Ccme june 2015

COUNTRY REPORT: Australia The Commonwealth focuses on innovation to further push standards on energy efficiency

JUNE 2015

EDITORIAL CAMPAIGN: IEQ in Schools

FEATURE:

Tower Power

An analysis of green schools and their longterm impact on the lives of students

R32

In profile: Hong Kong’s Sing Yin Secondary School, a recipient of USGBC’s ‘Greenest School on Earth’ award

A report on the cooling tower industry and its current state of health

Daikin has launched the region’s first R32 system, but is the GCC market ready for it?

HEADLINES

Zamil to supply chillers for 200,000 TR capacity Madinah project

Bitzer in QR Code initiative to battle counterfeiters

ARAMENA registration in the works

Dubai to host forum on alternative refrigerants for high-ambient countries

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HVAC 360 Connecting the dots… raising the bar

15 - 16 June 2015 The Meydan Hotel, Dubai, UAE

The eighth edition of The Climate Control Conference (C3) comes at a pivotal time for the region, with the blueprint of the Dubai Expo 2020 expected anytime soon, and with stadia-construction activity gathering pace in the peninsula.

In keeping with tradition, the Conference programme has been designed in a manner as to provide a platform for an innovative communication approach (see side-bar), aimed at arriving at qualitative answers, insights and recommendations, which can be applied while taking critical project-related decisions.

AGENDA

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14 Sections 82 Topics

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contents vol. 10 no. 6  JUNE 2015

page

12

R32

– a game changer?

With Daikin having launched the first R32 system in the GCC region, industry players share their views on the refrigerant’s suitability in high-ambient temperatures

IEQ IN

SPECIAL MARKET SUPPLEMENT

SCHOOLS page

26

page

30

Decisively green The benefits of adopting green measures in schools in the GCC region far outweigh the costs, argues Moheet Vishwas

The school as an educational tool Hong Kong’s Sing Yin Secondary School ranks among the most-awarded green schools in the world. Wong Chi Keung, Sing Yin’s School Principal, shares details on what makes his school a model of IAQ and Green Building best practices

page

34

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

‘Noise affects the student’s capacity to concentrate and learn’ Hicham Kabbage, Healthcare/Education Sector Developer at Saint-Gobain Gyproc Middle East, on the importance of reducing noise levels in school environments

page

40

page

46

page

50

page

52

4

June 2015

MARKET FEATURE: COOLING TOWERS Tower Power With government initiatives, like the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy's on District Cooling, perhaps driving the growth of the cooling tower market in the region, is there a greater sense of optimism? Rajiv Pillai reports on the current state of health of the industry LICENCE TO CHILL Pulsed power Dan Mizesko on why the technology for condenser water treatment is being regarded as the future in the context of chilled water systems

PERSPECTIVE Elevated use Zafer Ure argues for the use of thermal energy storage (TES) systems in applications where internal temperatures can be elevated up to +45 degrees C

INTERVIEW The prickly side of District Cooling Sam Lehain of Pure Logic Group and of Logic Utilities gets candid on the technicalities surrounding the lingering challenges facing the District Cooling industry

page

PERSPECTIVE page

36

page

56

What ails our industry

In the third of a six-part series, George Berbari focuses on the variable refrigerant flow industry in the GCC region, and talks of the next big thing – the variable water flow (VWF) system, which he sees as a panacea for overcoming current challenges

THE PROCESS COOLING REPORT

Feature

60

How did we end up here?

Dr Iyad Al-Attar shares the results of an introspection exercise from the standpoint of not only being a mechanical engineer but also a campaigner against the general inertia shown towards achieving better IEQ or mitigating climate change

Cool when the aluminium is hot

There is a perfect degree and type of cooling that is needed to mould the perfect metal, say aluminium industry experts, as they share their views on the importance of process cooling systems

page

66

Taking back outdoor spaces

The Middle East market for outdoor cooling, while still not as large as its indoor cooling counterpart, is seen to be on the rise, as issues like comfort and safety take the spotlight. By Fatima de la Cerna | Assistant Editor

REGULARS

Ed's note 08 Connecting the dots NEWS

78 Regional 92 Global 96 Marketplace

Without a healthy #ocean there can be no life on Earth as we know it. RT #BluePanda to raise awareness. http:// ocean.panda.org

COUNTRY REPORT

74 page

Let’s innovate, mate!

The ideal of ramping up on energy efficiency has been drilled into the psyche of HVACR players in Australia, apparently compelling them to turn to innovation at every step. Rajiv Pillai takes a close look at the continent’s HVACR market.

WWF @WWF

June 2015

5

Connecting the dots T

B Surendar Editor @BSurendar_HVACR

COUNTRY REPORT: Australia The Commonwealth focuses on innovation to further push standards on energy efficiency

JUNE 2015

EDITORIAL CAMPAIGN: IEQ IN SCHOOLS

FEATURE:

TOWER POWER

An analysis of green schools and their longterm impact on the lives of students

R32

In profile: Hong Kong’s Sing Yin Secondary School, a recipient of USGBC’s ‘Greenest School on Earth’ award

A report on the cooling tower industry and its current state of health

Daikin has launched the region’s first R32 system, but is the GCC market ready for it?

HEADLINES

Zamil to supply chillers for 200,000 TR capacity Madinah project

Bitzer in QR Code initiative to battle counterfeiters

ARAMENA registration in the works

Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle East early!

Dubai to host forum on alternative refrigerants for high-ambient countries

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

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Visit our website: www.cpi-industry.com/digital Also available at www.issuu.com/cpi-industry

he nearly 10 years of publishing Climate Control Middle East magazine have provided several insights into the HVAC industry in the region, be it against the backdrop of the euphoria of the real estate boom or the turbulence engendered by the financial distress that shook the world. The near decade of reporting on the industry has highlighted several engineering- and business-related best practices; at the same time, it has exposed shortcomings, which need to be addressed to ensure the industry’s well-being and progress, and to bolster its response to the region’s socioeconomic development and environmental stewardship ideals and goals.

Last year, my team and I set about gathering the numerous issues that needed addressing, plus others of current interest. The result of the elaborate exercise was a collection of 82 topics, which we have shaped into a programme agenda for discussion during the 8th edition of The Climate Control Conference, on the 15th and the 16th of this month.

There is an imminent need for discussing the topics, and for doing so in a manner befitting their importance. Keeping these in mind, we took the decision of largely doing away with the traditional approach of presentations and panel discussions and of opting for a novel approach of a series of conversations; that way, we feel we would be able to plunge as deep as possible into the issues and emerge with cutting-edge insights and recommendations.

The manner of interactions and the resolve to discuss a multitude of topics would make for a unique experience, leading to a comprehensive understanding of how the entire industry functions. By focusing on pre-construction, construction and post-construction aspects, and by inviting multiple stakeholders across the entire chain, we hope to connect the dots in such an evident manner that the next time a technician ‘tightens a bolt’, there is an acute sense of the implications, be they related to climate change, conservation of resources or indoor environmental quality, to name three aspects.

Overall, the whole experience could be a catharsis, with interludes of epiphany. For that, it is vital all the stakeholders participate. We have a great opportunity ahead of us in positioning the industry we so dearly love into a higher orbit.

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

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

CEO Nadeem Hood Associate Editor Pratibha Umashankar | prati@cpi-industry.com Contributing Editor Anoop K Menon | anoop@cpi-industry.com Assistant Editor Fatima de la Cerna | fatima@cpi-industry.com Features Writer Rajiv Pillai | rajiv@cpi-industry.com Design Genesis Salao | getty@cpi-industry.com Events & Marketing Leader Ruqiya Shariff | ruqiyah@cpi-industry.com Events & Marketing Leader Kathleen Rebello | kathleen@cpi-industry.com

8

June 2015

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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.

June 2015

9

How safe are our hospitals? Their primary function may be to provide healing to the sick, but they also house a smorgasbord of pathogens – including airborne agents capable of travelling via HVAC systems – that are extra dangerous to patients with compromised immune systems. The result: healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Describing them as “devastating” and “deadly”, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in 2011 alone, HAIs caused around 75,000 deaths in the United States.

10

June 2015

The

BIG PICTURE

June 2015

11

COVER STORY

PRESS PLAY

Daikin makes a case for R32 (As presented by the company in a white paper introducing the refrigerant) It does not deplete the ozone layer.

It has a GWP of 675, which is lower compared to R410A and R22, which have a GWP of 2,088 and 1,810, respectively.

It is rated as an A2L refrigerant under ISO817, which means that there is a wide range of potential applications due to low toxicity (A) and lower flammability (2L).

It is a single component refrigerant, which means it can be easily reused and recycled, and there is no need to worry about composition changes, in case a leakage occurred in the equipment.

12

June 2015

S

ince the Montreal Protocol’s development in 1987 and subsequent enforcement in 1989, it has undergone several revisions – each one, experts say, a reflection of the progress the air conditioning and refrigeration industries the world over have made in mitigating the environmental impact of refrigerants.

This positive assessment does not, however, mean that all the work is done, for with every progress made, new challenges crop up and more exacting standards are created. Where before, a refrigerant with minimal Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) was embraced, today a refrigerant must boast zero ODP to pass muster. And other

considerations, such as the refrigerant’s safety, Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP), to name three, are also given weight. The search for the right refrigerant, it appears, is far from over.

At present, in the Middle East, Daikin Industries is claiming that the search leads to the HFC refrigerant, R32, at least when it comes to room air conditioners. In early May, the manufacturer announced the launch of the GCC region’s first R32

system, prompting the question: Will R32 answer the need of high-ambient countries for alternative refrigerants that have a low GWP and simultaneously address safety concerns?

A matter of suitability

“No” is the firm response of Asit Kumar Dutta, the Manager of Fujitsu General’s Technical and Engineering Department, when presented with the question. Fujitsu General, it must be noted, sells R32 products in Asia and Oceania.

By way of explanation, Dutta says: “I do not consider R32 as a refrigerant that is suitable to the high-ambient environment of the Middle East. I say so because of three reasons. First, the refrigerant has high discharge temperature characteristic.

Second, adopting the refrigerant in the Middle East will not be cost-effective,

R32 –

a game changer?

Newly adopted in the GCC region by Daikin, R32 is purported to be a better alternative to the more popularly used HFC blend, R410A. But with some industry players still harbouring doubts over its suitability in high-ambient temperatures, it remains to be seen how big an impact the refrigerant will have on the region’s air conditioning industry.

By Fatima de la Cerna | Assistant Editor

June 2015

13

COVER STORY

because it will require high-technology equipment and could mean an expensive product. We already have R32 systems in Japan, Australia and other countries, but the conditions in the Middle East are different. We cannot use the same equipment we’re already using in other regions. And third, R32 is known as a refrigerant with mild flammability.”

Asit Kumar Dutta

K Jayakumar

Safety first

A look into the history of R32 will reveal that the refrigerant’s flammability has long been an issue. According to a paper prepared by Hung Pham and Rajan Rajendran of Emerson Climate Technologies Inc, for the 2012 International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, R32 “is not a new refrigerant – it was studied during the 1990s in the search for a zero-ODP solution but was not adopted due to concerns about its flammability characteristics”.

Today, the same issue of flammability, as a safety concern, as well as the region’s current lack of

14

June 2015

R32 has an A2L safety rating, which means that it is mildly flammable, and the regulations/ building safety codes concerning A2L category refrigerants are not yet fully conceived related regulations are the primary concerns of K Jayakumar, Emerson’s Vice President and General Manager. “While Emerson recognises that R32 shows promise as one of the candidates being evaluated worldwide as an alternative refrigerant [for high-ambient countries], the

company believes that the Middle East is not yet ready to adopt it,” Jayakumar says. “R32 has an A2L safety rating, which means that it Biju Kannan is mildly flammable, and the regulations/ building safety codes concerning A2L category refrigerants are not yet fully conceived. Global bodies are still not done laying them out.

Narciso Zacarias Furthermore, there is a lack of technician training to support R32 systems.”

To clarify, he adds, “For Emerson, it is not an issue of being ready with the products – because we already have a full line-up of R32 compression products in the Asian markets – but of R32 becoming more widely accepted and of the region being ready to adopt it today.”

A better choice

For his part, Biju Kannan, Senior Sales Manager (OEMs) for the Middle East at Danfoss, acknowledges that R32’s flammability is a concern but clarifies that he does not regard it as a major problem.

“From the point of view of a components manufacturer, R32 being flammable is not an issue, because that can be addressed with the right equipment,” he says. “The challenge in handling the flammability of the refrigerant lies with the equipment manufacturer.”

Kannan further notes that if one were to discount the safety worry over flammability, R32

June 2015

15

COVER STORY

There is no such thing as a perfect refrigerant.

Each one has its own characteristics. We just have to aim at finding a balanced choice, because in some areas, one refrigerant might prove to be superior but completely inferior to another in a different area

strikes him as the better alternative to R22 than R410A. “At Danfoss, we watch the trends in the market with regard to refrigerants, and we have been looking at R32 from a technical and components point of view,” he reveals.

Explaining his preference for R32, he says: “In the Middle East market, R22 is already being phased out. In fact, Saudi Arabia has stopped importing R22 equipment in favour of R410A. That is the current situation of the region – R22 is being replaced by R410A, but R32 is actually a better choice because it has lower GWP and its energy efficiency, while around the same with R410A in mediumambient temperatures, is slightly better than R410A in high-ambient temperatures.”

No perfect refrigerant

Energy efficiency, safety and costeffectiveness are not only valid concerns but critical factors to consider when choosing a refrigerant, opines Eng Narciso Zacarias of the Environment Department of Dubai Municipality.

Zacarias, who works in the Municipality’s Environmental Planning and Studies Section, points out that the three factors, on top of the refrigerant’s ozone-depleting and global-warming impact and cooling

16

June 2015

performance, must be evaluated for one to reach a smart and educated decision. “We must look at all factors,” Zacarias says. “We must remember that there is no such thing as a perfect refrigerant.

Each one has its own characteristics. We just have to aim at finding a balanced choice, because in some areas, one refrigerant might prove to be superior but completely inferior to another in a different area. Ammonia, for instance, is both a highly effective and eco-friendly refrigerant.

It does not contribute to ozone depletion and has no greenhouse or global warming effect, but its toxicity is a safety issue.”

He is also of the opinion that in the coming discussions on the viability of R32 for the Middle East, people must seek to establish its suitability to the region’s hot climate and calculate all the costs

PRESS PLAY

Daikin’s R32 system, as described by the company...

The GCC region’s first commercialised highambient air conditioning system to use R32.

The system combines R32 and inverter technology.

The wall-mounted cooling only and heat pump air conditioners come in three capacities: 18, 24 and 28 MBH (thousand British thermal unit per hour).

The units can achieve an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) (Btu/kWh) in cooling of up to 13.3 at T1 conditions (35 degrees C) and up to 8.6 at T3 conditions (46 degrees C).

The tropical compressor is capable of operating fully in extreme weather conditions for at least 52 degrees C and delivering a powerful year-round cooling performance, regardless of the outside temperature, up to 1.5 times faster than traditional systems.

The units are whisper-quiet, with sound pressures as low as 32 dBA (A-weighted decibels).

The units come with an ‘intelligent eye feature’ that adjusts the set-point according to the occupancy level of the room, as well as a user-friendly wireless control.

All units are equipped with a Titanium Apatite air purification filter, which absorbs and decomposes microscopic particles and organisms while removing odours.

involved, by asking: “What is the energy consumption? How will the refrigerant, and the equipment that will run on it, contribute to power demand? What will it cost the environment? What will it cost the end user in terms of safety and affordability? What is its cost factor for retrofitting?” He adds that all the questions must be put forward to manufacturers not only of refrigerants, like R32, but also of equipment that runs on the refrigerants.

June 2015

17

COVER STORY

INTERVIEW

‘R32 is not a Daikin story.

It’s an industry story’ To get answers to questions about the adoption of the refrigerant in the GCC region, Climate Control Middle East sat down with Daikin's

Hamdani: One reason is

because countries have different deadlines for meeting the requirements of the Montreal Protocol, and in regions like Europe, their deadlines are nearer. This means that they have developed the necessary technology to meet those deadlines. For our region, our deadline is 2030. That’s part of the reason why it’s a bit later here. We have to combine it with the available technology, and now we have the knowledge and the refrigerant.

Farah: Just to add to that,

Michel Farah Product Planning Director

Sana Hamdani Product Marketing Manager

Veerle Beelaerts Environment and Compliance Specialist

Excerpts from the interview…

Let’s start with a brief background of R32...

Michel Farah: First off, R32

is not a new refrigerant. It is a component of R410A, which is currently used. Actually, it is 50% of R410A. R32 is a single-component refrigerant that came into the picture, when the world community started looking for refrigerants with lower GWP.

Sana Hamdani: R32’s

GWP, at 675, is only a third of R410A’s, which is about 2,100.

Farah: As I said, the world

was looking for lower GWP alternatives. Now in selecting refrigerants, we look at many factors. There’s ODP, GWP and energy efficiency.

Affordability comes into play, as well, and, of course, safety.

A combination of those factors would give you the right choice of refrigerant. Another factor is the refrigerant’s LCCP, which involves calculating the refrigerant’s efficiency over the

20

June 2015

lifecycle of the unit, because when we talk of refrigerants, we usually talk about its direct emissions, but you have indirect emissions that come from the running costs and the running efficiency of the unit, and that’s what really impacts the overall performance. It is about combining lower direct emissions with high efficiencies in the operation of the unit.

R32 came as one of the choices, actually. It wasn’t the only choice. There were other choices. First was CO2, which requires very high-pressure machines.

Veerle Beelaerts: CO2 also doesn’t have very good efficiency, but it does have a low GWP of 1.

Farah: The second choice

was the highly flammable propane, and third were HFOs, which are geared towards different pressures from what

R32 can work on, so they are considered today for bigger commercial air conditioners.

And then, we have R32, which by the way, has the same pressure as R410A. These are the four alternatives being considered today.

When did manufacturers start adopting R32? And where has it been adopted?

Farah: The first air

conditioners using R32 started in Japan in 2012. R32 products are also available in, just to name a few markets, Australia, Thailand and Indonesia, and in Europe.

And in early May this year, Daikin launched the GCC region’s first R32 system – three years after the refrigerant was first used in Japan. Why introduce it to the region now?

we don’t want to just bring in anything new. A lot of testing took place to make sure that this will work in the region. It’s a proven high-ambient product.

In fact, I have personally witnessed it tested in a lab up to 56 degrees C. So the refrigerant and the unit were tested at higher-than-usual ambient environment than what we experience here.

In talking with other industry players, one concern about R32 that has been pointed out is its flammability. How has Daikin addressed the challenge?

And what safety measures should be in place when handling the refrigerant?

Hamdani: We had quite

a lot of discussion about flammability. But what it boils down to is that if installed properly, there is no flammability risk. The brazing equipment is much more critical to handle than the refrigerant contained in the equipment.

All the safety measures you have to take with R32, in fact, are exactly the same as when handling any refrigerant.

Farah: The training of

technicians is a general need in this region. This market is now changing from R22 to R410A, which requires different tools to handle. Good practices are

definitely required, and we think that this is going to be a trend. A technician of air conditioning, in the Middle East, will require more and more skills to do his job as we go forward. In Europe, you have to be F-Gas certified to be able to deal with that, for example. I don’t know if a certification programme will be put in place, but we’re hearing that policymakers are going to put more measures to enforce good practices. And R32 will not need more than those good practices to be safely installed.

Also, R32 is only mildly flammable, and it’s not the type of flammability that goes by ignition. A spark would not start a fire.

but practically it’s not a thing to worry about.

In terms of energy efficiency, how does R32 perform?

Maintenance is one of the strengths of R32, because it is a singlecomponent refrigerant.

It doesn’t decompose, but of course, it is good practice to recover it

Beelaerts: When they braze and R32 is in the tubes, it’s mostly the oil that burns up and not the refrigerant itself.

