November 2017
AIR CONDITIONING
MAGAZINE
& HEATING This Month
Keep calm and increase efficiency Protecting our national treasures
The impact of humidity on productivity Make mine a cold one IN THIS ISSUE Hotel air conditioning: Guest comforts Technology briefing: Heat pumps Interview: Perry Jackson, Samsung UK
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FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to the Second edition of Air Conditioning and Heating magazine. In the coming months, we will keep you up to date with all the latest technology within the sector, highlight best practices and deliver insights from some of the sectors most influential figures. One topic that will be high on our radar is smart technology. Manufacturers understand the importance of making smart products, enabling the end-user to control usage, resulting in cost savings and enhanced comfort. Compared to older, inefficient units, there is the potential for cost savings, attracting interest from both domestic and commercial users. The Internet of Things (IOT) has the potential to change the business model of the HVAC sector. The ability to link all units together, allowing them to talk and learn the user’s habits to create a total smart building management solution is an attractive prospect. This section of the market is still in its infancy and is creating exciting opportunities. Enjoy the magazine
ON THE COVER White air conditioning unit on a metal industrial roof.
Mark Venables – Editor NOVEMBER 2017
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The J&E Hall International Gold Medal seeks nominations for the next major advancement in refrigeration The Institute of Refrigeration is calling for nominations for the J&E Hall International Gold Medal. Now in its 40th year, this internationally respected award is given in recognition of outstanding technical achievements in refrigeration and related fields.
ICS Cool Energy parners with Viessmann and Weishaupt for efficient hire boiler range Leading temperature control provider, ICS Cool Energy, has chosen a combination of Viessmann boilers coupled with Weishaupt burners for its industry leading hire fleet, which can deliver fuel efficiencies of up to 94 per cent. Selected specifically for their build quality and robust designs, the chosen boilers and burners are supplied by market leading companies with a reputation for high standards and continuous innovation. The Viessmann 270kW boilers come fitted with a Weishaupt pressure jet burner, circulation pump, shunt pump, mixing valve, expansion vessel, strainer, air separator and all necessary controls, together with monitoring and safety devices to allow remote boiler status and fuel level monitoring. The boilers also feature a combustion chamber that combines a larger water content with a three-pass system.
This design enables longer burner run times, minimising burner switching intervals resulting in cleaner combustion and low nitrogen oxide emissions. Alongside this, the reliable Weishaupt burners feature digital combustion management to provide constant and precise control of combustion ratios, maximising fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. “We are proud of our reliable, energy efficient and low emission fleet of hire boilers, and the components we use are integral to delivering this efficiency,” Russ Baker, UK sales director of the hire division at ICS Cool Energy, said. “Opting for Viessmann boilers and Weishaupt burners has allowed us to continue to offer high quality long-lasting solutions alongside fast response for a wide range of applications
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The award is open to individuals or teams with recent outstanding achievements in one or more of the following areas: practical applications of innovative designs; projects which have made an original contribution to the field; systems which demonstrate substantial potential and evidence that they will be completed successfully; and outstanding and significant work in a new or unusual area The award is designed to encourage progress rather than acknowledge past achievement and the winner will join a select list of recipients that
includes refrigeration greats such as Professor Gustav Lorentzen, Professor P Ole Fanger, Professor Don Cleland, Ron Conry and Professor Pega Hrnjak. The presentation will take place at the 118th Institute of Refrigeration Annual Dinner in London, UK and the winner will receive a gold medal to hold for one year, a silver replica to keep and a cash award of £5,000. Information about the award and a nomination pack is available at www.ior.org.uk/awards or email ior@ior.org.uk. All nominations must include a contact address, email address and a few words about the nature of the achievement of the nominee. Nominations are requested by the 15th October 2017.
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Independent review
Controlling humidity
The government has published the terms of reference for the independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety that was commissioned following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy. This Review will urgently assess the effectiveness of current building and fire safety regulations and related compliance and enforcement issues, with a focus on multi occupancy high rise residential buildings. This will include addressing whether the government’s large-scale cladding system testing programme identified any potential systemic failures..
According to BSRIA it is well documented that humidity plays an important role in assuring the wellbeing of building occupants. In the UK we spend over 80 per cent of our time indoors and with approximately 90 per cent of the associated costs of a building being staff related, providing good indoor environmental quality is essential. The recommended levels of humidity vary depending on the application (offices, data centres, hospitals). In some industrial applications (heritage, storage), moisture stability is essential for preservation. In offices, the generally accepted levels of humidity may range between 40 and 60 per cent.
CONTENTS NEWS AND COMMENT 4 News
12 Big Picture 44 Technology Focus 44 Final Word:
The refrigerant compromise
With many factors needing to be considered, such as global warming potential (GWP), volatility, operational efficiency, and strict legislation, choosing a suitable refrigerant can be a complex process, as Malcolm Edwards, Technical Manager at ICS Cool Energy explains
ACH INTERVIEW 14 Perry Jackson
Head of Air Conditioning at Samsung UK
FEATURES 18 Protecting our national treasures Poor humidity control can cause irreversible damage to art and antiques made from a wide variety of materials. So much so that maintaining specific humidity levels is often a condition of benefactors in deciding whether or not to loan works of art to galleries Manager at ICS Cool Energy explains
22 The impact of humidity on work place productivity Research by Atkins, the design, engineering and project management consultancy, undertaken to better understand the benefit of workplace design centred around occupant needs, suggests Human Centred Design (HCD) could boost work place productivity by up to eight per cent
24 Make mine a cold one With energy costs spiralling, the brewing industry has long been seeking a cost-effective, efficient, and safe alternative to current heat transfer fluids.
26 Keep calm and increase refrigeration efficiency With increasing focus on environmental performance, energy efficiency is an important, ongoing issue for manufacturers, users and contractors of commercial refrigeration systems.
28 Doing more with less Energy efficiency is the number one priority for action in the UK’s plan to cut its carbon emissions and HVAC systems have an important role to play in that battle.
32 Why energy storage is key Energy storage linked to HVAC plant has a key role to play in helping the UK meet its legally-binding carbon reduction targets.
36 Guest comforts With ever more demanding guests, the hotel industry has developed very specific requirements when it comes to heating and cooling the rooms, corridors and communal spaces within its properties.
38 Technology briefing: heat pumps Heat pumps are one of those things you’ve either heard about or not. But even if you’ve heard of them you may not be fully aware of what they are, how they work and whether they are a viable alternative heating system.
42 Making the most of your HVAC system It is essential for businesses to have reliable HVAC systems that deliver production requirements through energy efficient operations, and that are compliant with any relevant, industry-specific regulations
NOVEMBER 2017
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NEWS
Samsung head
CIAT at Twickenham for roadshow grand finale alongside Toshiba CIAT’s 2017 International Roadshow finished its UK leg in style with an event at Twickenham Stadium, attended by leading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors, installers, end users and building services consultants from across the capital and beyond. The Twickenham event was the last in the UK for CIAT, who visited eight cities across the length and breadth of the country. But that’s just a portion of the company’s mammoth pan-continental technology tour - CIAT is taking a nine-month, 25,000mile trip across Europe and North Africa, including stops in Morocco, Turkey and Russia, to connect with customers and highlight their newest product developments and comprehensive system offerings. At Twickenham, CIAT and sister company Toshiba Air Conditioning shared the prestigious stadium platform for the launch of Toshiba’s latest 3-pipe heat recovery VRF system, SHRM-e. This was followed by a briefing on upcoming Toshiba product developments. Among those officiating the launch and welcoming visitors
were Ross Shuster, president of International Operations for UTC Climate, Controls & Security, and David Dunn, director and general manager of CIAT and Toshiba Air Conditioning, as well as many senior colleagues. Dunn said: “Twickenham provided a fitting culmination to CIAT’s UK grand tour 2017, and a not-to-be-missed opportunity to roll-out Toshiba’s latest and greatest VRF system to key customers, consultants and end users. “This inspirational and iconic venue reflects our own values as a company, in terms of approach, professionalism, respect and commitment. It was a fitting location to introduce the most recent innovative products from both companies and share our future product plans with customers.” The day concluded with a gala dinner in the Members’ Lounge with guests entertained by a panel of superstars from the world of rugby, including former England captain Will Carling, Scottish rugby legend Gavin Hastings, Welsh stars Scott Quinnell and Jamie Roberts, and Irish national player Gordon D’Arcy.
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Samsung has secured a major new appointment in the form of Perry Jackson, who will take on the role of head of air conditioning, running the UK B2B Heating and Cooling division. Jackson has over fifteen years of experience in the industry and joins Samsung after having worked in various roles from specifications director to general manager across the Branch Network at Mitsubishi. Part of a growing team at Samsung, Jackson will drive forward the Heating and Cooling division, ensuring growth of the business.
Carbon monoxide The Gas Safety Trust (GST) has announced that it is to provide funds to Newcastle University for a study into possible new ways to detect carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning which could be used when CO exposure is suspected at lower levels. This research will focus on developing techniques that demonstrate the specific effects of CO on cells and tissues by identifying how changes in the cells (biomarkers) can occur. These biomarkers will be required to show both the level of CO exposure and the toxic effects of CO, and need to be robust and long lasting for practical use by medical professionals.
BEAMA calls The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Healthy Homes and Buildings has launched its first consultation paper, and BEAMA is calling on industry to submit responses and evidence to help build a strong case for healthy buildings. The Healthy Homes and Buildings APPG was launched in May 2016 to provide a platform in Parliament to discuss the key health problems being caused through poor quality, damp, noisy, poorly ventilated and inefficient homes and buildings, as well as to demonstrate robust, holistic and innovative solutions.
Stulz award To mark its 50th anniversary, cci Dialog handed out the first ever award for ‘Most Trusted Product in Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration’. At the award ceremony, Hamburg-based air conditioning specialist STULZ was presented with first prize in the ‘Compact Liquid Chillers’ category. Over 530 specialist planners, system builders, operators, facility managers and energy consultants from the ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration sector had voted. Around 70 manufacturers and suppliers took part in the competition.
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Remeha calls for equal support for CHP via capacity market scheme Remeha has announced its support for the Association for Decentralised Energy’s (ADE) call to enable Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to compete more fairly in the capacity market auction. According to the ADE’s ‘Lightening the Load’ report, the government’s scheme is “failing businesses” because its structure sidelines CHP. By generating power and heat simultaneously, CHP can offer a more energy efficient commercial heating process, especially for buildings that require high and continuous year-round heating loads. operate buildings with long running hours, an incentive to invest in CHP. Without equal support for the technology in the capacity market, the ADE has warned that organisations in the UK could be missing out on savings of £750m a year.
“Using CHP, these businesses can produce electricity at gas prices, which is approximately eight pence cheaper per kWh compared to buying it directly from the grid. CHP electricity doesn’t suffer losses resulting from moving power over large distances, resulting in a more efficient process. Buildings that require high and continuous year-round heating loads can achieve the most energy efficient operation because of their long running hours.
“Whilst traditional gas plants have a role to play in the capacity market, CHP should be given equal support via the scheme,” Paul Wilson, national sales manager – CHP at Remeha, commented. “When considered in conjunction with condensing boilers to meet additional heat demand, CHP can reduce energy bills by around 20 per cent compared to conventional power generation. What’s more, the ADE has also highlighted that widespread adoption of CHP could cut the same amount of carbon emissions as removing one out of every 14 cars from British roads.
“By giving CHP a level playing field in the capacity market auction, it would encourage organisations that could gain a great deal from CHP to invest in the technology and consumers would benefit from a better balanced electricity network and more affordable electricity prices. “Many cities across Scandinavia already utilise highly-efficient energy sources such as CHP plants to power their heat networks. The UK is lagging in comparison. We would urge the government to strongly consider increased support for local CHP systems via the capacity market mechanism to help secure the country’s long-term supply of electricity, whilst delivering clean and affordable energy for all.”-
“So, if the capacity market is to encourage the provision of low-carbon, reliable supplies of electricity as much as possible, it must be structured in a way that gives CHP a level playing field in the auctions. This would give businesses, especially those who
Rotronic Introduces a Compact Pressure Logger Rotronic BL-1D Data Logger - Main features • Compact, inexpensive logger with integrated sensors
• Measures down to -30 °C; clear LC display
• Precision measurement: ±3 hPa, ±3 %rh, ±0.3 °C
• Long battery life, up to 3 years
• Measures and logs Pressure, Humidity, Temperature Dew point
• IP67 rated - high ingress protection
• Configurable logging interval and start/ stop times • High capacity memory • Visual alarms / logging alert
• Includes HW4-LITE software (download) • FDA 21 CFR Part 11 / GAMP 5 compliant • EN 12830 certified
ROTRONIC has extended its range of inexpensive precision data loggers with the introduction of a new model (BL-1D) that includes Barometric Pressure measurement over the wide range 300…1100 hPa. With a reliable pressure sensor fitted accuracy is high at ±3hPa. The logging interval and start/ stop times can be changed easily using HW4-LITE PC software (included). Recorded measurements can be downloaded for analysis; charting and statistical functions are included. The BL-1D logger also measures Humidity, Temperature and Dew point. A technical datasheet is available from the Rotronic website www.rotronic.co.uk Contact Rotronic to discuss your application and monitoring requirements.
