JUNE 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com Plus: Marketplace, Comings&Goings News Empower roots for DC at hotel show p9 JCI launches Panoptix in Middle East p16 D-Code: Water-based vs. solvent-based adhesives p24 Country Report Saudi Arabia: Scripting a success story p25 Special Focus The role of compartmentation in fighting fires p69 Spotlight A microscopic view of particles p72 Event Round-Up: C 3 Doha p40 Perspectives London Olympics and Natural Refrigerants p52 To motorise or not to motorise – that is the question! p66
Transcript
JUNE 2012
www.climatecontrolme.com
Plus: Marketplace, Comings&Goings
News Empower roots for DC at hotel show p9JCI launches Panoptix in Middle East p16
D-Code: Water-based vs. solvent-based adhesives p24
Country Report Saudi Arabia: Scripting a success story p25
Special Focus The role of compartmentation in fighting fires p69
Spotlight A microscopic view of particles p72
Event Round-Up: C3 Doha p40
Perspectives London Olympics and Natural Refrigerants p52To motorise or not to motorise – that is the question! p66
Dear Readers,
The GHN industrial air cooler is ideal for cooling in the food sector: Tested hygienic safety, certified by TÜV HACCP, easy cleaning and numerous options to choose from – the GHN scores points with all these factors.
There are many options to choose from, such as epoxy finsfor increased corrosion protection or swivel fans for quick and easy cleaning, meaning the GHN can be precisely adjusted to the respective application.
- Improved condensation water outlet flow and better air conveyance with the Güntner Incline Design- Good accessibility with flap open side cover and swivel fans- High air throw distances with optional Güntner Streamer- Condensation water-free tray structure- Hygiene-certified in acc. with TÜV HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
Competent. Reliable. Personal.
Adel Kamel, Managing Director
“The industrial air coolerfor cooling food!”
A reading of wind direction reveals that there is no major storm brewing in the fans and blowers sector in the region.
The way The
wind blows
JUNE 2012
www.climatecontrolme.com
US$15
PUBLICATIONLICENSED BY IMPZ
Plus: Marketplace, Comings&Goings
News Empower roots for DC at hotel show p9JCI launches Panoptix in Middle East p16
D-Code: Water-based vs. solvent-based adhesives p24
Country Report Saudi Arabia: Scripting a success story p25
Special Focus The role of compartmentation in fighting fires p69
Spotlight A microscopic view of particles p72
Event Round-Up: C3 Doha p40
Perspectives London Olympics and Natural Refrigerants p52To motorise or not to motorise – that is the question! p66
contentsVol. 7 No. 6 | June 2012
04 FRom thE EDitoR For better health and nutrition
haPPENiNgS06 The region18 At large20 Marketplace
24 D-CoDE Sticking points John Guthrie draws a comparison between
the use of water-based and solvent-based adhesives in ducting.
40 EVENt RoUND-UP A time to retrospect... and act Participants and delegates at The Climate
Control Conference (C3) Doha agreed on the need for an integrated approach to district cooling, cost-effective technologies and regulations on water use and enforcement.
PERSPECtiVES50 How safe are air cleaning
appliances? Growing awareness about the importance
of IAQ has elicited an increased interest in air cleaning products in the HVAC industry. Chante’ White Maurio evaluates the options available.
64 Dampers can save lives Dampers play an important role in making
a building safe from fire and smoke hazards. Saad Ali explains how they work and cites the recent incident of fire in a Doha mall as an example to highlight the need for strict building codes and fire safety measures.
66 To motorise or not to motorise – that is the question!
David Stevenson takes an in-depth look at the role of fire dampers in reducing smoke and heat from spreading from one fire compartment to another through HVAC ductwork and believes that motorised actuators ensure greater efficiency and safety.
69 Ensuring safe compartmentation Containing or delaying the spread of fire in
a building by restricting its flammability or combustibility can help mitigate hazards and loss of life and property. Noman Qamar illustrates how compartmentation can go a long way in achieving this.
CoVER StoRyThe way the wind blows A reading of wind direction reveals that there is no major storm brewing in the fans and blowers sector in the region. The market is whirring at a regulated speed, with no sudden gusts threatening to blow away the status quo.
Eurammon demonstrates with case studies how natural refrigerants can be innovatively used in sports and leisure facilities to make an appreciable difference to the environment.
52Giving natural refrigerants a sporting chance
44
COUNTRY REPORTSaudi Arabia: Scripting a success story As government-backed mega infrastructure projects and real estate initiatives go into full swing, the HVACR sector is poised to tap the gold mine.
25REviSiTiNG FlAMMAblE REFRiGERANTS – TREAD wiTH CAUTiON In this third and final part, Thomas Blewitt concludes his review of the current status of standards and codes relevant to flammable refrigerants. VAC equipment and appliances.
56
72SPOTliGHTA microscopic view of particlesDr Iyad Al-Attar explains the importance of defining critical parameters, such as particle size, which affect the performance of air filters.
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 3
For better health and nutrition
n what is becoming an annual exercise, Climate Control Middle East magazine, as part of its editorial coverage of the refrigeration industry, gathered a set of regional and international food establishments and refrigeration equipment companies in end-May to discuss common issues concerning both camps.
B Surendar
editorfROM ThE
Get the next issue ofClimate Control Middle east early!Did you know that Climate Control Middle East is also available electronically? Get a digitised copy of the magazine every month, before the issue goes for print! As a bonus, the digital version includes such features as a keyword search, annotation, highlight, note-making and hot links. For more details, please access www.cpi-industry.com/digital
JUNE 2012
www.climatecontrolme.com
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PUBLICATIONLICENSED BY IMPZ
A reading of wind direction reveals that there is no major storm brewing in the fans and blowers sector in the region.
Plus: Marketplace, Comings&Goings
News Empower roots for DC at hotel show p9JCI launches Panoptix in Middle East p16
D-Code: Water-based vs. solvent-based adhesives p24
The way The
wind blows
Country Report Saudi Arabia: Scripting a success story p25
Special Focus The role of compartmentation in fighting fires p69Spotlight A microscopic view of particles p72Event Round-Up: C3 Doha p40
Perspectives London Olympics and Natural Refrigerants p52To motorise or not to motorise – that is the question! p66
(Zinio is a digital publishing firm based in the USA.)
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.
While food establishments raised the need for better support from the refrigeration industry in terms of better installation and after-sales support, and best practices in design of cold stores, among other issues, the refrigeration industry spoke of challenges related to cost-conscious food establishments, which often came in the way of providing cutting-edge solutions that would help the food establishments achieve high food safety standards without compromising on energy efficiency. Cutting corners, the refrigeration industry felt, did not help from a long-term perspective.
The end-May meeting, Food Chain, not only attracted the food establishments and the refrigeration industry but also the various Municipalities in the UAE. Significantly enough, at the behest of Dubai Municipality, the event was an occasion for an inauguration ceremony to mark the formation of a committee consisting of food establishments and the refrigeration industry to produce a draft proposal containing recommendations related to refrigeration. In the time to come, Dubai Municipality will likely consider the recommendations to draft legislation on food safety from a cold chain perspective.
The committee, led by Dubai Municipality, will go through a detailed exercise lasting several months to identify important considerations in key areas of refrigeration. The mandate in front of the members of the committee is to arrive at a set of checklists for compressors, chillers, power back-up systems, transport refrigeration units, insulated panels, holding freezers, walk-in freezers and display units, to name a few. They will also draft checklists on specialised refrigeration consultants and contractors. The checklists, according to Dubai Municipality, will likely enable food establishments to make informed decisions at the time of buying refrigeration equipment or while seeking the services of consultants for the purpose of building cold storage facilities. In the end, the exercise can mean only one key direction – an improvement in food safety standards in the emirate, which could mean better health and nutrition for all.
Switching to another topic, this issue contains a rather detailed look at fire safety. The May 28 fire at Villaggio Mall in Qatar, which left 13 children and six adults dead, is a stark reminder that much more needs to be done to protect lives. According to initial reports, the sprinkler system did not work and the two exits of the fire-engulfed area were blocked by smoke. According to an official source, thick smoke and heat hindered the rescue efforts.
We await more details and hope to share them with you in the next issue.
Many pairs of handscraft a Daikin VRVIII system
then support the one pairthat continues the good work
poster desgin.indd 1 01/05/2012 14:15:21
4 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
Many pairs of handscraft a Daikin VRVIII system
then support the one pairthat continues the good work
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Siemens has announced signing an agreement with Qatar University and KAHRAMAA to
carry out joint efforts on researching and developing energy-efficient systems and solutions to support the rapid development of Qatar’s infrastructure. The memorandum of understanding, signed on May 8, is a two-year agreement that will draw on the key skills and strengths of each of the parties, with Siemens cooperating with Qatar University and KAHRAMAA on a case-by-case basis in carrying out R&D activities in the field of energy efficiency, the announcement revealed.
According to the MoU, KAHRAMAA, the local utility for electricity and water, will bring expertise in the development of energy-efficient systems for power generation, transmission and distribution systems. Specialists from Qatar University will work in tandem with KAHRAMAA, using their knowledge and expertise to assist in the development of new efficient
systems.The latest partnership highlights
Siemens continued support of Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which aims to develop a solid foundation built on education, scientific research, technology transfer, and community development, Siemens claimed.
Discussing the MoU, Martin á Porta, CEO of Siemens WLL, the Qatari unit of Siemens AG, said: “I believe in strong cooperation with our local partners and offering our expertise to develop long-
term relationships; this is part of our commitment to support Qatar’s infrastructure plans. As Qatar continues to enjoy rapid population and industry growth, it is important for us as a responsible corporation to make the effort of strengthening the local competence by encouraging and enabling research, development and knowledge transfer.”
Qatar is currently beginning preparations for the 2022 World Cup, which will see the
country investing some $60 billion in infrastructure upgrades, including projects for the developments of clean power supplies. In the light of this, Siemens said that its continued dedication of its resources follows its partnership with Qatar Foundation, signed in 2011, which focuses on the advancement of Qatar’s infrastructure capability and competence, including establishing a service headquarters in Qatar for the company’s regional power transmission and distribution business.