Farah: Let me also just

point out that, if you go for a very low-GWP, non-toxic and non-flammable option, the refrigerant could end up more expensive than the

machine itself. It would not be economical. The art is in that balance. R32 is not toxic.

The compromise was this low, mild flammability. With the advancement of technology and having people trained better....

Theoretically, it’s a compromise,

Farah: Energy efficiency is

part of the characteristics of the refrigerant itself, in the heat absorption it can do.

There’s two parts of it. One part is energy efficiency in a 4 kW system, which could be...

According to our calculation, we can get around six per cent higher efficiency from the refrigerant itself. The second part is that we reduce the material, because we can reach the same capacity with less material in the unit. This means that if the unit is designed specifically for R32, it can use less material with higher efficiency.

Hamdani: We cannot look

at just the efficiency of the system itself; we need to look at many parameters. LCCP is a parameter that will give us information on the refrigerant’s impact on the climate and the environment, taking into

account direct and indirect emissions. It is a better way to evaluate a refrigerant, because if we look at efficiency alone, we might reach the wrong conclusion. So, we look at the direct and indirect emissions, and we see more benefits from R32 than R410A (see Figure 1 for Daikin-provided calculation).

Farah: Another important

part is the unit. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) of our units is 13.3 at T1 conditions (35 degrees C) and up to 8.6 at T3 conditions (46 degrees C). We are exceeding not only existing regulations but also coming standards, which we’ve heard are going to be in place as of November. And that’s only on one point, which is the full load. When it comes to seasonal, that’s where the real efficiency happens.

With regard to cost, availability and maintenance, how does R32 stack up against other refrigerants? How easy is it to reclaim and clean?

Innovative Flow and Energy Measurement

NEW from ONICON System-40 BTU Measurement System The System-40 BTU Measurement System provides highly accurate and reliable thermal energy measurement in heating and cooling systems. Its compact, no-moving-parts design and low cost make it ideal for sub-metering heating and cooling costs in condominiums, retail shops and mixed-use facilities. The System-40 also includes a BACnet ® MS/TP interface and 3 auxiliary pulse inputs that simplify network connectivity for utility metering in the tenant space.

Locally represented by Almi International F.Z.E. • Tel +197165489921 • info@almiinternational.ae

June 2015

21

COVER STORY

INTERVIEW

GWP effect */** (CO2 equivalent kg, expressed in%)

By using R32 refrigerant on split A/C, GWP effect can be reduced by 70% (vs R22**)

100%

110%

31%

R22

R410A

R32

Refrigerant

R22

R410A

R32

ODP

0.05

0

0

GWP (CO2 equivalent)

1.810

2.088

675

Refrigerant charge* (kg)

1.35

1.29

1.12

Notes: *Inverter R32 is compared with Daikin's high-ambient, 50Hz non-inverter ranges, FTD and FTS, for equivalent capacity models (18 kBtu/hr) **GWP effect has been calculated by multiplying GWP (CO2 eq.) and charge ratio (%kg) of Daikin's high-ambient 50Hz cooling only ranges, for equivalent capacity models (18 kBtu/hr)

Figure 1 (Provided by Daikin)

group of people who wanted to see the practice of charging R32 in the factories. During the trip, we went to an electronic shop and asked about air conditioners. We found that majority are R32 already, and they’re from different brands. So R32 is not a Daikin story. It’s an industry story.

With R32 success stories in other markets, would you say that R32 has potential of becoming a game changer in the GCC air conditioning market?

Farah: It’s not necessarily Farah: R32 is more affordable compared to alternatives with lower GWP, and in terms of availability, it is normal that in the beginning, when there’s less demand, you will not find it everywhere. But we have partners whom we’ve talked to, and they have made the commitment to make it available, and we are also making it available to the market. And maintenance is one of the strengths of R32, because it is a singlecomponent refrigerant. It doesn’t decompose, but of course, it is good practice to recover it.

Can the R32 be used as drop-in for refrigerants like R410A?

Farah: We know some

manufacturers who are, right

now, experimenting with the use of R32 in their current designs of R410A systems and testing to see its behaviour and impact, but that is all lab work for now.

I also just want to clarify one point: R32 is not for chillers.

R32 has been selected as a good option for room air conditioners, and that is why our line-up is for room air conditioners.

Beelaerts: Because there is

no refrigerant that is the best solution for all applications. For every application, you have to evaluate which refrigerant is best, according to the points that have been discussed.

What are your expectations from the GCC market and from its equipment manufacturers? Are you expecting a swift adoption of

the refrigerant?

Hamdani: I think it will

take time. But our intention is to bring the right solution.

We want to drive the market towards more efficient solutions that will, in the end, reduce the energy consumption of the region.

Farah: R32 is not some sort

of magical solution, but we are optimistic of the industry’s reaction. It’s worth noting that the Japanese manufacturers have migrated to R32. The number of units already sold…

Hamdani: Four million units.

Farah: We’re talking huge

numbers, not just a few containers. That’s four million units already sold. Two years ago, I went to Japan with a

about changing games. It’s about bringing global research into the region. We believe that, for now, this is the edge of what the industry is doing in terms of air conditioning solutions, and it’s arising from a need brought about by depleting natural resources. If this changes the game for the better, and everyone believes it is for the better, then so be it… and we will not be crying victory for ourselves but for the industry and the community.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the article. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

When talking about healthcare infrastructure and its role in economic sustainability, the goal is to build facilities equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed with high-quality medical teams that can provide patients with the best possible medical service. The goal, I believe, cannot be achieved unless a complete design plan is in place – one that takes into account facility function, end-user requirements, standards and regulations, society and community, and even culture and religion. Once the plan is there, everyone involved must stick to it and try to limit the changes, keeping in mind issues like costs, time and energy savings.

– Noura A Aziz, Interior Designer, Ashghal (Public Works Authority), Qatar 22

June 2015

IEQ IN

SCHOOLS A Climate Control Middle East editorial campaign

ENDORSED BY

HEALTH MINISTERS’ COUNCIL FOR THE COOPERATION COUNCIL STATES

June 2015

23

Parent power

A

ccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 24% of the global instances of disease are owing to environmental factors. Pollutants in the environment are the bane of modern-day society. A steep increase in industrialisation and vehicular traffic, among other aspects, are resulting in greater incidences of upper-respiratory-tract illnesses, especially among children. The tragedy is that while the technology is there to minimise, if not eliminate, the incidences, a general inertia of action, or part measures, are putting paid to the hopes.

It is true that compared to even a decade ago, there is greater awareness on the impact of poor indoor environmental quality in schools. And governments the world over, including in Dubai, have evolved regulation to address shortcomings in schools. While some of the authority bodies around the globe have progressed to the next level – enforcement – the fact of the matter is that many are yet to strengthen this aspect, exposing a weak link in the process. And many school administrations are perhaps taking advantage of the situation and doing precious little to address genuine concerns and situations occurring in their premises.

While such brazenness ought to be combated through greater vigilance by the government enforcement officers, there is an equally important role for the public, in particular the parents, to play in holding erring schools to task for potentially compromising the health of their children. And this is where government authorities can open another front through a public-awareness campaign. Dubai Municipality has an excellent ongoing campaign on food safety, which enjoys visibility and prominence. The body has the opportunity of replicating the success towards better thermal comfort and acoustical comfort and reduced micro-flora and chemicals in classrooms. An informed public can exert pressure on schools and compel them to act decisively and with speed.

B Surendar

Editor, Climate Control Middle East

NEWS BRIEF

A

major contributing factor to the indoor air quality is the type of paint we use in our schools, as the majority of interior paints contain toxic chemicals, called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These are extremely hazardous and are inhaled by children on a daily basis. Short-term exposure to high levels of paint toxins are directly linked to eye, nose and throat irritation; fatigue; nausea; coughing and asthma attacks. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, VOCs can also damage the liver, kidney and the Central Nervous System. It’s critical to limit exposure to the potentially fatal health hazards and to choose a safe product, containing the lowest toxic content available.

– Martin Rosocha, General Manager, Caparol Paints LLC, UAE

24

June 2015

Lung distress Almost half of New Delhi school students are suffering from lung health problems, survey finds

A

round 40% of school students in New Delhi — the city with the world’s worst air quality, according to the World Health Organisation — are suffering from poor to bad lung capacity, said a survey carried out by Indiabased HEAL Foundation, The Times of India newspaper has reported.

The survey, conducted over a three-month period, involved over 2,300 students from four cities of India.

The survey further revealed that in the cities of Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai, 36%, 35% and 27%, respectively, of school students are suffering from reduced lung health. HEAL Foundation, which arrived at the findings by asking the survey participants to undergo a lung health screening test, speculates that air pollution may be to blame for the alarming results.

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Decisively green The benefits of adopting green measures in schools in the GCC region far outweigh the costs, argues Moheet Vishwas…

W

hen the school hunt for admissions begins, the scenario in the GCC region may appear to be a labyrinth of interviews and fee structures, among other aspects for parents. In the UAE, there are more than 150 schools in Dubai alone, and about 300,000 students attend them.1 About 14 to 15% of Dubai goes to schools every day.

While curriculum, performance and practice continue to remain the primary focus when it comes to evaluating schools, it’s time to bring about a paradigm shift. It is critical to add a new criterion – green – to the assessment exercise. This will result

26

June 2015

in bringing much-needed attention to the built-environment in schools, and ensure that students, teaching and non-teaching staff are not endangered in any way whatsoever.

To top it all, it’s not just the environment that benefits from the attributes of Green schools; the other beneficiaries are the children who attend such schools. A study aimed at comparing student, teacher and staff absenteeism data as well as student performance data (based on reading, writing and arithmetic tests), administered

by Ontario’s Education Quality and Accountability Office, in Canada, found that student, teacher and staff absenteeism in green schools went down by two to 7.5%,

Whether or not a school is green is decided by four measures: The school endeavours to maintain a toxic-free environment This means the school lays special emphasis on the indoor air quality (IAQ).

The facility will have the kind of air filtration, which filters both outdoor air pollutants (dust, sand, NOx, Sox, etc.) and indoor air pollutants (VOCs, etc.).

Good IAQ will prevent the proliferation of microbial organisms by ensuring the right amount of fresh air intakes, which will also help maintain the carbon dioxide concentrations below recommended standards, combined with optimal temperature and humidity control. Schools that are serious about reducing the risk of students’ exposure to environmental health hazards ought to ensure that they are not located within 15 kilometres of major roads, or areas prone to traffic congestion or with construction sites in the vicinity. If they are in areas close to major roads, they have to take countermeasures, such as fitting competent air filtration and ventilation systems.

The school creates a green and healthy space Green schools provide extraordinary cost-effective ways to enhance student learning and reduce health and operational costs. Gardens planted in schoolyards can compost food and yard waste, ploughing it back into the soil. Teachers can, then, use gardens to teach basic ecological principles. Best of all, children become aware of their environments and learn about nutrition, leading to healthier choices and healthier lives.

whereas student performance improved by eight to 19%, when compared with conventional schools. A survey of 150 teachers was conducted to investigate their satisfaction with the indoor air quality, lighting, thermal comfort and acoustics of their school buildings. The statistical analysis of the data showed that teachers in green schools were, in general, more satisfied with the lighting, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, heating, ventilation

The school uses its resources sustainably Schools, taken collectively, are major consumers of energy, water and other resources. Green schools, by their very nature, are able to use the resources efficiently. To an extent, they become producers of their own power and serve as models of environmental sustainability for their communities. This potential, combined with their ability to teach the next generation and communities of families by example, makes schools strategic actors to drive the change we wish to see. They can transform the world’s energyand resource-consumption model towards more sustainable patterns of development.

The schools recycle waste and, overall, reduce waste The highlight of green schools is that they seamlessly reduce, reuse and recycle their waste. They create and encourage plastic-free environments by involving teachers and children in environment-awareness schemes and other activities to improve the environment.

They lay emphasis on the simple methods to implement and promote recycling, in addition to offering tips on how to implement green practices and behaviours at home.

and air conditioning of their classrooms and personal workspaces than teachers in conventional schools.2 Test scores and performance evaluations are vital ingredients to students' success in life. A study conducted in 2005 on the financial benefits of education, which appeared in an International Monetary Fund (IMF) publication, certainly points in that direction. The study conclusively cites that faster learning and higher test scores

are significantly and positively associated with higher lifetime earnings.

However, a sustainable solution isn’t one that is only socially beneficial and environmentally friendly; it has to be economically viable, too. This raises a fundamental question: Are green schools cost-effective?

The benefits of green are not intended for the occupants alone. A carefully documented

June 2015

27

study in the United States has irrefutably demonstrated the fiscal and environmental advantages of implementing sustainable practices and green technologies in schools. The findings of the study report that green schools cost a maximum of two per

The reduced electricity and gas use in the buildings means lower emissions of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and coarse particulate matter

cent more than conventional schools but provide various financial benefits that are 20 times more than conventional schools.

On an average, green schools use 33% less energy than conventionally designed schools. Reduced energy consumption results in direct savings in the form of lower bills to schools. The savings can, then, be forwarded to the students by discounting the school fees or through other methods, such as scholarship schemes.3 Green schools, like other Green Buildings, also help in the reduction of emissions. Since they use only twothirds of the energy, on an average,

as compared to conventional schools, the reduced electricity and gas use in the buildings means lower emissions of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and coarse particulate matter, which are damaging to human health, environment and property at large. To further demonstrate the importance of the reduction of emissions, the beforementioned study cites a 2005 study by Harvard Medical School, Swiss Re and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which summarises a range of large economic costs that continued climate change and global warming, driven primarily by burning fossil fuels, will increasingly impose.3 Overall, the enabling technologies are there to achieve green schools in the GCC region, be it in the case of New Construction or in Existing Buildings through retrofit measures. The costs of going green are minimally higher when compared to conventional schools. There is a plethora of literature available for schools to reach out to when it comes to taking the initial decision on going green. And there is the available back-up support of green building consultants and expertise in the region for schools to realise their ambitions. The government bodies in the region can nudge things in the right direction by including green in their evaluation criteria. That, if at all anything, would signal a game-changing momentum towards better health among students and teaching and non-teaching staff.

References 1 Which School Advisor. Web. http:// whichschooladvisor.com 2 Issaa, M.H., Rankina, H.K., Attallab, M. and A.J. Christiana. 2011.

"Absenteeism, Performance and Occupant Satisfaction with the Indoor Environment of Green Toronto Schools". Sage Journals 3 Kats, G. 2006. "Greening AmericaĂ­s Schools: costs and benefits". A capital E report.

The writer has a master’s degree in Energy Engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering.

He works as an engineer in Dubai and can be contacted at moheet.vishwas@gmail.com. Any ideas or views expressed are his own.

28

June 2015

June 2015

29

The school as an educational tool Hong Kong’s Sing Yin Secondary School ranks among the most-awarded green schools in the world. Wong Chi Keung, Sing Yin’s School Principal, shares with Climate Control Middle East the details on what makes his school a model of indoor air quality (IAQ) and Green Building best practices.

S

ing Yin Secondary School was founded in Lam Tin, Hong Kong in 1970 by the Divine Word Missionaries. A government-aided Catholic school for boys, it was relocated to its present site in New Clear Water Bay Road, in Choi Hung, in 2011.

In 2008, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen announced that the government would fund two environmentally friendly buildings, as part of Hong Kong’s efforts to promote environmental awareness. Sing Yin Secondary School was the result of the initiative. Hong Kong's Architectural Services Department was responsible for the coordination of construction before it was handed over to Sing Yin, which became the first Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Demonstration School in Hong Kong.

The awards include: • HK-BEAM 4/04 – Final Platinum • 10th Hong Kong Green School Award (Secondary School) • Green Building Award 2012: Merit Award in New Building – Hong Kong (Completed Building)

30

June 2015

Images courtesy Sing Yin Secondary School

Worldwide recognition The school has since received a number of green awards, and all of them recognise its achievements in local green building design and indoor air quality (IAQ).

The school is equipped with monocrystalline solar panels, 188 square metres of thin film solar cells in transparent type on classroom windows, a hybrid-type solar energy collector for water heating and a small-scale vertical wind turbine

Two green roofs, together with solar-shading devices outside the classrooms and thermal insulating coating on windows in the school office are all measures to lower the energy used for cooling

• 2012 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence: Gold Award in Schools: Secondary • Hong Kong ICT Awards 2013: Bronze Award in Best Green ICT (Adoption –Organizations) Award • Excellent Class Indoor Air Quality Award 2011 – issued by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department of HKSAR In 2013, the school was one of the two recipients of the US Green Building Council’s ‘Greenest School on Earth’ award. We at Sing Yin Secondary School consider it a great honour to receive the prestigious international award, which recognises schools that utilise resources wisely, provide a healthy green learning environment and emphasise sustainability and conservation education.

It must be noted that Sing Yin is the first-ever campus built in a high-density urban area to win the USGBC award.

We are delighted that Sing Yin’s hard work and efforts on environmental education have been well-recognised. The school aims to provide one of the best educations in the world with a global perspective for boys in the local community. The

school puts a heavy emphasis on developing students’ environmental knowledge, attitude and habits that protect the environment. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach to realise its aim for environmental education.

Through the green features in the campus and different activities organised by the school, it is hoped that the importance of environmental conservation is not only spread to the teachers and the students but also to their families and the general public.

The systems in place

The Energy Efficiency System of Sing Yin comprises four major parts. The first part is the Renewable Energy System. The school is equipped with monocrystalline solar panels (including sun-tracking PV panels, with 134 pieces of PV panels fixed at 22 degrees to the horizon on the rooftop – to maximise annual electricity production – and 218 square metres of fixed monocrystalline solar panels, fitted outside the windows of classrooms), 188 square metres of thin film solar cells in transparent

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June 2015

31

(L-R) Ng Cheuk Hang, student representative; Kwok But, former Principal; Conrad Wong, Chairman of the HKGBC; Wong Kam Sing, Secretary for the Environment; Rev Fr Johnson Dhos, School Supervisor of Sing Yin Secondary School; Leung Koon Kee, Director of Architectural Services; Tam Pok Man and Zheng Kelvin Yu Chen, student representatives celebrated the receipt of the award

Vertical wind turbine and sun-tracking solar panels

Centralised water-cooled air-conditioning system

32

June 2015

type on classroom windows, a hybrid-type solar energy collector for water heating and a small-scale vertical wind turbine.

The second part is the Sustainable High Energy-Saving Design System. It includes a centralised water-cooled air conditioning system, which is highly energy-efficient and enables energy savings of up to 35% when compared to conventional air-cooled air conditioning systems. There are LED exit signs and LED lighting in the classrooms on the fifth floor and the school hall, while T5 fluorescent lights are used in other rooms to conserve energy. There are also two sun tubes on the rooftop to lead sunlight to the Physics Laboratory by optical fibre, for illumination. Moreover, the elevator in the school is designed with an energy-regeneration system, which recovers gravitational potential energy as electrical energy when the elevator goes down.

The third part of the Energy Efficiency System is the Building Energy Management System. It is installed to ensure the efficient use of energy, with motion sensors that automatically turn off the lights and air conditioning if there is no one in the room. There are also photo sensors that dim the lights if there is enough sunlight to illuminate the room. This Energy Management System maintains a better monitoring of almost all

Sun tubes

Low ‘E’ glass on double glazing and solar shading devices

Automatic weather station

When the concentration of CO2 in a classroom exceeds the standard, the fresh air exchange and pre-coolers will be turned on automatically energy generating and saving devices in the school.

The fourth part is the Environmental Features related to thermal comfort in the school. There are some features and designs to improve the ventilation and to lower the air temperature in the school environment in the hot season, so as to lower the use of air conditioners. The school building faces east, which is the direction of the prevailing winds in Hong Kong, and wide breezy corridors with large open spaces can easily be found in the campus. There is also an atrium that improves the overall ventilation, while the glass canopy allows sunlight to reach the covered playground. Two green roofs, together with solar-shading devices outside the classrooms and thermal insulating coating on windows in the school office are all measures to lower the energy

used for cooling. Besides, there are windows with low ‘E’ glass on double glazing to reduce noise and minimise heat radiation.

