ACR Journal Dec 2019/Jan 2020

VOLUME 6 No1 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2020

1989-2019

ISSN 2058-4407

Essential Information for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry

ECOLITE // LHL3E

See pages 32 & 33 for details

ECOLITE // LHL5E

MAXI M UM ADAPTABILITY. VERSATILE APPLICATION. The seven ECOLITE models of the BITZER condensing unit family feature optimal usability thanks to a simple plug and play concept. Perfect adaptability allows for a wide range of applications in different climate areas and temperature ranges. The ECOLITE condensing units conform to the MEPS 2018 and can be used for all common refrigerants as well as A1 HFO blends. Boost efďŹ ciency by combining the mini-channel condenser with a semi-hermetic BITZER ECOLINE compressor and use BEST SOFTWARE for overall support of all condensing units. The VARISTEP function, which is standard, ensures maximum adaptability of ECOLITE for all kinds of applications. Learn more at www.bitzer.de

acrjournal.uk ACR_DECJAN20.indd 1

18/11/2019 18:51

NuChill

®

a thermOzone ltd product

Custom chillers built for you...

“When we approached the design of the chiller we always consider the following;, Client Scope of works Concept design Manufacture Install & Ease of service We also take into account the way the chiller is going to last and mature over its running life time” Chief Designer

ThermOzone Thermacom.indd 1

W www.thermagroup.com

T 0118 9181 400 26/11/2019 09:32

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E sales@thermagroup.com Thermacom.indd 2

Kelvin House | Preston Road | Reading | Berkshire | RG2 0BE 26/11/2019 09:32

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2020 vision and a snapshot of 1989 Much of what follows in this final issue of 1989-2019 the year looks at the challenges ahead as we prepare to enter the 2020s. The environment and refrigerants again feature strongly and we will be doing our best to keep you up to date with developments as the new year unfolds.

It’s also a perfect time for reflection and, as part of the ACR Journal’s 30th Anniversary celebrations, we have created a snapshot of 1989 as people in the industry recall what they were up to three decades ago. See how many faces you recognise from the photographs on page 41… and then read how things have progressed for Fujitsu, BITZER UK, Business Edge, HRP and Airedale International.

FEATURES

Confidence

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There was another milestone recently as the IOR Scotland celebrated its 40th Anniversary Dinner in some style. A record-breaking sold-out gathering of 490 in Glasgow makes this one of the biggest industry dinners on the UK calendar and the people who have worked tirelessly to make it happen deserve enormous credit.

This issue will hopefully reach you at around the same time as the 10th ACR Trainee of the Year Awards take place at The Belfry and we catch up with six more previous winners on page 60. It’s fascinating to see the different career paths taken and underlines the opportunities available in this industry. We are also looking ahead to the National ACR & HP Awards in Manchester on January 23, which have attracted very strong entries across the categories.

Hopefully, the level of interest in events both north and south of the border reflects a sense of growing confidence.

A very Merry Christmas to everyone from all at the ACR Journal... wishing each of you health and happiness in 2020.

Enjoy the magazine.

Editor David Todd T 01778 392094 E david.todd@ warnersgroup.co.uk

December | January 2019

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Anniversary Feature

Controlled comfort

Air conditioning

41

An industry snapshot from 1989

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Ready for the challenge

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HRP

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Looking after London

45 Airedale International

Chillers

46

BITZER UK

48

Fujitsu

50

Business Edge

54

Data Centre Cooling Feature

Dealing with overheating

Aermec

Wholesale

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Aqua Group

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Hydratech

Straight talk on F-Gas

59

Guardian Water Treatment

Refrigerants

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New chapter for library

25 R32 efficiency boost 26

Installation beats the heat

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Ventilation

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Together we’re stronger

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Distribution

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35

The sustainable alternative

Refrigeration

Delivering for logistics giant

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Making SURE

38 Why the need for change?

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Natural choice for ice rink

Training

Catching up with TOTY winners

HEAT PUMPS 66 Boost for low carbon pledge 67 Unlocking district potential 68 Rocky road to Net Zero 69 Ground source for historic hall

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Industry snapshot of 1989 3

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2020

As the ACR Journal celebrates 30 years of telling your stories, we asked what people in the industry were up to back in 1989…

We have managed to unearth a few photographs from the era, so see if you can match the 80s faces with the people featured overleaf. If you are struggling, the answers can be found on page 43.

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ECOLITE // LHL3E

As the ACR Journal celebrates 30 years of telling your stories, we asked what people in the industry were up to back in 1989…

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Robyn Teague

News

Ben Bartle-Ross

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I’m trained to know, so Ask ME

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Tools Talk

Leak detection solutions

Women in ACR

Anniversary memories.indd

Sisters41 Rachel Wales and

Lisa Whitmore

70 Changing Faces

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Projects, products and people

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01778 395029 robyn.teague@warnersgroup.co.uk

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Anniversary memories.indd 41

Who’s new and who’s moved

Innovation Zone

Editorial Design

20/11/2019 14:54

Ady Braddock

The latest products and launches

Advertising Design

Chilly Chatter

Industry chat and updates

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Multimedia Sales Executive

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REGULARS

ECOLITE // LHL5E

The seven ECOLITE models of the BITZER condensing unit family feature optimal usability thanks to a simple plug and play concept. Perfect adaptability allows for a wide range of applications in different climate areas and temperature ranges. The ECOLITE condensing units conform to the MEPS 2018 and can be used for all common refrigerants as well as A1 HFO blends. Boost efficiency by combining the mini-channel condenser with a semi-hermetic BITZER ECOLINE compressor and use BEST SOFTWARE for overall support of all condensing units. The VARISTEP function, which is standard, ensures maximum adaptability of ECOLITE for all kinds of applications. Learn more at www.bitzer.de

Our trip down memory lane continues on the following pages with contributions from HRP, Airedale, BITZER UK, Fujitsu and Business Edge (also preparing for a 30-year milestone)… plus a Women in ACR special on sisters Rachel Wales and Lisa Whitmore.

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See pages 32 & 33 for details

MAXI M UM ADAPTABILITY. VERSATILE APPLICATION.

We have managed to unearth a few photographs from the era, so see if you can match the 80s faces with the people featured overleaf. If you are struggling, the answers can be found on page 43.

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ISSN 2058-4407

Essential Information for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry

9

7

1989-2019

Our trip down memory lane continues on the following pages with contributions from HRP, Airedale, BITZER UK, Fujitsu and Business Edge (also preparing for a 30-year milestone)… plus a Women in ACR special on sisters Rachel Wales and Lisa Whitmore.

Industry snapshot of 1989

06

05

CO NTENTS

acrjournal.uk

20/11/2019 14:54

Natalie Reynolds

Production Sue Ward 01778 392405 production@warnersgroup.co.uk

Subscriptions Single copy £3.00; Annual UK subscription £35.00 Overseas £65.00

Publishing Editor Juliet Loiselle CompCIPHE/MInstR 01778 391067 julietl@warnersgroup.co.uk

Published by: Warners Group Publications Plc The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs, PE10 9PH 01778 391000 01778 394748 www.warnersgroup.co.uk © Copyright 2020

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XL20 IN LIVE CO-OP TRIAL A new Co-op convenience store in Derbyshire is conducting a live trial of Chemours’ Opteon XL20 (R454C) lower GWP A2L HFO blend refrigerant.

With a GWP of 148, XL20 refrigerant was selected for what is said to be the first of two trial stores featuring A2L technologies, as part of a collaboration between Central England Co-operative, Chemours and a team of stakeholders from the refrigeration industry.

Chemours supplied the refrigerant and technical support, Emerson supplied compressors, PureCold supplied A2L-ready cabinets and Space Engineering constructed a dual discharge refrigeration pack suitable for A2L refrigerant applications in a retail environment. The design was created according to the guidance in EN378 and installed by Oak Refrigeration following a rigorous risk assessment from consultant Cool Concerns to ensure safe use in this type of application.

The trials form part of Central England's 10-year F-Gas strategy, which has already seen it retrofitting existing R404A systems to mid-range <1500 GWP HFO blends. The retailer is said to be comfortable with the operating characteristics of these systems and has seen the energy-efficiency gains from these retrofits.

Mike Creamer chosen for IOR president

The Co-op store in Langley Park, Derbyshire

Elsewhere, Chemours has announced that GI Industrial Holding has adopted Opteon XL41 (R454B) and XL55 (R452B) low GWP HFO refrigerants to replace R410A in its scroll chiller systems.

XL41 and XL55 are HFO A2L class refrigerants for new equipment with and are said to provide similar capacity and improved energy efficiency compared to R410A, as well as a close match in compressor discharge temperature.

Grimsby Institute senior training consultant Jason Clark with four new J & E Hall first year apprentices

Mike Creamer will be the next president of the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) after members selected him as their presidentelect. The founder and MD of training and consultancy company Business Edge had been nominated for the role alongside REFCOM's Graeme Fox. He will now join the IOR board of trustees and support the current president, Kevin Glass, until his term concludes in November next year.

The result of the election was announced at the IOR AGM in London, where ACR Journal publisher Juliet Loiselle and Lisa-Jayne Cook, sales and applications engineer at J & E Hall, were elected to the board of trustees, replacing David Bostock and Mike Nankivell, who have completed their three-year terms.

30 years of Business Edge, page 50.

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J & E Hall welcomes six new apprentices

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J & E Hall has taken on six new apprentices as it expands its scheme to introduce young people to the business and the refrigeration industry.

New first year apprentices working in the service business are Jack Blackmore (Cardiff), Scott Pyne (Manchester) Jonathan Burns (Glasgow) and Isacc Dynes (Southampton). Jack MacFarlane (Glasgow) has joined as a second year apprentice, while Aimee Wallis will serve a two-year apprenticeship in administration with J & E Hall’s air conditioning subsidiary company, Daikin Applied Service, with an option for a further year.

The company currently has 20 apprentices and since 2010 has recruited nearly 50 apprentices into the industry. Managing Director Andrew Bowden and Service Director Peter McAllister are former J & E Hall apprentices.

December | January 2020

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Trane extends rooftop range Trane has expanded its Airfinity XL series of packaged HVAC rooftop units with two larger models.

The XL 250 and 270, available in heat pump and cooling-only versions, extend the range up to 270kW of nominal capacity, and 44,000 cubic meters of nominal airflow. When bundled with the Trane Energy Recovery Module, the units are said to deliver up to 20% additional capacity.

The Airfinity rooftop is a portfolio of outdoor plugand-play HVAC units for logistics centre, warehouse and industrial comfort applications. Trane says the range was designed to save installers’ time and reduce initial and ongoing maintenance costs by improving the efficiency of existing buildings.

Artus

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC COMPLETES R32 INDOOR LINE-UP

Mitsubishi Electric says it is now offering a full range of indoor unit types on R32 refrigerant, following the addition of its new MFZ-KT R32 floor mounted systems to the M Series.

The new range, which features a built-in refrigerant leak detector, is available in 2.5kW, 3.5kW and 5kW capacities and connection to R32 MXZ multi-split outdoor units is also possible if required.

Product manager Jordan Jeewood said: “Mitsubishi Electric is committed to helping our customers reduce their carbon emissions through lower GWP air conditioning units. The latest update to our M Series range means we now offer a full range of R32 indoor unit types, providing unparalleled choice to customers.”

Looking after London, page 22.

™

comfort cooling re-imagined

Now with heating and cooling, Artus offers complete thermal comfort in a single package.

•

Compact, efficient comfort air conditioning solution

•

Seamless integration into exposed and lowered ceilings

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Integrated controls and features remove the requirement for external fittings such as valves, secondary duct work, fan controls and sensors

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Quick to install

•

Easy to maintain

•

Dramatically lower energy consumption than a traditional fan coil

•

Even air distribution via swirl pattern

For more information call 0113 2391000 or visit www.discoverartus.com CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

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Cool Talk launch for new society Cross Rental acquires Swegon Hire UK HVAC hire specialist Cross Rental Services Group has completed the acquisition of Swegon Hire UK. Swegon Hire has a 30-year heritage in the UK HVAC industry and is known for supplying temporary cooling and heating solutions, particularly the manufacturing, food & beverage and defence industries.

The wider Swegon UK business will continue to trade as usual and maintain its focus on indoor environmental quality by providing a complete offering in HVAC,

CAREL'S 30 YEARS IN REFRIGERATION CAREL will celebrate 30 years in the refrigeration sector and outline its plans for the future at Euroshop 2020 in Dusseldorf.

The company released its first refrigeration product in 1990, after 17 years of operating exclusively in the air conditioning sector. Its S90 controller, pictured below, boasted features includin g the ability to combine the thermostat and defrost functions on the same device, simple installation, and a large backlit LCD display.

Euroshop 2020 will take place in Dusseldorf, February 16-20.

December | January 2020

News.indd 8

including ventilation, heating and cooling, as well as system solutions.

Cross Rental Services says the acquisition enables the two businesses to bring together their highly skilled teams, an increased hire fleet profile, and an improved support infrastructure designed to deliver first class customer service.

The Swegon Hire brand and operating name will be phased out and the business will trade under the Cross Rental Services brand.

The South West and South Wales Refrigeration Society launched with an inaugural Cool Talk Breakfast Briefing in Bristol in November.

Lisa Waters, Events Manager at the IOR, said: “We welcome the creation of regional bodies like the new South West and South Wales Refrigeration Society as they can work closely with members operating locally and can offer a targeted service tailored to regional needs.”

Visit https://ior.org.uk/events to find out more about future events of the society, email ior@ior.org.uk

Humidity Solutions seals Cotes deal Humidity Solutions is now the exclusive UK distributor for Danish desiccant dehumidifier manufacturer Cotes.

Cotes designs and manufactures dehumidifiers for applications including lithium-ion battery production, food industry production facilities, cold stores and freezer tunnels, storage facilities, spray drying installations and wind turbines. Microprocessor-based control units and advanced sensors are said to make Cotes dehumidifiers easy to control, with the exact degree of automation applications require.

At a meeting at the Royal Danish John Barker, left, with Peter Lange of Cotes, centre, and Embassy in London, John Barker MD Per Andersen from the Danish Embassy of Humidity Solutions and Peter Lange, Export Sales Manager for Cotes, met with Per Andersen from the embassy’s commercial section to discuss the opportunities this new agreement will offer both companies.

The new agreement will strengthen Humidity Solutions’ links with Denmark as the company is also the UK distributor for Airtec, manufacturer of adiabatic humidification systems. The UK is currently Denmark’s 4th largest trading partner.

Volume 6 No.1

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www.fujitsu-general.com/uk

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Fujitsu Air Conditioning | The name you can rely on

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HAWCO TO DISTRIBUTE PANASONIC CO 2 UNITS Panasonic UK has announced Hawco as a distributor of its CO2 condensing units.

The range has been developed for small to medium capacity applications within the retail and food service sectors and is said to be particularly suited to small supermarkets, convenience stores and garage forecourt retail operations. The CO2 Cold Chain units are suitable for both refrigerated and freezer showcases, walk-in freezers and cold rooms, and refrigeration within the restaurant and hotel sectors.

Martin Butler of Hawco said: “We were conscious that from 2022 all new condensing units used for refrigeration will need to be installed using a refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 150 or less. In practice, only a handful of refrigerants meet this criterion, with R744 (CO2 ) being the most appealing for most commercial cold room applications.”

The range has been in development for more than 10 years and Panasonic says more than 10,000 units have been installed worldwide.

GEA explores Bock sale Düsseldorf-based GEA is exploring the possible sale of its Bock compressor business in 2020 as the company concentrates on core markets including the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Having already announced plans to divest selected activities of the Farm Technologies and Refrigeration Technologies divisions, the company later confirmed that GEA Bock would no longer be treated as a core business of the group.

GEA Bock is a leading supplier of open and semi-hermetic piston compressors in the lower and medium refrigeration capacity range for stationary and transport-related cooling applications. It generated sales of around EUR 90million in the 2018 financial year ° T he StarCO2mpressor from Bock, pictured, was awarded the Innovation Label Award 2019 at the Busworld trade fair in Brussels. The judges picked the GEA's new generation of mobile CO2 compressors for electric bus and railway air conditioning and heating, featuring the innovative "star" drive gear design.

Airedale celebrates Yorkshire double

Alfredos Armaos of Panasonic, left, and Martin Butler of Hawco

NEW RANGE OF HEAT PUMP CHILLERS Panasonic has introduced a new series of heat pump chillers, designed for hotels, commercial and industrial premises.

Available in a range of sizes, offering heating and cooling capacities from 20kW to 210kW, the manufacturer says the ECOi-W series has high SEER/SCOP values (average SEER of 3.85 and SCOP 3.32), quiet operation and a compact footprint.

Airedale International Air Conditioning picked up a second award in a matter of weeks as it was named Manufacturer of the Year at the CIBSE Yorkshire Awards.

The Leeds-based company enjoyed success in the same category at the recent Yorkshire Post Business in Excellence Awards.

The award recognised the launch of AireWall, Airedale’s precision computer room air handling unit, developed for use in the data centre market. AireWall flexes output to match demand, using the latest fan and coil technologies to maximise free cooling and operating efficiencies.

From left, Paul Golding, Richard Nicholls and Jeremy Hodgin of Airedale with the CIBSE Yorkshire Manufacturer of the Year Award

°P anasonic has upgraded its wired-in Touch Hotel Controller.

The new look includes a touch screen digital display interface, new fascia design and NFC communication for easy commissioning even without connected power - and setup with Android, improving functionality for installers, the hotel and guests.

December | January 2020

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Volume 6 No.1

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Ask

about the UK’s first VRF system Available in both heat recovery and heat pump variants, the new R32 YNW system offers the complete design flexibility, high-efficiency and low noise that is only available from the City Multi range.

The ongoing implications of the F-Gas phase down mean that businesses are under pressure to reduce their global warming impact as never before. The addition of this R32 VRF solution delivers the UK’s only complete range of R32 air conditioning so that one single refrigerant can now be used across a complete building or an entire estate.

Find out more about the UK’s first R32 VRF system at: solutions-me.co.uk/RACRJ2 R32 has a global warming potential (GWP) of 675, compared with R410A, which has a GWP of 2,088.

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COOLING | HEATING | VENTILATION | CONTROLS

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR CLIMALIFE CUSTOMERS A strong focus on the importance of energy efficiency and a rare opportunity to compare at first hand the respective offers of refrigerant heavyweights Chemours and Honeywell were among the highlights of the Climalife IDS Refrigeration customer event in Warwickshire.

Allan Harper, Managing Director of Climalife UK, welcomed over 70 contractors and distributors and said more challenges lay ahead in 2020 and 2021 with energy efficiency, climate change and F-Gas having a part to play in the choice of refrigerants in the future.

He said: “The objective of the event was to refocus on where we are now and to support our customers in the coming F-Gas challenges, by bringing together some of our suppliers who are considered to be leaders in their markets. Lower GWP refrigerants such as R448A, R449A and R513A have quickly established themselves in the market but we now need to step up the adoption of A2L refrigerants. Also important is the use of leak detection equipment, and suitable lubricants for equipment to ensure the efficiency of installed systems.’’

He urged against the installation of new equipment using higher GWP refrigerants, and described a recent experience when Climalife was looking to replace an HVAC system as part of an office refit at its Bristol HQ… and the quotes submitted were all for systems on R410A. Climalife UK Technical Director Peter Dinnage gave an update on F-Gas and details of the bans that apply from January for refrigerants with a GWP >2500 and the options available for end users that still have equipment running on the high GWP refrigerants. He said: “In three or four years, we’ll be saying ‘what was all the fuss about with A2Ls’, but we have to get there.’’

Pawel Wisnik, Honeywell senior application engineer, presented Honeywell’s A2L range for refrigeration and air conditioning, in particular Solstice L40X (R455A) and Solstice ze (R1234ze). He outlined why these products represent longterm solutions to build and operate safe and environmentally

Back, from left, Dave Richards (Climalife), Colin Anderson, Karl Roberts (both Bacharach), Neil Roberts (Chemours), Pawel Wisnik (Honeywell).

Front, Bert-Jan Hermsen (Mobil Exxon), Allan Harper (Climalife), Peter Dinnage (Climalife) and Mark Hughes (Chemours)

preferable systems for commercial refrigeration and air conditioning chiller applications.

Mark Hughes from Chemours gave an update on how the market is implementing the company’s A2L Opteon XL HFO blends, while colleague Neil Roberts talked about reducing climate change emissions in commercial refrigeration and said the very low GWP blends offer the best combination of life cycle costs and emissions performance in commercial refrigeration.

Karl Roberts from Bacharach spoke about the importance of leak detection equipment for safety, legislative, environmental and economic reasons and Bert-Jan Hermsen from Exxon Mobil highlighted the areas where lubricants can impact a refrigeration system’s overall efficiency.

Dave Richards, Head of Sales for Climalife UK, presented details of other low GWP refrigerants in their range along with other energy saving heat transfer fluids, cleaning products and other components.

Rink makes natural choice, page 40.