Tel: 01293 571000 Email: instruments@rotronic.co.uk
W: www.rotronic.co.uk
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Leading industry stars win Power Players 2017 Two young and outstanding performers in the electrotechnical and engineering services industry have won the inaugural ‘Power Players’ initiative, following an announcement at the ED&I Expo in Birmingham. 26-year-old project manager Joseph Wu of T Clarke, and 24-yearold Charlie Harwood, a branch manager of CEF, won the most votes from a high-quality field of four finalists. Joseph has been one of the project leads for T Clarke on a major development in Stratford, while Charlie became a CEF branch manager after producing some impressive sales figures. Wu and Harwood win several top prizes, including a networking trip to next October’s NECA conference in Philadelphia, lunch with business guru Sir John Parker, and participation in a once-in-a-lifetime fundraising trip next March to Arctic Finland with the Electrical Industries Charity. “Many congratulations to our winners and finalists, and indeed to everyone who entered and supported the inaugural Power Players,” Head judge and ECA head of technical, Steve Martin commented. “We are delighted that Power Players has proved to be an effective showcase for the excellent business and technical contributions being made by younger people across our industry.” Power Players winner Wu added: “It’s refreshing to see the ECA providing a platform for young professionals within the construction industry and demonstrates that anything can be achieved with hard work and determination. This has been a great experience for me to be involved with and I strongly recommend this initiative to future participants. Harwood of CEF added: “A massive thank you to everybody involved in helping towards this great achievement, particularly group manager Paul Church and
general manager Tony Betteridge for their support and guidance throughout. Also a huge thank you to the ECA for hosting such an amazing initiative - it was fantastic to be a part of it.” Some 1754 votes were tabled by the public, with Joseph collecting 566 votes, and Charlie 532 votes. The vote took place between 9 August and 5 September. Harry Bartle of Chris Bowker Ltd and George Antino of T Clarke also reached the final four. An independent judging panel, led by the Martin, determined the four finalists. The three other Power Players judges were: Tessa Ogle (CEO, Electrical Industries Charity), Russell Beattie (chief executive, FETA), and Margaret Fitzsimons (managing director, EDA). Power Players was run by the ECA between April and July this year, in collaboration with a wide range of industry partners and supporters. The initiative aimed to identify some of the leading young people across the engineering and electrotechnical services industry.
Emergency cooling project provides long-term solution for window manufacturer Carrier Rental Systems has supplied a long-term rental cooling solution exceeding 1MW to one of the UK’s leading window manufacturers following a chiller breakdown that stopped production at its factory. The failed unit provided all chilled water requirements for the busy window manufacturer. Following the breakdown, Carrier Rental Systems
responded to an emergency call from the company to advise on a solution to enable production to resume as quickly as possible. Carrier Rental Systems completed an onsite survey to assess the cooling requirements, and recommended a solution to meet the tight temperature control requirements of the production process.
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Carrier Rental Systems supplied and installed three highperformance CRS 402 chillers to replace the failed factory chiller. With a nominal cooling capacity of 395kW, the chillers provide a combined capacity of 1.19MW of cooling, offering additional capacity to cater for peak loads and future expansion, plus increased resilience to protect against loss of cooling due to planned maintenance.
Responding rapidly through its nationwide network, Carrier Rental Systems delivered the chillers to site and installed them in an area adjacent to the factory. They were then connected up to the plant’s internal chilled water distribution system with a temporary hose, enabling production to resume. The system proved to be highly efficient and reliable,
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BITZER UK marks RSL’s half-century as distributor BITZER UK has marked RSL Ireland’s ground-breaking 50-year milestone as a distributor of its products with a presentation at the company’s Dublin headquarters. Kevin Glass, managing director of BITZER UK, presented the company’s founder Gerry McDonagh with a polished glass commemorative diamond, engraved with an inscription reading, ‘In recognition of our 50-year partnership’. RSL has represented BITZER in Ireland since 1967, when McDonagh established the company after leaving university. Since then, RSL Ireland has grown to become a leader in the wholesale supply of refrigeration, air conditioning and allied equipment, to the industrial and commercial sectors.
Since being established in Dublin, RSL has expanded significantly with branches in Galway, Cork and Belfast. Its UK sister company, Refrigeration Spares Ltd, which also distributes BITZER products, was founded in 1946 and has depots in London, Exeter, Manchester, Coventry and Glasgow. RSL Ireland maintains a yearround, multi-million Euro stock, providing customers with prompt availability, supported by in-depth technical and logistical support. As well as providing a five-and-a-half-day trade counter service, all RSL Ireland branches offer free delivery, using the company’s own transport fleet.
century since we first began trading. The company’s excellent and innovative technology, backed by our positive and productive partnership, has been one of the cornerstones of our success. We look forward to continuing to build on this in the coming years.” Kevin Glass said: “Our 50-year partnership with RSL Ireland is one of the longest and most successful distributor-manufacturer relationships in the industry, and certainly the longest
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within the BITZER organisation. We are delighted to join with industry colleagues and partners in celebrating RSL’s achievement, and toasting their continued success.” The Dublin event marked the beginning of RSL Ireland’s 50-year-anniversary roadshow, which is touring key locations across Ireland. Future events are taking place in Belfast, Galway and Cork.
“One of the key’s to our success is that we only work with reliable, technically advanced manufacturers in the different industry sectors,” McDonagh said. “In our 50 years of business we have established very close relationships with our selected suppliers. We are proud to have represented BITZER for half a
and following further evaluation of the financial and logistical case, the end user opted to retain the chillers on a longterm, five-year hire contract. Carrier Rental Systems installed a permanent pipework arrangement between the chillers and factory.
The Pro-Dialog control module manages all key technical parameters, including compressor, fan and water pump operation, thereby reducing electrical demand and delivering optimum efficiency and low running costs for the operator.
The CRS 402 packaged chiller has a compact footprint and is equipped with integral circulating pumps, expansion tank, filter, and onboard safety features. It can be quickly and easily connected up to an existing cooling plant using Carrier’s Pro-Dialog system.
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Advertorial: Stulz
cases, all-in-one volume product are still the solution of choice for d But it is often worth taking a look zation options such as piping, the ctrical parts. Under its “Climate. Cu STULZ factors in project specifics u esign stage for its CyberCool 2 chi Project-specific e energy efficiency and operationa customization is the key
In many cases, all-in-one volume production chillers are still the solution of choice for data center cooling. But it is often worth taking a look at specific customization options such as piping, the frame and electrical parts. Under its “Climate. Customized.” motto, STULZ factors in project specifics upfront at the design stage for its CyberCool 2 chiller, to optimize energy efficiency and operational reliability.
al: Stulz Advertorial: Stulz
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Advertorial: Stulz
tion data center k at specific e frame ustomized.” upfront iller, to al reliability. It is all about intrinsic values When we design STULZ CyberCool 2 chillers for a project, our fundamental objective is always maximum energy efficiency and operational reliability. Making the heat exchangers as large as possible is a decisive factor in meeting that goal. It is the only way to achieve early switching to Free Cooling, to reduce compressor running times and hydraulic pressure drops. We use ebmpapst EC fans with a large surface area and precision air conduction to ensure lower noise emissions.
Climate.Customized in practice – same footprint, more cooling capacity A leading colocation operator redesigned its entire server architecture in an existing data center to provide more computing power going forward. At the same time, they wanted to replace their old chillers with a more efficient and powerful solution. From a structural and financial point of view, modifying the existing chiller lines in the building wasn’t an option. What’s more, for technical reasons, the company needed to keep to the exact footprints of the old chillers. After lengthy discussion with various chiller manufacturers, there was still no ideal solution on the horizon. STULZ’s “Climate. Customized.” approach was the only one to deliver, thanks to a wider range of options, especially in the form of a tailor-made CyberCool-2 chiller which met all the project requirements perfectly.
CyberCool 2 - Maximum size components ensure low energy consumption. Maximized Free Cooling coils • Early switchover to efficient Mixed/Free Cooling mode for reduced compressor runtime • Minimized pump energy consumption thanks to low hydraulic pressure drops
Conversion in the tightest of spaces Customization of the STULZ CyberCool 2 started with the base frame, as it had to fit into in the existing steel structure. On account of the increased requirement for cooling capacity, the compressors had to be enlarged, and accordingly – because of the need for a more powerful pump – the evaporator was made more compact. As the installation location was a given and the base frame had to be modified, this meant the pipe routing and the positioning of internal components also had to be adjusted. The modified CyberCool 2 meets the project specifications and allows the customer to run an efficient, reliable data center. Tailored advice for planners and customers Chillers are complex technical installations with a whole range of factors that play a key role in adjustment and optimization. Size, cooling capacity, compressors and electrics are some of the deciding criteria. What matters here is finding the perfect balance within the boundaries of technical feasibility, without compromising efficiency and operational availability. STULZ experts advise planners and data center operators at the preliminary project stage to ensure that customer integration requirements are met precisely.
• Designed with copper and aluminum coils Large microchannel condensers • Low fan energy consumption due to minimized airside pressure drops • Low condensing temperature in DX mode for a reduced energy consumption • Improved heat transfer with simultaneously lower refrigerant quantities EC fans with reduced speed • Lower nominal current and noise emissions, as the fans always run in part load mode • Optimized for continuous operation Evaporators with large surface area for high evaporation temperatures • Low pressure drops and an optimized heat transfer ensure particularly high evaporation temperatures www.stulz.co.uk
Contact Details
Address: First Quarter, Blenheim Rd, KT19 9QN, Epsom, Surrey Phone: +44 (0) 1372 749 666 www.stulz.co.uk
Advertorial: Stulz NOV CE TM OBER 2017
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Photo by Doe Johnson
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH
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NOVEMBER 2017
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BIG INTERVIEW
DEVELOPING TEAMS KEY TO SAMSUNG’S FUTURE Air Conditioning and Heating magazine caught up with Perry Jackson, Samsung UK’s new head of air conditioning just five weeks into his new role to discuss his hopes for the company and to garner his views on the sector.
Samsung, a world leader in heating and cooling, has secured a major new appointment in the form of Perry Jackson, who will take on the role of head of air conditioning, running the UK B2B Heating and Cooling division. Jackson has over fifteen years of experience in the industry and joins Samsung after having worked in various roles from specifications director to general manager across the branch network atMitsubishi. Part of a growing team at Samsung, Jackson will drive forward the Heating and Cooling division, ensuring growth of the business. “Samsung is the leading brand operating in this space and I’m thrilled to be part of such a successful team. With my experience and range of skills I’m confident that I can help drive forward the continued success of the division, ensuring that Samsung remains at the forefront of the industry. “I’ve come from Mitsubishi Electric, one of the other brands in the industry. Originally, I came from an automotive background, I ran the automotive division for eight years before transferring over to solar which within Mitsubishi Electric was called the living environmental systems division and from there I moved into consultant sales for air conditioning and heating products and then direct sales. I have moved across businesses at Mitsubishi, it was a very interesting time of my life moving across some very different industries, but it was enjoyable.” Customer-facing experience Jackson brings a wealth of customer-facing experience to his new role that will be a vital tool to help enhance Samsung’s profile in the sector. “A lot of my expertise it about developing and building teams and having some of the processes in place around that to deliver what the customers require and need, so building things,” he says. “We are a subsidiary of our European operation and now it is all about growth. We have invested in additional personnel and are looking to A I R C O N D I T I O N I N G A N D H E AT I N G M A G A Z I N E
grow through our existing partners as well as looking at other opportunities to grow in the market. “A lot of that is about placing some of our products, which are quite unique in some cases, like the round cassette. We have another product called a draft free unit which has got thousands of micro holes in it. It is about increasing the touch points in the market and optimising the opportunities for these unique products.” As he explains that those touch points come along the entire supply chain. “You can have an end user who has been engaged from an appearance aspect to create some pull for our products,” he explains. “We still must meet all of the requirements from a technical level. Then the contractor and installer through training and warranty support and then the M&E consultant, they must be confident in the technical capability of the kit. The influence of the end user who wants this in their building is one thing but you still need to be able to influence everyone else along the chain by providing what they need with technical competence, design competence and ongoing support. You must work the line.” A key enabler for this growth are the products themselves. Take the Wind-Free wall-mounted air conditioner. The AR9500M air conditioner has integrated Samsung’s exclusive Wind-Free Cooling technology into its design – providing customers with a cooler indoor climate and optimal energy efficiency without the discomfort of direct cold airflow. It provides customers with the ideal conditions by maintaining a comfortable room temperature, using WindFree Cooling to gently disperse cold air through 21,000 micro air holes. A two-step cooling system which first
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“With my experience and range of skills I’m confident that I can help drive forward the continued success of the division, ensuring that Samsung remains at the forefront of the industry”.
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INTERVIEW
lowers temperatures in ‘Fast Cooling Mode’ and then automatically switches to ‘Wind-Free Cooling Mode’ creating ‘still air’ once the desired temperature is reached. This approach can also reduce energy consumption by up to 72 per cent compared to Fast Cooling Mode
traditional air conditioning units, the cutting-edge design of the bladeless 360 Cassette delivers a zero-angle airflow, pro-
Another popular innovation is the 360 Cassette app, that allows businesses to see what their workspace will look like with the world’s first circular air conditioning cassette unit fitted. The app enables businesses to use augmented reality to superimpose the new product onto any ceiling, and even adjust position, colour, angle and size of the unit for a realistic view of the product in situ. Once the cassette has been superimposed onto where it may be installed, the image can then be saved and shared, or compared with an existing four-way cassette to provide a realistic before and after shot. The app’s gallery brings the 360 Cassette to life with a selection of photos that show the air conditioning unit in a variety of work spaces such as an office, school, restaurant and shop. The Samsung 360 Cassette is a circular air-conditioning cassette system – proving a stylish and effective way for shops, cafes and offices to keep their customers cool. Unlike previous
ducing a layer of cold air and minimising flow reduction by 25 per cent. With a temperature deviation of less than 0.6°C across an area spanning a diameter of 9.3m, the unit provides increased power efficiency without producing a cold draft, delivering an optimal cooling performance. “When you look at some of the products, from an aesthetic perspective they appeal very much to end users, the round cassette in an interesting one in point,” Jackson adds. “When people see that they want it rather than the square one. The opportunities come from engagement further up the decision-
making chain and then delivering on that. We have a much better product range than we have ever had; we have some exciting and unique products but also a good, robust product range to suit many applications. But I think we are particularly strong in project air conditioning, so large scale, office fit out, hotel and retail. I think we have got competencies in various sectors so it’s a broad offering with some unique products within it that we can offer to help us get traction.”