An automatic weather station is also mounted on the roof of the school building. The air-conditioners of the classrooms can only be switched on by the students when the heat index is above 25.5 degrees C (real-time data taken from the weather station).

A pre- and post-study revealed that this practice has saved about 40,000 kWh of electrical energy per year, roughly six per cent of the annual power consumption.

A healthy school environment also includes better air quality, both indoor and outdoor. There are a lot of plants grown in the school campus, with a lush vertical green wall and a bamboo garden. Bamboo is planted because it minimises carbon dioxide and generates up to 35% more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees. One hectare of bamboo sequesters 62 tonnes of CO2 per year, while one hectare of young forest only sequesters 15 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Carbon dioxide sensors are installed in the classrooms to ensure sufficient fresh air supply. When the concentration of CO2 in a classroom exceeds the standard, the fresh air exchange and pre-coolers will be turned on automatically. There are also air purifiers in the school campus and titanium oxide coating in staff lavatories to ensure excellent indoor air quality.  (As told to Fatima de la Cerna, Assistant Editor, Climate Control Middle East)

Where we learn matters...

In a press communiqué announcing the two winners (Sing Yin Secondary School in Hong Kong, China, and the Uaso Nyiro Primary School in Laikipia, Kenya) of the 2013 Greenest School on Earth award, Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC President, CEO and Founding Chair, was quoted as saying, “We selected both of these schools because of what they say about one another and also about the scale and scope in the movement – they demonstrate that across the world, from community to community and from city to village, no matter where we learn, where we learn matters.”

June 2015

33

‘Noise affects the student’s capacity to concentrate and learn’ Hicham Kabbage, Healthcare/Education Sector Developer at Saint-Gobain Gyproc Middle East, in conversation with Fatima de la Cerna of Climate Control Middle East on the importance of reducing noise levels in school environments Why is noise control so important?

Scientific studies have proved that noise levels have a significant impact on educational achievement. Creating the optimum environment, where students can concentrate on their learning, where they can clearly hear and be heard in a classroom environment, where they can concentrate when reading and preparing work and where the atmosphere is calm and reassuring, is therefore, a major priority in school design.

Achieving this can be a challenge, particularly in schools, where student conversations, noisy sporting and other activities, movement of chairs and equipment, and noisy corridors and dining areas are just part of the normal everyday activity.

Classroom acoustics have a direct impact on communication between teachers and students, affecting the learning process as well as the physical and psychological health of both. Furthermore, noise increases the heartbeat, raises blood pressure and reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood – affecting the student’s capacity to concentrate and learn.

What are the standards we should be aiming for?

International standards may vary, and some designers/authorities in the region may choose to write their own. However, most consultants, designers and acousticians follow the guidance contained in the UK Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), which determines the specific acoustic standards for different areas within a school building.

Spaces with a predominance of hard reflective surfaces, such as ceramic tiles, marble or masonry partitions are more likely to suffer high levels of reflected sound, which will impact the speech intelligibility in classrooms

34

June 2015

How can we reduce noise levels in schools?

I would like to answer this question by discussing the different types of sound.

Images courtesy Saint-Gobain Gyproc Middle East

Firstly, there is airborne sound. This sound is generated by pupils and teaching and non-teaching staff talking and moving around, and by noisy equipment and activities. It is good design practice to separate noisy areas from quiet ones when designing the interior layout. Where potential noise problems exist, for instance where a busy corridor abuts a classroom, sound transfer can be reduced by interposing a high-performance acoustic-separating partition or ceiling and by acoustically sealing all perimeters and openings.

Designers need to use a common rating to allow them to compare and select different systems, based on performance; the most popular terms for sound insulation are Rw and STC. These are both descriptors for ‘laboratory tested’ sound insulation performance.

The performance specification of the separating element should be selected based on the appropriate Rw rating for the space and any regulatory requirements. (I recommend that stakeholders read through the Middle East White Book and associated user guides for details of all systems available).

Secondly, there is impact sound. This is caused by footsteps, falling objects or vibrating equipment. It is transmitted through the hard structure – generally a floor – and affects the space below or elsewhere in the building. The level of impact noise can sometimes be reduced using a good-quality floor covering, although in some situations it is more effective to install a suspended plasterboard ceiling to the lower space.

Thirdly, let’s look at sound absorption. As well as controlling noise transmission from one space to another, it is important

to control the level of noise generated within the area itself. In large spaces, such as the school lobby or restaurant, noise is generated by activity and by people talking within the area, and is exacerbated by the sound waves reflecting off hard surfaces and bouncing around the space. Spaces with a predominance of hard reflective surfaces, such as ceramic tiles, marble or masonry partitions are more likely to suffer high levels of reflected sound, which will impact the speech intelligibility in classrooms. Therefore, students will hear half of what the teachers say, as recent studies on this subject seem to suggest.

The best example would be students, who sit at the back of the classrooms or auditoria – they complain of hearing echoes.

It is particularly important to control reflected sound in classrooms, as this can affect the ability of the students to concentrate or to hear what the teacher is saying, and vice versa. Poor attention to sound performance in classrooms has been proven to affect the educational attainments of students.

The simple answer can be to add special suspended sound absorbent acoustic ceilings or wall panels. A qualified acoustician will be able to advise on the type and area of sound absorption required.

A similar effect can be achieved using a flat or monolithic ceiling design, incorporating boards that are fully perforated, with a special acoustic tissue to the back. Separately hung independent panels, or even special retrofit wall panels, can also be uniquely styled to give high levels of acoustic absorption performance. 

June 2015

35

PERSPECTIVE George Berbari is the CEO of DC PRO Engineering.

He can be contacted at gberbari@ dcproeng.com

36

VRF Systems PART 3

What ails our industry In this, the third of a six-part series, George Berbari focuses on the variable refrigerant flow industry in the GCC region, and talks of the next big thing – the variable water flow (VWF) system, which he sees as a panacea for overcoming current challenges.

T

he variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system, also known as VRV, has become the latest point of interest, especially when the talk veers to villas and some profiles of hotels, residential and office buildings in the GCC region.

The main selling points of VRF systems are a high-efficiency range of between 1.1 and 1.35 kW/tonne at design ambient, variable speed compressors that further decrease power consumption at mid-season ambient temperatures, ultralow noise and a reduction in the number of outdoor units.

Further, VRFs are popular, because they involve a lownoise compressor on the roof, an arrangement that saves roof or outdoor footprint, thereby releasing valuable space and also improving aesthetics. They also feature versatile and ultra-lownoise indoor units, which come in multiple formats, such as ducted-, decorative cassette-, wall- and floor-type units. Further, they use the zero ozone-depleting-potential (ODP) refrigerant, R410A, which it must however be noted, comes with a global warming potential (GWP) of 1,725 when compared to CO2, which has a GWP of 1.

Yet another virtue is that R410A has 11% higher enthalpy, or refrigerant effect per unit weight, when compared to R134A and, hence, requires smaller piping.

A key drawback of VRF

June 2015

systems is that it is very difficult to measure the refrigeration capacity in the field from the outdoor condensing unit; typically, tests are made at the individual indoor unit (air side) to validate capacity. Also, R410A has a lower co-efficient

The industry is moving towards a variable water flow (VWF) system that includes a brazed heat exchanger and a water pump

of performance (COP) – six per cent lower than R22 and 8.4% lower than R134A. Further, VRF systems operate at an excessively high condensing pressure of 35 Bar, which increases the possibility of leakage. Also, the small piping cannot be flushed, and soldering or welding can obstruct refrigerant flow and impact performance. Further, many high-end hotels require expensive refrigerant monitoring systems for every guest room.

(The cost of installing the systems could be in the range of USD 700 and USD 800 per room.)

The main drawback of VRF systems is that manufacturers have yet been unable to prove beyond doubt their main selling point, which is the efficiency of the systems.

In the past, I have raised some concerns on this subject, about how manufacturers need to present validated field data, taking into account the fans operating at part- or no-load conditions, the losses involved in extensive refrigerant piping and the impact of welding the joints.

My calls to manufacturers have totally been ignored, and all this while hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of units have been sold annually, with everyone convinced of the virtual reality of the ultra-efficiency of the systems.

The ASHRAE project

A development of seismic proportions took place, when the ASHRAE headquarters, in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, installed a ground-source heat pump for one floor and a VRF for another floor and conducted extensive field measurement for a period of two years. ASHRAE presented the findings through its journal (September and December 2014 issues), and they were damning in nature.

Atlanta has summer design temperature of 34 degrees C and winter design of -6 degrees C. The units’ seasonal (nine-month) performance was 1.41 kW/tonne in Atlanta weather conditions.

Considering the GCC weather profile of the low forties, this would translate to 1.8 kW/tonne, or higher, which is a rough estimate from my side, following the compressor lift proportion.

The news is disastrous for the VRF, or VRV, technology and imposes the need for a serious review by the industry and an equally serious response from the manufacturers.

Alarmed by the brazen disregard by the VRF

June 2015

37

PERSPECTIVE

VRF Systems PART 3

What ails our industry

Figure 1: Villa data DEWA Bills (March 2014 to September 2014)

Area in m2 = 470 Villa No. 6/8 (470m2, Int'l Brand Ducted Split A/C) ELECTRIC POWER BILL

FROM DATE

TO DATE

NO. OF DAYS

AED CONSUMPTION

FUEL SURCHARGE

METRE

OTHER

TOTAL AED

kWh

Fils/ kWh

Watt-Hr/ Hr

Average Watt/m2

14-Mar-14

13-Apr-14

31

322.00

91.00

35.00

0.00

448.00

1,400.0

32.0

1,881.7

4.0

14-Apr-14

13-May-14

30

1,032.80

262.60

35.00

0.00

1,330.40

4,040.0

32.9

5,611.1

11.9

14-May-14

12-Jun-14

30

1,404.00

338.00

35.00

0.00

1,777.00

5,200.0

34.2

7,222.2

15.4

13-Jun-14

13-Jul-14

31

1,532.00

364.00

35.00

0.00

1,931.00

5,600.0

34.5

7,526.9

16.0

14-Jul-14

13-Aug-14

31

1,596.00

377.00

35.00

0.00

2,008.00

5,800.0

34.6

7,795.7

16.6

14-Aug-14

13-Sep-14

31

1,455.20

348.40

35.00

0.00

1,838.60

5,360.0

34.3

7,204.3

15.3

184

7,342.0

1,781.0

210.0

0.0

9,333.0

27,400.0

34.1

6,204.71

13.20

Fils/kWh

26.8

6.5

0.8

0.0

34.1

TOTAL

Total kWh/m2/Period

58.3

Figure 2: Townhouse data DEWA Bills (March 2014 to September 2014)

Area in m2 = 320 Townhouse No. 4G (320m2, Int'l Brand VRF A/C) ELECTRIC POWER BILL

FROM DATE

TO DATE

NO. OF DAYS

AED CONSUMPTION

FUEL SURCHARGE

METRE

OTHER

TOTAL AED

Fils/ kWh

Watt-Hr/ Hr

Average Watt/m2

10-Mar-14

8-Apr-14

30

286.81

81.06

4.00

0.00

371.87

1,247.0

29.8

1,731.9

5.4

9-Apr-14

8-May-14

30

595.80

161.53

4.00

0.00

761.33

2,485.0

30.6

3,451.4

10.8

9-May-14

8-Jun-14

31

797.68

208.39

4.00

0.00

1,010.07

3,206.0

31.5

4,309.1

13.5

9-Jun-14

9-Jul-14

31

980.80

250.90

4.00

0.00

1,235.70

3,860.0

32.0

5,188.2

16.2

10-Jul-14

9-Aug-14

31

1,223.52

301.34

4.00

0.00

1,528.86

4,636.0

33.0

6,231.2

19.5

10-Aug-14

8-Sep-14

30

1,020.96

260.20

4.00

0.00

1,285.16

4,003.0

32.1

5,559.7

17.4

183

4,905.6

1,263.4

24.0

0.0

6,193.0

19,437.0

31.9

4,425.55

13.83

Fils/kWh

25.2

6.5

0.1

0.0

31.9

TOTAL

Total Prorata kWh/m2/Period

industry to multiple requests for validated field data, I undertook an exercise of monitoring the performance of a VRF system in the UAE and reached a conclusion similar to ASHRAE that VRFs consume around five per cent higher power per square metre than ducted splits, for the same international brand. For the record, the two units (the VRF and the ducted split) were installed in two residences (a villa and a townhouse) in Dubai.

For the metrics of the investigation, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 (above).

Variable water flow (VWF) systems

I am of the strong view that the technology is evolving to use

38

kWh

June 2015

60.7

the same components with a small variation. The industry is moving towards a variable water flow (VWF) system that includes a brazed heat exchanger and a water pump, in order to pump chilled water to the same indoor units that will use chilled water coils in lieu of a DX coil.

The new system will resolve two issues at one go. The refrigerant will be contained in the outdoor condensing unit, and the chilled water will allow ease of monitoring the performance from one side and also allow for larger pipes, which can be flushed and cleaned prior to final usage.

The VWF system has already been developed in Europe and Japan and will soon be marketed in the GCC market.

An improvement to the

system would be to deploy the water-cooled regime through a cooling tower or geothermal energy. Indeed, a ground-source geothermal VWF system can reduce power consumption to a range of 0.7 to 0.9 kW/tonne, further improving efficiency.

Towards utopia! ď ś CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the article.

Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

June 2015

39

MARKET FEATURE COOLING TOWERS

With government initiatives, like the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy's on District Cooling, perhaps driving the growth of the cooling tower market in the region, is there a greater sense of optimism? Rajiv Pillai reports on the current state of health of the industry.

40

June 2015

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

In 2011, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy enshrined District Cooling as one of the eight strategic pillars towards achieving 30% power savings in the emirate by 2030. Inherent in the announcement by the Council was a concerted push towards 40% market penetration for District Cooling. The development came as a shot in the arm for District Coolingrelated equipment manufacturers, including the cooling tower industry.

If that were not enough, there is plenty of anticipation – and excitement – surrounding the

imminent release of the blueprint for the EXPO 2020, which should further energise the market. “Owing to the two mega events [EXPO 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup], there will be a boom as we get closer to the events,” says Jeevan Joy, the Managing Director of SPIG Middle East. “Moreover, with the new developments that will be announced as a part of these mega events, there will be a surge in demand for District Cooling.”

Dan Coday, the Sales Manager - Offshore FRP & Concrete Towers at Tower Tech, Inc., believes that the market size for cooling towers in the Middle East region is approximately USD 150 million annually. Zooming into the region, Coday adds that in the GCC, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait are the major markets for cooling towers. Georges Hoeterickx, the Director of Business Development at Evapco, Europe, says that the market size depends on which countries one looks at, and the applications and the size of the projects in view. “Some manufactures only offer small- and mediumsized towers,” he says. “Some

Often, customers accept design changes to decrease the initial cost, which finally has a negative impact on quality, performance and overall efficiency

June 2015

41

MARKET FEATURE COOLING TOWERS

are only active in District Cooling, while others are not focusing on this market segment.”

Hoeterickx feels that the demand for cooling towers in the UAE, although high, is not as high as it was in 2008. He adds: “Often, customers accept design changes to decrease the initial cost, which finally has a negative impact on quality, performance and overall efficiency.

Often, these changes are introduced under the name, ‘value engineering’ but that term is often misused.”

Besides business-related challenges, the cooling tower industry finds itself facing lingering technical challenges.

Hoeterickx says that while District Cooling plants often

offer the additional benefit of having a more professional operation and maintenance team onsite, which assures efficient and safe operation, the smaller individual systems sometimes lack proper maintenance, which could have a negative impact on their efficiency.

With great tower comes great responsibility

Elucidating more on the challenges relating to the maintenance and treatment, Hoeterickx mentions that issues like corrosion, scaling and biological fouling are mostly maintenance-related problems, and most often when the cooling tower suffers, other system components will also

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42

June 2015

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

be affected. He says that the responsibility of maintenance ought to be handled in a proper manner; a new approach should be in place, he says, that extends the scope of the manufacturer. He suggests that the manufacturer should also operate the cooling tower but that the responsibility of maintaining the tower and handling the water treatment aspects is with the client. So, effectively, in Hoeterickx’s view, this becomes a shared responsibility.

While the structure of operation and maintenance, and the relationship between the manufacturer and the client perhaps needs to be crystallised, a close look at the nitty-gritty of maintenance also reveals divergent views – for the better or the worse. Coday and Bhaskaran, the Manager (Water Treatment Division) at Abu Dhabi-based Water Bird, are of the view that chemical treatment is the most common and current form of maintenance practice.

Hoeterickx, on the other hand, takes a contrarian view to the use of chemicals. “Till now, they still use chemicals, but there are options that are less harmful for the environment,” he says. “It is the role of the consultant to specify better solutions, and hopefully, these will be applied during project execution.” Bhaskaran, though, disagrees. Most of the chemicals are environmentally friendly, he says. And biocides are biodegradable.

Getting into the specifics of water treatment technologies, Coday says that alternative water treatment approaches are gaining in popularity, including the use of water softeners for reducing water makeup demand.

The broader issue with water, when it comes to cooling towers, is the source of the water. The source continues to be an important topic of discussion, given the obvious

Jeevan Joy

Dan Coday

A. Bhaskaran

Georges Hoeterickx

precious nature of water in the arid conditions of the GCC region.

Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE)

Water has always been a cause of concern in the Middle East for a long time. “Since everybody uses DEWA water as the makeup for cooling towers, the water demand has been increasing,”

June 2015

43

MARKET FEATURE COOLING TOWERS

Bhaskaran says, in the context of Dubai.

Dubai Municipality supplies TSE, but the allocation for District Cooling is not adequate, with the majority of the quantum being for irrigation purposes.

Even otherwise, Bhaskaran says, TSE cannot directly be used for cooling towers and needs polishing. “There are already some plants that are using this methodology,” Bhaskaran says.

“And it is giving very good savings on water consumption”.

Coday, echoing Bhaskaran on the limited availability of TSE, says that it is not available for all projects, adding that it is just one of other concerns involving this source of water.

“Like any new direction, it takes time to work out many details before it gains critical mass,”

Coday says. “There have been concerns about increased potential for Legionella due to the added nutrients in the water with stagnant cold water basins and the risk for accelerated mechanical equipment corrosion with induced draft designs due to elevated pH in some TSE applications.”

Despite all the challenges associated with using TSE, Coday and Hoeterickx agree that this is the route forward and that the challenges must be factored in at the design stage.

Joy concurs by saying: “There is TSE availability, but the network and distribution of TSE for the District Cooling plants needs to be looked into from an earlier stage of the project. If TSE is being proposed for makeup, the developer has to ensure that

Hamon, the cooling solution

Hamon is a multinational Group with over 100 years’ experience in the design and supply of cooling technologies to the heavy industry, and to the district cooling sector: with more than 1,000,000 TR of installed capacity.

Hamon engineers, manufactures, delivers and erects cooling systems for all water qualities.

Be smart, select Hamon HAMON Cooling Tower Company (FZCO) Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority PO Box: 293647 Tel +971 4 609 16 75 Fax +971 4 609 16 76 info.hctc@hamon.com www.hamon.com

44

June 2015

Integrated solutions for a clean environment

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

If TSE is being proposed for makeup, the developer has to ensure that the network is able to feed the towers with TSE once it is ready

BEWARE OF LEGIONELLA

D

o not make hay when the sun shines. That’s what cooling tower veterans will tell you. Cooling towers, when not properly designed, installed and operated, can be the cause of a Legionella outbreak, Hoeterickx says. “Cooling tower designs should include full sunlight blockage into the circulating water, for example; have high-efficiency drift eliminators, certified by an independent third party; sloped basins designed for absolute minimum water volume into the tower and easy access for maintenance,” he clarifies. This means that careful attention must be paid at the design stage, as Joy mentions ad infinitum.

