRAE’S first global District Cooling and Heating Design Manual, exclusively funded and sponsored by UAE-based Empower, has received the stamp of approval by experts. B Surendar speaks to Thomas Watson, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member and 2012-13 ASHRAE President, to get an insider’s view on the document and its implications to the sector.

How significant is the ASHRAE District Cooling Design Manual as a point of reference for the District Cooling industry? Will it facilitate a more efficient and fail-proof approach to designing?

The “ASHRAE District Cooling Guide” will be a significant addition to the reference literature for the field of district cooling, in many ways complementing the International District Energy Associations’ recently published “District Cooling Best Practices Guide.” These two documents serve as significant reference materials for designers and operators of district cooling systems worldwide. Following the recommendations of these documents will facilitate more efficient designs and increase the likelihood of success. The “ASHRAE District Cooling Guide” is expected to be published in June 2013.

As your readers know, district cooling systems are commonly used to serve applications like cities, educational campuses, major medical facilities and other large building complexes.

When properly planned and executed, these systems can offer many environmental, efficiency and economic advantages over other means of supplying heating and cooling services. For district cooling systems to be successful, their components must be designed to function as a properly integrated system. In addition, owing to the large capital investments involved, such systems must

have long lifetimes, and they must be efficient and remain so over the long periods necessary to recover these substantial capital investments. To achieve efficient operation and long life, proper design is essential.

This manual, along with a guide on district heating also expected to be published middle of this year, will provide design guidance for all major aspects of district heating and cooling.

What efforts were taken to make it a truly global reference book? And have you succeeded in this? For instance, would a consulting engineer in Finland be able to completely rely on it for designing according to ambient conditions in Helsinki?

From the outset, this document was intended to serve a global audience.

There is nothing inherent to the design approaches provided that would limit their applicability to a particular climate or region of the world. Special emphasis was placed on ensuring that the guide addressed issues common to systems operating in the Gulf region where district cooling is seeing rapid growth.

Could you please give readers an idea of the ASHRAE expertise that went into the drafting of the Manual?

How many engineers worked on it, and what was their background?

The guide was authored by

Special emphasis was placed on ensuring that the guide addressed issues common to systems operating in the Gulf region where district cooling is seeing rapid growth a team of seven engineers with worldwide experience in district cooling. Two of the engineers were from Egypt and others on the team also have done extensive work around the world.

In addition, the authoring of the guide was overseen by a committee of five additional individuals experienced in district cooling, who also reviewed the product, both during its creation and in final form; two of the members of this oversight committee were

from Empower organisation in the UAE. Furthermore, the entire voting membership of ASHRAE’s District Heating and Cooling Technical Committee (TC 6.2) was given an opportunity to review the guide before final approval by TC 6.2.

Considering that a substantial number of readers of Climate Control Middle East magazine are in the Middle East, there is a great interest in the fact that Empower sponsored the Manual. Could you please express what it meant to ASHRAE to receive sponsorship support from Empower to bring the Manual out? In addition to sponsorship, what technical role did Empower play?

The additional funding provided by Empower allowed the authors to ensure that the issues specific to the Gulf region were adequately addressed. Members of the team visited the UAE on two separate occasions to tour both completed projects, as well as many under construction. These projects included those of Empower, as well as other district cooling providers in the UAE. In addition, engineering firms in the UAE were visited, as well as two plants producing pipe for the district cooling industry located within the UAE. Two members of the team also made presentations to local sections of ASHRAE in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, seeking input from those engineers and distributing a survey of local practices. Summer 2013 CHILL

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perspective

Get your hands dirty

Arguing that theoretical knowledge cannot compare with practical experience, which helps deal with unexpected challenges, Jean-Christophe Carette stresses the importance of practical training for hydronic distribution.

“I

n theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, in practice there is.” This statement by J van de Snepscheut is certainly applicable to hydronic systems, where on-site commissioning often brings surprises as clogged strainers, pipes damaged or not connected as expected, shutoff valves that are partially shut, check valves installed back-to-front, etc.

Finding these issues in time amongst a deeply ramified network of thousands of pipe segments is hopeless without measuring capabilities. This is why we strongly believe that the presence of test-points on balancing devices, combined with the use of modern balancing and measuring instruments, is a key element to commission a system for energy-efficient operation. After all, in the 21st century, it is not unreasonable to consider that the time of touching pipes with the hand to feel if there is a flow is gone. Lord Kelvin was already expressing this view in 1883: “When you can measure what you are speaking about and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind.”

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CHILL Summer 2013

We have seen a general trend these last years towards the integration of multiple functions into one valve body. I think especially about the control and balancing functions with the nowadays widely spreading pressureindependent balancing and control valves. If this type of valve has a real use in a number of cases, it has

been, unfortunately, applied largely blindly, disregarding the hydronic structure particularities that each plant has. While this is usually presented as an effective “fit and forget” approach, it often ends up in a “fit and regret” result, as the very useful selfacting differential pressure control part of this type of valve actually hides the reality of the circuit in which it is installed if it is not properly measured and commissioned.

This is how a technology that can deliver very interesting energy savings actually leads

Methodologies can certainly be taught through well-prepared presentations. The whole question is whether they are then really understood and further remembered to running a plant with higher energy consumption than expected.

Obtaining an energy-efficient hydronic distribution actually requires the implementation of a systematic methodology that starts by the analysis of the schematic drawing of the piping and the extraction of its skeleton. The backbone of this skeleton is then determined, and the entire pipe network is decomposed into hydronic modules that can be treated one by one with testing and adjusting methods that are designed to obtain the lowest possible pump head for circulating required flows in each terminal unit. Implementing this methodology step-by-step is something that everybody should experience at least

once. It is an enlightening experience which reveals how simple it can be to obtain pumping energy savings by up to 40%.

