CCME - May 2012 by Climate Control Middle East

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D-Code: Select the appropriate material to ensure high indoor quality p30 News Yanbu to get stone wool manufacturing facility p7

Idrobase to showcase new products p10 Perspective Revisiting flammable refrigerants â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

checks and balances p58 | Keeping HVAC systems clean p56

Country Report

Product Focus

South Korea: a highly Humidifiers and dehumidifiers: competitive market p32 A breath of fresh air p26 Plus: Marketplace, Comings&Goings, Event Round-Up

MAY 2012

The energy champions

Which companies across the region are taking the initiative to optimise comfort while improving buildingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; energy efficiency in the transition towards smarter energy management? PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

US$15

Many pairs of hands craft a Daikin VRVIII system

then support the one pair that continues the good work

contents 36

Vol. 7 No. 5 | May 2012

Energy champions

04 from the editor

The tower on Cotonduba

happenings

32 COUNTRY REPORT

06 The region 10 At large 18 Marketplace

26 Product focus

A breath of fresh air

How is the GCC market for humidifiers and dehumidifiers? And what technological innovations and design approaches are we seeing? Valeria Camerino finds out…

Making the right connections John Guthrie provides a checklist to help select the appropriate material to ensure high indoor air quality.

South Korea: a highly competitive market

What makes Brand Korea tick? What are the HVACR best practices and technological innovations from the Land of the Morning Calm? Valeria Camerino reports.

Keeping HVAC systems clean

Revisiting flammable refrigerants – checks and balances

48 EVENT ROUND-UP

Natural high

We continue to bring you exclusive coverage of Round 1 of Refrigerants Review, which was held at Atlantis The Palm Hotel in Dubai on March 20 and 21. The event, organised by Climate Control Middle East, brought together highprofile refrigeration industry experts and policymakers, who exchanged their views on natural refrigerants, the phase-out of ozone-depleting and high global warming potential substances, as well as refrigerants recovery, recycling and reclaim.

South Korea: A highly competitive market

56 perspectiveS

30 d-code

A breath of fresh air

Shali Habibulla emphasises the importance of clean air for our general well-being and suggests ways to improve the quality of air we breathe.

In the second installment of the whitepaper on flammable refrigerants, Thomas Blewitt explores the prevalent safety standards and regulations that affect the use of flammable refrigerants in HVAC equipment and appliances.

36 cover story

Energy champions

We reviewed a number of initiatives, which companies across the region are taking to optimise comfort while improving buildings’ energy efficiency in the transition towards smarter energy management.

Cover photo and design: Rey Delante | 050 525 9665

May 2012

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from the

editor

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

The tower on

Editorial Director & Associate Publisher B Surendar | surendar@cpi-industry.com

Cotonduba

COO Nadeem Hood | nadeem@cpidubai.com

Assistant Editor Valeria Camerino | valeria@cpi-industry.com

few weeks ago, an e-mail started circulating about the Solar City Tower that would be erected on the island of Cotonduba, at the entrance of Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The design for the tower was by a Zurich-based architecture firm, called RAFAA. On hearing about the e-mail, RAFAA quickly issued a statement indicating that the e-mail was misleading and that the design was nothing but a proposal it had submitted for a competition in 2009. In the statement, RAFAA also said the design was at an initial stage, with no guarantee of being translated to reality. The firm added that it had encountered technical hurdles; in addition, it said it had not arrived at an estimation of the energy consumption of the structure. The purpose of writing this is not to pat the architecture firm for its honesty, which it richly deserves. No, no, the purpose is to marvel at the possibility of such an innovative structure. According to the e-mail, the Solar City Tower would capture solar energy by means of a vast array of solar panels and supply power to the whole of the Olympic city and to a part of Rio. In the night, the e-mail said, the tower would pump water from the ocean, which would be allowed to fall from a height of 105 metres. According to the e-mail, the fall would stimulate turbines, which would produce power. ‘Zero carbon foot print’ immediately comes to mind, and when viewed from that perspective, the design-proposal has to be lauded for the simplicity of its conception, elegance and intent. It stands as an example of daring and free-thinking – and a willingness to try a novel approach, without any fear of failure. It embodies Einstein’s famous line, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” The world – our region including – needs free-thinking and daring, especially at a time when it is facing massive challenges related to the availability of power and water. As RAFAA wrote in its design proposal, “This project represents a message of a society facing the future; thus, it is the representation of an inner attitude.” Well said!

Contributing Editors Pratibha Umashankar prati@cpi-industry.com Anoop K Menon anoop@cpi-industry.com Business Development Consultant Stephanie McGuinness stephanie@cpi-industry.com Design Genesis Salao | getty@cpi-industry.com Ulysses Galgo | uly@cpi-industry.com Webmaster Troy Maagma | troy@cpidubai.com Database/ Subscriptions Manager Purwanti Srirejeki purwanti@cpi-industry.com Advertising Enquiries Frédéric Paillé: +971 50 7147204 fred@cpi-industry.com Stephanie McGuinness: +971 50 6679359 stephanie@cpi-industry.com USA and Canada Kanika Saxena Director (North America) 25 Kingsbridge Garden Cir Suite 919 Mississauga, ON, Canada L5R 4B1 kanika@cpi-industry.com Tel/fax: +1 905 890 5031 Euro Zone and UK Sicking Industrial Marketing Wilhelm Sicking 45130 Essen - Emmastrasse 44 Tel: +49 (0)201-779861 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 sicking-media@email.de • www.sicking.de China Sean Xiao Hui China Business Media Group Room 403, Block 17, Wuyimingzhu, No 6 Jinshan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350008, China Tel: +86 591 8386 3000

B Surendar

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D-Code: Select the www.clima appropriate materi News Yanbu to get stone al to ensure high indoor tecontrolme.com quality p30 Idrobase to showcawool manufacturing facility p7 Countr se new products p10 y Report Produc t Focus South Korea: a highly Humidifie

Perspective Revisiting flammable refrigeran checks and balances ts – p58 | Keeping HVAC systems

clean p56

rs and dehumidifiers: competitive market p32 A breath of fresh air p26 Plus: Marketplace, Comings&Goings, Event Round-Up

MAY 2012

Printed by: Excel Printing Press, Sharjah, UAE

The energy champions

Which companies across the region are taking optimise comfort while improving buildings’ the initiative to the transition toward energy efficiency in s smarter energy manag ement?

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

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Climate Control Middle East May 2012

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

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happenings the region

Perma-Pipe inaugurates new Saudi plant

New facility to tap into the Saudi oil &gas and district cooling sectors

S-headquartered Perma-Pipe officially inaugurated a 80,000square-foot manufacturing plant on April 3, 2012, in Dammam Industrial City 2, Saudi Arabia. As Perma-Pipe Managing Director, Thomas Stein explained, through the facility, the company is looking at targeting the Saudi oil & gas sector, with Saudi Aramco representing one of its key customers. Additionally, the piping manufacturer, intends to tap into Saudi Arabia’s district cooling and infrastructure opportunities, in view of the Saudi government’s heavy investments in infrastructure projects, such as Princess Noura University, in Riyadh, one of Perma-Pipe’s flagship Saudi projects. To build the plant, the company, which boasts over 50 years of experience in the piping sector, has imported, installed and commissioned its own equipment, in spite of stringent customs regulations. “We are very proud of this achievement and that we managed to enter the Saudi market as a wholly foreignowned company, which allowed us to retain our own identity” Stein said. Indeed, foreign companies setting up their operations in Saudi Arabia don’t necessarily have to partner with a local company, like it happens in other Gulf countries. One of the challenges initially faced by Perma-Pipe was securing industrial land, which was provided with reliable and continuous power supply. Stein pointed out that the support of a number of government bodies, such as the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, Saudi

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

Customs and Saudi Industrial Property Authority, was instrumental in ensuring the smooth implementation of the project. The facility employs a balanced mix of nationalities, with Saudi nationals accounting for about 25% of the workforce, in line with the government’s Saudisation targets. The Saudi plant features Perma-Pipe’s Xtru-Therm automated spray polyurethane insulation and several jacketing systems, including Polyethylene, metal and FRP. The company, which already operates a manufacturing facility in the UAE, also sees significant opportunities in Qatar and Kuwait. “We see fantastic opportunities in those markets within oil & gas, district cooling, industrial piping and the infrastructure sector, and we look forward to expanding further into the region,” said Stein.

Yanbu to get stone wool manufacturing facility

Saint-Gobain Isover to support the Alghanim Industries plant with its REX process technology

irst Saudi Insulation Manufacturing Company (FSIMC), a company owned by Alghanim Industries, plans to launch a new stone wool manufacturing facility in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. FSIMC will manufacture a variety of stone wool products for thermal and acoustic insulation with the support of Saint-Gobain Isover (France), and using its latest state-of-the-art REX process technology. The plant is expected to be commissioned in 2013 and will serve both the industrial and building segments. “The manufacturing facility in Yanbu will have an installed capacity of 64,000 tonnes and serve markets in Saudi Arabia, as well as those in the other GCC states, Egypt, Iraq and Levant,” says a spokesman for the company. With the support of Saint-Gobain Isover (France), FSIMC will manufacture a variety of stone wool products for thermal and acoustic insulation. The facility will complement Alghanim Industries’ two stone wool facilities in India, which have a total installed capacity of 50,000 tonnes. The production of stone wool insulation in Yanbu will also enable the regional construction sector to meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly and energy-efficient building materials. The spokesman says stone wool insulation products can play a key role in the

successful development of ‘green’ building solutions with great energy savings for Saudi Arabia and improved living comfort for the people. “This investment will also create valuable jobs for Saudi nationals,” he adds. “We would like to acknowledge and thank the strategic planning and investment development team of the Royal Commission of Yanbu for the strong support provided both for the industrial land as well as for the associated utilities that are necessary to build and operate this greenfield manufacturing facility,” the spokesman states. Apart from FSIMC, Alghanim Industries and Saint-Gobain also have a joint venture in Turkey known as Izocam, which has been producing stone wool products since 2006. The installed capacity of the facility, which operates under Saint-Gobain Isover licensed technology, is expected to reach 75,000 tonnes this year. Izocam manufactures stone wool, glass wool and other insulation products, and exports to markets in the Middle East, Far East, Europe, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Saint-Gobain Isover is a division of Saint-Gobain, which designs, manufactures and distributes building materials. According to the company, it provides innovative solutions to meet

growing demand for energy efficiency and for environmental protection. The company recorded 2011 sales of €40.1 billion ($52.57 billion) and has more than 189,000 employees worldwide in 64 countries. Alghanim Industries, a major privately owned company, has operations in 40 countries with established strongholds in the Middle East, India and Turkey. Its operations also extend to Eastern Europe, Africa, East Asia and Southeast Asia. The multi-billion-dollar conglomerate has more than 30 businesses and over 300 brand affiliations. The group has a strong international insulation manufacturing presence through Kimmco, Rockwool India Limited and Izocam.

Samir Kasem, President, Alghanim Industries (L) with Majed A Hadi, Director, Investment Development, Royal Commission of Yanbu

(Left to Right) Christopher Ellison (Saint-Gobain Isover), Alain David (Alghanim Industries), Samir Kasem (Alghanim Industries), Majed A Hadi (Royal Commission of Yanbu), Mohammed Al-Soaib (Soaib Law), Eng Yahya S Al-Zahrani (Royal Commission of Yanbu)

May 2012

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happenings the region

DuPont sponsors BBC environment series

Also hosts global collaboration on energy to define a future path

uPont has announced that it brought together a panel of distinguished experts at a debate held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, along with key global partners. Moderated by BBC World News host, Adam Shaw, the focus of the debate was defining a future energy path. Pointing out that by 2035, global demand for energy will increase by almost 40% and that currently more than 1.5 billion people worldwide are without access to electricity, DuPont claimed that all the panelists believed that one of the most important challenges our generation faces – a world that can adequately meet its present and future energy needs – could be addressed by working together. The company also announced its sponsorship of the second series of the BBC World News programme, Horizons, presented by Shaw. The series continues the journey across the globe in search

of ideas and businesses that may succeed over the next decade in tackling the planet’s biggest challenges, DuPont revealed, and added, that the new season of Horizons is being aired on BBC World News in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. According to DuPont, the Middle East has a lot at stake as it bolsters its energy agenda, with demand for power in the region reportedly projected to grow at more than seven per cent per year over the next decade, while the Arab World is also posting the fastest rising per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Governments

and investors are thus eyeing longterm solutions that can meet both growing power demand and the high environmental standards being set by Arab leaders.

DSI announces healthy Q1

Claims that construction boom in Qatar motivating factor to focus on advanced engineering solutions

rake & Scull Qatar (DSQ), a wholly owned subsidiary of Drake & Scull International PJSC (DSI), has announced securing AED1.3 billion in project awards across the MENA region in the first quarter and expects its local Qatari arm to increasingly contribute to the growth of the company, especially with the recent establishment of its rail and civil divisions, which will complement its existing MEP and water power operations. The company claims that it is leveraging its operation in the country, with DSI Qatar having a number of ongoing and completed projects and is equipped to take part in other developments that are critical components of the government’s roadmap to the FIFA World Cup 2022. In this context, Khaldoun Tabari CEO of DSI said: “Tenders for major projects in the hospitality, rail and the infrastructure sectors are under way in Quarter Two

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

and we are currently bidding across all our business lines. We anticipate rising pressures on pricing levels, given the severe competition and the costs associated with the sourcing of the necessary human and technical resources to cater for such large-scale projects.”

Park Hyatt recycles wastewater

Dow Water & Process Solutions helps reuse water for sustainable operation of cooling towers

ow Water & Process Solutions has announced that guests at Park Hyatt Dubai are being kept cool, thanks to a water recycling project that has, to date, saved enough potable water to fill as many as 62 Olympicsized swimming pools. At the heart of the recycling project is the Dow membranes technology, a business unit within The Dow Chemical Company, it said. Dow’s membranes filter and process 148,300 cubic metres of water annually for the hotel that is later used to supply its HVAC towers, which, in turn, help cool the resort’s 225 luxury rooms and suites, the company claimed. The overall system – designed and built by Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies – has helped the hotel save as much as 154,880 cubic meters of potable water since it was launched in 2010, it explained.

ASHRAE UPDATE

Oryx to host LEED seminar

Discussion on Green Building Overview: LEED 2009 Update and ASHRAE 189.1-2011

SHRAE Qatar Oryx Chapter has announced that it will be conducting a full-day seminar on Green Building Overview: LEED 2009 Update and ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2011, on May 19 at the College of the North Atlantic, Doha. The event is sponsored by ASHRAE Qatar Oryx Chapter. Thomas M Lawrence, PhD, PE, LEED-AP, Faculty of Engineering, the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, will be the speaker. According to the communiqué from ASHRAE Oryx, Dr Lawrence is a Senior Public Service Associate with the University of Georgia, and has 30 years of professional

experience in engineering and environmentally related fields. Before going back for his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue, he spent approximately 20 of those years in industry and consulting. He is the chair of ASHRAE Technical Committee 2.8, “Building Environmental Impact and Sustainability”, and is a member of the committee which wrote the ASHRAE standard on high-performance green buildings (Standard 189.1). As an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer, he gives presentations and conducts workshops on green building design at venues around the world. At the University of Georgia, Dr Lawrence

teaches courses in Building HVAC, Green Building Design, Residential Building Design, and Heat Transfer. Dr Lawrence has a BS with the Highest Distinction honours in Environmental Science from Purdue University (1978), an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University (1982) and a second MS degree in Engineering Management from Washington University (1989). He received a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in the spring of 2004 researching the impacts of demand-controlled ventilation on energy consumption and Indoor Air Quality in smaller commercial buildings.

Annual Election at Oryx Chapter

SHRAE Qatar Oryx Chapter has announced in its March Newsletter that it will hold its Annual Election Conference in May. According to the Chair’s message, the Oryx Chapter calls for the election conference to take place in order: • For the President to release the activities report for the elapsed year. • For the conference members to discuss the report and to highlight the positive and negative issues and to assess the achievements of the BOG and the officers for the year. • For the conference to come up with recommendations for the new BOG and officers for the coming year. The Chair urges the members to attend the conference and take active part in it to improve the chapter’s activities. He also informs all the members and others who are interested that the door is open for anyone who is capable and has the time to serve the chapter, to take the opportunity and submit their CV directly to the Nomination Committee. He adds that the Oryx Chapter always looks forward to having new members in the BOG. The list of office bearers is as follows: Chapter Officers: President: Hassan Sultan President Elect: Hani Hawamdeh VP: Subrata Kar Board of Governors: VP: Hisham Hajaj Eugene Bautista Secretary: Seenu Pillai Ghassan Trabolsi Treasurer: Kinan Fahs B Durairajj Mohamad Mokdad Fadi Abou Jamra The Newsletter Committee: Tony Khoury Hassan Sultan: Chair Ali Ibrahim Kinan Fahs: Member Diwakar Lal Eugene Bautista: Member

May 2012

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happenings at large

Idrobase to showcase new products

Will present Cooling Line at 360° range at Oil & Non Oil event

drobase Group, an Italy-based company, has announced that it will participate as an exhibitor at Oil & Non Oil – the biennial event which will take place in Modena Exhibition centre in Italy from May 13 to 15. The Group will have its presence at Hall A Booth D10, and will present its new Cooling line at 360° range of products. According to Idrobase, the new product range renews nebulisation and misting, as, instead of the classical horizontal ventilation, it uses a mixed system of ventilation and nebulisation that, from a height of 2.5 metres, produces a ‘cloud’, with billions of micro drops that plunge and evaporate, reducing the temperature of the area to 10°C without wetting people or objects. Ombrellone 360°, Fan 360° and

Ombrellone 360°

Idrobase Group headquarters

Canneto are few of the products included in this range, particularly suitable for creating a refreshing environment, the company claimed, and added that it will especially highlight the new Tavolino

360° with remote control, which will capture the visitors’ interest at the event, as the installation is versatile and particularly suitable for transforming a service area into a relaxing ethos.