R466A DESIGNATED A1 NON-FLAMMABLE Honeywell has announced that its new Solstice N41 (R466A) refrigerant has received the official designation A1 by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), making it the first A1 non-flammable low GWP alternative to R410A. Available from next year, Honeywell says its scientists devoted years of research and development to solve a key problem facing the industry.

George Koutsaftes, president, Honeywell Advanced Materials, said: “We developed Solstice N41 to address the many regulatory and safety challenges facing the industry. This product is the first non-flammable refrigerant developed as

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an R410A alternative, and is also better for the environment, energy efficient, and cost-effective for the end user with minimal conversion required. Safety is paramount and the properties of Solstice N41 make it a groundbreaking technology for the industry.”

Regulations including Europe’s F-Gas regulation require the phase down of high GWP products, prompting the HVAC industry to seek new alternatives.

The current industry standard refrigerant, R410A, which was developed and brought to market by Honeywell, must be replaced with an energy-efficient, lower-GWP solution with similar or better performance.

Honeywell adds that early testing indicates that Solstice N41 requires minimal changes to equipment and no additional training for installation and repair technicians, allowing original equipment manufacturers to convert from R410A. In addition, there is no additional safety or liability risk to homeowners and the whole supply chain. Solstice N41 is being extensively tested by over 15 OEMs and compressor manufacturers, with more than 30,000 hours of testing in different applications such as commercial AC (VRF, rooftops) and residential systems.

Volume 6 No.1

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Bigger range, smaller dimensions Welcome to the future

Daikin UK now offers a low-height, single fan Sky Air range up to 25kW capacity, with an incredibly compact casing that minimises visibility in any location and can be wall mounted on a 600mm bracket.

The reduced height, weight and newly positioned handles make it easier to transport and install, while the unique hinged door and 7-segment display make it easier to handle and service too.

New Low Height Sky Air Alpha series up to 14kW

RZA-D extends Sky Air Advance Series to 25kW

Available in 7.1, 10, 12.5 and 14kW capacity, the new low height Sky Air Alpha series RZAG-N delivers the highest Alpha speciďŹ cation and ECA eligibility, within much smaller dimensions.

With a 40m pre-charged pipe-run and EDP settings, the new RZAG-N is ideal for communications rooms.

Replacing the RZQ-C top blow units, the Sky Air Advance Series RZA-D unit now oďŹ&#x20AC;ers 20 and 25kW capacities in a compact new single fan casing.

Get ahead of the competition. Talk to Daikin about Sky Air today. www.daikin.co.uk/leadtheway

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CITY TOUCH FROM CAMFIL

Air filter manufacturer Camfil says it has launched the City Touch air purifier in response to growing concerns around the impact of pollution.

The City Touch is designed for all types of indoor environments including homes, hospitals, hotels, offices and schools, and is said to reduce the incidence of asthma and other allergies and neutralise odours by filtering out harmful particulates in the air. Air pollution is said to be the leading environmental cause of premature death, contributing to the equivalent of 5% of all fatalities worldwide.

FRESH APPROACH TO OIL REGULATION

German refrigeration component manufacturer AWA has developed a new oil regulation system for compressors.

The OLC system from the BITZER-owned company uses an electronic float sensor that generates an almost infinitely variable indication of oil level within the compressor. It can be used with both reciprocating and scroll compressors.

In addition to level, for the first time it also measures the speed of change of level, which can be important as an indicator of developing problems.

CHILLER JOINS R1234ze LINE-UP Carrier’s AquaForce Vision variablespeed air cooled screw chiller is now available with low GWP HFO R1234ze refrigerant.

The unit is said to balance environmental responsibility with performance and covers cooling capacities from 350- 800kW, with a SEER rating of up to 5.6.

A very low brine function will also be available to address specific industrial process applications.

FRI-JADO’S GREEN CREDENTIALS

Paul Gallagher of Camfil said: "If outdoor air is not effectively filtered and cleaned, then the indoor air can contain a large quantity of the harmful particulates that find their way into people's respiratory tracts and circulation systems. These particles and other substances can combine with those already present inside buildings and become more aggressive and harmful, making indoor air pollution many more times as hazardous as the outdoor variety.

Using City Touch air purifiers will not only help you to maintain healthy indoor air quality, but it will also help you to save energy and money."

December | January 2020

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Foodservice and food retailing equipment manufacturer Fri-Jado says that the investment made at the company’s new HQ in the Netherlands highlights its commitment to sustainability.

The company has moved to Oud Gastel, around 25 miles south of Rotterdam, and the 17,924 sq m building’s roof features 6,500 solar panels, generating enough electricity to serve the needs of 400-500 households per year. The climate control system is driven by three latest generation heat pumps. The building is protected by the highest levels of insulation to further reduce energy consumption, while the interior and exterior of the plant benefit from energy efficient sensor-controlled LED lighting.

UK’s Director of National Accounts Gary Thacker, said: “Whilst many manufacturers are merely paying lip service to green initiatives, Fri-Jado has demonstrated a root and branch approach to sustainability.”

Volume 6 No.1

21/11/2019 17:13

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LG launches compact R32 VRF range

ARTCOOL SINGLE SPLIT ADDED

LG has added a single split option to its Artcool Gallery range of air conditioning units in the UK using R32 refrigerant. The units, which allow users to customise their space with interchangeable artwork, were already available for multi split and VRF systems.

Standard features from the single split range include auto cleaning, jet cool, 3-way swing, fast heating and the silence mode – at just 3dB. It features LG’s dual inverter compressor at its heart, which the company says provides a system that cools faster, lasts longer and operates more quietly than conventional models at around 19dB. The varied speed dual rotary compressor motor in the single split units has a wider rotational frequency, with a higher volumetric quick cooling capacity than conventional compressors. The dual inverter compressor is said to reduce the vibration associated with its operation and with it the sound pressure levels.

RNLI/Nicholas Leach

LG has launched what it describes as the industry’s first compact R32 VRF range, the Multi V S. Designed for residential buildings and small to mediumsized offices, the manufacturer says the single-fan product makes installation possible in smaller spaces, due to a 40% reduction in volume and 23% reduction in weight. In addition, the Multi V S requires 4.3kg of R32 compared to the previously required 5.6kg on the R410A version.

The 4, 5 and 6 HP outdoor units, which can be connected to up to 13 indoor units, are available now.

With VRF systems often installed on balconies, the product’s appearance has also been updated and the new Multi V S operates at a noise level of approximately 50-52dBs (A).

LG says efficiency has not been compromised by the reduction in size, due to the R1 hybrid scroll compressor, while the internal heat exchanger includes enhanced corrosion resistance with LG’s Black Fin technology, providing stronger protection to air pollution and salt contamination.

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Controlled comfort, page 16.

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A IR C ON D IT ION IN G

Titan House in Hatfield

LG says the Multi V 5 features a number of technological advancements

The 3 pipe heat recovery system is connected to 12 ceiling mounted cassette units

An LG Multi V 5 VRF system is providing an advanced air conditioning solution for the London & South divisional HQ of ENGIE Regeneration.

The occupier of the offices in Hatfield inherited background air conditioning but following the division of the second floor at Titan Court into smaller offices and meeting rooms, needed additional air conditioning that could be controlled room by room.

The LG 3 pipe heat recovery system is connected to 12 ceiling mounted cassette units, and the football allegiance of ENGIE Regeneration’s Regional MD, Simon Lacey, is clear to see with each room sporting the name of a famous Arsenal player from recent years, including Bergkamp, Henry, Merson and Adams.

ENGIE is a leading energy and services company focused on three key activities – production and supply of energy, facilities management and regeneration. 17,000 employees combine these capabilities for the benefit of individuals, businesses and communities throughout the UK and Ireland. The company enables customers

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Controlled comfort from LG System monitors both temperature and humidity levels. to embrace a lower carbon, more efficient and increasingly digital world. They benefit from energy efficient and smart building solutions, the provision of effective and innovative services, the transformation of neighbourhoods through regeneration projects, and the supply of reliable, flexible and renewable energy.

The LG equipment was supplied by M3R Climate and installed by office fitting company Woodhouse. LG used its advanced LATS CAD software to display the concept of the installation to the client prior to the decision to select LG equipment for the task.

Ultimate solution “We were delighted to be selected for this prestigious project,” says LG’s DonnaMarie Evans. “The Multi V 5 has a host of technological advancements. These include a ‘Dual Sensing Control’ system, which monitors both temperature and humidity levels, reacting to both sensible and latent heat loads. It features LG’s own 5th generation ultimate inverter compressor and a larger system capacity

offering, along with improved seasonal efficiencies, making Multi V 5 the ultimate climate control solution.’’

Dual Sensing Control is a new concept said to reduce operating costs and optimise comfort conditions. The Multi V 5 system reacts to load requirements by monitoring both temperature and humidity levels. Using Smart Load Control (SLC), the system operating conditions are regulated in reaction to both latent and sensible heat loads rather than a traditional sensible load only, increasing energy efficiency by up to 31% compared to non-SLC models.

LG’s own 5th generation compressor offers a number of technological developments, including a High Sided Shell (HSS), High Pressure Oil Return (HIPOR) and a new Polyetheretheketone (PEEK) bearing allows an all inverter, system compressor to operate between 10Hz – 165Hz, increasing partial efficiencies, extending capacity, and increasing reliability.

partner.lge.com/uk

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MITS U B IS H I E L E C TR IC

I’m trained to know so go on, Ask ME

Ben Bartle-Ross explores the things engineers ask on training courses.

If you’ve read any of my regular columns in ACR Journal, you will know that I meet and train hundreds of HVAC and heating engineers every year, so I am well used to tackling any questions that come at me – including some that come from completely left of field.

And that is exactly what I as a trainer, and we as a manufacture, want. We need to know what you, as the guys on the ‘front line’ deal with on a daily basis.

Only then can we feed this back to our fantastic R&D experts in the factories, who can build adaptions to our global products that can then take into account the variants that we need for the UK market.

Energy efficiency That’s also why we created The Hub, as a central location to share knowledge on HVAC construction and environmental

issues that can answer some of the questions we all have.

In the time I’ve been with Mitsubishi Electric, we have moved far beyond our traditional role as a manufacturer of air conditioning systems, increasing our portfolio and taking us into areas such as chillers, heat pumps and ventilation.

So, whatever building your customer has, there is now an energy efficient solution that will help lower carbon emissions and deliver sustainable comfort.

Ask ME about R32 And we want to go further than that, which is why you will see our ‘Ask ME’ marketing campaign across the HVAC press over the next few months.

We want to show you the real people behind our commitment to a customerfocused approach and, like The Hub,

we want to show you that we have the knowledge on things that affect our industry and are happy to share that.

The most read article on The Hub, which has now been viewed over 38 thousand times, concerns R32, which is of great interest to the air conditioning sector.

We need to transition to refrigerants with a lower global warming potential (GWP) and this is where R32 comes in, and why we run so many training courses – to equip engineers with the knowledge they need to install and commission systems.

Direct response The Hub articles are written primarily to expand knowledge within the construction sector, and are freely available because we truly believe that we will only find a way to a sustainable future in construction, if we all share information to help effect change.

And this is where I collaborate with my colleagues to write articles that directly answer some of the things I get asked on training courses.

So, whether it’s about plant noise levels in densely populated towns and cities, or simple instructions on advanced controllers that can help maximise efficiency and performance or equipment, there’s an article somewhere on The Hub. We also explore why R32 has so quickly become mainstream, which I often get asked in my courses, and we look at the things we have adapted in the background to make systems easier to read and understand – all of this based on direct feedback from training courses.

So go on, Ask ME a question, we are genuinely listening and if we can adapt our products and services to improve things for you, out in the field, we will.

Hope to see you on one of our courses soon.

Ben Bartle-Ross is a trainer in air conditioning and heat pump systems at Mitsubishi Electric. This and other articles of relevance to the sector can be found at: http://thehub.mitsubishielectric.co.uk, which also acts as a useful sales tool for installers.

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Volume 6 No.1

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A IR C ON D IT ION IN G

Ready for the challenge Samsung aiming to change industry habits through product quality and innovation.

Steve Fleming says he was aware of Samsung’s innovative pedigree long before he joined the company in August as Head of Air Conditioning UK & Ireland.

Prior to making the move to Chertsey to lead the B2B heating and cooling division, Fleming spent more than 18 years with Mitsubishi Electric, starting out as a sales engineer and progressing through a variety of senior roles, the most recent being Business Manager of Central Plant.

“I always saw Samsung as a major player,’’ he says. “You are looking for the businesses that can come and disrupt the market… you might lose a project to them and wonder why. I was aware of the big strides Samsung was making, but in the short time I have been here, I have still been surprised by the level of innovation.

Steve Fleming of Samsung

It’s as though it’s bred into the people who work for the company.’’

He uses the 360 Cassette, Wind-Free technology and a strong heat pump offering to illustrate his point. He said: “I don’t know for sure what’s coming next in terms of new launches, but I do know it will be exciting. The products look good and the important thing is that the overall quality is as good as it looks.’’

Fleming will celebrate his 50th birthday next year and says the offer to join Samsung was one he couldn’t turn down. “It was the opportunity to work for a great company and I was ready for a new challenge. I made some great friends at my previous company and this is the chance to work with new people and face new challenges.’’

Although Samsung is a huge global

Underfloor solution for mixed-use project

An underfloor air conditioning system has been provided for a mixed-use development in central London. One Benjamin is a new address opposite the new Farringdon station with 43,562 sq ft of office, retail and residential space.

The original air conditioning design specified four downflow units per floor, two supplying the rear zone of the building and two for the front zone. Each zone was split into two further zones; one supplying cool air towards the perimeter of the building (where it is needed more to combat solar gain), and the other providing warmer air to the central areas of the office space where there is less heat generated by the sun.

AET Flexible Space had built up a working relationship with the main contractor, Knight Harwood, while working on a previous project at 20 Soho Square. Having seen the advantages of the system on that project, Knight Harwood saw the opportunity to implement the underfloor solution for the three floors of office space. Knight Harwood felt that the system would be more suited to cope with the variations in temperature across the building caused by increased/ decreased sunlight.

AET’s underfloor systems make use of the space beneath a raised access floor to create the air ventilation path, eliminating the need for

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ceiling-based services and associated duct and pipework. At One Benjamin, each of the three floors was divided into zones of up to 300m2 depending on the potential use and occupancy density of the area. Each zone is then supplied with chilled or warmed air by a zonal air handling unit or CAM (conditioned air module) and the conditioned air is then delivered into the space using a number of recessed fan terminals (fantile).

AET’s underfloor CAM-V systems make use of the space beneath a raised access floor to create the air ventilation path

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AIR CO NDITIO NIN G brand, its air conditioning footprint in the UK is significantly smaller than Mitsubishi Electric, and Fleming sees raising overall awareness of the range and changing habits as foremost among those challenges.

He said: “We need to get the products into people’s hands and get them to try it; that’s the only way to change their minds.

We want to be able to give our customers the edge when they are putting the equipment in front of end users.

More visible “That means getting out there more, being more visible, and working hard with a fantastic group of distributors. It’s about changing the habits of installers, specifiers/consultants and end users. We want to change the habits of the industry one by one, be it consultant, contractor or end user.''

The addition of Wind-Free to other areas of the Samsung range began at the recent Interclima trade show in Paris, where the

"I don't know for sure what will be coming next in terms of new launches, but I do know it will be exciting." manufacturer announced a new range of wall-mounted units with R32 refrigerant, combining Wind-Free technology with AIpowered smart features.

Expected to be available in the first quarter of next year, Samsung says the addition of its AI (Artificial Intelligence) Auto Cooling feature analyses room conditions, user-preferred temperatures and cooling modes, and even the outdoor climate to automatically switch to the most appropriate setting.

It has a built-in Motion Detect Sensor (MDS) that tracks user movements to cool efficiently while avoiding wasting energy.

The sensor can detect when there are no users in the room, automatically changing

21

the air conditioner settings to slightly increase the temperature or turn on the standby mode.

The systems use Samsung’s new Digital Inverter Boost compressor, said to allow consumers to maintain the desired temperature while reducing energy consumption. The compressor is developed to help maintain indoor temperature without having to turn the unit on and off repeatedly.

Wim Vangeenberghe, Vice President Global HVAC Solution Business at Samsung Electronics, and President at SEACE, said: “Samsung’s participation at Interclima demonstrates our ongoing mission to create climate solutions that deliver distinctive performance in our key markets. Samsung’s new air conditioner range for 2020 combines our renowned Wind-Free cooling technology with new AI-powered smart features that maximise consumer comfort while meeting the demand for higher energy-efficiency.”

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A IR C ON D IT ION IN G

Looking after London…

Mitsubishi Electric believes the move to Southwark leaves it well placed to support the capital’s construction sector

Mitsubishi Electric has recently moved into new premises on London’s South Bank. We caught up with London Business Manager Rob Bowden to discuss the opportunities that the London construction market brings, and look at how Mitsubishi Electric is supporting the capital’s construction sector to create an efficient and sustainable built environment.

What excites you about operating in the London market?

On my way into London each morning, I look up to see the cranes on the horizon, and the activity and growth is self-evident.

It’s exciting to know our team is playing a part in the development of some of the most innovative and award-winning buildings in the capital.

As a HVAC manufacturer we are constantly innovating our products to future-proof our customers’ buildings against existing legislative and new regulatory requirements. Providing high performing and competitive systems, as well as versatility in our product range, helps us in this forward-thinking approach.

What do you consider to be your team’s key role?

This approach always requires collaboration and we are proud to work with some

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incredible consultants, architects and design specialists and play our part at the earliest stage in the development of many award-winning buildings in London.

The consultants we work with have to have a vast knowledge of how the whole building works, bringing together all the technology specialists (such as heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, etc) to ensure it is designed for tomorrow – it’s always a privilege to support in this process.

To what extent has the changing London construction landscape played a part in your office expansion?

With a growing demand for mixed-use buildings, office space and residential towers within the M25, there are more constraints than ever on the space for HVAC plant, and greater restrictions on noise levels. Commercial and domestic

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AIR CO NDITIO NIN G buildings also have different requirements for heating and cooling equipment, and mixed-use buildings can pose a challenge to designers as they have a need to meet both domestic and commercial demands.

There is also a growing need for heat pumps as an alternative form of heating as the industry moves towards more efficient solutions, meaning that the demand for our services has increased significantly.

The implementation of regulations such as SAP 10 and the London Plan, mean that London now has some of the most stringent legislative demands in the UK, and this means that the construction industry is now creating the most efficient and sustainable working and living environments possible, as well as setting new standards for health and wellbeing. With our new London-based office, we are now well placed to support the industry in achieving this.

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Why are you investing more in your consultative offering?

What are the challenges facing the construction sector now?

We needed a new home for our growing team and our location in Southwark means we are in close proximity to the largest number of architects, consultants and design specialists in the UK. We are fortunate to have an incredible client and partner base, so this is pivotal to our ability to serve the growing demand we are seeing in London. Our expanded specialist team has increased our consultative offering in London, meaning we’re right here and on call in the heart of the capital.

In the face of changing legislation and regulations, as well as a heightened focus on sustainable building practices, the need for expertise and advice is more important than ever. We’ve been helping our customers understand the latest innovations in cooling, heating, ventilation and smart controls for decades.

Speaking to our customers and partners at our recent events, we are all faced with a similar challenge. That is the constant quest for excellence in everything we do. In modern, energy efficient buildings, this excellence is needed in the ‘invisible environment’ parts of a building – covering air quality and ventilation, acoustics, heating, cooling and controls. A lot of work and design goes into something you don’t actually see or even recognise – quite often though, the less visible a system is, the better it is doing its job.

We are always learning, always adapting, brainstorming and innovating, and that’s what gets us up in the morning.

Mitsubishi Electric’s London new London office will host a series of customer events over the coming months where clients will be invited to meet the team, who can offer guidance, support and expertise for major projects and developments. The new offices are at Sustainable Bankside, 25 Lavington Street, Southwark.

robert.bowden@meuk.mee.com

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

Robert Bowden, centre, with Chris Kargakis, left, and Ben Webb at the new London office

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C H IL L E R S

New chapter for palace library

How the new Lambeth Palace library will look

A priceless collection will be protected by the latest chiller technology from Carrier.

Books and manuscripts dating back nearly 1,000 years will be protected in controlled conditions by Carrier AquaSnap chillers and heat pumps in a new library at Lambeth Palace, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The new building, currently under construction within the grounds of Lambeth Palace on the South Bank of the River Thames, will house the priceless collection comprising over 4,600 manuscripts and 200,000 printed books stretching back to the 9th Century. They document over 1,000 years of ecclesiastical and cultural life of the Church of England and Great Britain, including the Gutenberg Bible with English illumination, which is believed to be the first printed book to arrive to England, as well as Elizabeth I's own prayer book.

The building and its services are designed to protect the archives from changes in humidity, temperature, air pollution and flood risk. The design for the environmental control solution, produced by engineering firm Max Fordham, had to address the needs of two principal zones within the building – archive storage facilities and areas occupied by people on a daily basis.