Siemens, Qatar University and KAHRAMAA sign MoUWill tap key skills and strengths of the three parties for energy efficiency R&D
happeningsThE REGION
6 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
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(EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE, put the spotlight on air conditioning and refrigeration systems and their energy consumption patterns at its recent monthly networking event held at Media Rotana International. Sponsored by GERAB Energy, the event was open to both members and non-members of the Council. Announcing this, the communiqué said that the session featured Cas Khoo, President of
Articmaster, USA, as the guest speaker, and added that the discussion on “Energy Efficient Solutions for air Conditioning And Refrigeration Systems” highlighted different technologies that are currently available to address the massive energy consumption accounted for by the two
EmiratesGBC organises networking eventEnergy-efficient solutions for air conditioning and refrigeration systems highlighted
Ecotherm, an Austria-based provider of individual solar, hot water and steam systems, has announced
exhibiting its products at Project Qatar, a fair dedicated to products and services in the field of design, construction, environmental technology and materials, which was held in Doha from April 30 to May 2. Presenting its new fibre-fleece insulation solution for the
first time to the public was the highlight of its participation in the exhibition, Ecotherm revealed. The insulation system with polyester fiber-fleece offers up to 30% less heat loss in standby mode compared to conventional foam insulations, and the patented aluminium closure strip allows simple and quick opening of the outer cover by only one person, the company claimed.
In addition to the fiber-fleece insulation solutions, it also presented its new product range, photovoltaic solutions, Ecotherm revealed, and added that it had been providing photovoltaic solutions of up to 7,000 kWp since February this year. “Our engineers select the optimal combination of photovoltaic modules and inverters for each project,” said Herbert Bremstaller,
Ecotherm participates in Project Qatar
sectors.In a brief on his topic of discussion,
Khoo reportedly said that new patented energy efficiency solutions help address new as well as installed air conditioning and refrigeration equipment with retrofits that help to reduce energy consumption. He was of the opinion that equipment manufacturers are today using improved technology of compressors, microprocessor controls and BMS to address energy efficiency.
On the occasion, Adnan Sharafi, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “It is estimated that air conditioning and refrigeration systems contribute up to 70% of the total energy load of buildings. Additionally, their operations also contribute to greenhouse gases that cause environmental degradation. Adapting energy-efficient solutions for air-conditioning and refrigeration thus have the twin benefits of saving on energy costs and also helping develop environmentally sustainable built environments. EmiratesGBC is committed to introduce topics that are of great importance to the entire construction sector supply chain. Our networking events have now evolved as dynamic discussion forums that encourage our members as well as other industry stakeholders to take an active role in promoting environmental sustainability in line with the green vision of the UAE.”
8 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
happeningsThE REGION
On the occasion of The Hotel Show 2012, an exhibition for the hospitality industry in the region
held from May 15 to 17 at Dubai World Trade Centre, Empower announced that it had registered a 30% growth in hotel customers at the end of April 2012, compared to the same period last year.
The company called for greater awareness in implementing District Cooling by hotels in the region, as it believed that it would benefit not only hotels, but also its customers, society and the economy, in general.
In this context, Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO Empower, said: “We support specialised exhibitions like this one, in order to spread awareness on DC to hotels. To date, 26 hotels in Dubai use DC services from Empower. We are optimistic that more hotels will move towards this emerging technology, which offers great advantages over conventional cooling offerings. While
considering the growth rate of hotel rooms in the UAE during this period, Empower’s growth in the segment exceeds the hotel industry rate.”
Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce (DTCM) has reportedly mandated that all hotels must reduce their carbon footprint and opt for environment-friendly amenities and supplies. This is where DC fits in, Bin Shafar pointed out, and emphasised that DC was ideal for hotels as it was hassle-free, environment-friendly and cost-effective, as it helped save on cost of cooling, maintenance, installation and capital expenditure.
Bin Shafar added: “The current market tendencies give more room to adopt DC technology for hotel buildings, especially where initial capital investment is a deciding factor. District Cooling saves the customer from investment on plant room, chillers and equipments, water tanks, cooling
towers, sub stations, additional drainage facilities, civil structure, cabling works, control and instrumentation, additional space, manpower requirements and maintenance. This will enable hotel financiers to divert more initial funds to other areas of the venture.”
The Hotel Show 2012, touted to be the largest hospitality supplies event for the MENA region, reportedly attracted over 14,800 hospitality professionals for three days of intensive business networking, industry awards, conferences and hospitality functions.
Empower roots for DC at hotel showClaims registering 30% increase in customers for DC services and reducing carbon footprint
Launches fibre-fleece insulation and photovoltaic product range at the exhibition
Managing Director and owner of Ecotherm. “We can simulate the performance of the plant during the year and offer our customers the possibility of visualisations, animations and options for monitoring the system in operation.”
Pointing out that Ecotherm had been active in Qatar for more than 10 years, Bremstaller shared the
information that the company had recently delivered the entire hot water and steam system for the Sidra Medical and Research Center in Doha. “Sidra is scheduled to open in the coming months and will be the first seven-star hospital in the world,” he said. “Additionally, there is continuous great interest in our high-capacity shell and tube heat exchangers.”
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June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 9
happeningsThE REGION
EWS-WWF conducts household carbon audits and retrofitsResults highlight potential savings of over 30% of electricity and water in UAE households
Three families in the UAE took part in home carbon audits, funded by an Emirates Foundation for
Philanthropy grant, to help reduce their Ecological Footprint and tackle climate change as part of EWS-WWF’s Heroes of the UAE initiative, launched in 2009 in partnership with Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD). Announcing this in a joint communiqué, EWS-WWF said that the main contributor to the country’s ecological footprint is households, which contribute 57%. It also revealed that the sector has the potential to significantly reduce its energy and water consumption and help in the fight against climate change.
The audits conducted in three households in Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Dubai, had the avowed objective of finding out how much energy and water UAE households are using and what measures can be taken to reduce their consumption, the two agencies explained.
The retrofits, which were also carried out as part of the initiative, included shifting from traditional bulbs to LED lighting, installing Eco3 devices to improve air conditioning efficiency, installing water-saving devices and using a thermal roof coating.
According to EWS-WWF, results indicate that with the technological changes alone, households have the potential to reduce electricity consumption on an average by 37% and water consumption by 30%. On an average, each participating case study has the potential to save more than 11,000 kilogrammes of CO2 per year, saving 34% of the total carbon emissions from the three households, the report added.
The agencies pointed out that the financial savings from these audits is significant, as all three households have the potential to reduce their bills by more than AED12,000 per year by saving 54,000 kWh and the equivalent of about half million 1.5 litre-water bottles annually. The audits emphasised the fact that households could achieve additional electricity and water savings of at least 10% through implementing simple behavioural changes, such as turning off taps and switching off lights and appliances when they are not in use.
Tamara Withers, Heroes of the UAE Programme Manager at EWS-WWF, who was reportedly one of the driving forces behind these audits said: “The main thing these audits bring to light
is what a huge difference a few changes can make. Technical changes in lighting, air conditioning, and water faucet devices lead to significant savings in energy and water consumption, which will not only help the environment, but also help save money as well. Many of these technical changes are available and affordable, such as energy-efficient lighting and water saver devices. These audits also help to highlight how shifting our behaviour patterns can also make a huge impact on energy and water conservation.”
The agencies believe that households in the UAE can learn more about these audits by watching the Heroes of the UAE Household Audits video at: www.youtube.com/wwfuae
The report also revealed that 76% of the UAE’s high per capita ecological footprint is due to carbon emissions mostly associated with energy and water consumption. Identifying the benefits of conserving these resources, the national campaign, Heroes of the UAE, was launched with a focus on energy and water conservation Continued on Page 12
in line with its commitment to new cooling solutions, Empower has urged local and Gulf-
based developers to adopt district cooling technologies and gradually move away from conventional air conditioning systems to save environmental resources.
During the launch of Cityscape Abu
Dhabi 2012, held from April 22 to 25 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Ahmed Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, said that the time had come when adopting district cooling in the real estate units was no longer an option, but a critical necessity.
Stressing on Empower’s firm belief that district cooling has a huge
potential in the region, he said: “The real estate sector is still in its early stages in most of the Arab countries, and it is regarded as one of the most dynamic sectors. This makes it critical to disseminate awareness of the winning features of district cooling technologies which reduces power consumption significantly.”
Urges Gulf developers to move from conventional AC systems towards new cooling technologies
Empower advocates DC for real estate
10 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
on Average
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across all sectors of society – from individuals and households, to corporations, government and schools. More information about the campaign, can be obtained by visiting www.heroesoftheuae.ae
In its endeavour to raise awareness among people and corporate fraternity, the joint communiqué has added the following information: Emirates Wildlife Society is the UAE’s environmental non-profit organisation established under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Ruler’s Representative in the western region and Chairman of EAD. EWS works in association with WWF. EWS-WWF has been active in the UAE since 2001 and has initiated and implemented several conservation and education projects in
the region. The mission of EWS-WWF is to work with people and institutions within the UAE and the region, to conserve biodiversity, tackle climate change and reduce the ecological footprint through education, awareness, policy, and science-based conservation initiatives.
Heroes of the UAE is an initiative established by EWS-WWF in partnership with EAD. It is a national campaign focusing on energy and water conservation across all sectors of society. The campaign was launched to help address the country’s ecological footprint through its four programmes: Energy, Water, School and Corporate. The initiative encourages companies to be proactive in reducing their energy and water consumption as the private sector is accountable for 30% of the country’s ecological footprint.