E+E Elektronik bags award

Wireless transmitter recognised at AHR Expo 2012 Innovation Awards

+E Elektronik has announced that one of its products – the Wireless Transmitter EE245 – won the 2012 AHR Expo Innovation Award in the category of Indoor Air Quality. The award was presented at a ceremony at the HVAC Trade Show and Conference in Chicago. Since the jury of the award was composed of renowned ASHRAE members, the award was a special confirmation and a motivation for its future developments, E+E Elektronik said. It added that the valuation of all submitted products was based on objective criteria of innovation, usability, assessed value for the customer and market impact. The combination of high-end sensors for humidity, temperature and CO , as seen in a sleek design with the use ² of advanced wireless transmitter technology was

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

seen as a special feature of the EE245 by the jury, the company claimed, and added that the product helps save time and money by eliminating expensive wiring and offers flexibility in the selection of appropriate measurement locations. The entire wireless transmitter EE240 series also has a simple configuration of the entire network via a standard web browser without requiring any additional software, it explained.

Mittel technology gets certification Mittel’s patented welding technology passes European stress and impermeability test

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wedish district energy technology company, Mittel, has announced receiving a certificate for successfully passing a European stress test relating to its patented pipe welding technology – Mittel TSC. It is a patented method to case joint pre-insulated pipes with welding sleeves that makes the joints in district energy networks as strong and durable as the pipes, Mittel revealed. It further explained that the product was tested and approved for the latest version of the European EN standard, EN489:2009 for pre-insulated district energy pipes. The tests were carried out at the Fernvärme-Forschungsinstitut in Germany in late March, it said. According to Mittel, the welded joint was subjected to water permeation under pressure (30kPa, equivalent to three meters depth) for 24 hours. After this, the welded joint went through a stress-crack resistance test in 800°C hot water containing two per cent solvent, while put under pressure of 4 N/mm², for 25 days. The welded joint passed the tests without any signs of water permeation or debilitation, Mittel claimed, and added that together with the expanded test EN489:2003, Mittel TSC was exposed to 2,000 cycles, proving that it successfully passed and surpassed the most stringent requirements on the market today.

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May 2012

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happenings at large

AHR Expo shares post-event findings ‘Energy efficiency’ top draw at the event

ccording to a post-show survey of 2012 AHR Expo attendees, 93% of respondents ranked energy efficiency-related areas as the most important products/technology they wanted to see at the show, while 60% of respondents ranked energy efficiency as “very important” and 33% as “somewhat important”. International Exposition Company, the organiser of the event shared this information in a communiqué. According to the survey, the other products/technologies that were ranked as important were: • Green building/sustainability 82% • Automation and Controls 80% • Alternative Energy (solar, geothermal, etc) 74% • Indoor Air Quality 79% The organisers claimed that another important reason the attendees listed for visiting the HVACR exposition was to meet with current suppliers (93%), which was also ranked very high (meeting with current customers) by

96% of exhibitors. Not surprisingly, many of the attendees’ top reasons for visiting AHR Expo were similar to those of the suppliers’ reasons for exhibiting, the organisers revealed and gave the following statistical data: Attendees • For new suppliers/ vendors - 93% • Find solutions to address needs - 81% • See what’s new - 97% Exhibitors • Generate new sales leads - 92% • Demonstrate products - 83% • Display new products - 65% In keeping with the desire to see new technologies and products, 50% said they visited the Building & Automation Control Pavilion, while 32% visited the Software Center and 31% visited the New Product Technology Theaters. “That is why trade shows are such a valuable resource for both attendees and

exhibitors,” said Clay Stevens, President of International Exposition Company. “There is no better opportunity than AHR Expo for industry professionals looking for innovative products and solutions to meet with nearly 2,000 suppliers from around the world who are unveiling new products and solutions.” Another interesting survey finding the organiser shared was that both exhibitors and attendees are using digital and social media. Nearly two thirds of attendees said they remembered seeing online promotion about the show and nine per cent use the social media channels, Facebook and Twitter. Meanwhile, 67% of exhibitors use online promotion while 20% are active on Facebook and 17% use Twitter. According to the International Exposition Company, the 2013 AHR Expo will be held from January 28 to 30 in Dallas, Texas.

GEA participates in ACR Show Presents refrigeration technologies and heat exchangers

EA, supplier of process technology and components for the food and energy industries, has announced that it showcased its skills in the field of industrial and commercial refrigeration technology at the AirConditioning & Refrigeration Show (ACR) in Birmingham, UK, held from March 13 to 15. GEA was represented at the show by two segments – GEA Refrigeration Technologies and GEA Heat Exchangers. For the first time, GEA Refrigeration Components UK presented the newly acquired Bock range of piston compressors for small and medium capacities, specifically aimed at the commercial/ semi-industrial refrigeration markets, the announcement added. In addition

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

to Bock compressors, the company also presented industrial Grasso piston and screw compressors, Geneglace ice machines, and a wide range of AWP valves and accessories, it elaborated. According to GEA, The product programme at the GEA booth was completed by an extensive range of GEA Searle condensers and condensing units as well as Küba standard air coolers and Goedhart customised air coolers by GEA Heat Exchangers.

Full Gauge Controls enters India New software helps remote management of HVACR systems

ull Gauge Controls, manufacturer of electronic controllers for temperature, humidity, pressure and electrical power, has announced launching its remote monitoring and management system called Sitrad, in India. The product was introduced at the ACREX show in Bangalore. Marketed by Trimac, a Canadabased global marketing organisation, the Full Gauge Control products are now available in India through various distribution channels across the country, the announcement informed. The company claimed that through a free-to-download software, Sitrad continuously evaluates, forms and stores data of temperature, humidity,

pressure, voltage, current, KWh, power factor and events, sends alarms and allows the modification of instruments online with total security. “Sitrad continues to raise the bar of HVAC industry through its economical and simplified remote management of refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, electrical and solar heating systems,” Said Antonio Gobbi, Director of Full Gauge Controls. “Sitrad helps to safeguard food in refrigerated rooms, minimise emergency calls, identify system inefficiencies, reduce operational and energy costs while allowing service engineers to focus on key activities like predictive maintenance,” he added.

comings GPCA re-elects &goings chairman

Also elects new board members at fifth AGM in Dubai

Mohamed Al-Mady

he Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) has informed through a communiqué that Mohamed Al-Mady, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SABIC, has been retained as Chairman of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the region’s trade association dedicated to the downstream industry in the Middle East. The unanimous decision to retain Al-Mady was taken after the election of the association’s new Board of Directors, which took place at the fifth GPCA’s Annual General Meeting in Dubai on March 15. Saud Rashed Al Shamsi, Petrochemicals Director of ADNOC; Abdulaziz Judaimi, Vice President at Saudi Aramco; and Musab Al-Mahrouqi, CEO of ORPIC from Oman, were elected as new board members at the AGM, and Mr. Al-Shamsi was elected Vice Chairman of the GPCA, the communiqué added. According to GPCA, which claims to be the voice of the industry in the region, the eight founding members of the GPCA in 2006

– SABIC and Tasnee (Saudi Arabia), Equate and PIC (Kuwait), QAPCO and QVC (Qatar), Borouge (Abu Dhabi) and GPIC (Bahrain) – are permanent members of the Board. In the wake of the elections, the fifth AGM reportedly endorsed the GPCA’s strategy to increase the association’s membership and better serve the interests of companies active in the oil and gas downstream sector. Commenting on the elections, Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of the GPCA, said: “Mr Al Mady is a prominent figure in the global petrochemical industry and we are deeply honoured that he will remain our chairman following the AGM elections. We are served by the widest cross section of industry experts in the Middle East, which illustrates the depth of knowledge and experience the GPCA brings to its members, as well as to the debates shaping our industry. We are also delighted to welcome a number of new appointments to our board, which will further strengthen cooperation across our diverse membership.”

May 2012

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happenings at large

GEA products at China trade fair Company showcased refrigeration components and solutions at Refrigeration 2012 in Beijing

he GEA Group, supplier of process technology and components for the food and energy industries, has announced presenting its solutions for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry at the trade fair, China Refrigeration 2012, held from 11 to 13 April at the Beijing International Exhibition Center, (CIEC), in Beijing. According to GEA, its portfolio of HVAC and refrigeration components and solutions exhibited included products from GEA Refrigeration Technologies and GEA Heat Exchangers. GEA Refrigeration Technologies showcased 200mÂ˛, GEA Bock piston compressors for the refrigerant COÂ˛ (R744), GEA Grasso screw compressors for the use with NH3 (R717) and a compact GEA Geneglace ice machine. GEA Heat Exchangers exhibited compressors for natural refrigerants and products for commercial and large industries at its booth. This included the GEA standard air coolers as well as GEA condensers. It also presented brazed

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

plate heat exchangers. These compact, hermetically sealed plate heat exchangers require little installation space, are particularly easy to maintain and allow many refrigeration applications, the manufacturer claimed.

Countdown for Rio+20 begins Urgent international action needed to combat social inequalities and environmental risks, UN Secretary General tells Istanbul Forum

ocial justice and environmental protection are equally urgent and intrinsically linked universal goals, with coordinated global action needed on both fronts at the UN’s Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development in June, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message to an audience of development experts, civil society leaders and government officials at the first Global Human Development Forum, held against the backdrop of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s first Global Human Development Forum in Istanbul on March 22. “The world stands at a crossroads,” the Secretary-General said in his message to the Istanbul Forum. “We need everyone – government ministers and policymakers, business and civil society leaders, and young people – to work together to transform our economies, to place our societies on a more just and equitable footing, and to protect the resources and ecosystems on which our shared future depends.” UNDP’s 2011 Human Development Report – “Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All,” which argued that social inequalities and environmental hazards must be combated together for the sake of future generations – provided the framework for the two-day Istanbul dialogue. The Global Human Development Forum was organised to examine the critical social, economic and environmental challenges facing the world today, including better approaches to assessing national and global progress. “The concept of human development originated in well-founded dissatisfaction with using only gross domestic product as a measure of human progress,” the Secretary-General noted in his statement. “Though this understanding has become something of a benchmark in our thinking about development, there remains a need to dramatically change the way we value and measure progress,” he added. Earlier, UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan of Turkey opened the Forum by stressing the importance

of collective global action at the Rio+20 conference. “This Forum is particularly timely and important,” Grynspan said. “It provides a unique opportunity to debate the messages we want to take to Brazil, reflecting on what we have learned since the Stockholm Conference in 1972 and the Earth Summit in 1992.” More than a hundred heads of state will be leading their national delegations to the June Conference on Sustainable Development, making it one of the largest such high-level gatherings in recent times, the UNDP communiqué stated. “Sustainable development recognises that our economic, social and environmental objectives are not competing goals that must be traded off against each other, but are interconnected objectives that are most effectively pursued together in a holistic manner,” the Secretary-General stressed in his message. “We need an outcome from Rio+20 that reflect this understanding and that relates to the concerns of all.” Deputy Prime Minister Babacan, a member of the Secretary-General’s HighLevel Panel on Global Sustainability, urged the adoption of new ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ to guide global priorities following the 2015 conclusion of the UN’s 15-year Millennium Development Goals campaign. Cevdet Yilmaz, Turkey’s Minister of Development, who moderated the Forum discussion on the “Social Contract: Building Equity and Sustainability”, said, “The Forum provides a solid platform to share different viewpoints on the universal goal of having resilient people and a resilient planet.” Tarja Halonen, the former president of Finland and co-chair of the High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability Panel, also spoke on a special Forum session devoted to the Panel’s recommendations. Forum discussion topics included: “A New Deal on Sustainable Development”;

Image taken from www.progressio.org.uk

“Innovative Financing for Sustainable Future”; “Assessing Human Progress”; and “Building Coalitions for Change”. The Forum will feature the launch Friday of a major new report by the UN Economic Commission for Europe: “From Transition to Transformation: Sustainable and Inclusive Development in Europe and Central Asia”. Other government officials and development experts participating in the Istanbul discussions included, Kandeh K Yumkella, Director-General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization; Thakur Singh Powdyel, Minister for Education of Bhutan; Brian Atwood, Chair, Development Assistance Committee, the OECD; Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for Development Cooperation, Sweden; Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, Minister of Planning, Kenya; and Senator Cristovam Buarque of Brazil. The Global Human Development Forum was organised jointly by UNDP with support from the Turkish Ministry of Development and the Government of Denmark.

happenings at large

BSRIA publishes new illustrated guide Provides reference information on mechanical building services to clients and professionals

SRIA, a consultancy, test, instruments and research organisation, which provides services for construction, building services and facilities management, has announced the publication of Illustrated Guide to Mechanical Building Services (BG 31/2012). The new publication is an update to its earlier guide, AG 15/2002, and has been available for purchase since April 23, the announcement added. As with the previous edition, it provides basic reference information on mechanical building services systems for clients and professionals in the construction industry, and covers areas of HVAC and controls, BSRIA claimed. According to BSRIA, information in the following areas has been added in the new edition: • Pumps

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

eng i ne e r i n g

e n e r g y

e n v i ro n m e nt

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

the three Factor company

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

Engineering

Energy

Environment

• • • •

Pressurisation Low-carbon heat sources MVHR systems Commissioning, handover and project evaluation

The publisher lists the following highlights and benefits of the new guide: • For construction clients, the guide provides a simple insight into the main system options discussed during the briefing process. • It can also help clients to identify and raise technical questions which they feel are relevant to their organisation’s specific needs. • For construction professionals, the guide provides a quick reference to building services systems and can assist their working knowledge of the subject. • For those new to the industry and non-experts, it provides a valuable introduction to the basics of building services systems. • To ensure the guide is simple and quick to use, a brief overview of each system is provided, followed by a list of key points. • Photographs and drawings are used to help explain the appearance and operation of each system. • The book is priced at £50 to non-members and £25 to BSRIA members. • It can be purchased alone or with BSRIA’s other illustrated guides and is also available as a licenced version in Microsoft Word format. Disclaimer: The design team’s role includes assessing and recommending appropriate design solutions for a given project. The guide, therefore, does not aim to provide a route for system selection other than to point out typical applications for many of the systems covered. A new edition of a companion guide, Illustrated Guide to Electrical Building Services, is due to be published later this year, which will provide the latest information on electrical systems, including power supply and distribution, fire detection and alarm systems, security systems, lighting systems, uninterruptible power supplies and structured cabling, BSRIA revealed.

eurammon to hold information event 2012 Will focus on solutions for supermarket refrigeration and the food industry

“N

atural refrigerants – growing strong, acting smart, moving forward” is the focus of the 3rd information event being organised by eurammon, on the financial and ecological benefits of natural refrigerants, Announcing this, eurammon, the European initiative for natural refrigerants, said that the event will take place on June 22 in Paradies, Schaffhausen (near Zurich). During the symposium which is being held in English, eurammon will be informing end-users, planners, system engineers and other interested parties about successful application examples for natural refrigerants. This year’s event will focus in particular on solutions for supermarket refrigeration and the food industry, it added. According to eurammon, the event also includes presentations on the use of natural refrigerants outside Europe, illustrated by developments and trends in the Middle East region, especially in the GCC countries. A get-together organised on the eve of the event, on June 21, will provide an opportunity to get to know the participants and share professional

experience, it revealed. The event folder, including the registration form, is available with immediate effect for downloading at www.eurammon.com. Those interested can also write to aline.lazar@vdma.org if they have further queries. The attendance fee is €250. Mark Bulmer, member of the eurammon Board, speaking about the event said: “The interest in natural refrigerants has grown constantly in recent years – driven not least by global warming and increasing demands made in terms of environmental protection, as well as cutting costs and saving energy. The end-users day offers an opportunity to obtain information in this context. Among others, it shows how companies go about specifically integrating refrigeration technology in their environmental policy, planning and implementing applications with natural refrigerants. We want to create an opportunity for top-level exchange between end-users, planners, system engineers and other interested parties. Pointing out the energy efficiency and environmental compatibility of applications with natural refrigerants

shows that investment along these lines is worthwhile.” Event details: Date: June 22 Venue: Klostergut Paradies, Klostergutstrasse 4 Paradies, Schaffhausen, CH-8252 Schlatt (bei Zürich) Presentations: B Surendar, Climate Control Middle East magazine: “Developments and trends related to natural refrigerants in the GCC” Carlos de Ceballos, Apina Refrigeration and New Energy Resources: “Turbine inlet air cooling with natural refrigerants in the Middle East” John Skelton, Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd: “Refrigeration and Sainsbury’s 20 by 20 Sustainability Plan – 100 CO2 Stores and Counting” Hans Balatka, Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund: “The strategy of refrigerant at Migros and its practical appliance” Dr Josef Riha, Thermofin GmbH: “Supermarket thermal management with propane” Albrecht Höpfer, Bitzer Kühlmaschinenbau GmbH Conrad-Cornelius Moeller, TEKO Gesellschaft für Kältetechnik mbH: “The application of natural refrigerants in supermarket systems” Janos Winter, QPlan Cooling Technical Design and Services Co Ltd “Energy-efficient supermarket refrigeration with NH3/CO2 cascades” Karl Huber, HKT – Huber-Kälte-Technik GmbH: “Brewery refrigeration for smaller capacities with R 723” Raymond Burri, Felix Burger, Norbert Heinemann, Walter Wettstein AG Kältetechnik: “Combined cooling and heating for different temperature levels – integrated thermal energy production system in a food production plant”

comings Christian Herten assumes &goings new responsibilities at GEA

Is appointed Director Quality Management, Health & Safety and Environment

Christian Herten

ffective from May 1, Christian Herten was transferred within GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft to GEA Refrigeration Technologies, where he will assume responsibility as Director Quality Management, Health & Safety and Environment. GEA revealed this in an announcement and added that he had been working for the GEA Group for over 10 years in the HVAC area, where he was in charge of Product Management of the former Air Treatment Division, and of Business Development in the Air Treatment Business Unit of the segment, GEA Heat Exchangers. According to GEA, Herten will continue his work as First Vice President of Eurovent, the European umbrella association for the HVAC industry. At Eurovent, he represents

German VDMA association (Air Handling Technology). Together with VDMA (the German Engineering Association), Herten has reportedly made significant contributions within the European EuP-/ErP Programme for Climate Protection Policy towards achieving essential collaboration among the associations Eurovent, ASERCOM, and EPEE. As First Vice President, Christian Herten is, in accordance with the associations’ statutes, the designated President of Eurovent for the next election period in 2013-2014, GEA explained, and added that he would continue to concentrate intensively on promotion of the interests of the HVAC and refrigeration industry in matters concerning EU energy efficiency legislation.