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The AquaSnap 30RQS reversible heat pump chiller from Carrier

Humidity control Conditions for archive storage areas follow the recommendations of PD 5454, Guide for the Storage and Exhibition of Archival Materials, which requires a temperature of 8°C during winter and 18°C in summer, with a Relative Humidity (RH) of 45%. These conditions will be maintained as far as possible using a passive approach, with high levels of insulation and thermal inertia provided by the building fabric.

Conditions will be constantly monitored and if they begin to drift outside pre-set limits, the HVAC equipment will be used to maintain temperatures and humidity levels.

Occupied areas including offices, seminar and reading rooms, a conservation suite and exhibition areas, are served by fan coil units with fresh air ducted into the spaces with humidity control.

The heating and cooling solution, specified by Max Fordham and installed by

East West Connect, includes four Carrier chillers, two of which are cooling-only units and the others heat pump-based chillers.

Equipment is sited in two plant rooms located on the ground and first floor. The heat pumps provide heating by default, but can also be operated in reverse cycle mode to augment cooling when summer conditions require additional capacity.

“It is a highly efficient solution, and instead of requiring six chillers with four on cooling duties and two on heating, the heat pumps enable just four chillers to cover all requirements,” said Max Fordham’s Lidia Guerra, who led the environmental control design team.

“The Carrier plant provides this through intelligent communication between the cooling and heating sides of the system.

"If the cooling system is unable to deliver the required capacity – due to either extreme weather conditions or in the unlikely event of mechanical breakdown – the heat pump units can be operated in reverse to provide additional cooling to bridge the gap.”

The Church Commissioners for England commissioned architect Wright & Wright to design the new library, with main contractor Knight Harwood. The project is due to be completed in Spring 2020. www.carrieraircon.co.uk

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Driving up efficiency

CHILLERS

25

R32-based compressors help improve performance for chiller range.

Airedale International Air Conditioning has reported an estimated 7% increase in European Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ESEER) for its latest generation of Azure DeltaChill chillers using R32 refrigerant and BITZER’s Orbit 8 scroll compressors.

The improvement on its previous R410A range was achieved during comprehensive tests over several months on prototypes with various compressor options. BITZER supported the development team with access to advance performance data for the refrigerant and visits to the company’s UK R&D facility by James Cullen, global Director Scroll Product Management.

Callum Teahan, Airedale’s lead mechanical engineer, who headed up the product development team, said: “The forerunner to Airedale’s DeltaChill R32 was based on the R410A version of BITZER’s scroll, so it made sense to trial the R32 version in order to minimise design changes to the platform. In addition, model variants available, such as the GSU Orbit + and Economiser compatibility, made it attractive in terms of meeting future changes under Ecodesign Tier 2 (2021) efficiency targets.”

Prototypes included different evaporator technologies, as well as Airedale’s traditional choice of condenser. Tests were carried out at standard rating conditions and at the extremes of the operational

The BITZER Orbit+ R32 scroll compressor

envelope to check performance and reliability. Other measures included tests for ESEER, Ecodesign SSCEE, oil return tests in worst-case conditions (low mass flow), and high and low supply water temperature.

Significant improvement Teahan added: “We initially faced some challenges in relation to oil management as R32 has a lower density and mass flow compared with R410A. Throughout the testing process BITZER were very helpful and provided technical support and expert assistance on site to enable us to resolve the issue.”

Airedale’s DeltaChill with R32 refrigerant

This included the supply of special versions of compressors fitted with oil sight tubes, enabling the development team to monitor conditions within units during testing.

Airedale is now rolling out the R32 technology across its new generation of packaged DeltaChill chillers, available in cooling capacities from 450kW to 1MW. It includes training for installers in the safe handling of R32, as part of Airedale’s BESA-accredited flammable refrigerant training courses.

Kevin Glass, Managing Director of BITZER UK, said: “The Orbit 8 scroll is well established technology, and has proven very reliable on outgoing R410A. Our own tests alongside those of Airedale show that the new R32 version is just as reliable, and delivers a significant efficiency improvement on what was already a highly efficient product. With pressure on to further reduce running costs for end users and improve systems’ environmental performance, this has to be a welcome addition.”

CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

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C H IL L E R S

Hospital beats the heat Installation took place on hottest day ever recorded in the UK. CIAT UK completed a chiller installation at Central Middlesex Hospital in north London on the hottest day ever recorded in the UK. The major project for Bouygues Energies & Services included the supply of two high performance air-cooled PowerCIAT chillers with a combined cooling capacity of over 1.5MW, management of logistics for removal of existing chillers, as well as installation and commissioning of the new units. The units supply critical cooling for the hospital’s operating theatres, wards, public spaces and administration offices.

The project required careful planning to ensure continuity of cooling to the hospital throughout the changeover, allowing for uninterrupted vital services.

“The chillers were replaced in two stages with a four-week proving stage in between, to ensure cooling could be maintained without pause,” said Cammy Singh, project manager, Bouygues E&S FM UK, Central Middlesex Hospital.

“We were fortunate in that one of the existing chillers was no longer operational, and we were able to remove this first and replace it with one of the new PowerCIAT units while the other chiller continued to meet cooling demand.”

He added: “Once we were happy the new CIAT unit was performing well and rock solid, we were able to switch off the legacy chiller and lift the second PowerCIAT into

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position. Installation and commissioning of the second chiller coincided with the hottest day ever recorded in the UK – 38.7°C in nearby Cambridge.

“We worked closely throughout with CIAT UK’s contract manager Stephen Brown, who managed the whole process from start to finish in a highly professional manner and delivered a first-class result.”

This project included fabrication of new pipework to accommodate the different connections required for the new chillers, managing craneage and logistics for lift-and-shift of the old units, installation of the new chillers, and pressure testing, refilling and commissioning.

Lifting the replacement chillers into position

New chillers in place on the hospital roof

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VENTILATIO N

Dealing with overheating

27

As structures become better insulated and the climate gets warmer, ventilation strategies should incorporate cooling technology, says Paul Harrington, Head of Residential Sales at Elta Fans.

The Vigo and PREMA ranges from Elta Fans are designed to ensure the desired temperature can be maintained regardless of outdoor conditions

Year-round solution

Until recently, the use of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) has been the preferred method for maximising thermal comfort in an energy efficient way.

Although it is effective when the outside air is cold, problems often occur when temperatures begin to rise.

This is because an improvement in the insulation of our homes has meant heat is unable to escape, and is therefore retained within buildings more than ever before.

Combined with a warming climate, this often leads to instances of overheating, and a drastic reduction in thermal comfort.

While MVHR is an effective way of managing air circulation during colder months, it is notable that its benefits are rarely discussed in summer. Even the summer bypass function, which prevents incoming air from being passed over the heat exchanger, does little to help when the outside temperatures are soaring.

Clearly, the ability to cool incoming air is becoming an increasingly important element of ventilation.

Mechanical Ventilation with Heating and Coolth* Recovery (MVHCR) units are capable of essentially acting in reverse, passing outgoing cooler air over the heat exchanger, which helps to ensure the incoming air remains ambient. Solutions such as Elta Fans’ Vigo and PREMA ranges ensure that, regardless of the outside temperature, the desired indoor level can be maintained.

The ability to cool incoming air also has a knock-on, positive impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of air conditioning. MVHCR prevents the coldness within the air from escaping, working in tandem to reduce the stress placed on air conditioning units, and achieve the ideal internal temperature.

The importance of MVHCR can be outlined by comparing it to air conditioning in a car.

If you open a window, the vehicle’s climate control has to work harder in order to maintain the desired temperature. The same applies in buildings, and ventilation systems that allow warm air to enter are essentially working against air conditioning units.

MVHCR is the year-round solution, able to heat and cool incoming air in an energy-efficient way, to ensure optimum thermal comfort regardless of the outside temperature.” www.eltafans.com

" If you open a car window, the climate control has to work harder. The same applies in buildings" CMYKCMYK / .ai / .ai CMYK / .ai

*coolth includes the transfer of hot and cold air

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WH OLE S AL E

Robert Franklin, Business Director Cooling

Wolseley says it has added over 50 branches with cooling products in recent months

Together we’re stronger…

As the focus on renewable technologies creates a closer relationship between cooling and heating, Wolseley UK believes it is well placed to support its customers through the changes to come.

The recent announcement of a Wolseley’s demerger from parent company Ferguson was followed by a restructure of the UK operation which separated the commercial building services and cooling activities from plumbing and heating.

John Hancock was appointed Managing Director Commercial Building Services & Cooling and Mark Higson has taken up the role of Managing Director Plumbing & Heating, in addition to his responsibilities as MD of Wolseley UK. Robert Franklin continues to head up the cooling side of the operation, and says his role is largely unchanged. He said: “My focus is to lead the cooling business in the right direction. Markets are changing and heating and cooling are starting to come together in the world of renewables.

“Many years ago we had a big push on eco but then it went away again. Now we are hearing more and more about doing everything right for climate change and the demand for cooling is starting to pick up in the residential world. With the Wolseley name over the door, it is really, really exciting because we have a big heating business and a not-so-big cooling business.

At some point in time it may be 50-50 or even tip the other way “I believe it frames why it is important to have both disciplines under one roof,

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because we can navigate as the markets move and help and guide our customers.’’

The disappearance of the Climate Center name as part of the rebrand to Wolseley UK early last year may have been viewed by some as the company stepping back from the cooling sector; Robert Franklin insists that the opposite is true.

He said: “When we had the rebrand it gave us the opportunity to do something quickly and identify if there were more branches where we could sell cooling. In the last 8 months we have added over 50 locations with cooling products. We now have 65 branches with experienced staff, in some cases the old Climate Centers, and 45 branches where we stock more than 200 essential products. We want to be easy to do business with and this is helping us to achieve that.’’

‘Nearest and fastest’ Wolseley also points to the impact of its in-night delivery service, backed by specialist supply chain partner XPO, which sees orders placed before 4.30pm available from any branch at 7.30am the next day.

“We want to be nearest and fastest for our customers,’’ says Robert Franklin. “It’s a very powerful thing.’’

While much of the air conditioning sector appears to have settled on R32,

for the time being at least, Robert Franklin expects commercial refrigeration customers to require the most support in 2020. He said: “Commercial refrigeration is at the heart of our business and we will be working very hard to guide our customers and help them to understand what their options are. I think the next 12 months will be really interesting as the market settles down and people make decisions.’’

The UK restructure has seen the cooling business revert to two divisions, with Zach Wynne Regional Sales Director for the North and Dean Skerratt Regional Sales Director for the South. James Green has been appointed National Key Account Manager for Refrigeration. Jerry Hall remains as National Key Account Manager for Air Conditioning, Peter Woods is Technical Sales Manager for Refrigeration Products – with responsibility for the custom-build facilities in Newbury – and Will Thompson is National Key Account Manager for Retail & FM. The demerger from Ferguson, meanwhile, is expected to be completed between April and June next year. Wolseley UK Advertising Manager Ben Hughes said: “Ferguson can focus on the US and Canadian parts of the business and we can make our own decisions and focus on what we do well.’’

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DISTRIBUTIO N

Straight talking on F-Gas A second event to provide clear answers to some of the more complex F-Gas questions again proved popular, as David Todd reports.

More than 70 people attended a seminar designed to bring clarity to contractors and resellers when dealing with the F-Gas legislation.

Organised by distributor Logicool and hosted jointly with certification body REFCOM at the Hatfield HQ of Mitsubishi Electric, the two sessions covered a range of topics including Company F-Gas, online sales, terminology and compliance with the sometimes complex legislation.

F-Gas Myths and Realities followed an event held in the Midlands earlier this year which led to the formation of REFCOM Elite for Suppliers, with Logicool the first company to be approved for best practice in refrigerant management at the supply end of the chain.

Online sales were again highlighted, with Logicool’s Karl Richardson citing a recent example where he was able to buy a split system by providing a fictitious Company F-Gas certification number to the seller.

The Company F-Gas certificate is required in all instances for purchasing refrigerant and pre-charged equipment. Around 7,000 such certificates are currently issued – approximately 6,200 by REFCOM. Graeme Fox of REFCOM agreed that the policing of online sales was not good

enough and said it would need a heavy fine to send out a clear message. His advice was to take the order, but not hand over any equipment until evidence of Company F-Gas was supplied.

REFCOM’s Graeme Fox

Working together He also clarified the terminology, pointing out that the F-Gas qualification and Company F-Gas certification were two very different things. He said: “The qualification is under environmental legislation, it is not proof of technical competence. F-Gas doesn’t make a competent engineer… that only comes with experience and the proper training.’’

Also covered was the likely impact of the ban on servicing existing equipment using virgin refrigerants with a GWP of more than 2500 from January 2020, plus a look forward to 2025 when that GWP threshold

29

Karl Richardson talking to delegates at the F-Gas Myths and Realities event

will reduce to 750 for new single split air conditioning system installations.

Richardson said: “The aim of this event, like the one in Birmingham, was to provide clear answers to complex legislation. It’s about trying to make sense of it for people.

The turnout shows that people do want to do things the right way.’’

Speaking after the event, he added: “The feedback has been 100% positive and there are a growing number of contractors and persons of interest wishing us well with regards to making such a positive stance.

“We are not standing here selling product, we are engaging with manufacturers, suppliers and installers at the same time. When we hold these events and offer an open invitation to all, there is always uptake from all corners of the industry and we ultimately host representatives from all areas of the supply chain. We cannot talk as an industry if we want to talk to customers only, that makes no sense. We need to do this together.’’

Fox said that the industry had made huge strides in the last 10 years and it was vital to maintain that progress. He added: “It’s important to get the industry talking.

It is policing the regulation that is the problem, rather than the rules themselves.

We hope this can help the industry to better police itself.’’

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R E F R IGE R A N T S

The sustainable alternative A-Gas Commercial Director Enzo D’Alessio explains how reclaimed refrigerant can help lower the carbon footprint of your customers.

When installing a new refrigeration system there are many aspects to consider in the mind of the customer. Cost is usually the most significant but Global Warming Potential, energy efficiency and sustainability may also feature in their thinking. This is a shift change and one that’s emerged as regulatory and societal pressures on lowering carbon emissions begin to have a greater influence on our industry.

There is growing evidence that more end-users realise the importance of improving their green footprint. They are doing so because their customers are demanding this from them.

The big supermarkets have been quick to see the benefits and it is no surprise that they have responded faster than most to meet the low GWP challenge by switching to the new wave of refrigerants emerging on the market. As a consequence, the sale of virgin of R404A has been consigned to the refrigeration history books.

Supermarkets understand that many of their customers want to know the provenance of the goods and services they depend on. Getting this right and understanding the value of this can translate into more sales and higher profit margins.

Detailed analysis New ways of measuring the impact of refrigeration are emerging as users move away from the one-dimensional TEWI (Total Equivalent Warming Impact) and towards multi-dimensional approaches that take into consideration the financial impact of installing and operating a system.

We live in a rapidly changing world and customer pressure can be good for business. More of us are becoming aware that making detailed analysis, deciding on a suitable solution and cutting CO2 emissions is a positive and necessary path to follow as we look to create a world that is kinder on the environment. Sustainability is growing in importance as we reduce our carbon footprint at home and in the way we do business.

By mid-2021 it is likely there will be less than half the amount of refrigerant available on the market than there was in

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Refrigerants A-Gas.indd 30

your customers. Reclaimed refrigerant is a gas that has been reprocessed by a licensed facility to the industry standard AHRI 700 to match the quality of virgin product. It is refrigerant that is purified, certificated and guaranteed.

Better use

2015. Innovation in the development of new refrigerants has reduced the impact of the F-Gas Regulations and the UK is a shining example to the rest of the world of what can be achieved in such a short space of time.

We are only weeks away from a ban on refrigerants with a GWP of more than 2500 in stationary systems (except below -50°C).

A service ban will also come into effect on refrigerants with a GWP of more than 2500 where the charge size is greater than 40 tonnes of CO2 – that’s 10kgs of R404A. You can be sure that these measures will have a major influence on the refrigeration and air conditioning industry in the months and years ahead. Evidence suggests that a significant amount of retrofitting is taking place and the use of reclaimed gases is emerging as a viable alternative for contractors and end users who are looking for a breathing space on this.

Using reclaimed refrigerant is a direct way of lowering the carbon footprint of Reducing your Carbon Footprint

Reclaimed refrigerant sent to our reprocessing centres has been recovered from the market, is reprocessed and then returned to the supply chain for further use. At Portbury near Bristol this used refrigerant undergoes chemical analysis, is cleaned of contaminants and goes through our separation plant to produce a product that matches that of virgin refrigerant requirements.

Using reclaimed refrigerant is good for your customers’ carbon footprint. You are re-using raw materials that can be energy intensive and expensive to produce.

Reclamation is the opposite to the take, make and dispose business model and shows how we can make better use of what we have already. In our industry, regulation – and to some extent market pressures – have been the driving force behind the development of this new thinking in business and it is through this model that efficiencies can blossom for everyone in the supply chain.

In the past three years A-Gas has invested heavily in equipment and plant at home and abroad to offer contractors the opportunity to have their unwanted refrigerant reclaimed and returned to the market. This is working well and our reliance on virgin refrigerants is declining as minimal product is now sent for incineration.

Reclamation has reduced our reliance on the supply of virgin material. This means that the quantity of virgin refrigerants manufactured no longer has to be at the same historic high levels. This has been driven by legislation but it is also a business model that can benefit all of us. We now have to build on the progress made and making the switch to reclaimed refrigerants is a way engineers can reduce the carbon footprint of their business and their customers, while they wait to see which new refrigerants emerge. www.agas.com

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REFRIG ERANTS

31

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18/11/2019 19:17

SHORTLIST Environmental Initiative

ACR Ancillary

CIAT

Toshiba

Epure Dynamics: indoor air quality

Clade Engineering Systems Ltd

control system

Green Business

controller

Panasonic

Sainsbury's

Toshiba

GHP VRF GF3

DesignAIRS V2

ACR Project

Mini touchscreen room air conditioning

Javac JAVAC XTR-Pro-DV A2L spark proof and dual voltage refrigerant recovery unit

Fujitsu Engineer Integration Tool MkII

Sauermann

distribution centre

Daikin

LG Electronics

Developing a circular economy

The Westminster Quarter

Aermec & Optimum Group Services Telstra CBS Multitone Electronics

Sauermann Si10 Universâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l

Carrier

A-Gas - Rapid Recovery

Onsite refrigerant recovery service

Refrigeration Innovation

Toshiba

Dual wave, piston technology for the

Gel-Clear

Pineham frozen food

DNM Engineering - Criticool

Emergency cooling plant

S-Port Products UK Ltd

Lambeth Palace Library

S-Port drainage support system

Pipe support

Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK

ACR Contractor

Hoover Building

JD Cooling

Chiller Product

A1 Engineering Solutions Ltd

Refrigeration Project

Airedale

Wave Refrigeration, TJ Refrigeration, HBCL, ASDA & Fare Shareave Refrigeration - Fight Hunger, Create Change

Star Refrigeration

DeltaChill R32

Flowrite Services

York

HFO SMAR2T Future

SURE Solutions

YORK YLAA air-cooled scroll chiller

ACR Product

Mitusbishi Electric

Fujitsu Airstage JIII-L heat pump VRF outdoor unit

Toshiba Super Digital Inverter Smart Cassette

Mitsubishi Electric R32 City Multi heat recovery and heat

The i-NX-Q

Star Refrigeration Azanechiller 2.0

Carrier New big centrif 19DV

Aermec

pump VRF

WTX chiller

Daikin

Wholesaler/Distributor

VRV IV+

LG Electronics Artcool Gallery air conditioning units

CIAT CIAT Vectios all-in-one air conditioning solution

Freedom Heat Pumps Hawco DW Logicool

ASDA & Partners

Cool CSR

Star Refrigeration Lineage Logistics

Sainsbury's

Pineham frozen food distribution centre

SURE Solutions

Cranswick Poultry abattoir & process factory

Integral - BITZER Pizza plant project

A-Gas, Wolseley, Honeywell and Tesco Carbon Reduction Roadmap A1 Engineering Solutions Ltd Aldi Atherstone RDC

BRS Process Team LPW / CARPENTER

Sponsored by

16 Peter Street, Manchester, M6

For more information visit: www.acrheatpumpawards.co.uk or NACRHPA_Shortlist.indd 32

21/11/2019 17:13

23rd January 2020 Refrigeration Product

Finn Geotherm

Carly

Flagship housing association, 21 bungalows

TURBOIL-R P14

BITZER - ACP

Ammonia Compressor Pack

Star Refrigeration Azanefreezer 2.0

S-Port Products UK

S-Port drainage support system

Flowrite Services

CoolerRESPONSE technology

Geo Green Power RT Farms

Calibrate Energy Engineering 2400-acre farm in the Scottish borders

Calibrate Energy Engineering Murton Farm, Berwick-Upon-Tweed

Calibrate Energy Engineering Buckley & Son, Dry Hill Farm

Training Provider

Heat Pump Installer

Business Edge

RA Brown Heating Services

Toshiba

Ground Heat Installations

Eastleigh College

ISO Energy

Fujitsu Airco Training Air Source Project

Matrix Energy Systems & Viessmann Calibrate Energy Engineering Heat Pump Product

LG Electronics

Grant UK

Social housing in Northamptonshire

The Aerona³ R32 air source heat pumps

Matrix Energy Systems & Viessmann

LG

14 private developments in Sheffield

LG Therma V R32 split.