Through its carbon audits and retrofits, downloadable business toolkit and Corporate Hero pledges, businesses can learn easy-to-adopt tactics to help them achieve a lower carbon footprint and a better bottom-line. Other initiatives under its aegis are: Energy Programme, which motivates individuals to act to reduce their energy consumption; School Programme, designed to educate and engage school children to be part of the solution through a competition and quiz, as well as making a pledge to save the environment; and Water Programme, which addresses the UAE’s per capita water consumption, which is three times the global average. The Heroes of the UAE website allows visitors to pledge to reduce their water and electricity consumption, as well as access information to help them reach the pledge.
Eros Group has announced launching Hitachi’s Ultra Big2
series refrigerators in the UAE, featuring, in what it claims to be advanced features like a large moisture-guard vegetable compartment, intelligent inverter compressor, advanced minus zero cooling, eco-thermo sensor and a two-way humidity controller innovation, which helps maintain high humidity up to 90% and retains moisture in vegetables stored. It is also equipped with special dual fan cooling which provides two dedicated fans, one
each for the freezer and refrigerator compartments so that chilled air can be delivered only to the refrigerator compartment or only to the freezer or both as required, to provide 10% more cooling power and reduce 15% more energy consumption, the announcement added.
Speaking on the occasion, Deepak Babani, CEO of Eros Group, said: “Eros Group is committed towards bringing the latest and finest of products to its consumers in the UAE. We are proud to launch Hitachi’s latest offering, the Ultra Big2 Refrigerator, which has a
cutting-edge technology that will truly enrich the living experience. The product will be a breakthrough and we are confident that it will appeal to all.”
Haruki Hirose, Managing Director for Hitachi Consumer Marketing Middle East office, endorsing this,
added, “At Hitachi, we believe in inspiring others to live a good life by offering those products with latest and innovative technology.”
The newly launched refrigerator series will be available at all its outlets across the country, Eros Group revealed.
Eros Group launches Hitachi refrigeratorClaims that Ultra Big2 series reduces 15% more energy
(From L-R) MA Khan, Senior DGM, Eros Group; Deepak Babani, CEO, Eros Group; Haruki Hirose, MD, Hitachi Consumer Marketing Middle East Office; Niranjan Gidwani, Deputy CEO, Eros Group; and Rajat Asthana, Deputy GM, Eros Group
(From L-R) Unveiling the new Ultra Big 2 Series Refrigerator: Deepak Babani, Haruki Hirose, Niranjan Gidwani and MA Khan.
EWS-WWF conducts household carbon audits and retrofits
12 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
Estidama Compliant
with ‘Made in GCC for GCC’ as its catchline, Prime-Focus Group of Companies,
comprising six members, namely, Prime AC Industries, UAE; Focus AC Industries, UAE; Gulf Duct Industries, UAE; Qatar Air distribution & Network Manufacturing Company, Qatar; Ventilation Experts, Saudi Arabia and Prime-Focus, India, organised a technical presentation for Qatar Petroleum. Announcing this in a communiqué, the Group said that the objective of the presentation held in Ras-Luftan Hall at the Qatar Petroleum (QP) Headquarters in Doha, was to discuss QP’s HAVC
product requirements. The Group claimed that it was
involved in manufacturing of air conditioning equipment components and accessories under brands like Crayflo, Aerovac, Filtraire, Supaflex, Crayflex, Aspen, Crayflange, Craystick and Safeair, and has technical collaboration with BJC Enterprises, Perth, Australia; Safe Air-Dowco, Chicago, USA; Commercial Acoustics, Phoenix, USA; Crayford Technic, UK and Flameshield, UK, and has a strong presence across the MENA and India regions.
According to the communiqué, Siraj Virani, Managing Director of Qadnet,
a Group company, gave the welcome address and Amiruddin Thanawalla, Group Managing Director, made a presentation on the technical aspects of grilles, diffusers, non-coated LPCB-certified fire-rated ducts, conventional ducting, insulated flexible duct connectors and acoustic flexible ducts. Javed Tejani gave a presentation on mechanical and motorised fire dampers and a combination of fire and smoke dampers. Two new products – Acoustic Flexible Ducts and Insulated Flexible Connectors – were also introduced. The presentations were followed by a Q&A session.
Technical presentation at QP Prime-Focus Group of Companies give talk on air conditioning equipment components and accessories on offer
happeningsThE REGION
14 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
Discus_A4_ENG_MEA.indd 1 5/30/2012 11:45:12 AM
happeningsThE REGION
Gulf Engineering System Solutions (GESS) in May
conducted a building automation systems seminar in Dubai, with the focus being on the Dwyer range of products from the United States.
Bradley Chapman, General Manager (Europe, Middle East, Africa, India and Pakistan regions) for Dwyer spoke on the occasion, as did Nick Malby, the Middle East Sales Manager of the company.
In his presentation, Malby said that BAS was key to saving energy in buildings, adding that owners would do well to invest in BAS, because energy savings would help the bottomline.
Pointing to the increase in energy costs and the decrease
in cost of sensors and supporting equipment, Malby said the owner was staring at a reduced payback time.
In his presentation, Chapman zeroed in on Dwyer’s mission, which he said was to design sensors that were simple to install. Chapman said the company aimed to keep installation costs down. He spoke of removable connectors, back plate and electronics in separate parts and simple tools as the other features of the Dwyer system.
BAS was the way forward, Chapman said, adding that it enabled building owners to measure humidity, temperature, differential pressure, CO, CO2 and occupancy, and thus, better understand the building’s profile.
JCI on May 22 launched its cloud-driven solution, Panoptix, in
the Middle East.The launch marked the
introduction of the solution in the second region of the world; two months earlier, the company launched Panoptix in North America.
Speaking on the occasion, David R Clark, the Vice President of the Panoptix programme at JCI, said, “We think the market opportunity is right in the Middle East.” Added Farhan Qureshy: “Besides the market opportunity, the government is taking the right initiatives. Dubai Municipality’s green building legislation is a
case-in point.” Qureshy is the Regional Director, Communications (Middle East) for the Building Efficiency division of JCI.
JCI has timed the launch of Panoptix to go with the current market trend. In today’s world, 20% of software, Clark said, was delivered by cloud.
Panoptix will access data from a gamut of HVAC components in buildings, analyse energy trends and track energy consumption and reliability of the equipment. Through this, according to JCI, it will seek to drive up their efficiency and create savings in the range of seven per cent to 15%.
GESS conducts BAS seminar in Dubai
JCI launches Panoptix in Middle East
Event spotlights energy savings potential in buildings
Region second in the world to receive the cloud-driven solution
comings&goings Unigulf
KISHoRE DEoTARASE
Kishore Deotarase has joined Unigulf as the company’s General
Manager (Sales). Prior to this, he was the General Manager for HVAC activities at Bin Dasmal Group.
In his new role, Deotarase will be responsible for developing sales activities in the various Unigulf showrooms in the UAE, oman, Qatar and Bahrain. He will be consolidating the portfolio of existing products and introducing an array of new products, with an enhanced focus on
developing the after-market business of the company.
Among products that Unigulf wants to introduce are controls and compressors, in the range of 1 HP and 25 HP.
Unigulf is also working with a select few companies in Saudi Arabia to develop a market for pre-insulated panels, which it manufactures.
Deotarase has a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pune, in India. He lives in Dubai with his wife.
16 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
with best-in-class components
MAKING MODERN LIVING POSSIBLE
happeningsAT LARGE
Sipos secures retrofit orders Involved in district heating project in Finland and power plant in Mexico
an independent company in 1999. With its roots in Siemens, Sipos had access to test certificates dating back over 40 years and to documentation for original series of Siemens products, thus ensuring that customers who placed early orders continued to receive correct replacement products, spare parts and service support from Sipos, the report explained. The company worked with its partner IESS de
Mexico to replace the existing actuators and to provide operator training for its new generation actuator technology, it added.
Sipos Aktorik, the German-based manufacturer of electric actuators, has announced in Sipost, its
newsletter (Issue 1/2012), that it has secured a contract to supply valve control technology to a district heating network to Seinäjoki in Finland, via its local partner, Aumator. According to Sipos, the actuators were commissioned in the summer of 2011, to provide actuators equipped with Modbus Rtu-Interface. Drawing on its track record of supplying actuators for district heating in Europe and district cooling applications in the Middle East, Sipos claimed that it was able to secure the community heating project order to provide field devices and field bus communication technology required to support modernisation of the 250-kilometre-long district heating system. The project has replaced an existing system that used hand-controlled valves with a radio-controlled solution, Sipos revealed.
In another project, as part of retrofit measures for a power plant located in the PEMEX oil refinery in Salina Cruz, Mexico, old Siemens actuators were reportedly replaced by Sipos 5 Flash devices. According to the news report, the actuator division of Siemens, Sipos Aktorik was formerly established as
Sophisticated district heating technology at Seinäjoki in Finland is supported by Sipos’ variable speed actuators
PEMEX employees gather before training on Sipos’ new generation products
WEG awarded ISO 50.001 certificationConformance certificate given for energy management in electric motor manufacture
wEG, manufacturer of electric motors and related control equipment, has announced that WEG Equipamentos Elétricos sa, one of its electric
motor factories engaged in the manufacture of large electric motors, was recently awarded ISO 50.001:2011 certification for its energy management system, following an audit by the Bureau Veritas Certification (BVC). ISO 50.001 is a voluntary international standard that gives organisations in both, private and public sectors, strategies to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve their general energy performance.
According to WEG, the conformance certificate is valid until January 2015 and covers the manufacture of the company’s HGF line of electric motors, 315-400 (220v up
to 13800v) and W22 -355 (220v up to 1000v), with power ratings from 175 up to 1100 hp. Also covered is testing of three phase electric motors, with voltage ranging from 220v up to 7000v, and power ratings from 150hp up to 1250 hp.
WEG claimed that it is the first company in the electronics sector in Brazil to receive such a certification and that the energy management system was one of the company’s latest environment friendly initiatives. The system was installed as a pilot project in one of WEG’s electric motor factories in Jaraguá do Sul, with the implementation being part of an overall initiative to improve energy performance of the plant, it added. This included setting objectives and targets for reducing consumption and adopting actions for improvement, WEG said.
