CCME April 2014

News Sheikh Ahmed receives ASHRAE DC manual from Empower p6

www.climatecontrolme.com Kizad signs agreement with Spinneys p8

Danfoss District Energy project European Parliament nominated for GreenTec Awards p25 ratifies ban on F-gases p20

EVENT ROUNDPERSPECTIVE: UP: Mostra Convegno A case for lowvoltage motors p46 Expocomfort 2014 p22

POST-EVENT BRIEF: Highlights from the 2nd Annual ME VRF Conference p18

APRIL 2014

COOLING QATAR An impassionate look at various cooling approaches being adopted in the peninsula

FACE-TO-FACE: Mario Seneviratne, Green Technologies, on "good engineering"’

tives from c e p s r e P : E EBAT INSIDqEa: nDdC QDatar Cool p32 Marafe

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

US$15

Vol. 9 No. 4 | APRIL 2014 04 from the editor

The permafrost from Siberia

happenings

contents

06 The region

14 The Big 5 Saudi opens with bigger local construction opportunities

31 QATAR

20 At large

INSIDE

SPECIAL REPORT

22 Mostra Convegno Expocomfort ends on a high note 26 Marketplace

28 INTERVIEW

‘Economic success isn’t possible without good engineering’

Mario Seneviratne has championed the cause of retrofit and sustainability in his mission to save energy while providing comfort cooling and better IAQ.

PERSPECTIVE 42 New air treatment systems: Hype and

While the sector has coped with teething troubles, new challenges have emerged, mainly due to use of TSE being made mandatory. Jerome Sanchez spoke to Marafeq and to Qatar Cool.

38 TSE – separating facts from fiction

Gerhard Bingel, Nalco Senior Industry Development Manager, discusses the benefits and viability of using TSE and suggests ways to mitigate risks.

40 Outdoor cooling and its ramifications

Salah Nezar, LEED AP, GSAS GCP, Sustainability Director, Qatar Project Management, makes a presentation on the viability of outdoor cooling.

EVENT REPORT

hypothesis

32 The debate on District Cooling

Pointing out to the plentiful debate about new air treatment systems vis-à-vis IEQ and safety, Dr Connie Araps evaluates them on the basis of empirical data.

46 LV versus MV

Making a case for low voltage motors and equipment over their medium voltage counterparts for District Cooling applications, Nael Al Quqa enumerates their many advantages.

50 Coupling many advantages

Postulating the view that mechanical couplings offer an alternative noise and vibration attenuation solution to traditional methods, Larry Thau demonstrates it with examples.

18 2nd ME VRF Conference calls for industry cooperation,

standardisation and transparency

Participants recommend stakeholder involvement in regulatory activities, harmonisation of regulations and sharing of operational data and regional references by manufacturers.

April 2014

www.climatecontrolme.com

3

from the

editor Publisher Dominic De Sousa

The permafrost

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

from Siberia

B Surendar | surendar@cpi-industry.com CEO Nadeem Hood | nadeem@cpidubai.com Assistant Editor Jerome Sanchez

I

jerome@cpi-industry.com

n almost exactly 21 months from today, we will be completing 10 years of publishing Climate Control Middle East magazine. In the eight-plus years of Climate Control Middle East, we have discussed energy efficiency and environmental stewardship so many more times than we can remember. We have also discussed health and safety in different contexts – be they in relation to refrigerants (toxicity, flammability) or in relation to food safety from the point of view of temperature abuse of raw and cooked food and the resultant potential for microbial contamination.

A month or so ago, in a strange twist, a discovery in faraway Siberia brought all these seemingly disparate, disconnected elements together. A group of Russian and French scientists working near the East Siberia Sea, found a 30,000-year-old giant virus frozen in ice. No one knew of its existence or of its threat to human and animal health.

The chilling discovery set off an avalanche of concerns – of how melting ice in different parts of the world can potentially introduce new biological threats to humans and also, of course, animals.

A bit like Jurassic Park revisited!

According to the France-based National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), which along with the Russians, had made the discovery near the East Siberia Sea, viruses can survive being locked up in permafrost for extremely long periods. The researchers said they believed there was a far greater diversity of viruses than previously thought. What’s most relevant is that the scientists used a term most familiar to us – ‘Global Warming’. They warned that rising temperatures had the power of releasing more such viruses from areas like Siberia.

If we ever needed a context to strengthen our resolve as journalists, scientists and engineers in combating climate change, this is it. Being blasé about ‘environmental stewardship’ does not help; the implications are for real.

Contributing Editors Pratibha Umashankar prati@cpi-industry.com Anoop K Menon anoop@cpi-industry.com Senior Business Development Consultant Stephanie McGuinness stephanie@cpi-industry.com Design Genesis Salao | getty@cpi-industry.com Webmaster Troy Maagma | troy.maagma@cpimediagroup.com Database/ Subscriptions Manager Purwanti Srirejeki purwanti@cpi-industry.com Advertising Enquiries Frédéric Paillé: +971 50 7147204 fred@cpi-industry.com Stephanie McGuinness: +971 50 5034087 stephanie@cpi-industry.com USA and Canada Kanika Saxena

B Surendar Editor @BSurendar_HVACR

Director (North America) 25 Kingsbridge Garden Cir Suite 919 Mississauga, ON, Canada L5R 4B1 kanika@cpi-industry.com Tel/fax: +1 905 890 5031 Euro Zone and UK Sicking Industrial Marketing Wilhelm Sicking 45130 Essen - Emmastrasse 44 Tel: +49 (0)201-779861 Fax: +49 (0)201-781741 Andreas Sicking 59872 Freienohl - Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 16 Tel: +49 (0)2903-3385-70 Fax: +49 (0)2903-3385-82

Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle East early!

NEWS

Sheikh Ahmed receives ASHRAE Kizad signs DC manual from Empower agreement p6 with Spinneys p8 Danfoss District Energy nominated for GreenTec project European Parliamen Awards p25 t ratifies

ban

on F-gases p20 POST-EVENT BRIEF : Highlights from the

4

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

e.com

p22

p18

Published by

APRIL 2014

COOLING QATAR

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

Also available at WWW.ISSUU.COM/CPI-INDUSTRY

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

www.climatecontrolm

PERSPECTIVE: EVENT ROUNDA case for lowvoltage motors p46 UP: Mostra Convegno Expocomfort 2014

2nd Annual ME VRF Conference

An impassionate look at various cooling approaches bein g adopted in the pen insula FACE-TO-FACE: Mario Seneviratne Technologies, on, Green "good engineering"

Printed by: Excel Printing Press, Sharjah, UAE

from INSIDE: DC DEBATE: Perspectives p32 Marafeq and Qatar Cool

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

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

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© Copyright 2014 CPI. All rights reserved.

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

happenings the region

Sheikh Ahmed receives ASHRAE DC manual from Empower

Will streamline DC practices in region and worldwide

H

is Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in his capacity as Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, received the ASHRAE District Cooling & Heating Design Manual from Empower.

Announcing this, Empower said that it supported ASHRAE in the preparation, research and publication of the design manual for district heating and cooling plants and networks.

In this context, Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said: “Empower’s support of the research and subsequent

publication of the District Cooling & Heating Design Manual stems from our strategy to streamline District Cooling practices both in our home region of the Middle East and worldwide.

This is fully in line with Dubai government’s overall strategy to build a green economy for sustainable development in the Emirate.

In order to ensure further collaboration and sharing of information, it is crucial that we share the manual with prominent academics, dignataries and experts in the

Cabinet approves federal law on food safety

Government and local authorities will tighten control procedures, says Sheikh Mohammed

A

ccording to a March 16 Emirates News Agency (WAM) report, the Cabinet has approved a federal law on food safety. In this regard, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was quoted as saying, “Our objective and vision in the UAE, which we announced previously, is the development of a healthy society in a safe environment.” The safety of the community, he reportedly said, also came from the quality of its food, and that the government in cooperation with the local authorities, would work to tighten control procedures and raise the level of food safety through this comprehensive federal project.

The remarks were reportedly made during the Cabinet session held in Abu Dhabi on March 16 at the Presidential Palace.

The session was attended by HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the report said.

6

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

Ahmed bin Shafar and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

HVAC sector as well as other industries, starting with HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.”

Highlighting that the manual has helped standardise the design of District Cooling plants and chilled water networks and is being recognised as a global benchmark for best practice, Bin Shafar added: “Initial feedback is overwhelmingly positive – engineers in the

UAE and around the world consider this manual as the only authentic document to refer to during the planning and design phase of projects.

We are proud that the UAE is the first country that has supported the publication of such an important piece of research. The manual has also received widespread praise during the ASHRAE Annual Conference held in the USA early this year.”

Pentair and IDC form JV

Will tap the potential in industrial services in energy sector

P

entair, a water, fluid, thermal management and equipment protection company, has announced the signing of an agreement with International Development Company (IDC) to form a joint venture, to further establish a local presence to service valve, actuator and industrial equipment in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi.

On the occasion, Ramesh Nuggihalli, Vice President and Managing Director for Pentair in the Middle East, said: “Pentair is excited by this unique opportunity to work with International Development Company, in what will be the company’s first joint venture for industrial valve and pump services in the United Arab Emirates. We are already committed to local manufacturing within the UAE, and see the expansion into services as the natural progression of our business offering to our local customers.”

Faysal Urfali, Managing Director, International Development Company, added: “We are pleased to have signed our agreement with Pentair. With our combined expertise, we are eager to fulfill the huge potential that exists for industrial services within the energy sector."

happenings the region

Kizad signs agreement with Spinneys

Supermarket chain will have distribution centre with dedicated cold storage facility in Kizad’s logistics cluster

K

halifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) has announced that Spinneys, a supermarket chain, will operate a fresh distribution centre with a dedicated cold storage facility in the industrial zone’s logistics cluster. The 50-year Musataha Agreement was signed by Engineer Khaled

Salmeen, CEO, Kizad, and Jannie Holtzhausen, CEO, Spinneys Dubai LLC, the announcement added.

Spinneys revealed that it has been allocated a 382,905-square-foot plot to build and operate a dedicated cold storage and distribution centre to manage food and non-food products and Fast

Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) meant for the UAE stores as well as international markets.

Commenting on the tieup between the two entities, Eng Salmeen said: “Spinneys’ facility in Kizad means that they will be able to get products to market quicker and more efficiently in the UAE and internationally. This

DEWA commissions AED 118-million substation Will support Dubai’s construction plans and economic growth

D

ubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced commissioning of an AED 118-million substation at Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ), as a part of its mission to install and launch substations.

Giving details, DEWA said that the station, which is 132/11 kV, has a capacity of 150 MVA, and was built at a cost of AED 86 million. The cost includes extending ground cables that link the station network, at AED 32 million, to meet the growing demand for electricity.

Commenting on the launch of the new project, H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director & CEO of DEWA, said: “To achieve the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed

8

bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and our commitment to become a sustainable world-class utility, we are strengthening our infrastructure and service facilities as per the highest international standards. This is to meet the basic needs of the people and the business community, to further establish Dubai as a global economic hub.”

Al Tayer underscored that the stations featured the latest globally adopted digital technology, and along with those currently operating in the network, will eventually support Dubai’s constructions plans and economic growth.

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

is a boost for local consumers and the local economy. Using our world-class Khalifa port to reach target markets with greater efficiency will help Spinneys grow its business reach and potential in the UAE, the GCC and other markets.”

Holtzhausen added: “Spinneys’ investment in Kizad’s logistics zone will enable us to take advantage of the low-cost operating environment on offer. In addition to the direct benefits of setting up in the logistics cluster, such as proximity to airports and ports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other major cities, it will enable us to get our products from international markets faster and more efficiently. And in turn, our stores can deliver an improved service in the UAE and across the GCC, making Kizad the right place to be for our organisation.”

happenings the region

Endress+Hauser opens offices in UAE

official communiqué informed.

The communiqué elaborated that its office in the Dubai Airport Freezone – Endress+Hauser Middle East Support Center – will remain the regional hub for marketing, projects and

market development, while its branch office in Abu Dhabi for two years, has been fully integrated into the LLC. The company was earlier reportedly represented by Descon Automation Control System.