Coday further corroborates, “When Legionnaire’s Disease is contracted from a cooling tower, it’s typically because Legionella was bred in a stagnant cold water basin and, then, transported to the host through drift emissions.”

Proper maintenance and treatment is the obvious solution to avoid such issues, all three say.

To pre-empt the whole issue around Legionella, Joy recommends taking recourse to guidelines. “There are strict guidelines with regard to the prevention of Legionella disease outbreaks, which should be implemented during the operation and maintenance of the towers,” he says.

the network is able to feed the towers with TSE once it is ready.”

Sea water

Another well-known alternative source is water from the sea.

However, Coday feels that there is a cost factor involved when it comes to reaching out to the sea. “The idea of using sea water for cooling tower makeup has been spoken about, but I believe the initial capex pressure on new District Cooling plants has been a deterrent to using tube materials, such as titanium, which can withstand sea water. Additionally, sea water accelerates corrosion of mechanical equipment on induced draft cooling towers.”

By way of adding to the argument, Hoeterickx cautions that the impact of thermal effluents on marine life cannot be underestimated.

Coday, however, also believes that as water costs rise and titanium prices relax, there is bound to be more interests in sea water for District Cooling plants. Joy talks of how worldwide, there has been an increased usage of sea water as makeup in petrochemical, power and process plants. “The users and consultants," he says, "should come forward and implement sea water cooling wherever it is feasible.”

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the article. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

June 2015

45

Dan Mizesko is the Managing Partner of Al Shirawi US Chiller Services. He can be contacted at dan@uschillerservices.com

Pulsed power Part 1

Why this technology for condenser water treatment is being regarded as the future in the context of chilled water systems

N

on-chemical pulsed power water treatment technology is worth a look-in, for it completely eliminates the need for any and all chemicals typically used in a condenser/cooling tower system.

The primary goals of advanced water treatment in HVAC systems are to prevent mineral scale formation, control biological activity and inhibit corrosion. These problems traditionally have been addressed by means of chemical additives. Difficult to administer, monitor and control, chemical additives are ultimately discharged to the environment, where they can contaminate surface and ground waters. In addition, they remain as concentrate in water treatment plant residuals, and are directly aspirated into the atmosphere and inhaled by people exposed to the mist created by cooling tower drift.

To resolve these and many other problems associated with traditional chemical water treatment, I would encourage you to look at pulsed-power, non-chemical water treatment technology.

In addition to eliminating all

46

June 2015

end-user to earn points toward LEED Green Building Council certification. And broadly speaking, it will demonstrate to the region that you are a leader in environmental stewardship and that you comply with government mandates that all UAE buildings and industries move to a “Greener” footprint.

The pulsed-power technology is a proven, reliable and chemical-free way to treat the process water of the cooling towers, through scientific principles. The technology offers major advantages for standalone, central and District Cooling chilled water plants, facilities and buildings.

Operational performance

The pulsedpower technology changes the form of precipitated solids from “hard lime scale” to a harmless powder

The pulsed-power technology improves the operational performance of the water-based systems to which it is applied,

Environmental stewardship

Since it is a chemical-free water treatment technology, it prevents exposure to and migration of hazardous chemicals. The best way to prevent exposure to hazardous materials is to not bring them into a facility. The technology typically resolves more than 10 OSHA and EPA concerns associated with chemical treatment.

Principles of operation The technology imparts

External mounting flanges Operating status LEDs

Lock

Fan inlet/filter

AC power connection knockout

chemical usage, the technology will allow you to increase the cycles of concentration in the cooling tower, thus substantially reducing make-up and blow down water requirements and associated water costs.

It will reduce the carbon emissions associated with water production, transmission and distribution and allow the

be they chillers, towers or pumps. It makes these systems more efficient and longer lasting by eliminating such performance inhibitors as scale, corrosion, bacteria, biofilm, encrustation and fouling. In other words, it will decrease the lifecycle costs associated with towers, chillers and pumps.

Ventilation exhaust/filter

Signal generator

Serial no. & voltage nameplates

Umbilical cable

Serial no. label

Treatment module

Figure 1: Overview: The pulsed-power technology

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Figure 2

pulsed, high-frequency electric fields into flowing water. The characteristic waveform is as shown in Figure 2.

Scale prevention

When evaporation occurs in a cooling tower, the water exits as water vapour and

leaves the dissolved minerals behind, causing increased concentration. Upon sufficient concentration, the dissolved minerals, such as calcium carbonate (i.e., limestone) become solid in a process known as precipitation. The pulsed-power technology changes the form of precipitated solids from “hard lime scale” to a harmless powder.

The technology accomplishes this change by “activating” naturally occurring suspended particles in the water. The tiny particles exist in large quantities in all city water or well water that is used as cooling tower or boiler make-up water. When exposed to the pulsed-power

technology, the suspended particles act as seeds for precipitation of dissolved minerals. The technology activates the particles by removing the static electric charge on their surface.

A powder of calcium carbonate (limestone) grows by coating or adhering to the suspended seed particles. The powder formation relieves the ever-growing pressure to form solids that occur from the increasing mineral concentration, before scale has a chance to form on equipment surfaces. In the absence of the pulsed-power technology, the pressure to form solids is relieved

June 2015

47

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

by the formation of scale on equipment surfaces.

The process is much like seeding a cloud to produce rain when weather conditions are building up water concentration in the atmosphere.

In the absence of the pulsed-power technology, the pressure to form solids is relieved by the formation of scale on equipment surfaces In removing the surface charge on suspended particles, the technology makes those particles the preferred sites for precipitation to occur. Thus, the minerals coat or adhere to the suspended particles rather than equipment surfaces. These coated particles or powder

Figure 3

Figure 4: Photo-micrographs

can easily be removed from a cooling tower basin by manual means, filtration, or centrifugal separation. The quantity of powder is typically about 15% of normal blown-in dirt in a cooling tower. In a boiler, the powder exits through normal bottom blowdown.

Photo-micrographs of the two mineral formations are shown in the following magnifications (Figure 4).

Next month, I shall be sharing with you how the pulsed-power technology ensures bacterial control and corrosion control and

SNIPPET

America’s oil boom gasps back to life

F

or the first time in five months, a rig in the Williston Basin, where North Dakota’s Bakken shale formation lies, started drilling for crude once again, Bloomberg reported. Another returned to the Permian Basin, the nation’s biggest oil play.

Shale explorers, including EOG

48

June 2015

Resources and Pioneer Natural Resources Company, say they’re preparing to bounce back from the most prolonged slowdown in US oil drilling on record. The country has lost more than half its rigs since October, with a 49% slide in crude prices during the last half of 2014.

The Permian will probably be

the first basin to bounce back, because it’s home to multiple producing zones stacked on top of each other, allowing drillers to tap oil at different depths with the same well, said David Zusman, the Managing Director at Talara Capital Management, which handles USD 400 million in energy investments.

inhibits algal growth. Till then, goodbye!  CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

Every 7 seconds a S&P product is being Energy efďŹ cient ventilation installed somewhere in thesolution world.

Ventilation Systems

June 2015

49

PERSPECTIVE Zafer Ure is with Phase Change Material Products Limited. He can be contacted at z.ure@ pcmproducts. net

50

Thermal Energy Storage

Elevated use Zafer Ure argues for the use of thermal energy storage (TES) systems in applications where internal temperatures can be elevated up to +45 degrees C.

E

nergy usage and economical and environmental issues are collectively becoming a focal point for end-users and the public at large.

Privatisation and an openmarket approach for utility companies has created a new kind of energy market, where the period of energy usage and the type of energy used are becoming the main criteria for price structuring rather than overall energy consumption.

Hence, current building services must be designed to provide sufficient flexibility for load shifting and energy usage control in order to achieve the most economical operation.

Thermal energy storage (TES) is a useful tool to achieve this aim – I do understand this fact has been sufficiently documented in this magazine.

A thermal storage application may involve a 24-hour or, alternatively, weekly or seasonal storage cycles, depending on the system design requirements. Whilst the output is always thermal, the input energy may be either thermal or electrical.

In full-storage systems, the entire daily design loads are generated off peak and stored for use during the peak periods that follow. In partial-storage systems, only a portion of the daily load is generated during off peak and used during peak periods to top up the system.

During the peak period, the load is satisfied by a simultaneous balancing operation of the installed machinery and stored energy in order to satisfy the overall daily design duty.

June 2015

Sensible TES

Water has the advantage of universal availability and can easily be transported through other system components.

However, an issue that can arise with conventional water-based TES systems is that they require a very large volume storage tank; and the stratification within the tank can also have an impact on a steady water supply temperature for the system.

Ice latent heat energy storage

Another form of water-based TES is the ice-storage technology for air conditioning applications.

If one can run the chillers at a night ambient of 25 to 30 degrees C to store the chilled water as opposed to 50 to 55 degrees C (summer-time temperatures experienced in the Middle East), the chillers can consume as much as 30 to 40% less electricity for a given cooling capacity

However, these systems require low-temperature chillers; therefore, standard water chillers must be replaced with low-temperature glycol chillers, which operate at lower evaporation temperatures.

Hence, any benefits gained from the low night ambient are lost due to lower evaporation temperatures.

Phase-change materials (PCM) energy storage

Phase-change materials (PCMs) can be described as mixtures of chemicals having freezing and melting points above or below the water freezing temperature of 0 degree C (32 degrees F).

They release thermal energy during the process of melting and freezing (changing from one phase to another).

When a conventional TES material, such as water, freezes, it releases large amounts of energy in the form of latent heat of fusion, or energy of crystallisation. Conversely, when the material is melted, an equal amount of energy is absorbed from the immediate environment, as it changes from solid to liquid. As the temperature of the PCM can be matched to the conventional chilled water flow and return temperatures, it eliminates the need for glycol and lowtemperature chillers.

Using +5 to+10 degrees C energy storage, such as water and PCM TES systems, one can utilise a conventional water chiller without the need for a low-temperature glycol chiller.

Lower night-time ambient temperatures, coupled with higher evaporation temperatures, offer a significant overall COP improvement by as much as 17 to 36%, depending on the type of unit and location. A typical TES system is illustrated in Figure 1.

TES concept

Once you are able to have ice higher than 0 degree C (32 degrees F), this enables access to a variety of passive free-

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Figure 1

Passive electronic shelter cooling applications

cooling applications, leading to the removal of any mechanical cooling within buildings, such as electronic shelters, whereby the internal temperatures can be elevated up to +45 degrees C, as opposed to comfort cooling limit of +24 degrees C for air conditioning. Having this high internal temperature limit, even in the middle of a desert, the night’s cool energy can be stored. By using this stored energy during daytime, the shelter’s internal temperatures can be maintained well below the upper limit without any mechanical refrigeration.

Conventional heat-driven absorption chillers can only produce +5 to 7 degrees C (45 to 47 degrees F) chilled water, and PCM-based TES offers practical and economical solutions to store the cold energy side of the circuit; and in the sun-drenched

The temperature ranges offered by the PCM solutions utilise free ambient cooling, and conventional chilled water temperature ranges for both the charging and discharging sides of the system

Middle East region, it provides an option for solar cooling applications, as demonstrated in the Qatar FIFA 2022 World Cup stadium application.

If one can run the chillers at a night ambient of 25 to 30 degrees C to store the chilled water as opposed to 50 to 55 degrees C (summer-time temperatures experienced in the Middle East), the chillers can consume as much as 30 to 40% less electricity for a given cooling capacity. Later, this stored energy can be used to top up the cooling loads during daytime and reduce the chiller running hours at high-ambient conditions, as applied at all Saudi Haramain high-speed train stations.

Apart from the significant energy saving and new application options, any TES system also offers a stand-by capability, as they have zero-moving parts and are far less likely to fail; they require no maintenance as opposed to mechanical refrigeration machinery.

Modern society’s reliance on refrigeration and air conditioning indicates that refrigeration and the associated environmental issues will be with us for a considerable time.

Therefore, one has to utilise existing and available alternative technologies with minimum usage of energy.

The temperature ranges offered by the PCM solutions utilise free ambient cooling, and conventional chilled water temperature ranges for both the charging and discharging sides of the system. Hence, they can be applied to any new or retrofit application with minimal technical and economical impacts.

The task for designers is to explore all available technologies towards achieving improved efficiency, regardless of which refrigerant is used and apply where and when possible the diversification technologies, in order to minimise the overall carbon emissions related to energy usage.

A carefully balanced TES may be the answer for many of the cooling applications for an environmentally friendly and economical alternative. 

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

June 2015

51

Q&A

District Cooling TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The prickly side of

District Cooling

Delays in billing, leading to accumulation of bills, and nonpayment by some owners leading to tenants being penalised in the form of supply cuts represent the prickly side of District Cooling. In an interview with Rajiv Pillai of Climate Control Middle East, Sam Lehain, the Founder and CEO of Pure Logic Group and of Logic Utilities, gets candid on the technicalities surrounding the lingering challenges facing the District Cooling industry…

How is Logic Utilities able to ensure an accurate measurement and transparency? If it’s an estimated level of accuracy, can we have a percentage?

Logic Utilities installs meters that incorporate ultrasonic or electromagnetic technology.

We do not use mechanical meters. The meters we supply are calibrated for accuracy in the factory with all the main components being sealed and consisting of non-interchangeable parts. Each meter comes with a calibration certificate. They are accurate to + or – 0.5%.

Our European flow sensors are submitted for approval according to the EN 1434 standard, as well as other local and international standards. In addition, our trained engineers service the entire system on a regular basis, and our custom software is programmed to identify potentially high or low readings.

We have studied data from over 50,000 working meters over the past eight years to identify monthly averages for various apartment sizes and configurations, allowing our software to benchmark similar installations in the region and alert us to any anomaly.

Could we have some details on the metering systems you use?

The BTU meters are sourced from leading meter suppliers offering the latest technology and European quality. The equipment has a guaranteed lifetime of 10-12 years.

We continuously monitor new technology from Europe and America to determine the very best in metering technology for our clients, depending on their needs and budgets.

Are the meters indigenously designed by Logic Utilities group? I ask because you speak of there not being a one-size-fits-all solution?

The actual system and final solution is designed

by Logic Utilities, in conjunction with our meter supply partners, with the actual meter design being undertaken by the preferred supplier. The BTU meters are sourced from leading suppliers in Europe, but the complete turnkey solution, which includes the open-sourced metering software and ‘Logic Utilities’, a state-of-the-art Electronic Bill Presentation and Payment (EBPP) system enabling utility billing via the internet, are specifically designed to cater to each individual client and/or development. Since no two properties are exactly alike, specific elements need to be addressed. Is the building centrally cooled or

52

June 2015

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53

Q&A

District Cooling TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

does it use a standalone chiller? Does the property have a low occupancy rate or is it fully occupied? Does it have an existing system that needs to be commissioned or is it to be retrofitted with meters?

What are the challenges you face when installing such meters?

We have physical challenges, like occupied apartments and lack of space in the ceiling. In a country where chiller charges, in many developments, are still embedded in the overall cost of the property or levied against maintenance and/or service fees, one of the main challenges is changing the mind-set of the stakeholders, be it the developers, owners associations, owners or tenants. For a concept that isn’t yet prevalent in the market, there are still those who believe that the ability to measure consumption does not guarantee any savings or justify the return on investment. Some tenants, who have so far avoided paying chiller charges, because they were covered by their landlords, might also be reluctant to switch to consumption-based billing. In these cases, greater awareness and education are essential to inform the public about the need for a long-term strategy for energy conservation, sustainability and the importance of each individual’s contribution.

Dubai International Financial Centre

You mentioned that your business was established after addressing a problem for a client, who wanted help in resolving an issue with a property that was incurring costs for chilled energy provided to the building. Are such issues common-place only in a specific location/region? While Logic Utilities has taken up such services, in an ideal scenario, whom do you think the onus of such costs/issues reside with? The chilled energy systems manufacturers, building contractors or the developers?

Logic Utilities has serviced clients in all areas of Dubai from DIFC to JLT and to Jebel Ali. The service is expanding into almost all areas of Dubai. District Cooling was first introduced in the UAE in 1999, and with the real estate market developing at breakneck speed, property management systems, including the installation of sub-meters, have not always been implemented from the start, leaving plenty of room for improvement for all stakeholders concerned – governments, developers, businesses and owners Associations – to deliver standards of operation on par with international markets. Non-payment by some owners results in all tenants being penalised, because power has been cut, and in situations when disputed costs, sometimes per unit, amount to tens of thousands of dirhams, property developers and Owners Associations are faced with big problems – elevated administration costs that are hard to allocate and high chilled energy bills for the property. In order to promote the long-term strategy for energy conservation, people need to be educated on the responsible management of energy resources, paying on the basis of consumption and not a flat rate. This is a joint effort by all stakeholders – governments, developers and businesses need to ensure that the right infrastructure is in place, and tenants and/or owners need to be held accountable for their individual consumption and energy footprint.

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June 2015

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THE PROCESS COOLING REPORT

l o o C

e h t n e wh inium is m u al

t o h

e typ d an ould ee r m g de ed to nium t c i d e erf s nee y alumhare p a t i sa ey s e of e is g tha etal, r th nc e Th oolin ct m s, as porta c t e of erf exper the im ems p t r the stry s on sys rite u g W w d n i e l i in es ir v coo tur a the cess e | F pro ai l l i P ajiv R By

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June 2015

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THE PROCESS COOLING REPORT

A

luminium is the third most plentiful element in the earth’s crust, comprising eight per cent of the planet’s soil and rocks. In nature, aluminium is found only in chemical compounds with other elements, such as sulphur, silicon and oxygen.

Pure metallic aluminium can be economically produced only from aluminium oxide ore, necessitating a number of processes, with anodising being one of them.

Anodising requires process cooling – by the truck-loads.

And reliable cooling, at that.

Cooling critical!

A cooling system failure during the manufacturing process can result in loss of lives, says S K Sarkar, the General Manager at India-headquartered Unimark International. “Suppose cooling is done in a haphazard way, and the water goes into the hot metal liquid, there can be explosions,” Sarkar says.

“People can die. And it has happened in a few cases.”

A lesser morbid result would be a defective product, says Sarkar, and Dr Marcello Rossi, the Technical Director at Italybased Italtecno, agrees. “It’s not possible to have a great product during anodising if you

Dr Marcello Rossi

An inherent disadvantage in the air-cooled system is that the blowing air represents a hazard during the initial stage of cooling, when the metal is still in a liquid state, thereby giving rise to the possibility of it spilling over

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... to Smart Data Management

do not have a cooling system,” Dr Rossi says. “All plants need cooling.”

To counter the possibility of cooling failure, industry experts resort to installing sufficient safety measures, such as monitoring devices and alarms. Sarkar is of the view that in the event of any defect in the cooling system, the entire manufacturing process must be shut down to avoid fatalities.

The right kind of cooling

The anodising of aluminium is performed by making the part that is to be anodised – the “anode” or positive end of an electrical circuit – within an acid electrolyte.

With electricity applied through the acid from the cathode, an oxide layer develops in and on the outer layer of the metal. This outer layer can be formed so that it has a porous quality and the aluminium oxide layer can be dyed in many colours. With process cooling systems, the right kind of surface layer will be formed.

Describing this further, Sarkar says, “Surface cooling is very important, and we do surface cooling so that the skin of the metal becomes hardened; however, inside it’s still liquid. This means that the surface is hard but if you go inside the core, it is still boiling at 1,000 degrees C.” From a safety point of view, sufficient skin on the metal should be formed by cooling, so that the liquid metal will not spill. However, Sarkar warns, the cooling cannot be overdone, as the property of the metal will be lost.

The right kind of systems

Since the anodising process

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generates a lot of heat, cooling is a must, particularly for hard coating processes. Anodising chillers will do most of the work by removing process heat using either an air- or water-cooled chiller. “It’s very important for this part of the world [Middle East] to have this kind of chiller and cooling system, in order to be sure about the quality of the final product,” Rossi says. “Just one or two degrees more than the requisite degree, and there could be problems in terms of quality.”