May 2012

www.climatecontrolme.com

marketplace

This section contains regional and international products information

Ecotherm

Fibre-fleece insulation system

cotherm has announced developing an insulation system for hot water tanks from 200 to 20,000-litre capacity with fibre-fleece insulation and patented closure strips, which it claims is the result of more than two years of development. According to Ecotherm, fibre-fleece has been used for several years now in the clothing industry and the automotive industry because the material fits the shape of the storage tank perfectly and the “chimney effect” can be prevented. Highlighting the important advantage of the product, Project Engineer Christoph Lehner said: “The insulation system with polyester fiber-fleece provides up to 30% less heat loss in standby mode compared to conventional insulations. We offer a complete production system for companies that want to establish an insulation production. For an efficient production at least 5,000 insulations per year are required.” The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages: n Optimum heat insulation through optimal adjusting of the insulating material to the storage tank n Stable PP outer cover which can be individually printed n Patented aluminium closure strip n Patented covering rosettes for the terminal sleeves ensure optimal sealing through their self-locking seat and prevent heat loss at the connections n Connection cut-out sections optimised to stop any further heat loss n Sleeve caps to insulate any unused connections n Environmentally compatible production process with no chemical additives – the insulation material is produced from PET bottles and is 100% recyclable. n Flame retardant to DIN 4102-1 in the building material groups B2 and if needed also B1 n Food-safe, tough and impact-resistant outer cover n Age-resistant and resistant to many acids and alkalis

Outer Cover Printed

Closure Strip

Insulation

Greenheck

Model RV/RVE Rooftop Ventilator System Brochure

reenheck, manufacturer and distributor of air movement and control equipment, has announced the availability of a new brochure which gives details of Greenheck’s Model RV/RVE, pre-engineered rooftop ventilation units. The manufacturer claims that RV/RVE is designed to condition and deliver mixtures of outdoor and return air to a building. Other product features are: n It features two-inch double-wall construction, coupled with direct-drive plenum fans, heating options (indirect gas

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

furnace, hot water or electric) n Cooling options (packaged DX, chilled water or split DX) n An optional energy wheel (Model RVE) n Flexible to meet the demands of heating, cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation requirements with performance capabilities up to 9,500 cfm Highlighting the contents of the brochure, Greenheck said that it includes standard and optional features, weight and dimensional data, and a quick selection guide.

GEA Refrigeration Technologies

Bock selection software VAP

EA Refrigeration Technologies has announced launching Bock compressor program for mobile and stationary refrigeration and air conditioning applications in a new 10.0 version of the VAP compressor selection software, claiming that compared to previous versions, the new version contains all the Bock compressors in one program. This, Gea says, guarantees that different user groups of the VAP software can now choose between two different sub-versions after the installation of the software. The manufacturer explains the finer points of the software program: The version with the Bock compressor program for stationary applications This version contains, for example: n Semi-hermetic compressors (HG, HA, ATEX, HG CO² T, HG R134a, etc)

n Semi-hermetic units (SHG(SHA) L + RU) n Open type compressors (F) n Open type compressor units (FDK) VAP for mobile applications A version especially for applications, such as bus and rail air conditioning contains the following compressors: n Semi-hermetic compressors (HG12P5, HG Alu, HG 2-pole, HG R407C, RKX26) n Vehicle compressors (FK) The manufacturer lists other improvements and modifications in the VAP 10.0 version compared to the previous VAP 9.0 version: n Fast selection of compressor type – an option to select a compressor/unit type via picture buttons (in addition to the file structure)

n New compressor series optimised for the refrigerant R134a: HG R134a compressors n Efficiency optimised compressors: HG(X)22e (e series) n For hydrocarbons (HC) as refrigerant (R290, R600a and R1270): HG HC compressors n Extension of ASERCOM certificates for the compressors HGX34e/255 4 + 315 4 + 380 4 with the refrigerant R134a n Update function n Available at www.bock.de/en/vap10. html. GEA adds that it also offers for more than one year, online versions of the VAP-software that are also available at www.bock.de. It claims that these versions work without an installation and can also be used with smart phones or tablets and will shortly be adapted to the modifications of the version 10.0 as well.

AAF Delivers on promise Eurovent Energy Efficiency Classificaton In January 2012, Eurovent has issued a new methodology for classifying air filters according to their annual energy consumption, called “Energy Efficiency Classification of Air Filters for General Ventilation Purposes”. Each air filter in the efficiency class range of G4 up to F9 is provided with an energy efficiency label (A to G). AAF offers several low energy consuming pocket filters, compact filters and HT filters in the efficiency class range of M5 up to F9. In case of the VariCel® VXL O F9, the annual energy consumption is 1893 kWh with which it is rated an A label. At the same time, the minimum filtration efficiency of 81% well exceeds the minimum requirement of 70% for an F9 filter according to the new EN779.

Examples of AAF’s low energy consuming ﬁlters:

ENERG

IJA IE

ENERG

IA EFFICIENCY CLASS

IJA IE

IA EFFICIENCY CLASS

AAF VariCel® VXL O, 592x592x292

AAF DriPak® GF 592X592X700-9 AIR FILTERS

AIR FILTERS

F9 EN779

EN779 Nominal airflow : Initial efficiency 0.4 µm : Minimum efficiency 0.4 µm : Annual Energy Consumption : A B

3400 60 60 1178

Nominal airflow : Initial efficiency 0.4 µm : Minimum efficiency 0.4 µm : Annual Energy Consumption :

m3/h % % kWh/annum

A B

3400 81 81 1893

m3/h % % kWh/annum

Eurovent 4/11

DriPak ® GF - F7

VariCel® VXL O - F9

Customer beneﬁts: • Decreased energy consumption • Improved indoor air quality

www.aafeurope.com May 2012

www.climatecontrolme.com

marketplace

This section contains regional and international products information

Vilter

Vilter-single screw compressors Pressurized Seal Chamber for Increased Reliability

merson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson, which supports Vilter brand industrial refrigeration compressors via Emerson Climate Technologies’ Dubai office, has announced introducing Vilter compressors for industrial refrigeration in the Middle East. The company says that the compressors are widely used in food processing, cold storage, and gas compression applications and claims that they are well-suited for larger horsepower applications because of their high capacity, efficiency, low maintenance, reliability and operating flexibility. According to Emerson and Vilter, the compressors are ideal for process chiller applications. Common applications include plastic injection molding, food processing, pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing processes. The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages: n Lower on-site assembly costs n Quicker installation and commissioning n Refrigerant is confined to the packaged refrigeration system and not to the owner’s plant operation spaces n Space-saving compact design n Can be designed for mobility n Can be designed with enclosures to allow remote, stand-alone refrigeration plants n Factory-wired and tested n Factory warranty n Ideal for meat and poultry , beverage, food processing, dairy, seafood, refrigerated storage and warehousing, and ice rinks and arenas n Also used in industrial heat pump applications

Main Rotor Axially & Radially Balanced Opposing Gaterotors for Radial Balance

Electronic Optical Slide Actuator

Variable Volume Slide 1.2 to 7.0 Volume Ratio Range

Variable Capacity Slide 10 to 100% Capacity Range

WORLD LEADING VALVES

Connection and DN-sizes

FOR DISTRICT COOLING PIPELINES

Welded

… ISOLATION, CONTROL AND MEASUREMENT

Steel:........................................DN 10 - DN 600 Stainless steel:..........................DN 10 - DN 250

Due to the welded body construction the valve is light and easy to insulate

Ball valves

Spring-loaded PTFE ball seals are confirming complete tightness in the whole range of use

Long stem ball valves

Balancing valves Butterfly valves

female thread-female thread Steel:..........................................DN 10 - DN 50 Stainless steel:............................DN 10 - DN 50 Welded-flange

Ball and stem are of stainless steel

Steel:.........................................DN 15- DN 600 Stainless steel:...........................DN 15- DN 250

Blow-out safe construction of the stem is tightened with two o-rings, the upper can be changed

Flange-flange

Long working life and maintenance free design

Stainless steel:..........................DN 15 - DN 250

Steel:........................................DN 15 - DN 600

Available with welded, thread and flanged connections

Water metering

www.vexve.fi

Welded-female thread and

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

Tested in accordance with EN 488 ISO 9001 certificated

Fullbore models also available. Butterfly valves welded and flange Steel:....................................DN 350 - DN 1200

COOL INTERNATIONAL SOLUTIONS Ltd. C Dubai www.coolinternationalsolutions.com w

advertorial INSULATION

KIMMCO rolls out rebranding initiative

Launches new “KIMMCO means insulation!” corporate identity stablished in 1977, Kuwait Insulating Material Manufacturing Co., (KIMMCO) is a market leading insulation solution provider in the Middle East, Africa, the Far East and other Asian countries. As a licensee of Saint-Gobain Isover, the world leader in fiberglass insulation, the company manufactures and supplies customised thermal, acoustic and fire resistant insulation solutions. In line with its strategic vision to become the best multiinsulation business in the region, KIMMCO has recently launched the new “KIMMCO means insulation!” corporate identity. The corporate identity will underpin the increased focus on sales and marketing initiatives across Middle East and India, seeking to build on KIMMCO’s market leadership and history of supplying glasswool and rockwool insulation solutions to the iconic buildings across the region. KIMMCO’s glasswool and rockwool solutions provide four key benefits: enhanced comfort through thermal and acoustic insulation, excellent fire protection, lower energy consumption and are environmentally friendly. KIMMCO’s HVAC and Building application range of insulation projects have been used in several major projects, including: Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Etihad Towers Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Metro (UAE), Makkah Clock Tower, Jabal Al Omar Project and Princess Nora University (Saudi Arabia), Al Faisal Tower, Aspire Tower and Burj Qatar (Qatar), Kuwait Towers and Al Hamra Towqer (Kuwait). KIMMCO was also selected as the sole insulation supplier ilan_v2.pdf

CMY

2/6/12

12:46 PM

and official collaborator of Masdar City, the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste city, located in Abu Dhabi. This was a strong endorsement of KIMMCO’s commitment to manufacturing sustainable and eco-friendly insulation products that help protect and preserve the environment, helping ensure a green future. Since its inception, KIMMCO has established its reputation as a marketing leading insulation solution provider with a strong record of innovation. The company offers customers the service of a Technical Excellence Centre, to help customise insulation solutions to application requirements. Furthermore, KIMMCO has developed many products, such as KCL, an acoustic liner that is strong, clean and offers zero-fibre migration. It also introduced Aluglass, an industry-first facing material boasting high mechanical strength, durability and zero water vapour permeability, which eliminates the need for additional weather protection. Based on customers’ need to do away with flammable glue on construction sites, and meet LEED, QSAS and Estidama requirements, KIMMCO has recently launched Self-Seal, an industry-first glasswool insulation board for HVAC duct insulation that is cleaner, faster and more cost-effective than competing products. KIMMCO has a strong commitment to quality, as recognised by its accreditation by international standards bodies. The company is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, and is compliant with ISO, ASTM, DIN, BS and other international standards.

marketplace

This section contains regional and international products information

ALP

Duct Systems

The Flamco

Flamco T-Plus

LP the Italian company which offers solution for air distribution systems, recently showcased its range of products at Mostra Convegno Expocomfort 2012 in Milan. Saying that its air duct systems offer better performance at competitive price, it lists the following product features and advantages: Aluminium or stainless steel pre-insulated HVAC ductwork ALP System ductworks are made of a rigid polyurethane foam board, faced on both sides by aluminium or stainless steel foil and offer: n Durability – no oxidation or corrosion n Indoor /Outdoor application n Good insulation n Negligible air leakage n Lightness n Resistance to high pressures – up to 2000 Pa Alpactive antimicrobial pre-insulated HVAC ductwork n Improved version of ALP System ductwork with internal aluminum foil treated with a natural, silver base antimicrobial compound have been proved effective against a wide range of pathogens (more than 600 families) n Particularly indicated for hospitals, operating suites, pharmaceutical and food industries, clean rooms Round System: Aluminium pre-insulated circular ducts n The only aluminium pre-insulated circular duct n Made of two aluminium/polyurethane pre-formed halfducts, faced on ducts faced on both sides by aluminium foil n Resistance to high pressures – up to 3000 Pa n Quick installation Oval System: Aluminium pre-insulated oval ducts n The only aluminium pre-insulated duct with oval section, it offers all the advantages of the Aluminium or stainless steel pre-insulated HVAC ductwork FLEXActive system: Antimicrobial flexible ducts n The only antimicrobial flexible duct. n The internal aluminium surface is treated with a natural, silver-based antimicrobial compound that kills a wide range of bacteria, fungus and moulds, preventing airborne contamination Insafe System: Modular system for operating theatres and surgical suites n The first antimicrobial modular system in the world for the fabrication of self-supporting elements for surgical suites, laboratories, clean rooms and safe rooms where healthy air is a must n Modular system n Simple to fabricate and to install Antimicrobial panels and components for AHU n Modular system n Rounded profiles for an easier maintenance n Easy to clean

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

erming it innovative, quick, simple, cost-effective and efficient, Flamco has introduced a product range for creating tee branch connections in plumbing, air and gas systems. The Flamco T-Plus is designed to provide HVAC engineers with a quick and secure method of creating a tee branch in new or existing installations without having to drain, freeze or de-pressurise the system, the company claimed. According to Flamco, the products are now available throughout the Middle East and can be used for steel or copper pipes up to three inches and particularly suited for applications in which it is impractical to shut down the system to provide a tee-branch. The manufacturer lists the following product features and applications: General applications: n Central heating installations n Sanitary fittings n Fire extinguishing systems n Industrial installations n For use in expanding or converting existing installations or renovating them n For installations that have to function around the clock Specific details: n There is a version of Flamco T-plus for steel pipes and a version for thin-wall steel central heating pipes, stainless steel pipes and copper pipes The Flamco T-plus for steel pipes are suitable for: n Seamless steel pipes to ISO 9229-1/1989, St 37-1 to b max n Welded steel pipes to ISO 9330-1/1990, St 37-1 to b max n For thin-wall steel central heating pipes and copper pipes suitable for copper pipes to NEN-EN 1057 n Thin-wall steel central heating pipes to NEN 1982 and DIN 2391 n Stainless steel pipes to NEN 1982 and DIN 2391 made of AISI 316 or 1.4401 (except dimensions 42 x 3/40 x 42) n The cast-iron Flamco T-plus is suitable for steel pipes from 1/20 to 30 n The brass Flamco T-plus is suitable for thin-wall steel central heating pipes, stainless steel pipes and copper pipes from 14 mm to 42 mm n Flamco T-plus is approved in many European countries by the following standards authorities: SVGW, WRc, ETA, SITAC, KIWA, GNFS

Idrobase

Kit Fog 40 - 360°

outing that it is a fog system able to combine the reliability of Italian technology at a sale price lower than that of Asian products present on the market, Idrobase Group has introduced Kit Fog 40 - 360°. The manufacturer claims that the patented solution is particularly effective for cooling, humidifying, creating special stage effects, suppressing dust and odours in small-medium places, such as bars and restaurants, but ideal for open areas too, with the additional value of keeping away mosquitoes and flies. Highlighting that Kit Fog 40 - 360° is versatile and comes with a variety of accessories, Idrobase explains the finer points of how the technology works: A cooling system using nebulised water, (in particular used by Asian manufacturers), consists in mounting on the classic fans a series of nozzles that nebulise water at pressures varying from three to 70 bar, depending on the manufacturer. The whiff of air from the fans pushes

micro-droplets into the environment to be cooled. The greatest benefit as regards reduction of temperature is found close to the fans, but the closer you get to them, the more the air is saturated with moisture produced by water coming out of the nozzles, and consequently the deposit of humidity increases on people and surrounding objects until they get wet. Idrobase cooling system, on the contrary, uses a fan, placed at a height of 2.5 metres and blows the air at 360°, which is full of microscopic water droplets forming a sort of cloud. Water nebulised through a ring of nozzles, while it falls down, evaporates without wetting people and objects and lowers the temperature in the surrounding area. Idrobase adds that five models of Kit Fog 40 - 360° are available with or without remote control, with a flow rate varying from 30 to 200 litres per hour for a maximum of 100 nozzles. The Pressure is 40 bar, power is 300 W and the weight is only 20 kilogrammes, it claims.