18 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
marketplaceThis section contains regional and international products information
ClCF Climate Changer ahusTrane
dubbing them the next-generation Air handling units (AHUs), Trane, a brand of Ingersoll Rand, has introduced two versions of CLCF Climate Changers. Trane claims that
the AHUs deliver customised performance, offer more comfort, low operational costs, reliability and ease of installation for office buildings, hotels, schools and other commercial buildings. It adds that the CLCF Climate Changers are also suitable for hospitals, laboratories and pharmaceutical applications and meet the healthcare industry’s most rigorous air quality requirements while keeping energy consumption at a minimum.
The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages: n Result of customer-driven research and developmentn Eurovent-certified and available in airflow ranges from 1,000
m3/h to 45,000 m3/hn Have factory-installed controlsn Come with the coil and fan options to meet individual customer
requirements regarding acoustics, energy efficiency and other key criteria
nInnovative casing and a unitised, structured panel design minimise the potential for air leakage
nEPDM seamless gasket seals integrated into the door panels and 50 mm polyurethane foam-injected insulation provide additional
energy savings and reduce units’ operational costsnA unique tool-less connection system together with integrated
gaskets deliver maximum air-tightness integritynFor hospital and laboratory applications, feature smooth interior
panels, a silicon-free antimicrobial sealant and rounded corners and have a fully enclosed and robust unit base frame to prevent water, dust and bacterial traps
nThe unit casings are watertight to allow for disinfecting procedures with liquid products
nA four-point inclined floor and a centralised vertical drain is available on all sections of the unit to ensure proper condensate management
nIn addition, a wide range of component options (class 3 dampers, antimicrobial copper coil fins, etc) ensure the capability to deliver reliable, clean air
nIn combination with options such as heat recovery wheels, plate heat exchangers and coil loops, energy consumption can be reduced up to 90% under certain conditions
nLifting lugs are integrated on the base frame to facilitate handling
nAll units come with a skid for forklift transportationnCan be equipped with fully integrated, factory-installed Trane
controls to maintain peak performance and ensure lower cost of
Saying that they cut energy bills, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) a petrochemical company manufacturing polyethylene, polypropylene and other
thermoplastics, has introduced HDPE bimodal high-density polyethylene grade pipes – Vestolen A RELY 5924R and Vestolen A RELY 5922R. The two grades are typically suitable for producing pressure pipes that meet the PE 100 standard, SABIC claims.
The manufacturer lists the following product features and benefits:n Vestolen A RELY 5924R delivers good low-sag performance
for large-diameter pipes and pressure pipes with a low standard dimension ratio (SDR)
n Vestolen A RELY 5922R helps customers meet the stringent slow crack growth requirements for pressure pipe, enshrined in PAS (Publicly Accessible Standard) 1075.
n Certification to PAS 1075 enables the grade to be used for pipes intended for installation using the most demanding techniques, including new trenchless methods, such as guided boring and horizontal directional drilling – the methods that have a reduced impact on the environment.
n Apart from their good mechanical properties, SABIC
Vestolen A RELY 5924R and 5922R have rheological and morphological properties – created through a combination of proprietary catalysts and fine-tuned reactor and extrusion technology which could provide processors with considerable energy savings.
n A RELY grades are currently available in black.n For customers demanding fully coloured pipe, SABIC
is working on the development of two coloured grades possessing enhanced resistance to slow crack growth propagation, commercially available in 2013.Jean Engels, Business Manager for HDPE, SABIC, explains that
a company already operating a line at full capacity would be able to increase output by as much as 16% (compared with commonly used bimodal HDPE) while reducing electricity consumption. “on the other hand, a pipe producer that does not need to raise production can realise energy savings by running at the same speed,” he says. “Pipe size will also play a part in determining exactly how big the savings are. These are features requested by the market. We asked our customers what their most important problems were, and we have now come back with materials that we believe will enable them to better handle those problems.”
a relY hdPe pipes: a relY 5922r and a rely 5924r
SABIC Vestolen
20 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
ownership throughout the life of the unitsnA segregated cable channel built into the panel and
quick-connect wiring between sections avoid on-site case drilling and maintain machine integrity
nAn open-protocol communication design allows for communication with building management systems
nSoftware tool is available for engineers and consultants to visually design the CLCF and the user-friendly application in multiple languages can be downloaded from www.engineer.trane.comFurther emphasising the merits of the new products,
Cary Collins, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing for Trane and Thermo King brands of Ingersoll Rand in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa, said: “With the CLCF Climate Changer, managers of healthcare buildings, offices, hotels, schools and other commercial buildings achieve increased operating and energy efficiency. The two dedicated versions of the CLCF Climate Changer ensure that both customer groups receive an AHU that is fully optimised to their individual requirements, ranging from compliance with rigorous indoor air quality standards to lower sound levels.”
Hygenic - Air Handling Unit
Comfort - Air Handling Unit
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 21
marketplaceThis section contains regional and international products information
reference design for heating for smart thermostats
Pulse Technologies
Saying that it includes all the hardware, firmware, software, and cloud services needed to create end-to-end connected HVAC solutions for residential and
commercial buildings, Pulse Technologies, which offers home and building automation solutions and cloud services, has announced launching a new reference design for HVAC systems. The company claims that the Pulse platform has been under development for more than seven years, with a proven track record of five years of commercial deployment in projects around the world.
The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages:nThe smart thermostat reference design enables manufacturers
in the HVAC industry to fast-track development of an extensive array of advanced features, such as two-way remote control, mobile apps, energy monitoring, and cloud-based performance optimisation to their air conditioning and heating products,
nThe new reference design can be used to create smart thermostats for upgrading conventional HVAC systems in existing homes and buildings, or for integration directly into next generation residential and commercial climate control products.
nLicensees can expand beyond smart thermostats for HVAC control, as the Pulse platform has support for intelligent
lighting, motorised window treatments, energy metering, fault management, scheduling, scenes, multi-protocol integration, and rich application programming interfaces (API).
nLicensees can offer rich control, monitoring, and integration capabilities at a price that appeals to consumers and professional customers alike.
nProducts integrating multiple building automation protocols, such as Z-Wave and KNX have already been developed based on the Pulse platform, and Pulse continues to expand protocol support in its reference designs to address the requirements of its partners.“With the current industry hype about the ‘Internet of
Things’ and smart appliances, manufacturers are looking for proven solutions to immediately address the very real need for intelligent climate control systems,” said Jimmy Grewal, co-founder and CEo, Pulse Technologies. “Many HVAC manufacturers find the task of developing software and cloud services both expensive and time consuming, but we are here to provide them the building blocks they need to get to market quicker and cheaper than if they were to build it themselves.”
22 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
Selecting the right adhesive is an important aspect of a ducting job. The broad options are: water-based and solvent-based adhesives. There are several factors that need to be kept in mind when you compare the two types of adhesives. The difference in VOCs, the thaw cycles, bonding times, application and region are factors which play an important role in ducting and need to be considered while selecting the most suitable product for the job. Choosing the right adhesive can lower application time and decrease installed cost.
WaTer-baseD aDhesives versus solvenT-baseD aDhesives
By viewing the two product bases, you can observe
that the level of VOCs vary significantly from several hundred grammes per litre in solvent-based adhesives to under 100 grammes in water-based ones. Water-based adhesives go through a five freeze thaw cycle test in which the product can freeze up to five times and still continue to be useful. When analysing the two products, we need to be aware of the climate of the region in which the product is going to be used. Solvent-based adhesives will adhere easily in more humid climates compared to water-based adhesives, which will take longer to fix on the duct. However, one advantage a water-based adhesive has over a solvent-based one is that it is not flammable. Consequently, one need not worry overmuch about how to store the product or about precautionary measures in case of a fire.
There are quick-setting water-based adhesives that are significantly low in
VOCs. These non-flammable adhesives have a faster bonding time, which make them very useful when applying the adhesive on L-shaped duct sections. But this comes with a caveat. One needs to be aware of the true chemical makeup of each adhesive. This implies that you need to review the MSDS sheets for each product looking for “exempt” solvents, as this could make the product hazardous for the applicator while disguised as being “environmentally friendly.” It is, therefore, important to always request for a full disclosure about the chemicals used in the adhesives.
aDhesive seleCTionAn important factor to be noted while choosing an adhesive is that there are certain codes and certifications that are necessary before an adhesive can be applied. For example, ASTM C916 is a testing procedure in which glue is
applied to the ductwork, and then put in an oven at 150ºC for 90 days. This test shows that the glue can withstand variable amounts of heat for any number of days.
The SMACNA “HVAC Duct Construction Standard” requires that the adhesive must be applied to 90% of the insulation’s surface. Also, any duct eight inches wide or more requires a mechanical fastener to help secure the insulation.
Choosing the right adhesive is of paramount importance for a successful and sustainable HVAC installation. The right product and the right base can save you time, money and avoid a costly call-back. Be informed about the finer points of the adhesives you use. And remember, though there may be differences in products, there is a right adhesive for every job.
d-Code
solvent-based adhesives will adhere easily in more humid climates compared to water-based adhesives, which will take longer to fix on the duct
John Guthrie draws a comparison between water-based and solvent-based adhesives and gives a few handy tips on adhesive selection.
StiCkinG PointS
A CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST CAMPAIGN ON DEMySTIfyING ThE WORLD Of DuCTING
The writer is Regional Sales Manager, Carlisle HVAC. He can be contacted at [email protected]
non Flammable solvenT baseD aDhesivePhoTo CourTesY oF WWW. alibaba.Com
24 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
Buoyed by high oil revenues and rising non-hydrocarbons exports, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is riding on the crest of success. According to research by Standard Chartered, the economy is expected to expand by 4.7% in 2012, well above the 2.9% projected earlier this year. It is, indeed, enjoying a period of sustained growth with the
country’s robust economy set to touch the 10% mark in 2012 and 2013, backed by the government’s massive investment programmes.