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S EI CNTTI O E EN R VN IAEMW
Facing tough business challenges The watchwords on every commercial property owner’s lips are energy efficiency and sustainability. “For anyone that has a large building it is all about managing your energy; there is legislation out there now that covers energy management in buildings, being able to report on that and monitor it,” Jackson says. “The challenges are around control and monitoring and doing that
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The watchwords on every commercial property owner’s lips
remotely. You don’t want to have to send guys out to adjust rheostats on systems, you want to be able to handle that
are energy efficiency
remotely. The good thing about Samsung is the integration of the products and the simplified control systems that we can offer; you can have a large-scale integration but the controls are simple. That takes cost out of the system, but also enables you to manage your estate’s energy consumption and if there is an issue you can jump on it immediately and quite efficiently.
and sustainability.
“You can be monitoring the energy consumption of the plant remotely and then decide if you need to go to the site for an observation or to optimise it. What can happen is you can deliver these projects and the actual use of the building is not quite as it was specified; the occupation of the building, the number of rooms, the partitioning of the rooms may change and that would impact the energy consumption; you may have to go back on the back of some remote monitoring to optimise it. People have a view on how they are going to use buildings but in practice it can change and it is all about being able to respond to that.” As far as technology changes, Jackson points to two universal themes - connectivity and the Internet of Things. “As you
can imagine, Samsung are quite well placed in this area,” he continues. “They have a lot of domestic appliances and security systems so connecting all that together in an effective and simplified manner, keeping it as simple as possible because people want these functions and features in a building but they don’t want to be managing a complex interface.” As for the air conditioning and heating market, Jackson believes you must look at the market from a broader perspective. “The market is clearly changing with things such as F gas and GWP,” he concludes. “If you just take heating and cooling as a concept then air conditioning might become something that is, not irrelevant, but there might be shifts in technology. It’s not just about air conditioning, there are a whole bunch of things. It could be water based rather than refrigerant based systems. There are numerous ways of getting there so it’s not all about what people classically think about air conditioning.”
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HUMIDITY AND ARTIFACTS
Poor humidity control can cause irreversible damage to art and antiques made from a wide variety of materials. So much so that maintaining specific humidity levels is often a condition of benefactors in deciding whether or not to loan works of art to galleries.
HUMIDITY CONTROL The optimum humidity level for preservation of most materials is between 45-55%RH with daily fluctuations controlled to ±3%RH. Rapid fluctuation in humidity has the most damaging effect as the materials do not have enough time to acclimatise. These types of changes are difficult to control in an environment that can be empty one minute and full of tourists in from the rain the next. The effects may be very visible such as materials warping, splitting or cracking but they can be microscopic. Over time they will become more obvious. As works of art grow older they also become brittle and fragile, and less able to readjust their internal moisture level without damage. Works of art are made from a wide range of substances and are often organic, e.g. wood, cotton, paper, bone, ivory, leather and parchment. These materials are hygroscopic – that is they are affected by the moisture content in the surrounding air. If the environment they are situated in is dry they will lose moisture to the atmosphere. If it is too damp they will gain moisture. This change can cause materials to swell or contract with resulting damage. To
preserve a work of art in its original state, it should be kept in an environment that has stable, optimum humidity. This will maintain a balanced equilibrium between the exhibit and the atmosphere, preventing any moisture loss or gain and avoiding costly repairs. However, humidity levels in museums and art galleries are notoriously difficult to maintain consistently. The constant influx of people through a room will cause the temperature and humidity to fluctuate. One minute a room may be full of visitors and the next it is empty. “Temperature and humidity are inextricably linked,” David Gates, area sales manager at Condair explains. “If the temperature increases in a room, the humidity level will drop if water is not artificially added. This is because cold air holds less water than warm air. Heat an atmosphere that has 55 per cent humidity and the humidity level will decrease until the atmosphere can draw enough water from other sources to achieve its natural level at its warmer temperature.” This means that dry air is largely a seasonal problem. As heating systems are turned on, indoor humidity levels drop. However, in a museum environment even minor fluctuation in humidity, such as when lights are turned on or off in a display cabinet, can cause damage over time. How to humidify Changes in the moisture content of an exhibit may have very visible effects such as materials splitting or cracking. These effects may be microscopic to start off with but over time will become more obvious. As things become older they will become more brittle and fragile, and less able to readjust their internal moisture level without breaking.
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In many galleries the exhibits are displayed on the walls, therefore it is the conditions at the wall surface rather than in the centre of the gallery that is more important. However, in other galleries the exhibits are stored in sealed display cases and it is these that need to be controlled, yet in both instances the environment has to be maintained to ensure visitor comfort. Each gallery has its own unique requirements so general specifications, designs and poor selection of critical plant items is often the cause of problems. “When designing a humidification system, the stability of the humidity control is far more important than the precise level,” Gates explains. “The most frequent design condit is a relative humidity of between 45-55%RH with daily fluctuations held to +/-5%RH. “Ventilation is essential for libraries, since it ensures the health of staff and visitors as well as minimizing the potential for mould growth. However increased ventilation will increase the demand for humidification particularly in winter and with paper being a highly hygroscopic material the stability of the humidity is critical. This can only be achieved by selecting the right humidifier for the application.” As mentioned previously, the main problem for museums is stability. The internal environment of a museum or gallery is subject to almost constant change in temperature and humidity during all the hours that visitors are going through its doors. Therefore, any humidification system installed must be able to react quickly to a drop in humidity, shut down rapidly when the humidity level is increased and modulate from 0-100% operation to cope with the close control required. “Museums need to control the environment around the exhibits 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Gates adds. “Constant operation of the humidification system ensures good environmental control and eliminates sharp spikes and excess fluctuations of temperature and relative humidity. For this reason humidifiers need to be reliable and also not too expensive to run. Maintenance is also an issue as the units will need to be maintained frequently due to the long operating hours. Anything that is costly to maintain will quickly become very expensive.”
Paintings: Individual layers of paint
Handle with care
Paintings: Individual layers of paint can react to moisture loss in a different way leading to blistering and flaking Paper and papyrus: Although moisture can be put back into these materials once they have dried out, regular hydration and dehydration is detrimental to the structure and can cause damage. Wood: The amount of damage that will be sustained will be dependent on how the wood was primarily seasoned. However, damage can include warping, cracking and movement of joints, and discolouration of veneers or external veneered layers detaching and becoming loose. Ivory: Internal moisture changes can quickly cause thin ivory structures to crack. Textiles: A drop in humidity will cause textiles to become brittle. When stretched across wooden boards or frames there is the risk of tearing. Silk is particularly at risk as are exhibits that contain hair, which is a particularly hygroscopic material. Pottery, terracotta and stone: Alterations in the internal moisture content will cause minerals to rise to the surface when wet and then crystallize when dry. This can lead to stains on the surface, powdering and flaking.
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HUMIDITY AND ARTIFACTS
Expert view John Barker, sales director, Humidity Solutions, gives us the lowdown on protecting artifacts
How does the optimum humidity level for preservation of arts and antiquities compare to other environments? Most indoor environments can tolerate reasonably wide variation in relative humidity (RH) – say between 40 and 60 per cent RH for an office – without ill effects. The sensitivity of antiques, works of art and other heritage objects to variation in RH means that they require closer control to ensure the RH varies by only a few per cent. Thus, perhaps the most important criterion is to determine the optimum temperature and humidity for the types of objects in a particular space, which may vary for different materials. Then the humidity control system can be controlled to maintain RH within an acceptable range. It is also worth noting that most humidity problems in the UK relate to low humidity, so that humidification is generally required to raise RH. However, the same principles apply when dehumidification is required. Close control is the key
In such situations it is important to use a system that continually monitors feedback from humidity sensors and is able to respond quickly to these changes. For all of these reasons it is important that such systems are designed by people who have specialist knowledge of humidity control, as well as an understanding of the specific humidity requirements of the objects being protected. What comprises a system in terms of technology? The components of the system will depend on the nature of the solution being applied. In most cases, steam humidification will be the preferred choice and will comprise a humidifier to generate steam and a way of introducing the steam to the air. Where a ductwork ventilation system is in place the steam may be introduced to the air in the duct just after it leaves the air handling unit. In other situations, it may be more practical to feed the steam directly into the space being humidified. An alternative is to use high pressure nozzle systems that spray a mist directly into the space so that the moisture evaporates instantly to increase the RH. This also provides some ‘free cooling’ through an adiabatic effect, which can be useful in summer but may increase loads on the space heating system in winter. In all cases, water treatment is generally advisable to remove minerals from the water and prevent or minimise limescale formation. Use of reverse osmosis demineralisation plant also supports closer control of RH as it avoids the need for a drain-down cycle, which tends to cause fluctuations in the rate of humidification. Where cold water is being used, such as in the high-pressure nozzle systems, anti-bacterial measures are also required. In spaces where dehumidification is required, the preferred system is generally a desiccant dehumidifier, optionally with heat recovery to reduce energy costs. All such systems will also require strategically located humidity sensors in the space to achieve the required level of RH control.
Is there any innovative technology being utilised? How challenging is maintaining this environment? RH is affected by the moisture-carrying capacity of the air which, in turn, is determined by air temperature. As a result, the humidity control solution needs to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to change. For example, where arts and antiquities are displayed for public viewing, the body heat and moisture-laden exhaled air from visitors will affect these parameters. Moreover, this impact will vary through the day as visitors’ numbers fluctuate. In addition, where non-tempered outside air is introduced to the space for ventilation, this will vary considerably in its RH, depending on external temperatures.
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The systems described above have been tried and tested in many applications, though there is continual fine tuning of design to improve performance and energy efficiency. In addition, the market is beginning to see the introduction of wireless RH sensors to avoid the need for hard wiring of controls.
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Can you give me some examples of any interesting implementations? Humidity Solutions has been involved in a number of projects where protection of valuable objects was the primary consideration. These range from controlling humidity in a space where natural coral was on display to maintain its natural colours, through to protecting sensitive antique musical instruments. We have also been involved in protecting furs, works of art and antique furniture, as well as establishing Mediterranean conditions for orangeries.
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NOVEMBER 2017
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PRODUCTIVITY
THE IMPACT OF HUMIDITY ON WORK PLACE PRODUCTIVITY Research by Atkins, the design, engineering and project management consultancy, undertaken to better understand the benefit of workplace design centred around occupant needs, suggests Human Centred Design (HCD) could boost work place productivity by up to eight per cent. Impact on Human Comfort and Wellbeing in Occupied Buildings’ responds to the hidden loopholes in indoor air quality legislation. For Human Centred Design principles to be widely adopted, these issues must be addressed in full to ensure occupant health and wellbeing in the workplace. British Standard BS EN ISO 7730 defines thermal comfort as ‘that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment’. Thermal comfort affects the actual and perceived quality of the indoor environment and is determined by a number of factors, including the effect of interrelationship between air temperature, relative humidity (RH) and air movement on occupants.
Further examination of the ripple down effect on productivity by adopting a HCD focus on health and wellbeing indicates it can help future business growth and has the potential to add £20bn to UK GDP. Underlining the importance of employees’ experience of the building in which they work in, the research identifies six key areas where different approaches can be adopted to create the right working environment. Two of the six key steps, thermal comfort and the ventilation and air quality of the building, are factors strongly influenced by the humidification solutions adopted by the workplace. Alongside his role as HygroMatik’s national sales manager, Andie Chessun is also chairman of the Humidity Group who have been working to push for change on the surprising lack of legislation in relation to humidity and indoor air quality (IAQ). A white paper by the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) Group titled ‘Humidity and its
“Maintaining a RH between 30 and 70 per cent is essential for human beings to function optimally in an indoor environment,” Chessun explains. “The BSRIA Application Guide AG10/94.1; Efficient Humidification in Buildings concluded that if the indoor air is too dry and has very high levels of RH, it can lead to respiratory ailments and condensation problems.” Humidity influences health primarily through biological pollutants with the majority of infectious diseases spread via coughing and sneezing. Pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses and fungi, allergic reactions and dust mites are all affected by air humidity. While an environment with a RH value of less than 50 per cent is fatal to dust mites, the same value will increase the rate at which the influenza virus spreads. This means that precision control is essential to an
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“Our systems feature Modbus energy monitoring as standard, allowing the control of different rooms and systems from one point. The units can be linked to any building’s existing Building Management System (BMS) and Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) without any further hardware required. The communication protocol Modbus RTU based on the serial interface RS-232/ RS-485 makes modern building management surprisingly easy.” Sick building syndrome Buildings require the control of an appropriate thermal environment for the health of its occupants. The general public perceive control of the thermal environment as regulating the air temperature inside the room. However, if it was as simple this, it would be less common to find people suffering from symptoms associated with sick building syndrome (SBS), such as coughs, eye and nose irritations, headaches and skin sensitivity.
office’s air conditioning to be able to respond to the factors at play in any given environment. “Electrode and heater type steam air humidifiers such as those offered by HygroMatik are both ideal for offices as they integrate well as part of a complete HVAC system to produce an atmosphere that is conducive to productivity and occupant wellbeing,” Chessun continues. “The complete system achieves this by generating humidified air which binds dust particles much faster than dry air. The resulting reduction in dust deposits improves air circulation, producing a positive effect for those working and the health of their respiratory systems. “Our systems feature Modbus energy monitoring as standard, allowing the control of different rooms and systems from one point. The units can be linked to any building’s existing Building Management System (BMS) and Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) without any further hardware required. The communication protocol Modbus RTU based on the serial interface RS-232/ RS-485 makes modern building management surprisingly easy.”While an environment with a RH value of less than 50 per cent is fatal to dust mites, the same value will increase the rate at which the influenza virus spreads. This means that precision control is essential to an office’s air conditioning to be able to respond to the factors at play in any given environment. “Electrode and heater type steam air humidifiers such as those offered by HygroMatik are both ideal for offices as they integrate well as part of a complete HVAC system to produce an atmosphere that is conducive to productivity and occupant wellbeing,” Chessun continues. “The complete system achieves this by generating humidified air which binds dust particles much faster than dry air. The resulting reduction in dust deposits improves air circulation, producing a positive effect for those working and the health of their respiratory systems.