We see, indeed, too often the screens of Variable Frequency Drives displaying permanently a sad 50 Hz (or 60 Hz depending on the countries). It is the last straw considering that the choice of investing into variable speed pumping is all about obtaining a reduction of the pumping energy consumption.

Methodologies can certainly be taught through wellprepared presentations.

The whole question is whether they are then really understood and further remembered. In this respect, there is nothing that beats practical experience whereby people get faced with unexpected difficulties, which they have to circumvent.

This approach was already recognised as most effective

by Confucius who left us the following statement: “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

These are the reasons why we find critical to propose practical trainings in training centres equipped with realistic models of hydronic circuits incorporating variable speed pumps and valves of different types. I can only encourage people interested in seeing and learning to visit these training centres in order to get practice in a safe environment before applying procedures on-site.

The writer is Hydronic College Director, TA Hydronics. He can be contacted at jc.carette@ tahcollege.com

June 2013

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SPOTLIGHT QATAR

Summer and beyond

Hassan Sultan, the President of the Qatar Oryx Chapter of ASHRAE, in a free-wheeling interview with B Surendar, on the activities planned for the year and on issues related to IEQ and district cooling…

How much has the Chapter grown over the years?

We are 290 members strong. In the context of the Chapter, June is going to be an important month. On June 27, we will be hosting a presentation by Qatar University, whose students have conducted research on geothermal systems. The day will see the launch of the first ever ASHRAE Student Chapter in Qatar. Around 32 students of the Mechanical Engineering Department of Qatar University have expressed willingness to be the first members of the Student Chapter. To float a chapter, you need only 10 members, so things are looking good on that front. After Qatar University, we will move to see if we can have another branch there within the Texas 50

A&M University at Qatar.

Further in the year, the Oryx Chapter will be hosting the CRC (Chapters Regional Conference) in Doha. The CRC will be from the 26th to the 28th of September.

And in February 2014, the Chapter will be hosting the 1st International Conference on Energy & IEQ for hot-climate countries.

Speaking of which, how much is the awareness on IEQ in Qatar?

Things are improving on the IEQ front in Qatar. For close to five years, there have been several conferences on IEQ in Qatar. They have focused on awareness and on how to change the behaviour to minimise the risk of gases, non-filtrated air and VOCs in buildings.

I believe the awarenessspreading stage is complete, so everyone understands the importance of noise, filtration, air diffusion and humidity. We are doing a couple of projects with GSAS and the LEEDrating system where IEQ is an issue.

Could you share with the readers the progress on the district cooling front?

We are seeing a large district cooling scheme going up in Lusail. Broadly speaking, there are clear instructions from the Government to take

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

B SURENDAR

How busy are you going to be this summer?

In June, of course, we are partnering with the HVAC exhibition here in Doha, in which we are taking care of the technical presentations; in addition to this, we will be exhibiting as ASHRAE to announce who we are and what we do. We will, then, be going to the ASHRAE Summer Meeting in Denver. We will be participating from Qatar and will be part of some of the technical committees.

care of energy efficiency in buildings in order to reduce energy consumption. The Government is assisting and advising people to adopt district cooling, but at the same time, the Government will not force anybody to take the district cooling route.

Indeed, there are some clients who want to be independent and don’t want to be linked to a chilled water system. That way, they believe they are controlling the maintenance and other aspects. But with the passage of time, the average of those people is decreasing, which is good. As ASHRAE, we are advising people to take up district cooling for the benefit of the whole country.

Is there enough TSE, though?

There is a decision that has been taken that, whenever a district cooling scheme goes up, the provider has to approach Ashghal to get TSE, but unfortunately, there is not

enough TSE. I believe they are working on it, though. It should be polished TSE, or we can ask the cooling tower or chiller manufacturer to cope with the TSE that is available.

Till enough TSE is available, the authorities have allowed the use of potable water. That is the current situation.

Besides the issue of a shallow seafront, is there a deterrent to adopting seawater cooling in Qatar?

We are confronted with two issues, really. One has to do with the Ministry of Environment, because with seawater cooling, we are looking at thermal effluents and the negative impact at the location. They might agree to the scheme rejecting the water at where no one is swimming, though. The second issue is the cost.

To build a seawater-intake system is a project in itself.

PQ Picks up pace

Aided by the anticipation of a slew of construction-related projects in the peninsula, the 10th edition of Project Qatar achieves the distinction of being the busiest show yet

W

Story and photographs: B Surendar ith Qatar in the initial stages of what looks like a purple patch for constructionrelated activities, the interest generated by the 10th edition of Project Qatar was evident in the throng of consultants, clients and other interested visitors. According to the organisers, the show, which ran from May 6 to 9, at the Doha Exhibition Centre, attracted over 2,500 exhibitors from over 50 countries and occupied over 70,000 square metres of space.

It would be a cliché to say that these are exciting times for the peninsula, but that’s precisely the mood in the country. Though not palpable, the looming FIFA World Cup has occupied mind-space like no other phenomenon, and there is the country’s National Vision 2030. For 2022 alone, the Government of Qatar has made a commitment to spend a whopping $100 billion in a raft of construction-related projects.

Sensing the massive opportunity, several HVAC entities set up shop in the peninsula a few years ago.

Since then, more and more have moved in for a share of the pie.