Domestic Ground Source

Klima-Therm

Finn Geotherm

Flagship housing association, 21 bungalows

Rhoss EXP/HT

Klima-Therm

Finn Geotherm

3DxHP Series

Matrix Energy Systems & Viessmann

61WG heat pump

Raynham Hall

DNM Engineering Heat Pump conversion module

Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan Melconsole

Marketing Initiative JD Cooling New JD Cooling Group website

WRD World Refrigeration Day

Mitsubishi Electric 'Ask ME' campaign

Fujitsu - Giving Back Fujitsu’s initiative to secure our industry’s future

Finn Geotherm

RA Brown Heating Services

Off gas grid property

Heat Pump Ancillary

The National ACR & Heat Pump Awards will be returning to the Midland Hotel, Manchester Presentations to winners of each category are made by sponsors and THE face of Soccer Saturday – Je� Stelling!

Carrier

New build in Sheffield

Panasonic

Non-Domestic GSHP

Panasonic Aquarea T-Cap

GS Renewable

Daikin

Hotel Isaacs

VRV IV+

RA Brown

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Norfolk Bluebell Wood Burial Park, Hainford

Q-Ton

er, M60 2DS Tel: 0161 236 3333

uk or email Juliet Loiselle on Julietl@warnersgroup.co.uk NACRHPA_Shortlist.indd 33

21/11/2019 17:14

34

E QU IP ME N T

Finding faults fast JAVAC Sales Engineer Andy Robinson explains how the PVR manifold can make fault finding on AC and refrigeration systems faster, safer and more streamlined.

Finding and repairing faults on a refrigeration or AC system can be stressful at the best of times. As always, time is of the essence when systems are down and there are high expectations on the engineer to get things back up and running to minimise loss of revenue for the customer caused by faulty systems.

The first port of call, of course, is to evacuate and pressure test, which can be time consuming and not without risk. The traditional method involving two separate gauge sets with separate hoses means there is no way to control or shut off the pressure/vacuum safely away from the nitrogen bottle regulator.

Using separate gauges also leaves no way to safely vent the nitrogen and as the gauges cannot be attached to anything, they are often left balanced on a bench, or hanging precariously – not the safest of methods!

The PVR manifold provides a 2-in-1 solution to refrigerant recovery and pressure testing – making the process faster, safer and more efficient. The

The PVR manifold from JAVAC

2 valve design features one gauge for vacuum testing and another for 0-50 bar nitrogen pressure isolation, both mounted in rubber surrounds for safe monitoring.

Having no sight glass in the manifold block removes the risk of sight glass blow out. A simple switch allows engineers to easily swap between vacuum to pressure functions and a pressure relief valve is on hand in case of accidental excess pressure.

This will automatically activate should any pressure accidentally be released to the vacuum side of the PVR manifold.

Accuracy is ensured with adjustable red indicator pointers which can be set to the desired level to monitor pressure / vacuum loss.

Suitable for use with all AC and refrigeration systems and particularly designed to handle the high pressures involved in testing R410a systems, the PVR manifold comes in a robust carry case complete with 2 X 2m stainless steel braided 1/4 connection hoses, 1 X 72” yellow vacuum hose and 1 x 1/4 x 5/16 adaptor (to suit R410a systems).

A convenient hanging hook is also included as well as an instruction guide to ensure safe use.

The PVR Manifold comes with a 1 year guarantee, as well as JAVAC’s outstanding 5* service and support.

"A simple switch allows engineers to easily swap between vacuum to pressure functions and a pressure relief valve is on hand in case of accidental excess pressure” www.JAVAC.co.uk

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REFRIG ERATIO N

Star delivers for Lineage

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Cold store project helps meet growing demand for frozen foods.

Star Refrigeration has completed the manufacture and installation of a 75,000m3 cold store facility for Lineage Logistics at its new site in Great Haddon, near Peterborough. The project consists of 15,000 pallet spaces of frozen warehouse capacity as Lineage plans for future growth.

Temperature-controlled logistics specialist Lineage has over 1.4 billion cubic feet of storage capacity worldwide, with 200 facilities in seven countries across North America, Europe and Asia.

The Peterborough project has seen the installation of a 75,000m3 cold store plant with a refrigeration capacity of 600kW. Results from recent energy performance data analysis indicate that the Azanefreezer 2.0’s annual energy usage is set to cut carbon emission by 453 tonnes of CO2 per year compared to the UK’s ‘Best Practice’ guidelines.

According to the specifications provided

by STS, Lineage required a 600kW refrigeration system, which was designed to achieve a nominal storage design temperature of -24°Celsius. Running costs were key to the plants design, with STS specifying a minimum condenser surface of 4,800 m2 to achieve optimum condensing pressures throughout the year. Evaporator absorbed power was also limited to 35kW, while the condenser absorbed power

should be equal to or less than 30kW in order to maximise efficiency and reduce electrical costs.

Star Refrigeration was able to secure the contract through their offer of two independent AF300-S Azanefreezer 2.0 ammonia refrigeration plants. In order to adhere to STS’s technical specification, Star modified its existing AF300 unit by retaining the existing low-pressure receiver and compressors, but upgrading the unit’s condenser and base frame to a larger size. This allowed it to achieve a higher efficiency than that required by the tender, thus reducing running costs.

The use of a larger condenser allowed the facility to operate on 32.2kW for its evaporators, an 8.1% improvement on STS’s requirement, and 12.5kW for its condenser, a 58.3% improvement.

The Azanefreezer 2.0 is a modular, low charge packaged ammonia freezer with patented low pressure receiver design which is unique to Star Refrigeration.

Its design allows for a reduction of the system’s ammonia refrigerant charge of up to 80% when compared to traditional pumped recirculation systems. Having all maintenance valves on the Azanefreezer 2.0 unit as well as the use of reverse cycle defrost make possible the elimination of hot gas valve stations at each cooler, including all the associated ventilation and gas detection components.

The Azanefreezer 2.0 is assembled at Star’s manufacturing facilities and tested prior to dispatch which reduces onsite installation times and expenses. It does not require a plant room, eliminating third party costs by dispensing with the need for a significant amount of accompanying infrastructure.

Jonathan Baker, Executive Director of Lineage Logistics in the UK, said: “Star were able to respond to the most stringent requests for quality and efficiency and provided a solution that exceeded the technical requirements specified to satisfy the facility’s cooling need.”

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36

R E F R IGE R AT ION

Making SURE The move to new premises in Birkenhead has given SURE Solutions engineering and storage facilities, in addition to office space. From left, Rob Wharton, John Callan, Bryony Farr, Garry Shaw, Mark Parry, Joanne Kelly, Craig Costall and Craig Shaw

Refrigeration company SURE Solutions has made its presence felt since it was founded in 2016.

David Todd headed to Birkenhead to learn more about the journey so far.

Just three years after setting up a new business from his kitchen at home, Garry Shaw is understandably proud of how SURE Solutions has grown.

The Birkenhead-based refrigeration specialist recently completed its biggest single project to date, the UK's first new poultry processing site in 30 years for leading food producer Cranswick, in Eye, Suffolk. The plant can process 15,000 birds per hour and SURE has installed 5MW of process cooling on direct ammonia/glycol, plus 800kW of heat recovery.

"It's a measure of how far we have come," says Shaw. "I am very proud of our part in the project and also of the fact that it has given us the opportunity to show the world what we can do, what our capabilities are."

Delivering the Cranswick plant, with 11,000 litres of ammonia and stainless steel for all high-side pipework, has seen SURE on site for around 10 months, with up to nine direct engineers and 40 subcontractors. That is on a scale that Shaw could scarcely have imagined when he launched the business alongside wife, Amy, in August 2016.

He recalls: "It was a pretty turbulent start because my youngest son, Max, was born two days after my first day for the business! (Oldest son Craig is operations

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manager at SURE). We had a plan, of course, but it has gone better than we could ever have hoped."

Rapid growth

SURE Solutions Managing Director Garry Shaw

Rob Wharton was the first to join the fledgling business in November of 2016 and shortly after that SURE landed its first significant contract, removing problem parts of a chilling system for Muller Milk and Ingredients in Droitwich and increasing the cooling capacity from 3MW to 5.2MW. SURE performed the role of principal contractor and principal designer, and also supplied and installed 4MW of temporary cooling while the work was completed.

"By the time we actually started the job in March 2017 we were up to nine staff, including myself and Amy, so it was rapid growth. And before we began on site we already had more than ÂŁ3million of orders for other projects."

That growth has continued with the workforce now standing at 27, including nine engineers and four engineering apprentices. Just over a year ago, SURE outgrew its office space with the local Chamber of Commerce and moved to a new 8,000 sq ft base as it geared up for major contracts with supermarket giant Morrisons and frozen food specialists Youngâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, among others.

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REFRIG ERATIO N

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The first major project for SURE Solutions was for the Muller plant at Droitwich

"This place gives us the engineering and storage space we need and allows us to put down roots," says Shaw. "The idea was to give us a 20-year base and hopefully future-proof the business."

That the business remains firmly rooted in the world of natural refrigerants, industrial refrigeration and process cooling is unsurprising, given its founder’s background. He began his working life as an apprentice engineer with Ice-Tech in Wallasey and remained with the company for close to three decades, as it was acquired by Sabroe, York International and, finally, Johnson Controls.

Brilliant team Shaw said: “We want to concentrate on what we do best, food manufacturing facilities, regional distribution centres and process cooling. The most important thing is always to leave a job with a pleased client behind us, rather than focus on driving the margins.

“Training and development is of particular importance to us and we ensure

The project for leading food producer Cranswick, left and above, is the company’s biggest to date

our team are up to date with all of the essential training qualifications associated with their role, as well as offering additional training in things like first aid, CDM site management, accounting and environmental awareness.’’

One change has seen the company taking on an increasing number of CO2 projects, including two distribution centres for Morrisons. Shaw said: “CO2 systems are now becoming more robust. There are not that many out there at an industrial level but that is changing and people are becoming less fearful in terms of the higher operating pressures. Supermarkets led the way with the change and that is now having an impact on the industrial sector. We have seven CO2 systems being installed at the moment, four large and three small… last year we had zero.’’

Shaw is now anticipating a period of consolidation in terms of recruitment. He said: “I am mindful of the fact that we have grown quickly and we don't want to overshoot. We will have a period of stabilisation for the winter months and see where we are then.’’

Although SURE has around 20 service sites at present, he would like to grow that number in order to create more of a balance, while still remaining primarily a projects-based business.

“The one thing that I am most proud of is the brilliant team we have put together,’’ he said. “It is very strong technically, with something like 350 years of industrial experience collectively. They all know their role and, just as important, they are happy to cross over into other areas and focus on what they can do for the business.’’

SURE serves up a boost for tennis youngsters, see Chilly Chatter page 73.

SURE says the training and development of staff is a key part of the business

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R E F R IGE R AT ION

Change needs to happen

Ed Whinyates of Stonegrove Refrigeration discusses the challenges and opportunities of the refrigerant phase-out and why making the right decisions now are so important.

As the next phase-out end date draws closer it is important that we do not lose sight of why the refrigerant changes have been taking place and what the end goal is – tackling climate change and reducing our carbon footprint. It certainly doesn’t help when there are people pulling in a different direction. In early November the United States began the process of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement (Global Climate Change Accord). The other 187 member countries must be looking on with their heads in their hands, as one of the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gasses decides to leave!

This isn’t the first time the refrigeration industry has had to face dramatic changes.

A lot of refrigeration and air conditioning systems used to run on CFCs. When the initial research revealing that CFCs were damaging the ozone layer was reported, in 1973 (by Rowland and Molina), there was a great deal of scepticism. Even when the National Academies of Science issued a report, in 1976, affirming the destructive effects of CFCs, on stratospheric ozone, the industries directly affected disputed the claims and said it didn’t warrant drastic action. It wasn’t until 1987 that 56 countries, under the Montreal Protocol, agreed to cut CFC production - and its use - in half which, eventually, led to a worldwide phase-out.

The Montreal Protocol has had a crucial negative consequence; when countries began phasing out CFCs, manufacturers replaced them with HFCs. Although they are not ozone-depleting, they are potent greenhouse gasses - which contribute to global warming.

Hence the high GWP phase-outs we are currently in the process of addressing.

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21/11/2019 17:15

REFRIG ERATIO N Although scientific knowledge about global warming has been available for a number of years, the process of implementing any changes across a huge national and international sector was never going to be easy or straightforward.

Unfortunately a large percentage of the capital burden of refrigerant changes and upgrades has fallen squarely at the feet of the end user. This may explain why there are still many companies who have not made the decision to future-proof their business and make the necessary changes. It could be argued that, because of the capital outlay, there is a justification in the continued use of HFCs that currently fall below the imminent Global Warming Potential (GWP) phase-out values. There is also the strong argument that the new ‘drop in’ HCFC refrigerants are a suitable alternative, as they can offer some ‘breathing space’ to businesses trying to balance their

environmental credentials against the impact of cost in the competitive markets they function in.

However, as important as it is that companies do not suffer any unnecessary financial burden, the continued use of both HFC and HCFC refrigerants currently do not offer a longer term solution to the global warming issue. This is why it could be argued that the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry as a whole need to address this now, rather than wait 5 or 10 years when the required GWP levels are so low that man-made solutions are potentially no longer viable.

What is the solution?

Currently there is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution within our industry. However, we can focus our efforts on the continued use of an obvious alternative to HFCs and HCFCs - natural refrigerants. With the continued improvements of technology, in both the commercial and industrial sectors, there is no reason why natural

39

refrigerants like ammonia, CO2 and propane cannot be considered and used. As part of a well-designed system with good, planned maintenance they are as safe as any other refrigerant. Used in conjunction with secondary refrigerants, like glycol, only a low primary charge would be required – at a fraction of the cost of Freon refrigerants.

It is also claimed that natural refrigeration systems as a whole are more economical to run – so a far better pay back on any investment. As we get ever closer to each round of the GWP phase outs, the cost of man-made refrigerants (and the upkeep of the associated systems) will continue to rise, so any investment made in futureproofing now will reap benefits in both the mid to longer term.

30 years on from the Montreal Agreement, the world’s decision to fix the hole in the ozone layer is paying off. So maybe by making the right decisions now about the impact of our refrigerant choices on our carbon footprint - we can do the same with global warming.

For information about how Stonegrove Refrigeration Services can help you with your refrigeration requirements, please visit our website www.stonegroverefrigeration.co.uk or contact us on 01279 408690 ed@stonegroverefrigeration.co.uk

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R E F R IGE R AT ION

Rink makes natural choice

Case study: how a change in heat transfer fluid helped improve sustainability and performance for an outdoor ice rink in Switzerland.

The city of Sion, in the Swiss district of Valais, is active in promoting culture and sport. Every year, during the winter season, it provides two ice skating areas for use by hockey and skating clubs, schools and the general public.

In 2017, the city asked the refrigeration department at Meier Tobler to carry out analysis of the cooling system used to freeze its 1,800m² outdoor skating rink.

The instructions were clear: implement an ecological energy strategy for the future that meets the challenge of temperature variations in the city. Sion is surrounded by mountains where the outside temperature can reach 28°C in the early part of the season, while the frozen surface must be kept at a constant -8°C.

Significant advantages Meier Tobler are building technology specialists and have been operating in Switzerland for several decades. They replaced the old system that used to work with a refrigerant with a GWP greater than 3,900, with a CO2 chiller (GWP=1). They initially re-used the mono-propylene glycol heat transfer fluid to flow through the 94,400 m of piping to form the ice sheet.

In 2018, Meier Tobler's technical team identified that expected performance levels

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were not being achieved and so carried out analysis on the heat transfer fluid. This showed degradation of the glycol which was probably associated with the marked temperature fluctuations experienced over recent years.

Cyrille Jaunet, industrial refrigeration sales advisor, said: “In keeping with our vision, it seemed ‘natural’ to us to recommend an eco-friendly, plantbased heat transfer fluid. In a meeting with Climalife, John Padilla introduced us to Greenway Neo and its operating conditions, which are very similar to those of conventional fluids but with significant advantages, such as its lower viscosity. This allowed us to reduce the power used by the circulation pumps.’’

In September 2018, the coolant circuit was drained, cleaned and refilled with 18,000 litres of Greenway Neo -30. Since then, the season has been fully operational and performance levels have reached expectations. A few adjustments to the electrical equipment gave an immediate reduction in consumption of 20%. At a constant speed, the pumps draw less current.

With five piston compressors running on CO2, the refrigeration production gave a better modularity of power with a COP stability of between 10 and 100% of load.

The Solution Greenway Neo heat transfer fluid was selected for its characteristics: • made from renewable plant-based and biodegradable raw materials, • free from toxic additives (no borax, nitrites, phosphates or amines), • innovative organic and sustainable inhibitors for corrosion protection, • low carbon footprint as its manufacture reduces CO2 emissions by 40% and it uses 40% less energy than the conventional manufacture of mono-propylene glycol, • high stability in circuits means that it reduces ageing, even during periods of inactivity.

Installation details Skating rink dimensions

60 x 30m

Area

1,800m2

Pipework length

94,000m

Quality of Greenway Neo -30

18,000l

Source: Climalife Contact

Volume 6 No.1

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41 5

3

2

4

1

Industry snapshot of 1989 As the ACR Journal celebrates 30 years of telling your stories, we asked what people in the industry were up to back in 1989â&#x20AC;Ś

We have managed to unearth a few photographs from the era, so see if you can match the 80s faces with the people featured overleaf. If you are struggling, the answers can be found on page 43.

Our trip down memory lane continues on the following pages with contributions from HRP, Airedale, BITZER UK, Fujitsu and Business Edge (also preparing for a 30-year milestone)â&#x20AC;Ś plus a Women in ACR special on sisters Rachel Wales and Lisa Whitmore.

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7

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Tony Evanson, Managing Director, Oceanair UK: I was working for SWM Distribution as a sales engineer. This new thing called the cassette was changing the way we designed systems - no more ductwork.

And we finally convinced the Japanese we needed cooling in winter, so fan speed controllers on outdoors were necessary!

John Austin-Davies, almost retired: The last 30 years have whizzed past quickly; so much has changed, but so much is familiar too. In 1989 I was managing the change from ozone depletion potential refrigerants, and starting the journey to find the long-term solution to their high global warming replacements. Natural refrigerants should outlast me though!

Ian Carroll, Chief Operating Officer, Fujitsu Air Conditioning UK: Wow, 30 years! Where did they go? I was working as an electrical engineer for Eastern Electricity in Luton. They were some of the best years of my life. I owned a Hillman Avenger at the time, driving along to the latest Tears for Fears or Depeche Mode songs. It had two headlights that used to move a lot so cars thought that I was flashing them and used to pull out in front of me.

Graeme Fox, Head of REFCOM: In 1989, at the age of 21, I was fresh out of the City after a period as a trainee money broker and back in my hometown of Dundee working for my Dad manufacturing, installing and servicing automatic beer line cleaning systems in pubs and clubs across Scotland and North East England.

John Ellis, Ellis Training Works: 1989 was a turning point in my life and the path I chose then has taken me on an exceptional journey. I was teaching RAC in college when offered a chance of a lifetime to set up a company training department. Eighteen months later I had left to start up Ellis Training & Consultancy - the rest is history.

Ed Whinyates, Business Development Manager, Stonegrove Refrigeration Services: 30 years ago I was still at school (with a full head of hair and a trim waistline – very different to now). I wanted to be a teacher, but somehow ended up in sales - not sure this was part of the masterplan!

Mike Davies, National Sales Manager, Aspen Pumps Group: I was looking forward to my 21st birthday in December 1989 and had changed my career, from working in a test lab and studying Chemistry since I left school at 16, to starting my first technical sales job for a lithium chemical company, which included selling lithium chloride into the air conditioning industry. I had also just started BSAC scuba diving training, diving off the coast and in quarries around north Wales.

Tony Cole, Managing Director, Airedale International Air Conditioning: In 1989 I was working as a Systems Manager in the North East. The computer room was cooled by two Airedale VA7.5 Ventus units and 2 CU7.5’s. These were serviced by Tyne-Tees Forth. It seems like Airedale got under my skin as I was employed by them in 1990!

Mike Creamer, Managing Director, Business Edge: I was just finishing variable speed refrigeration systems development in California with Margaux Inc, but wanting to start my own company. I launched Business Edge as the first independent UK company offering AC&R technology training to the industry. 29 year later, Business Edge is still going strong in training and consultancy!

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Richard Darwin, Commercial Director, Conex Bänninger: 1989 was memorable for Conex Bänninger, as it marked 80 years since the business was founded. The 1980s were particularly significant as they saw the development of “N-grip”, the first 3-point copper-based press fitting. After further product development, this eventually became our flame-free >B< Press and >B< MaxiPro press fit solutions, now lead in markets around the globe. In 1989 Conex and Bänninger were still separate brands but were merged into one five years later under the IBP Group and remain so today.