Comparison table of features between Kit Fog 40 - 360° and its Asian counterparts ASIAN KIT

IDROBASE GROUP KIT

MODULE

At 40-60 bar with cranckshaft pump, 2 iron pistons and 4 valves

At 40 bar with volumetric pump without pistons, valves and lubrication oil

ANTI-DROP DEVICE

YES

FANS

N° 4 at facial breath

N° 4 360° cloudshaped breath

LINE

Made of polyamide

NOZZLES

Plastic-brass nozzles

Chromed-brass nozzles

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON-OFF system + programmer, it sets time to your taste

Evolved – it activates fan, pump, lights and working times

REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE

Simple ON-OFF system

Evolved – it activates fan, pump, lights and working times

Lennox

Neosys Evolution

ennox in March unveiled its new “concept chiller” during the MCE 2012. Through the launch, Lennox intends to demonstrate its capabilities in the liquid chiller area. According to Lennox, the 800 kW air-cooled chiller has a number of new features and gives a good idea of the future Lennox product range already. According to Lennox, the 800 kW Neosys Evolution is a concept of a new highefficiency air-cooled liquid chiller range, fitted with very large R410A multi scroll compressors (new ZP 725 Copeland scroll compressors, 60 hp). The unit includes eDrive EC fans and eDrive VSD water pump and electronic expansion valves that, according to Lennox, allow energy savings, especially in part-load operation. With this range, Lennox said, it’s ambition is to strengthen its presence in retail and large commercial applications by offering best total cost of ownership solutions to its customers.

May 2012

www.climatecontrolme.com

marketplace

This section contains regional and international products information

DuctSox

SkeleCore FTS SkeleCore IHS

uctSox, an HVAC textile air dispersion and accessories manufacturer, has announced expanding its SkeleCore in-duct cylindrical tensioning system product line with the additions of the SkeleCore FTS (Fabric Tensioning System) and the SkeleCore IHS (Internal Hoop System). The SkeleCore internal lightweight metal framework system is the HVAC industry’s first textile air duct cylindrical tensioning device (CTD) that maintains an inflated appearance even during idle air handler periods and eliminates the ‘popping’ sound associated with air handler equipment start-up, DuctSox claimed. The SkeleCore FTS allows installing contractors to quickly and easily field-adjust the textile tautness and roundness with just a turn of a wrench for wrinkle-free aesthetics it added. The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages: SkeleCore FTS n Cylindrical tensioning rings (CTR) attached circumferentially to the fabric via sewn-in clips at the inlet, end cap, and connections (for duct runs beyond 42 feet) n Fabric-supporting internal rings (IR) spaced every six feet n SkeleCore’s 3/4-inch-diameter lightweight aluminum backbone tube can be wrenched to expand or contract CTRs laterally up to five inches for fabric tensioning n Also features a new vertical suspension system consisting of Direct Hang Cable drops hooking directly to the CTRs and IRs, versus SkeleCore’s previous method of attaching horizontal cable or track to external sewn-in clips n Weight-bearing improvement expands SkeleCore sizes from eight-inch now up to 60 inch-diameters, available in twoinch increments n Appears more streamlined than spiral metal duct, but also saves job costs n Comes with 10 to 15-year warranty depending upon feet/ minute (FPM) and fabric type SkeleCore HIS n Is a lower-cost system of promoting an inflated textile

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

duct appearance via factory-installed metal hoops n Is shipped in 20-foot sections and installs faster than SkeleCore FTS and all spiral metal duct n The 3600 hoops are spaced five feet apart and attached to the fabric at the 4, 8 and 12-o’clock positions n An improvement over the aesthetics of competing 1800 ring or multiple hanging-point fabric air distribution systems n Comes with five to 10-year warranty depending upon feet/ minute (FPM) and fabric type In addition, both SkeleCore FTS and SkeleCore IHS are: n Easily disassembled for air distribution reconfigurations or commercial laundering n Save 24.5% energy compared to metal duct/register systems, according to a third-party test performed by the Iowa State University Mechanical Engineering Department n Are retrofit replacement for all other fabric duct brands n Compatible with all DuctSox textile air dispersion systems, the Adjustable Flow Device (AFD), personalisation/imaging and other accessories n Come with customer support

LG Electronics

Hydro Kit

ubbing it as a total HVAC solution to meet increasingly demanding air conditioning, floor heating, radiator and sanitary hot water supply needs using less energy, LG Electronics (LG) showcased its Hydro Kit at Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) 2012 in Milan. Giving the information in a communiqué, the company added that the product was honoured as a Percorso Efficienza & Innovazione (Efficiency and Innovation Path) product for MCE 2012. According to LG, thanks to its advanced heat pump technology and an innovative compressor, the Hydro Kit can achieve energy savings of up to 7% over a boiler, which translates to approximately 3.6 times greater energy efficiency. In addition, the Hydro Kit’s heat pump works much more efficiently and conserves more energy than a traditional heating system based on fossil fuels or electricity, enabling customers to reduce running costs, it said. The manufacturer listed the following product features and benefits: n The system attains a significantly higher coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 4.2 than a regular boiler. n It is eco-friendly, as its energy operations are made possible by using ambient air as a renewable energy source. n As a result of the above, it achieves reduction of up to 51% less CO² emissions than a conventional boiler. n It can be connected to multiple heat pumps that utilise air, water and ground sources to create a green, eco-friendly system. n Equipped with LG’s inverter and two-stage compressor technology, the system maintains 100% of its heating capabilities and an 80˚C hot water supply even when the outside temperature reaches -15˚C.

May 2012

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product focus Humidifiers and dehumidifiers

A breath of fresh air

How is the GCC market for humidifiers and dehumidifiers? And what technological innovations and design approaches are we seeing? We found out… By Valeria Camerino

Humidifiers are appliances used to increase moisture in indoor spaces. There are pointof-use humidifiers, which are commonly used to humidify a single room, and whole-house or furnace humidifiers, which connect to a home’s HVAC system to provide humidity to the entire house. Hindol Bhattacharya, Sales & Marketing Manager at Best 26

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

Pro, which represents cooling and dehumidification systems provider, Advantix, in the region, explains that “improper humidity levels (either too high or too low) can cause discomfort for people, and can damage many kinds of equipment and materials”. Humidification can be approached by two processes — he says — isothermal

humidification and adiabatic humidification. In isothermal humidification, water is heated and dissipates as steam to be dispersed in the air. This process requires a source of energy to heat the water. The adiabatic humidification process involves the direct evaporation of water in the air without the addition of

A very humid climate like that prevailing in the Middle East can cause people to feel uncomfortable, producing excessive sweating that can’t evaporate in the already saturated air energy from the outside. The water is finely atomised to maximise the heat exchange surface and then introduced into the environment. “Fogging systems use compressed air to atomise water and create a stream of microscopic water particles which appears as fog,” Bhattacharya points out. “The water particles quickly change from liquid to gas as they absorb heat from the surrounding air. It is a constant enthalpy process and air decreases its temperature.” Humidifiers’ main industrial applications include greenhouses, manufacturing, dust suppression systems, cold storage & ripening rooms, textiles and hatcheries, Bhattacharya explains. Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, are designed to reduce the level of humidity in the air, usually for health reasons. “A very humid climate like that prevailing in the Middle East can cause people to feel uncomfortable, producing excessive sweating that can’t evaporate in the already saturated air,” Bhattacharya says. Humid air can lead to condensation and provides a fertile condition for growth of mould and mildew. Higher humidity also provides a breeding ground for pests like moths, fleas, cockroaches, mites and lice. Bacteria causing Legionnaire’s disease also can thrive in moist conditions. Furthermore, humid air circulation in closed air conditioned spaces leads to a

deterioration in the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). By their operation, dehumidifiers produce an excess of water which has been removed from the conditioned air. This water must be collected and disposed of. Some dehumidifier designs dispose of excess water in a vapour, rather than liquid form. Dehumidifiers are also used in industrial climatic chambers, to control relative humidity within certain rooms to stay at levels conducive to processing of products. According to John Magaway, Sales Manager-Business Area Air Treatment at Munters UAE, a global provider of dehumidification equipment, last year, the approximate sales volume of the GCC dehumidifiers market amounted to €2 million. The most common types available on the market are refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers. Refrigeration-based dehumidifiers work by passing air over a cooling coil which cools air to its dew point. This causes the moisture to condense out of the air, leaving it dry, explains Bhattacharya. However, the air leaving the coil at this point is too cold and must usually be re-heated to space conditions. If tight control over relative humidity is desired, the sorption-based dehumidification systems must be considered for such applications. Desiccants in either solid or liquid form have a natural affinity for moisture. Desiccant materials attract moisture based on differences in vapour pressure. Desiccant dehumidifiers include solid desiccant or the desiccant wheel systems and the liquid desiccant systems. “Because the amount of water that can be contained in the air is a function of the

temperature and pressure of that air, the next step is to look at ways to remove moisture by changing the temperature or pressure,” says Atul Pahune, Branch Manager ̶ MENA Region at Bry-Air, a division of Bry-Air Asia, which offers moisture control solutions for a wide array of applications. As he explains, lowering air temperature decreases the air’s ability to hold moisture. Thus, the air can be made drier by cooling it. However, he claims, cooling air just to dry it is usually not practical. “An exception might be when cool air is needed anyhow, that air’s dryness satisfies the required moisture conditions, and enough conditioned air is available,” Pahune says. “Normally, this method is reserved for applications where outdoor air is being dried to levels only slightly lower than the incoming ambient — that is to say, the system air.” To remove large amounts of water by cooling the air, over-cooling and subsequent reheating air required. However, in his view, such

May 2012

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product focus Humidifiers and dehumidifiers

Adiabatic systems using untreated water disperse minerals into air causing white dust fallout, which can contaminate furnishings and processes as well as cause inhalation hazards procedures typically have problems with operation and maintenance, as well as cycle and control. Therefore, the method is unsuitable for producing large quantities of dry air. Another limitation to this technique is the freezing point of water. When air is dried via refrigeration, the cooling surfaces of the coils may reach subfreezing temperatures. This causes ice to form, which, in turn, reduces the efficiency of the cooling system. So antiicing devices or duel systems and defrost cycles may be required. He believes that the most straightforward way to obtain dry air is to use desiccants which are adsorbents or materials that have a natural affinity for water. “A desiccant is able to take up the additional moisture given up by the air without changing its size or shape,” Pahune explains. He adds that the air stream can pass through a desiccant and become significantly drier without elaborate cooling, compression, cooling water, or other complex systems or controls. After the drying task is complete, the desiccant is regenerated through heat and is ready to dry more air. The main industrial applications for desiccant dehumidifiers include food processing, pharmaceuticals and commercial applications such as 28

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

“A very humid climate like that prevailing in the Middle East can cause people to feel uncomfortable, producing excessive sweating that can’t evaporate in the already saturated air,” Bhattacharya says.

swimming pools, libraries, etc. From a technical point of view, dehumidifiers should be able to constantly deliver very low dew point and consume little energy, Pahune points out. Indeed, he mentions energy consumption and low dew point, as the main criteria that his clients take into account when selecting a certain brand, along with easy installation, operations and maintenance, high efficiency and reliability, 24/7 post-sale service support and successful installations for various applications. He claims that Bry-Air dehumidifiers, which comply with CE standards, use only a relatively small amount of desiccant at any one time and constantly regenerate it as part of a continuous cycle. These devices are manufactured in two designs and different sizes, from very small to very large, to meet various dry air requirements. As Best Pro’s Bhattacharya points out, given that all humidifiers work by converting water to vapour, the quality of supply water has the greatest impact on maintenance requirements. “Untreated tap water contains minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and iron that make water ‘hard’,” he says. “These minerals clog boiling chambers, wetted

media pads, and atomising nozzles. Adiabatic systems using untreated water disperse minerals into air causing white dust fallout, which can contaminate furnishings and processes as well as cause inhalation hazards.” He believes that using treated, softened water can mitigate many of these issues. “Systems using properly processed de-mineralised water have virtually no supply water maintenance issues,” he observes. As he explains, refrigeration-based dehumidification systems need special attention to maintenance. “Coils and drain pans should be cleaned from time to time to ensure they are not clogged and free from dirt which provides a breeding ground for mould and mildew,” he points out. He adds that solid desiccant/ desiccant wheel systems have their own maintenance issues such as cleaning of wheel periodically to clear it of contaminants/deposits, reactivation heaters that might break down, needing periodic replacement, periodic post cooling coil maintenance and service, performance degradation over time due to continuous heating and cooling of the desiccant wheel. Replacement of the desiccant wheel is costly, accounting for about 50% of the system cost.

Liquid Desiccant systems, on the other hand, are relatively easier to operate and maintain. Still, it is necessary to filter the liquid desiccant every five years, as well as cleaning the filters periodically as one would in a AHU. “There are no wet coils, no drain pans to clean. The air leaves the system cool and dry. The liquid desiccant works as an air scrubber, removing suspended particulates. The hygroscopic salt solution also destroys up to 91% bacteria and other microorganisms in a single pass, thereby delivering healthy Indoor Air Quality,” Bhattacharya says. Munters’ Magaway points out that desiccant dehumidifier’s performance is mostly affected by dust or tiny foreign particles infiltrating the desiccant rotor inside the unit, which has narrow channels and is constructed in honeycomb pattern. Once the channel is clogged, then the air passage will be blocked, thus affecting the performance. “It is very important to observe regular filter inspection and maintenance,” he says.

Another issue concerning desiccant dehumidifiers is the available power at site. “Normally, if not planned originally, dehumidifiers are add-on equipment in the factory and only considered when the customer encounters problems with humidity that A/C Unit alone cannot solve,” Magaway explains. Desiccant dehumidifiers are equipped with a reactivation heater for desiccant regeneration. Given that refrigeration-based dehumidifiers use a portable unit, the installation issues are not as significant. Bhattacharya points out that determining the best type of home or office humidifier to purchase is based on application requirements. General parameters to keep in mind when selecting a humidifier are the size of the area in which the humidifier is required to work, and how much maintenance is involved. “The humidifiers which leave a lower mineral residue are the ones preferred,” he says. With regard to dehumidifiers, he observes: “Dehumidifiers should be able

to remove moisture and maintain space conditions effectively. Maintenance should be simple and easy to carry out. Energy consumption should be compared.” In his view, one of key installation issues for humidifiers and dehumidifiers is that clearances and access spaces are not available as required. “This leads to servicing difficulties at site later on. Proper care should be taken to ensure manufacturer-recommended service clearances are available.” Bhattacharya emphasises that, although there aren’t currently any specific standards which have been implemented for humidifiers and desiccant dehumidifiers, it’s important to check if the manufacturer has ISO Quality Standards certification. Furthermore, refrigeration-based dehumidifiers/air handlers must have AHRI certification for cooling coil performance, AMCA ratings for fans, etc., while indoor pool dehumidifiers are currently rated in accordance with the new standard 910-2011: Performance Rating of Indoor Pool Dehumidifiers. 

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May 2012

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D-Code

A Climate Control Middle East campaign on demystifying the world of ducting

Making the right connections

Flexible duct connectors reduce noise without sacrificing efficiency, says John Guthrie, and provides a checklist to help select the appropriate material to ensure high indoor air quality. The importance of

finer details is something the HVAC professional appreciates, and a proper understanding of how these details interact with one another results in the highest performance possible. “High performance” in this instance means both enhancing the efficiency of a system and ensuring optimal comfort for a building’s occupants. Proper sealants and coatings ensure high indoor air quality. Proper cleaning and remediation result in optimal airflow and consistent temperatures. A properly designed HVAC system will also take into account the noise the system might produce, making flexible duct connectors one detail that simply cannot be overlooked.

What are flexible duct connectors?

Flexible duct connectors are the airtight flexible joints comprising a sheet of “fabric” which is secured on both sides by sheet metal, typically G-60 (or in the case of higher quality systems, G-90) galvanised steel. These are inserted between HVAC equipment and ductwork as a way to reduce vibrations created by the equipment. Without flexible duct connectors, vibrations created by the rattling of equipment 30

would be generated directly to the metal ducts and amplified throughout the ductwork of a facility. Naturally, such a system would create a tremendous amount of noise, disrupting a building’s occupants.

Types of material

One of the goals in designing an HVAC system is reducing noise without sacrificing energy efficiency. In terms

Without flexible duct connectors, vibrations created by the rattling of equipment would be generated directly to the metal ducts and amplified throughout the ductwork of a facility

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

Flexible duct connector

of materials, great strides have been made in this area over the past few decades. For more than half a century, canvas duct connectors were the standard. These were porous and often contained asbestos, which was outlawed in the late 1970s due to health risks associated with the material. Alternative materials were developed that offered enhanced strength, increased leak protection, and better value. Synthetic

rubbers, compounds, and canvas-like materials treated with synthetic compounds, are the “fabrics” used today in flexible duct connectors.