In the wake of the inauguration of the new offices, Jens Winkelmann, Executive Manager, Endress+Hauser (UAE) LLC, interacted exclusively with Climate Control Middle East. Speaking about the operational advantages of the move, he said: “With our UAE mainland LLC, we support our customers in the UAE now directly with our own staff. As Endress+Hauser, we also have a long-term view, and can easily make strategic decisions in what we do in the market and what we don’t. We can better cover all process industries in the UAE. Whereas we have to admit that we cannot yet be everywhere and [at] the same time, we have to set priorities according to our company strategy.”

As the primary contact point, Endress+Hauser Sales

FM organisation for its commitment towards sustainability • Green Building Material/ Product Award for the successful introduction to the MENA region of a construction material or product/component which

addresses green building principles • Green Building System Award for a building system that provides a more sustainable solution to green building construction than traditional construction methods

Abu Dhabi and Dubai centres will serve customers directly

E

ndress+Hauser, provider of solutions for industrial measuring technology and automation, has announced opening Endress+Hauser UAE LLC with sales and service offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The inauguration took place in the Courtyard Marriott in the Green Community/Dubai Investments Park (DIP) on March 5, where its corporate members from Switzerland, including its COO Michael Ziesemer, were present, an

EGBC 2014 Awards launched

Will recognise sustainable building initiatives in the MENA region

E

mirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) has announced unveiling the EGBC 2014 Awards to honour excellence in sustainability initiatives.

It added that the event is open to organisations and individuals from across the MENA region, and that awards will be given in the following categories:

10

• Green Building of the year, for a building finalised between 2012 and 2014 in the MENA region that employed the highest sustainability standards and included innovation in design and processes in its construction and completion • Green Facility Management organisation of the Year for a UAE-based

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

Center will not only have a professional sales team to assist its customers at the engineering and procurement phase, but it will also have a team of service engineers to support them throughout the lifetime of the instruments, to ensure a reliable measurement and availability of additional process information for a swifter and smoother start with higher yield, less downtime and increased safety, Winkelmann explained.

“Soon, we will also be offering calibration services for Endress+Hauser’s and other manufacturer’s equipment, Winkelmann revealed, and added, “Our sister company, the Endress+Hauser Middle East Support Center in the Dubai Airport Freezone, supports the Sales Center in terms of marketing, business development and projects.”

Speaking about the company’s areas of focus in the United Arab Emirates, Winkelmann said that apart from the daily requests for single instruments or spare parts, it would concentrate on large projects of hundreds or

• Green Building Research Award for research that establishes dependable data in an area not previously available, related to green building performance • Training Initiative of the Year for the best sustainability training initiative in the MENA region • A special Dr Sadek Owainati Award for Students, sponsored by EmiratesGBC co-founder Dr Sadek Owainati, awarded to a university student for exceptional research work on a subject related to green buildings in the Middle East. To qualify for the award, the research topic must

even thousands of line items, covering both, refurbishments (brownfield projects) as well as new plants and enhancements (greenfield projects). “The market demands, said Winkelmann, “a higher degree of automation, of precision, for example, in custody transfer loading and unloading applications as well as ruggedised and reliable solutions in the oilfields – on and offshore.”

Pointing to another area of expertise, he said that the growing population of the UAE had resulted in new projects for water distribution, sewage treatment, desalination and District Cooling.

“Endress+Hauser has, over the last two decades, developed a market leadership in these areas; we see this as a reflection by our customers that are highly satisfied with our products, solutions and services,” he claimed.

Opening of the new sales centre was part of a strategic development plan and the company’s commitment to the Middle Eastern region and the market, Winkelmann concluded.

be directly applicable to green building design, technology, construction or operation with emphasis on its applicability in the MENA region.

EmiratesGBC informed that more details are available at www. emiratesgbc.org/awards or could be obtained by writing to: egbcawards@ emiratesgbc.org.

Calling the awards benchmarks for excellence in sustainability initiatives in the design, construction and operation of buildings, Saeed Alabbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said that it was important to encourage the next generation of ‘green innovators’.

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Tel: +971 4 371 2826 Fax: +971 4 371 2829 www.guentner.com

April 2014

www.climatecontrolme.com

11

happenings the region

TTE organises dealer meet

Trading partner, Danfoss introduces condensing units for freezers

T

echnical & Trading (TTE), a part of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg (ESAG) Group, and a long-time trading partner of Danfoss, on March 19 hosted a dealer meet in Dubai, for which it had invited all its channel partners.

Arvind Kumar Bhatnagar, General Manager of TTE, speaking first, said that according to a Forbes report, Danfoss was the 11th most respected company in the world and the 5th in the GCC for making a difference in the Arab world.

Leif Flojgaard, President ME & Africa, Danfoss FZCO, speaking next, highlighted

Dhanya Group Managing Director, John Mathai, along with the TTE and Danfoss teams

EFM reiterates commitment to UAE sustainability goals

Will align government and public sector buildings to conform to specifications

E

mirates Facilities Management LLC (EFM), an integrated sustainable facilities management services and solutions company, reiterated its commitment to ensuring that federal and local government buildings and other public sector organisations in the country conform to the sustainability requirements outlined in the UAE Vision 2021 through extending critical facilities management (FM) solutions.

Announcing this through an official communiqué, the company claimed that it employs the “Maximo” system, which enables

12

effective leveraging, planning and monitoring of vital FM tools. Additionally, the team works with Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) to help clients with the upkeep and maintenance of their systems, it said.

In this context, Jaber Al Ali,

how ESAG and Danfoss had been together for 25 years.

Speaking specifically about Danfoss, Flojgaard said that the company had 80 years of experience with energy efficiency technologies, and that it had built its business by listening to the market and not just talking to it.

Underscoring that global energy demand was expected to increase by a third in the period up to 2025, he said that through energy-efficient systems, it was possible to reduce the need for investing in more equipment in infrastructure for power generation. “We have the solutions, so why wait?” Flojgaard asked. He cited the example of how the Danfoss Turbocor compressor technology that has been deployed the world over, was saving 1.5 million tonnes of CO2.

Acting General Manager, EFM, said: “Governmental and public sector buildings, by nature, operate in a highly secure environment that calls for specialised infrastructural maintenance expertise.

Emirates Facilities Management supports the UAE Government’s vision of promoting environmental sustainability by offering integrated and green management solutions to urban infrastructures in the country.”

Observing that effective management is a vital step that goes a long way towards achieving sustainability, he added, “As a proactive partner to our clients, Emirates Facilities Management helps achieve elevated benchmarks that are aligned to the United Arab Emirates’ green vision.”

Leif Flojgaard

The TTE and Danfoss teams

Jitender Malhotra, Senior Sales Manager, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Danfoss FZCO, claiming that Danfoss had introduced several green products, one of them being in the area of condensing units, revealed that the company would be launching Optyma Slim Pack plug-and-play condensing units for freezers.

Designed for up to 48 °C and used in milk-chilling applications, they were built with multi-refrigerant capacity, contained filterdryer, cartridge switches and a simple (as well as advanced, as an option) electrical box, he said.

The inside of the unit, Malhotra explained, contained a microchannel, with the option of reciprocating and scroll technologies. Pointing out that Danfoss was the

first company to use a microchannel condenser for refrigeration applications, he listed the advantages of the technology: • It offers a 30-35% reduction in refrigerant charge compared to an F&T (fin & tube) condenser.

• It comes with up to 30% reduction in weight compared to a similar packaged unit.

• The technology is resistant to corrosion compared to fin & tube: After 960 hours of CCT tests, only salt deposits were visible on the microchannel, whereas the F&T was completely damaged.

“We are selling 8,000-9,000 Optyma Slim Pack units in India, Pakistan, Egypt and Europe,” Malhotra claimed.

April 2014

www.climatecontrolme.com

13

happenings the region

Showcases range of solutions for construction growth

T

he Mayor of Jeddah, His Excellency Dr Hani Abu Ras, officially opened The Big 5 Saudi on March 9 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events. Announcing this, dmg Events, producers of the show, said that the fourth edition of The Big 5 Saudi took place from March 9-12, under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Mansour bin

Photo courtesy www.thebig5saudi.com

The Big 5 Saudi opens with bigger local construction opportunities Dr Abu Ras officially opened The Big 5 Saudi

Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

With more than 500 companies from 35 countries participating, the show had grown to encompass the entire space at the venue, as well as a specially constructed arena to meet participant demand, with exhibitors showcasing the latest products

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Climate Control Middle East April 2014

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and technologies to support an efficient and sustainable construction drive by the Kingdom, the organisers claimed.

Brand new for this year, was a two-day, free-to-attend Seminar Series, which looked at the rapidly changing technologies, materials and techniques of the global construction industry, whilst focusing on the local market’s key drivers and identifying solutions to potential challenges, the organisers added.

In addition, a variety of free-to-attend workshops were held throughout the event, including Asset

Maintenance, Concrete Repair, Project Management and an introduction to LEED version four.

“Thank you to His Excellency Dr Hani Abu Ras for inaugurating the 2014 event; it is an honour to have his support for this year’s show,” said Nathan Waugh, Event Director, The Big 5 Saudi, on the opening day. “The Saudi construction market is one that continues to dominate the regional and international industry, and we have launched a number of new features for this year’s event in order to meet with demand and expectations of our growing audience.”

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happenings the region

KEY INSIGHTS ON WHAT'S MAKING NEWS

Tick

When air conditioning makes less sense…

Robert Mangiaforte, Director of International Sales at Port-A-Cool, spoke to Jerome Sanchez, on the occasion of the company’s 10th partnership anniversary with one of its distributors, about how the region is appreciating the evaporative cooling technology and on how his company plans to make inroads into other potential applications. We bring you the highlights….

What are your current growth areas in the Middle East?

We feel that our history here in the Gulf has given us a lot of opportunities to provide a lot of cooling solutions to various customers.

We have been in the Gulf for 10 years now.

One can find applications and uses for evaporative cooling in a myriad of places – from industrial and commercial to residential. Evaporative cooling can find various applications, with all the construction projects underway, related to Expo 2020, and with some of the other infrastructure projects around the area.

Evaporative cooling is not only used to create safe working conditions and increase worker comfort, but can also be used in residential applications, where in can be placed in back patios, say. Evaporative cooling can essentially be used to cool outdoor areas where air conditioning is unavailable or cost prohibitive.

In light of Expo 2020, one of the major projects in Dubai is a new airport. How are you positioning Port-A-Cool in the aviation industry?

We have had a long history with aviation.

16

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

TALK

Do your systems also find applications in cooling of processes?

That is another large area for us. We are heavily involved with many of the oil & gas companies. Most of the work is done outdoors, and there are large areas that need to be cooled. Fortunately for us, we have a variety of products available – from small to large units – for whatever the end-user needs to cool.

Our products also find application in steel and metal processing plants and in the warehouses that these industries are using. We can cool all those areas off in a very economical way.

In terms of power consumption, what are the benefits of this technology?

Most of our units would work for AED 7 a day. It is very economical. The units also use green technology, so its carbon footprint is very small. Consequently, our end-users find it a very powerful proposition to use evaporative cooling as opposed to air conditioning, as the cost savings is huge.

Say, a hangar is so large that air conditioning is impossible. A lot of times as well they have to keep the doors open because of the size of the planes. So, for the workers doing the maintenance on the planes, we can provide the cooling that they need.

There are also a lot of construction projects going in airports. We’ve had a couple of large projects we have worked on, among which is the new Doha International Airport and the Muscat Airport in Oman. We were heavily involved in those projects, in terms of keeping heat stress down and cooling the workers. We have also units in the Abu Dhabi Airport.

How is Port-A-Cool positioned in this region and what is the roadmap ahead?

This year, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of our partnership with our distributor, Constromech. In this region, we have distribution from Iraq all the way to Yemen, and most of our partners have been with us for seven to 10 years.