At the show, several of them were present as exhibitors, along with longestablished names. Companies like Leminar, Trane, Hira Industries and Alessa Industries. Trane, celebrating its centennial year, was

Nawaf Al Masoud

there to showcase its TVR technology. The company is on the throes of launching its next version for T3 conditions, called TVR 4G. It used the show to demonstrate the technology behind its system and to meet consultants and potential clients (see related interview).

Alessa Industries was another significant presence at the show. Speaking to Climate Control Middle East, the company’s President, Nawaf Al Masoud, spoke of how he was keen on Qatar as a business destination for Alessa, especially in view of the 2022 World Cup. “I am impressed by the high government spending and definitely see a market for our technically sound and green products,” Al Masoud said. “We see a lot of projects happening. You have Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and now it is Qatar.”

Alessa is engaging consultants and the government in Qatar to show the advantages of its

Wilo middle east participates in project qatar

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ilo Middle East, bannering its newly redesigned logo and the motto “Pioneering for You” at the 2013 edition of Project Qatar, showcased its product portfolio said to be relevant

to the building services, water management and industry segments of the market.

Commenting on the company’s participation in the exhibition, Hesham Koura, Managing Director,

June 2013

Climate Control Middle East in CHRVI 2013 As a media partner, Climate Control Middle East will be distributed at the CHRVI 2013.

Visit us at booth No. F18.

products that contribute to saving energy. At the show, it particularly highlighted the Huntair-Arabia Fanwall technology. “For the owner,” Al Masoud said, “it means lower total cost of ownership, reduced unit footprint, lower sound levels and vibration and retrofit applications.”

According to Alessa, the lower total cost of ownership encompasses redundant fans, which maximise the uptime and low energy usage, which reduces the operating cost of the air handler. Also, the direct drive feature means no belt or bearing maintenance, according to Alessa. In addition, the technology’s small motors and fan wheels mean easier maintenance, according to the company.

Further, a uniform air tunnel means longer filter life, Alessa claimed.

For the architect, Alessa said, the system means reduced unit footprint, as much as 33%, which means more useable building space for the project. Also, the reduced weight, Alessa added, may reduce structural costs. said: "Customers have the opportunity to get extensive information about the multifarious range of Wilo products at Project Qatar Exhibition. Today, Wilo is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pumps and pump systems for heating, air conditioning and cooling, as well as for water supply and sewage disposal.”

In an official communiqué, Wilo Middle East said that it believed in being proactive and that maintaining a live contact with the customers was key to sustaining a continuous focus on practical applications. It added that its actions and performance were motivated by its customers’ needs and desires. 

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51

SpoTLIGHT QATAR

‘ConSuLTAnTS’ In QATAR HAVE EMBRACED TVR’

Hani Nadaf, the General Manager & Partner of Qatar Electromechanical Solutions, the authorised distributor of Trane in Qatar, spoke to B Surendar about the prospects for Trane’s TVR technology in the peninsula. Excerpts…

WHAt KEy FACtORS GIvE yOu tHE CONFIDENCE tHAt tHE tvR WILL DO WELL IN QAtAR? We have the name of the brand that is driving sales. TVR is not an unconventional system. It requires qualified technicians to sell it. Trane has an excellent after-salesservice record, owing to the Trane training culture. Also, we have 1,200 square metres of service area on the ground and with all the spare parts available. So, I would say that after-sales and the brand name are reasons for the success of TVR. WHAt IS tHE POtENtIAL FOR tHE tECHNOLOGy? The potential is definitely there in Qatar, and the consultants’ community here has embraced it. In the case of the TVR, we are able to achieve energy savings and control of capacity from 10% to 100% without loss of energy, while competitors cannot control less than 30%.

We have installed the system in our office and trained our technicians and engineers. One of the clients who came visiting, liked the technology and wanted TVR in his business, Al Kuwari Hotel. I must add that the cooling quality and space-saving feature appealed to him. So we completed the job at Al Kuwari in 2012-2013, and now the project site is a reference for introducing the technology in other hotels.

WHAt COP HAvE yOu BEEN ABLE tO ACHIEvE? We have achieved a COP of 3.4, as per AHRI conditions we have achieved. To achieve savings, the controls should be sophisticated. The control of TVR is compatible with BACnet and is helping the consultant well.

We are now launching the T3 TVR, and it can stand up to 52C, in factory testing conditions. It will be out very soon, by the end of Q2 2013. It will be called, TVR 4G. SPEAKING GENERALLy ABOut vRF tECHNOLOGy, CONSuLtANtS POINt Out tO HAvING AN ISSuE WItH LEAKAGE OF REFRIGERANtS, GIvEN tHE EXCEPtIONALLy LONG PIPING. HOW ARE yOu ADDRESSING tHE CHALLENGE? When it comes to leakage, it depends on the right installation, as per the manufacturers’ recommendation.

We at TVR are keen that technicians should understand the procedure in the right way.

HAvE yOu LANDED ANy REtROFIt ASSIGNMENtS IN QAtAR? We still do not have real jobs, but there are enquiries in that direction. At the consultants’ level, TVR is well known, but clients need to be educated on this technology.

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Climate Control Middle East June 2013

Hani Nadaf (R) with Surajit Mahanty, Marketing Leader, Trane. Middle East & Africa Distributors

The Econosto stand

Caio Brandao of Durodyne

The Leminar team at their stand

Manish Hira at the Hira Industries stand

At the Dwyer stand

June 2013

www.climatecontrolme.com

53

perspective DATA CENTRE COOLING

Achieving efficient data centre cooling As a result of increased IT performance and density of electronic equipment, data centres are becoming more difficult to cool. Blanca Beato Arribas suggests ways to obviate the challenges while working within stipulated parameters of cooling.