Making the right selection

Codes: Selecting a suitable connector is first and foremost, a matter of codes. For instance, the International Mechanical Code allows for flexible ducts to be used for certain

exhaust fans, but prohibits its use to vent clothes dryers. Mechanical and Residential codes may differ. Installation instructions often specify where a connector may be used. But be aware that you may have to refer to the Mechanical Code if you are unfamiliar with a particular type of connector. Material: The next consideration that must be made is which material is best suited to the needs of the job. For example, indoor or outdoor, high or low temperature use, and application type could be deciding factors in selecting the material. Neoprene is the industry standard, suitable for commercial, residential and industrial use. It is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications and has fair degrees of chemical and temperature resistance. Vinyl is often more economical, and is considered a replacement for the old canvas connectors, but it lacks the UV stability for outdoor use. When strong direct sunlight is a concern, or in instances of UV filtration, Hypalon is a great material with similar temperature and chemical

Synthetic rubbers, compounds, and canvas-like materials treated with synthetic compounds, are the “fabrics” used today in flexible duct connectors resistance to Neoprene. With a temperature range nearly twice that of the others, Silicone is often used in high temperature applications.

an offset, which prevents the brake from crushing the fabric when the connector is folded, offering better holding power, tear (and therefore, air leakage) resistance and fabric protection. Eliminating or minimising fabric contact with the brake will typically enhance the life of the fabric. Flexible duct connectors are yet another detail that can have a huge effect on the comfort level of a facility’s occupants. Finding the suitable connector to reduce noise, determining the best fit for the application, and looking for the double-seam advantage, will all help move the design of an HVAC system to its highest possible level of efficiency.

The writer is Regional Sales Manager, Carlisle HVAC. He can be contacted at john.guthrie@ carlislehvac.com

Seam: There is a final consideration that makes a difference in terms of flexible connector strength and energy efficiency – the seam. Regular seams place the fabric in direct contact with the clamp of the brake, which sandwiches the duct connector as it is being folded. Certain types of double-fold seams employ

May 2012

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country report SOUTH KOREA

a highly competitive market

The GCC reportedly accounts for 60% of all Korean EPC contracts abroad amounting to US$ 43.3 billion. What makes Brand Korea tick? What are the HVACR best practices and technological innovations from the Land of the Morning Calm? By Valeria Camerino

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

n the last few years, South Korea has emerged as a key trade and investment partner of the Gulf countries and UAE in particular. According to figures released by Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2011 bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to a total of US$ 22 billion, with exports to the UAE reaching US$ 7.26 billion, and imports rising to US$ 14.75 billion as oil prices increased. Indeed, the same source reveals that, with a total of 87,230,000 barrels of crude per year, the UAE is the fifth largest exporter of oil to Korea, as well as the Republic’s largest export market in the Middle East. Quoting data from Korea Trade Information Service (Kotis), a recent Gulf News report highlights that UAE’s imports from Korea consist largely of machinery (33%), electronics (25%), and steel/metal items (22%). UAE’s imports of electronics from Korea, on the other hand, surged from US$538 million in 2000 to almost US$800 million by 2011, while automotive imports grew from US$55 million to US$843 million over the same period. According to analysts, UAE-South Korea trade will grow by 21% in 2012 to US$26.6 billion. This could be due to an increase of imports of goods for the construction industry such as heavy machinery and

The Korean HVAC industry is becoming very competitive. Consumers are looking for the latest and most cost-efficient products in the market

building materials, particularly in Abu Dhabi. “The Korean system air conditioning market reached about US$1.8 billion for the residential air conditioning segment last year,” says D. Y. Kim, LG Gulf President. He points out that the local players are very competitive in the Korean HVAC market. However, he claims, “LG Electronics is the strongest AC manufacturer, holding over 60% market share in the Korean residential air conditioning market and over 50% of the Korean VRF market.”

governments become increasingly stricter when it comes to regulations associated with energy consumption. LG’s latest VRF system, Multi VIII Heat Pump, which, Kim says, was the first in the HVAC industry to receive the Carbon Free certification from US-based nonprofit organization Carbonfund.org, maximises energy efficiency in commercial environments with a 4.58 coefficient of performance (COP) and a 20HP capacity per unit, which translates to space savings of up to 50%. According to the company, Hydro Kit offers an eco-friendly solution for floor

With regard to the Middle Eastern commercial air conditioning (CAC) market, the company registered US$125 million in sales last year and is expected to register US$ 175.6 million for 2011, representing a growth of 38% on the previous year. “LG has enabled such impressive growth through collaboration with top-tier local sales partners as well as its strength in VRF systems which have far greater potential for future growth compared to conventional single commercial air conditioning products,” Kim says. He claims that the impressive energy efficiency and powerful performance of LG’s products should prove to be central in the company’s growth, as regional

and water heating, as it allows 77% savings in energy consumption and 51% less emissions compared to conventional boilers. “The world’s first variable water flow control system has been developed for use in water cooled VRF systems to cut down energy consumption by up to 71% by reducing the energy required to operate the circulation pump,” Kim claims. Other technologies include LG’s Therma V which takes advantage of heat in the air to deliver energy efficiency that is four times greater than conventional heating, while LG’s Prestige Inverter V air conditioners for residential applications reportedly consume up to 74% less energy compared to non-inverter models. It also includes a skin and health care May 2012

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country report SOUTH KOREA

function via plasma technology. As part of its commitment to promote sustainable and eco-friendly products, the company is considering various alternative refrigerants, including R290 and R32.

The introduction of refrigerant R410A, the European standard refrigerant, into the Middle East is placing great demand to meet requirements comparable to Europe Additionally, it will continue to research and develop new alternative refrigerants with the aim of satisfying market needs concerning capacity, efficiency and eco-friendliness. Kim claims that LG is the only company that offers integrated building control products and solutions combining HVAC and lighting solutions. “LG’s HVAC & Energy Solution can reduce building energy consumption by 30%,” he says. Through the recent acquisition of LS Mtron’s chiller business, LG recently strengthened its production of chillers for air conditioners used in many facilities such as complex and public buildings, offices, and shops, enhancing the company’s SAC (System Air Conditioning) line-up. With regard to standard compliance, the company has recently partnered with Intertek, a global inspection, product testing and certification company, to provide officially certified levels of energy efficiency and safety that satisfy various standards across numerous markets. “The introduction of refrigerant R410A, the European standard refrigerant, into 34

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

the Middle East is placing great demand to meet requirements comparable to Europe,” Kim explains. As he explains, the company’s Multi V III solution is one of the first VRF systems certified by AHRI. This ensures that building owners receive verified ratings which comply with all national energy codes. Kim expects the system air conditioning is expected to grow further in the near future. “In particular, [the field of] central building management systems that can control all the air conditioning and

energy consumption in large buildings is a very promising market,” he says. Despite tough competition, he forecasts LG AE’s 2012 sales revenues to grow by 10%. “The Korean HVAC industry is becoming very competitive. Consumers are looking for the latest and most costefficient products in the market,” he observes. “Taking that into consideration, LG has worked hard to provide the market with just that. Through a full lineup of HVAC systems and technological innovation, LG AE anticipates an increase in 2012 sales by 10%.” 

cover story energy EFFICIENCY in the built-environment

ENERGY

CHAMPIONS We reviewed a number of initiatives, which companies across the region are taking to optimise comfort while improving buildingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; energy efficiency in the transition towards smarter energy management. By Valeria Camerino (with inputs by B Surendar) Photographs by Rey Delante

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

The cost of building, improving or maintaining infrastructure to keep up with growing demand is one of the major challenges that cities face today. As a result, local governments need solutions to improve the efficiency and sustainability of city systems that are affordable, as well as easy to deploy and manage. In recent months, several major players have rolled out a set of programmes aimed at improving buildings’ energy efficiency across the region. One of them, launched by Siemens, is the “Advanced Operations Center”. “We help customers monitor their energy consumption by measuring very precisely how much they consume and where,” explains Patrick Guedel, General Manager, Lower Gulf Region — Siemens Infrastructure & Cities, Building Technologies Division. “We not only collect huge amounts of data, we also turn the data into meaningful information, information that can be used to take concrete actions.”

May 2012

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cover story

BUILDING’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY

More and more, HVAC control systems are replaced by integrated management systems. That is key to effective energy monitoring He adds: “Out of reports that are easy to understand yet very detailed, we work hand in hand with our customers to improve utilisation of building automation systems in a way that generates energy savings. Our goal is to make existing buildings more efficient, and to make investments in building automation more efficient, as well.” Guedel claims that, in order to achieve this goal, Siemens Desigo Technology has been recently upgraded to support energy monitoring functionalities. The company’s key focus is on integration and simplicity. “More and more, HVAC control systems are replaced by integrated management systems,” Guedel says. “That is key to effective energy monitoring.” He observes that, although HVAC systems are the biggest users of energy, so are many key systems in a building, including lighting systems, access control, fire safety systems and power distribution. “These concepts and technologies can be applied to every building, but of

course, the benefits are greater in large and complex building infrastructures: airports, hospitals, muiltiuse commercial buildings or large hospitality projects,” Guedel points out. However, he stresses the fact that, for the project to be successful, close collaboration between experts and users is required. “Technology is an enabler, operations teams do the real work!” He claims that the initiative has received tremendous support from the GCC market, as energy consumption is becoming a key issue and building operators are looking for simple, concrete measures to monitor it. “We focus on building operators, these professionals who manage buildings and want to manage them in the most efficient way,” he says, adding that they are usually already aware that improving buildings’ efficiency is important, but oftentimes they need support on how to do it. “So we help by showing what new technology can do, by training them, but also by giving them the tools so they can train themselves and their teams.” Furthermore, he claims, the company works very closely with Masdar, supporting the development of pioneering technologies in the field of smart buildings. Siemens also takes part in the World Future Energy Summit, a global annual forum taking place in January in Abu Dhabi, and is an active member of the Emirates Green Building Council, which promotes energy awareness in the country and drafts proposals for new legislation. In his view, building operators are increasingly concerned with performance

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

and sustainability, which are the primary factors that they take into account when purchasing HVAC control systems. “More and more, key factors are performance and sustainability: ‘How will my building look like in two, three, five or 20 years’ time?”, ‘How can I ensure that my building’s performance will be preserved or

Patrick Guedel

even enhanced so that it fulfills future tenants’ requirements and new legislation while remaining a profitable investment?’,” he says. Guedel is confident that, over the next few years, energy-efficient buildings will become the norm. “In the minds of people, a ‘normal’ building will be one that does not waste energy. Like today’s normal buildings are buildings where water does not leak, tomorrow’s buildings will be buildings where cooled air does not escape through doors and windows, where it’s never too cold or too nor too warm, where air quality is optimal, where light turns off automatically, and so on.” Furthermore, new standards will be established and building certification will become a must, either through regulation or for economic reasons. “This is already under way in mature markets and is rapidly coming to the Middle East. And Siemens will play a major role in this evolution,” he claimed. Michael Scriven, Business Development & Commercial Manager at Dubai— based HVAC and Green Building specialist Optima International, highlights the importance of educating local developers, who, he says, are “increasingly making capital cost savings and nine times out of 10 removing the higher cost energy efficient equipment and building management systems, having no concern for the user nor the

environment, just his cost savings.” He emphasises that, to save energy, it’s important to know where the energy is being used and, as most building do not have any metering apart from the main DEWA meters, it is hard to look at which parts of the building are inefficient so as to focus on how to save energy. Therefore, in addition to raising awareness among developers, he calls for the introduction of government incentives to developers who hand over an energyefficient building, pointing to similar energy-saving initiatives which have been carried out in more mature markets such as the US and the UK, where the government implemented the “Carbon Trust scheme”. “There should be a rating scheme just like electrical appliances,” Scriven says. And he adds: “Why remove something like BMS, which is the only thing that will save the most money during the life cycle of a building. The return on investment is usually less than one year at today’s energy prices.” His company has installed over 100 Priva BMS systems within the GCC focused on energy efficiency, making use of low carbon technology wherever possible. He claims that the system allows companies to implement a more energyefficient control strategy at a later stage without any additional capital cost. Scriven admits that the initiative has drawn mixed response from the market, as the average developer “does not care about the end user, energy usage or the environment”, while educated developers “will always try to use an energyefficient system if within

I would estimate that 40% of all buildings with BMS installed within the UAE are not functioning correctly, if at all budget”. As far as end users are concerned, they are always looking at ways to save energy and money, he says. “We keep all our end users informed of new energy-efficient methods, products and services and advise on ways of reducing their energy consumption,” Scriven points out. When purchasing HVAC controls, developers are primarily interested in the capital cost of the

equipment, while end users look at long-term benefits, ROI (return on investment) and low energy consumption. Indeed, as a result of the recent fuel surcharge on electricity, the company has seen a surge in the number of building owners wanting to reduce their energy consumption and charges but most, Scriven reveals, don’t have BMS or, if they do, it is not working, not been maintained, and, in some cases, not even connected, even after five years of use, as the developer doesn’t pay subcontractors. “Which to me is criminal. I would estimate that 40% of all buildings with BMS installed within the UAE are not functioning correctly, if at all.” He points out that, smart buildings are not always efficient buildings, but “making use of integrated systems to lower energy consumption is the way forward here in the GCC, which seems to be 10 years behind the UK market.” Furthermore, although most specifications call for integrated systems, most

May 2012

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cover story

BUILDING’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY local MEP contractors don’t know how to deliver them as they try and buy the cheapest disparate systems even from the same supplier, locking the end user into a single supplier support contract. “[The concept of] smart buildings is about keeping things simple, cost-effective and energyefficient,” Scriven says. “It is about choosing the right technology, not a single manufacturer, giving the user freedom of choice during the life cycle of the building. You need a smart

Michael Scriven

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

developer along with a smart end user to have a smart building.” Anant Berde, Buildings Business Vice President — Gulf Countries at Schneider Electric, points out that energy saving and alternative energy initiatives are playing an increasingly prominent role on the agendas of governments in the Middle East. This, in turn, affects the policies and plans of local municipalities that are keen to engage in green efforts. “Schneider Electric is actively involved in a variety of ambitious projects, the most prominent of which is Schneider Electric’s involvement in a significant partnership with Masdar and the Abu Dhabi Municipality, which was well documented during the recent World Future Energy Summit,” he says. Berde claims that the 10-year programme is set to optimise energy efficiency in buildings by up to 30% annually, saving approximately 1,900 GWh of electricity, which equals to around 1.3 million tonnes of CO² annually. The company’s HVAC control products include smart valves, actuators, sensors, thermostats and variable speed drives, which maximise efficiency in new and retrofit environments resulting in energy consumption’s reduction by up to 30%, according to Schneider. The solutions are aimed at optimising chiller control and operation, as well as cooling tower’s water temperature by maintaining air pressure, and pump motor efficiency. Berde believes that public awareness of climate-related issues and energy efficiency is increasing in the GCC region and that it’s the responsibility of the State

to educate the public on the importance of saving electricity, water and other sources. “The good news is that we are beginning to see this occurring more broadly now,” he says. Last January, Schneider Electric and its recently acquired Telvent, a real-time IT solutions and information, have launched SmartCity. The solution provides cities with an integrated suite that combines state-ofthe-art hardware, software and services to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban infrastructures, leading to more liveable

You need a smart developer along with a smart end user to have a smart building spaces, the company claims. This integrated approach includes Smart Buildings and Homes tools, such as energy and environmental monitoring and visualisation, which, according to the company, help cities optimise resource consumption for offices, data centres, factories, hospitals, universities and homes resulting in reduced emissions and energy consumption and improved resident engagement. The solutions connect buildings to the electric network and to each other to enable the smart grid. “Our ‘Smart Buildings and Homes’ solution, part

of Schneider Electric’s ‘SmartCity’ portfolio, along with our range of smart home solutions, are becoming increasingly popular for both new builds and re-fits,” Berde says. “Nonetheless, there is still a concerted effort required from both state and society to ensure sustainable practices become permanent, if we are to reduce global CO² emissions by the necessary 50% from current levels and avoid the dangers of climate change.” The company has launched a number of initiatives to educate users on the impact of CO²-induced climate change and how they can contribute to avoiding it, such as the Business, Innovation & People at the Base of the Pyramid (BipBop) programme, which targets the 1.3 billion people who have no access to electricity. As Berde explains, traditionally, most decisions were based on optimising capital expenditure costs, especially for HVAC systems, which constitute a large proportion of the total. “Over the years this strategy has resulted in the overall operational efficiency being compromised as very little focus was placed on the post-construction phase,” he argues. As a result, the company has held talks with government organisations to facilitate the awareness and drive towards the implementation of a longterm approach to energy efficiency, which entails viewing the building from a total lifecycle cost perspective and carefully addressing the operations phase. “Procurement strategy would now be part of an overall corporate sustainability programme and decisions made to

take into account the operational expenditure,” he says. “Effective planning and preparation well in advance can even yield up to 10 to 15% savings at the development and construction phase.” Berde is very confident about the future of the smart buildings industry. “We expect the market for smart buildings to grow exponentially,” he says, forecasting high demand for smart schools and universities, hospitals, hotels, airports, shopping centres, factories, government buildings and any other industry. As we reported a few months back (Climate Control Middle East — January 2012 issue), in December last year, Etisalat and Pacific Controls, officially launched the Emirates Energy Star programme, the result of a collaborative effort between the two entities to reduce the carbon footprint of the UAE. At the heart of the Emirates Energy Star programme is a structured approach to optimise electricity usage without compromising on occupant comfort conditions, said