Our aim is to continuously look out for suitable distribution partners necessary to help us fill the gap in the industry and help us access market segments that we’d want to provide cooling solutions for. 

happenings the region

EVENT REPORT

2nd ME VRF Conference calls for industry cooperation, standardisation and transparency

The panel discussion involving consultants on Day 2

Participants recommend stakeholder involvement in regulatory activities, harmonisation of regulations and sharing of operational data and regional references by manufacturers

T

he 2nd Annual Middle East Variable Refrigerant Flow Conference (VRF Conference), held on 31 March and 1 April, in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, served as a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss on different issues surrounding the VRF technology and on larger concerns on finding cooling approaches that are energy efficient, resourceconserving, less polluting and economically viable. It also served as a venue for manufacturers to present the technological trends blowing through the industry.

Produced by CPI Industy, the publishers of Climate Control Middle East magazine, the VRF Conference attracted participation from government and quasi-government bodies and agencies, master developers, developers, consultants, contractors and VRF manufacturers.

Day 1 of the event opened with a plenary discussion involving regional regulatory and standaridsation

18

authorities, who were unanimous in saying that stakeholder participation and involvement are crucial to ensuring that set standards will be accepted by and complied with by the market.

Abdulla Abdelqadir Al Maeeni, Director of Conformity Affairs Department, Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA), said that ESMA was always developing standards with the market always involved, and that he believed that the market had to know in advance the changes that would be introduced in the regulations, so that the latter would have time to adjust its designs and processes. In fact, he shared the information that ESMA would be announcing its new standards for chillers and VRFs by the middle of this year, and that the manufacturers would be given one full year to make their designs conform to the changes.

Abdessalam Benyaich,

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

VRF manufacturers make a point

Conformity Assessment Specialist, GCC Standardisation Organisation (GSO), shared his view that regulatory authorities had to give freedom to economic operators to participate in the standardisation process, and that the regional aspiration to create a unified set of

standards would largely depend on stakeholder participation and feedback.

At present, he said, energy efficiency standards in the GCC were not yet harmonised, as different authorities follow different set of models. “It is GSO’s aim to adopt international standards.

Consultant-speak Raef Hammoudeh, Head, Mechanical Engineering, KEO Design Division “Contractors are becoming aware of the technology. VRF systems today are better. If we get the confidence of developers and owners, and look at it objectively, to reflect the installation and commissioning and making it safe, because of the energy benefits, we can make it work.

Richard Smith, Technical Director, W S Atkins & Partners Overseas “In the Middle East, 90% of our projects are DC. What we are seeing is a transition in the market. We are seeing legislation. We are seeing horizontal, low-intensity structures. Earlier, it was a case high-intensity high-rises. And we have become very interested in VRF.” George Berbari, CEO, DC Pro Engineering “VRF manufacturers have not cared to establish any benchmarks, and that is going to bite them.”

If we have a policy for harmonisation, we will adopt international standards.”

Dr Esam Elsarrag, Director, Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD –GSAS), shared his opinion that regional standardisation

bodies should work together to customise energy efficiency standards, in recognition of the unique climatic conditions of the Middle East. Though he admitted that there are some challenges in getting every country’s mechanical

codes harmonised, he assured the audience that GSAS was working on making it happen.

Also part of the panel was Dr Ali Al Alawi, Senior Corporate Environmental and Sustainable Development Advisor, Petroleum Development, Oman (PDO).

Day 1 also saw a presentation from Cees Van Dujin from INTERPOL General Secretariat, who spoke about the activities of the Environmental Security Sub-Directorate of INTERPOL in combating environmental crimes, including the issue of counterfeit refrigerants.

The first day also included technical presentations from Belinda Fan of Johnson Controls, Yonjea Han and Adnan Saqan of Samsung, Imad Kaba of Trane and Sana Hamdani of Daikin Middle East.

The day closed with a panel discussion on key end-user demands, and the purported pros and cons of VRF systems.

The panel comprised Dr Al Alawi; Kandasamy Anbalagan, Managing Partner, Proleed Engineering Consultants and Mohammad Meerza, Senior Manager, Infrastructure and Vertical Design, Aldar Properties.

Day 1 was moderated

by Saeed Alabbar, Director of the Alabbar Energy and Sustainability Group and Chair of the Emirates Green Building Council.

The second day of the VRF Conference opened with a panel discussion involving consultants, who shared their views on VRF systems and on the perceived and real challenges in terms of installation, O&M and operational data, among others. (For highlights, please see side-bar “Consultantspeak”) Another highlight of Day 2 was an all-manufacturers

April 2014

panel discussion, involving Johnson Controls, Daikin, Trane, Samsung, AHI-Carrier (Toshiba) and Hisense. The panellists discussed on issues surrounding COP, cost and rating systems.

Closing Day 2 of the VRF Conference was a roundtable discussion on the perceived lack of VRF training among installation and maintenance personnel, and on the importance of making performance data publicly available. The unique format of the discussion allowed for a face-to-face engagement among consultants and contractors, on one side, and manufacturers, on the other. Among the participants were Dr Al Alawi, Anbalagan, Richard Smith, Technical Director, W S Atkins & Partners Overseas and George Varkey, Sabi Electromechanical Works.

Among the manufacturers who joined the discussion were Daikin, Juma Al Majid EMW, AHI Carrier (Toshiba), Samsung, Johnson Controls and Hisense.

The day also saw presentations from Rami AlKhalil, 2013-2014 ASHRAE Falcon Chapter President; Syed Jafar Imam and Viraj Vartak, AHICarrier and B Surendar, Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, CPI Industry.

Day 2 was moderated by Anbalagan. For the latest on VRF systems, or to join the discussions on VRF and allied systems, please visit CPI Industry’s dedicated website for the VRF industry, www.var-sity.com.

For a detailed coverage of the 2nd Annual Variable Refrigerant Flow Conference, please watch out for the May issue of Climate Control Middle East.

www.climatecontrolme.com

19

happenings at large

European Parliament ratifies partial ban on F-gases

Hailed as a significant win for the climate

T

he European Parliament adopted on March 12 a compromise agreement struck in December to phasedown the use of a group of super greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or fluorinated gases (F-gases). Sharing this news in an official communiqué, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) welcomed the move as a significant step forward for the climate.

Underscoring that F-gases are widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, fire protection, aerosols and foams, the two entities

revealed that in the face of stiff opposition and alarmist lobbying from vested interests in the chemicals industry, Parliament negotiators, led

by Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout, were able to secure important improvements, while holding the line on other critical measures that will help Europe transition to climate-friendly alternatives.

Giving details, the communiqué said that, alongside the cap and phasedown, the EU has agreed to ban the use of HFCs in new equipment in a number of sectors, most notably in commercial refrigeration by 2022. In addition, from 2020,

very high global warming potential HFCs (over 2,500 times more potent than CO2) will no longer be used to service and maintain refrigeration equipment.

The new regulation will reportedly cap the amount of HFCs that can be placed on the European market, gradually reducing the amount to 21% by 2030.

“This is a hugely encouraging lead from Europe in the fight against climate change,” said Clare Perry, Head of EIA’s Global Environment Campaign.

“With the EU showing a progressive lead in this field, this decision should act as a catalyst for future international negotiations in pursuit of a global deal to address HFCs which, if achieved, could avoid emissions of up to 100 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent by 2050.”

Susanna Williams, Climate and Energy

Policy Officer at the EEB, said: “Over 400 European companies, many of them small businesses, produce climate-friendly alternatives using natural refrigerants.

Innovative businesses like these will only grow and generate jobs if Europe gives them the right market signal.”

US shipments of ACs and air-source heat pumps register growth Up by 23% and 27.8%, respectively, says AHRI

U

S shipments of central air conditioners and airsource heat pumps totalled 370,582 units in January 2014, up 23% from 301,176 units shipped in January 2013.

Revealing this through an official communiqué, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), elaborated that the US shipments of air conditioners increased

20

US manufacturers’ shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps

19.8%, to 215,062 units, up from 179,492 units shipped in January 2013. US shipments of air-source heat pumps reportedly increased 27.8%, to 155,520 units, up

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

from 121,684 units shipped in January 2013.

AHRI issued a note that industry figures were estimates derived from the best available figures

supplied by a sample of AHRI member companies, and were subject to revision. Year-to-date figures were correct as issued, it added.

Scientists devise formula to reduce electricity consumption

Estimate peak savings of building by up to 50%

A

ccording to a February 23 news report in The Times of India, datelined Washington, Li Song from University of Oklahoma and her research colleagues, Gang Wang from University of Miami and Mike Brambley from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, have invented a new mathematical formula that can significantly reduce the annual electricity consumption of a building.

Depending on the building conditions, Song estimates peak savings could be as much

as 30% to 50% by detecting unreliable systems and faulty equipment affecting energy consumption.

Song’s research team devised a mathematical formula using existing output data, such as pump speed and power, to monitor energy use in HVAC units, the news report said, and added that

the formula creates virtual sensors to identify energy waste at the AHU, as well as at a whole-building level.

Besides saving on utility bills, the formula is a lowcost option to commercial monitors, making it easier for companies to track energy efficiency, as the virtual process uses little to no hardware and is within two per cent

uncertainty ranges compared with commercial meters, the report said.

According to Song’s

April 2014

estimates, one ultrasonic flow meter, which monitors water pump performance, could cost as much as USD 5,000, and an organisation would need to buy several monitors to get an accurate picture.

Prior to developing virtual sensing, Song reportedly implemented the energy monitoring and operation fault detection and diagnosis manually in more than 100 buildings with cumulative savings exceeding USD 70 million.

In one building alone, her method claimed to reduce annual electricity consumption by 53%, electricity demand by 21% and gas consumption by 49% annually. “Waiting until exorbitant utility bills appear may be a sign that the equipment hasn’t worked optimally for years,” Song is reported to have said.

www.climatecontrolme.com

21

happenings at large

Photo courtesy www.mcexpocomfort.it

Mostra Convegno Expocomfort ends on a high note

Integration, energy efficiency and internationalism the buzzwords

T

he 39th edition of Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE), the biennial international exhibition dedicated to residential and industrial installations, air conditioning and renewable energy, held from March 18-21 at Fiera Milano, closed with record results, attracting trade visitors from Europe to Pacific Islands.

Announcing this in a news release, Reed Exhibitions Italia, the event organisers, shared some of the highlights of the exposition: • The event attracted more than 2,000 exhibitors, of whom 43% were from abroad.

• There was a three per cent increase in international visitor numbers compared to the 2012 edition, with 156,000 trade visitors.

• There was a rise in the number of attendees from the Russian Federation, Turkey and Poland compared to the previous edition.

• Germany, France, Spain and Great Britain, were in line with the previous edition with major increase in figures.

• There was an increase in participation from strategic markets, such as, India, China, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Australia, Baltic States and the countries of former Yugoslavia, accompanied 22

by a growing number of attendees coming from across the African continent, in particular, Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria.

• More than 34,000 professionals from all over the world attended.

• Over 200 conferences and workshops were offered for educational and professional upgrading, focused on topical themes of innovation and environmental sustainability.

In addition, MCE showcased groundbreaking installations technologies and solutions that combined comfort and wellness with the excellence in terms of energy efficiency, water conservation, safety and design, Reed Exhibitions claimed.

“We are proud of the outstanding results achieved at MCE 2014,” said Massimiliano Pierini, Business Unit Director of Reed Exhibitions Italia.

“And we will continue to be a strategic tool developing our exhibiting companies’ business, in close collaboration with the main trade associations.”

In light of future challenges and opportunities, Saudi Arabia and South-east Asia were identified as the two most attractive markets showing the highest potential in the plumbing, heating and sanitary ware industries.

This was evidenced by the

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

launch of MCE SAUDI, to be held from May 4 to 6, 2015 in Riyadh, and MCE ASIA from September 2 to 4, 2015 in Singapore, a strategic hub for several countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and South Korea.

The Riyadh event will

reportedly be held at the International Convention & Exhibition Center-RICEC, and will be organised by Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions, a jointventure of Reed Exhibitions Group with a long-term presence in the country.

Underscoring the reasons for selecting the Kingdom

as one of the venues, Reed Exhibitions pointed out that in particular, more than most countries of the Middle East, Saudi Arabia had maintained its trend of stable growth.

Investments in Saudi Arabia, they informed, are expected to reach EUR 214 billion in four years, of which 63% will be in infrastructural work, 22% in residential buildings and 15% in non-residential buildings. (Source: Cresme).