New legislation from the European Standard EN 15232, looking at the energy performance of buildings compiled in conjunction with the directive for energy efficiency buildings, promotes the use of new energy efficient technologies. The standard makes it easier to evaluate the influence of building automation and technical building management on a building’s energy consumption. “Once a building is equipped and evaluated for its control systems and automation, it is assigned a class which means the building’s savings on thermal and electrical energy can be calculated,” Chessun says. “With the energy performance of commercial buildings coming under scrutiny from legislators in the UK and in Europe, installing a humidifier in combination with the air conditioning system is necessary to meet and exceed current government legislation. In addition, it can also prove to be a long-term cost-effective solution for businesses and the economy in general as it can assist in limiting sick related absenteeism in the workplace. After all, according to the Office for National Statistics, an estimated number of 25.9 million working days are being lost in the UK economy due to work-related ill health. “Installing an up-to-date and complete HVAC system incorporating humidification should be high on the agenda for businesses, building owners and facilities managers. Not only will a state-of-the art system lower the costs associated with inefficient energy management, but it also contributes to the wellbeing of occupants which in turn benefits business.”
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MAKE MINE A COLD ONE With energy costs spiralling, the brewing industry has long been seeking a cost-effective, efficient, and safe alternative to current heat transfer fluids. For decades breweries have had one hand tied behind their backs as they are forced to choose a fluid that is either non-toxic or one that offers enhanced performance. “Brewers need a reliable refrigeration set-up which gives efficient temperature control and batch-to-batch consistency throughout the fermentation processes,” Daniel Borner, sales manager, Kilfrost, says. “Poor temperature control can affect taste, colour and aroma of beers and lagers. Using a fluid that has excellent heat transfer properties and excellent low temperature viscosity will give this efficiency and consistency, but it also has to be safe in case it comes into contact with the product.” Now scientists at Kilfrost have answered that dilemma and launched a first-of-its-kind heat transfer fluid set to revolutionise food and drink processing and manufacture, and which for the first time provides a commercial solution to the long-standing efficiency-versus-toxicity challenge. Viable alternative Kilfrost ALV Plus is a low viscosity heat transfer fluid formulated with organic, approved inhibitors and viscosity modifiers. It offers a viable alternative to monoethylene glycol (MEG) and monopropylene glycol (MPG) as it is certified as FDA/
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NSF accredited for incidental contact with food, and offers premium performance. It has been developed to reduce pressure drops across the system, as well as to reduce pumping costs and increase hydraulic efficiency. The fluid has an operational temperature range from -40°C to +40°C and outperforms MEG, MPG, Bio-PDO and ethanol-based heat transfer fluids. It also protects against corrosion and scaling, and is free from nitrates, nitrites, borates, and heavy metals that are typical in many other standard industry products. MEG-based heat transfer fluids are widely used in cooling systems as they offer good physical properties, but they are toxic and so pose a risk to human health if there is incidental contact with items intended for human consumption. The preferred alternative by many – MPG – has a more favourable toxic profile but is far less efficient at transferring heat energy, particularly at low circulation temperatures. “Any fluid brewers use has to be non-toxic, and represent good energy efficiency to minimise costs,” Borner adds. “We’re seeing an increase in demand due to a focus on reducing energy consumption, not only because of rising costs but also as breweries become more conscious of their responsibilities when it comes to the environment and sustainability.” Impact of cooling systems While brewers recognise the increasing need to keep costs down, the majority do not consider the extent to which their cooling systems can impact on their entire operation. They will often let it run until something goes wrong. “This is especially true of smaller set-ups, who aren’t really aware of how to optimise and best maintain their systems,” Borner says. “Traditionally they would use monopropylene glycol-based fluids for low toxicity, but these have poor efficiency and poor heat transfer properties, making their process costly and risking the quality of their beers, lagers and ciders. ALV Plus offers solutions to all of the above and reduces cost by lowering power demand. A secondary benefit is the reduced toll on pumps and chillers, thus reducing maintenance demand, and the opportunity for smaller chiller and pumps for new systems.
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The Beer - Untraditional Lager The first-born and all-time favourite. Untraditional Lager will challenge all preconceptions of lager as a boring, tasteless beer and put them in their place. Pillars Brewery have combined ingredients from all over the world and, like a power-crazed geneticist, have created a hybrid mightier than a liger (seriously, look that up!). The lager is an adventurous combination of a Pilsner and a hoppy India Pale Ale.
“Thanks to the fluid, our pumps are working less hard, using less energy to circulate liquids around the plant,”
Untraditional Lager combines the ultra-soft water profile found in Pilsen, the delicious flavour of local British malts, the citrus, fruity and pine-like aromas found in USA West Coast hops and the clean, crisp finish that Czech lager yeast is famous for. No additives. No adjuncts. No nonsense. Just one boundary-crushing lager. Have you ever heard of the ‘Bavarian Beer Purity Law’? Basically, in Germany, beer is only bestowed with the proud title of ‘beer’ if it is produced using four main ingredients: water, malted barley, hops and yeast. Most of the mainstream lagers we drink in the UK can’t even be called ‘beer’ under this law. Using the four main ingredients and a little creative flair we have reinvented lager. Months of product testing finally gave birth to a lager that a craft beer drinker could really appreciate.
“It’s like servicing on a car, if you ignore it you’re not keeping the system running efficiently, or ignoring the fact that you’re low on oil. It’s not best practice and problems crop up as a result – often a costly breakdown, complete fluid change and loss of production. There’s an education piece needed with brewers in terms of reinforcing the importance - and ultimately the positive benefit - of keeping systems well maintained. At Kilfrost we want to help them and work with them on the coolant side, so they can concentrate on making great beer.” Pillars Brewery Pillars Brewery is a craft beer brewery and taproom based in Walthamstow, London. Founded by four friends with one mission in mind: to reinvent lager. They use the foundational ingredients of beer, combined with four weeks of conditioning and a dry hopping finale, to create a revolutionary London lager. They were looking for the most efficient glycol product for use in cooling the brewery’s fermentation tanks. But the brewery also needed a less viscous product than that which is generally used in brewing in order to crash cool their beer more quickly. Doing this means not only a reduction in electricity costs, but means the brewery can stay true to its values by having a smaller carbon footprint, keeping innovation and quality at the heart of what they stand for. Pillars turned to Kilfrost’s new ALV Plus fluid. “Thanks to the fluid, our pumps are working less hard, using less energy to circulate liquids around the plant,” Gavin Litton, brewer and Pillars founder, said. “We’ve been so impressed with the performance of the fluid, as it not only saves us money, but means we’re as energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly
as possible. That’s at the heart of what we stand for as a brewery.” Kilfrost chief executive, Gary Lydiate, explains that not only is ALV Plus certified as NSF safe for incidental contact with food and beverage, but it offers an absolutely premium performance. “We’ve been absolutely delighted with the early response from food and drink firms globally, who for the first time ever have been told that they can have both efficiency and non-toxicity,” he says. “It is not simply an advanced low viscosity fluid, but a revolution in heat transfer which removes risk while adding efficiency and reducing operating costs. Needless to say we’re delighted to be bringing it to market.” With the increasing focus on energy-efficient and green production methods, breweries and other food and drink manufacturers will increasingly turn to innovative products that offer them an effective, modern solution. There will be an increasing demand for enabling greater capacity, while at the same time reducing noise, running and maintenance costs, without compromising safety.
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S EECFTII G ON AT MIEO N R E RNA
KEEP CALM AND INCREASE REFRIGERATION EFFICIENCY With increasing focus on environmental performance, energy efficiency is an important, ongoing issue for manufacturers, users and contractors of commercial refrigeration systems. ACH magazine spoke to Stuart Corr, techno commercial director of refrigerant manufacturer and supplier Mexichem, about the four factors that impact on the energy efficiency of today’s refrigeration equipment Approximately 75 to 85 per cent of the carbon footprint of a refrigeration system comes from its energy consumption. The percentage is even higher if the equipment uses reduced GWP refrigerants and if it is wellmaintained, to reduce leakages and keep losses to a minimum. Energy efficiency is a multidimensional problem, but as a rule for refrigeration systems, the first step is to make sure you minimise the requirements for cooling, making best use of insulation and other steps that contribute to minimising heat loading. “Integrating air and heat flow can result in significant improvements for air conditioning and refrigeration systems,” Corr explains. “Just as poor home insulation results in an up to 30 per cent increase in the size and consumption of the boiler, commercial environments experience significant losses unless they minimise their requirements for heating and cooling. Having minimised heat loading, identify the optimum performance for the appliance and finally, ensure you recover and use any waste heat or cool air.
R-404A – affording the twin benefits of a reduction in refrigerant GWP and the potential to make a significant reduction in energy consumption. “R-407A is compatible with the major system components used for R-404A, including compressors, lubricants, pipework, heat exchangers and valves. The ease with which it can be retrofitted is established in the field, whilst its potential for improving energy efficiency has been well documented and quantified in both laboratory and field implementation studies.” Correct commissioning For refrigeration applications to be efficient, users should ensure the system is properly commissioned and correctly sized for the anticipated loads, avoiding the temptation to under- or over-size the system. Traditionally, over-specification was a common industry practice, but improved management of leakage and refrigerant loss and better heat-load management over the last few years helps to provide greater load certainty and hence more robust sizing targets. Whilst in many cases an off-the-shelf system will be ideally suited and bring potential economy-of-scale benefits, the end-user should also be aware that a
The right refrigerant The cap and phase down of HFCs under the EU F-Gas Regulations makes it important to carefully consider your existing refrigerant and your options for moving to reduced GWP alternatives. “This is particularly important for those systems using higher GWP refrigerants such as R-404A, which are likely to be in increasingly short supply as regulations tighten, meaning retrofit options should be considered,” Corr continues. “R-407A is a proven, energy efficient alternative for
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custom-designed system may in some circumstances provide a more tailored and efficient solution. “Refrigeration system designers can advise on the most appropriate type of refrigerant, control valves, compressor technology, capacity control measures, type of condensing and control system design and strategies,” Corr says. “Temperature, load and evaporator layout can be unique to each project, which means that compressors, condensers, evaporators and valves should be selected specifically for each application.” Preventative maintenance Once the system is up and running, correct maintenance is the best ally against system inefficiency and breakdown. Working with a well-informed contractor can help end users save costs on maintenance and the financial and logistic problems that go with system failure. Only trained technicians can carry out work on equipment containing fluorinated (F) gases. “To prevent leaks and losses and to ensure the equipment is running at optimum efficiency, facilities managers should ensure maintenance checks take place every three months or at least twice a year,” Corr advises. “The EU F Gas Regulations explain in more detail how often maintenance is required, depending on the system specifications and refrigerant used. “Regular preventative maintenance is also important to ensure general system health and to keep the system working at its optimum allowing users to reduce power consumption, extend the life of the equipment and its critical components and finally, avoid costly downtime. “The best way to stay on top of preventative maintenance is to create a checklist that is specific to your system. This could include anything from clearing the condenser, checking the condition of door seals, monitoring and adjusting the thermostat and temperature, checking the refrigerant level, inspecting door hinges and door closers etc. Even the easy wins, such as replacing old door gaskets, have a positive impact, especially when we’re talking about a large system.”
Smart technology Technology-based solutions are often a good way of ensuring the system operates in proportion to the heat loading it faces. By using inverter-driven motors, for example, supermarkets can balance their cooling demands with the costs of running the system. Although it is still early days for control systems in small-to-medium sized systems, several solutions are already available to ensure refrigeration equipment works efficiently at all times and can respond rapidly to changes in the environment - such as an influx of shoppers in a supermarket or high ambient temperatures. Another way to increase system efficiency is by reusing excess heat or cool air that would normally go to waste. “Heat recovery from cooling systems is a common practice in many countries where heat rejected by the condenser is recovered to provide hot water or for heating air for use in other parts of a building,” Corr concludes. “It is a feature in many home air conditioning units and in supermarkets in the US and is gaining popularity in other areas of the world, including Europe. “Most heat recovery is based on a passive heat exchanger technology and requires relatively little additional energy-consuming equipment. Alternatively, heat pumps are an even more effective heat recovery option. This technology is often used to improve the quality of the recovered heat, but the additional capital costs in comparison with passive recovery means they are more likely to appropriate for larger energy consumers than in domestic systems.” There are many measures end users can take to improve the efficiency of their systems. By combining sensible commissioning, preventative maintenance and smart technology, refrigeration OEMs, contractors and end users can make their systems more efficient, more sustainable and less expensive to operate. Taken together, this allows users to keep calm, safe in the knowledge they have reduced the risk of downtime to a minimum.