The government has reportedly approved an SAR690 billion-budget for 2012, with a huge chunk of it earmarked for mega housing and infrastructure development projects. SAR250
billion has been allocated by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency to finance 500,000 housing units.
Despite this, with a 26 million-strong population at an annual growth rate of 3.2% (2004- 2010), Saudi Arabia is facing a huge housing shortage in the residential sector, pushing property prices high, as demand continues to outstrip supply, bucking the regional real estate trend. The government is vigorously encouraging non-oil industries and small and medium enterprises to generate new jobs for the country’s young population.
This is corroborated by a Standard Chartered report, which affirms: “Investments in transport, industry, health, housing and education should serve to strengthen GDP, as the boost in the construction industry will generate more employment opportunities and increase the flow of cash into the economy.” (Oxford Business Group, May 1, 2012)
Tawfiq M Attari, Technical and Sales Director for the MENA Market, DuctSox, a ducting system manufacturer with a major presence in the Kingdom, seconds this view: “KSA was one of the few countries which didn’t face a noticeable slowdown
country focusSAuDI ARABIA
Scripting a SucceSS Story
When the rest of region is trying to get back on its feet in the post-global economic slowdown scenario, Saudi Arabia stands tall with an expected growth rate of about 10% this year and the next. As government-backed mega infrastructure projects and real estate initiatives to meet the housing and commercial needs of the kingdom’s burgeoning young population as part of a $130 billion package of handouts, goes into full swing, the HVACR sector is poised to tap the gold mine. The Kingdom is the new Eldorado where major players are rushing. By Pratibha Umashankar
BJune 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 25
a few of the sectors and investors were hesitant to invest in new projects in 2009 because of the global economic crisis. however, the government’s heavy investment has encouraged private investment
in most of the sectors, in the number of projects or in growth. But a few of the sectors and investors were hesitant to invest in new projects in 2009 owing to the global economic crisis. However, the government’s heavy investment has encouraged private investment.”
Regional players, too, are willing to invest in projects where they can secure guaranteed off-take to minimise investment risks. Despite the global financial crisis, Saudi Arabia enjoys high credit worthiness to raise the required finance, which has helped implement new projects. The growing confidence of the financial institutions in new developments has had a positive spillover effect on the HVACR sector. “We can see the appetite of Saudi banks and investors to fund new projects in the KSA with higher gearing than other markets,” says Ahmad Abushama, Director, Business Development, Dalkia Utilities Co, Dubai. “In the last few years, many district cooling plants have been implemented in the KSA. We have witnessed the banking sector’s willingness and support to meet the required fund/debt.” He cites Hadeed, Aramco, Jebel Omar and KAFD DC plants as examples. “We are sure that we are going to see more similar projects to come in the near future,” he adds.
All this spells good news for the HVACR industry, as new real estate and infrastructure developments translate into greater demand for the sector’s products and services. Quoting Khaled Daou, Project Manager, Saudi Energy, a recent report said that the Saudi Arabian HVAC sector is expected to achieve between 30% and 50% growth over the next two years. With the Kingdom remaining a major market for air conditioning due to its hot climate and high individual purchasing
power, growth is expected to hit $1.19 billion by 2014. “HVAC is not just a luxury in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; it is a necessity for key sectors, such as hospitality and food,” Daou said. “Given its geography, vibrant business environment and growing population, the Kingdom is constantly in search for advanced air conditioning systems that can provide comfort while supporting economic growth.”
Daou explained that the domestic market for air conditioners continued to boom due to four major factors: a growing population; the establishment of new businesses; continuous decline in equipment prices due to technological advancements; and a year-round hot climate. “These all combine to make Saudi Arabia the world’s biggest air conditioning
market,” he added. “Individual and corporate purchasers are currently on the lookout for products that are more energy efficient and eco-friendly.”
This implies that central units, split and window units, ducting and ventilation systems, refrigeration and cooling and industrial fans, vents and grills, instruments and controls, as well as district cooling, in fact, the entire range of HVACR equipment and services will continue to be in demand.
“No doubt, that the cooling
system will experience a significant positive impact to meet the cooling expectation of the new developments,” agrees Abushama. “Due to the willingness of the KSA government to allocate a significant budget on new projects, HVAC suppliers, contractors, consultant and developers should expect a good post. We are seeing many companies in the region positioning themselves in the Saudi market, looking for further potential growth.”
It is evident, therefore, that Saudi Arabia being the
country focusSAuDI ARABIA
26 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
biggest market in the region, this boom period will not only boost the HVACR sector in the country but will also act as a buffer for contractors, suppliers and developers in the region. The recent migration of many companies in the sector to the Kingdom, seeking secure and long-term operations is a testimony to this. Diversification is another strategy companies are adopting to remain ahead of the game and make inroads into the country’s expanding, but highly competitive market.
Abushama’s company, which has a registered office in the Kingdom, is targeting upcoming district cooling projects there. “We are looking for opportunities in industrial utilities,” he reveals. “We got awarded Saadiyat DCP 1, 2 and 3 in Abu Dhabi last year, to provide 50,000TR capacity. Our international experience, along with our local/GCC presence has given us the thrust to look genuinely at new projects, and we hope to become a key player in Saudi market soon.”
THE DC DEBATEThe general consensus is that the district cooling market in the Middle East is projected to achieve an annual revenue of US $2 billion during 2013, and Saudi Arabia is considered to be the strongest district cooling market in the region with over US $100 billion being awarded for construction and infrastructure projects. By 2013, the Middle East district cooling market is expected to have an additional capacity of 4.5 million tonnes of refrigeration, mainly owing to demand from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The urgently felt need to optimise energy-efficient air conditioning has resulted in the need to implement district cooling systems over traditional methods. This assertion
brings into sharp focus, the significance of district cooling, which appeared to have lost its edge, after the initial euphoric welcome the technology received in the region. It also highlights the debate regarding the efficacy of district cooling in real, measurable/calculable terms, as opposed to theoretical claims of its many advantages.
“The current market penetration share of DC in the Kingdom is minor, but there is significant development expected in the coming few years, which will attract new DC plants. However, the main challenge for the DC sector now is to restore trust from all stakeholders and specially from banks,” says Abushama, highlighting the DC dilemma. He presents both sides of the argument: “District cooling will be a key solution for the increased cooling demand in light of general power shortage across the kingdom. We believe that it stands a good chance to acquire more market share over the conventional system in the coming years. DC utilises up to 50% less power compared to the conventional one. Thus, a significant
saving will be made from the government side in reducing the capital investment on power stations. On the other hand, significant amount of green gas emissions will be eliminated, which will reduce the carbon footprint per capita and achieve better environment targets.”
However, Abushama, while arguing that the faith the region reposed in district cooling has been justified, concedes that over-sizing and building redundant capacity is a widely accepted problem that the sector is facing. “The key mistake many DC plants made was, indeed, building a large capacity for no sufficient off-takers, which has affected many DC projects,” he says. “But having said that, DC still has a clear edge over conventional systems,
when we apply correct and genuine measures. There are many DC success stories when you see master developers work closely with DC providers to generate a cooling capacity based on genuine phased demand. We cannot keep building for the ultimate capacity phase. This has to stop. We need to build to match the consumption and gradually increase the capacity as per the real requirement. If we do so, the end users will get a competitive tariff, the utility providers will get their return on investment and the banks will get the right cash flow to cover their loans.”
Speaking for Dalkia, he adds: “We are a utility provider. We develop projects under Build Operate Transfer (BOT) scheme. We operate projects for
investment in district cooling is likely to remain high due to lack of local manufacturers, with the sector having to import the equipment from overseas, which adds to the cost
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 27
long-term duration – for 20 to 25 years. We also undertake DBO and O&M projects. We work closely with master developers and appoint qualified contractors to undertake the construction side of the project. Our engineering department conducts a vigilant study at the construction site and for equipment selection to assure that we meet our obligation during the concession term. We operate our plants under stringent KPIs to provide the optimum designed efficiency, which directly reflects on electricity and water consumption.”
While this might be a utopian model, there is room
for both district cooling services and conventional air conditioning systems in a vast and rapidly growing HVACR market like Saudi Arabia. Abdullah M Abdul-Kareem, Managing Director of Alessa, a big player in the Saudi HVAC equipment sector, gives credence to this view when he says that District cooling does not pose a notable threat to the traditional HVAC segment in the region. Given the rate of growth and the introduction of new energy-saving HVAC technologies, Abdul-Kareem said that he remained unconcerned about the challenge district cooling represented to his industry.
“The (district cooling)
technology itself requires heavy investment at the start; the savings come through better usage of this type of air conditioning,” Abdul-Kareem points out, referring to the weak link in the DC chain. “The savings will only happen for the contractors who are building the houses, skyscrapers, malls and large commercial buildings, so they don’t have to worry about installing central units or local split units. As a result, it is unlikely that end users will see the benefits of these savings due to the fact that they will have to bear the cost of the initial investment through high utility bills and uneven payment schemes,
which charge users a fixed rate divided among the users in a building, a practice that is flawed in principal,” Abdul-Kareem argues.
Fresh water scarcity is another issue which affects the viability of district cooling projects. Though the use of treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) as make-up water does offer a solution, the question that George Berbari, the CEO of DC PRO Engineering, asked during The Climate Control Conference (C3) held on October 16 and 17 in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, remains to be answered: “Potable water is 10 times more expensive than TSE. Yet, we need a law for people to use it (TSE). So, is it complexity that is driving us away (from using any technology)?”
However, Abushama affirmed his allegiance to district cooling. “I am optimistic about the future for DC market in the KSA,” he says. “The commitment of the government to allocate high budget for large development, beside having robust and healthy banks which can fund new DC projects provide us with clear positive signals. I believe the DC sector still possesses a strong edge over standalone solutions. Having said that, many criteria should be met to achieve this edge, such as:• Properconstructionphasing
of the DC plant, which meets effective cooling demand• Masterdeveloperstobuild
the DC network as part of infrastructure works• Properequity/debtgearing• Theabilitytoraisefunds• Secure,guaranteedoff-take
Without these, a DC project will never meet viability parameters.”