Therefore, over the next few years, demography, economic growth and urbanisation would support the development of the housing market.

April 2014

Throwing light on Singapore, the other venue, the organisers, Reed Exhibitions Ltd BEX ASIA, highlighted that the master plan of the island city predicted 80% of green buildings by 2030, making Singapore a leading global sustainable city.

Calling Saudi Arabia and Singapore extremely attractive markets, the organisers said that the event would provide an opportunity for leading Italian and international companies to showcase their best-in-class products focused on energy efficiency and comfort.

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23

happenings at large

Systemair launches new products at Mostra Convegno Expocomfort

Air conditioning division introduces new concepts

A

s part of its drive towards short and mid-term product releases, Systemair used MCE as a platform to showcase a few of its new products, with Marco Doridoni, Product Manager, Systemair, making the products presentation.

SysFreeCool, the company’s new free-cooling option to be matched with an aircooled chiller was one of the products introduced.

Doridoni, explained that it came with two models: Slave, a dedicated module to be linked to existing SyScroll Air range, and Stand alone, a solution capable of being matched with existing (also on field) units.

The Slave module could be matched to a SyScroll unit with links to structure, hydronic and control, Doridoni said. The Standalone module, on the other hand, could be installed in field at a later time, acting as an independent and intelligent pre-cooler provided with a hydronic kit (3WV / piping); an electric board; electronic board and display; water probes (IN/OUT); and an outdoor air probe.

The basic modules capacity ranged between 85 kW and 620 kW, Doridoni informed.

SyScroll 50-65 Air EVO HP,

a new series of high-efficiency air-cooled inverter-driven water heat pump was another product that Systemair introduced at MCE. Doridoni highlighted that the series came with two sizes to cover 30 to 80 [kW] capacity range: • Nominal cooling capacity: 50 to 65 [kW] • Nominal heating capacity: 60 to 75 [kW] They offered variable speed scroll compressor and optimised heating operation, energy management (realtime COP recording and automatic choice for heat source according OAT), he said.

Giving further details about SyScroll 50-65 Air EVO HP, Doridoni explained that several options/accessories were provided with standard delivery, such as: • ModBus interface • Phase sequence control algorithm • Stepless capacity control • Soft-start function • Power factor correction • EC fan motor • Electronic expansion valve Efficiency, reliability and integration were the hallmarks of the products, Doridoni claimed.

*For more information on the latest HVAC products, please visit our website, www.climatecontrolme.com

24

SysFreeCool

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

SyScroll 50-65 Air EVO HP

CMP to market re-engineered compressors

Claims move will redefine compressor market

C

MP Corporation, manufacturer and supplier of compressor parts for commercial air conditioning and refrigeration, has announced its plans to produce and sell re-engineered compressors for its US customers starting this year.

The re-engineered compressors will be fitted primarily with new, testcertified parts and come with a twoyear warranty, the announcement added.

Highlighting that re-engineered compressors were environmentally responsible and in high demand in the United States and worldwide,

Danfoss District Energy project nominated for GreenTec Awards Recognises improvement in the quality of life in urban space

T

he District Heating Energy Efficient Surplus Heat Utilization Project has been selected among the top 10 projects for the Intelligent Urbanization Prize of the GreenTec Awards 2014. Citing Danfoss news, DBDH said that in 2014, for the first time ever and in cooperation with Messe München International, the GreenTec Awards would give out the Intelligent Urbanization Special Award to a project or initiative which contributes to an improvement in the quality of life in the urban space.

“We are helping the city of Anshan to embrace a new vision for supplying energy to the city by recovering energy that is already available but wasted,” said Lars Tveen, President District Energy. “The solution will enable Anshan to deliver a significant environmental improvement for residents and paints an exciting picture of how District Energy can help city leaders rethink energy and the economy.”

CMP pointed out that many rebuilt compressors on the market incorporated used parts and carried only a one-year warranty. In light of this, it claimed that it expected its re-engineered compressors, built with high-quality American-made parts, to redefine the market, where, typically, either “brand new” or “used” compressors were on offer.

The company revealed that it would work with wholesalers and distributors, as well as its existing partnerships with service

technicians, repair shops, existing re-manufacturers and others. “This allows us to vertically integrate our business and become the only onestop shop for all after-market products related to HVAC compressors in the world,” said Brad Croy, CMP President.

The company informed that it serves more than 3,000 clients in over 95 countries, and that 50% of its customers for compressors and parts were internationally-based, a majority of them in the Middle East.

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Copper Coils and Pipes www.climatecontrolme.com

25

marketplace

This section contains regional and international products information

*For more information on the latest HVAC products, please visit our website, www.climatecontrolme.com

Hörmann Middle East HS 7030 PU spiral high-speed doors

HAM-LET Group Metering Ball Valve (MBV) series

H

AM-LET, manufacturer of instrumentation valves, fittings, measurement devices and accessories for fluid and gas delivery systems in the process and semiconductor industries, has announced introducing Metering Ball Valve (MBV) series, which it says is patented in the US and has won Flow Magazine’s 2012 innovation award.

S

aying that they provide excellent thermal insulation, Hörmann Middle East has announced introducing its HS 7030 PU spiral high-speed door in the region.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and benefits: n The doors are characterised by its Microgrin surface finish with hot-galvanised, double skinned steel foamed sections. n They maintain fast opening speeds due to the specially designed non-contact roll-up technology, which also prevents wear on the door sections, helping the doors to preserve their appearance for a long time. n A safety light grille is fitted as standard. Integrated into the frame, it monitors the closing zone of the door up to a height of 2,500 mm and immediately stops the doors if the light beam is interrupted to avoid injury or damage to property. n In addition, the doors have optional DURATEC double or triple glazing, guaranteeing maximum scratch resistance and thermal insulation values. n They are fitted with high-performance frequency converter controls (FU), which relieve the complete door mechanism and, in turn, considerably extend the service life of the door. n The doors are available in over 200 RAL colours, with RAL 9006 as standard.

The company lists the following product features and benefits: n Developed by HAM-LET’s R&D department, the MBV series incorporates both metering and shut-off functions in one unit. n Since it replaces two separate valves previously required, it decreases installation and maintenance costs while reducing the risk of faults. n It combines an accurate micro-meter control mechanism for gases and liquids with a sealing mechanism. n With the choice of three precision stem tapers enabling metering at flow capacities as low as Cv=0.0001 with up to 11 handle turns, the series meets the demand for highly precise flow control. n It offers five different O-ring materials providing the best temperature and chemical coverage, making it ideal for analytical instrumentation industries. n It is easy to install and operate, as it does not require multiple connectors and pipelines.

Grundfos BMS range of booster modules

C

laiming that the water treatment system can save energy and reduce CO2 footprint, Grundfos has announced introducing its new BMS range of booster modules.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and benefits: n It features a directly coupled pump powered by a permanent magnet motor and VFD, pre-set at duty point. n All critical components are super duplex stainless steel suitable for use in seawater and brackish water

26

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

applications. n The shaft seal is made from carbon/ silicon carbide, especially designed for high pressure n The thrust bearing material is ceramic and carbon. Also, built-in thrust bearing absorbs the axial thrust from the pump. n Pump bearings and seal rings are made of NBR rubber. n The range is applicable in reverse osmosis systems; filtration systems; ultra filtration systems; pressure boosting systems; and water supply. n It is easy to maintain and integrate in

any water treatment system due to improved design. n It is designed for high flows and pressure. n Speed ramp up and down are included. n The BMS range comes in three different combinations: • BMS hs: High pressure booster system • BMST: High pressure booster system with energy recovery via turbine • BMSX: High pressure booster system with energy recovery via pressure exchanger.

Berner International BIM design catalogue

C

laiming that it is the HVAC industry’s first air curtain manufacturer to offer building information modelling (BIM) embedded data files in 3-D models for architects and engineers, Berner International has announced the completion of its catalogue of commercial, industrial and institutional air curtains.

According to Berner, the BIM models hosted by web service AutoDesk Seek were developed by Berner engineering with assistance from an AutoDesk solutions provider, in addition to recommendations and reviews for accuracy, proper file sizes and usability by AEC/BIM Implementation Development Specialist, Michael Warren, AIA. The manufacturer lists the following catalogue features and benefits. n The BIM catalogue is particularly rich with embedded specifications, such

as sizing, performance statistics, automatic ordering and product tracking. n The BIM images explicitly display how air curtains will interact with building geometry and spatial relationships to expose any potential incompatibilities well before construction begins, thus reducing onsite construction and installation mistakes due to specification errors. n Heating coils, electrical components, controls and mechanical options are also available in the catalogue. n It is a commercial design and construction tool that helps architects and engineers envision product placements with easy drag-and-drop design-phase CAD imaging, such as air curtains above doorways. n AutoDesk Seek includes mechanical drawings, performance data, CAD drawings and Construction Specification

Institute (CSI) specification format along with the BIM model. n It includes BIM models compatible with AutoDesk Revit software, and are downloadable from two different online building information and specification library resources: http://seek.autodesk. com or www.arcat.com. n The BIM models hosted by ARCAT were developed by ARCAT with a review by Berner engineering and are available in Revit version 2011 through 2014. *For more information on the latest HVAC products, please visit our website, www.climatecontrolme.com

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nergy ellateed

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For Inquiries, Please contact us at: Mekar Air Handling Units LLC Dubai:

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April 2014

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27

interview GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

‘Economic success isn’t possible

without good engineering’

Mario Seneviratne, a LEED AP and the first LEED Faculty outside the United States, is Director of Dubai-based Green Technologies. He has championed the cause of retrofit and sustainability in his mission to save energy while providing comfort cooling and better IAQ. In this freewheeling interview, he speaks to B Surendar about issues close to his heart.

You are working on a number of projects in Saudi Arabia. How do you see the market responding there?

We have been seeing quite a lot of high-end homes coming up in Saudi Arabia. I am talking of large developments – say 650 to 1,000 homes, and these are all aspiring to get some form of green certification.

People are looking at highefficiency HVAC systems as well as IAQ systems. So we are seeing both – an increase in the number of projects aspiring for sustainability recognition and also a clamour for engineering improvements embedded in the very fabric of the projects.

Also, we are seeing net-zeroenergy buildings coming up.

Speaking of which, you had earlier alluded to working on a net28

zero-energy building in Sharjah. Have you been able to make any progress on it?

We had done all the engineering to demonstrate how it could be a net-zeroenergy building, but the happenings of 2008 put it in the back-burner. However, we learnt a lot from the experience, from a technology standpoint, and we applied the learning to other buildings that we were involved in.

For instance, the 66% energy saving in the DEWA building happened owing to the R&D we had done in the Sharjah building.

Do you see the Green Building market maturing? Is the market adequately resourced in terms of low-VOC materials, say?

The Green Building market is maturing. I haven’t seen

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

I haven’t seen as many enquiries for LEED certification as I am seeing now as many enquiries for LEED certification as I am seeing now. This is an indication of the green market developing.

We see an interest in Green Buildings in Dubai, and that is because of the relatively higher energy and water costs. So, when energy and water costs go up – and they will continue to rise, owing to various economic factors – people will want to spend on green. And if a building boasts

high water- and energyefficiency, it will definitely fall into the category of Green Buildings.

As for your question about market readiness, it is really a myth that Green Buildings are dependent on materials.

In the LEED system, there are only a certain number of points for green materials.

So, we can raise a very good Green Building without the materials; you get most of the points from concrete, steel and glass. Generally speaking, the market has been ready, except for one or two items, like rapidly renewable materials and urea-formaldehyde-less materials.

There is a strong feeling that District Cooling needs a revamp in approach. What are your thoughts on this?

We are seeing a number of District Cooling projects being revisited for an evaluation on how to make them viable. From a technical point of view, from an energy point of view, a District Cooling project should use water-cooled chillers, which are more energy efficient. So, people should be spending their money and efforts in

interview GREEN TECHNOLOGIES using water-cooled systems – definitely so for anything above 1,000 TR. If you cobble together 10 such plants and call the system District Cooling, so be it. So that is the type of engineering that people should think about.

Depending on the utilisation factor, they should conduct cost studies and, then, cobble all these buildings together.