T

he sensitive nature of the equipment and the fact that some servers demand continuous operation 24/7 every day of the year, data centres demand 99.9% reliable cooling system and effective environmental control.

The ASHRAE thermal guidelines (2011) classify data centres into six different categories (A1 to A4, B and C) depending on the environmental specifications and grade of environmental control.

ASHRAE recommends that 54

the dry bulb temperature is between 18 to 27째C and the humidity between 5.5 DP (Dew point) 60% RH and 15 DP, although the allowances relax considerably depending on the data centre class, to allow for greater flexibility in the design and operation of the data centres. In any case, the relaxation in the standards does not mean that the cooling or power problems of the building will disappear. Even if IT equipment can operate in these ranges, there will be an impact on the energy use of the data centre With regards to humidity,

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

ASHRAE recommends that the dry bulb temperature is between 18 to 27째C and the humidity between 5.5 DP (Dew point) 60% RH and 15 DP

a range from 40% to 60% RH is considered acceptable.

Although some manufactures claim that their components could work at a more relaxed range of 30% to 80%, we need to consider the possibility of static at very low humidity levels (less than 35% RH).

In addition to keeping the IT equipment under these conditions, T and RH should not vary more than 5째C per hour and five per cent per hour, respectively. In the event of cooling failure, response must be in place to avoid thermal shock damage to the equipment.

Cooling

CRAC units (computer room air conditioners) are the most popular form of refrigeration in data centres.

The most typical ventilation design of a data centre is the supply of cold air through raised floor, with the racks divided into hot and cold aisles, the CRAC units in the perimeter of the data centre, and the hot air from the hot aisles returning to the CRAC units at high level.

Other data centre designs may see the CRAC units located beneath the floor,

cold or hot aisle containment or the space being cooled by cooling cabinets in line with IT equipment and no false floor or CRAC units.

To maximise the performance of the CRAC units, they are sometimes located in the hot aisles, thus reducing the paths of both hot and cold air. The disadvantage of this kind of configuration is that the heat load capability of the CRAC units needs to be matched with the heat load installed in the racks.

Temperatures of 20 to 25°C in the space are considered acceptable with CRAC/CRAH return air temperatures around 10°C above this.

Therefore, operating at higher chilled water flow and return temperatures could be considered.

iT nEEDS To bE REcoGniSED THAT ovER-ZEAlouS TARGETinG of loW puE cAn coMpRoMiSE REliAbiliTy AnD RESiliEncE opTIMISED CooLInG

To reduce carbon emissions and energy costs, the efficiency of external cooling has to increase. Energy savings can be achieved in a combination of IT equipment tolerating higher temperatures, combined with better airflow management.

Due to increase in heat load demand in data centres, the industry offers a series of solutions, such as air to liquid heat exchangers, self-

cooling cabinets, cold aisle containment, etc.

Before choosing a novel solution, it might be a good idea to consider applying the following lower-cost solutions first: installing vapour retardants around the entire envelope (design stage), sealing cable and pipe entrances and tightly installing fit doors, following only F-R (Front to rear) airflow protocol for rack-mounted equipment and installing blanking plates in all unused racks to avoid recirculation.

It needs to be noted that the typical configuration of a data centre with cabinets placed front to front and back to back, creating cold and hot aisles in the space, maximises the delivery of cooled air and allows for the efficient extraction of the warmed air.

The relaxation of thermal conditions of the data centre immediately provides substantial energy savings, for example, by increasing the temperature in the space; which allows the vapour compression cycle to run with smaller temperature differential and increases the efficiency of chilled water plants. At the same time, the humidification load is decreased both by the standards (from 45% to 40%) and also by the decrease of the lower limit for temperature. Adopting higher temperature can reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. However, it can significantly reduce the period of successful operation following a cooling system or power failure.

In the case of air-based systems, higher heat densities tend to result in

higher exhaust temperatures at the equipment. If this hot air is not allowed to mix with cool air, it can reach the cooling system and make it run at a higher temperature and increased efficiency and greater free cooling is possible.

Thermal cooling systems are modified either by adopting free cooling of higher chilled water or operating temperatures. The most significant increases in plant efficiency have typically been attributed to raising chilled water temperatures and to implementing variable speed control of prime movers, such as chiller compressors, fans and pumps.

Energy savings can be achieved by indirect free cooling using air to air heat exchangers – outside air with recirculated air from the data centre – or by using evaporative cooling. The latter uses the latent heat of evaporation to achieve lower air or water temperatures. It consists of spraying moisture onto non-saturated air and using the heat of the air to evaporate some of the moisture, thus reducing the temperature of the air.

Increasing the RH of the data centre in the process can be avoided by using air to air heat exchangers, spraying on the non-data centre side or by June 2013

spraying water onto a cooling coil, which will reduce the temperature of water of any other refrigerant.

A HoLISTIC DouBLE-EnDED AppRoACH

An increasing concern is the overall efficiency of the data centre PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness – the ratio of data centre energy to IT equipment measurement).

It needs to be recognised that over-zealous targeting of low PUE can compromise reliability and resilience.