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S ENCET R I OGNY NE AF MFE I C I E N C Y E
DOING MORE WITH LESS Energy efficiency is the number one priority for action in the UK’s plan to cut its carbon emissions and HVAC systems have an important role to play in that battle.
When you so consider that heat accounts for about 45 per cent of UK energy consumption (BEIS, Energy Consumption in the UK, 2016) and about 20 per cent of UK GHG emissions it is clear why improving energy efficiency is a priority. The results of a recent Energy Institute (EI) survey, leading commercial heating solutions manufacturer, Remeha, has echoed the organisation’s call for the Government to strengthen energy efficiency policy. At the same time, it has urged policymakers to ensure that these are followed through more robustly when delivered. 64 per cent of energy professionals who took part in the EI survey said that energy efficiency should be prioritised. Respondents considered it the least expensive and lowest risk measure to reduce emissions and support the UK in seizing the economic advantages of moving to a low-carbon economy. Despite the importance of energy efficiency, only around half of those surveyed felt that government policy had been effective in this area during 2016. Without better policy instruments, nearly eight out of ten respondents believe the UK will fall short of meeting the fifth carbon budget, which requires
emissions to be 57 per cent lower than 1990 levels by 2030. “Energy-efficient technologies such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) can provide businesses with an affordable route to cleaner energy, whilst reducing their energy bills by around 20% by generating heat and electricity simultaneously on site,” Paul Wilson, national sales manager – CHP at Remeha, says. “Buildings such as hospitals, care homes and large hotels have high and continuous year-round heating loads and will benefit from using CHP alongside condensing boilers. CHP can produce electricity at gas prices, which is approximately eight pence cheaper per kWh than buying it directly from the grid. “But to encourage building owners to invest in the necessary technology in the first place, the government must take a stronger stance on energy efficiency, and ensure that policies are reflected in any legislative and market frameworks. “The EI has rightly stressed that policymakers should listen more to ‘those who understand how policies will be delivered on the ground.’ This would help to ensure that any legislation, guidelines and market mechanisms fully deliver on the promises made at policy level. Too often, opportunities are missed to incentivise the adoption of more energy efficient technologies due to loopholes and gaps in the system. “Without more support for energy efficiency at both policy and delivery levels, the UK stands to lose out on the economic and environmental benefits offered by technologies such as CHP.”
Mind the knowledge gap Another survey, UK Construction Week’s survey, showed that 67 per cent of respondents said that a lack of knowledge prevented buildings being run more efficiently. Potterton Commercial has stressed the importance for HVAC contractors to expand their knowledge of energy efficiency, beyond simply adhering to the minimum legal standards. Whilst knowledge and application of standards required for regulatory compliance, such as ErP are undoubtedly important, they are not the be-all and end-all. Given that 54 per cent of those who took part in the UK Construction Week survey believe that a modern HVAC system can
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S EVCETRI OTNO N ML E AD R AI A
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ISER: THE NEXT GENERATION OF SMART HEATING CONTROLS FROM DRAYTON
WISER: THE NEXT GENERATION OF SMART HEATING CONTROLS FROM DRAYTON
British controls manufacturer Drayton, part of Schneider Electric,
to announce the next generation of smart heating controls with
ch of its innovative new system WISER.
Leading British controls manufacturer Drayton, part of Schneider Electric, is proud to announce the next generation of smart heating controls with the launch of its innovative new system WISER. Allowing installers to work wiser, not harder, Drayton’s newest range is set to offer the fastest install on the market, with a standard UK wallplate on the Heat Hub allowing WISER to be retrofitted in minutes.
RATION OF SMART HEATING
FROM
WISER boasts a simple user interface, allowing multiple users to easily control heating and water temperature across a number of rooms in a home, wherever DRAYTON they are, to withsmart the use of a simple app. Downloadable on both This offers users a flexible approach heating with the option of Android and iOS devices, WISER is also compatible with internet connected voice control systems individual room control in up tosuch 16asrooms. Each radiator thermostat Amazon Alexa.
er Drayton, part of Schneider Electric,
includes a simple ‘boost turn’ function to enable a two-degree increase or
installers workfeature wiser, harder, Drayton’s newest range is thermostats, which can be easily and quickly installed onto existing unique of not thecontrols WISER range is the addition of smart radiator ration ofAto smart heating with
radiators. With valve adaptors included, installation is as simple as unscrewing the existing radiator valve head and screwing on the new
in market, temperature for an hour. fer the fastest decrease install on the with a standard UK wallplate tem WISER. smart radiator thermostat.
eat Hub allowing WISER to be retrofitted in minutes.
This offers users a flexible approach to smart heating with the option of individual room control in up to 16 rooms. Each radiator Designed a buildable system, WISER centres around thein temperature Heat Hub, thermostat includes aas simple ‘boost turn’ function to enable a two-degree increase or decrease for an hour.
oasts a simple user interface, allowing multiple users to easily
with three ready made thermostat kits as well as two multi-zone kits
Designed a buildable system, WISER centres around the Heat Hub, with three ready made thermostat kits as well as two multi-zone eating and water as temperature across a number of rooms in a kits available. Further room thermostats and radiator thermostats can be added, allowing users to expand the system over time.
available. room app. thermostats andon radiator herever they are, with the Further use of a simple Downloadable
thermostats can be
WISER will be available from plumbing & merchants from Autumn 2017 time. added, allowing users toelectrical expand the system over droid and iOS devices, WISER is also compatible with internet
ed voice control systems such as Amazon Alexa. WISER Room Thermostat
WISER Heat HubR
WISER Radiator Thermostat
feature of the WISER range is the addition of smart radiator
ot harder, Drayton’s newest range is
tats, which can be easily and quickly installed onto existing
e market, with a standard UK wallplate
s. With valve adaptors included, installation is as simple as
be retrofitted in minutes.
ng the existing radiator valve head and screwing on the new
diator thermostat.
ce, allowing multiple users to easily
ure across a number of rooms in a
Wireless thermostat on use of a simple app. Downloadable
Revolutionary twist top user interface for easy ‘boost’
ER is also compatible with internet
2 year battery life with typical use Multi-colour 2.4” high resolution display ge is the addition of smart radiator 3 capacitive touch buttons Programming & settings via the nd quickly installed onto app existing sensor ded, installation is Humidity as simple as
Wireless device
ch as Amazon Alexa.
alve head and screwing Size 76 xon 76the x 25new mm
Single-box solution incorporating the internet gateway Mains powered with Wi-Fi connectivity 3 buttons for manual override Standard UK wallplate Programming & settings via the app Includes OpenTherm module
2 year battery life with typical use Simple iconic design Programming & settings via the app Multiple sensors for high accuracy Size 93mm x 51mm diameter
Size 148 x 93 x 31mm
For more information on WISER or to find out more about Drayton’s range of products WISER will be available from plumbing & electrical merchants from e-mail customer.care@draytoncontrols.co.uk, call 0333 6000 622 or visit www.draytoncontrols.co.uk
Autumn 2017.
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY
improve a building’s energy efficiency. But according to Potterton Commercial, contractors should also brush up on other factors that affect a boiler’s energy efficiency such as modulation ratio. “When recommending an energyefficient boiler, the go-to data is often its seasonal efficiency,” S t e v e n Evans, national sales manager at Potterton Commercial, explains. “But most modern, condensing commercial boilers perform well when it comes to this measurement, so it can be difficult to differentiate between makes and models using this benchmark alone. To get the most accurate picture of a boiler’s overall efficiency, engineers should also consider its modulation range. “Modulation range is the difference between the maximum and minimum output of a boiler, often expressed as a ratio. For example, Potterton Commercial’s Sirius two boilers have a modulation ratio of 9:1, so its 90kW model can modulate down to 10kW. As a general rule, the higher the ratio, the better. It plays an important role in enabling a building to operate more efficiently. Once a room has reached the desired temperature and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) are closed, the power demands on the boiler will be considerably lower. If a boiler has a narrow modulation ratio, this means that the minimum output of the boiler will be higher than it needs to be, causing the boiler to constantly switch on and off. This wastes fuel and adds additional wear and tear to components. A wide boiler modulation ratio reduces constant on/off cycling, and can better accommodate fluctuating heating demands without using excessive energy, therefore improving efficiency and extending the life of a boiler. “For busy contractors, it is easy to concentrate on simply complying with
legislation. Energy efficiency is an overall picture comprising many different elements, including season efficiency and modulation ratio. To consider either measure in isolation will not result in the best possible levels of energy performance for a building – which is why contractors should always bear modulation ratio in mind when recommending and installing a new boiler for commercial applications.”
“A typical upgrade from a double inlet centrifugal fan to an inverter driven direct drive plug fan, at average UK electricity prices and AHU annual running hours, will lead to energy savings in the region of 30 per cent per annum and payback periods of less than three years.”
The benefits of plug fans For building managers looking to improve the energy efficiency of their ventilation system, refurbishing or upgrading their air handling units (AHUs) is often preferable to installing a new unit. Indeed, modern AHUs are much bigger compared to older models for handling the same volume of air due to tighter efficiency requirements, which poses problems for buildings with limited space. Instead, replacing the centrifugal fans in their existing AHUs with plug fans is often a more viable solution, provided that the units are still in a good operable state. “The issue with centrifugal fans is that energy loss is inherent in their operation,” Chris Jones, product manager at Fläkt Woods, explains. “Traditionally driven by a motor in a belt and pulley arrangement, improving the efficiency of these units is extremely difficult. In fact, according to CIBSE, the inefficiencies of a centrifugal fan can be anything from two percent to over 10 per cent – far from minor losses. Whilst there are models available which can be operated as direct drive fans to eliminate belt losses, these are restrictive and have limited applications. The only other gain has been from moving from a forward curved to a backward curved design to improve aerodynamic efficiency. “Given that there has been little progress made in raising the efficiency of these units, it is no surprise that an alternative solution has emerged to cater for rising HVAC standards. The plug fan is a purpose-designed, free-spinning backward curved centriflow impeller which can be used within the casing of an AHU, providing an effective, energy-saving replacement for centrifugal fans.
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In addition to delivering energy savings, plug fans offer lower noise levels, and are easy to fit and maintain. For many building owners, a quick and simple retrofitting process is crucial in order to minimise downtime for occupiers. Plug fans offer a simple way for the HVAC industry to meet energy efficiency standards which are only set to get tougher, offering big savings without requiring a complex installation process.
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REPLACING R404A F Gas regulation in the EU is resulting in high GWP products, in particular R404A and R507, becoming high priced and increasingly unavailable. Some manufacturers have announced that they will soon cease to supply R404A. Furthermore, there will be a substantial cutback in the quantities of HFCs permitted for sale in 2018 with high GWP refrigerants particularly targeted. In short, users and customer alike should consider replacing R404A with lower GWP alternatives now to ensure refrigeration installations can continue to operate.
RSL has developed RS-50 (R442A) as a Drop-in replacement for R404A which is non-flammable, low toxicity and with a GWP of RS50 less than half of R404A. RS-50 has been shown to be the most energy efficient R404A replacement on the market together with a higher cooling capacity than R404A and other alternatives. Independent tests by the Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona (UPC) conducted on six refrigerants have demonstrated that RS-50 has a considerably higher COP & cooling capacity than R404A, R507, R22, R407A & R407F. These tests were carried out in the same equipment & under the same conditions so that meaningful comparisons could be drawn. This high performance has been further confirmed by many field trials where RS-50 has replaced R22 with no changes to the equipment installed. RS-50 has a safety classification of A1 from ASHRAE, which is non-flammable under all conditions of fractionation. RS-50 is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s SNAP (Safe New alternatives Program) in the USA.
RS-50 (R442A) LOW GWP & HIGH EFFICIENCY DROP-IN REPLACEMENT FOR R404A & R507 Extensive independent tests conducted on 6 refrigerants, including RS-50 (R442A), under identical conditions show that RS-50 has the highest energy efficiency & cooling capacity at lower temperatures. The other refrigerants tested were R404A, R507, R407F, R22 & R407A & were carried out by the University of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain under strictly controlled conditions. At typical supermarket refrigeration conditions, RS-50 (R442A) showed the following comparative performances compared to R404A, R407F & R407A:
Coefficient of Performance +42% +10% +21%
R404A R407F R407A
Cooling capacity +49% +18% +58%
Tests were also conducted under dynamic conditions which clearly demonstrated that RS-50 (R442A) shows a faster pull-down time than any of the other refrigerants, especially at low temperature. A specially constructed calorimeter was used for all these tests so that the results in terms of energy efficiency & capacity could be legitimately compared. A summary of a series of tests taken at -350C evaporating & +350C condensing temperatures are shown in the table below:
R407F REF 1
R407A REF 2
RS-50 REF 3
R507 REF 4
R404A REF 5
R22 REF 6
P evaporation [bar]
1.35
1.3
1.35
1.7
1.64
1.27
P condensation [bar]
16.1
14.8
16.2
17
16.05
12.68
P high / P low
11.93
11.33
12
10
9.78
9.98
85
82
83
79
78
85
1252
935
1477
1090
992
1263
711
583
760
717
720
669
1.76
1.6
1.94
1.52
1.37
1.89
Discharge temperature [ÂşC] Cooling capacity [W] Power input [W] COP
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S EVCAT C ION NE AR MG E Y STORAGE H EN
Battery-powered building services plant is now a reality
Energy storage linked to HVAC plant has a key role to play in helping the UK meet its legallybinding carbon reduction targets. ACH looks at the wider benefits of storage, and how one approach, using high power lithium batteries, is emerging as an exciting new contender
ENERGY STORAGE Heating of buildings accounts for around 40 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions, with electric heat pumps taking an increasing proportion of that figure, and air conditioning becoming ever more prevalent.