David Dunn, Managing Director for Sales, Toshiba Carrier UK: When ACR Journal first appeared, I had just started working in the industry and was attending air conditioning and refrigeration night classes at Newcastle College. In those days, the college was a major centre for training new industry entrants. Today, sadly, they no longer offer air conditioning courses. In the summer of that year I joined Greenham as a driver, delivering air conditioning equipment. By September, I had moved into internal sales and was studying at college.

By the end of the year, I was offered a full sales role and was out selling to some of the industry’s great names in the North East at the time, many of whom are no longer in the business, or indeed still with us. These included Stan Gillin of Coolcheck, Tom Woods of Acrol, Hadrian’s Brian Buxton, Kevin Canham of ACR, and Dave Cotham, Derek Pallister, Ken Lofthouse, Bob Hester and John Walls, to name a few.

John Billson, Managing Director, Beijer Ref UK & Ireland: Thirty years ago I made the decision to move from hands-on refrigeration engineering into sales. The target was for me to join a refrigeration wholesaler. My father had been in wholesaling all his working life and although from a different industry I was sure the experience would be a familiar one. I was fortunate enough to land a job at Dean & Wood as the sales engineer for their Leeds branch. The trade press was and remains a valuable source of industry information. For me, ACR Journal like Dean & Wood has kept up to speed with the industry changes and is always looking for new and creative challenges. Well done and congratulations to all at ACR Journal….

Mike Nankivell: Congratulations… 30 years, quite a milestone! As well as being the year when I got my first mobile or (perhaps more accurately!) portable phone, 1989 marked a significant change of direction in my career. For the previous four years I had been Applications Manager at Carrier Air Conditioning, but in 1989 I took on the challenging role of UK Training Manager.

This involved planning and delivering Carrier's highly regarded Technical Development Program (TDP). Whilst a very satisfying and rewarding three-year appointment, this was a planned stepping stone towards the position of UK Marketing Manager for Carrier and it was in marketing roles that I spent the remainder of my long career in the HVACRHP industry.

Kevin Glass, Managing Director, BITZER UK, and President of the IOR: 30 years ago, distribution of BITZER products in the UK was in the hands of APV Hall distribution division, and I had technical responsibility for the Friga-Bohn product range. Everything we did then was manual! Compressor selection data was given in 5 or 10 degree intervals in a printed brochure. For some retailers, the compressor selection process could take up to four hours per site, as this could involve four systems, each with four different compressor sizes which had to be crossmatched to ensure the most competitive option was chosen. The big news was the rumour that R12 and R502 might be banned, potentially leaving the industry with just R22 for the future. R134a was not thought of then let alone R404A, and BITZER’S nowfamous refrigerant report wasn’t even a twinkle in the eye of the author.

Deane Flint, Branch President MEU-UK & IRE: In 1989 I was moving into my first sales role at Denco Air (an AMEC company), fresh out of M&E consultancy as design engineer and resident engineer. I joined Denco as consultant sales for the North of England, covering the NW up to Scotland, and Yorkshire… best sales job I ever had!

Industry snapshot: were you right?

1 Ian Carroll

6 Ed Whinyates

2 John Billson

7 Tony Evanson

3 Graeme Fox

8 Mike Davies

4 John Austin-Davies

9 John Ellis

5 Mike Creamer

10 Mike Nankivell

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Timeless...

...maybe!

Happy 30th Anniversary to all at ACR Journal www.hrponline.co.uk

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ANNIVERSARY

45

Some things look better with age!

Some Some things things looklook better better withwith age!age!

Some things look better with age!

Airedale International is delighted to be included in ACR Journal’s 30th anniversary feature and Airedale Airedale International International is delighted delighted to our be 45 included to years be included has taken this opportunity toisreview ACRin Journal’s ACR Journal’s 30th anniversary 30th in business, look through a fewanniversary old feature photosfeature and and has taken hasour this taken opportunity this opportunity to review to review our 45 our years 45 years celebrate achievements. in business, in business, look through look through a few old a few photos old photos and and celebrate celebrate our achievements. our achievements.

Whilst our products (and factory!) have obviously evolved, the message from Airedale is pretty much Airedale International is delighted to be included in ACR Journal’s Whilst our Whilst products our (and factory!) (and factory!) obviously have obviously the same now as itproducts was back then –have one of quality, 30th anniversary feature and has taken this opportunity to review evolved, evolved, the message the message from Airedale from Airedale is prettyistrue much pretty innovation and reliability.

It has been staying to much our 45 years in business, look through a few old photos and the same thenow same asnow itthat was as back it was then back –us one then –success one quality, of quality, these core values has afforded theof celebrate achievements. innovation innovation and reliability. andourreliability.

It has been It hasstaying been staying true to true to we enjoy today.

Whilst our products (and factory!) have obviously evolved, the these core these values core values that hasthat afforded has afforded us the success us the success message from Airedale is pretty much the same now as it was back we enjoy wetoday. enjoy today. in the north of England and We proudly manufacture then – one of quality, innovation and reliability. It has been staying true sell to 60 countries across the globe, attributing much to these core values that has afforded us the success we enjoy today.

Weour proudly We proudly manufacture manufacture in the north in in the ofnorth England ofEngland England of success to highly skilled, experienced and and and Weour proudly manufacture the north of sell to 60 sell to 60 sell countries to 60 countries across across globe, the attributing globe, attributing much muchto our knowledgeable workforce.

For more information countries acrossthe the globe, attributing much ofcall our success of our2391000 success of our success to our highly to experienced our skilled, highlyand skilled, experienced experienced and and 0113 or visit our website. highly skilled, knowledgeable workforce. knowledgeable knowledgeable workforce. workforce.

For more Forinformation more information call call For more information call 0113 2391000 or visit our website.

0113 2391000 0113 2391000 or visit our or visit website. our website.

Top image: Airedale factory circa 2004 Bottom image: Airedale factory circa 2019 Top image: Top image: Airedale Airedale factoryfactory circa 2004 circa 2004 BottomBottom image:image: Airedale Airedale factoryfactory circa 2019 circa 2019

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www.airedale.com

www.airedale.com www.airedale.com

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A N N IV E R S A RY

A remarkable journey

Over the past 30 years, from small beginnings BITZER has grown to become one of the largest independently-owned compressor manufacturers in the world. We look back on the company’s journey from fledgling to global leader

Kevin Glass MD of BITZER UK

Peter Schaufler

When Martin Bitzer founded a small refrigeration engineering company called Apparatebau für Kältetechnik (later to become BITZER) in 1934, few could have predicted the company’s remarkable growth and development over the decades that followed.

In the early days, the company manufactured simple mechanical expansion valves. This humble yet reliable system component was followed by a sequence of rapid developments, and it wasn’t long before the first BITZER open-drive compressor, known as the Type 1, rolled off the production line, closely followed by the first shell and tube condensers and liquid receivers.

BITZER was now in business, making some of the key system components required for the roll-out of the modern cold chain infrastructure needed by the burgeoning food industry.

In the decade following came the first BITZER hermetic and semi-hermetic compressors, ushering in a new era of improved energy efficiency and refrigerant containment. It was huge leap forward from the notoriously leaky and inefficient open-drive compressors of the past.

As a result of such pioneering innovations, by 1959 Martin Bitzer had expanded the company to 206 employees and was exporting its highly regarded products to 56 countries.

Ownership of the company passed at the beginning of the Sixties to Ulrich Schaufler, a graduate engineer with a passionate interest in refrigeration technology. It was an important development, and Ulrich Schaufler sharpened the company’s focus on high quality production, and redoubled the emphasis on advancements in engineering and design, resulting in rapid progress in compressor technology.

When Ulrich Schaufler’s son Peter inherited the business in 1979, BITZER had annual sales

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of DM30 million. The handover to the creative and entrepreneurial Peter Schaufler marked the beginning of a period of rapid commercial and technical transformation.

Under Peter Schaufler’s stewardship, in the years that followed sales increased to E740 million and the company founded over 40 subsidiaries on five continents. It also established factories in Portugal, China, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia and the United States.

During this period a number of important engineering developments were introduced to the world. The first model of BITZER’s renowned twin-rotor screw compressor was launched in the early Eighties. Refined and perfected in subsequent iterations, this highly reliable, high efficiency compressor rapidly became a trusted workhorse that remains part of the company’s core offering today.

BITZER’s first lightweight aluminium compressor was introduced in the early Nineties, as part of a focus on providing solutions for transport cooling applications. Then, as the phase-out of high GWP refrigerants began to accelerate, BITZER developed the first mass-production compressor designed for use with subcritical carbon dioxide.

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ANNIVERSARY The technology was crowned a decade later with the introduction of the company’s first compressor designed for use in high pressure transcritical carbon dioxide systems. This has since become established as the highly dependable, goto low-GWP solution, used by retailers and the food industry the world over.

Development of BITZER’s scroll compressor range in the early Noughties completed the company’s mastery of the three principle compression technologies, taking their place alongside its established ranges of reciprocating and screw compressors.

Today, BITZER operates from 65 locations worldwide, and its high quality refrigeration compressors and system components are in use in virtually every country of the world, in applications spanning commercial and industrial refrigeration, marine and transport cooling, and air conditioning for buildings.

With the recent launch of Green Point as the company’s specialist repair and remanufacturing arm, BITZER has effectively completed the production and use cycle, adding service and logistics to its core manufacturing activities.

In addition to organic growth, BITZER has made a number of strategic acquisitions in recent years that have further extended its reach and capabilities into important contiguous areas.

It acquired Denmark-based controls specialist Lodam in 2007, recently changing its name and incorporating it into the group as BITZER Electronics, to focus on

developments in the rapidly developing area of controls and digital systems.

Other recent acquisitions include VaCom Technologies and ElectraTherm in the USA, and AlfaLaval’s shell and tube heat exchanger division in Italy, in the process absorbing a well-known competitor and expanding its own range significantly.

In addition to his technical expertise and flair for business, Peter Schaufler was widely known as a collector and supporter of contemporary art. The Schaufler Foundation, created by Peter Schaufler before his death in 2015, continues his life’s work in combining entrepreneurship with science, research and art, under the chairwomanship of Peter’s widow Christiane.

Kevin Glass, managing director of BITZER UK, says: “BITZER’s remarkable success as a company is due in large part to a combination of two powerful aspects of human ingenuity: the excellence and reliability of its engineering, coupled with a spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship on the part of those who have led the company through the years.

“This has resulted in superbly designed and built products that are trusted the world over, backed by a first-rate logistics organisation.

From the beginning, the company understood the critical nature of refrigeration and air

47

conditioning in all its manifest applications, and built the products and organisation needed to support it.”

What does the future hold for BITZER? “In the era of climate change and environmental protection, the strengths that contributed to the company’s success in the past will be even more important in the future. The world needs reliable, efficient cooling that can be operated with minimal impact on the environment. This is at the heart of everything we do.”

Kevin Glass F.Inst.R Managing Director, Bitzer UK Limited Direct +44 (0)1908 622100 kevin.glass@bitzeruk.com www.bitzer.de The new production line in Rottenburg

BITZER's old production line in 1980

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A N N IV E R S A RY

Celebrating 15 years of ‘Little Napoleon’ Fujitsu’s J Series Mini VRF This year Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK are celebrating the fifteenth birthday of their J-Series product range. Born from the market demanding inverter technology in a compact VRF, we take a look at two different case studies fifteen years apart showing why this range has stood the test of time.

D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 5

Little Napoleon

Short on stature.

Big on power.

The new compact VRF. NEXT GENERATION

■ PAGE 16

Daikin’s latest VRV is unveiled

COOL IT

■ PAGE 17

Speaking recently, Paul Denman, Managing Director of Denmanair said: “We started to provide service and maintenance at Devonshire Business Centre fourteen years ago and so inherited the Fujitsu systems that had just been installed there. I cannot speak highly enough of these reliable systems. The fact they are still operating today as they were when they were installed fifteen years ago is testament to the reliability of the product and demonstrates the importance of a well-executed service plan from trained engineers. We continue to use Fujitsu because of the fantastic pre and post-sales support they offer. I’m really pleased to see the J-Series range reach fifteen years old, the new models have maintained the key compact, lightweight nature of the original range, but are constantly advancing through technological innovations.”

air conditioning

SHINING STAR

■ PAGE 20 - Interview with

CO2 blade server cooling system

Martyn Ives, Senior Technical Support Engineer, Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK said: “This new range of Mini VRF offers a lot of flexible design options. Released as a single capacity 15 kW model, it can be set to operate with reduced capacity as either 12 or 14 kW just with a flick of a dipswitch.”

He adds, “The range has been developed because customers wanted a compact, lightweight system with VRF inverter technology to bridge the gap in capacity between our S-range modular VRF; starting at 22 kW and our multi split range up to 12 kW.” The latest in Fujitsu control technology has been applied. All indoor units are connected to individual hard-wired controllers, using simplified versions for ease of use. Central control is available through a BMS via Fujitsu’s computer software and network adapters linking each system.

Andy Pearson, Star Refrigeration

PRECISION CONTROL

■ PAGE 22

Micro environmental control from JS

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01 - cover dec.indd 1

ACR Today front cover - J Series 2005

Devonshire Business Centre – J Series Devonshire Business Centre provides an impressive business environment to both individuals and companies alike, with over 30,000 sq. ft of modern, serviced office space, located in the heart of the Borehamwood/Elstree commercial area.

Three Airstage J Series Mini VRF systems, or ‘Little Napoleon’ as its affectionately known, have been installed, providing climate control throughout the building. five compact cassettes are connected to each system serving common areas and individual office space. Selected for its compact size and quite operation, these new, highly efficient, heat pump products sit discreetly on top of a flat roof, quietly operating out of sight and out of mind.

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'Little Napoleon' - Devonshire Business Centre

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ANNIVERSARY

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“The new models have

The Hoover Building - IDM Properties

maintained the key compact, lightweight nature of the original range, but are constantly advancing through technological innovation.”

The Hoover Building – JII-S The iconic Hoover building in London’s Perivale on Western Avenue is a building steeped in history and described as one of London’s finest art deco landmarks.

Inspired by the art of both North and Central Americans along with some touches of Egyptian influence it opened in 1933 as the UK headquarters for The Hoover Company.

The grade II listing of the main building applied in 1980 is a measure of its past and the main reason why the planning permission to turn this iconic building into apartments, fully renovating the building and changing its appearance was turned down. Investment from English Heritage, The London Bourgh of Ealing and IDM Properties allowed the preservation and restoration of historic features to remain within this national treasure whilst still completing the conversion into 66 luxury apartments.

The existing roof parapets were the only possible location of any external plant.

Compact J-IIS VRF systems were chosen as they offered a chassis 200mm lower in height than the parapet with a height of just 998mm, and therefore met planning regulations for visibility whilst offering choices of capacity in either 12, 14 or 16kW models.

The effective spaces for indoor units were identified in small ceiling voids, where both pipe work and fan coil could be hidden. In

areas where no roof void was present an inverted ducted unit was specified to be floor mounted and surrounded by an art deco style cover concealing the chassis, similar to a radiator cover. With an adjustable external static pressure, these inverted ducted units could be adjusted to overcome any pressure losses caused to the airflow by the cover and therefore maintain optimum operation for a comfortable climate.

From a control aspect WIFI interfaces were used on each apartment system, enabling the end user to fully control and monitor their climate control system anywhere in the world, without the need to install controllers on the period interior in each room.

The J-IIS range is Eurovent certified to achieve a seasonal coefficient of performance in excess of 5.81 and therefore one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly form of renewable heating available. The outdoor unit low sound pressure level of 51 DB(A) allows for quiet operation without disturbance for nearby residents, whilst quite internal environments are achieved with unit ratings of a near silent 21 DB(A). With space heating and cooling responsible for over 40% of a buildings energy consumption, along with the reduced refrigerant quantities in relation to VRF maxi systems, the selection of the J-IIS systems contributed greatly to the buildings

awarded BREEM excellent rating for all 66 apartments post construction.

Matthew Barnett, Director Carter Devlin said: “With the refurbishment of an existing listed building, flexibility was key.

The demands of the client’s design team and the nature of the work required a system that could be adapted to suit fluid and changing requirements.

Working closely with Shane Mechanical, Carter Devlin Ltd created an install program that worked seamlessly with the other mechanical services on site. The ability to change the orientation of the universal ducted units provided proved vital in providing a quality product and on-site flexibility.”

To discover more about the extensive Fujitsu product range, visit https://www.fujitsu-general.com/uk/ or email sales@fgac.fujitsu-general.com

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Installation of compact J-IIS behind parapet walls

Convertible ducted units installed behind decorative cabinets

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A N N IV E R S A RY

CELEBRATING 30 DYNAMIC YEARS! Serving the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration industry

2009

2008

2000

1993

1992

1990

Three decades ago Mike Creamer created Business Edge Ltd. The start of truly great things.

BuSINESS EDGE FouNDED

Business Edge Ltd is incorporated by Mike Creamer, the first UK AC&R Training & Certification company. 1000â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Engineers trained and qualified in AC&R technology, safety and F-Gas Certification.

Three UK Training Centres & Overseas training.

SoFTWARE ENGINEERING

Development of easy-to-use Quantum CIBSE-based Heat Gain / Loss software. Development of Selection Software for Versatemp, Mitsubishi Electric, Searle-ICG, Dean & Wood, Daikin, Airedale and VES.

MASTERCLASS - AIR CoNDITIoNING TEChNoLoGY

Mike writes 115 Technical Articles, published over 15 years. Still recognised as a valid aid to learning and freely available to the AC&R industry. Now adapted for the RACHP Technology Book.

The F-Gas manual is now a best seller!

CoNSuLTANCY & TRouBLEShooTING

Kelvin Kelly becomes Training Director, allowing Mike to increase his activities in design, consultancy, performance analysis and troubleshooting. Arbitration and Expert Witness work leads to costly disputes being resolved.

6 DRAGooN houSE ACquIRED

New offices acquired to handle company expansion.

Three Industrial Units added for Hands-On Training Courses, specialist Training Rigs, an F-Gas, Brazing & Electrical Training Centre and an R&D Workshop.

CLIMAChECk pERFoRMANCE ANALYSER

Appointed sole UK Distributor for Portable and Permanent analysers for Engineers to view every element a refrigeration circuit within water chillers, VRV, supermarket packs, CO2 and ammonia systems. Perfect for commissioning / troubleshooting, ClimaCheck is now installed within Nuclear Power Stations, Buildings, Data Centres and Ocean-going Vessels.

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2017

2013

2011

2010

www.businessedgeltd.co.uk

+44 (0)2392 230007

F3oS SYSTEM FLuShING & RECYCLING

Appointed sole UK Distributor for Fri3Oil Flushing Technology to supply and train Engineers in system flushing / cleansing by removing all oil, particulates and even liquid water, whilst simultaneously recycling refrigerant for re-use.

oIL-FREE CENTRIFuGAL CoMpRESSoR

Mike commences the development of his oil-free compressor, running quietly up to 49,000 RPM with no vibration by 2015. 1/6th the size and weight of a screw compressor, Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s invention can be upscaled to 650kW cooling capacity running on HFO1234yf and other refrigerants. Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Patents cover Europe, USA, Canada, China & S. Korea.

CuSToM EquIpMENT DESIGN

The company starts designing special products for clients. Then commences product manufacturing within a special works facility featuring precision temperature and humidity control, ultrasonic humidification, thyristor-controlled heating and UV water treatment.

TooLS & INSTRuMENTS

Appointed by leading manufacturers to sell Testo, Yellow Jacket, Advanced Engineering, RDA and Fieldpiece. Using this equipment extensively on its courses, Instructors can identify the best products for customers. E-Commerce website developed for online shopping.

2020

2019

SAMSuNG SpECIAL pRojECTS pARTNER

Samsung Electronics appoints Business Edge its UK Special Projects Partner. Specialist knowledge in Water Chillers & VRF technologies, design, commissioning, regulations and safety enables Business Edge to supply and support the entire ranges of Modular Water Chillers, Chilled Water Fan Coils and VRF Multi-Split DX Systems.

INSTITuTE oF REFRIGERATIoN

Mike Creamer is selected by the Membership to become the Institute of Refrigeration President Elect, taking over from current President, Kevin Glass of Bitzer UK in the Autumn of 2020.

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A N N IV E R S A RY

ACR industry Rachel Wales, left, and Lisa Whitmore recreate an inconic snap from their early days working together at Barnet Refrigeration

What does your current role involve?

RW: Managing a sales team that covers the Home Counties as well as servicing my own key accounts, these being air conditioning contractors and consultants. My role involves either visiting contractors at their offices, on site or arranging to meet them at our AMP showroom/training facility. We offer the full range of Panasonic equipment which covers residential, commercial, VRF, A2W, chillers and much more. AMP have been trading for 30 years and since our acquisition by Panasonic we have gone from strength to strength selling and marketing this product.