Failure to make appropriate design choices or adopting poor operating procedures or inefficient rack layout can have an impact on PUE and other measures and prevent optimal performance being achieved.n

The writer is Senior Research Engineer at BSRIA. She can be reached at: blanca. beato-arribas@bsria. co.uk

www.climatecontrolme.com

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interview DATA CENTRE COOLING Throwing the spotlight

on data centres To understand the role proper conditioning of air plays in data centres, Climate Control Middle East turns to Olivier Delépine. Here, he throws light on cooling and air filtration from the points of view of energy efficiency and reliability.

A review of the breakdown of TCO components provides insights into opportunities to control or reduce costs in various areas How important is the role of air filtration and cooling in data centres?

Air filtration and cooling in data centres is very critical for the trouble-free operation of IT equipment. Not doing it properly will cause down times and premature failures of IT equipment.

Cooling should be properly designed in accordance with the requirement of the IT equipment and with ASHRAE guidelines, so that it is sufficient to maintain the desired temperature in a data centre, and to avoid hot spots while consuming minimum power. Properly designed, the cooling system helps customers achieve a lower power usage effectiveness (PUE) and savings in OPEX. Copper creep and silver termination are common modes of IT equipment failures due to environmental contamination.  Copper creep corrosion is the corrosion of copper plating to copper sulfide on

56

printed circuit boards and the creeping of copper sulfide over the printed circuit boards, electrically shorting adjacent circuit-board features.  Corrosion of silver termination, in surfacemounted components, to silver sulfide leads to the loss of silver metallisation and eventual open circuiting of components, such as resistors.

What is the difference between air filtration systems used in data centres and the ones used in an ordinary office environment?

The purpose of an air filtration system for an office space is to provide healthy environment to human occupants, whereas an air filtration system for a data centre is designed to provide clean operational environment for IT equipment. For instance, filtration for ordinary office spaces is designed to eliminate bacteria, while filtration for data centres is designed to

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

eliminated NOx and SOx in the air.

Which types of filters are most suitable for data centres?

The room air may be continuously filtered with MERV 8 filters, as recommended by ASHRAE Standard 127 (ASHRAE 2007). Air entering a data centre may be filtered with MERV 11 or MERV 13 filters, as recommended by ASHRAE (2009b).

How can humidity and dust affect data centres, particularly in countries like the UAE and others in the Middle East?

Particulate (dust) contamination is characterised by its quantity and its corrosivity. The quantity of dust contamination can be normally identified by visual inspection of the IT equipment and by the frequency of filter replacement. The corrosivity of the dust can be estimated by determining the deliquescent relative humidity, which

is the relative humidity at which the dust becomes wet and, therefore, conductive.

Dust with high deliquescent relative humidity is generally more benign; dust with low deliquescent relative humidity is generally more corrosive.

Do you agree that the largest part of the Total Cost of Ownership of a data centre is attributable to powering and cooling and not the cost of the equipment?

Predicting and measuring Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the physical infrastructure for data centres is required for return-on-investment analysis and other business decision processes. In addition, an understanding of the cost drivers of TCO provides insight into opportunities to control costs.

Many users are surprised when they consider that the TCO for the physical infrastructure may be comparable to or larger than the TCO of the supported Information Technology equipment.

The TCO of a rack in a data centre is approximately USD 120,000 over the data centre lifetime.

In many cases, this cost is comparable to the cost of the IT equipment that a rack is likely to contain over the data centre lifetime. Approximately half of the lifetime per rack TCO of USD 120,000 is capital expense, and half is operating expense.

The respondent is the Vice President, UAE and Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric IT Business Unit. He can be contacted at olivier. delepine@schneiderelectric.com

perspective BITZER

Advanced compressor design for commercial applications with Co2 Highlighting how an advanced compressor design influences the application of CO2 with respect to strength and safety, reliability and efficiency, Oliver Javerschek and Dr G端nter Dittrich offer an overview of applied standards and a brief introduction to compressor design strategies for compressors for trans-critical applications. They also show how these have been transferred, to a significant extent, to the Bitzer SL compressor series for sub-critical CO2 applications.

Introduction

CO2 is an ongoing trend in refrigeration. Emissions of mostly used HFCs have a 1,430 to 3,922 times higher short-term contribution to global warming than CO2. Therefore, where refrigerant containment is somewhat questionable, CO2 can be a solution for the future. Additionally, it offers the possibility for differentiation from conventional design and a

58

green image. In countries with a high taxation on HFCs, legislation is an additional driving force.

Nonetheless, efficiency should not be neglected by introducing a refrigerant with a low GWP, especially because with a low GWP, the efficiency becomes even more important for the assessment of refrigeration systems on the basis of the TEWI method. Besides the efficiency, strength, safety

Climate Control Middle East June 2013

and reliability also require an advanced compressor design.

Advanced compressor design

Considering the thermodynamic properties of CO2, it is obvious that unfavourable conditions with respect to the compressor design appear with higher discharge and gas cooler outlet conditions.

These require high discharge pressures and cause low liquid fractions inside the two-phase area after the process of expansion. High discharge and standstill pressures on the suction side are a challenge concerning strength and safety aspects.

Another challenge is the reliability of compressors while facing high mechanical loads for the drive gear and lubrication under unfavourable conditions. Also, transcritical CO2 applications require efficient compressors at full load and part-load conditions, together with a smart system and heat exchanger design, to enable this technology to outperform HFC baseline systems in moderate climate zones.