Abdul-Kareem highlighting another obstacle, says that investment in district cooling is likely to remain high due to lack of local manufacturers, with the sector having to
Looking To THE sun ACCorDing To A nEws rELEAsE, sAuDi ArABiA pLAns To DErivE 10% of iTs ELECTriCAL suppLy from THE sun, AnD EvEnTuALLy EmErgE As THE worLD’s LArgEsT sourCE of soLAr EnErgy. THE sAuDi govErnmEnT HopEs THAT THE CounTry wiLL BE ABLE To gEnErATE 5 gigAwATTs of soLAr EnErgy By 2020.
The news release goes on to say that the government expects the move will create up to 15,000 jobs and encourage the development of solar farms and plants for processing of raw materials and assembly, and other related facilities. Investors have already pledged more than three billion US Dollars to fund solar panel
component plants in Al Madinah province’s Yanbu port and in Jubail city in the Eastern province, the report revealed. (“Solar energy to generate 10 per cent of electricity production in Saudi Arabia by 2020”, January 8, 2012, http://www.saudi-energy.com)
Tawfiq M Attari, Technical and Sales Director for MENA Market, DuctSox, believes that the aggressive move to harness solar energy will give a boost to the country’s HVACR sector. “This is because logically, electricity will become cheaper, and consequently, installation of air conditioning units and ducting systems will increase,” he said. “In fact, I think it will increase the entire quantum of investment in the Saudi market, not just in the solar energy sector, but in the industry subsidiary, which will increase the number of factories, which, in turn, will increase the HVACR requirement for them.”
Ahmad Abushama, Director, Business Development, Dalkia Utilities Co, Dubai, thinks that this spells good news for his company. “Dalkia has over than 100MW of installed capacity for solar power plants using PV technology,” he reveals. “We have executed several solar plants in Europe and are looking to apply the same here in the GCC market. Recently, our consortium was shortlisted to undertake the feasibility study of 50MW CSP plant in Jordan. Though solar power is not yet mature in the GCC region, yet I believe it will be a very good alternative, which can partially offset the large dependence on using fossil fuels. The effect of solar energy on the HVACR sector is indirectly positive. We will see more studies regarding having DC powered by hybrid systems – conventional Power and solar.”
country focusSAuDI ARABIA
28 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
import the equipment from overseas, which adds to the costs. His verdict, which is echoed by others in the sector in the Kingdom is that the benefits of district cooling warrant a more rigorous scrutiny.
THE rETrofiT sEgmEnTInterrogating the general perception that the practice of retrofitting has not taken roots in the region, as the construction sector is relatively new, Attari believes that there is a lucrative retrofit market in the GCC and in Saudi Arabia. “We have a special department following the retrofit market, as there are a lot of supermarkets and shops which have approached us for our services,” he says. “And they usually change the entire establishment from inside. This gives us an opportunity to give the fastest and cheapest solution by using our ducting system.”
Abushama agrees, and says: “The retrofit segment has a good potential for major industrial players, such as Aramco and SABIC and others. We see more interest from those clients to outsource the utility services to specialised companies, while focusing on their core business. Energy performance contract is one area that starts to attract more attention from major industrial players. Dalkia has extensive experience in this field, and we have a lot of success stories, where we have managed to save significant amount of energy.”
rEnTALsAbushama believes that the rental services is a good solution for small cooling capacity, and can be used as an intermediate solution till a permanent cooling plant becomes ready. “The challenge we face today with rental solution is to get a good diesel fuel price when power is not
available,” he says.Attari thinks that rentals
have a limited scope in the country. “It can be used only in some applications like wedding and exhibition tents,” he said.
This coincides with the general opinion of experts. The participants at The Climate Control Conference (C3), on October 16 and 17 in Al Khobar were of the opinion that long-term rental solution was not viable as it was not feasible to develop a mobile heat-recovery system.
CHALLEngEsThe Saudi HVACR market looks upbeat, riding as it is, on the promise of an ever-growing property and infrastructure sector. But there are a few niggling worries which might threaten to metamorphose into a full-blown crisis, as it did in the UAE on the eve of the global economic meltdown.
The country is facing a huge shortage in the residential sector that might keep prices high, despite increased government
We have a special department following the retrofit market, as there are a lot of supermarkets and shops which have approached us for our services
“grEEn” pAinTs
Last June, Jotun launched ‘Jotashield Extreme’ to address increased demand for heat reflective and eco-friendly paints in Saudi Arabia. In a news release dated June 27, the company said that Saudi Arabia continued
to be the GCC’s largest and most dynamic infrastructure market with over $100 billion-worth of infrastructure projects underway and $80 billion-worth of pledged housing projects, according to the latest edition of the Saudi Arabia Infrastructure Report for the Third Quarter of 2011 from Business Monitor International (BMI). In this light, Jotun believed that there was a demand for heat reflective and eco-friendly paints. To help address this, the company revealed that launch of ‘Jotashield Extreme’, had been introduced into the Saudi market, as it provided thermal indoor comfort.
Paint products could ably reflect heat and the damaging effects of the sun, the news release said and pointed out that the continuing development in urban areas in Saudi Arabia is expected to produce an Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect – a phenomenon where metropolitan areas become slightly warmer than its surrounding rural areas. “Studies have shown that the temperatures in urban air domes in Saudi Arabia can run up to 40C warmer than the surrounding countryside,” Jotun said. “The UHI effect prompts an increase in air conditioning costs and also creates more air pollutants.” The company claimed that Jotashield Extreme provided significant temperature reductions upon application.
This is evidence of the fact that the paint segment is becoming a part of the HVACR sector.
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residential, commercial and mixed-use buildings account for a large share of the power consumption in Saudi Arabia,
with HVAC systems consuming nearly 70% of a building’s total power load. In such a scenario, district cooling and cogeneration systems appear to be viable solutions to reduce the strain on the country’s power grid and, at the same time, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions through reduced burning of fossil fuels. According to global data, district cooling can reduce HVACR-related power consumption by 50%.
Given the energy dilemma that Saudi Arabia is facing, cogeneration could play a significant role in alleviating the problem in the Kingdom. To begin with, a myth that needs to be dispelled is that cogeneration is not a feasible option for the country. This came to light during the Climate Control Conference (C3) held in Al Khobar on October 16 and 17, 2011. The participants said that, contrary to popular belief, cogeneration was happening in several parts of Saudi Arabia, and that micro-turbines in the country were a reality.
Cogeneration made sense, they said, considering the losses experienced in the country during generation and during transmission and distribution. Substation losses in Saudi Arabia were in the region of 10%, where T&D losses came to about 15%. Against this backdrop, they said, cogeneration was much more feasible and appealing than a combined cycle regimen.
The experts at the conference asked and answered several valid questions. Their relevance to the country’s HVACR sector warrants highlighting them here:
what is the impact of doing the either centrifugal or absorption on capex, irr and maintenance?The experts were of the opinion that:Wherever water and steam are involved in the region, salt and other impurities cannot be avoided as also chemicals.
If absorption is the way forward, should we opt for double-effect or single-effect?The experts were of the opinion that:• It depends on the application,
availability of funds and the availability of technology to produce
the double effect.• As long as it is financially feasible,
double-effect is better. If not, single-effect is better.
• The advantage of double-effect is a better COP.
• The disadvantage is cost and availability of technology to produce lower-vacuum vessels.
• If Delta P is high, you need thicker steel plates to make the vessels.
• If you have thick steel, you need a machine to roll it. Indeed, if steel becomes very thick, you might not be able to find a rolling machine that can roll very thick steel. Even if you find a special machine to do it, the cost goes up.
• Double-effect needs three different levels of pressure vessels rather than two.
what is the capacity of absorption chillers that can be produced?The experts were of the opinion that:• Knowing the electrical power output
of a gas turbine (MW), you can approximate the capacity of your absorption machines by multiplying the MW power of the gas turbine by 0.7 or 0.6 to get the MW cooling of the absorption machines.
• In the case of diesel generators, you produce about 50% of the absorption cooling from a gas turbine due to lower exhaust temperature.
Can we zero in on a formula to establish a relationship between power generation and cooling capacity in centrifugal chillers?The experts were of the opinion that:It is possible, but hard to pinpoint specific figures due to variations in equipment efficiency.
Trigen using diesel engine – is it ideal for small capacity? what is the maximum capacity of diesel engine?The experts were of the opinion that:If choosing the diesel option, the flow depends on how big the diesel engine is.• Trigen using diesel engine is a viable
option.• The most crucial aspect for selecting
an engine manufacturer are: o Good track record in Saudi Arabia o Strong after-sales support
if opting for the steam turbine approach, is it recommended to go for a double-stage steam turbine? And what power can be generated from a double-stage steam turbine?The experts were of the opinion that:High-efficiency steam turbines driving centrifugal compressors constitute a good alternative.
what is the highest Cop possible?The experts were of the opinion that:Double-effect absorption chillers have a COP of 1.25 to 1.35.
Another expert speaks …How should the country/sector make use of power plants to recover waste heat in power generation? should it opt for centrifugal or absorption chillers in a bid to create a cogen regimen?When we posed these questions to Ahmad Abushama, Business Development Director, Dalkia Utilities, had this to say:
“The industrial parties still focus on core business, and very little has been done to utilise the wasted heat. The selection between centrifugal or absorption chillers depends on feed fuel availability. If we have adequate amount of waste heat with the right temperature, absorption chiller would be, for sure, a better choice.”
When asked whether district cooling could reduce peak demand by 55% with TSE, his response was: “It depends on the end user’s profile. If DC serves different types of buildings or multi-use development, where each building meets its peak at different times, then we can achieve high peak reduction. TSE plays a key role in reducing the peak demand, which has a direct effect in reducing the plant power capacity.”