Sisters Rachel Wales and Lisa Whitmore were working together in the industry when the first issue of ACR Today was published 30 years ago. Rachel Wales is now Regional Sales Manager at distributor AMP Air Conditioning, a Panasonic company, while Lisa is Service Manager at Owen Refrigeration in Wellingborough.

What was your first job?

Rachel Wales: I started my first job at Barnet Refrigeration in North London in July 1982. I was employed as an office junior. Barnet Refrigeration was an air conditioning installer and service company started in the late 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. My role there increased when BRD, the distribution arm, began selling products including Marstair, Qualitair, Myson, Prestair and Calder. Both companies ran alongside each other and worked perfectly together. I was there for over six years and it was the start of my career in the industry.

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Women in ACR.indd 52

Lisa Whitmore: I joined BRD Air Conditioning (Barnet Refrigeration) as a tea lady and post girl (person!) My sister Rachel was already at the company on reception.

It was the days of telex machines, but we did have a state-of-the-art switchboard.

BRD and sister company BRL were not only a well-known distributor of air conditioning products but also a contractor. I moved across from BRD to BRL where I worked in the typing office, preparing the quotations and answering the phones. On some days we would log over 100 or so service calls, which was quite incredible.

LW: My current role involves the day to day running of the service department within Owen Refrigeration in Wellingborough. We have a strong client base offering service contracts for HVAC, full mechanical, and building services. Part of our business is offering a full M&E package. Our installations are backed up with a service contract, so I make sure all our customers are looked after to keep their systems operational all year round with minimum fuss. I can be in the office or out on site, meeting with customers old and new.

What attracted you to the industry?

RW: This is all I know; I have never lost my enthusiasm and passion for this Industry and the people I have met along the way.

Having worked for other distributors along with other manufacturers, my 28 years at AMP has been something of which I am extremely proud. I am still learning constantly and now meeting the next generation of contractors I have literally been dealing with since 1982.

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ANNIVERSARY

53

The IOR’s Women in RACHP network, established with the support of the ACR Journal in 2016, recently passed the 700 mark for membership.

The group is open to anyone (male or female) working in an RACHPrelated role. You do not have to be an IOR member.

You can get involved through the Women in RACHP Linkedin group.

LW: Because my sister Rachel was already at BRD/BRL, my introduction came through her.

When an admin opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance and never really looked back.

I have worked for distributors but have been in contracting now for 25 years. Running the service department is very challenging.

What excites/interests you about the industry?

RW: It is always changing, and we have certainly gone through some changes over the last two years at AMP. I have embraced this and worked extremely hard to continue my relationships with a new brand. What a challenge it has been and I have some very loyal customers who have supported me. Every day is an opportunity to win a new customer over, and then to receive that order, there is nothing better.

I am fortunate to have the enthusiasm in me after 37 years in this industry, I do think you either have it or you don’t! Our Industry is always interesting, changes in technologies, equipment, and regulations that we of course must keep up to date with. There are always people moving around from this company to that, and at the end of the day, this industry is small...

LW: Every day is different. I get to meet lots of different people in my role, from existing customers to developing relationships with new clients. The industry has developed significantly in the last 35 years. With many manufacturers to choose from, the changes with refrigerants and the technology. Some of our projects can be extremely varied and it is nice to have that project that challenges you and the engineers that install it.

How would you like to see your career developing?

RW: I would like to continue to learn, meet new people and continue to grow with AMP/Panasonic.

LW: Working for Owen Refrigeration is very varied and my role is quite diverse. Health & Safety is something that I consider to be the most important part of my role when planning projects and am looking to develop this further as I hope to be involved with our larger M&E projects in the future.

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?

RW: Always give 100% in everything you do, write everything down you need to learn and smile!

LW: Whatever you do, give it 100%.

What do you see as the challenges facing the industry?

RW: The industry is lacking in training the future generations and this means attracting new blood through apprenticeships. Every day, someone will ask me if I know any engineers who are available. The people with the ‘old school’ knowledge are retiring and taking what they know with them. The industry also faces many changes into the next generation of refrigerants, and of course regulations, and keeping up is sometimes a minefield.

challenges is finding skilled engineers and there is a definite skill shortage. The challenge for me would be to reach out to schools and colleges so we can explore hiring apprentices, offering the training to bring on our next generation of quality engineers before the 80’s breed all retire!

What would you say to other women who are considering coming into the ACR industry?

RW: I would tell them to literally go for it. When I started back in the 80’s the Industry was clearly male-orientated. It is a breath of fresh to see all the successful women in the ACR Industry.

LW: Being a part of the ACR industry is rewarding and challenging at the same time. I would say be open-minded and look at all the opportunities that a career in this industry can offer, from working in the UK to overseas, part of a big corporate manufacturer to a family-run contractor, not forgetting the engineering teams, installation, service and maintenance. The list is endless.

Is there a little-known fact about yourself that would surprise other people?

RW: I could say ‘ask my sister Lisa!’ I don’t have any secret hobbies or skills that stand out, I just put my heart and soul into what I do… and what I enjoy doing.

LW: Ask my sister Rachel!

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LW: Our business challenges are very specific. For me personally, one of the

www.ampair.co.uk www.owenme.co.uk

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F E AT U R E : D ATA C E NTRES

Aermec chillers save data centre £200K per year equipment especially with regards to the strategic importance of the data centre, slow recovery of CHW temperature after failures, reduced efficiency and higher maintenance costs, restricted access to plant rooms, old valves, pipework and high refrigerant charge 450Kgs per chiller.

Well used to designing solutions for legacy sites, Aermec looked at a number of options; working with the customer and their consultants. Both were keen that any replacement used the latest technologies available whilst addressing environmental concerns, efficiency requirements, redundancy and because of the criticality of the site, fast re-start.

Selection criteria •S ource reliable chillers with innovative technology to help improve efficiency • Build quality

Data centres are the backbone of many economies, but they also one of the fastest growing users of electricity. This is expected to significantly increase over the next decade with the continued growth of IT resources, e-commerce and Internet traffic, but the data centre community is heavily investing in the latest technologies to reduce their energy consumption, optimising performance levels, improving their PUEs whilst addressing environmental concerns. Manufacturers are playing their part by developing innovative products that deliver greener heating and cooling.

Aermec has long pioneered innovative solutions and one of its latest data centre customers is benefitting from a £200K per annum reduction in its energy bills.

Reliable cooling is a critical and an essential part of any data centre’s infrastructure. But deploying a welldesigned cooling strategy can significantly increase environmental credentials. Aermec has an impressive track record developing cooling strategies for its customers who include many blue-chip businesses. When one of its customers had a requirement to

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replace aged cooling infrastructure at its mission critical facility, this provided an opportunity to take advantage of superefficient compressor technologies, which would help reduce their carbon footprint, boost the plant’s EER ratings and enable the company’s annual energy bill to be reduced so that over the next 10 years, they can expect to save up to £2 million.

Based in the capital, the carrier neutral co-location site offers bespoke solutions for its customers, ranging from office space to suites with cages, rack cabinets, dedicated servers, virtual servers as well as the hosting of individual servers. Its existing cooling system had supporting the data centre for over 20 years.

Maintenance costs were increasing and a detailed analysis was undertaken. This provided the customers with an insight into their system, which showed the chillers were not as efficient as current systems on the market, they were also unequal in size making sequencing for N+1 resilience difficult to achieve.

The customer’s concerns also focused on the reliability of aged 19-year-old

• Ability to test • Use of appropriate technology to take advantages of advances in energy consumption, reduced carbon emissions • In-built resilience • Fast re-start • Access restriction required solution where walls and pipework were not removed.

Simple enough but the project was not without it challenges. Logistically the legacy site posed a number of challenges.

Restricted access but also height and width limitations. It quickly became apparent that standard chillers would not be suitable nor could they deliver the customer’s required energy savings.

By working collaboratively, Aermec worked closely with its customer and partners and used the latest technologies to develop a bespoke cooling strategy that improved the data centre’s overall efficiency and EER ratings, reduce emissions whilst offering an attractive ROI.

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FEATURE: DATA CENTRE S

Customer requirements

WTX Chiller

• Tried and tested equipment – standard options

The WTX chiller is a high efficiency chiller that sets new standards in reliability, efficiency and noise levels. It also takes advantages on the latest technologies and offers oil free operation, very high efficiencies, low starting current and low noise levels which can be reduced further with an acoustic cowling.

• Comprehensive client witness testing and procedures • Manufacturer simulated annual energy consumption analysis • Low noise requirements • Options for not destroying building fabric to install chillers • No disruption to data centre operation • Reduce carbon footprint • Reduced refrigerant charge.

Legacy systems present their own unique challenges and require innovative solutions. The criticality of the site, logistical issues, redundancy and fast re-start requirements often require a customised approach. Not all manufacturers have the capability or flexibility to meet such exacting criteria.

The solution based on Aermec’s WTX range, comprised four equally sized 1.1MW chillers using the latest multiTurbocor oil free compressor technology, and an off load and duty assist configuration would ensure the best possible energy savings.

The chillers were rigorously performance tested before being shipped to site and re-tested once in situ. The tests results were impressive and met the predicted EER ratings.

Each chiller achieved on average between 6.68 and 7.43 EER under normal use and savings calculated showed a £67K saving per annum on a single chiller and £200K per annum collectively during sequenced deployment at contracted cooling load, compared to the previous chillers. Based on these results, it is anticipated that customer will save up to £2million over the next 10 years.

A phased approach was adopted for the installation with one chiller installed at a time. The project presented a number of challenges. Working in a ‘live’ data centre meant that installation and commissioning had to be carried out sensitively so that the client’s customers were not impacted by the replacement.

The existing chillers were sited in a basement plantroom, residing in the vaults.

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Designed for indoor installation, the WTX features the latest generation magnetic levitation centrifugal oil-free compressors and flooded heat exchangers. The oil free operation ensures no mechanical friction and the use of the magnetic levitation bearings ensures there is no vibration and low frequency noise.

A starting current reduction device is also fitted so that only six amps is required.

The electronic thermostatic valve combined with the continuous modulation of the inverter compressor (from 30% - 100%) enables the chiller to meet any thermal load demand very quickly.

The heat exchanger is a shell and tube type, flooded with a spray system which ensures a reduced refrigerant load and delivers higher efficiency values compared to traditional flooded heat exchangers. The WTX’s condenser can be one or two water side passages to meet any installation requirements.

Two versions are available: • WTX_A High efficiency • WTX_U Ultra-high efficiency Both versions can be provided with a full cowling to further reduce any sound emissions.

The selection depends on the application, but are based on the maximum quality and efficiency and can achieving and EER rating of 6, which is a class A for Eurovent operating conditions and a partial load performance with an ESEER of nine. Cooling capacities range from 222kW -1950kW. Key benefits • EER rating of 6 (Class A for Eurovent operating conditions) • ESEER rating of 9 at partial loads • Oil-free operation eliminates vibration and low frequency noise

De-commissioning and reducing the legacy units into small sections for removal was straightforward, but installing the replacement units required a creative approach. Aermec engineers ensured that not only were the customers’ exacting requirements addressed but designs were engineered to enable easy access.

To achieve a smooth replacement, right from the outset, engineers designed a bespoke chiller frame assembly, arranging the evaporator and condenser shells as a single component and to dimensions

that enabled their transfer through the plantroom doors and below the installation pipework, leaving a 5mm tolerance. The new sections and frame were then passed through a space limited to a headroom of only 1435mm. The chillers were transported in component form and re-built on site.

Cryogenics were also used to freeze the pipework to facilitate the replacement.

The project took place over a 10-month period. The customer is now benefitting from a cooling solution that delivers significant improvements on resource usage, reduced energy consumption and has achieved a greener data centre.

Aermec UK Ltd, Unit 6, Capricorn Centre, Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, Essex SS14 3JJ

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F E AT U R E : D ATA C E NTRES

Rapid change opening up new world of opportunity Mike West, Aqua Group Data Centre Projects Manager, looks at how developping technology is impacting data centre design.

The world of data centre design is incredibly fast moving and very fluid, and we’ve come a long way from the days when 19°C air temperature and 6°C chilled water was a key design principle. Over recent years, equipment manufacturers have been united in their efforts to minimise energy consumption, unsurprising really when faced with a potential global energy crisis around CO2 emissions and the accepted premise that energy costs account for 33% of data centre total operating costs.

As green technology has developed, cooling system design has evolved hand in hand. When 10°C chilled water temperatures became a workable possibility, it opened the door to free cooling options. Then Turbocor compressor technology stepped into the arena, a highly effective solution for chilled water applications but savings needed to be carefully balanced with ongoing service, maintenance and replacement part costs.

Next, fresh air systems became feasible as allowable air temperatures further increased.

The downside to these was the tendency to need a larger footprint, they often needed back-up systems to provide redundancy and ducting air in and out of a data centre to keep working temperatures bearable.

In today’s market, air temperatures have been driven up to 27°C under normal running conditions, with even 32°C acceptable for short periods. This has really opened up the opportunity for refrigeration free or “chiller-less” designs.

Proper maintenance Cooling towers provide this perfectly, as do hybrid adiabatic coolers with a basic chiller for +1 and the energy savings can be quite remarkable. Aqua won a CEEDA gold award accreditation in 2014 for an installation using water cooled rear doors alongside a cooling tower, and this was really the springboard to the design theory we use today. Historically, cooling towers have had bad press because of legionella and H&S requirements, but proper maintenance

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The tower uses evaporative cooling to lower the temperature of the computers within the data centre facility. The use of specially designed CRAC units, operating on a 2°C difference between air and water temperatures, eliminated the need for mechanical cooling, allowing the chillers to be replace with natural source cooling.

Client needs

"As green technology has developed, cooling system design has evolved hand in hand" is the key here. Equally, there have been concerns around water cooled systems because of water being near servers and data. However, our chilled water systems run through our patented Leak Prevention System (LPS), which gives a leak free guarantee and continuous operation.

This year we’ve won industry accreditation for a project we worked on in partnership with 4D Data Centres Ltd at their Gatwick facility, deploying a highly energy efficient, intelligent “chiller-less” cooling solution. The facility’s legacy system was chiller based and the upgrade achieved energy savings of 90%+ almost immediately, with an annualised part load Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.125.

The system has redundancy built in, is scalable and future proofs the facility for the years ahead.

The project consisted of a cooling tower alongside a packaged plant room and full water treatment facility which was installed whilst the data centre was live.

In addition, a Carel CPco platform provided the system’s control strategy and was engineered to minimise energy usage.

The monitoring technology is aware of the minimal energy requirements for each piece of equipment within the system, ensuring it runs at the optimal needs of the data centre with zero energy wastage.

So, taking the success of the 4D project into consideration, would I say that “chillerless” design is the way forward? Yes – and no! Energy efficiency is a fundamental key determiner and newer technologies mean this sort of approach is becoming a really workable option. However, there are always a number of variables at play aside from air temperatures when you’re looking at the best solution – for example the end user’s approach to capital expenditure versus operational expenditure, whether it’s a new build or legacy facility, corporate responsibility towards environmental issues and overall business goals and objectives.

For me, system design starts with the end client’s base needs and requirements and the final cooling system design comes from those. For one client that might be a high efficiency free cooler or a “chillerless” hybrid cooler, for another we could offer an on-chip/immersed cooling product.

It’s key to always consider the total cost of ownership. Overall savings need to reflect not just the electrical cost but other costs such as water usage, ongoing maintenance, so that the true cost of ownership is established, and the client can see a real energy saving. Our customers get given full, and part load, seasonally adjusted figures based on real situations. If we offer an annual energy and cost saving that’s what client will achieve each and

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FEATURE: DATA CENTRE S every year. But it’s also important to stay true to the needs and wants of the client, a higher cap ex outlay may achieve the best ROI longer term, but for some clients, cap ex needs to be kept to a minimum.

Essentially, there’s no one-size-fits allsolution. We’re working more and more with natural cooling sources, whether that’s cooling towers, hybrid coolers, bore holes, river/sea water and the energy savings achievable are off the scale. For sure the focus must remain on energy saving, not just for the bottom line but for the future

"System design starts with an end client's base needs and requirements and the final design comes from those"

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of the planet. There are exciting projects in the pipeline now on recycled carbon, taking carbon emissions from a waste stream and repurposing them for another application.

When you think how far data centre cooling design has come in the last decade then the future will offer up even more opportunities than ever before.

The 4D project saw a cooling tower, packaged plant room and full water treatment facility installed whilst the data centre was live

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18/11/2019 19:36

Fluid Solutions & Services

Data Centre Cooling

Fluid Solutions: Hydratech specialise in the E AT Uefficiency, R E : D ATA C E NTRES manufacture ofFhigh environmentally safe, glycol-based heat transfer fluids with antifreeze function and long-life inhibitors.

Fluid Solutions: Hydratech specialise in the

58 Solutions & Services Fluid

Data Centre Cooling Chilling, Freezing &

Secondary Refrigerants Fluid Solutions & Services

manufacture of high efficiency, environmentally safe, glycol-based heat transfer fluids with As manufacturers formulators antifreezeand function andoflong-life inhibitors.

Secondary refrigerants are also referred to as “heat Fluid Solutions: Hydratech the manufacture high-performance cooling and heating specialise transferin fluids”.

The condition and performance of of high effi ciency, environmentally safe, glycol-based heat fluids, Hydratech work alongside data secondary refrigerants is necessary for quality transferand fluids with antifreeze function and long-life inhibitors. centre designers consultants to refrigeration plant operations.

As manufacturers and formulators of providehigh-performance bespoke solutions.

Keyand heating cooling As manufacturers and formulators of objectives in fluid formulation are to; data Secondary refrigerants are usually fluids, Hydratech work alongside high-performance cooling and heating liquids and are used to transfer heat improvecentre thermal and pumping efficiency, from the substance being cooled to a and alongside consultants fluids,designers Hydratech work datato heat exchanger where the heat is minimise maintenance and eliminate centre designers and consultants provide bespoke solutions. Key absorbed by a primary refrigerant. to provide solutions. Key objectives inbespoke fluid formulation are to; Secondary refrigerants are used in environmental risks. many applications for example; objectives in fluidand formulation areefficiency, to; improve thermal pumping Large refrigeration plants often use improve thermal and pumping effi ciency, minimise maintenance and eliminate secondary refrigerants to transport Fluid Management Services: minimise maintenance and eliminate the cooling capacity from the plant environmental Recognising service risks. interruptions and

environmental risks.

room to the point of use.

downtime are unacceptable, Hydratech With over 20 years’ experience, Fluid Management Services: Hydratech has used their unrivalled Fluid Management also provide a range of FMS,Services: including; Recognising service interruptions and technical knowledge of flow Recognising service interruptions and the Fluid Monitoring Program (FMP), downtime are unacceptable, Hydratechcharacteristics, thermodynamics and downtime are unacceptable, Hydratech systemalso flushing, conditioning and including;cooling systems to design and provide FMS, formulate innovative fluid solutions. also provide a a range range ofofFMS, including; commissioning – according to BSRIA thethe Fluid Program (FMP), FluidMonitoring Monitoring Program (FMP), Coolflow DTX was introduced in BG29/2012, plus a range of side-stream system flushing, conditioning and system flushing, conditioning and 2010 as a high performance filtrationcommissioning units. according to BSRIA non-toxic secondary refrigerant, commissioning –– according to BSRIA BG29/2012, plus a range of side-streamsuitable for replacing PG in food and BG29/2012, plus a range of side-stream beverage cooling systems. filtration units. filtration units.

Performance wise it has very similar High-profile Data Centre customers heat transfer and pumping

include; Barclays through ISS, Sky & characteristics to Ethylene Glycol High-profiData le Data High-profile Centre customers and subsequently benefits from Gyron Internet through H&C Contracts Centre customers include; Barclays through ISS, Sky & numerous operating advantages and Keysource, Colt through Aggreko, include; Barclays throughH&C ISS, Sky & Gyron Internet through Contracts The list of Coolflow DTX adopters is NGD Newport through S&GH&C Aircon.

Gyron Internet through Contracts now extensive and includes a host of and Keysource, Colt through Aggreko, and Keysource, Colt through Aggreko, NGD Newport through S&G Aircon.

well-known companies from the

industry, including Mitie, Aircon.

So, if youNGD areNewport lookingthrough for a S&G ‘total solution’ brewing Integral, Sainsbury’s, Airbus, So, if you are looking for a ‘total solution’ Siemens, EON and SSE. to fluid So, supply and please if you aremanagement, looking for a ‘total solution’ to fluid supply and management, please call 01792 586800 and ask to speak to call fluid supply and management, pleaseSo, the next time you’re looking for a 01792 586800 and ask to speak with 586800 and ask to speak specialist cooling solution, with the with ancall applications engineer. an01792 applications engineer.

with an applications engineer.

For more info -

For more info -

For more info:

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added advantage of a Fluid Monitoring Service be sure to talk with the experts first.

www.hydratech.co.uk info@hydratech.co.uk t. +44 (0)1792 586800

Coolflow secondary refrigerants and food safe glycols are proven to increase productivity, reduce maintenance and lower operating costs.