Now, if you are talking of a 100,000 TR project, with a 1.5- or two-metre diameter pipe, it does not make economic sense to me. It will need to be carefully studied.

Generally speaking, all projects need to be studied in great depth, not only their design but also their operation. I know of a District Cooling company that has ramped up on efficiency through the manner in which the people there operate the plants. They have worked on their plants for seven years or so and have plugged water leaks and are using the network as thermal energy storage. So it is not just the design but also how you operate the plant rooms. And in the case of this company, the people there have made a success of it. And it is not District Cooling that makes the system efficient, but the deploying of water-cooled chillers.

30

If you can demonstrate savings, people will spend that money. But showing is a science in itself!

We are in the midst of a nascent economic upturn. At least there are indications to that effect. With this apparent turnaround, do you foresee a return to compressed deadlines and engineering frenzy?

Economic success in not possible without good engineering. If a client is reluctant to spend time on good engineering, he will struggle to make that project economically successful. So, in short, engineering must be done.

What you see are instances where engineering is being done after the project is completed. We see the need for the fixing of problems that could have been avoided at

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

the design table. As a result of poor design, the client finds himself confronted with three times the work to fix things up. And the tragedy is that some of these jobs cannot be fixed.

We see a lot of engineering work coming up. Clients will always be clients, and they want results ‘yesterday’. But there are a lot of clients that want to do things the right way now, either because they are not as financially robust as before, or because energy and water costs are high. People are asking themselves, ‘Did we get the right advice?’ I do see instances of a measured approach. District Cooling falls into this category.

Do you see any indications of a shift from cost as the dominant factor in purchasing decisions?

No. As long as clients are there, time and cost will be there.

I meant, cost overriding all concerns to the extent of compromising on quality, numerous instances of which we have seen over the years?

If you can demonstrate that the increase in cost will yield a better ROI, people will do

it. Energy savings and water savings are about reducing operating costs. If you can demonstrate savings, people will spend that money. But showing is a science in itself!

In recent times, we have been hearing plenty of talk on a surge in interest in VRF systems.

Where do you see the market heading?

Firstly, I do believe VRF is a good technology. We have to find a way of bringing fresh air into the buildings, though I believe we are now getting systems with 100% fresh air. And secondly, we must see the costs coming down. Some of the gadgets associated with VRFs cost a lot. Of course, a VRF is one condensing unit with several FCUs connected to it; so, the electronics are complicated.

The cost of replacing a small component is extremely high, and it has to be sourced from a manufacturer. This cost has to be addressed.

Overall, putting one refrigerant pipe with multiple branches is great. The VRF technology has great potential, if you address the fresh air and cost aspects.

Technology-wise, it should work, because we are talking of one pipe, one cable and one condensing unit.

QATAR A Climate Control Middle East Special Report

April 2014

www.climatecontrolme.com

31

specialreport QATAR

Twin perspectives on

DISTRICT COOLING

District Cooling was ushered into Qatar as the cooling option of the future. While the sector has coped with teething troubles, new challenges have emerged, mainly due to use of TSE being made mandatory. Jerome Sanchez spoke to Bob Miller, Technical Specialist for DC of Marafeq and to Ahmad Shehadeh, Chief Financial Officer and Acting CEO of Qatar Cool.

In your estimate, what is the size of the District Cooling industry in Qatar?

According to statistics developed by Kahramaa, the District Cooling market end of 2014 will be around 500,000 Tonnes of Refrigerants (TR). In Lusail City alone, we expect the market load will grow to 350,000 TR by 2022.

MARAFEQ QATAR

QATAR COOL

Currently, there are many District Cooling systems implemented around the capital city of Doha, with their total capacity being close to 320,000 TR. The application of the system in major developments proves that District Cooling is gaining popularity amongst developers.

We should expect to continue to see a surge in the country’s District Cooling market due to its numerous benefits at all levels.

What are the drivers that encourage the growth of the District Cooling industry in Qatar?

MARAFEQ QATAR

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The benefits driving the desire for District Cooling are: 1. The capital expense for producing chilled water is transferred from the building developer to the end-user via the District Cooling provider’s tariff.

2. District Cooling requires less capacity due to load diversity and reduced standby capacity. Individual buildings must design for the instantaneous peak (usually with a safety margin) and with standby production units for redundancy and reliability.

3. Since production is centralised, utility networks for potable water, electricity, and sewer are less.

4. Architects have greater creative freedom to design the building and grounds without being concerned about siting chillers and especially cooling towers.

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

QATAR COOL

The country is seeing growth in its population, which currently sits at a little over two million, as well as its commercial and industrial markets.

This growth, although contributing to the development of the country, has also led to an increase in demand for water, power and cooling.

Due to its energy efficiency, reduction in carbon emissions, ease of operation and maintenance, reduction in electric distribution, demands and environmental benefits, the continued implementation of district cooling systems in Qatar will play an influential role in the country’s vision towards a greener future through efficient and sustainable energy.

MARAFEQ QATAR

5. Greater efficiency means lower peak and annual power consumption, which translates into lower investment in generation, transmission and distribution facilities.

6. In District Cooling, trained professionals maintain the equipment.

7. District Cooling production equipment is more likely to maintain its level of efficiency than is expected for individual buildings.

8. Lower power consumption means lower emissions of air pollutants for the full life cycle.

9. Facility managers purchase a manufactured product (chilled water) rather than raw materials (chillers, structures, power, water, etc.) and produce their own product.

Building owners can focus on their core business (real estate) rather than to venture into the utility business. Over the building life cycle, facility management costs will be lower compared to self-generation.

10. Noise levels are greatly reduced compared to site-located outdoor units or air cooled condensers.

On the other hand, what are the challenges that blow headwinds to District Cooling in the Peninsula?

MARAFEQ QATAR

The greatest challenge is the resistance of end-users to the rightly perceived high cost of District Cooling. End-users compare raw costs of self-generation (electricity) to the manufactured cost of chilled water. So, from the start they fail to see the capital cost of self-generation which is built into the rent.

The end-user typically does not see the cost of maintenance – it is also built into the rent – but the building owner does. Mini-splits are checked and components are replaced repeatedly when they fail, which is always at some inconvenience to the end-user. Operation and maintenance costs for District Cooling are typically in the tariff, so the end-user sees them every month.

The Qatari government subsidises electric power and benefits from the huge power reduction offered by District Cooling. But those savings never make it to the consumer, which exasperates the perceived cost differential between District Cooling and self-generation.

QATAR COOL

District Cooling is at an all-time high in the peninsula. With the increase in developments and the need for sustainable solutions, District Cooling is an essential key factor in achieving Qatar’s objectives.

As District Cooling is a major consumer of water, the challenge is to find technical solutions to use alternative sources for the cooling process. Continuous coordination is ongoing with the governmental authorities on this issue. Besides that, lack of awareness about District Cooling is a challenge. Qatar Cool is regularly developing awareness campaigns to developers, endusers and society. These campaigns are a tool to educate the local market on the benefits of District Cooling from all aspects.

As a District Cooling service provider, what innovative solutions have you employed to optimise total project life cycle cost?

MARAFEQ QATAR

What was considered innovative six years ago is now considered business-as-usual, but even business-as-usual approaches minimise lifecycle costs. Multiple plants connected through an integrated network

QATAR COOL

If you mean the District Cooling plant by referring to the project, there are many technical innovative ways that our team has implemented to increase the efficiency of the plant. In addition to that, we work closely with our customers to enhance the delta T. April 2014

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specialreport QATAR

MARAFEQ QATAR

with thermal energy storage (TES) allow equipment to be operated at their most efficient point. Operation and maintenance by professional staff means the plants are run efficiently for the full lifecycle. Using treated sewage effluent (TSE) reduces operating costs and all but eliminates consumption of potable water.

Starting with our first plant, Marafeq will use special-purpose software to optimise the entire plant operations and not just certain components. The software functions in a supervisory position over the plant control system and uses unique and patented algorithms to continuously adjust set points, pumps speeds, etc., to minimise power and water consumption.

QATAR COOL

We are, therefore, able to operate our plants below the system designed parameters, by providing one tonne of refrigeration below 1 KW of electricity.

Let us speak about TSE: What are the challenges and opportunities related to the use of TSE in District Cooling?

MARAFEQ QATAR

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District Cooling providers all understand the need and benefits of using TSE and are agreeable to using it instead of potable water.

The current challenges are quality, supply and environmental regulations.

The heat generated by the chiller compressors is rejected by evaporating water in the cooling towers. Since only pure water is evaporated, the minerals remain and become concentrated. Only so much water can be evaporated before some must be blown down and replaced with fresh, lower mineral content water. Although there are a number of parameters that we watch carefully, the simplest to understand is mineral content (commonly referred to as total dissolved solids) expressed in terms of parts per million (ppm).

For discussion, let’s assume potable water contains 300 ppm and cooling towers can operate up to 1,500 ppm, thus the water can be concentrated five times. The companies which provide TSE are unable or unwilling to guarantee quality suitable for replacing potable water in evaporative cooling towers, and in some cases, they cite 2,000 ppm, which means the minerals have to be removed before the water can be put into the cooling tower cycle. Hence, the need for reverse osmosis equipment.

In order to use TSE, distribution networks must be installed to reach District Cooling plants. As an aside, think how complicated this would be if individual buildings used water-cooled chillers and were mandated to or wanted to use TSE. Creating these networks costs money, and normally the costs would be recovered in the TSE delivered. If the TSE supplier at some point starts charging for the water, the cost won’t be zero, and the operating cost will increase. Until TSE networks are

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

QATAR COOL

Qatar Cool’s plants are equipped to use TSE. We are currently working with the government (Asghal) to secure the sufficient quantity, to operate our plants. One of the major challenges is to have the TSE infrastructure available, and close to the plants. Using TSE presents an opportunity to reduce cost, as TSE is lower than potable water, which is currently in use.

MARAFEQ QATAR

installed, it will be impossible for District Cooling providers to take advantage of this lower cost, recycled product.

Using reverse osmosis equipment to polish TSE sounds simple enough, but the downside is what to do with the water discharged from the reverse osmosis process. After all, the minerals removed are all in the reject water.

If the TSE enters at 2,000 ppm, the discharge will be maybe 3,000 ppm. And where can this water go? The sewage treatment plant (that recycles TSE) might not accept it, and the discharge limits to the sea is limited to 1,500 ppm.

If TSE has 2,000 ppm dissolved solids, one would think TSE could not legally be discharged to the sea, and the situation becomes worse for the District Cooling provider with the additional concentration in the District

Cooling plant.

In principle, the dissolved solids content should be similar to potable water, which makes up the primary source of what goes into the sewer: absent suspended matter. The source of the dissolved solids is alleged to come from infiltration of saline ground water into the underground sanitary (foul) water system. If this infiltration is the source of the problem, obviously correcting it would benefit those who use TSE. Otherwise, removing the suspended solids at the sewage treatment plant would be another solution, and in fact, this would appear to be the better approach. For all the reasons, central chilled water plants make sense (economy of scale, diversity, standby, centralised operation and maintenance), so too it makes sense for polishing TSE.

CAIRO HEAD OFFICE:

Cairo, Egypt Tel: (202) 25161610 25163737 Fax: (202) 27549849 E-mail: admin@alliedco.org Web: www.alliedco.org

DUBAI, UAE

Tel: 0971 4 297 8500 Fax: 0971 4 2652 192 E-mail: alliedae@eim.ae Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, UAE

Empower, Business Bay, Dubai UAE

Winner of Best Consulting Firm District Cooling in the Climate Control Awards 2011

BRAnCHEs:

• Jeddah, KSA • Toronto, Canada

FOUNDED TO LEAD

Allied has grown into one of the leading Engineering and Project Management firms in the Middle East, boasting offices in 3 major Countries in the Middle East (Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Kingdome of Saudi Arabia).

Allied offers full range of Engineering and Project Management services provided by nearly 140 dedicated professionals distributed among Egyptian, UAE and KSA locations.

The company is a multidisciplinary consulting firm and has a track record and specialization in Buildings, Industrial Works and District Cooling and Power Generation Plants.

April 2014

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specialreport QATAR

Why the need to use TSE in cooling towers?