A CogEn(T) DisCussion
country focusSAuDI ARABIA
During C3 Doha
30 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
DATA CEnTrEs– A winDow of opporTuniTy
As the global output of data is growing exponentially, so are data centres, which need to keep pace with the demand for processing, storing and delivering huge quantities of data through a vast global network of
several billion devices. Consequently, the number of server units has been growing annually. According to pike research, a business intelligence and research firm, global revenue of data centre infrastructures is expected to jump from $7.5 billion to $41.4 billion in 2015. The increased density of servers brings with it challenges in terms of accumulated heat load ‘hotspots’. sophisticated iT technology is needed for uninterrupted business continuity. Data centres, therefore, need to factor in energy costs. Thus, metering, monitoring and controlling energy use has gained importance.
it is imperative that data centres need to be kept cool – maintained at a well-regulated temperature deploying high quality and reliable cooling systems – given the sensitive work handled by them. The HvAC industry, therefore, plays a pivotal role in ensuring that data centres function smoothly, with the cooling equipment performing efficiently.
in addition to cooling, data centres require state-of-the-art air filtration equipment to ensure a dust-free environment. This is a critical need, given the valuable data stored and transferred by data centres. Energy benchmarking is key to improving energy performance, providing a top-level indicator of potential savings.
with rapid all-round growth of saudi Arabia, the country’s data centres play a crucial role in the seamless functioning of governmental and non-governmental sectors. in this regard, the country’s HvAC equipment and services have an onerous task of creating a clean environment at the required temperature for the country’s data centres in a cost-effective manner. it is, indeed, a challenge, given the levels of heat and dust in the region.
with the kingdom facing an impending energy shortage, data centres are investing in new technologies. in this regard, “green” data centre infrastructure investments are expected to grow rapidly, which help cut energy costs, but still provide superior protection for highly sensitive equipment. This presents both an opportunity and challenge to the HvAC market in the kingdom. Data centre energy efficiency retrofits is also another niche market the sector can explore.
Active energy management is an important aspect which is gaining ground. in this regard, integrated systems not only monitor cooling efficiency, but also many other features, which can have an impact on the overall energy usage. Current consumption and power flows need to be analysed through power-monitoring devices, E-counters and communication-capable circuit breakers, to achieve energy efficiency. in fact, many data centers, including one in riyadh, reportedly use free cooling at certain times of the year, as a cost-reduction and sustainable strategy.
However, a holistic approach is needed for better energy use. This can be achieved via communication interfaces, through which, devices can be integrated into high-level building automation and energy management systems to get the total picture.
spending on infrastructure and housing schemes. An Oxford Business Group report pegs it at 8.9% for the 12-month term. Concurrently, there is a steep increase in fuel and other real estate-related services. This, along with rising food costs could contribute to further upward pressure as demand fuelled by higher incomes and stronger spending power continues to rise, warns the report. (Oxford Business Group, May 1, 2012) This will adversely affect the HVACR sector.
According to the Saudi Economic Survey, there is a demand-supply mismatch in the residential sector, with only 35% of locals reportedly owning homes, of which, low and middle-income households make up 80% of the current unmet demand. (“Saudi property prices to
rise as ‘demand grows’”, Saudi Economic Survey, http://saudieconomicsurvey.com/2012/01/saudi-property-prices-to-rise-as-demand-grows/) This, too, will have a ripple effect on the HVACR sector.
Lending a different perspective to the scenario, Dubai-based contracting company, Arabtec Holding, which operates in Saudi Arabia, has said that the Kingdom’s real estate market would be the growth story of the region, but has sounded a caveat that prices will not rise too much, “as supply will increase greatly” in the country. (“Saudi property prices to rise as ‘demand grows’”, Saudi Economic Survey) If this prediction comes true, Saudi Arabia might find itself in the same predicament Dubai is in
, Yo u r t r u s t e d pa rt n e r f o r Yo u r
e n g i n e e r i n g , e n e r g Y a n d e n v i ro n m e n t s o l u t i o n s
e n g i n e e r i n g e n e r g y e n v i r o n m e n t
– being a victim of the reversal of the supply-demand mismatch. This will, once again, have a spillover effect on the Saudi HVACR sector.
Continuing regional instability might prove to be a chink in the Saudi armour. A fertile “oasis” market amidst an arid regional desert could lead to overcrowding, unhealthy undercutting and ergo, fierce competition. The Kingdom cannot continue to be a low-hanging fruit which the regional players can help themselves to for long, without the market showing the strain.
But by far, the real and immediate challenge to the mega projects, and thereby to the HVACR sector, is the power crisis the Kingdom faces. This is, indeed, ironic because, the country has the world’s largest oil reserves, the 5th largest proven gas reserves and the world’s largest swing capacity for oil production. However, the country has an insatiable thirst for energy. It produces 11 million barrels of oil a day, of which, above three million barrels a day goes towards domestic consumption, mostly for generating power. By 2030, the country will use an estimated eight million barrels a day for domestic consumption. At the current rate of domestic consumption of fossil fuels, it is expected to nearly triple by 2030. As a corollary (at the current rate), energy peak demand is expected to exceed 120 GW by 2032, analysts say. Given the alarming forecast of energy demand growth, power security is very much on the government’s radar. Tapping alternative energy sources, especially
solar and nuclear power, and increasing the Kingdom’s share of global oil production are seen as possible solutions. The country is, in fact, perusing an aggressive policy of moving towards alternative sources of energy, with an avowed plan to derive 10% of its electrical supply from the sun by 2020. (See Box: Looking to the sun)
Along with its commitment to sustainable energy, the country also needs to usher in tough policy reforms in areas, such as domestic pricing of energy.
In this context, the verdict of the industry insiders who participated in the C3 2011 at Al Khobar is instructive. Acknowledging the power challenges facing the Kingdom, the delegates and participants believed that electricity subsidy remained a barrier to district cooling and cogeneration. Fifteen years ago, it was 15 Halalas/kwh, they said. Today, it has come to five Halalas/kwh, which surely is not a normal pricing policy. Subsidy and over-sizing, they said, were two bad words in the region. The objection to cogeneration and district cooling, they thought, was the slab rate system and also subsidised power. Subsidies, they agreed, were not tenable, considering the substantial shortage of electricity.
ConCLusionSaudi Arabia is poised for growth. At least in the foreseeable future, the country’s mega projects and the HVACR sector will enjoy a healthy symbiotic relationship. The HVACR market has provided the much-needed lifeline for the region, and is expected to continue to play the
24 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2012 | DUBAI, UAE24 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2012 | DUBAI, UAE
SUPPORTING ASSOCIATION
Engineering Energy Environment
KNOWLEDGE PARTNERS
MEDIA PARTNERS
WWW.REFRIGERANTSREVIEW.COM
KEY ACTIVITY: Assessment and rating of refrigerants
ROUND 1 OF REFRIGERANTS REVIEW, in March 2012, thrust different types of refrigerants into the spotlight from a Middle Eastern perspective and, at the same time, gave an international overview on the state of affairs.
ROUND 2 will continue the assessment process, with a heightened involvement of end-users. Also in the picture will be government agencies, investigation bodies and enforcement groups, especially considering that there will be considerable focus on counterfeit refrigerants.
HEAD LINESPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
ASSOCIATE SPONSOR
Natural refrigerants, HCFCs, HFC, HFOs Reclaiming and recycling of refrigerants Counterfeit refrigerants Toxicity concerns
Tumours, liver damage and other health concerns Is it as simple as pointing the fi nger at only natural refrigerants?
FOCUS Natural refrigerants and district cooling
SPOTLIGHT End-user case studies
WHO WILL ATTEND? Implementation bodies Government agencies End-users Suppliers Service providers
24 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2012 | DUBAI, UAE24 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2012 | DUBAI, UAE
SUPPORTING ASSOCIATION
Engineering Energy Environment
KNOWLEDGE PARTNERS
MEDIA PARTNERS
WWW.REFRIGERANTSREVIEW.COM
KEY ACTIVITY: Assessment and rating of refrigerants
ROUND 1 OF REFRIGERANTS REVIEW, in March 2012, thrust different types of refrigerants into the spotlight from a Middle Eastern perspective and, at the same time, gave an international overview on the state of affairs.
ROUND 2 will continue the assessment process, with a heightened involvement of end-users. Also in the picture will be government agencies, investigation bodies and enforcement groups, especially considering that there will be considerable focus on counterfeit refrigerants.
HEAD LINESPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
ASSOCIATE SPONSOR
Natural refrigerants, HCFCs, HFC, HFOs Reclaiming and recycling of refrigerants Counterfeit refrigerants Toxicity concerns
Tumours, liver damage and other health concerns Is it as simple as pointing the fi nger at only natural refrigerants?
FOCUS Natural refrigerants and district cooling
SPOTLIGHT End-user case studies
WHO WILL ATTEND? Implementation bodies Government agencies End-users Suppliers Service providers
country focusSAuDI ARABIA
leading role. This might encourage overconfidence and overspending. What it needs to be wary of is the possibility of sudden, steep rise or fall in real estate price, both of which could prove detrimental to the HVACR segment, with Dubai being the case in point.
There are too many players trying to elbow each other out in an overcrowded arena. While this could lead to better technology and an improved product range, cost considerations could dictate market trends, leading to substandard equipment and services.
Attari voices this worry when he says that one of the challenges is the poor quality of equipment from fake suppliers, which tarnishes the reputation of the industry in the market and adversely affects the prices. “But when it comes to mega projects, manufacturers of spurious or substandard products cannot compete, because government consultants and investors will not accept low-quality goods,” he assures.
“In the final analysis, what developers demand in terms of energy efficiency, reliability and capital costs are as follows: a) For commercial applications – price and energy efficiencyb) For industrial applications – energy efficiency, quality and pricec) For the government – quality, energy efficiency and then the price,” Attari says, listing customer priorities.