Najat Abdulrahman, a key member of the Business Development team at Etisalat. She pointed out that buildings in the UAE consume 70% or more of the electricity generated. In a scenario of 200,000 buildings in the country, the programme could make a substantial difference and could reduce power consumption by 20%. The Emirates Energy Star programme includes a range of services, such as energy analysis, carbon footprint analysis, measurement and verification, fault detection and continuous commissioning. Technology is at the core of these services. The programme is backed by a star rating system, which works with Estidama or LEED. Under the programme, any building in the country can engage the services of Etisalat and Pacific Controls and, effectively, outsource their energy reduction activities, said Sougata Nandi, the CEO of Pacific Controls. “We will, then, regularly monitor the building, control its

There are various stakeholders at the owner’s side: the finance guy is looking to cut costs, the IT guy is looking at interpreting the data, and the FM guy is looking at other aspects. So the question was how to deploy an integrated product that can communicate to all the stakeholders

May 2012

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BUILDING’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY

equipment and generate reports,” Nandi said. “The energy savings the building achieves can be used to achieve Estidama or LEED certification.” As Azzam Messaykeh, Regional Executive Director at Johnson Controls points

We expect the market for smart buildings to grow exponentially

out, “most of the Middle East is feeling the stress of meeting the demand for electricity.” “The population is growing, and there is considerable pressure. Lots of the governments are talking about renewable energy. They need to do something about the energy situation,” he says, explaining that buildings are the most energy consuming assets in these countries. However, he also points out that every GCC state has its own characteristics and is unique in its energy requirements. “We would be doing a mistake if we put the GCC market in one bucket when it comes to energy,” he

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

Doha, Qatar

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The governments here can play a big role. Instead of raising power costs and thus creating disgruntled customers and end-users, let them finance the initiatives observes. Dubai for example, he claims, has the highest utility tariff rate among all other states. As a result, there is a demand defined by the end-users’ drive to reduce operational costs. On the other hand, while utility tariff is relatively low in Abu Dhabi, there is a high level of awareness about climate change and the negative impact of carbon emissions. In Qatar, the company is seeing high demand for a high-end operations and maintenance offering that focuses on energy and delivers quality service, whereas in Saudi Arabia, Messaykeh says, the government is very active in finding ways to curb energy consumption. In view of these different requirements, JCI took a very methodical approach to define energy efficiency solutions that would answer its customers’ changing needs. “On an average in the Middle East, 60% of the energy consumed in a building is to operate the air conditioning system, be

it air side, DX or chillers,” Messaykeh says. “The other aspect is lighting, which is 25-30%. So we have looked at these two and targeted energy saving in them. They represent the low-hanging fruit. We looked at the two aspects and said we need products for building enhancement.” He adds: “We also looked at how customers look at equipment. What do they know about water-cooled chillers? Do they know the history of the chiller and how much it is consuming? Are they taking proactive steps to maintain optimal performance?” As a result, the company decided to focus on cooling, lighting and controls, launching initiatives in three areas: building enhancement, technology, and operations and maintenance. In terms of building enhancement, JCI launched EcoEdge, a simple energy audit that looks at the main cooling and lighting systems that put a strain on the energy resources in facilities followed by engineering solutions and a roadmap for implementation. “Typically, this offering results in a series of system upgrades and retrofits that save energy and water, and use the expected utility and operational savings to offset their upfront costs,” Messaykeh says. In his view, customers are not fully aware of the

Anant Berde

May 2012

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cover story

BUILDING’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY

potential energy-saving opportunities that building enhancement solutions can bring them. “That’s why we look at the customer’s profile and carry out a free audit, so we can show them what can be done. It has to be a win-win scenario; if not, they won’t accept it,” he says. Generally speaking, he explains, customers aim at an ROI of two years. If more, they are reluctant to invest. However, for some of JCI’s customers, the focus is not just about saving energy. “In KSA, the problem is connecting to the grid,” Messaykeh reveals. “People don’t get 100 MW, for instance; they have access to only 70 MW, so they are looking for energy-saving solutions. They are asking for hybrid absorption systems, whatever [solution] to save energy.” With regard to technology, JCI introduced the Remote Operations Centre (ROC), which can monitor any piece of equipment or system connected to the building automation system, HVAC equipment and controls, lighting, electrical, and refrigeration. The company claims that the system can reduce energy consumption by up to 7-10%. “We built a remote operating monitoring centre, which includes diagnostic software that looks at the building’s BMS system,” Messaykeh explains. The software provides the building owner with historical data and load profile. The company also looked at customers who are interested in measuring CO² footprint and understanding their energy bill. “There are various stakeholders at the owner’s

In other countries, banks are investing in retrofit projects. Banks here see the Middle East as risky side: the finance guy is looking to cut costs, the IT guy is looking at interpreting the data, and the FM guy is looking at other aspects. So the question was how to deploy an integrated product that can communicate to all the stakeholders,” he observes. Another technology solution introduced by JCI is Panoptix, which is an open platform that makes it easy to collect and manage data from disparate building systems and other data sources, such as meter and weather data. “It is a cloud computing service that can take data from your building, be it BMS, AHU, etc. We analyse energy trends and track energy consumption and the reliability of equipment, while looking at specific

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

Samer Tabbara

needs,” he claims. He also adds that the system can benchmark various buildings worldwide. “We can, for instance, compare a hospital here to a hospital in Louisiana,” he says. Samer Tabbara, JCI’s Regional Business Manager — Energy Solutions, Middle East, claims that Panoptix can save more than Remote Monitoring, because Remote Monitoring can only be deployed in isolated buildings, while Panoptix allows the company to benchmark more buildings and, thus, increases the scope for saving. Savings associated with this offering are estimated between 7% and 15%, according to JCI estimates. To tackle operations and maintenance issues, JCI

Chillers for hospitals

introduced Total Building Operations and Maintenance (TBOM), an integrated bundled solution to operate and maintain building assets

with a focus on energy, efficiency and reliability. Messaykeh explains: “In many buildings, the BMS system is there, but people

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switch it off. And there are O&M issues with the systems installed.” He continues: “If I operate the systems in

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May 2012

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BUILDING’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY

the building in the right manner, I am going to improve the energy bill. The equipment is going to have the best lifecycle and the occupants are going to have a comfortable environment, which in turn will improve their productivity. It could be how the noise is managed or how the air distribution is managed. All these [aspects] can make a difference in occupancy comfort.” He believes that the main difference between TBOM, which can bring 10-12% estimated savings to customers, and FM is that FM mainly focuses on soft services, related to cleaning and security, while TBOM looks at optimising buildings’ energy efficiency. The company manages the chillers on behalf of the building owners, looking after chiller’s efficiency and reliability. Depending on individual customers’ needs, JCI either employs its own personnel to implement the abovementioned solutions or the owner’s engineering personnel. “At the same time, we can deploy our people, if the owner does not have the expertise. We have energy management engineers, LEED-certified engineers. Maybe the owners can’t afford [to pay for] their own personnel,” he explains. The company also provides Chiller Plant Optimisation, an automation software which analyses demand side and can reduce chiller energy plant consumption by up to 20%. Central Plant Optimisation is a holistic approach to efficiency allowing chiller plants to reach and sustain their high performance, high-efficiency potential, using feedback loop-based control and proportional/

integral/derivative algorithms as well as adaptive tuning loops. Messaykeh points out that, although regional governments are not implementing legislation to accelerate energy-saving solutions uptake, “they can surely give incentives to customers if they upgrade or retrofit”. “The kind of mechanism that exists in the West, like performance contract, can help here,” Tabbara argues. “The governments here can play a big role. Instead of raising power costs and thus creating disgruntled customers and end-users, let them finance the initiatives.” He points at the case of Carousel Mall in Turkey, where the mall owner was looking to change the chillers and controls systems. “We went to the owner

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

and told him we could give him a performance contract and a guarantee. We also went to the bank with the customer, in his bid to raise finance for the enhancement of the mall,” he explains. “The bank provided financing and we are now retrofitting everything in the mall. It is one of the largest performance contracts in the Middle East, and we are giving the financial guarantee to the customer.” In his view, this type of mechanism, the performance contract, can be an enabler along with legislation. “Legislation is a powerful enabler. We want the government to tell the buildings’ owners to bring down their energy consumption.” Bank finance represents another powerful enabler, Tabbara emphasises.

“In other countries, banks are investing in retrofit projects. Banks here see the Middle East as risky. They are concerned about the staying power of building owners. That’s why we are able to undertake these kinds of projects in Europe, etc. There, you are able to carry out deep energy retrofits; here, you can only hope to do low-hanging fruit projects.” He goes on to explain that in the Middle East, banks don’t have a collateral to hold. “They can’t collateralise a VSD, like they can [collateralise] a building. So these are impediments, but we look at the uniqueness of the Middle East and ask customers why they are interested, whether it is for saving money or to become better corporate citizens.”

24 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2012 | DUBAI, UAE

ROUND 1 OF REFRIGERANTS REVIEW, in March 2012, thrust different types of refrigerants into the spotlight from a Middle Eastern perspective and, at the same time, gave an international overview on the state of affairs. ROUND 2 will continue the assessment process, with a heightened involvement of end-users. Also in the picture will be government agencies, investigation bodies and enforcement groups, especially considering that there will be considerable focus on counterfeit refrigerants

KEY TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE:  Natural refrigerants, HCFCs, HFC, HFOs  Reclaiming and recycling of refrigerants  Counterfeit refrigerants  Toxicity concerns  Tumours, liver damage and other health concerns  Is it as simple as pointing the ﬁnger at only natural refrigerants? FOCUS

Natural refrigerants and district cooling

SPOTLIGHT

End-user case studies

WHO WILL ATTEND?  Implementation bodies  Government agencies  End-users  Suppliers  Service providers

SUPPORTING ASSOCIATION

KNOWLEDGE PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

Engineering

FOR SPONSORSHIPS / EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES: Frédéric Paillé Managing Director & Associate Publisher

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Event Round-Up Refrigerants Review Round 1

Natural high We continue to bring you exclusive coverage of Round 1 of

Refrigerants Review, which was held at Atlantis The Palm Hotel in Dubai on March 20 and 21.

The event, organised by Climate Control Middle East,

brought together high-profile refrigeration industry experts and policymakers, who exchanged their views on natural

refrigerants, the phase-out of ozone-depleting and high global

warming potential substances, as well as refrigerants recovery, recycling and reclaim. By Valeria Camerino

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

We look at all the factors. We don’t believe in a safe solution, but in a safer solution

A After a number of presentations by industry players, which expressed the refrigeration industry’s views on regional and international policies (see CCME April issue for indepth coverage), prominent international policymakers discussed recent advances in thinking, challenges and

strategy updates during the afternoon session of Day 1 of the conference. The session, moderated by Rajendra Shende, Former Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Chairman, TERRE Policy Centre, started with a talk by Cindy Newberg, Chief Alternatives and Emissions Reduction Branch, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who updated the audience on recent developments on alternatives and partnerships in the US, policies and approaches to reduce refrigerants’ charge sizes and

emissions. She pointed out that, in order to facilitate a smooth transition towards the phasedown of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), a number of strategies are being implemented in the US, such as introducing a tradable permit regulatory system phasing ODS, evaluating alternatives by identifying safer substitutes, managing existing supply through recovery, recycling and reuse, ensuring safe disposal and collaborating with partners. “We look at all the factors,” Newberg said.

May 2012

“We don’t believe in a safe solution, but in a safer solution.” As she explained, EPA evaluates substitutes that reduce overall risk to human health and environment. As a result, the US government body launched the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Programme, which is aimed to evaluate and regulate substitutes for the ozonedepleting chemicals that are being phased out under the stratospheric ozone protection provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Under the programme,

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event round-up In terms of seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), CO2 is the worst, and the rest of candidates are equivalent to R410A

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Climate Control Middle East May 2012

more than 400 substitute alternatives with lower overall risks have been reviewed, considering ozone-depleting potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP), flammability, toxicity, local air quality, ecosystem effects, and occupational health and safety. The project is also evaluating next generation alternatives for ODS and HFCs. “There are 15-20 reviews we are working on right now,” Newberg revealed. More submissions are expected shortly, she added. These include fluorinated and non-fluorinated alternatives.“Many of these are new molecules. Therefore, the process can be quite lengthy.” Other categories under review comprise lower GWP foam blowing agents with properties likely to increase energy efficiency, refrigerants with low GWPs, such as HFC-32, HFOs, blends, and non-fluorinated substances. EPA also prohibits intentional venting of HFCs and requires servicing practices for motor vehicles. Furthermore, it has launched the GreenChill initiative, EPA’s partnership

with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on ozone layer and climate change. This is being achieved by providing supermarkets with information and assistance to facilitate the transition to refrigerants with better environmental profiles, lower refrigerant charge sizes and eliminate leaks, adopt green refrigeration technologies and environmental best practices. In March, Newberg said, a major US supermarket, ‘Fresh & Easy’, opened a new GreenChill platinumcertified store in Folsom, California. While a standard store uses 3 lbs of refrigerant per 1,000 BTU evaporator heat load, this store only uses 0.1 lbs per 1,000 BTU, for a total of 70 lbs of refrigerant for the whole store. As of 2011, the GreenChill programme boasts 7,300 partner stores in all 50 states, accounting for 20% of US food retail industry. “When launched, we heard it was impossible for a company to get their corporate wide leak rate under 10%,” Newberg said. “That proved to be untrue! Several partners have done just that, while some partners go beyond that.” John E Thompson, Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Policy, US Department of State, addressed the topic of HFCs and elaborated on the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to reduce short-lived climate pollutants. As he explained, the objective of the coalition, which was officially launched last February, is to accelerate action on near term warming. This new global initiative is aimed to seize

the opportunity of realising concrete benefits on climate, health, food and energy resulting from reducing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). The voluntary partnership, which currently includes six founding members — Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States, together with UNEP — will focus efforts on reducing black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and methane and complements CO₂ mitigation efforts as well as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In his view, SLCPs comprise about one-third of current warming. HFCs on the other hand, are a small component of current warming, but are rapidly growing. Lack of action on HFCs could counter progress on methane and black carbon, Thompson argued. The first meeting of the coalition will be held on April 23-24, 2012, in Stockholm, Sweden, and will focus on defining actions to accelerate HFCs phasedown. Day 1 of the event also featured a talk by Nina Burhenne, Head of Market Research at shecco, a B2B Marketing & Communications expert specialised in the HVACR and transport sectors, who presented the findings of the company’s ‘GUIDE 2012: Natural Refrigerants in the HVAC&R industry -- a global study of market & policy trends.’ The survey was the first approach to illustrate and quantify the global market potential for natural refrigerants, which, she claimed, have zero ODP, zero or very low GWP and can replace all F-gases in all applications. The main aims of the project were to outline the

industry’s expectations for the period 2012-2020 for CO₂, NH3 and HCs, show barriers and opportunities for natural refrigerants, analyse the political situation in the EU and highlight industry initiatives in this field. The study, which targeted 1,254 respondents from 92 countries, primarily among manufacturers, contractors, and component suppliers, examined the use of natural refrigerants in a wide range of applications, including the transport sector, residential and commercial buildings, industry and special applications and the food cold chain. Most respondents were from the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Denmark, India and China. Europe showed the greatest immediate adoption potential for natural refrigerants, followed by Australia / Oceania and North America. As part of the study,

The question should be how to design a safe system to apply an attractive refrigerant and not to label it with a toxicity or flammability rating and consequently ban it

shecco surveyed more than 1,000 supermarkets across Europe and found out that Denmark is leading the way in the uptake of CO₂ as a natural refrigerant, with 424 stores using it for food refrigeration. Burhenne also revealed that some large supermarket chains like Carrefour and Tesco, have started to implement natural refrigerants in emerging countries like Turkey and China, as well as promoting local expertise. According to the survey, more than 70% of respondents were “highly informed” or “well informed” regarding the benefits of natural refrigerants. However, awareness levels for the overall HVACR industry and its customers were quite low. Indeed, one of the key barriers to the uptake of natural refrigerants was poor information exchange, along with lack of training and know-how. Other barriers included technology and safety concerns as well as a number of misconceptions influencing public acceptance of natural refrigerants. For 81% of the respondents, the key strengths of natural refrigerants consisted of environmental benefits, including direct and indirect emissions reductions and energy savings. Life cycle costs reduction with regard to energy efficiency, operations and maintenance was also considered a major benefit. Day 2 of the conference started with a technical overview of refrigerants by Ghaleb Abusaa, CEO of en³ Solutions, The Three Factors Company, who provided general information on refrigerants, with particular regard to their properties

May 2012

Emerging Global Industry Consensus:

Refrigerant Choice To Protect Climate and Stratospheric Ozone Dr. Stephen O Andersen, Director of Research, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD) and Co-Chair, Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) of the Montreal Protocol, who delivered the keynote address on Day 1 of the event, and Durwood Zaelke, President, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD), authored a presentation which summarises the key issues addressed during the conference.