All these highlight the fact that compressors for transcritical applications require a completely independent design and allow no real synergies to standard compressors. Nonetheless, a good compressor design considers as many proven assemblies from a related compressor range as possible. The development of Bitzer compressors for trans-critical applications with CO2 is based on related compressor models and on two different housing sizes. The types 4PTC, 4MTC and 4KTC are based on the C3 housing, whereas the models 4JTC,

Throttling, friction and motor losses show the biggest influence on the isentropic efficiency of compressors 4HTC, 4FTC, 4DTC and 4CTC are based on the C4 body Strength and safety The European standard EN 12693 defines the design criteria for commercial and industrial compressors. A safety factor of three can be applied in connection with type-approved relief valves to the atmosphere. Taking a maximum operating pressure (MOP) of 100 bar on the low pressure (LP) side and 160 bar on the high pressure (HP) side as basis, the minimum burst pressures correspond to 300 bar and 480 bar respectively. In other words, the safety margin on LP and HP side is equal to 200 and 320 bar. In order to fulfil these requirements, ductile materials, like spherical cast, have to be applied. Because of different casting processes, molts for grey cast iron cannot be applied.

Concerning the typeapproved relief valves, the standard EN 378 has to be applied. Taking the tolerances of the relief valves into account, the standard allows a pressure equal to the MOP multiplied by 1.1, until the maximum flow cross section of the relief

valve is available. On the basis of an MOP of 160 bar, the maximum pressure corresponds to 176 bar. To enable the valve to be fully open with this rated pressure, the minimum opening pressure corresponds to 148 bar.

The motor limit is 140 bar.

Unlike like-type examined safety valves of the systems, type-approved relief valves of the compressors only protect the compressors against bursting, and are allowed to have a lower opening pressure than rated on the nameplate of the compressor.

Reliability The load conditions for the drive gear of CO2 compressors for transcritical applications are determined by the characteristics of the natural substance: High pressures and pressure differences, high volumetric refrigeration capacities and remarkable high suction densities. In comparison to standard compressors, for example for the HFC R404A, the suction densities and volumetric refrigeration capacities lead to a compressor design with only small geometrical displacements for a similar cooling capacity at full load conditions at maximum ambient conditions. In this respect, it has to be considered that the ratio of refrigerant mass flow in kg/h per mÂł/h geometrical displacement is much higher for CO2 compressors.

Focusing on the mechanical loads, the resulting gas forces are dependent on the cylinder bore and the maximum pressure difference. The resulting gas force for the 4NCS corresponds to 11.545 kN on the basis of a maximum pressure difference of 30 bar. The maximum

pressure difference for the compressors for trans-critical applications corresponds to 120 bar (20 bar minimum suction - and 140 bar maximum discharge pressure).

Therefore, the resulting gas forces correspond to, for example, 16.8 kN for the compressor type 4HTC. The construction of the drive gear contains strengthened connecting rods in the small and big eye to transmit the resulting forces. In order to prevent oval and axial deformation of the piston pins under higher load conditions, they are designed to offer bigger bearing surfaces. A key factor of the design of CO2 compressors for transcritical applications is the ratio between stroke and bore. It has a significant influence on efficiency and reliability. With respect to the reliability of the compressors, it is of utmost importance to achieve a safe dimensioning in terms of generously dimensioned piston pins, large seating for the piston pin inside the piston and large bearing surfaces inside of the connecting rods. Besides this, the average piston velocity is of importance to minimise the wear. In order to achieve this, larger bores and, consequently, lower stroke-bore ratios are of advantage, because it offers simply more space than a design with longer strokes and smaller bores. The applied stroke-bore ratios for the Bitzer compressors for CO2 applications are under square.

While focusing on the reliability of semi-hermetic piston compressors in commercial applications, the kind of lubricant has a significant influence.

Possible candidates for

trans-critical applications with CO2 are PVE, PAG and POE. The lubricants have to be evaluated with respect to compressor and system-related issues. With focus on the compressor, hygroscopicity, dielectric strength, material compatibility, resulting viscosities, lubricity and thermal and chemical stability are of utmost importance. Besides the material compatibility, the miscibility with liquid CO2 is relevant for the system design. In the following, POE is considered as the lubricant. With respect to solubility and viscosity characteristics, this choice is the most challenging for the compressor. But it offers advantages for the system design, such as lower hygroscopicity than PAG, better miscibility and improved system oil circulation. The basic

By applying suction gas cooling, a balance point between necessary and excessive motor cooling has to be found

viscosity of the considered lubricant corresponds to 85 cSt based on 40°C. An antiwear package is applied with the oil.

The high gas solubility of CO2 in POE can lead to strong de-gassing effects in connection with rapid pressure fluctuations inside the crank case. These effects occur inside the oil sump, the oil supply channels and on bearing surfaces. Strong de-gassing effects lead to boundary friction conditions, which require adequate measures to avoid severe wear of the drive gear. The pistons are based on standard alloy. During boundary friction conditions, standard pistons cannot provide the requested reliability.

Therefore, the pistons are specially treated for improved running qualities.

This offers low wear under extreme conditions, for example, start-stop cycling with high liquid fraction in the suction gas. As mentioned above, lower stroke-bore ratios offer the advantage of large bearing surfaces inside the connecting rods. The small eye contains a bearing out of high-performance material. It combines high reliability under high loads and good dry running capability during boundary friction conditions. A multi-layer bearing is applied inside

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the big eye, which offers extremely good dry running capabilities. The same type of bearing is also applied with the main bearing and bearing inside the bearing cap.

It has been mentioned before that strong degassing effects can occur with fluctuating pressures inside the crank case of the compressors. The process of de-gassing is, of course, very much dependent on the amount of CO2 that is solved in the lubricant, and this is dependent on the suction pressure and oil sump temperature.