Air-cooled units are generally installed outside, and eliminate the need for a tower. Water-cooled units are the most efficient method, though, particularly in warmer climates. They are installed inside a building, with a cooling tower outside. Sarkar says there are a number of cooling approaches available, depending on the availability

of water or the imperativeness that needs to be shown to conserve water. For instance, in large parts of Europe, water is available in plenty, relatively speaking. Rossi talk of how some European plants have a lot of water at their disposal. “In Italy, for example, they use ground water for cooling solutions,” Rossi says. Sarkar, speaking from a scenario of limited

water resources, says: “Instead of water cooling, there is partial water cooling and partial air cooling. You can reduce the consumption of water. Water becomes hot, so we have to again recycle to make it cool. We can’t afford to drain the water every time.”

Another method is to not use water at all. Sarkar talks about “vigorous air cooling” being sufficient to get

the job done. However, an inherent disadvantage in the air-cooled system is that the blowing air represents a hazard during the initial stage of cooling, when the metal is still in a liquid state, thereby giving rise to the possibility of it spilling over. Given sufficient time, the metal will cool down automatically on its own.

After this, Sarkar says, it is safe to adopt vigorous air cooling.

June 2015

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FEATURE

Outdoor Cooling

Taking back outdoor spaces The Middle East market for outdoor cooling, while still not as large as its indoor cooling counterpart, is seen to be on the rise, as issues like comfort and safety take the spotlight.

Patryk Kosmider / Shutterstock.com

By Fatima de la Cerna | Assistant Editor

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he residents of the Gulf, it would appear, have a relationship with the sun that can be classified under the ‘can’t-live-with-but-can’t-live-without-it’ variety. For most of the year, the region suffers from such blistering summer temperatures that heat stress is recognised as a persistent health scare.

Yet, people are discouraged from allowing themselves to be held hostage by air-conditioned buildings. And it’s not only because Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in the region, or because studies have established that spending time outdoors brings mental and physical health benefits.

It is also because outdoors is, simply, where people want to be.

“People enjoy being outside,” Bob Mangiaforte, Vice President of Sales at Portacool, says. “They like engaging in outdoor activities, and there’s no reason why they can’t. Technology and outdoor cooling products have evolved. People can now take back the outdoor space they want.”

All they need, he remarks, is the right cooling technology.

Cooling down

Describing evaporation as the most energy-efficient form of cooling, Mangiaforte endorses the use of portable evaporative coolers. “Evaporative cooling is a green technology that capitalises on the simple process of evaporation to meet the needs of the present without

compromising on environmental effects,” he says. He also notes that the technology, with its low energy consumption and running costs, is particularly suited to the Gulf region because of its “ability to cool areas, where traditional air conditioning is impractical or costly”.

In addition to being ecofriendly and cost-effective, evaporative coolers are also flexible and powerful, Mangiaforte claims. “They can be used for different applications – residential, industrial and commercial,” he says. “And, depending on the product, they can offer as much as 25 degrees C cooling benefit and a cooling capacity of 20 to 370 square metres.”

Evaporative cooling has

In situations where end-users would benefit more if there’s mist and air flow, a combination of solutions would be ideal

created better acceptance for evaporative cooling devices as outdoor cooling solutions.

Sabu Abraham, the Managing Director of Breezair distributor, Climagulf, implies as much when he asserts, “There is growing awareness of quality systems as the technology of simple evaporative cooling is becoming accepted by the GCC market as a viable option for outdoor cooling.”

The deal with misting

Another cooling solution that relies on evaporation to bring down temperatures is misting.

Misting, according to The Cool Group, provides cooling through ‘flash evaporation’ by incorporating water and heat, and with the use of specially designed nozzles that operate

under high pressure to produce micro-fine mist.

“Misting systems are a popular choice for hotels and landscaping projects,” says Alex Haritonides, Director of Strategy and Planning at The Cool Group. “They are also suitable for farms, beaches and pool bars, and can even provide dust and humidity control.”

Like evaporative coolers, misting systems are regarded as efficient and cost-effective solutions, with the added advantage of aesthetics.

“The market preference is for a system that cools well, is efficient and sustainable, works within a budget and produces a good ROI, and is aesthetically pleasing,” says Andrew Waskey, Director for the GCC

June 2015

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FEATURE

Outdoor Cooling

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region at MistAMERICA, adding that all those features can be found in misting equipment.

For Haritonides, however, the appeal of misting can also serve as a challenge to those supplying the solution. “Misting systems are not right for all environments. They are not, for example, the ideal cooling solution for restaurants,” he says. “But, since it does have aesthetic appeal and is, well, artsy, it is being abused or not used correctly. Customers need to be educated about its applications.”

Abraham echoes the sentiment, saying: “In the past, due to lack of awareness, clients used mist cooling systems regardless of their suitability.

Technology has limitations. Misting systems do not have universal application.”

Addressing the issues

Zhukov Oleg / Shutterstock.com

MistAMERICA CEO, Jonathan Marsh clarifies that problems usually associated with misting, such as customers getting wet, napkins being blown off tables or customers becoming exposed to bacteria, are not inherent challenges of misting systems but a result of poor product quality. “No business owner wants a product that creates those problems,” Marsh says. “But they cannot be avoided, not when

owners are near-sighted and purchase the least expensive solution to try to put a band-aid on the problem.”

Adding to Marsh’s observations, Waskey maintains that while there is currently no uniform regulation in the GCC when it comes to outdoor cooling technologies, companies like MistAMERICA do follow best practices.

He also discloses that their water treatment and delivery systems even exceed ASHRAE and HSE standards.

The importance of Waskey’s assurance of safety is highlighted when Haritonides mentions that because of how misting technology works – diffused water is sprayed in the air – he has encountered customers who’ve raised health concerns. “Some companies were worried that misting systems could cause Legionnaire’s Disease and promote other health complications, but we were able to show them that those concerns were baseless,” he says, dismissing the issue before moving on to explain his partiality for evaporative coolers.

“They are the more effective solution for most applications,” Haritonides says. He acknowledges, however, that misting has a role in the outdoor cooling industry. “In situations where end-users would benefit more if there’s mist and air flow, a combination of solutions would be ideal,” he says. “In mosques, for example, it is better if misting fans and evaporative coolers are available.”

He also speaks of another rising application of misting, which is in conjunction with adiabatic cooling. “In industrial settings, misting is being used to cool the air,” Haritonides says. “It’s an application that has started to grow in the last two years, and it should continue to do so, because one can instantly see savings in the AC energy costs.”

Challenges and market performance

He may have opinions on the pros and cons of both solutions, but Haritonides believes that the outdoor cooling industry, at present, has a bigger challenge than debating over which technology is better, especially since both are basically based on the same concept.

The bigger challenge, he reveals, is making people embrace the technologies available. “Anyone who has an outdoor area or a patio or a

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Even though the outdoor cooling industry is now over 30 years old, in many ways, it is still in infancy. Its numbers clearly pales in comparison to the indoor AC market size

pool needs a cooling solution,” he says.

“We are talking a million, two million units.

That’s a big market, but it is clear that people are still not fully comfortable with cooling technologies that are not air conditioners.

Most are still used to ACs, and that’s a challenge we need to address.”

While not exactly restating Haritonides’ idea, Waskey imparts an insight that is along the same lines. “Even though the outdoor cooling industry is now over 30 years old, in many ways, it is still in infancy,” he says.

“Its numbers clearly pales in comparison to the indoor AC market size. But as companies continue to develop new technologies and products, especially those that are sustainable, the market will definitely see growth.”

Abraham shares Waskey’s optimistic outlook of the situation. “Current estimates of the GCC outdoor cooling market have it at around USD 40 to 50 million," he says.

"And demand is picking up. We’ve noticed increased awareness among our clients of

the benefits of outdoor cooling products.” He is also positive that the market would further benefit from Dubai Expo 2020. “It would certainly help in increasing market demand,” he predicts.

With regards to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Abraham believes that the change in schedule (from the traditional summer months of June and July to November and December) would only directly affect outdoor cooling demand for stadia and training areas. “A large part of the outdoor cooling market should remain unaffected,” he says.

Worker safety

On the matter of the World Cup, Mangiaforte considers safety as a key driver of market growth in Qatar. “The run-up to the event would mean more construction projects, which would mean an increase in market demand for outdoor cooling,” he says, elaborating that cooling equipment would be needed to ensure worker safety in construction sites.

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June 2015

63

FEATURE

Outdoor Cooling

An estimated two-thirds of the current population of polar bears will disappear by 2050 due to global warming, according to researchers.

Under a misting cloud New technology employs motion sensors and ceilingmounted misting elements for localised cooling

Bob Mangiaforte

UberFacts @UberFacts

Sabu Abraham

B

ased on the concept of evaporative cooling, Cloud Cast provides efficient cooling by using motion tracking to activate ceiling-mounted misters to spray mist directly at whoever triggers the sensor. This is according to Carlo Ratti Associati, the Italy-headquartered design firm that developed the Cloud Cast technology, which debuted at the Museum of Future Government Services, in Dubai, during the UAE Government Summit 2015.

“Evaporative cooling has been used for centuries in the Arabic peninsula and is still more energy efficient than, say, air conditioning,” Carlo Ratti, Director of MIT Senseable City Lab and Founder of Carlo Ratti Associati, explained. “In traditional (evaporative cooling) systems, however, a lot of energy and water are consumed for cooling outdoor spaces, even when hardly used. In our project, we focus misting on people, gaining order of magnitudes in efficiency.”

The firm said the technology is part of a bigger group of studies on “location-based temperature control infrastructure” that explores “how to make public spaces in cities like Dubai more liveable and sustainable, by synchronising human presence with climate control”.

Noting that the harsh climate of the city deters people from venturing outside air-conditioned buildings, the design company claimed that Cloud Cast aims to address the issue “by creating mobile, responsive clouds of fresh air that follow people as they move under a canopy”. The company, further describing the system, said: “An array of responsive nebulizers is guided by sophisticated motion sensing, creating a personal climate for each occupant.”

Though still only a prototype, Cloud Cast is expected by its developer to soon be available for commercial distribution.

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Alex Haritonides

Andrew Waskey

Jonathan Marsh

“The issue of safety has been getting a lot of attention,” he observes. “Safety managers are realising that comfort counts and that they have to be mindful of the health and safety of their workers.”

Haritonides relays a similar observation: “In the last two or three years, because of public pressure and international criticism, there’s been a spike in demand from the construction sector for cooling for their workers.”

Marsh, like his peers, is of the opinion that the attention being given to the topic of worker safety signifies positive development. “Keeping workers cooled down is critical to ensure that they are happy and productive,” he says. “There have been many studies done that show how mistakes increase exponentially as the work environment gets hotter.”

Abraham states that he, too, has noticed growing concern and awareness of good

points out that outdoor cooling is not an option in the Middle East, where summer temperatures can go up as high as – or even higher than – 50 degrees C, but a necessity, making the outdoor cooling sector crucial to the region. And if his projections are to be believed, the region will only continue to acknowledge sector’s significance.

“There is no other choice,” he says, explaining that industries cannot put a price on the health and safety of their workers while commercial businesses

cannot expect to enjoy success if they disregard the comfort of their customers.

“For outdoor cooling, the sky is the limit,” Mangiaforte says. “There is a lot that can be done.”

HAVE YOUR SAY!

We welcome your views on the article. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

Industries cannot put a price on the health and safety of their workers HSE practices in the industry, despite the lack of regulations requiring the installation of outdoor cooling equipment at construction sites. “Regulatory bodies are taking keen interest in improving the work environment and conditions for workers,” he says. “And though there’s no regulation on outdoor cooling, we would be interested to work with the local government on developing one.”

Unlimited potential

For Mangiaforte, with or without regulations, the outdoor cooling sector has to be conscious of its role in the region and its industries, whether in construction and infrastructure or hospitality and tourism. “One of our company’s brand pillars is social responsibility, and that’s a framework that all businesses should adhere to,” he says.

In support of his statement, Mangiaforte

June 2015

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Photo: Dr Iyad Al-attar

FILTER-TALK Dr Iyad Al-Attar is an air filtration consultant. He can be contacted at iyad@iyadalattar.com

How did we end up here?

Over the past few years, Dr Iyad Al-Attar has journeyed through the arcane world of air filtration, dispelling myths and strengthening our understanding of the science and technology involved, and their interface with project applications.

Here, he shares the results of an introspection exercise from the standpoint of not only being a mechanical engineer but also a campaigner against the general inertia shown towards achieving better IEQ or mitigating climate change…

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Every time I inhale, I find myself confronting several questions about the poor quality of air around us.

Questions like, “Where did we go wrong?” and “Is the pollution process reversible?”

I look around for answers but only find instances of over-reliance on outdated formulae of success, which can only take us to the past and not steer us towards the path of innovation. And when I search for signs of new implementation approaches to clean air technologies in different indoor applications, I find only profit-driven strategies and bottom-line decisions. And when I call for innovation and competition, the response I get is of companies waving their balance sheets to show profit and growth as a measuring stick for success.

If I address the possibility of diminishing clean air and the rising threat of air pollution, the defiance emerges from the misconception that it is distant and we are immune in one way or another.

Do we really care?

If we really mean what we say about a safer planet, reduced carbon emissions and lower air pollution levels, why have we been experiencing more droughts, floods, record-breaking temperatures and ever-increasing global warming? If we claim that “clean air” is a basic human right, what have we done for the people in under-developed countries that cannot afford clean air in their indoor space – of course, if they have an indoor space, to begin with?

How can half of the world’s people that live on about USD 2.25 a day, or the billion people who live on USD 1.25 a day, breathe clean air?

To begin with, have we ever wondered how many people worldwide breathe unclean air? Is this statistic available?

Do the wealthy breathe better quality of air than the poor?

A WHO study reports that “air pollution costs European economies USD 1.6 trillion a year in diseases and deaths”.

What does it signify? What message do we get from the WHO study that estimates that

June 2015

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FILTER-TALK

Figures 1 & 2: Examples of typical air filter installation in the GCC region

seek clean air with the same eagerness and energy with which we chase greater titles at work, a luxurious car or an overseas home that we would love to own. When it comes to personal acquisitions, we are even willing to spend beyond our means and drown ourselves in loans that would take a lifetime to pay back to gain that satisfaction. I am certain that professional air filtration techniques are not even part of the thought-process in our plan of acquiring the dream home; the very suggestion may sound outlandish to some!

would never write a legacy for our children to inherit and their children to learn from. If we believe innovation is just a measure of luxury, we would trap ourselves in the shadows of our past successes. We need to admit that there is a great deal to learn about our dynamic world and to acquire the required knowledge, regardless of our status, age or qualification.

Despite startling evidence, we still operate under the assumption that air pollution is a distant threat rather than a looming one. In fact, someone’s

If our HVAC systems are protected by modest air filters and are accompanied by poor maintenance, it is no surprise pollutants, especially dust particles, will make their way to the diffusers and, eventually, to our lungs

Figure 3: Dust on the diffuser after it has made its way through the entire HVAC system

235 million people currently suffer from asthma? What kind of statistic would really be the wake-up call to revolutionise our approach, standards and perceptions in a briskly interdependent world?

I wish there was a statistic that reports on how many people worldwide breathe unclean air. The irony is not lost on me when I think closely of the number of individuals who can afford to breathe clean air, but don’t or can’t, owing to the fact that they have a common HVAC system selected by a conventional designer, who believes in overthe-counter filtration solutions for economic reasons. When

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this happens, it makes those who can and cannot afford professional air filtration systems breathe the same quality of air. If our HVAC systems are protected by modest air filters, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, and are accompanied by poor maintenance, it is no surprise pollutants, especially dust particles, will make their way to the diffusers (Figure 3) and, eventually, to our lungs.

This sort of practice is once again proof that we fail to comprehend the risk of inhaling polluted air unless we receive a wake-up call through the next epidemic or volcanic eruption. I truly wish we would

Dealing with the environmental challenges with our current attitudes displays nothing but a poverty of ambition and a shortsighted vision of the imminent impact on our health. It also stands as compelling evidence that we favour sparkling appearance over technical content, and short-term gains over visionary deeds. We all demand “green” and “clean” buildings, but on the ground we surrender to mundane solutions by mouthing inanities like “what we know is better than what we don’t know”. We find it difficult to break the chains around us and to think outside traditional boundaries. We surrender our attitudes to complacency and settle for the bare minimum, just simply because it is convenient.

If we continue on this path of carrying ourselves out, we

problems and disasters can quickly become ours. If we believe there are more better tomorrows than yesterdays, we ought to believe in helping other people who lack the basic necessities in life. If we believe that our happiness is entwined with the happiness of others and that the rising tide of climate change will spare no one, then let’s retool ourselves to preserve this bright blue planet with its frothy oceans, lush-green forests and giant mountains – and also all our hopes.

All images are copyright of the author, unless referenced.

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

June 2015

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perspective

Fire Safety & HVAC

The writer is Sales & Technical Director of DuctSox-MENA. He can be contacted at tawfiq@ ductsox-mena.com

The ambiguity of fire retardancy Tawfiq Atari explains how some clients are often misled by so-called legitimate tests

F

ire safety is an important aspect in the construction industry, and fabrics are among some of the most important materials considered, especially when it comes to public spacing, such as shopping malls, schools and theatres. Public safety is crucial, and steps are needed to reduce the risks as much as possible. In addition to national- or state-level regulations that exist in many countries, many venues develop their own criteria that manufacturers have to pass to prove their product is fire retardant. Adhering to the criteria certifies the products as resistant to fire, either owing to the fire-resistant nature of the material used in the manufacturing process or owing to the fact that they are treated with fire-resistant chemicals during the later stages.

Despite general knowledge, the average person is rarely aware of various standards and regulations in the industry. As a result, there has been considerable confusion about the different fabric fire-retardant certification and test terminologies, and this gap can easily be exploited by some manufacturers, who aim to win customers at any cost.

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According to the definition established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the United States, fabrics are categorised as Inherently Fire Retardant, “if woven with threads that yield a product that meets fire code standards, without being subject to any special processing or addition of chemicals”. The fibre threads for these fabrics are engineered with flame-resistant properties, embedded into them. “Inherently or Intrinsically Fire Retardant materials remain resistant to flame even after a cycle of 100 repeated washings, because resistance is built into their initial chemical structure, and not chemically added later,” the NFPA says.

In general, even without some certifications, fabrics can

offer a basic level of protection, but this is far from sufficient to meet most fabric-flammability standards and building codes.

So the problem is that many manufacturers now simply label their items as “fire-retardant”, which can confuse many customers. Although one cannot completely dismiss it as a lie, such terminology is, at the very least, misleading – because all fabrics can be termed ‘fire retardant’, including those woven with threads that failed to meet the fire codes, but have been treated with flameretardant chemicals, in order to be named as retardant.

The crucial difference is that only fabrics named as Intrinsically Fire Retardant, Inherently Fire Retardant or Permanently Fire Retardant meet

Providing supposed evidence is a simple but surprisingly effective marketing strategy – the eye is more convincing that the ear. Some have gone as far as simulating a “fire test” in front of the potential client, but real scientific methodology is impossible to replicate

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June 2015

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perspective

Fire Safety & HVAC

the standards that may be used to make some legitimate assumptions about the flame resistance.

Flame Retardant Certification by independent laboratories consists of extensive testing measures that scientifically prove the standards and are impossible to replicate in other environments.

UL-2518 is the most widely followed fire-retardancy standard, but not every company can present this evidence.

Instead of simply testing the fabric initially, the test sets higher performance criteria by applying a 100 washing cycles, and only then testing whether it is sufficiently flame retardant and self-extinguishing to meet the standards, or not.

During the testing, a small fabric sample is burned and the flame is measured, together with the char length and the residue. If the required standards are met – the fabric qualifies as fire resistant. If fragments or residues are burning for more than two seconds, if the average weight loss of 10 specimens in a sample is greater than 40% and the weight loss of individual specimen exceeds the mean value of the second set, plus three standard deviations calculated for the second set, the results are recorded as failed.