MARAFEQ QATAR

TSE is needed to comply with government regulations that require all District Cooling plants [in Qatar] to use it. In order to preserve precious desalinated water, providers have restricted the use of potable water as a conservation measure.

QATAR COOL

The TSE acts similar to potable water.

How does the use of TSE compare to other make-up water sources, cost-wise?

MARAFEQ QATAR

Currently, the commodity cost of TSE is zero as compared to potable water, whose tariff is QAR 4.4/m3. But the District Cooling operator is likely to experience additional costs. Since the TSE quality might not meet what is needed by the District Cooling plant, the operator may have to install reverse osmosis equipment, which adds to both the initial cost and the annual operating cost.

QATAR COOL

The amount of consumption of TSE is higher by about 40-50% than potable water. However, it is cost effective. Not only do you save money, but you are also helping save the environment, which is a major cause for Qatar Cool.

Could you tell us about your current customer profile?

Which industries do your customers belong to?

MARAFEQ QATAR

Our current customer profile ranges from mixed use, residential, and commercial to railway stations and sporting facilities.

QATAR COOL

Qatar Cool’s customer profile consists of highend hotels, commercial, shopping complexes, ministries, residential buildings, villas and international restaurants, in the West Bay area and The Pearl Qatar.

Would you look to include more industries to your customer base?

MARAFEQ QATAR

Yes, as long as they can meet a certain profile, we are open to all industries.

We are always open for new opportunities.

QATAR COOL

As a business, are you looking to expand beyond Qatar, or the Middle East? Which countries or regions are you looking at?

MARAFEQ QATAR

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As a part of a global development company, Marafeq looks to expand as a utility company, wherever it can serve a need and develop a solid business model.

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

QATAR COOL

Qatar’s market has still not matured yet for us to consider expanding elsewhere. We believe that there are a lot of opportunities that exist now, and more to come soon with the country’s development plans.

specialreport QATAR

TSE – separating facts from fiction In his presentation at The Climate Control Conference, held on October 6 and 7, 2013 at Doha, Gerhard Bingel, Nalco Senior Industry Development Manager, discussed the benefits and viability of using TSE and suggested ways to mitigate risks. Here are the highlights.

T

hroughout the GCC countries, district cooling providers are being required to use Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) for cooling tower makeup instead of potable water. The driving force is obvious – potable water is scarce. Therefore, TSE is gaining ground, as evidenced by its use in a number of companies including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United States and France.

Against this backdrop, in his presentation, “Treated Sewage Effluent Use in District Cooling”, Gerhard Bingel discussed the viability of using TSE. Bingel conceded that the benefits of using watercooled plants compared to air-cooled plants were generally not disputed.

However, in the case of the former, power consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is much lower, while water consumption is much higher, he said, and asked: “And where does the water come from?” The primary source is municipal (potable) water, of which 80% is produced by desalinating seawater. Ground water (deep well) is another source whose salinity can vary considerably. But TSE is an abundant source that is rapidly replacing potable water as the primary source for cooling tower makeup, Bingel elaborated.

He, then, stated the problem: “Even in the future, with two million TR, cooling tower makeup will only use 3.3% of the TSE currently 38

produced in Qatar today!

No one can guarantee TSE quality. What comes in, goes out, and therein lies the challenge of using TSE. National regulations prohibit using potable water, and TSE is available. So, the pressure is to use TSE. But there is no single TSE plant or quality.

In Doha’s West Bay area, the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) incorporates ultra-filtration (UF) on the water effluent, but this might not be the approach used on all plants.”

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

No one can guarantee TSE quality.

What comes in, goes out, and therein lies the challenge of using TSE

Bingel reviewed the TSE experience and offered the following observations about challenges versus rumours: • Using TSE directly increases the risk of corrosion and deposition, but it is a misconception that TSE can never be used safely.

• With proper understanding of water treatment chemistry, monitoring, and selection of an appropriately sophisticated programme, TSE can safely be used directly as cooling tower makeup.

The devil, of course, is in the details. The challenging components in TSE are chlorides, ammonia, and phosphates, Bingel stated.

The primary source of chlorides, according to him, is infiltration of brackish water into the sanitary sewer system, or in one case, illegal dumping

of seawater into the sewer.

Bingel said that he was a proponent of online monitoring, which allows treatment to be based on realtime demand.

Complying with limits on discharge quality can be problematic, he said, focusing on another issue. In Dubai, the discharge limit for total dissolved solids (TDS) was 3,000 ppm, but recently increased to 6,000 ppm. In contrast, the Qatar Ministry of Environment limit for surface discharge to the sea is 1,500 ppm, Bingel informed.

He offered suggestions for dealing with mechanical challenges: • First, avoid stagnant flow.

• Common headers are suitable, but modular is better.

• GRP piping is more suitable from a corrosion point of

periods, care must be taken not to let TSE water stand stagnant. Bingel recommended periodic flushing or lay-up.

In the GCC countries, TSE is here to stay view.

• Cooling tower basins should be circulated or cleaned and emptied.

• Since Thermal Energy Storage (TES) allows equipment to run nearly continuously, TES makes using treated sewage effluent easier.

• When chillers are taken out of service for maintenance or due to low load

Although Bingel described cases that successfully used TSE directly, he still recommended polishing it before using it as cooling tower makeup. The polishing plant requires high filtration followed by reverse osmosis, and proper monitoring is required for maintenance purposes, he suggested.

Also, continuous operation is important for trouble-free operation, Bingel said. He also cautioned that the reverse osmosis permeate (pure water) is an aggressive fluid.

In the GCC countries, TSE is here to stay. Its use has been required by regulation either directly or indirectly.

“Using TSE for cooling tower makeup offers challenges and opportunities, of which, the two main challenges are TSE quality (expect the unexpected) and discharge regulations. But for each challenge there is a technical solution, and the benefits to the district cooling provider are compliance with regulations, reducing potable water usage, and, perhaps, reducing operating costs,” concluded Bingel. Presentation highlights summarised by Climate Control Middle East Qatar Correspondent, Mary Coons.

C3 Doha was organised and produced by CPI Industry’s Climate Control Middle East magazine and co-hosted by Qatar Cool

FIFA 2022 UPDATE

Qatar 2022 – a case of sour grapes for England?

According to an AFP news report, dissenting murmurs are being heard once again in the British Press about Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

I

n 2010, FIFA executive committee members awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 edition to Qatar. Both decisions caused uproar and led to widespread allegations regarding the bidding process, which are now being investigated by FIFA Ethics Chief Michael Garcia. The committee, however, has denied any charges of corruption in the bids.

Vociferously denying any wrongdoing by the committee, D'Hooghe, who was one of the FIFA Executive Committee members, who awarded the 2022 edition to Qatar, told the London Evening Standard on April 1, a day after Japan said it was ready to step in if FIFA stripped Qatar of staging the 2022 World Cup, “There will be absolutely no re-vote. Some in the English press want that (a re-vote). But it’s not the English press that decide.”

D’Hooghe, who is also FIFA’s Medical Officer, however, reiterated his opposition to playing the tournaments at the height of Qatar’s summer: “In my capacity as Chairman of the Medical Committee, I said the same – that in Qatar, we have to avoid the warmest period of the year. That essentially means June, July and August. I have never changed my opinion from the very beginning.”

April 2014

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specialreport QATAR

Outdoor cooling and its ramifications Salah Nezar, LEED AP, GSAS GCP, Sustainability Director, Qatar Project Management, made a presentation on the viability of outdoor cooling at The Climate Control Conference, which took place on October 6 and 7, 2013, at Doha. We bring you the highlights.

"S

houldn’t we be doing more to study and create scalable and sustainable outdoor cooling so we can be outside more?” asked Salah Nezar, but stressed that public health was a vital offshoot of the problem, given the hot summer months in the region.

“We need to improve the bottom line of health,” he advocated, and pointed to the trends and facts and cited statistics and public health studies to substantiate his claims: • Asthma is on the rise by 19.8%, and not just among children.

• Sunlight and Vitamin D deficiencies are serious concerns, because no one goes out in the scorching summer heat.

• Allergic rhinitis has increased by 30.5% in children in Qatar aged six and 14; this same age group has seen chest infections go up by 11.9%.

• Parents are exhibiting the same pattern, according to a recent study conducted

by Qatar’s Hamad Medical Corporation.

• Qatar has an obesity issue.

In fact, according to a research report published

by BMC (Bio Med Central) Public Health journal, “hot weather is a major contributing factor to the level of obesity in the GCC nations – Qatar ranks third in the world for obesity!

– as many people are discouraged from engaging 40

in outdoor exercise due to high temperatures and extreme humidity.”

Qatar is actively promoting sports and exercise, particularly in the schools, not only to attract major sporting events to the country, but also to encourage a healthy lifestyle for everyone. We now even have a National Sports Day holiday, Nezar said, and underlined that if citizens are to improve their quality of life physically and emotionally from a public health context, outdoor activity needs to be a

Summary of mitigation measures

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

the temperatures are more tolerable.

viable component.

And that, believed Nezar, was why we needed an outdoor cooling solution for Qatar. “We need a motivational solution; a prototype for sustainable outdoor cooling for shops and restaurants,” he said.

However, he believed that we also need to understand bioclimatic data and how it affects the human body.

The human body can adapt or acclimate to hot climatic conditions to some extent. It does this through sweating, which is body heat dissipation.

However, as ambient relative humidity exceeds 75%, evaporation rates decrease drastically, and sweating is ineffective in dissipating heat. Without effective heat dissipation, body temperature rises, leading to discomfort and potential heat disorders, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The latter two can be fatal, summarized Nezar.

The human body and hot climate

Challenges and solutions

Nezar highlighted the following: • Outdoor weather conditions are a challenge during the summer.

• Human behaviour is such that if there is no cooling source, people simply will not go out and be active.

• Benchmark comfort data is not easy to assess as FIFA can attest. They currently are studying outdoor cooling solutions for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, with the possibility of moving the games to winter, when

We have no control over the airstream, extreme solar radiation, high humidity and strong, dusty winds, admitted Nezar. The challenges impacting sustainable outdoor cooling are substantial, and in part, would involve grossly oversized cooling machines to meet air conditioning loads; entail high rates of water usage for cooling towers; and require a sizable area to accommodate solar field, Nezar stressed. With no reliable model/case studies conducted related to outdoor cooling to serve as a precedent compounds the challenge, and a scalable solution would need to achieve optimal cost effectiveness, he pointed out.

Nezar reported that Qatar’s government was interested in cooling the Corniche, but needed to find a proven prototype first before moving forward.

Obviously, outdoor cooling presents a complex situation.

Some suggested first steps were umbrella shading, covered walkways, grassy

• Displacement ventilation is not a suitable solution, as diffusion air velocity needs to overcome prevailing wind forces.

• Containing cold air streams within the target zone is the most critical factor in developing the air delivery system for a sustainable outdoor cooling solution.

Conclusion

Prototype Roadmap

Active measures would include integrated air curtains

areas and tree shading.

However, as Nezar pointed out, these are merely passive steps, while evaporative cooling from outdoor fountains has already proved to be a non-viable solution.

“Active measures would include integrated air curtains or a compressed air system to contain conditioned airstreams,” Nezar said, while giving a summary of the mitigation measures.

An outdoor cooling solution is viable, he emphasised, although it must be well thought out. He also

Qatar Food INdustry Update

A

ccording to a news report in The Peninsula dated February 25, datelined Doha, penalties for eateries and other food outlets violating the food monitoring law have been made tougher. Erring outlets now face closure for up to 60 days. The person responsible for the violation will bear the expenses involved in the closure.

The decree was issued by the Ministry of Municipality & Urban Planning.

The move comes as a further tightening of regulation, as earlier, outlets were closed initially for one month, with the

believed that architectural and landscape aspects of the solution were just as important as the engineering approach.

Other assumptions and factors he touched upon were: • Solar radiation is the most important factor in minimising heat gain.

• Initial cost of solar cooling solution could reach four times the cost of conventional air conditioning.

• The solution requires a large area for the solar field.

How committed is Qatar in encouraging a more long-term active and healthy lifestyle for its citizens, was a pertinent question asked. The answer, of course, is part of the ongoing discussion, although the early indications are encouraging.