To meet legally-binding carbon reduction targets, the UK needs to reduce reliance on fossil fuels at both the national power generation level and site level. At the power generation end, that is being done with the closure of older, dirtier coal-fired stations. At the site level, energy storage in all its forms, thermal or direct battery power storage, has a vital role to play in meeting these targets. Indeed, it is now accepted that it will be impossible to meet them without energy storage. Battery storage allows users to take free energy when it is readily available (for example, by storing surplus wind or solar energy), while thermal storage allows users to make heat or coolth when it is most costeffective for later use, for example by making ice at night or capturing heat energy during the day. It is clear that passive solutions alone will not deliver the required carbon and energy savings. It has been shown that use of increased insulation to reduce heating requirements in buildings has driven up cooling and ventilation demands. Alarmingly, CO2e emissions for buildings have actually
increased since 2014, which is unsustainable.
Against this background, the potential for energy storage in the HVAC sector is enormous, and we have only just begun to harness it. Every single system can benefit from thermal or direct battery power storage. This country does not have a power supply problem; it has a peak power supply problem. If the peaks can be lopped and troughs filled, with HVAC playing a key part, the nation’s carbon footprint could be dramatically reduced, some believe by as much as half. Other benefits would flow, too, in terms of the reliability and longevity of equipment, lower maintenance requirements, more resilience, and lower running costs. The value and importance of this shouldn’t be underestimated, since cooling, in particular, is often mission-critical. Compelling benefits The benefits of energy storage are compelling. Recognising the potential, the government is seeking to stimulate innovation and uptake of large-scale energy storage projects via the £246m Faraday Challenge, a co-ordinated programme of competitions designed to support research and accelerate the scaling-up of new energy storage technologies. Solar farms are now adding battery storage to take the excess that cannot be fed into the creaking national grid on peak sunny days,
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where solar PV generation is more than the country needs. Solar PV and wind generation is developing into a success story, with combined uptake now outstripping the removal of traditional power generation technologies. Energy storage connected to renewable technologies unlocks even more potential for replacing power generation using fossil fuel. In addition to traditional thermal storage and battery systems, other left-field energy storage technologies include flywheels, molten metals stored in insulated capsules, Vanadium Redox Flow chemical batteries and liquid air engines. Phase change thermal storage systems can also be harnessed to heating and cooling processes to recover and capture thermal energy, for example using ice for cooling or salt hydrates for heating. Some – or all – of these may have a place in the future. W h a t ’s n e x t f o r e n e r g y s t o ra g e i n t h e H VA C s e c t o r ? Given the benefits, it is likely we will see more large-scale projects being driven by end users. Another possible driver here is legislation, ratcheting up pressure for the adoption of more sustainable solutions. In air conditioning and cooling, the cooling side of the process is still often considered useful and the heating side rejected, when a little bit of thought and investment could make both sides of the process useful to somebody somewhere for the same initial energy input.
Tomorrow’s buildings could be supported by battery powered building services
So-called smart cities are a large-scale manifestation of this principle, with smaller scale inter-dependent industrial developments now on the drawing board to make one person’s waste energy his neighbour’s fuel High-tech lithium batteries One promising new area in energy storage uses the latest high-performance lithium batteries, as used in Tesla cars. The recent sharp falls in the cost of lithium batteries, as high-volume production gears up, opens the way for mainstream use in the HVAC sector. The approach is particularly valuable in applications such as data centres and hospitals, where cooling and HVAC services are mission critical. The traditional approach is based on an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), typically provided either by stand-by generators, a conventional lead-acid battery array, or both. This is expensive and adds significant capital costs, with the additional ongoing operating cost of maintenance to ensure the back-up system is always ready to kick-in at a moment’s notice. Using lithium batteries offers a more reliable and cost-effective safety net. The Teslamiser back-up system, supplied by cooling specialist Klima-Therm, uses a module of lithium batteries coupled with a smart control system, which constantly monitors and controls electrical power supply to the chiller and/ or HVAC plant. It not only provides back up power in the event of electrical failure, but actively manages ongoing power usage to optimise efficiency, reducing chiller and HVAC running costs.
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HVAC ENERGY STORAGE
H o w Te s l a m i s e r w o r k s Teslamiser automatically optimises energy flows into, within and out of the chiller. This includes managing the respective power inputs from the mains electrical supply and any renewable sources, such as photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind energy, according to pre-set criteria. This enables the system to harness the preferred energy source at any given time to power the chiller, with the battery pack providing the buffer. Power source selection can be based on lowest cost, lowest carbon, even the most profitable, with some energy providers now paying customers to consume energy at certain times. On a similar principle to a night storage heater making use of off-peak electricity, the chiller batteries can be charged at night, when tariffs are lowest or the greenest electricity is available, and the accumulated charge used during the day, avoiding peak electricity costs. This delivers significant savings in itself, given the typical reductions in night time energy costs. However, there are further savings to be made through limiting peak power demand on a site, using the batteries to augment mains supply and renewable inputs to keep peak power within a set limit. This approach, known as peak lopping or Demand Side Response, is likely to become increasingly attractive for two reasons: first, the closure of older, more polluting power stations to comply with European carbon reduction and clean air targets is putting pressure on peak time energy supply availability; second, the continuing roll-out of so-called Smart metering will see costs for peak power being driven higher, very much more than costs for off-peak power are reduced. A further advantage of Teslamiser is that it can operate as an UPS, maintaining chiller operation in the event of a power cut for long enough to restore normal operating conditions. In critical applications such as data centres, this is not just a nice to have but a must have capability. With this new approach, UPS comes as standard rather than an expensive add-on, providing a high level of resilience that for many installations may previously have been out of reach. In the event of a power cut or reduction in supply (sometimes referred to as a brown-out), it connects the Teslamiser batteries into the circuit to replace or augment the lost mains supply. In terms of Demand Side Response, it opens up a potentially transformational range of new possibilities for powering and controlling HVAC plant.
Teslamiser schematic
To t a l e n e r g y a p p r o a c h The key is to take a total energy approach, which combines and integrates advanced battery technology with multiple renewable energy sources and mains power, to optimise plant performance and efficiency resulting in lower running costs, reduced environmental impact and more comfortable and sustainable buildings. The ability to time-shift electrical demand has a double advantage, as it not only reduces running costs but also enables end users to manage a site’s demand profile in order to reduce peak electrical draw. As mentioned, this reduces exposure to punitive peak demand energy tariffs. When a renewable energy source, such as a photovoltaic supply, is available, Teslamiser can be set to charge and store energy when supply is free in the day and release it when supply is reduced or unavailable, at night. Teslamiser adds significant extra capabilities to the already highly efficient Turbomiser chiller. Its ability to time-shift electrical demand, so reducing running costs, coupled with its role as an UPS, gives end users an additional level of reassurance by significantly improving resilience. It is a particularly attractive option on Turbomiser chillers because the compressors on these chillers have a very low starting current (5A), and from then on the current draw is smooth and steady up to full load operation. This combination will be useful in many situations, particularly for critical applications such as data centres, where continuity of cooling is vital. The compact Teslamiser is available as a bolt on module on Turbomiser chillers, as well as a standalone system that can be retrofitted to existing installations. It can be purchased outright, or financed with a monthly fee until the purchase price is paid off, with ongoing savings from electricity running costs effectively subsidising rental charges. Looking ahead, there are exciting possibilities for extending the capabilities of Teslamiser to include intelligent energy recovery directly from the chiller to charge the batteries. This would create a genuine total energy system that optimises power from all sources – mains, renewable and self-generated sources – for even greater efficiency and savings.
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S EVCETRI OTNO N ML E AD R AI A Humidification from Heronhill Humidification has an important role to play in our daily lives It is vital to our comfort in modern, centrally heated buildings, where a dry atmosphere compromises our wellbeing. The same can be said for fresh food, being stored in fridges or cold stores. It is crucial to maintain the correct level of humidity to ensure fruit, vegetables and meat keep their quality and an appetizing appearance.
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patented ‘self-cleaning’ system minimises the amount of lime residues in steam cylinders and prolongs their use. From basic on/off to proportional control there is a wide range of options and accessories available. Large stocks of Nordmann humidifiers, accessories and spare parts are held in Heronhill’s distribution centre ready for immediate despatch.
A minimum of 50% relative humidity is essential to guarantee a room climate that is both healthy and comfortable. In order to create the optimum conditions for high-tech processes and for people’s health, a sterile, odourless and mineral free steam must be produced. Here are a few of applications for humidification, specified and supplied by Heronhill: • Archive Rooms • Art Galleries/Museums • Cold rooms • Computer Rooms • Hospitals (operating theatres) • Humidors • Offices/Warehouses • Wine Cellars
Vapac
VapaVoid
To compliment the Nordmann range, Vapac’s VapaVoid humidifier is an unobtrusive, low noise unit. It is the first packaged system with a horizontal low profile design to fit within a standard ceiling void and is suitable to be ducted to supply and return air grilles. Salters Hall archives room
Nordmann Engineering This high quality Swiss product, has a solution for most applications. Innovation has always been a driving force at Nordmann, with their use of modern technologies and materials. Their revolutionary and worldwide-
Nordmann and Vapac spare parts Heronhill will help you identify exactly which part you need and ensure you receive it without delay. We carry an extensive range of humidifier spares ex-stock and can offer them on next day delivery. Please Call: 01823 665 660 or visit www. heronhill.co.uk
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SH E COTTI O EN L NFAAM NES
FAN COIL UNITS With ever more demanding guests, the hotel industry has developed very specific requirements when it comes to heating and cooling the rooms, corridors and communal spaces within its properties.
GUEST COMFORT Compact, low noise and easily maintainable fan coil units (FCUs) are able to meet these requirements for maintaining specified room temperature across summer and winter conditions. And now, new developments in the technology are providing further opportunities to enhance control while reducing the time and costs associated with installing and maintaining these systems.
Peter Lowther, Ability Projects GDHV
“There are different levels of demand for heating and cooling depending on the hotel type, with the high-end, more luxurious projects having a higher equipment specification and lower noise level requirement,” Peter Lowther, director, Ability Projects, explains. “We typically see a demand for wall mounted temperature controls that will be either digital touch screens or of a bespoke design to match the décor and light/power sockets. “The controls will be linked to the Building Management System (BMS) to allow setback conditions when the room is unoccupied and then become fully operational when a key card is present. The hotel maintenance manager will often be involved with the approval of the FCU, they ensure the units are easily maintainable and that long-life components are used. Most hotel rooms have a fairly low cooling requirement, therefore the units are predominantly less than 1000mm wide, but there is also a growing trend for apartment hotels (aparthotel) and suites where larger units are required.”
DRIVEN BY COST For budget hotels, demands are less about performance and more cost driven, using low specification standalone controls that are not linked to the BMS, and which will exhibit higher noise levels. Reliability remains one of the most important aspects in order to limit room down time, which is why FCUs are an increasingly popular choice in hotels, especially as all FCU’s now use more reliable, low energy and variable speed EC/DC fans. The Hydronic Valve technology, usually with two port Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICV), utilises modulating actuators to provide good room temperature control and communicating FCU controllers can link back to the BMS using BACnet or KNX protocol to allow setback when the rooms are unoccupied. “Reducing unnecessary demands on the system is a good way of ensuring long term reliability, but if issues, such as a fan failures or dirty filters do arise, the latest generation of ‘smarter’ fan coils is able to quickly identify the fault,” Lowther adds. “This is achieved by utilising pressure independent fans that can be pre-set and can send a signal to the unit controller. New Smart valve technology in the form of Electronic Pressure Independent Valves (EPIV), are again pre-set at the factory and can give flow rate feedback to the BMS, allowing remote monitoring and fault diagnostics without having to enter a room.”
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REDUCING CAPITAL COSTS With the rise of aparthotels, and larger suites in particular, Lowther says they are seeing further demands to reduce the capital cost, installation time and maintenance of a fan coil system within the hotel. “Through a process of constant development, it is now possible to provide a MultiRoom FCU,” he adds. “Designed to allow one conventional ‘draw through’ fan coil to serve a number of small spaces, the Multi-Room FCU has one larger coil, one set of water control valves and one controller. “The individual ‘pressure independent ’ fans in the unit each serve a single duct to a single plenum which then, in turn, provides cooled or heated air to the space. Each conditioned zone can have single or multiple fans connected to it depending on the loads to be dealt with and the noise required. When the Multi-Room unit is installed and switched on, the pressure independent fans adjust themselves to the differing resistance of each duct and self-correct to deliver the design air volumes to each space.” The Multi-Room FCU utilises a supply air sensor in each of the individual fans as well as a conventional single return air sensor in the return air path. Each hotel room will require a wall thermostat used to give a direct temperature reading from the individual spaces and to enable used setpoint adjustment. “Unlike the old-style, manual ‘dial and set’ control valves, the Multi-Room FCU also utilises the latest EPIVs. Like the air volume fans, these are delivered with the water flow rates pre-programmed, resulting in simple checks rather than a complicated commissioning procedures.”provide good room temperature control and communicating FCU controllers can link back to the BMS using BACnet or KNX protocol to allow setback when the rooms are unoccupied. “Reducing unnecessary demands on the system is a good way of ensuring long term reliability, but if issues, such as a fan failures or dirty filters do arise, the latest generation of ‘smarter’ fan coils is able to quickly identify the fault,” Lowther adds. “This is achieved by utilising pressure independent fans that can be pre-set and can send a signal to the unit controller. New Smart valve technology in the form of Electronic Pressure Independent Valves (EPIV), are again pre-set at the factory and can give flow rate feedback to the BMS, allowing remote monitoring and fault diagnostics without having to enter a room.”