Providing supposed evidence is a simple but surprisingly effective marketing strategy – the eye is more convincing that the ear. Some have gone as far as simulating a “fire test” in front of the potential client, but real scientific methodology is

The only real evidence of Intrinsic Fire Retardancy is in the form of legitimate test results, repeated over time, which show reliable evidence of fire resistance after continuous performance, including repetitive washing cycles impossible to replicate.

ASTM E 84 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Burning Materials measures the relative rate of flame spread and smoke development and is performed in a 25-foot-long by 20-inch-wide chamber. With a photometer and light source placed at the exhaust end of the chamber, the test is run for 10 minutes and the distance and time-rate of flame spread are measured. This is repeated

three times with a period of 30 days in between, so unless the manufacturer is able to perform all of the above any conclusions are unscientific and unreliable.

Another important point is the smoke. The NFPA claims that as many as 84.3% of fire-related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation and suffocation, so it is a given that extensive tests focus on smoke development, spread and residue and not just on fire.

Replicating a test of this sort is impossible The only real evidence of Intrinsic Fire Retardancy is in the form of legitimate test results, repeated over time, which show reliable evidence of fire resistance after continuous performance, including repetitive washing cycles.

So while many suppliers will provide evidence of their fabric meeting fire retardancy standards, the certificates may be outdated, as fabrics that are not Inherently Fire Retardant need to be re-tested on a repetitive basis.

Manufacturers must provide a recent Certificate of Fire Retardancy with UL-2518 results and evidence that fire retardancy remains the same even after a cycle of at least 100 repetitive washings. 

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

I am Khaleeji. I am from the Gulf, and I want my region and country to grow and improve. My aspiration is for my country to become crime-free, but I understand that zero crime is impossible to achieve, so what we are trying to do is reduce crimes. We want to make this country safe, not only for the Khaleeji population but also for everyone who lives here. We, the Dubai Police, aim to help the country achieve its vision of sustainability and success by ensuring that people and companies who come to Dubai find a peaceful environment where they can work, develop and do business.

– Mohammad Abbas Mosa, Dubai Police

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COUNTRY REPORT

Australia

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Victor Maschek / Shutterstock.com

n has bee y c n ie y effic n energ o p u g ustralia, pin A m a in r s f r o e al play The ide HVACR f o e h ion c innovat the psy o o t t in n r d u t le dril em to elling th t the p m o c tly e look a s n e lo r c a p a p a takes v Pillai i j a R . p ste ket. at every CR mar A V H ’s t n contine

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A

S is the case with the Middle East, the HVAC industry in Australia is heavily influenced by the construction sector. Positive trends in the construction sector have traditionally signalled optimism for the HVAC industry. In addition to construction activity, the country’s reportedly high standards for energy efficiency and a growing trend towards lowering household and commercial energy use constitute drivers for growth. Standards and the compelling case of reducing energy use across Australian homes are projected to encourage home and building owners to upgrade to more efficient systems.

The Euroconstruct Country Report, published in November 2013, says that all sectors – housing, non-residential construction and civil engineering – in Australia are expected to see an expansion in volume. (The scope of the report is till 2016.) So what does the expansion in volume mean to the HVAC sector? Giving a number on the overall size of the HVAC market, Frank Seeley, the Founder and Executive Chairman at Seeley International, says, “The Australian residential and commercial HVAC market is estimated at USD 1.9 billion per year.” Ajit Chandraraj, the General Manager of AHI Carrier, puts the figure at USD 1.4 billion, basing it on the industry’s performance in 2014.

Of the USD 1.4 billion, high-wall units garnered 60%, whereas ducted products took 25% of the share, Chandraraj estimates, adding, “The remaining products comprised VRF and lightcommercial systems.”

Market enablers

There are several primary demand drivers that influence the growth of the HVAC industry. Chandraraj points out to the fact that Australia is experiencing a high level of population growth, which in turn, has led to the development of people living in highly dense apartment clusters. “Apartments are tipped as the biggest growth sector across the country, with the cities of Melbourne and Sydney leading the boom,” he says. “It’s speculated that some 40,000 apartments are to be built collectively in the two cities over the next three to four years.”

Besides the increase in construction activity, an increase in the need for energy-efficient and affordable air conditioning products, along with an increase in net household income, is spurring the growth of the HVAC industry, Seeley says. The HVAC industry in Australia is extremely competitive, with pressure to design more effective equipment at a faster rate. Improvements that address noise reduction, energy efficiency, eco-friendly design and reliability are essential for HVAC manufacturers trying to get ahead of the competition.

Yet another driving factor is the healthcare sector, in particular aged care and retirement facilities, says Chandraraj. Furthermore, education is another driver, he says. “The Federal Government is believed to be discussing ways of deregulating higher education funding,” Chandraraj says. “Some developers have taken the initiative and begun to fund construction in anticipation of the influx of overseas students requiring accommodation, as a result of this.”

Improvements that address noise reduction, energy efficiency, eco-friendly design and reliability are essential for HVAC manufacturers trying to get ahead of the competition June 2015

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Australia

Freeze this

What makes Australian meat export initiatives tick?

W

hile the air conditioning industry has seen a rampup in demand, the refrigeration industry is on par.

Australian meat has never been in so much demand in the Middle East, says Dr David Beatty, International Business Manager - MENA, Meat & Livestock Australia.

“Australian beef exports to the Middle East in 2014 reached 59,803 tonnes swt, which is 24 times higher than 2005. The Middle East remains Australia’s largest lamb export destination, seeing a seven per cent increase in 2014 from the year Dr David Beatty before, with 64,249 tonnes swt exported to MENA. The largest individual market being the UAE, with 17,479 tonnes swt in 2014, which is 137% more than in 2005.” Even if the UAE – or for that matter, the GCC region – were to be viewed as a representative market, the growth in export of meat to the region would obviously imply a high growth of Gary Backhouse the refrigeration industry and other new technologies in Australia.

Gary Backhouse, the Group Meat & Fish manager at Lulu Hypermarket, agrees with Beatty’s stats. He says: “Australia is a net exporter of red meat and exports around 60% of production globally. Given their reliance on exports, it is in their best interest to adopt world’s best practice when it comes to cold chain logistics. Direct air freight from just about all Australian capital cities and the long shelf-life of the Australian chilled lamb and beef make their meat products very safe and reliable for both quality and consistency.”

SNIPPETS

UAE in quest to increase rainfall

M

ore than 300 scientists and researchers from 34 nations have applied for a UAE programme to increase rainfall yields in arid and semi-arid countries. “With 325 scientists and researchers affiliated to 151 organisations having applied to participate, this outcome demonstrates the UAE leadership’s determination to position our

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country as a global leader in water security innovation,” said Dr Abdullah Al Mandoos, the Director of the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology, as per a report in The National.

The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science took 78 pre-proposals by April’s deadline. “The submission of such a large number of applications from countries as far as Cuba in the western hemisphere to China and Japan in the Far East, and Sudan in the African continent validates the high level of international interest,” Dr Al Mandoos said. “The UAE is seeking to inspire research in a field that offers significant potential for boosting water security.”

Call for USD 2 billion global antibiotic research fund

T

he global pharmaceutical industry is being called on to pay for a USD-2-billion innovation fund to revitalise research into antibiotics. In return, there would be guaranteed payments to companies that produced vitally needed new antibiotics.

The proposals are in a report by a UK governmentappointed review team headed by economist Jim O'Neill, who had previously warned that drug-resistant microbes could kill 10 million people a year worldwide by 2050 and cost USD 100 trillion in lost economic output. Resistant strains of bacteria are spreading globally, threatening to make existing drugs ineffective. A global innovation fund of USD 2 billion over five years would be used to boost funding for “blue-sky” research into drugs and diagnostics — with much of the money going to universities and small biotech companies.

Coping with the demand

Frank Seeley

Seeley says that the HVACR industry is coming under increasing scrutiny from an environmental perspective. For most companies, air conditioning is a major contributor to their power bills and carbon footprint. In order to feed the demand, Chandraraj says, the industry is leveraging the government’s regulatory stance of high-efficiency products to, in turn, encourage consumers to replace ageing energyinefficient products.

Most companies are coming up with innovative energy-efficient technologies and hope to get better market penetration with such products.

Innova-nation Ajit Chandraraj

With energy efficiency being the key driver, most innovative products are being built around that. Seeley proudly says: “Australians have a long-standing reputation for thinking outside the square. What we cannot ignore is the fact that for a range of reasons it costs more to manufacture in Australia, so it is vital to compensate for these higher production costs by focusing on expanding our innovation to develop more world class high-tech products and implementing

increasingly higher levels of automation.”

Seeley claims that research and development are paramount, and that Australian engineers provide technical advice and ongoing support to make sure the new products are designed to incorporate leading edge technologies and costeffective assembly methods. Adds Chandraraj: “The focus is truly the thirst for energy-efficient products by consumers in residential applications, with some brands now introducing R32 refrigerants.” There is a growing demand for energy monitoring and individual billing controls systems, he adds. In that sense, the expression, ‘Let’s innovate, mate’ sits well with the Australian psyche.

HAVE YOUR SAY!

We welcome your views on the article. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

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June 2015

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REGIONAL

Zamil signs SAR 348 mn contract with Al Fouzan

S.K.M re-engineers its corporate structure Company lays emphasis on building trust among customers by aligning itself with international certification and compliance protocols and R&D initiatives

S

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amil Central Air Conditioners Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zamil Industrial Investment Company, in April signed a new contract valued at SAR 348 million (USD 92.8 million) with Al Fouzan Trading & General Construction Company to supply custom chiller systems for the Saudi Real Estate Development Company’s Dar Al-Hijrah project, owned by the Public Investment Fund of the Ministry of Finance, in Madinah, located in the western region of Saudi Arabia.

Images courtesy Zamil

.K.M Air Conditioning has re-engineered its corporate structure and processes, placing customer satisfaction as its prime objective, the company said in a press communiqué. As an ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007, quality is not restricted to quality of products and services, but has evolved as the key philosophy in servicing clients and providing effective and easy Ahmed solutions that will help establish long-term relationships, Fahmy based on trust, the company said.

Reiterating the company’s quality assurance philosophy, its CFO, Ahmed Fahmy, said: “Our customers are our number one priority. We are focused on partnering with our clients and establishing long-term relationships, providing them with the best business solutions and products for their successful sustainable growth.”

Furthering the customer-focus strategies, S.K.M said it is driving energy efficiency and product enhancements. The company’s R&D setup, it said, has new product developments and state-of-the-art design innovation in the pipeline, in accordance with essential international codes and rules, and region-specific regulations, which are AHRI-, EUROVENT- and TUVcertified and conform to country-specific regulations. According to S.K.M, high-quality measures on products and services, including timely product management, sound and climate challenge controls and providing valueadded solutions through design re-engineering, energy conservation and other beneficial services are vital to the company. S.K.M has extensively invested in what it described as a state-of-the-art testing laboratory, based in its headquarters in Sharjah. The laboratory, the company said, is primarily dedicated to R&D of its products to raise quality standards and to contribute towards solving issues related to the HVAC industry.

According to S.K.M, the laboratory will also offers a comprehensive range of performance tests for its customers, air-conditioning equipment manufacturers and any other interested parties.

Inks deal towards supplying customised chiller systems for the Saudi Real Estate Development Company’s Dar Al-Hijrah Project, owned by the Public Investment Fund of the Ministry of Finance, in Madinah

Images courtesy Zamil

The signing ceremony was attended by Abdul Rahman Al Mofdi, Secretary General of Public Investment Fund (PIF); Fahd Al-Sharif, Head of Tourism and Real Estate Sector at PIF; H.E. Katsuhiko Takahashi, CDA a.i. at the Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia; Shunsuke Saito, First Secretary, Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Japan and Kaoru Kusumoto, Senior General Manager, Air-Conditioning Division at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Also in attendance were Dr Abdulrahman Al Zamil, Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Council of Saudi Chambers; Khalid A Al Zamil, Chairman of the Board of Zamil Industrial; Ajlan Al Ajlan, General Manager of Central Region at Zamil Industrial; Tarik M. Al-Fouzan, CEO of Al Fouzan Trading & General Construction Company and

Samih Al-Qishawi, Executive VicePresident of Projects at Al Fouzan Company.

The scope of the agreement, which is the largest project awarded in the history of Zamil Air Conditioners, includes the supply of 80 custom water-cooled centrifugal chillers with a total cooling capacity of 200,000 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) for use in the first phase of the Saudi Real Estate Development Company project, which is being developed in Madinah on an area of 1.6 million square metres and has the capacity to accommodate around 120,000 pilgrims.

The 200,000 TR will be generated by 80 MHI centrifugal chillers that include chiller plant management systems, inverters, refrigerant pump systems and automatic tube-cleaning systems, reportedly comprising the largest District Cooling plant in the world.

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June 2015

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REGIONAL

DEWA unveils its 2021 Strategy Dubai utility provider also launches its second Sustainability Report

H

.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in end April launched the utility provider’s Strategy 2021 and the Second Sustainability Report 2014. According to a press communiqué, the two initiatives support the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President

and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and promote the green development of the UAE in line with the UAE Vision 2021.

According to the communiqué, DEWA’s efforts enhance the competitiveness of the UAE, promote Dubai's position as a global hub for sustainability and green economy, and consolidate a culture of excellence, creativity

and innovation.

The launch ceremony, held at the Grand Hyatt hotel, Dubai, was attended by H.E. Dr Matar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Energy; H.E. Fatima Al Foora Alshamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Electricity, Clean Energy and Water Desalination at the Ministry of Energy; H.E. Abdullah bin Kalban, CEO and Managing Director of Emirates

KSA FM market enjoying 13% year-on-year growth Research anticipates its value to reach USD 29.1 billion by 2017

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Global Aluminium (EGA) and Saif Humaid Al Falasi, CEO of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC). It was also attended

by DEWA’s Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, officials from the public and private sectors and members of the media.

The theme of DEWA's Strategy 2021 is ‘DEWA at Work: Smarter and brighter energy future for Dubai’. It includes different sections, such as seizing opportunities; meeting challenges; strategic drivers; renewed commitment to drive value, mission, strategic goals and priorities; and DEWA’s research and innovation map.

ccording to the findings of a study conducted by Credo Business Consulting and MEFMA (Middle East Facilities Management Association), Saudi Arabia represents 55% of the FM market in the GCC, with a current value of USD 20.1 billion, and will be worth USD 29.1 billion by 2017.

The two groups behind the study, taking into account new infrastructure projects and charting the impact of a government initiative aimed at improving FM standards, forecasted that the KSA FM market, which is said to be growing at 13% year on year, will become the largest in the Middle East.

“Trends in both private and public sectors suggest that it is poised to realise a higher potential and shed its historic low-cost low quality image,” said Alistair Stranack, Partner and Head of Credo, adding that fundamental economic drivers, coupled with the government’s ambitious regulatory plans,

In his keynote address during the launch, Al Tayer said: “In line with the UAE Vision 2021, and Dubai Plan 2021, to set a roadmap of ambitious initiatives and developmental projects for economic growth, energy sustainability and a clean environment and to promote DEWA's vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility, we work to provide the best government services and implement the best international practices to make people as satisfied and happy as possible.

We harness excellence and creativity in our daily work to improve performance, efficiency and services to match the highest international practices. Through our initiatives, we contribute to making Dubai the smartest city in the world and support the sustainable social, economic and environmental development of Dubai, in particular, and the UAE, in general. Today, we announce DEWA Strategy 2021, which emphasises the need to continue these efforts to take Dubai to the next level on its journey to celebrate the Union’s Golden Jubilee in seven years.

“This strategy will provide the support for the process to make effective strategic decisions, and develop a roadmap that enables DEWA to support Dubai’s ongoing development. It will serve as a reference point during the strategic planning process that supports DEWA’s operational planning.

This comprehensive strategy defines our strategic objectives and our relationship with our stakeholders and partners. We

have also developed the map for research and innovation, which will enhance our journey towards achieving more success and excellence.

“Today, we also launch DEWA’s second annual Sustainability Report, to inform our stakeholders about DEWA’s sustainability performance and practices. The report was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Guidelines’ Core option. The GRI produces a globally recognised sustainability reporting standard, used by organisations around the world to communicate their sustainability performance and impact.

The report addresses the most important sustainability issues relevant to our performance and our stakeholders, such as economic development, energy efficiency and climate change, customer relations, water availability and quality, environmental protection, employee relations, stakeholders and community.

The report also showcases case studies, which highlight DEWA's achievements with regards to the economic, social, and environment pillars of sustainability.”

At the event, Dr Abdulla Al Hammadi, Vice President of Strategy & Performance Management at DEWA, reviewed DEWA’s Strategy 2021, and Mohammed Al Shamsi, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Climate Change at DEWA, highlighted the Sustainability Report 2014.

indicate that the Saudi market is realising its potential of becoming a giant.

The report, which also examined challenges to the FM sector, cited a cost-driven Saudi market as a hurdle, because it results in contracts being awarded to the lowest priced contractors, which in turn, creates a false economy and detracts from the value that FM can add to a building’s life cycle. Talent acquisition, training and a lack of

regulation were also cited as factors that have held back industry development.

Reacting to the report’s findings, Mohammed AlDuraibi, the CEO of Da'em Real Estate Investment Company and a MEFMA board member, disclosed that he is expecting the situation to change. “Whilst current regulation has been a barrier to growth, it can become a catalyst for development following a Saudi Government initiative to upgrade the quality of FM across its estate,” AlDuraibi said.

The report also broke down development by sector, with real estate and healthcare predicted to experience the highest growth rates by 2017, at 20% and 17%, respectively, and industrials expected to benefit from continued efforts to diversify the economy away from Oil and Gas.

17% healthcare growth rate

OMAN DIARY

Solar project commissioned for PDO site

By Dr M Ramaswamy, Technical Expert, Royal Estates, Sultanate of Oman

I

n early May, a pilot solar project was commissioned for one of the PDO (Petroleum Development Oman) sites at Fahud. With plenty of solar energy available in Oman, the country has been giving top priority to the development of alternative energy.

The pilot project involves the use of 4,000 polycrystalline solar panels designed to shade a 10,000-squaremetre car parking. This novel concept will save additional design and structural costs, with the project expected to generate up to 2.2 million kWh of renewable energy, annually.

The energy generated will be used to meet the daytime electricity needs of the accommodations for the PDO staff. In addition to providing energy, the project is also anticipated to save about 25 barrels of oil a day and result in the reduction of 1,500 MT carbon emissions annually, which is equivalent to planting 580 acres of trees or not driving 4.5 million kilometres.

In other news...

Oman Rail, the organisation set up by the Oman government to oversee the establishment and operation of the National Rail Network, has commenced evaluating the potential volume of freight that will be transported by rail over the long term.

It is estimated that one train alone can eliminate approximately 300 trucks.

Elimination of trucks from the road can lead to a reduction of carbon emissions.

June 2015

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ARAMENA registration in the works Founding members to open up membership, once process is completed

By Fatima de la Cerna | Assistant Editor

A

joint initiative by AHRI and UNEP, the HVACR association, ARAMENA was developed with the mission of becoming the voice of the industry, Stephen Yurek, the CEO of AHRI, had said during the association’s launch, in September 2013. Nearly two years have passed since the launch, though, and ARAMENA has yet to open an office and expand its membership, which comprises 13 founding members.

“ARAMENA’s challenge at present is to complete the corporate registration of the association, complying with UAE regulations implemented

Jim Walters

in Dubai and setting up an office there,” Jim Walters, Vice President for International Affairs at AHRI, said. “The founding

AESG opens new A commissioning services division Refers to commissioning as the most critical aspect of a building’s development cycle

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members are eager to accept new members from the other sectors of the HVACR industry that have shown interest in joining but prefer to wait until the registration process has been completed.”

Walters disclosed that in the meantime, AHRI is acting as the secretariat for the association.