The more important issue, perhaps, is, can there truly be a viable outdoor cooling system?

“We’re still learning; this is a very complex situation,” was Nezar’s reply. Presentation highlights summarised by Climate Control Middle East Qatar Correspondent, Mary Coons.

C3 Doha was organised and produced by CPI Industry’s Climate Control Middle East magazine and co-hosted by Qatar Cool

Erring food outlets face 60-day closure

closure extended to two months and then three months for repeat offenders, The news report highlighted.

The Emir H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has reportedly issued a law (No. 4 of 2014) amending some provisions of law No. 8 of 1999 on monitoring of food for human consumption. The new law, comprising three articles, amends articles 19 and 32 of the existing law, The Peninsula said.

According to the amendment, the Qatar Authority for Standards and Specifications at the Ministry of

Environment has also reportedly been given the power to decide on closure of outlets not conforming to the laws.

Earlier, said The Peninsula, “this power was limited to departments at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning and the Supreme Council of Health.

Earlier, inspectors with judicial powers were assigned from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning and the municipalities concerned, directly by the respective minister, the news report pointed out.

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perspective

AIR TREATMENT SYSTEMS

New air treatment systems: hype and hypothesis Pointing out that there is a lot of debate about new air treatment systems vis-à-vis IEQ and safety, Dr Connie Araps evaluates them based on empirical data to clear the air.

I

ncreasing energy efficiency can reduce Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and safety, as volatile chemicals and pathogens accumulate to levels two to five times higher than outdoors.1 In this regard, new types of air treatment systems can improve air quality and safety.

Background

There are only so many ways to “clean” the air of particles and volatile organic chemicals (VOC), bacteria, virus and mould.

• Filtration and adsorption • Ozone air purifiers • Ionisation and “nonthermal” ionic plasma air purifiers • Ultraviolet (UV) air purifiers – photocatalytic adsorption • Ultraviolet air purifiers – multiple wavelength hydroxyl generators Older systems used filters, adsorption, ozone, ionisation and photocatalytic adsorption to remove particulates, deodorise and sanitise. Advanced analytical methods have now enabled an objective assessment of the capabilities and limitations of these systems

42

and found that they are not effective for treating large, occupied spaces.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 The newest systems use UV light to generate nature’s most effective and safe cleaning agent – the hydroxyl radical oxidant – to sanitise even large residential and commercial spaces.6, 7 They restore nature’s balance indoors by decomposing volatile organic compounds and destroying bacteria, viruses and mould in the air and on surfaces.

There has been a lot of hype about these new systems.

This article focuses on data to put the debates to rest.

Filtration, adsorption and ionisation

Filtration and adsorption remove particulates and low part per billion (ppb) levels of VOC, but cannot mitigate higher levels of VOC. Mesh filters remove particles larger than 10 microns, but 90% of all airborne particles are smaller and require HEPA filtration, which removes 99.97% of particles above 0.3 microns.

Low-energy “ionisers” generate positive and negatively charged particulates which clump together to improve filtration. They can also

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

The newest systems use UV light to generate nature’s most effective and safe cleaning agent to sanitise even large residential and commercial spaces be trapping on charged collection plates. Filters, adsorbents and collection plates must, therefore, be changed frequently to maintain efficiency and prevent bacterial and viral contamination.

Ozone air purifiers

Ozone, a natural oxidant, decomposes some types of VOC and kills bacteria, viruses and mould. However, ozone reacts very slowly,

so high concentrations are required to be effective. The electric arc method used for generation results in ozone formation rates of six-12 g/ hour or ~500-1000 ppb/min.

That is much higher than the safety limits set by OSHA and other international safety and health agencies of 50-100 ppb for an eight-hour exposure.9 Therefore, these systems can only be used in unoccupied spaces, as there are practical limitations on use, since ozone bleaches dyes in textiles and artwork and causes damage to fabric, paper, latex, leather, and electronics.

Ionisation – NonThermal Plasma Generators (NTP)

NTP generators are air ionisers based on the Siemens ozoniser that use electric discharge to generate a mixture of highenergy electrons (3-6 eV) and other particles called a non-thermal plasma.4, 5 The plasma particles react with oxygen and water in air to form ozone and other reactive oxygen species which oxidise and decompose VOC and kill microorganisms. It is claimed that hydroxyl radicals are formed, but there is no data to support this.

Because NTP systems use an electric arc, they generate ozone well above 100 ppb and are not suitable for extended use in occupied spaces. They also generate a complex mixture of oxidised organic byproducts that could represent a health hazard.8, 4, 5

Ultraviolet Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) air cleaners

PCO systems purify air using a photosensitive semiconducting catalyst like titanium dioxide that adsorbs VOC and microorganisms.

The catalyst is irradiated

OXIDANTS

Systems scale from a few optics to as many as 48 optics to treat from 300 to three million cubic feet.

and activated by 254-315 nm UV light, enabling the formation of oxidants presumed to be superoxide (O2-) and hydroxyl radicals at the surface, where they immediately react with bound VOC and microorganisms.1, 2 No ozone is formed at those UV wavelengths. PCO systems do not generate sufficient oxidants to circulate throughout the treatment space. Multiple catalysts can be used, although the benefits of doing so are not quantified. “Photo hydro ionisation” is a trade name for a PCO system that uses a four-part catalyst.

PCO systems were developed to treat small volumes and low ppb levels of VOC and were used by NASA on the space shuttle. However, they have limitations.1, 2 • Oxidative capacity is limited by catalyst surface area • Require low air speeds of ~170-340 cfm, limiting throughput • Humidity inhibits the reaction rate as water competes for catalyst active sites • Inorganic contamination deactivates the catalyst • Incomplete oxidation results in ~4 times higher levels of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.3 • TiO2 binder decomposes releasing TiO2 particles

which have health risks like asbestos5

Multiple wavelength UV air purifiers

In nature, the sun’s UV radiation strips water molecules of a hydrogen atom, creating over two million hydroxyl radicals (HO·) in each cubic centimetre of air.

Hydroxyls power the atmospheric cleansing and sanitising cycle. They react in 20-60 milliseconds with VOC and initiate a series of fast, free radical chains reactions that continuously decompose VOC and their byproducts, keeping air safe to breath.6, 7 They kill bacteria, viruses and mould by reacting with the lipids and proteins in their thin, delicate cell wall causing lysing. Low ppb steady state levels of ozone are formed since the UV light creates ozone at one wavelength and decomposes it at another.

The presence of some ozone plays a role in the natural air cleansing process, as it rapidly decomposes terpenes and isoprene generated by plants, humans and outgassing manufactured wood products, cleaning products and textiles. When it does so, it produces more hydroxyls. Humans, animals and plants have evolved symbiotically to tolerate these natural levels of hydroxyls and their

Mesh filters remove particles larger than 10 microns, but 90% of all airborne particles are smaller and require HEPA filtration, which removes 99.97% of particles above 0.3 microns byproducts.

Hydroxyls don’t exist naturally indoors. They react so fast that they are consumed near air entry points. Hydroxyl air purification systems irradiate the water vapour and other gases in air as they are circulated air through chambers equipped with quartz optics, generating the same distribution of hydroxyls and other oxygen species formed in nature.

The hydroxyls and oxygen

April 2014

species react with and decompose mid to high ppb levels of VOC and kill a broad range of bacteria, viruses and mould. Systems scale from a few optics to as many as 48 optics to treat from 300 to three million cubic feet. They are portable or can be integrated into heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Large systems can process high ppm levels of VOC. Hydroxyls oxidise and decompose VOC by a series of free radical chain reactions which are very fast and efficient – thousands of times faster than ionic reactions that characterise ionisation and plasma systems and a million times faster than ozone. The cascade of secondary oxidants formed is more stable, and circulate throughout the treatment area to complete the purification process.

Oxidant and byproduct concentrations are diluted to the safe levels found in nature, which range from 10-40 ppb. These systems should run continuously to recirculate byproducts through the photolysis chamber until they are fully oxidised – a process which “clips” off carbon atoms one at a time, forming carbon dioxide and water.

Smaller VOCs react faster, so oxidation byproducts like formaldehyde or acetaldehyde don’t accumulate.

Safety

Vendors should provide operational use guidelines indicating which models are designed for various sized spaces. System designs vary among vendors, resulting in different formation rates for hydroxyls, secondary oxidants and oxidation byproducts. Treatment spaces should be normally ventilated (1-5 exchange rates/hour) to maintain

www.climatecontrolme.com

43

perspective safe oxidant levels. Some vendors have conducted third-party laboratory testing and can provide you with data to corroborate claims. It is important to request this data, as claims abound and data is scarce.

Measuring hydroxyls requires specialised equipment like ultraclean rooms and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers. It is not possible to measure hydroxyls in a typical chemical laboratory; so ask to see the experimental design and the data, not just the conclusions.

Most international agencies and the US FDA do not regulate or require premarket approval for ultraviolet air purifying devices, since they sanitise in a manner similar to that found in nature and produce the same oxidants

44

AIR TREATMENT SYSTEMS

and byproducts. They do require pre-market approval of devices intended for use as a medical device or in a medical facility. Although it is not required, some vendors have conducted toxicology studies to evaluate safety. You should ask vendors to provide regulatory and safety data.

Each vendor must have their own data and approvals, as device design, active and passive components and performance specifications affect efficacy and safety. References 1 www.epa.gov/.../sick_ building_factsheet Bill Jacoby, “Photocatalytic Oxidation”, Penn State University, College of Engineering, 2000.

2 AT Hodgson, DP Sullivan and WJ Fisk, “Evaluation of Ultravolatile Photocatalytic Oxidation for Indoor Air Applications”, Lawrence Berkeley National

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

Laboratory, #58936, 2008.

3 Jim Rosenthal, “Study on Photocatalytic Oxidation Raises Questions About Formaldehyde as a Byproduct in Indoor Air”, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, memo dated 12-1808 4 Heberer, et al, “Uberlegungen sur Wiorkung und Toxickologishchen Relevanz von NTPReinigungsgaraten. Gefahrstoffe – Reinahlt. Luft 65, (2005) no.

10, p. 419-424].

5 Chirokov et al. (“Atmospheric pressure plasma of dielectric barrier discharges, Pure Appl Cehm. 77, (2005) pp 487-495.)

6 DE Heard, “Analytical Techniques for Atmospheric Measurement”, Blackwell Publishing, 2006 – professor at the University of Leeds, UK) and references cited therein.

7 R Atkinson, “Kinetics and Mechanisms of the Gas-Phase Reactions of the Hydroxyl radials with Organic Compounds”, Journal of Physical and Chemical

Reference Data, Monograph No.1, 1989.

8 C Weschler and H Shields, Environmental Science and Technology, “Production of the Hydroxyl Radical in Indoor Air”, Vol 30, No. 11, 3250-3258, 1196 and references cited therein.

9 OSHA Ozone Air Contaminants Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1000

The writer is President, Prometheus Strategies, Inc. She can be contacted at caraps@ bellsouth.net

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DISTRICT COOLING

perspective

LV versus MV Making a case for low voltage motors and equipment over their medium voltage counterparts for District Cooling applications, Nael Al Quqa enumerates their many advantages.

I

n traditional power systems, medium voltage motors (MV motors) are usually used for pumps rated above 150kW. This preference of MV motors over low voltage motors (LV motors) is due to the high starting current of LV motors, which abnormally depresses the system voltage.

However, thanks to the advancement in technology of devices of starters (variable speed drives and reduced voltage soft starters), LV motors can now be used for pumps of sizes up to 600 kW and more, without any impact on the motors or the reliability of the overall system.

In the District Cooling industry, low voltage

(LV) supply is used for all process pumps where motor sizes typically range from 75 kW up to 600 kW or more, based on project requirements. There are more than four million tonnes of District Cooling plants operating with LV motors in prestigious and critical projects across the GCC, such as airports, hospitals, financial centres, hotels, shopping malls, universities, residential centres and other essential projects without any failures or operational problems.