SPECIALISED CONTROL SYSTEMS This approach to using FCUs demands a specialised control strategy. The space with the largest temperature differential, actual versus required, will become the primary controlled space and the Multi-Room FCU will ensure this space is provided with sufficient cooling or heating. By manipulation of air volumes to each of the other spaces, along with careful control of water flow rate, the other rooms are maintained within a satisfactory temperature range. “We have found that guests were less aware of being cooler than being too hot, which is why the strategy control prioritises cooling first,” Lowther says. “The unit continually re-evaluates the various demands, continually reacting and working in real-time in up to five individual spaces.” This gives the Multi-Room FCU a wider range of potential applications within buildings, such as the demands we see on hotel rooms being used in the daytime as Airport stopovers and workspaces. Using smart FCU’s allows 24-hour monitoring to spot issues before they become problems, and is especially effective in overcoming the problems of overheating in high-rise hotel developments.
SAVING SPACE For hotel designers, this all translates into a requirement to find space to locate just one, rather than multiple FCUs. Installers only need to fit that single unit, so there is less pipework and reduced BMS networking. With the control technology in place, the commissioning team does not have to do anything more than a quality control check on the air and water flow at the end of manufacture. “If any of the values change and need to be re-set, this can be completed remotely, without contact with the specific unit,” Lowther adds. “Although pre-configured in the factory, all the necessary settings for the Multi-Room FCU are available either through the BMS network or a supplied remote access software suite, ensuring that monitoring or reconfiguration can be performed remotely by the hotel maintenance/facilities manager. “As well as improving the ease of specification, installation and use, the economic benefits are also considerable. A single (five space) Multi-Room option costs just 35 per cent of the price of five individual fan coils in an equivalent installation.” Alongside the reduction in materials - less copper and aluminium, a single controller; and two valves - compared to other FCUs, the Multi-Room also offers notable savings on manufacturing energy consumption and recycling, dismantling and material reworking. Supplied with the most efficient EC fans it also provides energy saving variable speed strategies as standard. Add a potential 80 per cent reduction in pipe runs, fittings and commissioning and there are substantial savings to be made by the hotel industry.
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S EECCT H I ONNONLAOMGEY B R I E F I N G T
HEAT PUMPS Heat pumps are one of those things you’ve either heard about or not. But even if you’ve heard of them you may not be fully aware of what they are, how they work and whether they are a viable alternative heating system. Air Conditioning and heating magazine spoke to Graham Hazell, HPA consultant, about the technology and its advantages
Air Conditioning and Heating (ACH): Let’s start right at the beginning, what exactly is a heat pump? Graham Hazell (GH): As its name suggests it pumps, or pushes, so to speak, heat against the normal direction of heat exchange in that it is able to extract heat from low temperature sources, such as the air, ground or water, and raise it to a higher temperature and hence more useable grade of heat. For instance, an air sourced heat pump (ASHP) can extract heat out of air at say -7oC and deliver it into the building (via water or air) relatively easily at say 45oC but with more effort (i.e. energy) can reach higher temperatures if required. This makes it an ideal mechanism to also recover low grade (temperature) heat that would normally be wasted and boost its temperature to make it more usable i.e. heat recovery. ACH: How does a Heat Pump work? GH: There are many sources that can be found to explain this so for expediency we’ll summarise by saying it uses the physical characteristics of a thermal exchange medium (i.e. refrigerant). In the laws of physics, the relationship between the pressure of a gas and its temperature are linked by a constant. Change the pressure and the temperature will change all other things being constant. Furthermore, it enhances the transfer of heat by utilising the extra energy required and released when
a compound changes state from a liquid to a gas (= evaporation, requiring heat input) and from gas to liquid (= condensation, releasing heat- the heat of vaporisation). ACH: Are heat pumps ‘new’ technology? GH: Definitely not! They have been around and used quite extensively for decades. ACH: Is a heat pump and air conditioning unit? GH: Well both devices effectively pump or push heat against an otherwise natural temperature gradient (from low to high temperature). Heat pumps in their purest form pump (or push) heat into of a building, whereas air conditioning units pump (or push) heat out of a building, usually creating a colder condition in the building than that outside, and of course the heat is moving in the opposite direction to its natural direction – from the warm outside to the cool inside. Similarly, during cold weather, the heat from within a warm building will be moving to the cooler external condition and a heat pump (or any heating device) will need to at least balance if not slightly exceed this heat transfer (normally described as a heat loss). ACH: What is the efficiency of a heat pump? GH: Again, this is covered in many other sources but suffice to say since a heat pump is merely transporting heat, the energy input is vastly outweighed by the energy transported (similar to a fuel tanker). A typical figure is circa one unit of input to three units of output (including the unit of input which is useful).
ACH: Are heat pumps viable as a heating system in the UK? GH: The simple answer is yes, but of course there are caveats and times when a particular application is more or less favourable to the use of heat pumps. The vast majority of heat pumps use electricity (say >95 per cent) however some can and do use natural gas and even fewer can run on LPG if required.
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OK, that electricity is potentially two to four times the cost (say two-year average) of the alternative heating fuels of natural gas, heating oil or LPG… but whereas the efficiency of the latter three is likely to be circa 85-92 per cent (for modern equipment) a heat pump is likely to be circa 300 per cent (+100 per cent) equivalent. Hence in this case only a third of the input energy is required for a unit of output and effectively cuts the cost of the heating energy by two thirds making it certainly comparable, sometimes more advantageous, other times less. In certain cases, the difference can be quite considerable, such as high efficiency ground source heat pump (GSHP) against an old oil boiler when oil prices are high. Of course, such savings can diminish considerably when the situation is less favourable for a heat pump and the efficiency drops and the alternative fuel price is low. Take heating oils an example: during the heating season of 2014/15 the price of heating fuel was circa 7.5p/kWh input (circa 10.7 - 8.3p/kWh delivered heat at 70 & 90 per cent efficiency respectively), whereas during the 2016/17 season in some areas it came down to circa 3.2 p/kWh input (circa 4.6 – 3.7 p/kWh delivered). One of the key concepts to appreciate is that heat pumps are very often a medium to long term investment to achieve lower running and/or lower carbon dioxide emissions. They tend to have a higher initial cost than traditional heating forms.
ACH: What is the Future of Heat Pumps? GH: Much depends on unknowns: government targets and commitments to reducing carbon dioxide emissions; the price of the heat pump fuel compared to the alternative fuel (e.g. electricity v heating oil); individual views on investment rates of return (such as ‘I’m thinking of converting from oil to heat pump but probably will only be in this house for seven years or so – is it worth the hassle of the change to me or is there value for a future owner?’). One very exciting future for heat pumps is to utilise the ever-smartening energy grid. Most heat pumps already have the ability to be able to be enabled (switched) on or off by external means, such as by an electricity grid during high demand where the spot price (that paid by the electricity distributor) is very high. In the future, we can expect to see devices that can monitor the reaction of the building they
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are heating to the input of heat and calculate the likely degradation profile should the device be disabled for a time due to a high electricity price or high carbon dioxide emission rate. To encourage consumers to accept a slight inconvenience some sort of incentive should be given and most think this will be some sort of floating tariff whereby heat pump system users can chose to be without heat for a relatively short period of time when electricity prices are high. This would require much thinking and view point changes. It would also require attractive fuel tariffs, which, to maximise the benefit, might need to be floating prices possibly mimicking the central spot price that generators sell at. However, such a tariff would be difficult to estimate the long-term cost and could be very complicated for consumers to understand, just at a time when there are arguably far too many tariff options currently available. But the takeaway form this is that heat pumps provide the real potential for harnessing the benefits of ever expanding and developing IT capabilities. The only limit is our ability to understand and practically apply such benefits with special consideration for commercial viability (i.e. low cost, high volume!). Further information: www. heatpumps.org.uk
Fuel cost in terms of fuel converted heat cost (net cost) Fuel Type
Typical Energy Conversion Factor (Fuel to usable Heat)
Typical Energy Cost (pence) of Primary Fuel
Cost of Delivered Energy (net) (p/kWh) (4)
Typical
Range(1)
Typical
Range(3)
Typical
Range(5)
Direct Electricity
1.0
0.95 - 1.0
13p
10 - 15p
13p
10-16p
Natural Gas (mains)
0.85
0.65 - 0.92
3.5p
3.0 - 4.5p
4.1p
3.3 -6.9p
Heating Oil
0.85
0.65 - 0.92
4.5p
2.5 – 6.5p
5.3p
2.7 – 10p
LPG
0.85
0.65 - 0.92
5.5p
3.5 - 7.0
6.5p
3.8 – 10.8
Heat Pump
2.8
1.7-3.8
13p
11 – 15p
4.3p
2.9 – 8.8
NOTES:
Commentary:
1. The range of efficiencies reflects the variances in equipment age and maintenance of the system and user behaviour
What the table attempts to demonstrate is the range of possible outcomes which depend on the efficiency and unit fuel price applicable. In turn, the efficiency is primarily linked to the original design, equipment installed, installation techniques and interpretation, commissioning, maintenance and user pattern. In turn, the age of the system and whether new or retrofit can be significant. Likewise, the price paid for the fuel depends on price variations year on year.
2. This is the cost of the fuel to supply a heating system before the efficiency of the system is considered 3. The range of system efficiencies is based on three years of costs adjusted to current prices based on CPI typically two per cent 4. The cost of delivered energy reflects the cost of providing 1 kWh of heat into an occupied space using the system indicated. It takes into account an efficiency factor 5. Cost range of delivered energy combines the best price and highest efficiency with the poorest price and poorest efficiency to demonstrate the potential extremes
It shows that the effectiveness depends very much on a case by case basis. In general, the margins can be quite wide, so it is difficult to make hard and fast rules, especially with some fuel prices which are very volatile. In general, it will always be difficult to replace Natural Gas on a purely financial
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PRIMALEC’s F-Gas leak control war chest Maidstone based Primalec have been in leak detection since the mid-1980s, being the first to introduce UV-fluorescent leak detection to the UK. They offer a full range of leak control tools – UV-fluorescent, electronic, ultrasonic and tracer gas leak detectors, Superseal leak sealants, and refrigerant identifiers.
Detecting leaks UK produced Glo-Leak UV® is widely used in marine, static and vehicle refrigeration and air conditioning by factory floor quality controllers as well as by engineers and technicians in workshops and out in the field all over the world. The methodology of adding a very small dose of Glo-Leak UV to the AC&R system has several benefits. Once inside it stays there, constantly looking for leakage points. When it finds one, it leaks out with the refrigerant and leaves a tell-tale uv-fluorescent deposit which can be picked up by a high intensity UVA light. This means you can locate hard to find intermittent leaks, very small leaks, and multiple leaks, even when the system is not under pressure. Glo-Leak is not prone to false positives caused by other gases and solvents nearby or in the atmosphere, or to air movement. Leaktronic is a range of three electronic leak detectors using long life heated electrolyte sensors. Leaktronic-1 and Leaktronic-2 detect all commonly used refrigerants, and Leaktronic-3 detects Nitro-Trace™ leak detection gases. USX-2 is Primalec’s latest hand held ultrasonic detector. Among its many valuable uses, USX-2 can hear the ultrasonic sounds generated by leakage under pressure, vacuum leaks, refrigerant flow irregularities, as well as electrical faults and compressor bearing damage. Nitro-Trace is Primalec’s tracer gas pressure-testing system which uses tiny hydrogen molecules mixed with oxygen-free nitrogen. This gives it four bites of the cherry. Leakage can be detected with the Leaktronic-3 detector, with ultrasonics, with Spraytest bubble leak locator, by reading the pressure gauge, and by any combination of these four.
Sealing micro leaks Primalec have successfully supplied the Superseal range of leak sealants to tens of thousands of engineers since launching it 13 years ago. Unlike newer rival sealants that flocculate within the pipework to form a stopper inside the system, the Superseal fix is permanent and will not restrict refrigerant flow.
Refrigerant analysis and ID Refrigerant purity and leak tightness is more important than ever. As we all know, refrigerant prices are rising, but many of the newer Environment friendly refrigerants owe their low Global Warming Potential to their ability to break down in the atmosphere. As a consequence, refrigerants such as R1234yf are more sensitive to breaking down inside the AC&R system, being less chemically stable than their predecessors. It is important to use pure refrigerant and correct lubricants. That is why Primalec have now added the Neutronics Refrigerant Analysers and Identifiers to their Leak Control programme. The Ultima ID Pro can identify a wide range of refrigerants, as well as humidity, giving you analysis to within 2% accuracy or better.
Primalec can be contacted by ‘phone 01622 Primalec ad 190 x 130 sep 2017.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2017 15:53 on Page 1 816955, by email customers@primalec.co.uk.