While focusing on the application of variable speed drive (VSD), the resulting oil sump temperature is directly influenced by the resulting mass flows with different speeds. Considering a constant suction and discharge conditions, the oil sump temperature drops significantly with higher speeds. The opposite trend can be investigated concerning the oil carry over rates of the compressors. With higher speeds, and especially with speeds higher than 70 Hz, the oil carry over rate is increased. These aspects have been considered during the development of compressors. However, they cannot be discussed within the scope of this article.

EFFICIENCy Characteristic values for the efficiency of compressors are the volumetric and isentropic efficiency. The volumetric efficiency is determined by the ratio of effective and geometrical volume flow. The major influences are additional superheating of the suction gas between the suction shut-off valve and the entrance into the cylinder due to motor losses, heat transfer from

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the cylinder surface and from discharge to the suction side and valve malfunctions. Throttling, friction and motor losses show the biggest influence on the isentropic efficiency of compressors. The isentropic efficiency of the compressor can easily be calculated by the isentropic power input multiplied by the volumetric efficiency and divided by the measured power input at the terminals.

Consequently, this value includes all losses. The above-mentioned values can also be described as total “external� efficiencies of a compressor. Indicated efficiencies determine internal losses. The indicated volumetric efficiency is defined as ratio of distance of the indicated volume to the swept volume. Therefore, it describes the loss of useful suction volume due to back expansion and throttling losses. The indicated efficiency describes the ratio of isentropic power input and indicated power input. Energetic losses of the compression process due to leakages, throttling losses and heat transfer processes inside the cylinder can be detected.

The indicated efficiencies will not be discussed in

detail within this article.

However, an indicated p,V diagram will be used to describe the dynamic behaviour of the valves.

In Chapter 3.2 the advantages of smaller stroke-bore ratios for CO2 compressors for trans-critical applications were highlighted. While discussing the pros and cons of a short stroke design, the efficiency also has to be considered. At first view, it seems that the disadvantages for the efficiency are dominant.

A short stroke and, consequently, wider bores have the disadvantage of a bigger dead volume inside the cylinder, as well as the tightening line for the piston rings is enlarged, which leads to higher losses along the piston. SĂźss [1] proposed longer strokes

in his study to reduce the leakages along the piston.

Another approach was considered for the design of the compressor types 4PTC to 4CTC in order to compensate the disadvantage with respect to the volumetric efficiency of a shorter stroke. The pistons are equipped with three piston rings. This solution ensures a reduction of the leakages along the piston. Besides this, the triple piston ring solution provides a moderate pressure reduction with each stage, and leads, consequently, to a reduced load on each piston ring.

This increases the lifespan.

Of course, the piston rings are also optimised for reduced friction to minimise losses with respect to the isentropic efficiency. Further, with

Figure 1: CAD drawing of the cylinder head

Figure 2: Volumetric and isentropic efficiency of the compressor model 4HTC-20K

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It is selfevident that certain pressure differences between discharge and high pressure are necessary for unloading the cylinder and discharging into the high pressure chamber of the cylinder head respect to the volumetric efficiency, the dead volume of the compressor models is reduced to a minimum by observing high safety.

The advantages of wider bores with respect to the flow cross sections of the valve plate are obvious.

The available space is used to design the flow cross sections and valve positions in an optimum way. The Bitzer compressor range for

trans-critical applications with CO2 is designed for VSD in a wide range. In order to minimise throttling losses, not only at rated speed, but also with speeds greater than 60 Hz, flow cross sections must be designed accordingly. With higher mass flows, the flow velocities are increased and the influence on the pressure drop is quadratic.

Throttling losses lead to a lower indicated efficiency of the compressor. The available space is also utilised to apply an optimised valve design, which combines efficiency and high reliability. As a result, a delayed closing of the suction working and discharge working valves is prevented, and leakages through the valves are minimised as well. Both malfunctions could reduce the indicated volumetric efficiency of the compressors, but are avoided with the described design.

The motor cooling of the compressor models for trans-critical applications is realised by suction gas. By applying suction gas cooling, a balance point between necessary and excessive motor

cooling has to be found.

A suction bypass or low effects on motor cooling by the suction gas lead to the requirement of heat rejection through external oil cooling or cooling by ambient air. Too much motor cooling leads to very low oil sump temperatures caused by the extremely good cooling effect of CO2, and to unnecessary high superheating of the suction gas with losses in terms of volumetric efficiency.

Due to internal measures inside the motor compartment, the stream of suction gas is divided with the discussed compressor models. Internal channels ensure that a rated amount of suction gas bypasses the motor. Internal channels lead the suction gas directly to the suction chambers.

A sufficient motor cooling is provided by the amount of suction gas that streams along the stator. Due to this measure, high volumetric efficiencies can be achieved, and external measures for the motor and oil cooling do not have to be applied within the wide application range of the compressors.

In order to minimise the heat transfer from discharge to the suction

Figure 3: Indicator diagram for VSD between 700 and 1900 rpm of the compressor model 4HTC-20K

side at the cylinder heads, the assembly shows a new design. As shown in Figure 1, the suction and discharge chambers are separated.

The reduced heat transfer results in further improved volumetric and isentropic efficiencies.