This paper illustrates the advantages of utilising LV equipment in District Cooling plants in terms of reliability, serviceability, operating costs, equipment size, spare

E28-200

FAILURE RATE (FAILURES/ YEAR)

MTBF

MTTR

MTTM

MDT

Motor starter, >600 V

319.6

1

0.00313

2799480

24

0

0.406

27880.2

27

0.00097

9045589.3

241.52

0.5662

0.921

Motor, electric, dc

Induction

754.8

11

0.01457

601071.27

582

0.4228

0.904

754.8

11

0.01457

601071.3

582

0

0.904

712.5

13

0.01825

480090.46

3.38

2.9576

2.967

Item:

E29-210

Motor, electric, induction, 600 V

361.4

4

0.01107

791448

1

1

1.336

Item:

E29-220

Motor, electric, induction, >600 V

351.1

9

0.02564

341709.3

4.44

3

3.311

597.7

1

0.00085

10265882

xxx

0.2442

0.266

278.1

0

0.00183

4776705.8

xxx

0.0814

0.081

278.1

0

0.00183a

4776705.9a

0

0

0.081

319.6

1

0.00313

2799480

24

0.3683

0.406

Motor starter 600 V Item:

E28-100

Motot starter, 600 V

>600V

Table 1: Inherent availability and reliability data

46

There are more than four million tonnes of District Cooling plants operating with LV motors in prestigious and critical projects across the GCC

FAILURES

DC E29-100

Lack of information from manufacturers about the reliability of the power system equipment makes it difficult for buyers to decide whether an equipment of a power system is reliable or not. Though manufacturers do have the necessary information on warranty returns, this is usually not published.

Fortunately, however, industry groups and organisations have compiled reliability databases. One of the most extensive industrial databases is the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

UNIT - YEARS

Motor, electric

Item:

Reliability

CLASS

CATEGORY

Item:

parts and replacement costs, availability and delivery periods.

Standard 493-1997, IEEE Recommended Practice for Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power Systems (Gold Book).

Below is a table extracted from IEEE Gold Book 2007 showing a reliability comparison of the two installations using LV and MV drives. The table shows the failure rates per year and also the downtime required

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

for repair maintain and replace equipment. Motor and transformer failure data is quite extensive, and indicates that MV motors have more than double the failure rate of LV motors with higher downtime periods required for repair and maintenance of equipment. (Table 1, below)

Motor and equipment size

The physical size and weight of the MV motor is almost 25-50% more than the size of the LV motor.

Moreover, the size of the MV electrical equipment is almost double the size of the LV equipment, especially the AC drives. Consequently, MV equipment is more difficult to handle or replace in case of failure during operation due to its heavier weight and larger physical dimensions.

Spare parts

LV motor and electrical equipment spare parts are cheaper and widely available, even locally, from various manufacturers.

Most of the manufacturers/ suppliers have a stock of LV products and spare parts that can be ordered without delay.

On the other hand, only a few manufacturers have MV motors and electrical equipment ranges. The spare parts need to be specially ordered from the manufacturer, as they are typically not available in stock, leading to higher replacement costs and longer delivery periods.

Service/repair/ replacement

MV motors, AC drives, and electrical equipment require MV professional and trained engineers to

MV equipment is more difficult to handle or replace in case of failure during operation due to its heavier weight and larger physical dimensions handle and maintain. MV AC drives are almost always installed, started up, repaired and maintained by the manufacturer’s specialised

April 2014

Definitions MTTR: Mean Time to Repair – the mean time to repair or replace a failed component, logistics time associated with the repair is not included (such as parts acquisition or crew mobilisation) MTTM: Mean Time to Maintain – the average time it takes to maintain a component, including logistics time (measure of preventative maintenance frequency and durations) MDT: Mean Downtime – average downtime caused by scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including logistics time

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47

perspective

DISTRICT COOLING

field service engineers, which leads to higher service/repair costs. On the other hand, LV motors, AC drives and electrical equipment are easier to maintain by plant operators/ technicians.

Moreover, MV motors have much higher replacement costs than LV motors and, therefore, will lead to higher operating and replacement costs during the lifetime of a District Cooling plant. Also, MV equipment will require longer delivery periods, consequently leading to longer downtime in case of replacement during the operating stage.

Motor-rated current

LV motors normally have a higher rated current compared to MV motors due to lower voltage level. This, however, has no impact on the life of the motor or operation, as motors are designed and rated to operate with higher current ratings.

In District Cooling plants, motors are aided by a VFD or a soft starter, which starts the motor smoothly by controlling the frequency or voltage. The starting current is: • 0.5 to 1.5 times the rated motor current, 1.5 x In for VFDs • 2.5 to 3.0 x In for the soft starters

The cost factor

For ratings of motors less than 600kW, the cost of the LV equipment is much lower than the cost of the MV equipment, especially for the variable frequency drives (VFDs). However, it needs to be noted that this is not the case for motor ratings above 600kW, as the cost of MV equipment is lower than the LV equipment due to the high cost of LV cables and drives.

Although motors above 600kW require a large

48

Table 2

number of LV transformers, these transformers will occupy more space in the plant and will increase the civil cost.

The table, above, shows the cost comparison between MV and LV motors for one of the District Cooling projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the design was changed from MV to LV motors. The utilised motor rating in this project is 260, 315, and 400kW. The total saving from converting the MV motors to LV motors is about 35% of the total electrical cost.

Conclusion

• Reliability of LV motors is higher than that of MV motors.

• LV equipment is lighter in weight with smaller dimension than MV equipment.

• LV equipment is easier to handle in case of servicing or replacement than MV equipment.

• The replacement cost and

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

delivery periods in the LV system is lower than the MV equipment.

• LV equipment spare parts are widely available at low cost, while spare parts for MV systems are less easy to obtain, have a longer delivery period and cost more.

• LV equipment requires a lower capital, O&M and lower replacement costs than MV equipment.

• LV motors are recommended for motor ratings up to 600kW. Above that rating, MV motors are preferred, since the cost of the LV equipment is much higher than MV equipment.

References IEEE Standard 493-1997, IEEE Recommended Practice for Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power System (Gold Book).

Hale, PS, Jr, Arno, RG, “Survey of Reliability and Availability

for Power Distribution, Power Generation, and HVAC components for Commercial, Industrial, and Utility Installations” IEEE I&CPS conference Record, Apr 2000.

The writer is a LEED AP working as a Senior Electrical Engineer in DC Pro Engineering, specialising in District Cooling plants.

He has designed electrical systems for more than 800,000 TR of District Cooling plants, and has eight years of experience in the field of construction, commissioning and consultancy. He can be contacted at: nkhamis@ dcproeng.com.

perspective

MECHANICAL COUPLINGS

Coupling

many advantages Postulating the view that mechanical couplings offer alternative noise and vibration attenuation solution to traditional methods, Larry Thau demonstrates it with examples.

Mechanical couplings are used to help minimise noise in Egypt’s landmark Alexandria Library

N

oise carried through piping systems is becoming an increasing challenge for owners, engineers and contractors alike. The reasons are varied, but include changing design requirements that place mechanical rooms on intermediate and top-floor building levels coupled with a greater use of lightweight construction materials that tend to vibrate more than traditional heavy materials.

In order to attenuate noise and vibration, designers often fall back on traditional attenuation methods for HVAC systems, as well as industrial utility piping.

However, I believe that mechanical pipe joining systems offer advantages over traditional methods, and that this contention

50

The flexibility of grooved couplings reduce the transmission of stresses through a piping system, while an elastomeric gasket and ductile-iron housing combine to dampen vibration.

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

is supported by recent independent testing.

A sound idea

Designers have traditionally specified elastomeric flexible arch connectors to diminish noise and vibration from equipment connected to a circulation system. These connectors create a discontinuity in the metal piping (as opposed to welding), so that less vibration is transferred down the line.

The key distinctions of a grooved pipe joint over a flex connector are inherent in the proprietary design of the coupling However, the weakness of flexible elastomeric arch connectors can result in premature rupture or leaks and expensive, lengthy installation times.

Independent tests have shown that grooved couplings are as effective in sound and vibration attenuation as flexible arch connectors, within commonly experienced frequency ranges.

Recently, acoustical consulting firm, SSA Acoustics, in Seattle, Washington, undertook a field measurement which showed that three couplings, placed in close vicinity of the source have a comparable performance to twin-sphere neoprene connectors and a superior performance to braided

perspective metal hoses. These couplings dampened the overall vibration amplitude by 80% to 90%.

This supports previous testing from LS Goodfriend and Associates that has confirmed that a substantial vibration reduction is achieved in pipe systems that employ flexible couplings. Actual reduction measured in decibel level ranged from
 2.3 dB to 12.1 dB over a wide frequency range.

Grooved couplings maintain excellent noise and vibration attenuation qualities, as well as the ability to accommodate deflection, expansion and contraction throughout the life of the piping system. Sound attenuation depends only on the three flexible couplings being placed near to one another, in close proximity to the source of vibration, so there are still numerous opportunities for design flexibility.

52

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

MECHANICAL COUPLINGS

The weakness of flexible elastomeric arch connectors can result in premature rupture or leaks and expensive, lengthy installation times Good vibrations

Furthermore, each successive joint in a mechanical grooved system creates Research bar graph: The percentage of additional an additional reduction in vibration. decrease in sound provided by three grooved Independent test laboratory, Nutech mechanical couplings Testing Corporation/SE Laboratories used mechanical couplings in its testing, and concluded that, for any given pipe diameter, less vibration is transmitted with each qualities of its own, so the additional coupling, external housing also serves whether flexible or rigid to absorb sound. couplings are used.

The net effect can be When explaining this viewed in this way: take reduction, it is necessary continuous welded pipe to examine the design of to be the factor of one (all a coupling. The structure vibration is transferred has a resilient elastomeric without interruption). Install gasket contained inside the one grooved coupling, internal cavity of the ductile and the elastomeric gasket iron housing. This creates reduces noise transference a discontinuity similar to and the ductile housing that of a flex connector. The absorbs an additional material from which the amount of noise. That gasket is made also serves lowered vibration is then to absorb vibration. reduced by the same factor The key distinctions of a at the next joint. The same grooved pipe joint over a effect occurs again at each flex connector are inherent subsequent joint where in the proprietary design a mechanical coupling of the coupling. Its unique is installed, providing a construction enables the cumulative reduction in gasket to seal against the sound. pipe, while the ductile iron Couplings also housing provides both space offer the additional for the elastomeric material advantages of ease and to flex, and containment speed of installation and to prevent overstretching. maintenance, safety and Overall, the coupling works reliability. This makes to create a permanent leakthem an ideal replacement tight seal with no need for for traditional noise and additional reinforcement. vibration attenuation Additionally, ductile iron equipment in a number of has vibration dampening different piping systems,

perspective

MECHANICAL COUPLINGS

improve system reliability

Cut away view of an installationready grooved mechanical joint

and an alternative to welding or flanging.

Couplings are installed extensively in commercial buildings, such as stadiums and hotels, as well as industrial facilities.

Regionally, these can be found in projects as diverse as the Alexandria Library and the Burj Khalifa.

Avoid rubber bellows and

54

MV equipment is more difficult to handle or replace in case of failure during operation due to its heavier weight and larger physical dimensions

Climate Control Middle East April 2014

In traditional mechanical room set-ups, rubber bellows or compensators are placed on either outlets of pumps to reduce noise and vibration. They are also sometimes used to correct misalignment between welded pipe and equipment, placing the rubber under undue stress. Rubber bellows require ongoing maintenance: as bolts gradually slacken and the system starts to weep, the bolts need to be tightened regularly. General wear and tear, along with exposure to UV light in the mechanical room, causes the rubber to perish.

With a best life expectancy of 10 years, rubber bellows will need to be replaced – perhaps several times within the life of the system, which involves system downtime plus the cost of a bespoke unit. Failure of the item can be sudden and unpredictable, causing serious health and safety risks if, for example, rubber splits in a heating system

and hot water escapes.

Installing three flexible couplings on each side of a pump solves the problem.

The method combines flexibility with durability to give superior noise and vibration attenuation without the need for costly, bulky flanged units.

Guaranteed to last the life of the system, couplings provide a maintenance-free solution that delivers both practical and commercial benefits.

The writer is Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of pipe joining systems manufacturer Victaulic.

He can be contacted at: LThau@victaulic.com

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