“AHRI has been keeping ARAMENA members informed about developments in the establishment of new minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) in the GCC and collecting input and responses from the members, which have been useful when industry advice has been sought,” he said. “AHRI is closely following developments in Saudi Arabia, where the SEEC and SASO are discussing MEPS’ values and standards for certification; in Abu Dhabi, where the Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) is working on a draft certification scheme for aircooled unitary air conditioners and in Kuwait, which is looking at MEPS for commercial air conditioning.”

The activities it is pursuing, Walters pointed out, are in accordance with the function it seeks to serve. “The association

ESG has started offering thirdparty commissioning verification and commissioning management services covering a project's life cycle, from pre-design to retrocommissioning.

According to the press communication containing the announcement, the firm's services include commissioning authority (CxA), commissioning management, LEED and Estidama Commissioning (ICA), re-commissioning (RCx) and specialist testing (HEPA Filter, IAQ and Room Integrity).

It services, AESG claimed, will help increase safety and reduce capital and operational expenses while improving building efficiency by five to 10%.

“Over the past few years, projects

sees a role in advocating with industry stakeholders, organisations and consumers for a level playing field on harmonised standards and certification programmes, MEPS, market surveillance and alternative technologies suitable for the region,” he said.

Walters also shared that while ARAMENA is waiting for the completion of its registration, its members have been finding ways to get together. “AHRI met with the 13 founding members during the 4th Symposium on Alternative Refrigerants for the Air Conditioning Industry in High-Ambient Temperature Countries, which was held in Dubai, last October,” he said, adding, “Members have set up working groups for the pending issues.

These groups meet by conference call, and their recommendations are shared with the other members. The next step for the association is a meeting of its Executive Committee to decide on and adopt a working plan for the next three years of operation, which is planned to start this year.”

in the region have grown in terms of scale and technical complexity,” said Saeed Al Abbar, Director at AESG. “Commissioning is arguably the most critical aspect of the development cycle as it ensures that a building, when handed over, operates safely, efficiently and in accordance with how the owner intended. Proper commissioning is not just a testing and verification process.

It must start early in the project and continue until a comprehensive handover to the operations and maintenance team is achieved. Furthermore, it is necessary to look beyond simply commissioning individual systems as complex buildings of today require very careful integration of numerous interdependent systems.”

Modulating compressors can bring ME greater energy savings, says Emerson The company describes the technology as a central part of smart buildings

comfort by facilitating a more even temperature and more precise humidity control. The company also claimed that variable capacity compressors have been proven to be more reliable and to offer greater flexibility in operating speed.

Expounding on the benefits of the technology, Matthew Neidlinger, Emerson’s Director Matthew Neidlinger for Marketing – MEA, said: “We have seen a rising demand for technologies that elevate efficiency, comfort, reliability and affordability to a new level. Compressor modulation technologies are at the core of smart buildings, and the growing interest proves that the region is keen to take advantage by ushering the next generation in efficiency.”

Also sharing his observations of the UAE market, he described it as “progressing towards compliance with new commercial AC energy efficiency standards, which the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) will introduce this year”. He added that the “regulatory move will accelerate the shift towards smarter, more efficient AC systems”.

I

f the Middle East switched to air conditioning systems with compressor modulation, it would enjoy as much as 40% reduced energy consumption. This was a claim Emerson Climate Technologies MEA made during the recent Smart Skyscrapers Summit, held in Dubai.

Elaborating, the company stated that modulating compressors can adjust performance according to changes in the system load and ambient conditions, which allegedly enhances users’

The firm further revealed that Gary Williams, having joined the company as Director of Commissioning, will oversee AESG’s Commissioning Consultancy and Commissioning Management services.

Described by AESG as a fellow of the CSA and a member of BCA, Williams reportedly has 30 years of industry experience, with 20 related to commissioning projects in the Middle East.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” Williams said. “In the past

12 months, AESG has seen tremendous growth, both in terms of revenues and staff.

By offering commissioning services to our clients, we continue to round out our portfolio and establish ourselves as a leading consultant in the region.”

The firm also noted that it follows CIBSE and ASHRAE standards for commissioning and will initially focus on the delivery of its commissioning services within the GCC before expanding its reach across the globe.

June 2015

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REGIONAL

Emirates Green Building Council announces 2015 EGBC Awards winners The American University of Sharjah, IRENA Headquarters and Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa take home top prizes

Dubai to host forum on alternative refrigerants for highambient countries Event is organised in anticipation of the Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

I H.E. Dr Thani Ahmed Al-Zayoudi (1st row, centre), with the 2015 EGBC Awards winners

T

he Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), in recognition of what it referred to as excellence in sustainability, has announced the winners of the 2015 EGBC Awards. The awards ceremony was held in May, in Dubai, and was attended by H.E. Dr Thani Ahmed Al-Zayoudi, Director of Energy and Climate Change of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was the event’s guest of honour.

Introducing the winners, EmiratesGBC Chairman, Saeed Al Abbar said: “The EGBC Awards has become a core part of our activities that promote sustainable built environments in the UAE and, in turn, contribute to the ‘green economy for sustainable development’ vision announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The high quality of entries for the 2015 EGBC Awards underlines the increased interest and involvement by various organisations and individuals in the UAE, and the wider Middle East region, in the green building sector.”

Al Abbar added, “The panel of judges was highly impressed by the innovative approaches adopted by the

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industry stakeholders, surpassing themselves year on year with innovative technologies and solutions. We thank all our partners and participants for supporting the EGBC Awards.”

The awards handed out during the ceremony were: • The Green Building of the Year, which was presented in three subcategories:  Green Hotel: Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa  Green School: American University of Sharjah - Campus Service Centre  Green Commercial Building: IRENA Global Headquarters • The Green Facility Management Organisation of the Year: Imdaad • The Green Building Material/Product of the Year: Khansaheb Bionest • Green Building System of the Year: Box Industries for its Technopark Geochem Office • Green Building Research: WSP l Parsons Brinckerhoff for ‘Outdoor Space Comfort’ • Training Initiative of the Year: Dubai Carbon for The Carbon Ambassadors Programme • Special Award for Students: Muna Alnahdi from Rochester Institute of Technology in Dubai

n response to a request made by the UAE government, AHRI and organisations like ASHRAEUAE, UNEP and UNIDO are holding the 5th Symposium on Alternative Refrigerants for High-Ambient Countries in Dubai, on the 31st of October.

Sharing information about the event, AHRI’s Vice President for International Affairs, Jim Walters said that the forum will be held prior to the Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, which will also be held in Dubai.

Walters explained that following last year's 4th Symposium, organisers had elected not to schedule an event for 2015 because of the planned Montreal Protocol meetings. However, given the increased interest in high-ambient-related issues with regard to alternative refrigerants in the MENA region – expressed particularly by the UAE government – the groups decided to go for a one-day focused event on the issue, believing that it may be useful, Walter said. Previous symposia had run for three days.

A detailed programme, time, and venue are yet to be determined, Walters noted, adding that AHRI will release further information as it becomes available.

Leminar signs deal with General Pumps Company to exclusively distribute Spanish pumps manufacturer’s products in the UAE and Qatar

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eminar Air Conditioning Company has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with General Pumps from Spain, for the manufacturer’s wide range of pumps to be sold across

the UAE and Qatar, the company said through a press communiqué.

Under the terms of the agreement, Leminar will be General Pumps’ distributor for the Spanish company’s HVAC line of products, which includes split-case pumps, monobloc pumps, end-suction pumps, vertical-inline pumps, submersible sewage range of pumps and fire-fighting pumps and systems.

According to the communiqué, General Pumps, based in Valencia, has over 25 years of experience in manufacturing pumps for the global market. Its offering of products includes horizontal centrifugal pumps, vertical pumps, submersible pumps and motors, in the range 0.5HP to 250HP. The company’s

(Seated: L-R) Jaideep Bhalla, Director of General Pumps, and Navin Valrani; (Standing: L-R) Pramodh Idicheria, General Manager, Leminar Air Conditioning Company, Chaitra Kumar, Assistant General Manager for Leminar Air Conditioning Qatar

submersible products come in three major metallurgies – cast iron, bronze and stainless steel.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Navin Valrani,

Leminar's CEO, said: “General Pumps shares our philosophy and our passion for growth.

Its extensive range of pumps is an ideal fit for Leminar’s extensive product range.”

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June 2015

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slava296 / Shutterstock.com

NEWS BRIEFS

Tabreed announces 5% increase in net profit in Q1 2015 Claims profit climbed to AED 61 mn on the back of strong regional operations and lower finance costs

Empower reopens JBR Customer Service Centre Facility will allow the company to reach out to a larger customer base, DC utility provider says

D

ubai, UAE-headquartered Empower has reopened its Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) Customer Service Centre with enhanced facilities, the District Cooling provider announced. The facility will enable Empower to reach out to a larger number of its customers from wider geographical areas, it said.

The centre, is located in the Murjan 1 building of JBR and offers various services, including registration, bill enquiries and payment, and complaints resolution for up to 150 customers per day. This is the 4th facility of its kind, after similar centres in Al Hudaiba Awards Buildings, Business Bay and Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

JBR is a 1.7-kilometre-long, waterfront community in Dubai.

The neighbourhood consists of 40 towers; in addition to five hotels. Empower reportedly currently supplies District Cooling services to all 40 towers of JBR, serving 7,000 residences, commercial units and hotels.

A

bu Dhabi, UAE-headquartered District Cooling provider, Tabreed has reported a five per cent increase in net profit, attributable to the parent company, in Q1 2015.

The company said the performance was driven by its strong regional operations, with over 12,000 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) of new connections made across the GCC, as well as additional savings achieved due to the refinancing, completed at the end of 2014.

According to Tabreed, the financial highlights of the three months, ended March 31, 2015 are:

S.K.M to launch centrifugal chiller

Counterfeits translate into millions in lost sales for Danfoss

Move in line with the company’s target of adding to its portfolio of products

Company strengthens efforts against fakes as it calls for stricter regulations against counterfeiting

S

.K.M will soon launch a centrifugal chiller, in line with its mission to add to its portfolio of products and services, the company has said. S.K.M recently launched a hygienic air-handling unit range to meet the ventilation needs of cleanrooms, hospitals and medical sectors. Other specific product ranges of the company include swimming pool dehumidification systems and explosion-proof equipment.

S.K.M said it is also taking initiatives to capitalise on market opportunities across commercial, industrial and other segments. The oil and gas sector has also been a very big market for S.K.M, the company said, adding that it has a proven capability for providing customers with precise technicalities and customised engineering abilities within product design, suitable to function in challenging conditions.

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By Fatima de la Cerna | Assistant Editor

C

ounterfeit products have been a bane of Danfoss for nearly two decades, and while the problem started slowly, it has reportedly escalated in the last six years. Naveen Sivakumar, Regional Marketing Manager (Middle East and Africa) at Danfoss, shared the information with Climate Control Middle East at a gathering of the

company’s dealers and traders, held in end of April, in Dubai.

“This has been an issue for the last 15 years or so, but the impact was minimal at first,” Sivakumar said. “Beginning in 2009, however, we’ve noticed that the problem has been escalating. At first, the fakes were limited to simple products, like filter driers,

“The positive financial performance during the period reflects the strength of Tabreed’s underlying chilled water business, and we remain well positioned to capitalise on future growth opportunities, at home and abroad,” said Tabreed’s Chairman, Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi.

• Net profit attributable to the parent increased by five per cent to AED 61.2 million (Q1 2014: AED 58.2 million) • Core chilled water revenue increased by three per cent to AED 214.4 million (Q1 2014: AED 208.2 million) • Share of results of associates and joint ventures increased by 35% to AED 17.3 million (Q1 2014: AED 12.8 million) • Group revenue increased by five per cent to AED 239.4 million (Q1 2014: AED 227.2 million) • EBITDA increased by one per cent to AED 119.7 million (Q1 2014: AED 118.6 million) • Net finance costs decreased by 10% to AED 29.4 million (Q1 2014: AED 32.7 million) as a result of the 2014 refinancing, and which led to a 50-basis-point reduction in margin

but in the last few years, we’ve been seeing imitations of compressors and other technologies, some of which are patented.”

Considering how widespread a problem counterfeiting has become over the years, it can be impossible for manufacturers to put into exact figures the total amount of sales they’ve lost – and continue to lose – to counterfeiters, but for Danfoss, the period between end of 2014 and early 2015 can be translated into millions.

“For that period alone and based only on two cases reported in Dubai, we estimate that our losses were at AED 1.5 million,” said Santhosh Kumar, Danfoss Regional Sales Manager for Wholesalers.

“The real figure though, if we consider the whole of the UAE, could very well be around AED 4 to 5 million.”

Kumar also revealed that

AED 4-5 million The amount of sales Danfoss estimates it lost between end of 2014 and early 2015

Danfoss, in an effort to curb the proliferation of fake products, is focusing on two approaches: legal and education. “We have an IP (Intellectual Property) team, who works with authorities to put together cases against makers or distributors of fakes,” Kumar said. “We’ve had

According to Tabreed, the operational highlights of the three months ended March 31, 2015 are: • Renewed major district cooling agreement with Aldar. The renewed agreement has a duration of 30 years, and sets the framework for additional connections to future projects.

• Total Group connected capacity across the GCC totalled 950,000 TR, with over 12,000 TR of new customer connections added, including: • 1,000 TR in the UAE • 1,500 TR in Qatar • 4,700 TR in Saudi Arabia • 5,000 TR in Oman

Tabreed’s CEO, Jasim Husain Thabet said: “We have reached a number of significant milestones in the quarter, including the renewal of a major long-term district cooling agreement with Aldar Properties PJSC. Furthermore, we are already beginning to reap the benefit from the refinancing completed at the end of 2014, which demonstrated the robustness of our business model, greatly strengthening our financial position and providing a clear endorsement of our positive future outlook.”

successes, with fines levied on those found guilty. One trader in Egypt was even sentenced to six months in prison.”

He added that Danfoss makes sure to update its traders and wholesalers on the situation as a way of creating awareness of not only the presence of counterfeits in the market but also the legal ramifications of selling fakes.

“As a deterrent, we let them know what Danfoss can do,” Kumar said. “We make them understand that we will pursue legal means against them if they sell fakes. And we also educate customers. We tell them to only buy from our authorised partners, and we teach them how to differentiate between a genuine Danfoss and a counterfeit.”

Despite acknowledging that the company’s efforts have seen some success, Kumar stressed that more has to be

done to truly address the issue.

“Of the two reported cases I mentioned, one of the traders involved was fined AED 50,000,” he said. “I don’t think the fine is enough. It has to be steeper; the charges must be stiffer.”

He also noted that customs officials in the UAE have the potential to do more to prevent counterfeits from entering the country. “The UAE is a hub for traders, so the first impact is here,” he said. “The products land here and, then, get spread to other markets.

Customs has to play a stronger role, because the fakes being circulated are not going through the proper channels.”

As part of its fight against counterfeits, Danfoss has created a page on its Web site that carries instructions on how to be able to identify fake products, as well as a section for reporting counterfeits.

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Leminar demonstrates mini District Cooling at Project Qatar Company showcases a working system made of equipment and component it represents in the region

L

eminar Air conditioning Company WLL Qatar gave a live demonstration of a mini District Cooling system at Project Qatar, which ran from May 4 to 7 at the Qatar International Exhibition Center, in Doha. According to Leminar, the system, with variable flow primary and secondary equipment, and scaled down to 12.5 TR capacity, used all products in the Leminar product range. The company said the system was a testimony of the awareness of advanced design and operational techniques implemented in the upcoming future Green building concept.

Variable flow chilled water plants are designed to maintain a relatively constant Delta T, Leminar said. The company described the system that was demonstrated at the exhibition as consisting of Rheem condensing unit, coupled with Alfa Laval shell and tube heat exchanger, and as being able to chill the water to 5.5 degrees C. This water, the company said, was pumped into an Alfa Laval plate heat exchanger, wherein the heat was exchanged on the secondary side from 12 degrees C to 7 degrees C, with a Delta T (return – supply temperature) of 5 degrees C and LMTD (Log Mean Temperature Difference) or a pinch of 1.5 degrees C, resulting in return temperature to shell and tube fixed at 10.5 degrees C. According to Leminar, the AHU inlet and outlet temperatures were maintained at 7 degrees C and 12 degrees C, respectively to achieve design comfort temperature in the space. The primary pump for pumping water from the shell and tube to the plate heat exchanger and the secondary pump for pumping water from the AHU to the plate heat exchanger were both operated

by VFD, which took a control signal from the controller, getting feedback of Delta P from a DP sensor, mounted close to the PICVs (Pressure Independent Control Valves) across respective primary and secondary circuits, the company said.

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The PICV on AHU maintained constant Delta P and, hence, constant required flow, thereby providing the right signal to the VFD controller on the secondary pump, Leminar said. The temperature set-point, or comfort temperature, was maintained on the return side of the AHU at 22 degrees C, the company added. The PICV on primary return near the plate heat exchanger maintained constant Delta P and, hence, constant required flow, thereby providing the right signal to the VFD controller on the primary pump, Leminar said. The temperature set-point was maintained on the return side of the primary chilled water circuit at 10.5 degrees C through a remote immersion type sensor, providing feedback to the PICV, the company added. The moment 10.5 degrees C was achieved, the company said, the condenser unit offloaded, unless the temperature rose to 15 degrees C, when the condenser cut in again, thereby maintaining a relatively constant Delta T, helping to resolve the problem of Low Delta T syndrome. The energy saving on the chiller side and the pumps side was high, according to Leminar.

Speaking of the live demonstration, Pramodh Idicheria, the General Manager of Leminar Air Conditioning Company, said it was a proud moment for the Leminar team to see the system working. “Everyone who came to the show was quite amazed to see the live system, and it was the perfect platform to demonstrate the roles the brands we represent play in an air conditioning system,” Idicheria said. The system had Alfa Laval heat exchangers from Sweden, General Pumps’ chilled water pumps from Spain, Hattersley chilled water valves from China, Frese PICVs from Denmark, Weicco pipe supports from India, Weicco vibration isolators from India, Winters’ pressure and thermometer gauges from Canada, Clima Uno AHUs from the UAE and Rheem condensing unit from the United States.

INTERVIEW

‘The system takes care of the Low Delta T Syndrome’ Climate Control Middle East spoke to Fareedee Kamal Syed, Technical Manager at Leminar, who was a key player in developing the system. Excerpts from the interview…

Is the model scalable?

Yes, the model is scalable, similar to a large District Cooling system, and we can add tertiary pumping systems, which are also VFD-controlled and with water-cooled condensers, which will again be VFD-controlled. However, due to the size of the network, the constant Delta T will vary slightly. Further, the efficiency of the system can be increased through using TSE tanks for very large District Cooling systems.

What is the efficiency you are able to achieve?

It is possible to achieve an efficiency that is better than 1 kW/tonne.

What are the typical applications you are targeting?

We are targeting small to large villas, commercial buildings, residential buildings and large District Cooling networks.

How is the model different from a standalone chilled water system?

Typically, a standalone chilled water system consists of a constant primary system, with variable secondary system, and a decoupler connects the secondary system to the primary system, which results in low Delta T at partial loads. This, in turn, results in multiple chillers being operated at low demand and improper feedback to the secondary pumps, due to the static valves system, which operate the variable secondary pumps at higher frequency, thereby leading to wastage of electrical kW. However, the system proposed by us takes care of the Low Delta T Syndrome. The system incorporates pressure independent control valves (PICVs), which result in savings of 51% when compared to conventional chilled water systems. Further, only the required number of chillers is operated, thereby resulting in cost savings on chillers, as well.

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June 2015

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SABIC releases 2014 Sustainability Report Highlights progress on integrating sustainable practices into its global operations

S

ABIC has released its 2014 Sustainability Report, titled 'Foundation for the Future', which reflects the progress made by the company in integrating sustainable practices into its global business operations.

The report outlines the latest information on the company’s progress on various dimensions of sustainability value creation.

It highlights performance in integrating the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability into the company’s core business approach.