Characteristics of the volumetric and isentropic efficiencies for the compressor model 4HTC20K are provided in Figure 2. It shows a comparison of the first generation and the actual design. It defines the efficiencies on the basis of a constant suction pressure of 28.0 bar and a suction gas superheat of 10 K; the pressure is equal to -8째C saturated suction temperature. Efficiencies are given for head pressures from 50 bar to 112 bar. 50 bar equals a condensing temperature of 15째C and 112 bar corresponds to a optimum discharge pressure for a gas cooler outlet temperature around 45째C. During the development of the compressor, the volumetric efficiency was improved significantly. On basis of a pressure ratio of 2.5, which equals a discharge pressure of 70 bar, an increase of 10% could be achieved. From the beginning, the cylinder heads featured separated suction and discharge chambers. With higher head pressures, which are typically for high discharge temperatures and a higher power input of the motor, the discharge temperatures show higher values as well. Consequently, the suction gas between the suction shut-off valve and the suction chamber is influenced by higher waste heat of the motor and heat rejection from the heated cylinder walls and from the discharge side. The characteristics of the volumetric efficiencies show that the thermal

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load of the suction gas could be further reduced during the development.

Also, the working valves were optimised during the development. Besides the volumetric efficiency, the isentropic efficiency could be improved significantly as stated in Figure 2. An increase of 12% could be achieved for a pressure ratio of 2.5. Throttling and friction losses were reduced during the development.

Taking a maximum gas cooler outlet temperature of 35°C and a discharge pressure of 90 bar into account, the pressure ratio corresponds to 3.2. Further, considering a condensing temperature of 15°C, the total isentropic efficiency of the discussed compressor model is always clearly above 0.65. This enables an efficient operation of the compressor throughout the seasons and leads to high values for the SEER. The fact that the isentropic efficiency shows such a flat characteristic is typical for a piston compressor. The dead volume contains a certain amount of refrigerant.

With the down motion of the piston, back expansion occurs and forces the piston down. Transmitted via the eccentric shaft, this fact reduces the necessary torque for the piston that moves up.

Trans-critical applications with CO2 require efficient compressors under all operating conditions to reach similar or higher COPs than HFC baseline systems in moderate climate zones.

Detailed investigations on the indicated work of the compressors were performed during the development and optimisation of the compressors. Figure 3 shows an example of a p,V diagram measured with the

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compressor model 4HTC20K. The function of the working valves was investigated in connection with VSD at constant suction and discharge conditions. All measurements are based on 26.5 bar suction and 90 bar high pressure, a suction gas superheat of 10 K and compressor speeds between 700 and 1900 rpm. Shortly after passing the lower dead centre, the piston moves upwards (1). The diagram demonstrates that the compression lines (1) to (2) with various compressor speeds are almost identical.

Therefore, it demonstrates that the closing behaviour of the suction valves is good under various mass flow rates. The exhaust stroke is shown between (2) and (3).

The various characteristics show a certain deviation concerning the over compression.

It is self-evident that certain pressure differences between discharge and high pressure are necessary for unloading the cylinder and discharging into the high pressure chamber of the cylinder head.

The measured pressure differences are in the range of three to 11 bar between 700 and 1900 rpm. At the upper dead centre of the piston, the discharge valve closes and as soon as the piston starts to move down again, back-expansion takes place between (3) and (4). The remaining gas inside the dead volume of the cylinder expands back to suction pressure (4). The almost identical characteristics prove a good closing behaviour of the discharge valves.

The pressure differences between the opening pressures of the suction valves and the suction pressure are stated between (4) and (1). The differences

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are in the range of two to six bar between 700 and 1900 rpm.

The indicator diagram highlights that the working valves are designed to an optimum for the application of VSD. A Malfunction like a delayed closing of the valves does not occur. While assessing the discharge and suction characteristics in Figure 3, it has to be considered that working valves have a certain inertia. The mechanical inertia and the spring force of the working valve result to a resistance that acts against the opening force. With higher compressor speeds and consequently higher mass flows and flow velocities, the resistance is increased as well. A higher force leads to higher pressure differences for the opening and closing of the working valves. An additional effect shows the oil on the valve seats that causes an adhesive bonding effect.

Besides investigations for different compressor speeds, tests were carried out for various head pressures as well. However, within the scope of this article, all aspects of the development and the optimisation of the compressors for transcritical applications cannot be illuminated.

ConCLuSIonS

Compressors for transcritical applications with CO2 require demanding techniques with the respect to strength and safety, reliability and efficiency.

By applying innovative ideas and new technologies, the mentioned compressor models for trans-critical CO2 applications have reached an advanced level of engineering. The compressors feature no external piping, suction gas cooled motors without the requirement for oil cooling,

offer high efficiencies and very favourable operating characteristics with low vibrations and pulsation due to four-cylinder design.

From the application engineering point of view, the compressors are designed to withstand challenging operating conditions, like wet operation and boundary friction conditions. The compressors are designed for VSD in a wide range and combine high reliability with superior efficiencies.n

NOMENCLATURE COP: Coefficient of Performance (–) GWP: Global Warming Potential HCFC: Hydroclorinefluorcarbons HFC: hydrofluorcarbons HP: High Pressure LT: Low Temperature MOP: Maximum Operating Pressure MT: Medium Temperature PAG: Polyalkylenglycol POE: Polyolester PVE: Polyvinylether SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating TEWI: Total Equivalent Warming Impact VSD: Variable Speed Drive BIBLIOGRAPHY 1 Süß J. 1998, Untersuchungen zur Konstruktion moderner Verdichter für Kohlendioxid als Kältemittel, DKV Forschungsbericht Nr. 59:

Oliver Javerschek is a Project Manager at Bitzer Rottenburg

Günter Dittrich is the Former Head of Development, Piston Compressors

They can be contacted at mail@bitzer.ae.