Here it’s an overview of the most important points:  Global Refrigerant Challenge

• Long, Hot, and Sometimes Humid Cooling Season • “Brown-outs” and Other Electricity Quality Problems • High Energy Cost; Low Equipment Durability • Climate Change Can Only Make Life Worse • Local Experts Key to Technical Innovation • Markets in Other Similarly Effected Regions • How Can Cooperation and Innovation Responsibly Serve Markets with Sustainable Technology?

 Montreal Phase-out: Just-in-Time • 1974: Molina/Rowland sounded the Ozone Alarm;

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event round-up at standard saturated suction conditions of air conditioning equipment and at different outside conditions. The following session, under the theme “The search for what’s ideal”, featured a number of industry presentations which focused on the factors that need to be considered when choosing refrigerants for high- and mediumtemperature applications. Martin Dieryckx, Member of the Executive Board, Daikin Europe and Incharge, Environment Research Centre, Europe, Daikin McQuay, pointed out that there are several factors affecting refrigerant choice. These include lower GWP, reduced charge, low emissions, high efficiency, peak load, high COP, affordability and reliability, easy installation and maintenance, safety, low toxicity and no or low flammability among others. In his view, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, when it comes to selecting a particular refrigerant. “Choose whatever refrigerant is best suited for each application,” he said. He claimed that Daikin is developing R32 split air conditioners for both residential and commercial applications because R32 is better suited for these applications. Dieryckx went on to describe the properties of R32. These comprise a potential of refrigeration capacity which is 1.6 times higher than R410A, lower pressure drop losses, higher coefficient of heat transfer compared to R410A and charge volume reduction. Furthermore, he claimed that R32 can reduce CO₂equivalent emissions by 75% and that it has the lowest power consumption compared to other refrigerants available on the

market. “In terms of seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), CO₂ is the worst, and the rest of candidates are equivalent to R410A,” he added. In terms of safety, he emphasised that it is a must to consider the whole lifecycle of the refrigerant, from manufacturing until end of life. As per ASHRAE and ISO classification, R32 is considered a class 2L refrigerant, that is to say, it’s slightly flammable. However, the burning velocity (<10 cm/s) is too slow to cause horizontal flame propagation or explosion. Dieryckx also claimed that R32 is suitable for all types of compressors. Dr Nacer Achaichia, Engineering Manager Refrigerants, EMEA at Honeywell pointed out that the criteria for refrigerant selection include capacity, efficiency and oil return among others. He advocated the use of new generation HFOs, whose applications include automotive air conditioning, buses and trains, vending machines, air dryers, as well as medium- and

(L-R) Cindy Newberg, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; John Thompson, Office of Environmental Policy, U.S. Department of State

Ghaleb Abusaa, The Three Factors Company

In the 70s and 80s, it was easy to determine what the good and bad refrigerants were – there was only one issue – ozone depletion

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

Stuart Fleming, EnviroServe

Rajendra Shende, Terre Policy

Narciso Zacarias, Dubai Municipality

Sandor Murin, Q Plan

Ali Sleiman, ADC Energy Systems

Nina Burhenne, shecco

low-pressure centrifugal chillers. Dr Anwar Hassan, VP, ESG (KSA) and VP Technology at Johnson Controls, claimed that, in view of its global presence in industrial refrigeration, its company uses a diverse group of refrigerants, including natural refrigerants for its product offerings around the world. In his view, the key challenge when choosing the ideal refrigerant is striking the right balance between environmental impact (ozone depletion, global warming and efficiency), and safety (toxicity and flammability). He argued that, rather than talking about an ideal refrigerant, it’s more appropriate to talk about an “ideal set of ingredients”. He added that the approach towards safety issues such flammability and toxicity in air conditioning and refrigeration needs to evolve significantly. “This can only happen through strong collaboration between industry, government and well informed and objective sustainability advocates,” he said.“The question should be how to design a safe system to apply an attractive refrigerant and not to label it with a toxicity or flammability rating and consequently ban it.” Mike Thompson, Global Leader of Refrigerant Strategy-Ingersoll Rand, Trane Commercial Systems, pointed out that there are a number of options today in the area of refrigerants. The most commonly used flourocarbons are broken into two categories — non ozone depleters, and ozone depleters. The ozone depleters have been addressed by the Montreal Protocol. The non-ozone depleters are now being looked at under the Kyoto protocol due to their impact

on global warming. “In the 70s and 80s, it was easy to determine what the good and bad refrigerants were — there was only one issue — ozone depletion,” he said. “Today, it is not nearly as easy. Now we know that global warming is a factor, and many chemicals with a high global warming

We can use ammonia in the Middle East for food refrigeration, but we need to get rid of misconceptions and fear potential are getting phased out in some locations, such as Europe for automotive applications.” He also added that some of these chemicals are flammable, while others have toxicity, efficiency or cost concerns. “In the end there is no ‘perfect’ refrigerant choice — any refrigerant we choose is an effort in compromise,” Thompson argued. From an environmental point of view, the perfect balance would be a refrigerant with minimal ODP and GWP, best delivered efficiency (part and full load), short atmospheric life, lowest possible leakage rate and high safety levels. Although he admits that there’s no perfect refrigerant for the HVAC industry, he believes that R-123 strikes the greatest balance

May 2012

Consumer boycotts of CFC aerosol cosmetics stalls CFC growth • 1987: Montreal Protocol agreed; regulation & technology saves the ozone layer! • 2007: Scientists document extraordinary climate benefits of ODS phase-out • 2010: LCCP is The Climate Metric Now More Comprehensive!

 Advantages of HFC Controls Under The Montreal Protocol

• Every country is a Party to Montreal Protocol • Experience, confidence, trust & community • Scientific, environmental, technical and economic assessments • TEAP assessments by industry experts • Controls paced to technology; developing country costs paid by Multilateral Fund (MLF) • Ozone units in 145+ developing parties • Rapid adjustment process to strengthen • Essential Use Exemptions, if needed

 The Importance of Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers

• Ozone protection achieved with familiar chemistry and mild product redesign • Climate protection

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event round-up requires breakthrough chemistry, radical redesign, energy efficiency and utility peak load reduction • Near-zero refrigerant emissions mitigates ozone depletion, climate forcing, flammability, atmospheric fate, toxicity, and price • Profits and satisfaction reward engineers for making the world safe for future generations

 Refrigerant Reality

• Chemical nomenclature and labels are unreliable indicators of environmental acceptability • Life-cycle analysis cuts through the rhetoric • The realised GWP of a chemical substance includes all manufacturing emissions • Short-term and long-term atmospheric impact are both important to climate protection: no one correct GWP time interval

 New Thinking on Refrigerants

• Select The Refrigerant With Superior LCCP • Manage Refrigerant Emissions To The Lowest Practical Life-Cycle Level • Offset ODP Of HCFC Refrigerants To Be “Chlorine Neutral” • Offset GWP Of All Refrigerants To Be “Carbon Neutral” • Design And

between ODP and GWP, followed by R-32 and R-152a. Unfortunately, their use is limited because they’re flammable. “We need to be more flexible about flammability in the future,” he pointed out. As he explained, chiller selection should focus on the entire life of the equipment including cost of energy (94.5%), first cost of chiller (5.18%), cost of initial charge of refrigerant (0.25%) and refrigerant added over 30 years (0.04%). “When you are looking at refrigerant costs, the important factor is what it costs to add refrigerant that leaks over the life of the chiller,” Thompson said. “With average leakage rates of 0.5% per year, the cost of additional refrigerant over the life of the chiller is only 0.04% of the total life cycle cost. Refrigerants with a higher pressure, and resulting higher leakage rates will certainly be higher.” Therefore, in his view, chiller selection should focus on high energy efficiency, minimal leakage rates and superior technical design. One of the key topics discussed during Day 2 was the recovery, recycling and reclaim of refrigerants. The challenges in reclaiming and recycling refrigerants for high- and medium temperature refrigeration applications were addressed by Stuart Fleming, founding partner and CEO of Dubai-based EnviroServe. The company, which was founded in 2005, provides recovery and reclaim services, testing and certification, supply of pure refrigerant, support of legislation, equipment to manage, measure and contain the gas, as well as electronic waste recovery services. He acknowledged that there are several barriers which are slowing down the

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

implementation of recovery and reclaim mechanisms. These include lack of government incentives, monitoring refrigerant venting with and through the local authorities (i.e. municipalities), training of technicians, corporate ethics. Fleming claimed that his company has tried to raise awareness of the importance of recovering refrigerants by teaching people to recover, getting owners and Dubai Municipality involved, and tackling corporate ethics. Ghaleb Abusaa discussed potential feasibility issues concerning the use of natural refrigerants in the Middle East. He claimed that natural refrigerants have already been implemented across the region in different fields, including combustion turbine inlet air cooling (CTIAC), food processing, cold storage and chemical industry. With regard to TIAC applications, many gas turbines, mainly located in Saudi Arabia, are using ammonia (NH3). Abusaa emphasised that the major challenges to the widespread use of ammonia and other natural refrigerants across the Middle East include awareness and education, distance from populated areas in the case of CTIAC, proper after sale service, legislation and incentives. “We can use ammonia in the Middle East for food refrigeration, but we need to get rid of misconceptions and fear,” he observed. Torben Funder-Kristensen, VP, Public and Industry Affairs, Danfoss A/S Denmark – Danfoss Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Controls, discussed the use of CO₂ as a refrigerant in supermarkets. Unlike other natural refrigerants, CO₂ has the advantage of being non-toxic. Furthermore, it has low GWP.

Martin Dieryckx, Daikin (Europe)

Dr Anwar Hassan, Johnson Controls

Mike Thompson, Trane Commercial Systems

Yaquob Almatouq, Kuwait

Operate Equipment To Maximise LCCP

 The “Andersen 5-Step”

Torben Funder-Kristensen, Danfoss (Denmark)

I hope that safety regulations about ammonia will be introduced at a federal level However, in terms of energy efficiency, it has some limitations, as, when used with direct expansion and/or as brine for transcritical applications, it works better in colder climates. In subcritical applications, CO₂ can also be used in cascade with another re-

frigerant, with direct expansion and / or as brine. Funder-Kristensen claimed that many CO₂ systems have been successfully installed, especially in the EU. The top applications for CO₂ in refrigeration cold chain comprise industrial refrigeration, food retail, transport refrigeration and bottle coolers. Danfoss predicted that, in view of the environmental and financial benefits of using CO₂, the use of this refrigerant will continue to grow worldwide in the coming years. Funder-Kristensen pointed out that the technical advantages of using CO₂ have not yet been fully exploited. Indeed, he sees a huge development potential, especially in the field of combining refrigeration and heating purposes. Ali Sleiman, General Manager (Operations) at ADC Energy Systems, elaborated on the use of

ammonia in industrial heavy-duty applications. After briefly summarising ammonia’s properties in terms of toxicity flammability, availability and efficiency, and its common applications, he went to explain how his company introduced ammonia for cooling at Ski Dubai, an indoor ski slope located in Mall of the Emirates. Sleiman emphasised that, given that the venue is a urban area, strict safety measures have been implemented to minimise any potential risk to the public. These included leak detection and ventilation systems, as well as personnel training. He advocated the implementation of UAEwide safety regulations for ammonia and other refrigerants. “I hope that safety regulations about ammonia will be introduced at a federal level,” he said.

• Calculate the “safetyscreened energy efficiency” of products satisfying reasonable health & safety standards; • Compare the LCCP of the safety-screened systems for the climate, electricity carbon intensity, and owner preferences; • Select the superior LCCP technology in cases of clear advantage, but in cases of comparable LCCP, favor the lowest GWP; • Proceed with investment, unless an emerging technology is far superior and worth waiting for; and • Limit cumulative lifecycle emissions to acceptable levels by engineering, economic incentives, and training

 2012: Clear & Sustainable Technical Choices

May 2012

• Hydrocarbons for household refrigerators/freezers, stand-alone retail refrigerators/freezers, and small room air conditioners • Hydrocarbons, CO and ammonia ² for supermarket refrigeration (driven by supermarket industry leadership) • HFC-32 for larger room air conditioners • HFC-1234yf for automobile A/C and other HFC-134a applications where natural refrigerants have inferior LCCP • HCFC-123 for building air conditioning chillers

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perspective

Keeping HVAC systems clean

Shali Habibulla emphasises the importance of clean air for our general well-being and suggests ways to improve the quality of air we breathe.

Air is a necessary resource for every human being and clean air is a great way to keep our body healthy and happy. Clean air is rather difficult to come by these days. This has detrimental effects on our health. We breathe about 20,000 times each day. Each person inhales over 3,500 gallons of air each day. Children inhale more particles for their size than adults. Each time we breathe, our body has to utilise the oxygen

in each breath and filter out the “leftovers”. These could be extra gases like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, lead or hydrocarbons, among other things. This puts an extra strain on our body’s already taxed detoxification systems. Polluted air causes 94% of all respiratory problems. The products that leave a person’s lungs during exhalation are

Polluted air causes 94% of all respiratory problems

carbon dioxide and water (exhaled air has a relative humidity of 100%), which are eliminated by the human body. Atmospheres with oxygen concentrations below 19.5% can have adverse physiological effects, and atmospheres with less than 16% oxygen can become life threatening.

Improving indoor air quality and safety

GEA Refrigeration Germany How fresh is an air freshener? Air fresheners do not “purify” the surrounding air; nor do they add natural fragrances. They are not a solution for poor air quality, and are not a substitute for good ventilation. A study released by the National Institute of Environmental

Health Science and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) evaluated and found that 12 of them contained variable amounts of substances called phthalates – a group of chemicals that are used to dissolve and carry fragrances, soften plastics and also as sealants and adhesives. Phthalates are commonly found in a variety of products including cosmetics, paints, nail polish, and children’s toys and tobacco. Studies suggested that high exposures to certain kinds of phthalates can cause cancer, sex hormone abnormalities (including decreased testosterone and sperm levels), can affect fertility and cause developmental abnormalities in infants. This could pose

How often should you change disposable HVAC return air filters? Under normal circumstances, changing disposable filters every 30 to 60 days is fine. If you have just moved into a new house, it is recommended that you change them every 30 days for the first month or two, to get an idea of how dirty they get. • If you live in a dusty area or notice dust around your home/office, then change them every 30 days. • If you have pets, change them every 30 days. • If you have a smoker in the house, change them every 30 days. • Basically, in any situation where you have higher than normal airborne

Climate Control Middle East May 2012

particles indoors, you need change your filters at least every 30 days. • If you buy the 60- to 90-day filters that are increasingly available in the market, you may still need to change them more often in a dusty environment. • When there is a dust/sand storm, you need to change them every 15 days for the next few months, as more of the fine particles of dust would have made their way into the envelope of your home and may have ended up in your air conditioning system.

Studies suggested that high exposures to certain kinds of phthalates can cause cancer, sex hormone abnormalities (including decreased testosterone and sperm levels), can affect fertility and cause developmental abnormalities in infants

a serious problem for those with asthma or other lung problems. Reduced lung function is also a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

Combating the problem

Dust allergy is a major problem which people in the Gulf region typically suffer from. Proper methods of air filtration need to be adopted in HVAC systems to solve the problem and prevent it from recurring. Air filtration: Filtration of the air is an often overlooked part of the total conditioning of any space/room. Since the air supplied from the system mixes outdoor air with the return air from the conditioned space, it must be filtered properly to a level that ensures product quality.

Most systems have commercial grade 30% filters as the first level of filtration in the process. These filters are 30% efficient on a 1 micron particle, and are designed to be changed monthly. The second level of filtration in a system is matched to the specific process with the product in the room. Uncooked or raw product requires a level of filtration that is 95% (ASHRAE) efficient on a 1 micron particle, removing virtually all the airborne yeast, bacteria and mould particles. HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arrestor) filters are rated 99.97% efficient on a 0.3 micron particle, and each filter is factory- tested for efficiency.

Conclusion

Proper sizing, features

May 2012

and construction are important considerations in the selection of the environmental control systems. Although the outdoor air is also polluted, it is less polluted than our homes/offices. If your house/ office is air conditioned, you should regularly clean/ change air filters. If your house is not air conditioned, you need to always keep your house well aired out by opening doors and windows. The only true air purifier is nature, and air around areas with a lot of fresh plants and trees is much more pure. If you live away from such areas, go to nature spots as often as possible, and also try to exercise outdoors. n The writer is Project Manager, Al Muftah Trading & Contracting WLL

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perspective

refrigerants and fire safety

Revisiting flammable refrigerants –

Checks and Balances

The background

Part I of the Whitepaper, explored the implications of increased and widespread use of flammable refrigerants in HVAC equipment and appliances, and focused on the use of hydrocarbons as refrigerants. It concluded by stating that stakeholder identification was the first step in undertaking a unified and coordinated review of the potential impact of the wider use of flammable refrigerants. It further suggested that gaps in codes and standards for installation and use, including the applicable equipment safety standards, need to be identified and addressed. Education and training for installers, service personnel, storage and retail facilities operators, fire fighters and inspection professionals was also deemed important. Part

II endeavours to examine the current state of safety standards in order to address the gaps.