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info@hydratech.co.uk info@hydratech.co.uk info@hydratech.co.uk

t. +44t. (0)1792 586800 +44 (0)1792 586800 t. +44 (0)1792 586800

Manufacturers of heat transfer Manufacturers of heat transfer fluids, Manufacturers of heat transfer fluids, glycol cooling solutions, glycol cooling solutions, inhibitors fluids, glycol cooling solutions, inhibitors and cleansers. andand cleansers. inhibitors cleansers.

December | January 2020

Hydrotech_advertorial.indd 58

Sureflow Sureflow Corrosion, scale and biological Corrosion, scale and biological inhibitors to protect water-only inhibitors to protect water-only and antifreeze-based data andcentre antifreeze-based data cooling systems. centre cooling systems.

A range of fully inhibited coolants A range of fully inhibited coolants with antifreeze function for data with antifreeze function for data centre cooling systems.

centre cooling systems.

Volume 6 No.1

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FEATURE: DATA CENTRES

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In the balance The balancing act between improving sustainability while ensuring downtime is avoided is a dilemma faced by all data centres. Toby Hunt, from Guardian Water Treatment, looks at how the latest technologies are paving the way for data centres that work better and waste less.

Data centres already have a huge carbon footprint and this is only set to get bigger; data is essential to practically everyone on the planet. One of the biggest factors in this footprint is cooling, which accounts for around 38% of a data centres running costs. Improving the efficiency of cooling and reducing its strain on energy (and water) will therefore have a considerable impact on bottom lines’ and sustainability.

All data centre cooling relies on water in one way or another, in fact researchers at Imperial College have estimated that every gigabyte (GB) of outbound data has a water footprint of around 200 litres. Water is used extensively in the case of cooling towers, more common on larger sites, and even air cooled systems use water within a closed circuit. Whatever the cooling medium, water has a role to play – reducing volume and ensuring this water does not cause issues such as corrosion and system fouling, is therefore essential.

In the bigger data centres hundreds of thousands of gallons of water is being used

every day. Much of this water could be recovered and recycled (around 60 – 70%).

Thanks to filtration and ion exchange, the majority of dissolved solids, bacteria and algae are removed, leaving the recycled water often cleaner than when it entered the cooling system. Not only does water recycling prevent unnecessary wastage, it also saves money – payback can be in well under two years.

In closed circuit systems, oxygen ingress must be prevented to keep corrosion and microbial proliferation at bay; issues that will lead to inefficiencies, increased running costs and if left unchecked, ultimately breakdown.

To ensure water is in peak condition, we recommend continuous monitoring – the only way to get a true picture of what is going on in a system. Historically, sampling has been the main way that water was checked, however this process has a number of flaws that don’t fit with the modern and essentially ‘data driven’ world of the data centre. Sampling only represents a snap shot in time and results

can take weeks to come back from a laboratory, by which time things may have changed. Crucially, sampling does not effectively detect for oxygen.

We use the patented Hevasure monitoring system, which provides 24/7, real-time results covering a wide range of parameters, including oxygen. Hevasure also tracks pH, temperature, pressure and inhibitor levels.

Changes in any of these elements can be indicative of a problem, allowing small issues to be acted on fast, preventing major repairs and dramatically reducing breakdown risk.

Overall, Hevasure will also save money on maintenance and chemicals. Flushing and chemical dosing can be avoided when a system is constantly tracked and therefore more easily kept in peak condition.

For all data centres preventing downtime is crucial, so by ensuring every part of the jigsaw puzzle is working at its optimum, the risk of catastrophic failure can be averted.

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Where are they now? Meet m o As we reported in the previous issue of the magazine, the 2019 ACR Trainee of the Year Awards mark the 10th time this popular event has been staged to support and celebrate the next generation of engineers. Over the following pages we chart the career paths to date of more previous winners...

THEN

What was your role at the time and what is your current job?

I was between changing jobs from WR Refrigeration, where I was a refrigeration service engineer working on Sainsbury’s sites in the south, to working for a local company Dixon Engineering as an air conditioning service and maintenance engineer. I now work at ORAC as more of a senior service engineer, mainly working in the colleges doing both air conditioning and refrigeration, so I have gone full circle.

Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?

I have an apprentice working alongside me and he is very enthusiastic, like me. I like to see and help other engineers to succeed and in 10 years’ time I would like to have more knowledge and be the best I can be to help others in this ever-changing industry.

NOW

What is the most useful/important thing you have learned so far?

Every day is a school day, every day is slightly different and mistakes can be a way of learning something new.

Darren Roberts with John Ellis of Ellis Training in 2013

2013: DARREN ROBERTS What did being named ACR Trainee of the Year mean to you?

I collected work-based evidence to finish my NVQ level 2 after I was made redundant from ORAC (Oxford Refrigerant & Air Conditioning) in 2008. I funded the NVQ level 2 part myself along with my Technical certificate level 3 and NVQ level 3. Ellis Training recognised my determination and ambition and felt that I deserved to win the award. For me, I was just shocked, a little tipsy from the wine and just enjoying the award ceremony. I was on a high when I went to work the next day.

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Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

Ellis Training inspired me during my apprenticeship and they were a rock during my redundancy. I must admit, I have a soft spot for Ellis Training because they have been so helpful and kind-hearted. I would highly recommend them as a training provider to anyone looking to train their staff in this field.

What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

If you are just starting out in this industry, training is important and will be beneficial for you and your employer in the long and short term. You are also more likely stay in the industry, as I have.

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m ore of our previous winners

THEN

Jay Sheffield was the winner of the Off the Tools category in 2014

2014 (Off the Tools): JAY SHEFFIELD

solutions focused around R744 and R290 into the UK market. Alongside this role I had just finished my N.V.Q Level 3 Apprenticeship and was studying for the completion of my HNC in Mechanical Engineering.

My current job role is Technical Director at Rivacold UK. This is a broad role which requires knowledge on a wide range of refrigeration equipment, commercial tasks and management. Currently some of the main technology I am heavily involved with includes R744 rotary BLDC systems & R290 monoblocs.

What did being named ACR Trainee of the Year mean to you?

This was the first time there were two separate categories to reflect a trainee’s role within the industry, either “On the Tools” or “Off the Tools”. I was very proud to win the award, especially as I was in a very different job role to a lot of the trainees I was up against. Not only did it provide me with recognition of the good work I had done to get to this point it also gave me the drive to push on and continue to develop in my career within the refrigeration industry.

What is the most useful/important thing you have learned so far?

In the early part of my career the best advice I was given was “you only need to know a little bit more than the person you are talking to, to be an expert in anything”.

As a young engineer working with lots of experienced clients this gave me confidence to express my knowledge and not to worry about knowing the answer to everything on the spot. Another key thing I have learnt is to be open to change and learning every day. The refrigeration industry is unique, we operate in an ever-evolving area with many influences on decisions makers other than the best engineering solution.

What was your role at the time and what is your current job?

When I won I was a Key Account Manager at Arctic Circle. This was a dual role incorporating technical and commercial tasks for various major UK end users. At the time of the awards I was working on the design and supply of natural refrigerant

Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

The largest influence on my career to date has been Ray Marriott – Managing Director Rivacold. Leaving Arctic Circle, where I completed my apprenticeship, was a big decision as a large part of what I wanted was to continue to develop and learn.

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Ray has guided me throughout my time at Rivacold to the director position I am now in within the business.

What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

I would always advocate an apprenticeship for the fantastic career path and opportunities it gave to me. When I was at school an apprenticeship was never really seen as an option, the standard sixth form to university route was the norm. Coming into an apprenticeship after sixth form and university provided me with the focus and career path I had always wanted.

Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?

The most important thing for me, and I believe for anyone, is to be happy and enjoy doing your job. In 10 years’ time I hope to be as happy as I am now, continuing to learn and develop and still be having an influence on the refrigeration industry.

NOW

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THEN

branch. Shortly afterwards I relocated to Derbyshire as a regional engineer then promoted to service manager of the recently opened Derby branch.

What is the most useful/important thing you have learned so far?

The most important thing I’ve learned is that there’s always something new to learn. Never stop learning and take any training offered.

Ben Moulson was On the Tools winner in 2014

2014 (On the Tools): BEN MOULSON What did being named ACR Trainee of the Year mean to you?

Being recognised for the hard work that I put into my training and day-to-day work, and also hearing the great testimonials from our clients was a real honour. It was quite a surprise being offered the opportunity to take the NVQ level 2 after working in the industry for over 10 years.

I think that ultimately reflects Adcock’s approach to engineer training.

What was your role at the time and what is your current job?

At the time of the award I was the senior service engineer at Adcock’s Bromsgrove

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Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

That would be my previous chairman, Gilbert Burlison, a true gentleman in the industry. Gilbert was heavily involved in Temperature Ltd, manufacturing Versatemp and Prestair units all over there world alongside working with FETA and many other industry organisations. Gilbert was, and probably still is, the hardest-working person I have ever come across. His knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to teach others was the reason why in my early years in the industry I was able to learn so much from someone who would take the time to teach.

is always opportunities for progression, possibly a branch manager position or starting another branch in a new area, who knows? In 10 years the industry will have changed a considerable amount. The environmental aspect is ever present and companies will always strive to innovate and evolve. New technology, refrigerants and components will be developed, so plenty more things to learn.

NOW

What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

Thoroughly embrace the opportunity and put the extra effort in. The more you learn and can do then ultimately the more you could potentially earn and progress your career. It may seem a pain at the time but should pay off in the future. As well, never turn down free training.

Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?

I still see myself in the industry. I’ve already spent 17 years in the trade and mostly enjoyed it! Working for Adcock’s there

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THEN

Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

Tim Squelch, the engineer I spent most of my apprenticeship with. I learned a lot with him and am very grateful. Another influential person is Glen Greenbank from PRTC, my college tutor. His enthusiasm for the industry helped inspire me.

What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

Go for it! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good way into a lifelong career and the on-the-job experience is priceless.

2016: LEWIS WILKINSON What did being named ACR Trainee of the year mean to you?

Winning the award was a huge honour for me and also a big confidence boost.

Where would you like to be in 10 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time?

In 10 years I would like to be in a senior/ managerial role. Or looking to start my own company.

NOW

What was your role at the time and what is your current job?

My role at the time of winning the award was refrigeration service apprentice. I am now a time served fully qualified service engineer working on a range of refrigeration and A/C plant. Also helping with training the next generation of engineers.

What is the most useful/important thing you have learned so far?

The ability to work alone and trust yourself is the most important thing I have learned to date.

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THEN

What was your role at the time and what is your current job?

I was a second year apprentice working for Star Refrigeration at the time and I was assisting on service, maintenance and install tasks whilst also learning on the job and attending college. Now I am a recently fully qualified industrial refrigeration engineer working for Star Refrigeration and attending various sites to complete service, maintenance and install tasks.

What is the most useful/important thing you have learned so far?

The most important thing that I have learned is to never be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure. This assisted my training massively and helped me gain enough knowledge to complete my 4 year apprenticeship. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never know.

Sam Gill received his award from ACR Journal publisher Juliet Loiselle

2017: SAM GILLS What did being named ACR Trainee of the Year mean to you?

It was an amazing experience to be named ACR Trainee of the Year. I was completely overwhelmed and proud when it was announced. To get recognition of my achievements at college and work made me feel incredibly proud of myself and my company. To win an industry award such as this one is an amazing thing for my career and gave me a huge confidence boost in my training.

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NOW Where would you like to be in 10 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time?

I would like to have progressed as a higher grade engineer with more experience and knowledge. But also potentially looking at progression routes into management, design or sales roles.

NOW

Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

It would be hard to name just one individual.

The engineers at the Newcastle branch have trained and guided me throughout my apprenticeship and always supported me at work. Also, the management have always pushed me to do the best I can, and given me excellent opportunities which I have taken and learned from.

What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

I would highly recommend an apprenticeship to anyone, as it was an amazing opportunity for me to get into a very interesting and diverse trade. It is great to be able to work and learn whilst on the job, and feeling as though every day you have achieved and learned something new.

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65 yet but I would like to think it would be something along the lines of refrigeration design or technical sales. That being said, I’m excited to see what the next few years brings in terms of career development and progression. In this trade the world really is your oyster and with the gradual phase out of F-gases and customers pushing harder than ever to become greener, I believe more natural refrigerants will be used. Therefore I am excited to see new technology and design in refrigeration.

NOW

THEN

Tom Woolston with fellow finalists in 2018

2018: TOM WOOLSTON What did being named ACR Trainee of the year mean to you?

Being named ACR Trainee of the Year meant so much to me, not only is it an award but it goes to show that all the hard work and dedication I had put In over the years was appreciated by others in the Industry.

What was your role at the time and what is your current job?

At the time of the awards I was a fourth year apprentice, I am now a fully qualified industrial refrigeration engineer with Star Refrigeration.

What is the most useful/important thing you have learned so far?

The most important thing I have ever learnt is to just step back and have a look and think about the task at hand. Also a quote that sticks with me is “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

That’s a really hard question to answer! All the guys and girls I work with are brilliant so I don’t think I could name one.

What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

Jump at an apprenticeship with both arms open, it’s the best way to learn, earn and enjoy the work environment. You meet so many people and mature so quickly being an apprentice, there’s nothing like it. I’ve made some great friends through college that I might not have met if I wasn’t an apprentice and I’m sure they will stick with me for many years to come.

Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?

I would like to see myself with a new challenge… I’m not sure what that will be

The remaining previous winner is Joshua Lincoln, who took the award in 2015 when working for Adcock Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. He is now living in Australia and continues to work in the industry.

SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRY Generous support from sponsors and supporters over the past decade have meant in excess of £40,000 has been ploughed back into industry training.

The headline sponsors for 2019 are:

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H E AT P U MP S

Aberla boosts carbon pledge Air source roll-out will support Greater Manchester ambitions.

Aberla will be responsible for the design and installation of systems across the region

Aberla Renewables has secured a contract to provide energy saving heating solutions which will support Greater Manchester’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2038.

Aberla will deliver the air source heat pump roll-out for the Greater Manchester partners of the Homes as Energy Systems (HaES) project, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Led by Procure Plus, the HaES project brings together social landlords Northwards Housing and Stockport Homes Group as well as other regional bodies including the University of Salford.

With the local energy network currently under stress the aim of the project is to assist a growing electricity demand and increase the renewable energy generation.

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Specialist expertise By enabling a transition to a ‘low carbon’ electricity network in Greater Manchester, HaES will directly support Mayor Andy Burnham’s aspirations for the City Region, namely the pledge to become a carbon neutral city region by 2038.

Paul McCarren, managing director at Aberla, said: “We’re proud to further strengthen our relationships with housing providers, providing specialist expertise in energy solutions.

"Initiatives such as these not only provide a number of benefits for the enduser but, in turn, are vital in achieving regional and national climate pledges.”

The Warrington-based company, part of the Aberla Group, will be responsible for

the design and installation of the ASHP systems, with the installation programme starting across Stockport.

Greater Manchester Green City-region lead and Leader of Trafford Council, Councillor Andrew Western said: “The rollout of new and innovative energy systems for homes demonstrates the region’s commitment to decarbonising our energy supply.

"This technology will heat homes whilst reducing the demand on the national grid and will contribute to Greater Manchester’s carbon neutral target.”

Work on the Homes as Energy Systems project is expected to be completed by winter 2020.

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HEAT PUMPS

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Three Carrier water-to-water chillers are used in the Riverlight district cooling scheme in London

Unlocking district potential New module designed to make the most of waste heat from multiple sources.

Carrier believes its new CPD module for consultants, developers and system designers highlights opportunities for largescale energy savings using district heating and cooling schemes.

Developed in conjunction with CIBSE, the module aims to explain the growing need for integrated and efficient heating and cooling solutions to meet the demands of increasingly urbanised living.

According to a recent United Nations report, Revision of World Urbanization Prospects, 81% of people in high income countries such as the US, UK, France, Canada and Australia already live in urban areas, and this is predicted to rise to nearly 88% by 2050. To deliver truly ‘smart’ cities, the module suggests that planners and designers will need to evolve sustainable heating and cooling solutions that are correspondingly clever.

A key approach to developing smart cities is the application of modern heat pumps employing low GWP refrigerants as a means of maximising primary energy use, and harnessing secondary energy that would otherwise be wasted, to reduce overall environmental impact.

In addition to capturing heat rejected from buildings to help meet heating and cooling demand, there is a major opportunity to harness waste heat generated from other sources – such as power stations, data centres, metros, power distribution and industry – as a by-product of their main activity.

Shared plant A recent European Commission report, An EU Strategy on Heating and Cooling, highlights that, theoretically, there is enough waste heat produced in the EU to heat all of the residential and tertiary buildings in the EU. Carrier regional sales manager David Evans said: “Carrier was among the first manufacturers in the UK to develop district heating and cooling schemes that share HVAC plant across several buildings. With

modern heat pumps running on low-GWP refrigerants, the savings in both energy and carbon can be substantial. The approach is good for the environment and good for end users, as it keeps running costs low.

“With growth in cities and urban living forecast to continue rising over the next few years, we believe this inter-building approach will grow, as the benefits are clear. Carrier is at the forefront with a comprehensive range of proven low-GWP chillers and heat pumps ready to meet the need.”

Integrated city heating and cooling systems are becoming increasingly important for urban areas

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C OMME N T

Rocky road to Net Zero

Andrew Slater believes there is little chance of 20,000 homes per week switching to low carbon heating by choice.

A study from the Policy Connect cross party think tank reports that 20,000 homes per week must switch to low carbon heating between 2025 and 2050 to meet UK climate goals. A task surely beyond all possibilities, especially when we are right in the midst of a skills shortage within the renewable technology sector.

According to the Committee for Climate Change, 14% of UK greenhouse gases come from our homes, a level equivalent to that of all of the UK’s 38.4 million cars. A poll amongst MPs demonstrated that only 5% reportedly placed natural gas boilers in their top three sources of emissions and so you would assume do not recognise the scale of impact from the current domestic heating market.

With no definitive long-term heating policy at national level, the contribution to reduce carbon emissions from the domestic front would appear to have been left to local authorities. Consumers would rather keep old systems and put up with their problems rather than avoid the upset of installing new or improving existing systems[1]. With

public awareness of alternative low carbon heating solutions also being poor and no clear direction for progress, we should be cautious as an industry of introducing an array of new technologies, with very little support or poor guidance.

Lessons need to be learnt at government level from the incentives and roll-out schemes used in the past, with those departments that carry out research during

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Andrew Slater is managing director of HVAC Communications.

www.hvaccommunications.com consultation periods held accountable for grossly over or under estimating projections.

Results published by the National Audit Office in 2018 showed that 78,048 air source heat pumps had been installed and registered on the RHI incentive scheme, just 22% of the half a million projected by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Miscalculation of equipment costs were identified, and so followed a rescue package to allow investment schemes to try and boost the uptake, but again appearing unsuccessful. What about the admission of underestimating the potential industry shortfalls, the lack of skills available, and the lack of safeguarding the consumer and the technologies reputation by removing unethical sales channels that hang on

to government incentives? How many long standing industry professionals are involved in these decisions?

Achieving Net Zero is completely dependent on the unpredictable social element of society. Free choice is the basis of the way we live but maybe, when faced with a task of such enormous change, some of this choice should be removed?

We should focus our efforts at a national level on identifying a direction that will provide a solution for the domestic market, especially in homes that are ‘on grid’ and supplied with piped natural gas. Perhaps the RHI and attempted heat pump application should be stopped in this area and more focus on developing fuel cell combined heat and power technology to force change? Gas engineers are a highly trusted source of advice for heating systems on the domestic front [2] and surely a nation of gas will be more adaptive to this kind of technology.

It would also reduce the demand on the electrical network from the electricity generated through cold combustion.

Will 20,000 homes per week change to low carbon heating options through choice?

I don’t think so.

[1] Energy Systems Catapult (2018) How can people get the heat they want, without the carbon?

[2]BEIS (2019) Public Attitudes Tracker Wave 28

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HEAT PUMPS

Ground source for historic hall

Modern technology transforms costs and comfort for period property.

A 17th Century property in Norfolk has invested in a new renewable system to cut costs and deliver more effective heating.

The project at Grade 1 listed Raynham Hall, near Fakenham, has seen renewable heating specialist Finn Geotherm replace an old and ineffective oil boiler with a new ground source heat pump.

Built in 1621, Raynham Hall is a spectacular property set in 5,000 acres. It is lived in by Charles, the 8th Marquess Townshend, who inherited the property in 2010. The hall also hosts a series of events each year including recitals and guided tours.

As custodian of Raynham Hall, Lord Townshend has to save money or make money for the hall and takes his responsibility to maintain the property very seriously. At £36,000, the annual heating bill was too expensive and the boiler system needed to be upgraded.

Lord Townsend explained: “Originally installed in the 1950s, the existing oil boiler was old, outdated, overworked and inefficient. It had been augmented over the years by several supplementary pumps to aid heat distribution and the pumps often fought against each other. A hot water tank in the top of the building was fed by the boiler at the bottom of the house, meaning it took hours to get any hot water.”