Yousef Al-Benyan, SABIC acting Vice Chairman and CEO, said: “This is our fourth report. It reflects our ongoing journey towards achieving the highest level of performance

Mostra KSA expected to attract strong participation Event to debut in Kingdom in Q4; will host leading international experts for discussions on the latest technologies available in the HVAC space

M

ostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE), the biennial exhibition dedicated to residential and industrial installations, air conditioning and renewable energy, will launch its first edition in the Kingdom in the fourth quarter of 2015. The exhibition will take place from the 30th of November to the 2nd of December at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC).

MCE Saudi 2015 is being organised in partnership with Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions, a successful joint venture

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between Reed Exhibitions and Saudi organizer, Sunaidi Expo, a subsidiary of the Al Fadl Group of Companies in Saudi Arabia.

According to the organisers, the event is geared to provide the industry with unrivalled opportunities in the HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) systems market.

Mostra Convegno Expocomfort is coming to Saudi Arabia after celebrating its 39th edition in Milan last year. According to the organisers, MCE Italy hosted more than 2,000

possible in sustainability, which is fundamental to our business strategy. We are continually looking for new ways to integrate it into our business, allowing us to improve, grow, innovate and transform to achieve our goals.”

Commenting on what steps SABIC is taking to drive sustainable innovation, Al-Benyan said, “We have invested in relationships with multiple globally acclaimed universities and are expanding our internal innovation resources – both by building and expanding technology centres and by attracting and growing talented scientists. In addition, we have embedded sustainability assessments into our research and development process to grow our portfolio of more sustainable products.”

exhibitors and welcomed over 155,000 visitors from 147 countries. The Riyadh exhibition will showcase the latest technologies and innovations for water and energy efficiency in one of the fastest-growing markets in the Middle East.

Massimiliano Pierini, Exhibition Director of the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort Italy, said: “MCE will be held in Riyadh, the KSA’s capital and business centre for industries related to HVAC. MCE Saudi is the only platform to offer local, regional and international HVAC industry leaders and decision makers an opportunity to network and share ideas under one umbrella.

“It is also a great platform for knowledge sharing with leading international experts discussing the latest technologies available in the HVAC space. MCE

Atieh Abu Raqabah, General Manager, SABIC Corporate Sustainability, said, “Sustainability is an endless journey for SABIC that brings improvement to the business and value to its stakeholders, as reflected in the 2014 report. Innovation, creating sustainability solutions, and engaging its stakeholders more completely in its sustainability journey remain high priorities for SABIC.” Some of the topics covered in the report are Sustainability Governance, Ethics and Compliance Process, How Sustainability is Creating Economic Value, SABIC’s Approach to Protecting Natural Capital, Developing and Protecting Human Capital, and Building Social and Community Relationships.

Saudi has been received with much enthusiasm by domestic and international exhibiting companies, and we expect this will be a very successful launch edition of the exhibition in Riyadh.”

Commenting on the launch, Haya Al Sunaidi, the Chairwoman of Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions, added: “Reed Exhibitions strategically chose MCE Saudi to be held in the end of November, in order to maximise attendance opportunities before the end of 2015, which suited both visitors and International exhibitors. The aim of launching MCE Saudi is to offer all exhibitors a valuable opportunity to market themselves locally, increase their customer portfolio, expand their business relationships and understand local requirements in the third largest HVAC market in the world.”

Majid Al Futtaim claims a rampup in its green performance Says it has reduced energy consumption in its shopping malls by more than 11% over a four-year period

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ajid Al Futtaim malls have recorded positive figures in energy, water and waste management in 2014, the company said.

According to the company, in 2014, Majid Al Futtaim’s utilities management practices saved the company more than AED 3.8 million in reduced operating costs; diverted from landfill more than 6,000

tonnes, the equivalent of 2.5 Olympic swimming pools; and saved more than 7,700 tonnes of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of planting 6,311 trees.

“In the past four years, we have reduced energy consumption in our shopping malls by more than 11% and water consumption by 21%,” said Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi, Head of Sustainability at Majid Al

Futtaim Properties. “As part of our fundamental goal to create great moments for everyone, every day across all of our retail destinations, we aim to build and manage more environmentally efficient buildings, which deliver social and economic benefits to our communities and visitors.”

According to the company, in 2014, Mall of the Emirates managed to reduce its water consumption by six per cent compared to 2010; City Centre Mirdif decreased water consumption by 24% and City Centre Deira decreased its electricity consumption by six per cent. City Centre Fujairah’s volume of recycled material increased by 24%, and Oman malls reduced its water consumption by 10%, the company added. City Centre

Bahrain reduced its electricity consumption by 16%, the company also shared.

According to the company, since 2010, Majid Al Futtaim has invested more than AED 25 million in improving water and energy consumption across all properties and has built three malls – City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Beirut and City Centre Fujairah – to LEED Gold standards. Additionally, the company has been recognised as a ‘Green Star’ by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), who acknowledged the significant progress made to date as well as the ambitious plans for the future made by the organisation, the company said. GRESB measures energy reduction performance and sustainability policies.

VARsity Looking into the world of variable refrigerant flow systems

What’s next for VRFs? What opportunities beckon in the nascent economic upturn?

The massive positive response to the annual feature article on the VRF (also VRV, TVR) industry has spawned the dedicated supplement, VAR-sity, which reports the goings-on in the world of the exciting technology. The supplement includes reports and analyses, product profiles, case studies, and interviews and guest columns involving the different stakeholders, be they manufacturers of the technology, policy-makers, regulators, testing and certification bodies or endusers.

Frequency: Annually (August)

EDITORIAL-RELATED QUERIES: editorial@cpi-industry.com

Going the retro route August 2014

www.climatecontrolme.com

49

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June 2015

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eurammon to host natural refrigerants symposium Body buoyant about the prospects for natural refrigerants; to showcase trends in the refrigeration industry during the lecture event

W

hich developments will define the refrigeration and air-conditioning technology of tomorrow? How can current directives be successfully put into practice? These are questions that will come up for discussion during eurammon’s annual symposium, which this year will be held on the 25th and the 26th of June at

the body’s traditional base in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. A key highlight of the lecture event will be the Natural Refrigeration Award ceremony.

In 2015, a new era began for the refrigeration industry: with the F-Gas Regulation now in effect, natural refrigerants offer a highly attractive refrigeration solution for all sectors of the industry,

, YO U R T R U S T E D PA R T N E R F O R YO U R ENGINEERING, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT SOLUTIONS

eurammon said. During the symposium, international experts will give insights into market trends, efficient technologies and pioneering projects. This year’s lecture event will focus on airconditioning technology and heat pumps, eurammon said.

Experts, such as Carsten Hoch (TÜV SÜD AG), Elisabeth Munzert (Germany’s Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety) and

Pascal Westring (European Heat Pump Association) will examine current regulations, market developments and safety standards for handling natural refrigerants. Furthermore, a wide range of successful reference examples of practical implementation will be presented, such as projects at Zurich Airport and The Stadtwerke Lübbecke (public utilities), eurammon said.

The Award ceremony will honour outstanding academic dissertations that make a valuable contribution to the field of natural refrigerants.

After the ceremony, eurammon said, the young scientists will present their award-winning research results to the audience.

UNEP highlights District Energy’s potential

T

he United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has said that modern and optimised District Energy systems could contribute up to 60% of required energy sector emissions reductions by 2050 and reduce primary energy consumption by up to 50%. UNEP made this statement in a report it produced in collaboration with the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency (C2E2), ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability and UN-Habitat.

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THE THREE FACTORS COMPANY

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Engineering

Energy

Environment

Where BACnet fits best into the IoT The Global Roadshow’s opening event in Seattle offers insightful presentations

“BACnet has evolved from the initial application in areas of HVAC, and is now the decisive success factor in building automation.” Raymond Rae, Vice President of Delta Controls, said.

“The global ISO 16484-5 standard proves itself in numerous applications, which is why an open and manufacturerindependent building automation with BACnet is the key to success for economically and ecologically sustainable building operation.”

Andy McMillan, President of the BACnet International, raised the numerous benefits of BACnet certification for users and manufacturers alike. How and where BACnet fits best into the Internet of Things (IoT) was outlined by Rick Fellows, KMC Controls. “The BACnet community should not fear the IoT movement, it should embrace it as it has been part of the movement since its inception,” he said.

“BACnet is validated in the IoT world, because it is very well elaborated.”

Quality you can count on proudly since 1952

B

ACnet is, more than ever, the global leader to reliable investments in building automation, the body said. With a yearly growth of 20% over the last five years, the number of registered BACnet vendors has exceeded the 800 mark. That was made evident at the opening event of the BACnet Global Roadshow on April 21 in Seattle, in the United States. The next stops will be taking place in Abu Dhabi (June 2nd), Warsaw (June 9th) and Berlin (June 16th), the body said, at the time of going to press. The last stretch will be in India, China, Singapore and Japan in the autumn of 2015.

Lyle Bicknell, Planner of the city of Seattle, and John Ringness from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) presented the requirements of smart and efficient buildings. Steve Bushby, from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), highlighted the role of BACnet for the governments’ energy concepts. Future directions were reported by the chairman of the BACnet Standardising Committee (ASHRAE-SSPC 135), Carl Neilson.

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BITZER reports increase in sales of EUR 36 million Company says overall sales growth in the 2014 financial year was EUR 657 million, compared to EUR 621 million in 2013

wants to take a more proactive approach to dealing with counterfeit products around the world as well as make its own compressors verifiable with QR codes. This, the company said, should make it easier for users to tell originals and counterfeit products apart.

The company said it was also developing additional compressors, designed for use with refrigerants that have low global warming potential (GWP). The key area of focus, the company added, was energy efficiency based on innovative capacity controls and the eco-friendly character of the products.

S

indelfingen, Germany-headquartered compressor specialist, Bitzer has reported a profitable 2014. In addition to a positive sales trend, the company said it was able to create 200 new jobs during the 2014 financial year; Bitzer now employs 3,400 people. The company said new products and solutions have consolidated its position among the most innovative companies in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

Compared to 2013, Bitzer reported an increase in sales of nearly six per cent. Peter Schaufler, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said: “With an increase from EUR 621 million to EUR 657 million, we’re at a much higher level than in the previous year. As an innovation leader in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, BITZER has remained true to the Swabian ingenuity of its founder. In the past year alone, BITZER invested EUR 25 million in research and development.”

According to the company, in the 2015 financial year, BITZER

An employee at work at Bitzer’s Rottenburg-Ergenzingen factory, which manufactures screw compressors. Bitzer says it has invested more than EUR 70 million at the location over the past 10 years to increase efficiency, quality and capacities

Veolia wins District Cooling accolade Collects silverware at the 4th Annual Global District Energy Climate Awards

T

he winners of the 4th Annual Global District Energy Climate Awards were revealed on 27 April in Tallinn, Estonia, during the 2015 Euroheat & Power Congress. The finalists were selected from those who had best articulated their ambition and aspirations for District Energy performance improvements.

The winners were Veolia Deutschland in the ‘New Scheme’ category for its Braunschweig, Germany-based Hungerkamp System; Italy-based Astem Gestioni in the ‘Modernisation’ category for its Lodi District Heating System, in Lodi, Italy; Helsinki, Finland-based Helen Ltd in the ‘Expansion’ category for its Combined District Heating and Cooling System and Kirchweidach, Germany-based Kirchweidacher Energie Deep Geothermal Energy System in the ‘Special Award’ category for its Deep Geothermal Energy System.

Launched in 2009 by Euroheat & Power together with the International Energy Agency and the International District Energy Association, the Global District Energy Climate Awards aim to generate broader awareness, greater adoption and strengthen the importance of District Energy and the movement towards clean, sustainable energy solutions.

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African group spurs progress towards global agreement on HFCs African group spurs progress towards global agreement on HFCs

U

nprecedented global attention on super greenhouse gases – hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs – resulted in agreement on a way forward under the Montreal Protocol, during a Bangkok meeting, in late April, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) reported.

At the five-day meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG35) of the Parties to the

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, in the capital city of Thailand, the African group emerged as a strong voice in support of tackling HFCs, overcoming resistance by a minority of countries, EIA said.

There were high expectations at the start of the meeting after India, previously one of the strongest opponents, submitted its own HFC phase-down

A two-day technical workshop followed by a three-day political meeting was dedicated to the issue of managing HFCs. “This meeting is a first but crucial step in ensuring that the Montreal Protocol doesn’t restore the ozone layer at the expense of the global climate,” said Mark W Roberts, EIA International Policy Advisor.

“Decisive action on HFCs will mitigate 100 billion tonnes of CO2 and deliver massive energy efficiency gains, catalysing strong climate benefits.”

Parties agreed to continue inter-sessional work on HFCs with a view to establishing a contact group at the next OEWG meeting in Paris in July. The explicit mention of ‘contact group’ is significant as it indicates formal negotiations will start this year.

amendment proposal. The proposal, in combination with those filed previously by the North American countries and Micronesia and the efforts of the African group, brought new energy to the negotiations, with the vast majority of developing and developed countries in favour of a phase-down of HFCs, under the Montreal Protocol, EIA said.

Strong opposition from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, however, quickly showed that there remain serious obstacles, EIA reported.

“The efforts of India and Senegal, and the leadership of the African group in moving negotiations forward, provide hope that all countries can come to a swift agreement to take fast action on HFCs,” said Clare Perry, Head of Climate for EIA.

Reach the industry leaders in the Arabic HVAC market

١٠ ‫مجلس التعاون الخليجي صفحة‬

‫للمنشآت والخدمات الجديدة في دول‬

‫التشغيل والوضع بالخدمة التجارية‬

‫ م‬2014 ‫ملحق الربع الرابع لعام‬

‫فحوصات ما قبل التشغيل ثم بدء‬

‫لمجلة كاليمت كنترول الشرق االوسط‬

‫تحليل دقيق لثقافة‬

‫ملحق ربع سنوي‬

‫تحليـلدقيـق‬

‫صفحة‬

١٠

‫حوصات ما قبل التشغيل ثم بدء التشغيل‬ ‫لثقافة ف‬ ‫بالخدمة التجارية للمنشآت والخدمات‬ ‫والوضع‬ ‫الجديدة في دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي‬

‫صفحة‬

‫ م‬٢٠١٥ ‫لعام‬

‫ليلة توزيع الجوائز للفائزين‬

‫ملحق الربع األول‬ ‫صفحة‬

‫لشرق االوسط‬ ‫ترول ا‬

٣٢

‫لمجلة كاليمت كن‬

‫ملحـق إضافـي‬

‫ملحق ربع سنوي‬

‫ـق إضافـي‬

‫ملح‬

‫في المدارس‬

:‫أهم األولويات‬

ARABIC SUPPLEMENT

‫لبيئة الداخلية‬

‫جودة ا‬

‫منطقة الخليج من‬ ‫دارس‬

‫حملة التعليم في‬ ‫داخلية في الم‬ ‫جودة البيئة ال‬

‫تبريد بالمملكة‬

‫نظام ال‬

‫أكبر في سوق‬ ‫حصة‬ ‫ساهمة‬

‫تبريد المناطق‬ ‫يحصد نظام‬ ‫سعودية مما يعني م‬ ‫مملكة العربية ال‬ .‫في نمو األمة‬ ‫ال‬ ‫تبريد المناطق‬ ‫أكبر لصناعة‬

‫موائع التبريد‬

‫لغز‬

:‫التقرير‬ ‫ستنباط حل طويل‬ ‫اقتربنا من ا‬ ‫عالية الحرارة؟‬ ‫هل للدول ذات األجواء‬ ‫المدى‬

‫يا االتصاالت‬

‫تنقية الهواء‬

‫كالم في‬

‫غسيل امر مطلق ؟‬ .‫سيب الملوثات‬ ‫هل ال‬ ‫مركبة لمقاومة تر‬ ‫نظرة‬

‫ولوج‬

‫تكن ستغــاثــة‬ ‫لال‬

.‫حنات المبردة‬

‫غذاء في الشا‬

‫االنتباه لنقل ال‬ ‫ذب‬

‫ودة وفعالة لج‬ ‫كنولوجيا موج‬ ‫الت‬ ‫متها المنطقة؟‬ ‫ذلك هل استخد‬ ‫ومع‬

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June 2015

95

MARKETPLACE

CGA and CXA systems Trane

T

rane, a brand of Ingersoll Rand, has announced that it is introducing two new options for small capacity HVAC systems intended for comfort and process applications. The applications, the company said, are designed to meet stringent requirements for efficiency, noise levels and reliability.

The two new additions to Trane’s chiller offerings include the CGA air to water chiller and the CXA air to water heat pump. Both units feature axial fans with scroll compressors, the company said.

“The first wave of that innovation drive from Trane was seen only last year when we rolled out six new products in both the air-cooled chiller portfolio and water-cooled chiller portfolio,” said Jeff Moe, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing for Trane in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Today marks the continuation of our chiller offensive, and it is exciting to remain on the crest of the innovation wave and continue delivering new solutions that fulfil our customers’ requirements and help them meet their business needs.”

According to the company, new units replace its previous CGA/ CXA range and provide customers with up to 17% improvement in cooling and heating efficiencies, up to 32% smaller footprint and

AQ VOC

up to 5dB lower sound power levels than the previous range.

The company also noted that the new CGA and CXA units can deliver leaving chilled water temperatures to -12 degrees C, allegedly making them ideal for process cooling applications in the food and beverage segment.

The new CGA/ CXA solutions meet the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) heating efficiency levels that will go into effect September 2015 as part of the ongoing rollout of Ecodesign Directives, the company said.

E

Instruments has launched the AQ VOC, which the company claims, brings together sophistication and technological innovation in a convenient and economical all-in-one VOC monitoring instrument, providing the indoor air quality (IAQ) professional the latest in IAQ monitoring and real-time data Logging for IAQ analysis in hospitals, buildings, schools, laboratories, clean rooms and airports.

E Instruments

The AQ VOC includes:  Selectable VOC Sensor • Low Range: 0 - 20,000 PPB OR • High Range: 0 - 200 PPM  Upgradeable to up to two more gas sensors: CO2, O2, CO, NO2, H2S, SO2, NO, Formaldehyde  Large Internal Memory: 2,000 tests

looking for HVACR products?

 The standard model includes temperature, % RH, barometric air pressure and differential pressure features  Real-time data-logging  Compact, handheld Unit  Active internal sampling pump  Magnetic rubber boot  Bluetooth  PC Software & USB  Li-Ion rechargeable battery

www.climatecontroldirectory.com The region’s comprehensive online directory for the HVACR industry To LIST YOUR COMPANY for free, visit: www.climatecontroldirectory.com/register/

96

June 2015

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES, EMAIL: advertising@cpi-industry.com

WORLD

IEQ FORUM

June 2015

97

Under the Patronage of H.E Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani Minister of Economy and Commerce

1 - 3 June 2015

CHRVI ME Doha Exhibition Center

From 03:00 pm - 10:00 pm

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Cooling, Heating, Refrigeration, Ventilation And Insulation Exhibition and Seminar Strategic Partners

Official Sponsor

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C L I M AT E C O N T R O L

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FOR MARKETING-RELATED QUERIES:

Anup Dominic Business Development Manager T: +971 4 375 6834 • M: +971 55 974 5317 F: +971 4 4341906 • E: anup@cpi-industry.com

Ruqiya Shariff Events & Marketing Leader T: +971 4 375 68 38 M: +971 55 440 0890 F: +971 4 4341906 E: ruqiyah@cpi-industry.com

Kathleen Rebello Events & Marketing Leader T: +971 4 375 6843 M: +971 56 765 0894 F: +971 4 434 1906 E: kathleen@cpi-industry.com

Rao Ali Akbar Sales Manager T: +971 4 375 6832 • M: +971 50 410 8034 F: +971 4 4341906 • E: ali@cpi-industry.com

In North America, contact: Kanika Saxena Our representative in North America T: +1 (905) 267 4666 E: kanika@cpi-industry.com In Asia (except India), contact: Judy Wang Our representative in Asia T: 00852-30780826 E: judy@cpi-industry.com