US Federal regulatory environment CFC and HCFC phase out

The phase-out of CFCs began in 1991 – a change that drove equipment manufacturers to expand the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) where they could, and to use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in applications as diverse as household refrigerators and automotive air conditioning. Manufacturers began to use hydrocarbons (HCs) as well around this time. As noted earlier, isobutane (R600a) had long ago been used as a refrigerant. With the phase out of CFCs, isobutene was reintroduced

REFERENCES

[16] “In 2002, Japan, a major producer of domestic refrigerators/freezers, introduced its first hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerators onto the market. HC refrigerants, especially R-600a, have since dominated the Japanese domestic refrigeration market and are continuing to grow in market share.” Quoted from “Transitioning to Low GWP Alternatives in Domestic Refrigeration,” US Environmental Protection Agency, EPA-430-F-10-042,

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as a refrigerant for household refrigerators and freezers in Japan16 and Europe, and found widespread use and acceptance.17 Though ANSI/UL 250, the US safety standard for household refrigerators, anticipated as early as the 1990s the possible use of flammable refrigerants in the US, they were not introduced in US appliances until 2008. An interim solution, HCFCs are also ozone-depleting substances and were subject to a longer-term phase out than CFCs. In September 2007, the signatories of the Montreal Protocol agreed to a more aggressive phase-out of HCFCs. Table 1 describes the phase-out timetable under the US Clean Air Act. The imminent HCFC phase-out, coupled with recent efforts to improve energy efficiency

October 2010 (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/ downloads/EPA_HFC_DomRef.pdf). [17] “Practical Application of Refrigerant R600a Isobutane in Domestic Refrigerator Systems,” Danfoss, November 2000. [18] Unilever is the world’s largest producer of ice cream (Breyers and Ben and Jerry’s brands in US). Since 2004, the company has been replacing commercial freezers that display

of certain appliances as well as experience outside of the US market, has substantially renewed interest in the US towards flammable refrigerants, isobutane and propane in particular, along with blends using these substances.

their products with units using hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants, around 430,000 units to date (11/2010) according to their website (unilever. com). [19] Simplification of a table appearing on EPA web site: US EPA Ozone Layer Protection – Regulatory Programmes, “Comparison of the Montreal Protocol and United States Phaseout Schedules,” http://www.epa. gov/ Ozone/title6/phaseout/hcfc.html. Referenced

Finally, in September 2008, ice-cream maker Ben and Jerry’s introduced a commercial ice-cream case into the US market, representing the first use of a hydrocarbon refrigerant in a conventional commercial food serving and display application in over 50 years in the country. The selfcontained freezer case, made by Unilever, 18 was of a cold wall construction that used propane refrigerant. Notwithstanding the

movement towards HC refrigerants, HFCs currently remain the predominant choice to replace HCFCs. However, under the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), a 2006 regulation for all F-gases (fluorinated gases) “makes it mandatory to contain via the control of systems via leakage detection systems that are regularly checked, to recover and recycle, to monitor and archive, to label, to train and certificate

servicing personnel, to restrict marketing of F-gases for emissive uses, etc.”20 in the European market must also contend with the EU’s directive relating to emissions from air conditioning systems in motor vehicles (2006/40/ EC), also known as the MAC Directive.21 The MAC Directive will eliminate the major mobile air conditioning market for the popular HFC 134a, and has led manufacturers to explore a “lower flammability”

refrigerant (HFO 1234yf), as well as CO2 and other options. Somewhat related is the move towards “natural refrigerants.” Looking to avoid altogether the transition to HFCs, which have high global warming potential (GWP), a consortia of equipment manufacturers and retailers have included HC refrigerants in their plans to meet energy regulations. See Table 2 for some examples of the GWP for flammable refrigerants.

Table 1 – Phase-out of HCFC’s in US

In September 2008, ice-cream maker Ben and Jerry’s introduced a commercial icecream case into the US market, representing the first use of a hydrocarbon refrigerant in a conventional commercial food serving and display application in over 50 years in the country

Table 2 – comparison of refrigerant GWP and ODP22

cap is average of a) 1989 HCFC production + 2.8% of 1989 CFC production and b) 1989 HCFC consumption + 2.8% of 1989 CFC consumption. [20] “Natural Refrigerants Sustainable Ozoneand Climate-Friendly Alternatives to HCFCs,” Proklima International, published by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, July 2008, p 31.

[21] The Directive covers the use of refrigerants with global warming potential (GWP) over 150 in Mobile Air Conditioning for passenger cars only. The intent is to restrict direct emissions from such systems. The Directive will be implemented beginning in 2011 with a target of full implementation by 2017. [22] “Transitioning to Low GWP Alternatives in Commercial Refrigeration” EPA430-F-10-043 October 2010 (http://www.epa.

gov/ozone/downloads/EPA_HFC_ComRef.pdf) and “Transitioning to Low GWP Alternatives in MVACs,” EPA-430-F-10-041, October 2010 (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/downloads/ EPA_HFC_MVAC.pdf). [23] “Minimum standards of energy efficiency for many major appliances were established by the US Congress in Part B of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), … the National Energy Conservation

May 2012

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perspective refrigerants and fire safety Vapour compression refrigeration and air conditioning end uses

• •

•

• Chillers typically cool water, which is then circulated to provide comfort cooling throughout a building or other location. Chillers can be classified by compressor type, including centrifugal, reciprocating, scroll, screw and rotary. • Cold storage warehouses are used to store meat, produce, dairy products and other perishable goods. The majority of cold storage warehouses in the United States use ammonia as the refrigerant in a vapour compression cycle, although some rely on other refrigerants. • Retail food refrigeration includes all cold storage cases designed to chill food for commercial sale. In addition to grocery cases, the end use includes convenience store reach-in cases and restaurant walk-in refrigerators. Vending machines are self-contained units that dispense goods that must be kept cold or frozen. Water coolers are self-contained units providing chilled water for drinking. They may or may not feature detachable containers of water. Commercial ice machines are used in commercial establishments to produce ice for consumer use, eg, in hotels, restaurants, and convenience stores. Household refrigerators and freezers are intended primarily for residential use, although they may be used outside the home. Household freezers only offer storage space at freezing temperatures, unlike household refrigerators. Products with both a refrigerator and freezer in a single unit are most common. Residential dehumidifiers are primarily used to remove water vapour from ambient air for comfort or material preservation purposes. While air conditioning systems often combine cooling and dehumidification, this application serves only the latter purpose. Residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps include central air conditioners (unitary equipment), window air conditioners, and other products. Blended HFC 410A has supplanted HCFC-22, a class II substance, as the most common refrigerant for this application.

(Table content extracted from EPA web content: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/refrigerants/index.html)

Over time, these various initiatives can be expected to contribute to a reduction in use of HFCs as an alternative to HCFCs, and lead to increased use of HCs.

Energy efficiency

In addition to being affected by the phase-out of ozonedepleting refrigerants, HVAC equipment and appliances employing refrigerants are subject to a variety of regulations in the US. Such equipment must meet the appropriate electrical, mechanical, fire and public health requirements of state and local jurisdictions. Increasingly, such equipment must also meet state and federal energy efficiency goals (e.g. Energy Policy and Conservation Act23) that can be expected to drive the search for new and more efficient technologies, including the types of refrigerant used. As recently of September 2010, the US Department of Energy proposed standards for residential refrigerators and freezers that are expected to lower energy use by as much as 25%.24 The energy efficiency appeal of flammable refrigerants in refrigeration equipment and air conditioners may also lead to its use in other appliances. For example, a storage tank water heater could potentially be more efficient if a reversecycle (heat pump) system with a relatively small flammable refrigerant charge were used instead of a large resistance-heating element

The MAC Directive will eliminate the major mobile air conditioning market for the popular HFC 134a, and has led manufacturers to explore a “lower flammability” refrigerant (HFO 1234yf), as well as CO² and other options to maintain the temperature of the water. A similar technology could be used in a clothes dryer to dehumidify clothing, instead of drying solely by resistance heat or heat of combustion.

US EPA SNAP

It is only logical that the transition towards more environmentally preferable refrigerants and energy savings has renewed interest in HC refrigerants in appliances. And arguably the most significant regulation affecting the use of flammable refrigerants in appliances is the Clean Air Act, administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP). According to the EPA,

REFERENCES

Policy Act, … the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act, … the National Appliance Energy Conservation Amendments of 1988, … and by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, … and by the Energy Policy of 2005….” US DOE, Building Technologies Program, “Appliances & Commercial Equipment Standards, Laws and Regulations,” http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ buildings/appliance_standards/laws_regs.html.

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[24] US DOE Press Release: “DOE Proposes Higher Efficiency Standards for Refrigerators,” September 28, 2010, http:// www. energy.gov/news/9582.htm. [25] US EPA Ozone Layer Protection – Alternatives / SNAP, “Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program,” http://www.epa.gov/ozone/ snap/index.html.

[26] US EPA Air and Radiation Stratospheric Protection Division 6205J, “Substitute Refrigerants Under SNAP as of June 16, 2010,” http://www.epa.gov/ozone/ snap/ refrigerants/reflist.pdf. [27] US EPA Guidance document for the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP), Program Information Notice EPA-1265-07 June 30, 2011 (sic), p. 16.

the purpose of its SNAP programme is “to allow a safe, smooth transition away from ozone-depleting compounds by identifying substitutes that offer lower overall risks to human health and the environment.”25 SNAP specifically identifies the use of refrigerants used in HVAC equipment and appliances as a focus of the policy, including chillers, cold storage warehouses, retail food refrigeration, vending machines, water coolers, commercial ice machines, household refrigerators and freezers, residential dehumidifiers and residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps. EPA’s SNAP has authorised HCs (propane, butane and blends) as alternative refrigerants for industrial process refrigeration only. For all other applications, such refrigerants have not yet been authorised as substitutes for refrigerants employed today.26 However, there are exemptions to this restriction for small volume producers of substitutes, and in cases where end-use equipment is being test-marketed or deployed for research and development.27 In response to the increased interest in HC refrigerants, the EPA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the US Federal Register in May 2010. The NPRM recommends that “isobutane, propane, HCR–188C28 and HCR–188C1 be acceptable,

subject to use conditions, as substitutes for R–12 and R–22 in household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerator and freezers and commercial refrigeration (retail food refrigerators and freezers – stand-alone units only”).29 The NRPM also references product safety standards ANSI/UL 250 and ANSI/ UL 471, indicating that equipment must meet the requirements of these standards to use one of the specified flammable refrigerants. The proposal also specifies that hoses and piping be colour coded to identify the presence of

A storage tank water heater could potentially be more efficient if a reverse-cycle (heat pump) system with a relatively small flammable refrigerant charge were used instead of a large resistanceheating element to maintain the temperature of the water

[28] The “refrigerant is a blend of propane, isobutane, ethane, and pentane gases, with variations that include hexane, methane, and heptane.” Appliance Design, “Cooling Technologies: Alternative Refrigerants Attract Attention,” Larry Adams, March 31, 2009 (http:// www.appliancedesign.com/ Articles/Article_Rotation/BNP_GUID_9-52006_A_10000000000000558309).

flammable refrigerants in these appliances, and that unique fittings and service ports be provided to avoid accidental connection of inappropriate service equipment while facilitating recovery of refrigerant during service or disposal of the appliances. Finally, the NPRM proposes that technicians working with equipment using flammable refrigerants be “specifically trained in handling flammable refrigerants service or dispose of refrigerators and freezers containing these refrigerants” to minimise the risk of fire.30

US DOT

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) publishes requirements for “packaging”31 which apply to cylinders that may contain liquefied petroleum gas (LPGas). These requirements describe the types and sizes, construction, testing, inspection and markings of these cylinders, often simply referred to as “DOT cylinders.” The requirements are well established for the transport of LP-Gas cylinders for combustion equipment and, together with regulations from the US. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) associated with workplace handling of LP-Gas, thoroughly cover transportation of flammable gas in cylinders. HVAC equipment and appliances containing

[29] Federal Register/Vol. 75, No. 89/Monday, May 10, 2010 /Proposed Rules p. 25799 [30] Ibid, p 25809 [31] US Code of Federal Regulations, 49CFR178 “Specifications for Packagings.” [32] US DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Office of Information Management, “Crashes Involving Trucks

Disposal

“Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that is typically dismantled on-site before disposal (eg, retail food refrigeration, central residential air conditioning, chillers, and industrial process refrigeration) has to have the refrigerant recovered in accordance with EPA’s requirements for servicing prior to their disposal. However, equipment that typically enters the waste stream with the charge intact (eg, motor vehicle air conditioners, household refrigerators and freezers, and room air conditioners) are subject to special safe disposal requirements. Under these requirements, the final person in the disposal chain (eg, a scrap metal recycler or landfill owner) is responsible for ensuring that refrigerant is recovered from equipment before the final disposal of the equipment. If the final person in the disposal chain accepts appliances that no longer hold a refrigerant charge, that person is responsible for maintaining a signed statement from whom the appliance/s is being accepted. The signed statement must include the name and address of the person who recovered the refrigerant, and the date that the refrigerant was recovered, or a copy of a contract stating that the refrigerant will be removed prior to delivery.” (Content taken from EPA web site fact sheet: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/ title6/608/608fact.html)

Carrying Hazardous Materials,” by Ralph Craft, PhD, Publication #: FMCSA-RI-04-024, May 2004 http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsresearch/research-technology/ analysis/ fmcsa-ri-04-024.htm. [33] Other containers may also be employed where appropriate (eg those complying with the Rules for Construction of Unfired Pressure Vessels, Section VIII, Division 1, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code).

May 2012

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perspective refrigerants and fire safety flammable refrigerant could be identified as hazardous material cargo due to the presence of flammable gas. 49 CFR Part 177.834 (Packages secured in a motor vehicle) states: “Any package containing any hazardous material, not permanently attached to a motor vehicle, must be secured against shifting, including relative motion between packages, within the vehicle on which it is being transported, under conditions normally incident to transportation. Packages having valves or other fittings must be loaded in a manner to minimise the likelihood of damage during transportation.” Fortunately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (an agency of the DOT) reports that “crashes involving large trucks-those with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 Pounds – carrying hazardous materials (hazmat) are relatively rare.”32

US OSHA

OSHA publishes regulations intended to protect the safety or health of those employees working in federallyregulated workplaces. National consensus standards are frequently referenced

for this purpose and, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.7(c), ANSI/UL standards for refrigerators and freezers, heating and air conditioning equipment, associated components and appliances fulfill the requirements. Such products, once listed by a nationally recognised testing laboratory (NRTL) using the accepted standards, may be used in the workplace. OSHA regulations addressing storage and handling of LP-Gases are documented in 29 CFR 1910.110. While these regulations do not anticipate LP-Gas refrigerants, they do cite compliance with DOT container requirements33 and location of containers in buildings. Of particular relevance for the servicing of HVAC equipment and appliances inplace is 1910.110 c) 5, which states that “when operational requirements make portable use of containers necessary and their location outside of buildings or structure is impracticable, containers and equipment are permitted to be used inside of buildings or structures….” There are also caveats to this allowance and they are comparable to the requirements of NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code).

In addition, requirements for the storage, use and handling of refrigerants are published by ICC (International Fire Code, Section 606) and the NFPA (NFPA 1, Chapter 53). These model fire codes impose safety requirements for occupancy based on the volume and safety group of the refrigerant. As with any of the model codes (electrical, mechanical, fire, etc), local jurisdictions can implement variations and additional requirements for equipment, and may elect to do so for HVAC equipment and appliances employing flammable refrigerants, especially in densely populated areas. The remainder of this paper summarises the current status of many of the standards and codes relevant to flammable refrigerants, as follows:

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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) associated with workplace handling of LP-Gas, thoroughly cover transportation of flammable gas in cylinders Installation requirements and equipment safety standards environment

Fulfilling government regulations is only part of the compliance landscape for HVAC equipment and appliance manufacturers. Equipment must also comply with safety standards in order to be installed in a workplace or (depending upon the local jurisdiction) in other occupancies. Retailers, insurers and other parties may also require evidence of compliance with safety standards. In the US, UL is the principal standards

• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34, Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants • ANSI/UL 2182, Standard for Safety for Refrigerants • ANSI/NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code • ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15, Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems • ANSI/UL 207, Standard for Safety for Refrigerant-Containing Components and Accessories, Nonelectrical • ANSI/UL 250, Standard for Safety for Household Refrigerators and Freezers • ANSI/UL 471, Standard for Safety for Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers • ANSI/UL 1995, Standard for Safety for Heating and Cooling Equipment

developer addressing electrical appliance and HVAC equipment safety. UL standards are part of an overall safety system of coordinated standards and codes to facilitate safe installation and use of equipment. They complement the electrical installation requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), notably the National Electrical Code® (NFPA 70), and mechanical refrigeration requirements of the ASHRAE, Standards 15 and 34. Installation codes for HVAC and refrigeration equipment are published by International Codes Council (ICC International Mechanical Code, Chapter 11) and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO Uniform Mechanical Code, Chapter 11). Both mechanical codes reference ASHRAE 15 and 34, with additional requirements. (to be continued). n Thomas Blewitt is Director of Primary Designated Engineers, Underwriters Laboratories and can be contacted at: Thomas.V.Blewitt@ ul.com

• ANSI/UL 484, Standard for Safety for Heating and Cooling Equipment • ANSI/UL 474, Standard for Safety for Heating and Cooling Equipment • UL 984, Standard for Safety for Refrigerant Motor Compressors • ANSI/UL 60335-2-34, Standard for Household and Similar Electrical • Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Motor-Compressors The first three standards listed above are applicable to refrigerants, while the remainder are applicable to equipment and components. These and other standards also address ammonia, but that particular refrigerant is outside the scope of this paper.

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