After a thorough heat loss survey, encompassing all 62 rooms, Finn Geotherm specified 2 x Lämpöässä Eli 90 ground source heat pumps with a 3000 litre thermal store to supply all heating for the Hall, as well as hot water for its 12 bathrooms. The ground source heat pump is fed by 10km of ground loop installed beneath grounds incorporating the old cricket pitch.

"This is the sort of larger period property that everyone tries to tell you can’t be heated with a heat pump but my ground source system proves otherwise" Since it was installed, heating costs at Raynham Hall have been cut by 64% and the amount of energy consumed has been reduced by 72.6%. The installation also qualifies for the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, which provides quarterly payments based on the amount of heat energy used for 20 years. The system will pay back in around seven years.

69

“The previous heating system was terrible,” said Lord Townshend. “However, results for the heat pump so far have been extraordinarily good. The house is now very comfortable. Finn Geotherm could not have been more helpful – they wanted to deliver a heating system which would work with and enhance our everyday lives and this does exactly that. You put up with a lot when you live in a large house but there really is no need to go without adequate heating and hot water. It’s a huge problem we’ve been living with which has just disappeared.

“This is the sort of larger period property that everyone tries to tell you can’t be heated with a heat pump but my ground source system proves otherwise. I am delighted to be using modern technology to heat my 17th Century home – it is the perfect combination.”

Guy Ransom, commercial director at Finn Geotherm, said: “Raynham Hall is an ideal illustration of the massive impact a heat pump can have in older properties.

One of the unique features of this ground source installation is that you can barely see it! Working with Natural England and archaeologists to monitor the project, the careful design and installation of our heat pump system has ensured that the exquisite architecture of Raynham Hall remains exactly as it was but, for the first time in its long history, the hall is now properly heated.”

The current RHI scheme is set to end in March 2021 for new applications. www.finn-geotherm.co.uk

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C H AN GIN G FACE S

JENNY DEAN

SOUTHERN SALES MANAGER, MHI DIRECT Jenny Dean has joined MHI Direct as Southern Sales Manager, with responsibility for growing the sales team supporting HVAC contractors in the South.

She previously spent 12 years at Mitsubishi Electric in various roles. Most recently she worked in the Corporate Sales team, dealing with major end user retailers, supporting them and their supply chain with product selections and helping to reduce energy usage across their estates. Jenny previously worked as the National 121 sales manager, growing and managing the Mitsubishi Electric internal account manager team and supporting AC contractors nationally.

She said: “I am looking forward to growing the MHI Direct team and being able to offer a great product at competitive cost and delivering a high level of customer service to existing and to new clients, helping them to grow their business and offering support with all their air conditioning requirements.’’

John Billson, Beijer Ref UK & Ireland Managing Director, said: “Jenny will bring a huge amount of enthusiasm fuelled by a wealth of market knowledge, which is a winning combination to sell….’’

ROBYN-STEPHANIE TEAGUE MULTIMEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE, ACR JOURNAL Robyn-Stephanie Teague has joined the ACR Journal team in Bourne and will be the main commercial point of contact for businesses across the industry. She Body copy replaces Jordan Paylor, who was unable to resist the lure of Australia following his visit earlier this year.

Subhead Robyn has previous publishing experience after working as key contacts account manager for a leading consumer title at Bauer Media in Peterborough, organising media campaigns for brands across print, digital and events. She was later manager of the Account Management Sales Team at Groupon head office in London.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the ACR Journal! It’s a great publication and I’m looking forward to building my industry knowledge and working closely with all of the team.

ACR Journal publisher Juliet Loiselle said: “This is a very welcoming industry and Robyn has already settled in well. I am sure she is going to be a great asset to the team.’’

www.mhispecifications.co.uk

robyn.teague@warnersgroup.co.uk 01778 395029 07980 210377

LEANNE DUCKWORTH

BRETT BAXTER

Manchester-based Coolair Equipment has appointed a new national administrator to its aftersales division. Leanne Duckworth will work alongside aftersales service manager Mark Cooper and contracts coordinator Karen Swallow in meeting increasing demand for the company’s maintenance service from developers, contractors and clients.

Based at Coolair’s headquarters in Dukinfield but also supporting offices in the Midlands and Kent, Leanne’s duties will include writing maintenance contracts, planning the team’s work schedule and reporting directly to clients.

John Otterson, Coolair managing director, said: “Leanne’s wide-ranging skills and experience will prove invaluable in helping us accelerate the building of our reputation as a onestop-shop for heating and cooling services through our thriving national aftersales division.

“Our business has been providing servicing and maintenance for many years. Now increased demand from our clients – impressed by our ability to deliver energy-saving solutions that reduce their costs – has prompted us to expand our one-stop-shop capabilities to serve the whole of the UK.”

Heating products manufacturer Stiebel Eltron UK has expanded its team with the appointment of Brett Baxter as regional specification manager for the North West.

He will focus on driving sales of the company’s home comforts range, including instantaneous hot water and electric heating products, as demand increases in line with the growing popularity of city centre living.

Mark McManus, Managing Director at Stiebel Eltron UK, said: “Our home comforts range offers a high-performance sustainable alternative for developers of high-density city centre residential projects and student accommodation.

“This has become a key growth area as the property market changes and these developments become increasingly popular. Brett’s experience in the sector and product knowledge will be an invaluable asset for us as we look to continually expand our presence.

“We’re committed to continuing to develop technology that drives the UK towards an all-electric future. As standards become more stringent, and legislation specifies the use of electricity generated through renewable methods over fossil fuels, it’s key we create technology that maximises product performance and efficiency.”

www.coolair.co.uk

www.stiebel-eltron.co.uk

NATIONAL AFTERSALES ADMINSTRATOR, COOLAIR EQUIPMENT

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REGIONAL SPECIFICATION MANAGER, STIEBEL ELTRON UK

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CHANG ING FACE S

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GOODE-BYE FROM COLIN AFTER 48 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY Fujitsu’s Colin Goode is to retire at the end of December after almost 48 years in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

He said: “Like most people I never really gave retirement much thought. After all, it’s for old people, right? Well, the years roll by and some of your friends, family and work colleagues start to retire. Then, before you know it, you are into your early 60s and it suddenly dawns on you that you too are approaching that time of life.’’

Colin studied under John Ellis and Ken Couch at Willesden College of Technology (1972-76) before completing his refrigeration apprenticeship with Frigidaire. He went on to spend 20 years with Carrier in a variety of sales, product and national account roles but left in 1996 as recession struck. He then had spells with York in Basildon, Brighouse-based IMI Air Conditioning, ACDP consulting engineers, and close control specialists Eaton-Williams, before an 8-year stint in contracting with Blue Sky Air Conditioning in Essex which was followed by a move to Andrews Air Conditioning.

A strong technical background saw him join Fujitsu as VRF pre-sales engineer in 2013 progressing to product and specification manager and working across the full product

range helping to develop new products in conjunction with Fujitsu HQ in Japan, Germany and, most recently, with Fujitsu’s partners GIH in Italy.

He said: “In many ways I wish I had found Fujitsu earlier in my career because working here has been a breath of fresh air. The staff are dedicated and professional, but they like to have fun as well which makes for a very relaxed and enjoyable working environment where teamwork gets the job done. I will not miss working life, but I will miss the banter and camaraderie that the HVAC&R industry has in spades and which has also become a bit of a Fujitsu trademark. I do plan to keep in touch with all my past and present work group colleagues and perhaps, like a bad old penny, I will turn up at the odd trade show or industry event in the future.’’

Fujitsu Chief Operating Officer Ian Carroll said: “Colin has been a pivotal member of our team bringing his years of industry experience to Fujitsu which has helped in both product development and the setting up of our specification sales department. He will be missed and will always remain part of our family. We all hope he has a long, happy, and healthy retirement.’’

ROSS CLARKE

DAVID GARCIA AND JOHN MORRIS

SOUTHERN SALES MANAGER, SMI

RENEWABLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS, GRANT UK

Seymour Manufacturing International (SMI) has appointed Ross Clarke as Southern Sales Manager to spearhead sales across the south of England.

He joins the Telford-based thermal insulation specialist after working with shopping and luggage company Wanzl, JJB Sports, Argos, Staples, and IKEA. He said: “I’m really excited to get started, as I can see the great potential of the SMI product range. The thermal benefits sell themselves, so it’s a case of getting out to meet as many new customers as possible to spread the word. There is a great buzz here, and I’m particularly enjoying being part of a business with such a ‘family’ feel to it.”

SMI director Jill Seymour said: “We’re delighted to have Ross on board with us. We had somewhere in the region of 300 applications for this post, but he was the candidate who really stood out. Not just because of his experience, but also because of his personality, and enthusiasm. We’re confident he will help us to build many new and long-term relationships.’’

SMI’s client list includes retailers such as Waitrose, Morrisons, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, The Co-operative and Lidl. It also works with the NHS, the Ministry of Defence, and has become a leading thermal insulation supplier for the protection of food, chemicals, and agricultural and home delivery products.

Grant UK has appointed David Garcia and John Morris to provide increased sales support in the renewable sector.

David joined the company in November and brings with him a wealth of experience working with renewables.

He will be working with installers, specifiers and developers wanting to work with greener home heating technologies, providing sales support on ranges such as Grant’s Aerona³ R32 air source heat pumps.

John moves from within the existing sales team, having spent 13 years at Grant UK. He will be working with specifiers, developers and larger installation companies throughout Wales, the Midlands and Northern England.

“We are looking forward to further developing our relationships with customers in the heat pump market following the appointments of David and John,” said Kevin Ellis, Renewable Sales Manager for Grant UK, who provides customer support throughout the South of England. “Both David and John have a vast amount of experience, not only with Grant’s products but also in the wider market and, with the future of domestic home heating set to change considerably in the next few years, now is the perfect time for Grant UK to adapt its sales support.

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www.grantuk.com

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P R OD U C TS & S E RV ICES

The Innovation Zone

The guide to what’s new for ACR Journal readers, offering vital industry news.

CONTROLLED HUMIDITY MAINTAINS PRODUCT QUALITY AND PROTECTS VALUE Humidity Solutions is the UK distributor for the desiccant dehumidifier range from Cotes of Denmark. Cotes design and manufacture robust, top quality absorption dehumidifiers for a variety of applications including industrial freezer and cold storage facilities.

The most effective way to tackle humidityrelated problems in refrigerated storage facilities is to remove the large amounts of airborne moisture that may be present in such areas, and to control the dew point of the remaining air.

Energy-efficient Cotes absorption dehumidifiers make it possible to roll back the moisture load in any refrigerated storage facility. Full control over levels of airborne humidity enables you to reduce many of the key elements of risk associated with operating a refrigerated storage setup. This makes also it possible to significantly reduce value-impacting damage to both products and packaging.

BRUSHLESS ATOMISERS FROM MICRON Micron Sprayers has extended its range with new products aimed at adiabatic cooling and humidification. The company was launched 60 years ago and has traditionally produced rotary atomisers for agriculture, forestry, public and animal health spray applications.

Two new models with brushless technology are available, a larger direct drive unit with flow capacities of up to 180 litres per hour and the more compact Micromiser unit which can provide spray rates of up to 18 litres per hour. Each atomiser produces a fine mist of droplets said to be ideal for mounting as integrated parts of AHUs or directly in-room as a low energy humidification and cooling solution. There are also possibilities to build the units into other custom humidification and cooling solutions.

Lower levels of humidity – and, more importantly, control over such parameters – within a building also bring additional side benefits by preventing corrosion in equipment and structures, as well as helping avoid moisture-related glitches in any electronics and electrical equipment present.

Micron says the rotary atomisers offer efficient evaporative cooling and humidity management with minimal water volumes significantly reducing energy costs compared to thermal, pneumatic or hydraulic energy systems.

www.humiditysolutions.co.uk

www.microngroup.com

CLIMALIFE EXTENDS CLEANING RANGE

AIR HIDDEN IN THE SHADOWS Waterloo air Products says its new High Flow diffusers have been created so that architects can incorporate a shadow gap feature and hide air terminal devices from view.

Climalife has added three new specialist cleaning products to its Frionett range in Europe.

The company says the launch of Coil Cleaner, Evaporator Cleaner and Condenser Cleaner is in response to customer feedback, with the new products designed to help professionals spend less time cleaning.

Enikő Beke, marketing and business development manager for cleaning products at Climalife, said: "Many Europeans reportedly spend over 90% of their time indoors*. I think all equipment intended to make feel us comfortable, keep our food fresh, preserve medicines or cool servers in data centres should be clean and free of debris, in order to protect our health as well as the health of the equipment.”

*Source: World Health Organisation report "Combined or multiple exposure to health stressors in indoor built environments"

www.climalife.dehon.com/news

The diffusers are available in a single slot with three different sized slots to choose from as standard. As with all Waterloo linear grilles and diffusers, High Flow can utilise multiple sections for continuous linear run.

The range also includes a plasterline version, for invisible borders.

The High Flow Coanda (HFC) creates a horizontal throw through the Coanda effect, and is designed for ceiling installations. The High Flow Directional (HFD) is designed for wall mounting or can provide a Coanda throw if positioned close to a horizontal surface.

The High Flow is designed to handle a variety of air capacities, from small to large volumes of air, and is available in any RAL colour with black internals.

www.waterloo.co.uk

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CHILLY CHATTER

SCOTTISH DINNER SERVES UP ANOTHER TREAT IN GLASGOW The IOR Scotland Annual Dinner just keeps getting bigger and better...

The 40th anniversary event at Glasgow's Crowne Plaza Hotel saw all 490 places snapped up in under five weeks, a new record and a remarkable effort by chairperson Julie Murray and fellow dinner committee members Lizzie Dunlop, Linda McVittie and Norrie Fraser.

Donations on the night totalled £3,496, to be split between the Calum's Cabin and Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice charities.

KB Refrigeration stalwart Phil McGrath was presented with the Kooltech Award by Kooltech Managing Director Murray Sharp in recognition of his contribution to the Scottish refrigeration industry.

Declan Wallace of William Whitfield was named Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Brass Monkey. Runner-up, sponsored by Yellow Jacket, was Scott Findlay of Cool Cair Refrigeration, and In third place, sponsored by JAVAC, was Bradley Fouche of Cool & Easy.

Julie Murray welcomes guests to Glasgow

Fujitsu races to support top cycling team's bid for glory COOLAIR STICKS WITH HOCKEY CLUB Air conditioning specialist Coolair Equipment has renewed sponsorship with Timperley Hockey Club for a third year.

Following a successful 2018/2019 season, the men’s first team are now playing in the Men's National Conference League for the first time in the club’s 140-year history.

The sponsorship, will see Coolair Equipment’s logo on first team shirts and pitch-side banners, demonstrating the company’s support for grass roots sport. The company already has strong links to the club through contracts engineer Andy Wareham, who vicecaptains the first team.

From left, Director of Arctic Aircon Peter Ruffhead, Fujitsu Area Business Development Manager Giles Pratt, Fujitsu Chief Operating Officer Ian Carroll, with the Arctic Aircon Racing Team

Fujitsu is backing one of the UK’s leading cycle racing teams, who enjoyed a record-breaking year in 2019 and will be aiming for further success in 2020.

Recent highlights for the Arctic Aircon team include a new UK competition team record for the 100-mile time trial distance, individual and team wins in time trials on the road, plus fifth place in the PanCeltic 1,500-mile unsupported individual race by rider Neil Lauder.

Having set the bar high in 2019, the team are eagerly anticipating next season. Team rider Stewart House has the honour of organising the British National Hill Climb Championships in October 2020, which will take place in Streatley, on the Berkshire/Oxfordshire border.

This annual race, which was first held in 1944, is hosted in a different UK location each year. Riders compete in the hope of joining the list of previous winners, which include Malcolm Elliot and Chris Boardman, who has taken the top spot four times.

Giles Pratt, Area Business Development Manager, Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK, said: “We are proud to provide support to such a successful team in a sport that requires such teamwork and dedication, adding to the already valued partnership we have with Arctic Aircon.”

SURE Solutions boosts junior tennis Birkenhead-based refrigeration specialist SURE Solutions has shown its commitment to the local community by sponsoring Prenton Lawn Tennis Club. The funds were used to promote the club to the younger players, who won the Cheshire Junior Cup for the first time. SURE Managing Director Garry Shaw is pictured with some of the young players.

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R & D TA X C R E D ITS

Is your innovation going unrewarded?

Adam Kotas, a director at leading research & development tax credit consultancy ForrestBrown, explains how one HVAC system specialist hit an R&D jackpot.

When a UK university bought an old warehouse to turn into a study hub, it quickly ran into trouble with ventilation.

The new study hub was insufficiently airtight and the air being circulated through the building would leak out, wasting resources and money.

So a ForrestBrown client was brought in to tackle what proved to be a tricky job. The building’s unique characteristics are what had drawn the university to it in the first place, but the structure was old and not designed with efficiency in mind.

In league with an architect, the HVAC specialist conjured up a novel solution. It layered an additional skin to the walls and added extra glazing. It also insulated and re-panelled the walls to improve the airtightness of the building.

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This was a bespoke project, with a high degree of difficulty and uncertainty. In so many words, it was innovative – and by harnessing the power of the government’s R&D tax credit, the company earned a £270,000 benefit.

What are R&D tax credits?

R&D tax credits are a valuable government incentive designed to reward UK companies for investing in innovation. Established in 2000, successive governments of every political persuasion have backed the incentive to deliver positive economic benefits.

And with good reason: HMRC estimates that for every £1 of tax foregone, up to £2.35 in additional expenditure is stimulated. Crucially, the incentive is not

dependent on EU funding in any way.

For UK businesses, R&D tax credits are a valuable source of risk-free funding.

You can spend them however you choose.

Many businesses use the incentive strategically to grow their business by further accelerating their R&D or hiring new talent.

For an SME, the average claim value is currently £53,876, and for some it’s worth much more. To benefit from R&D tax credits, your business must be a limited company in the UK subject to corporation tax, have carried out qualifying R&D activities, and have spent money on these projects.

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R&D TAX CREDITS

How to identify if your work counts as R&D If your company is taking a risk by attempting to ‘resolve scientific or technological uncertainties’ then you may be carrying out qualifying activity. That’s the government’s measuring stick – and if it seems vague, that’s actually by design.

The definition set out by the government of what constitutes R&D is purposefully broad so that it applies to business from all different sectors and sizes. And while this open-ended definition can be intimidating for businesses, it needn’t be.

A good rule of thumb is, if you’re attempting to solve a problem where no solution is evident, you may be doing R&D. There are plenty of good examples within the HVAC industry of qualifying expenditure.

R&D projects in this industry often relate to the bespoke design and development of building solutions, such as HVAC systems, electrical systems and buildings management and control systems, where the project is to a large scale or has a complex specification.

In refrigeration, R&D activity could be designing unique refrigeration solutions for industrial operations, incorporating high-tech equipment, valves, controls and sensors to accommodate manufacturing processes, air differentials and other environmental factors.

Eight ways you might be carrying out R&D Are you: • Improving or developing alternative heating and cooling systems?

• Designing and developing new materials to keep buildings at consistent temperatures?

• Replacing existing refrigeration systems with more energy efficient systems?

• Work carried out in regulated buildings such as hospitals where new systems of work must be developed to accommodate site restrictions?

• Designing new energy efficient plant and machinery?

• Creating new maintenance products such as specialist cleaning agents?

• Retrofitting modern cooling systems into listed period buildings?

• Incorporating high-tech equipment into your existing refrigeration systems for a specific

What benefits do R&D tax credits give an HVAC company?

Beyond the immediate cash windfall, there are even more benefits to R&D tax credits.

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Many businesses reinvest their tax credit back into the hire of new technical staff, whose wages can then be added to subsequent claims.

Using the R&D tax credit in this way can lead to something of a culture change. Businesses who do so find solutions that might not previously have seemed achievable.

A cycle of R&D emerges and they take on riskier projects — more complex work or a greater volume of work —and they grow as a result. Their growth is driven by the confidence of an annual cash boost plus new in-house skills and innovation.

Such an immediate positive impact is not the end of the story. In our experience, companies that claim R&D tax credits once go on to claim every year, often in increasing amounts.

Expert help with your R&D tax credit claim If you want to check your project’s eligibility or find out how much your R&D tax credit could be worth, get in touch with us. Not all claims are created equal and it’s common for businesses to underclaim.

ForrestBrown is the UK’s largest specialist R&D tax credit consultancy.

We bring together a specialist team that provides our clients access to unrivalled technical firepower. This includes chartered tax advisers, accountants, sector specialists, lawyers and former HMRC inspectors, as well as quality assurance and client relations experts.

We can talk you through R&D tax credits and prepare your first claim. Or, if you have claimed before, we are happy to offer you a free review of your claims. We are often able to significantly uplift claims that have been submitted in the last two years.

We will also show you how to improve your record-keeping so that future R&D tax credit claims are optimised too.

You can call us on 0117 926 9022 or email me: a.kotas@forrestbrown.co.uk to get started.

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