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Air Conditioning | Refrigeration | Commercial | Industrial | Marine | Vehicle +44 (0)1622 816955 | customers@primalec.co.uk | www.primalec.com
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SEEN CE T IROG N YN A EM F EF I C I E N C Y
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR HVAC SYSTEM It is essential for businesses to have reliable HVAC systems that deliver production requirements through energy efficient operations, and that are compliant with any relevant, industry-specific regulations. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are essential services within a wide range of business environments. This is particularly the case within heavy industry and manufacturing, where these systems can have a direct impact on product quality, manufacturing costs and production volume. HVAC can often be overlooked as a key part of cost control and business efficiency, and some purchasers will make the mistake of approving new installations based on immediate, short-term cost. For most companies, though, each component is likely to remain in place for years, if not decades, meaning that a cheap purchase now could result in an expensive maintenance regime down the line. “A full review of the equipment’s durability is an important part of the procurement process,” Andrew Nixon, area general manager - energy, HVAC and industrial refrigeration at Johnson Controls, says. “You need to know whether you’re going to have to repair and replace your systems on a regular basis, how long each component is likely to perform at full capacity and what the potential impact of a failure could be.
Main influencers With that in mind, there are two main influencers on plant performance to consider when evaluating HVAC systems. “HVAC systems have a long-life expectancy - around 20 years - so it is essential for businesses to make the right investment decisions around plant procurement when considering end of life replacement, increasing production capacity or building new facilities,” Nixon adds. “Historically, plant procurement decisions have predominately been focussed on the technical performance of plant and initial capital value. However, with increasing energy and carbon compliance pressures, plant efficiency has started to be a key part of the selection process.” Nixon explains that this attitude is now beginning to change: “In recent years, the market has been moving towards procuring plant with a ‘lifecycle cost’ analysis front-of-mind. Essentially, this takes into account the initial capital value plus the associated annual operating costs for maintenance and energy consumption for the life of the plant. This evaluation can help during the decision making process, highlighting options with higher annual operating costs and the associated impact on the manufacturing cost base.
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“Just over the last few months, however, we’ve also begun to see a trend developing in the opposite direction. Procurement decisions are beginning to revert back to the old system, based on the lowest initial investment cost. This has potentially been driven by business concerns following the Brexit vote, with companies facing capital spend restrictions and budget pressures as a result of economic uncertainty. “However, higher manufacturing costs are driven up by inefficient systems and have a direct impact on the cost of each item produced. In other words, a more expensive HVAC system leads to higher overall production costs. In a competitive market, any increase in the manufacturing costs can commercially compromise a business if they are unable to pass them on. As a result, life cycle cost evaluation should be the basis for all plant procurement it’s important to remember that the lowest initial investment cost is not always the best basis for long-term investment decisions.” Maintaining your systems HVAC procurement is not just about Capex, however. You also need to consider the expense associated with maintenance. Nixon explains how this plays into the purchase decision, and how internet of things (IoT) technology can help improve your efficiency: “An essential requirement for all managers is to ensure the long term high performance of HVAC systems. Wellmaintained plant decreases the occurrence of unplanned down time, underperformance of plant and the associated production quality or volume issues.
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scheduled works planned on the basis of the number of hours run. However, a more effective solution is to incorporate connected IoT devices to enable condition-based predictive maintenance solutions and remote monitoring of plant. “Condition-based monitoring is an essential solution for predictive maintenance. It usually incorporates a combination of vibration analysis for rotating plant and thermal analysis for electrical plant and components. With the costs of the IoT-based test equipment continuing to fall over the years, this solution should now be utilised on all relative plant as part of a comprehensive maintenance schedule.” Internet of Things There are other benefits available as a result of implementing the IoT, says Nixon. “Remote monitoring can also be introduced, providing regular plant status updates. This data can then be analysed by off-site services utilising rules engines specifically designed for the installed plant, which can identify plant degradation and provide early notification of failure for maintenance requirements. The trend data and associated reports available from condition and remote monitoring systems can be essential tools to support maintenance scheduling, but also in prioritising capital investment. “This is becoming a standard solution on new plant but is also increasingly becoming available as a retrofit option, so facilities that aren’t able to completely replace their plant can still upgrade their maintenance systems.” Nixon concludes: “HVAC systems can be a significant annual energy cost for manufacturing sites, but also an opportunity for efficiency improvements and energy savings. In addition to planned and reactive maintenance works, companies should also ensure their maintenance service provider engages with the need to identify and deliver energy saving opportunities on the plant and associated systems. This could be in terms of technology advancements for plant replacements, changing systems from their original design to improve actual operation or the optimisation of control parameters and logic.” Economic challenges If businesses are to make the most of their HVAC systems as they face the economic challenges of Brexit, the way forward is clear. Companies must collaborate with solution providers that can offer industry-specific, tailored systems to address their individual needs, with an eye to the long-term costs involved. Uptime, performance and maintenance regimes must all be factored into a single turnkey solution. Businesses can’t afford to treat HVAC as an afterthought in an unstable economic climate - they must ensure they have the best and most efficient option for them.
“HVAC plant maintenance can be seen as low priority or a short-term cost saving within businesses, but in reality this is a false economy as eventually poor maintenance will impact production and manufacturing costs and also decrease the plant’s operational years. “Typical HVAC system plant maintenance is usually performed as NOVEMBER 2017
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STE E CC T IH ON NO NL AO MG E Y FOCUS
Ecodesign Directive and Part L of the Building Regulations. Air Design’s PREMA range boasts the smallest and lightest energy recovery ventilation units on the market, making them ideal for ceiling voids in schools and offices, as well as high footfall commercial buildings such as restaurants, hotels, and leisure centres. Available in four sizes, the range covers an airflow of 0.006 - 0.936 m³/s, ensuring maximum flexibility for a variety of building services projects.
Humidity Solutions launches new evaporative humidifier Humidity Solutions has introduced the Neptronic SKV evaporative humidifier to its range of humidification products. The SKV evaporative humidifier features very low energy consumption (<1kW) with the potential for up to 12°C of evaporative (adiabatic) free cooling.
the need for blanking plates. Installation is very straightforward, simply requiring a water and power supply, drainage and low voltage control cabling. The SKV has also been designed to facilitate maintenance with easy access to all components.
The SKV works by introducing water to the top of an evaporative module, so that the water flows down wet media. Warm air is passed through the wet media, and moisture evaporates into the air to increase humidity. As such, the SKV is ideal for a wide range of applications that require cost-effective and hygienic humidification solutions.
The wet media are constructed from inorganic fibre glass bonded with a special inorganic compound to maximise continuous humidification and evaporative cooling, even at high air velocities. The corrugated design of the media maximises the surface area for water absorption. The water is pre-treated by passing through a silver ion cartridge to prevent microbial growth.
SKV humidifiers are installed in supply ductwork and can be customised using the Neptronic Humidisoft web application to the exact duct measurements to minimise
Staging valves provide up to five stages for flexible and accurate control, whilst the onboard controller offers a wide range of control and diagnostic functions.
Air Design launches new range of energy recovery ventilation units Air Design, part of Elta Group, has launched a new range of horizontal energy recovery
ventilation units, specifically designed to boost indoor air quality in line with the
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Each unit has been specifically designed and manufactured to offer low noise and low Specific Fan Power (SFP), as well as highly-efficient thermal energy recovery, integrated demand control, and finer particulate filters. Thermal energy exchange is enhanced by the large surface area of the unit’s counterflow heat exchanger that results in 92 per cent efficient thermal energy recovery. All units are also fitted with a 100 per cent face and bypass damper that operates dependent on temperature parameters to offer free cooling during summer. System performance is further maximised with fully-integrated demand controlled ventilation, which adapts performance based on occupancy and constant pressure levels to provide effective monitoring and targeting, plus the potential for individual room control.
Every unit is fitted with F7 (ISO ePM1 55 per cent) filters as standard, ensuring the delivery of clean air and a comfortable working environment. The added option of an F9 (ISO ePM1 85 per cent) filter gives users the option to remove even the smallest of particulates. Having undergone vigorous quality checks at every stage of their development, the units’ casing is L2 air leakage rated for enhanced air tightness, ensuring minimal infiltration of non-handling air – a combination which ensures the supply of good quality air. Each unit features a frameless, self-supporting casing with double skin panels lined with high density acoustic foam. The compact design of each unit, coupled with easilyreplaceable, low energy filters, provide savings for both installers and end users by significantly reducing installation time and maintenance requirements. “Our new range of PREMA Units have been designed as the smallest, quietest, and most efficient ceiling void mounted energy recovery units,” Ana Cross, associate product manager for air handling products by Air Design, commented. “As market demands for better energy-saving ventilation and enhanced indoor air quality capabilities grow, it is our job to listen to our customers and deliver technologically advanced products that are compliant and fit their needs.”
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Nicotra Gebhardt introduces groundbreaking RQM hybrid fan Fan manufacturer Nicotra Gebhardt has launched a compact fan that delivers unrivalled energy efficiency. The RQM MultiEvo beats every traditional plug fan on energy efficiency thanks to the optimisation of all key components, including a hollow section aerofoil backward curve impeller, a permanent magnet (PM) internal rotor motor rated at IE5 efficiency and integrated electronic controls. The compactly designed RQM can be fitted at multiple access points for ease of maintenance and is ideal for both ‘new build’ and refurbishment/retrofit applications. The company’s MultiEvo technology has delivered a range of directly driven hybrid centrifugal fans with multiple discharge outlets and static system efficiencies of up to 78 per cent. The multi-spiral technology combines the compact design
of plug fans with the effectiveness and reliability of traditionally ‘housed’ fans that offer static pressure increase and energy efficiency. Depending on the fan size, the RQM reaches eight to 15 per cent higher energy efficiencies than best on market traditional plug fans The RQM range includes all standard fan diameters from 355mm to 710mm, providing performances of up to approx. 6.5m3/s (23,000m3/h) and / or total pressures of up to 1750Pa. The PM motors are, as standard, IE5 rated and available with motor powers up to 6.5kW (free of rare earth materials) together with integrated electronics. Additional impeller sizes and motor outputs of up to 22kW will be available later in 2017 to complement the range.
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Stulz offers non-glycol options for the CC2 chiller Stulz, the Hamburg air conditioning specialist has added a non-glycol option to its tried and tested CyberCool 2 chiller. The specially adapted design enables data centres to be chilled entirely with water, and glycol-based brine is used solely in the external free cooling circuit of the chiller. As this new technology means that no glycol gets into the building, even the most exacting facility management requirements can be satisfied. The free cooling and chilled water circuits are separated by an additional brazed plate heat exchanger in the chiller. This shifts the switchover points for free cooling and mixed mode by a few degrees. The system
layout with two brazed plate heat exchangers for the water inlet and water outlet circuits achieves a minimal terminal temperature difference of 2K and therefore suffers considerably smaller temperature losses than conventional nonglycol systems. Moreover, thanks to the new mix mode boost technology and maximum return temperatures of up to 35° Celsius, the free cooling period can be increased by up to 20 per cent, dramatically reducing electricity costs. This solution provides data centre operators who wish to go glycol free with an efficient alternative that uses free cooling for long periods.
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SFEICNT A I OLN W NO AM RED
THE REFRIGERANT COMPROMISE: GWP AND FLAMMABILITY With many factors needing to be considered, such as global warming potential (GWP), volatility, operational efficiency, and strict legislation, choosing a suitable refrigerant can be a complex process, as Malcolm Edwards, Technical Manager at ICS Cool Energy explains. The market is saturated with information on refrigerants but despite this, there is no clear answer as to what is the best refrigerant to use given that every system and its requirements are different. Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment is specifically designed to be used with particular refrigerants, therefore opting to use drop-in refrigerants (which are not 100 per cent like-for-like) as substitutes, will always result in a compromise in terms of performance or energy consumption. The system may also need to be altered before a drop-in refrigerant can be used, including potential changes to expansion valve, additional liquid suction heat exchangers, or changing the oil to a different type. With stringent F-gas legislation requiring a reduction in the use of HFC refrigerants and a move towards lower GWP refrigerants alongside the ErP directive pushing for improved efficiency, companies are under immense pressure to comply. However, there is no off-the-shelf solution when it comes to refrigerants, particularly for low temperature applications, and companies face a careful balancing act between GWP, toxicity and flammability. Unfortunately, refrigerants such as A2Ls, which meet the F-gas legislation criteria of low GWP, are classed as mildly flammable, which obviously poses safety risks when it comes to their transportation and handling. R1234yf
and R1234ze are prime examples of this, however their ADR references are different in terms of safe transportation and handling - R1234yf is class 2.1 and R1234ze is class 2.2 making the latter a safer option. These safety risks bring with them the need for systems to be designed in line with refrigerant development, that will be acceptable to manufacturers as well as end users, preferably without the need for special transport and storage arrangements or imposing severe commercial pressures. With more flammable refrigerants coming to the fore, the importance of safer logistics, better fireproofing, and keeping systems secure to prevent leakage is paramount. Refrigerants should be contained, recovered, and disposed of, ethically. Natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3) offer no ozone depleting substances (ODS) or global warming potential (GWP), however, like any refrigerant, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suit every application. For example, despite ammonia providing high efficiency and performance alongside low environmental impact, it has high toxicity, can be flammable, and is highly corrosive to copper which is an issue for many semi hermetic compressors, which often rely on having electric motors with
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copper windings. Consequently, ammonia is best used in liquid pump circulation or flooded systems, alongside alternative oil management systems and open drive compressors. The phase-down of HFC refrigerants, has limited the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s options further and current potential drop-in refrigerants for these donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have GWP values under 150, which is the ultimate aim of the F-gas legislation. Targeted with improving efficiency and developing new refrigerants, the industry has been left in a state of flux, unsure of what will be next and what refrigerants will be available. I believe we can expect to see a dramatic change in coming years, with a particular move towards the use of more flammable A2L refrigerants, which may pose risks in terms of their volatility, but are more environmentally-friendly and therefore comply with the latest F-gas legislation. Ultimately, refrigerant producers and compressor manufacturers must work together to establish the right balance between safety and operational performance..
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