“End users – homeowners and facilities managers – have become quality conscious, and have an array of players to choose from. Consequently, they demand products with optimum efficiency at the lowest possible cost or tariffs,” Abushama adds, and explains that a company like his has to tick several items on a checklist: “As a developer, we look at the lifecycle assessment of our projects. We evaluate the CAPEX and OPEX along with applying stringent KPIs. Hence, we go through stringent criteria to evaluate which product and equipment we should use. At the end
of the day, we have to make sure that we achieve a good return on investment to our shareholders while we deliver reliable and efficient services to our end users.”
The major worry, however, is the country’s looming power crisis. The Kingdom needs to earnestly and aggressively address the issue, and find sustainable solutions and effective energy management, as registering the world’s highest energy consumption per capita does not bode well for the economy and the market.
Despite the challenges, the general mood in the HVACR street is upbeat. Attari echoes this when he says: “I think the market is promising and has potential. All the reputed
suppliers will get a good market share in Saudi Arabia. The government is strong and financially healthy. It has taken appropriate and well-considered steps to boost the economy. I think the HVACR sector should be optimistic about the market.”
Yes, indeed, the Saudi domestic market is booming, and it augurs well for the region. But it is still suffering from the after-shocks of the global and regional economic crisis.
No one wants to take the country’s robust growth for granted, as a lot of hope and faith is riding on it. Things, somehow, seem too good to be true. The unasked question in everybody’s minds is: How long will it last? n
erraTumThe photo of azaam messaykeh of JCi in the may 2012 issue of Climate Control Middle East (cover story: The energy Champions) appeared with the caption, samer Tabbara. The error is deeply regretted. --editor
i think the market is promising and has potential. all the reputed suppliers will get a good market share in Saudi arabia
Self-actualisation – aiming for the sublime in HVACR innovation and business practices8 broad categories | 25 specifi c categories
AREAS OF FOCUS:
Consultancy, contracting, AHUs, FCUs, large-tonnage chillers, controls, cooling towers, piping systems, multi-splits, RACs, small chillers, DX systems, compressors, insulated panels, transport refrigeration, ventilation, ducting, fi re safety, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, paints, lighting, glass/fi lm
THE BROAD AWARD CATEGORIES ARE
Architecture Building performance District cooling Food safety Carbon and HVACR HVACR personality of the year Standalone systems Refrigeration (food & beverages industry)
A peek into the workings of MP3The atmospheric air has to undergo several stages in order to reach a quality which is fit for humans to breathe. The common approach to conditioning the air is filtering it and removing heat from it. The general erroneous assumption is that the job is done once these two conditions have been achieved. However, air distribution is an important and final segment of the process. MP3’s team is aware that mere conditioning of the air is not enough. It is the proper diffusion of air which completes the entire process. This requires appropriate air diffusion solutions that are both environmentally friendly and practically applicable.
This presupposes selecting suitable air diffusion products, which requires an understanding of the underlying parameters of air diffusion techniques. This is achieved by an effective and efficient tool, such as the integrated CFD program, which makes it possible to ascertain the exact effect of the flow of air by allowing the simulation and distribution of the speed of air injected from the diffusers inside a room, no matter what its dimension and shape. The simulation ensures a scientific dry run to calculate and perfect the process of air distribution and, thereby, comfort, before the product finally
Fluid dynamics simulation – the three simple words encapsulate the MP3
mantra that defines its air diffusion systems and has transformed the technology of air distribution. This is at the core of the MP3 technology that differentiates its products from others. At MP3, a dedicated team of engineers studies air motion on the basis of the physical laws of fluid and thermal dynamics to provide to its customers world-class products that serve them well.
The MP3 philosophyEstablished in 2002, MP3, Italy’s number one manufacturer of diffusers and aeraulic components, and one of the world’s leading companies in the field, chose to focus on research and development from the very outset. Today, backed by a decade of experience, it boasts of an array of high-performance products. Standing firmly on its four pillars – product innovation, production, automation and quality solutions – MP3 is known,
not only for products that are the result of advanced research and know-how, but also for adhering to strict efficiency parameters.
Diffusing air to achieve the required thermal comfort demands in-depth knowledge of air engineering. With this as the goal, at MP3, a team of experts study air motion on the basis of the physical laws of fluid and thermodynamics, as the company believes in approaching air diffusion from a technical perspective. In fact, this has proved to be the key to the company’s success.
ADVERTORIAL
MP3 AT THE VAnguARD OF THE HVAC SECTORToday’s savvy customers not only seek ambient comfort but also demand that it is packaged as a cost-effective sustainable solution. This is where MP3 scores, as its products embody a seamless blend of the art and science of air diffusion, says Michele Paccagnella
36 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
reaches the customers.But today’s discerning
customers do not gauge a product’s quality by the criterion of comfort alone. Cost effectiveness and sustainability are two other stringent parameters that need to be met. It is, therefore, crucial for designers and contractors to consider the impact of air diffusion selection on power consumption and the overall performance of the HVAC system. This is where MP3 meets expectations and surpasses it by walking that extra mile to offer intelligent solutions for green buildings.
Advanced CFD simulation technologies facilitate appropriate product selection by virtue of conducting necessary optimisation tests on systems at the planning stage itself. This guarantees improved performance and substantial time and costs savings.
The decision to use simulations with CFD, integrates the commitment that MP3 has made in the past years in the area of noise analysis by carrying out numerous tests and evaluations at prestigious international laboratories. The entire process of production at all stages is choreographed as a flexible and seamless sequence. The high level of process computerisation allows detailed monitoring, so that customers can be constantly updated on the status of their order.
It is thus evident that the technical and design departments allow the creation of customised solutions to meet and surpass the needs of customers and consultants.
Today, MP3 is a
benchmark in the world of aeraulic components, not only for its size and production volumes, but also, and above all, for the superior quality of its products, the high level of attention to detail and its customer-centric approach.
MP3 and Energo join hands to prove that unity is strengthStarted a few years ago, and driven by its R&D endeavours, MP3 has been involved in an innovative line of research to obtain and publish technical data for the selection of its own products. In collaboration with Energo Research Centre, it has developed an exclusive aeronautics- derived test protocol to precisely test the behaviour and performance of its products, especially in the prototyping phase.
According to MP3’s design team, the integrated CFD program allows building diffuser models in all types of environment. The collaboration between MP3 and Energo, has therefore, proved that studies simulating the exact installation environment of the products while at the same time taking into account all the necessary variables, like the arrangement of the extraction points, furniture layout, presence of heat sources, heat conduction of glass surfaces and seasonal changes, indeed, pays rich dividends, both to the manufacturer and the customer.
TO LEARn FuRTHER AbOuT MP3 PRODuCTS, PLEASE COnTACTMichele PaccagnellaManaging Director and Partner, MP3E-mail: [email protected]: http://www.mp3-italia.it
A gLIMPSE OF MP3 PRODuCTS…The Thermostatic DiffuserIt is an adjustable diffuser in all directions with a maximum inclination of ±30º. It comes with automatic regulation (without electric feeding help) by a thermostatic actuator set up of special shape memorising material in nickel-titanium.
When the inlet air is warm (heating condition) the actuator moves the flow towards the lower part. While when the inlet air is cold (cooling condition), the actuator moves it towards the upper part, following the deflection angle previously calculated.
The KV-CTThis does not require to be pre-regulated in the beginning. It can be mounted on duct, wall or plenum and can be regulated later. The deflection angle regulation is simple and intuitive through mechanical halts assisted by a coloured scale placed inside the connection.The diffuser works in a temperature range between l5ºC and 40ºC. At an average temperature of 25ºC, the deflection angle is 0º. Figure 1 A shows that in case of cooling, the thermostatic actuator moves the flow upward, while Figure 1 B shows that the actuator moves the flow downwards as far as the temperature increases, which favours hot air inlet in the occupied zone.
Figure 1A: Flow in cooling
Figure 1b: Flow in heating
Air distribution in airportsMP3 provides intelligent designs to serve the air diffusion needs of airports, considering they include such variables as differing heights of indoor spaces, installations and human occupancy.
Eros GroupPO Box 1184 Dubai, UAET: +971-4-2666216 F: +971-4-2694778www.erosgroup.ae
www.sekisuipilon.com.au
THE BENCHMARK IN CROSSLINKED POLYOLEFIN INSULATIONSince its introduction in 1986, Thermobreak Thermal insulation has become the benchmark in crosslinked polyolefin insulation. Manufactured by the Sekisui Chemical Group, the world’s largest polyolefin foam manufacturer, Thermobreak utilises Sekisui’s own Physically Crosslinked technology, which offers many advantages over conventional chemically crosslinked technology such as lower thermal conductivity and vapour permeability. All plants operate under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Standards.
Since its introduction in the Middle East in 1996, Thermobreak has been setting the standard in quality, reliability, performance and safety standards. It has proved its performance with over 500 projects in the Middle East, including the landmark projects such as Dubai Health Care City, Sidra Hospital, and Hamad Medical City at Doha, Qatar.
Testing & Certification As part of Sekisui’s corporate policy, all tests performed on Thermobreak are done with ISO 17025 accredited laboratories. This assures clientele of verified certification and results performed by laboratories that are accredited to perform such tests and do so under strict guidance to the test procedures. Whilst many test certificates are circulated by insulation suppliers, not all are performed by reputable and accredited laboratories and not all are performed according to the relevant Standard.
Third party certification such as FM (Factory Mutual) and UL are a further guarantee and reassurance of the high safety standards pursued by Sekisui, due to the follow programs and verifications that are involved. Large scale fire tests such as FM 4924 are extremely demanding and only a handful of insulation manufacturers have been successful. Thermobreak tube has been granted FM approval.
Eros GroupPO Box 1184 Dubai, UAET: +971-4-2666216 F: +971-4-2694778www.erosgroup.ae
www.sekisuipilon.com.au
THE BENCHMARK IN CROSSLINKED POLYOLEFIN INSULATIONSince its introduction in 1986, Thermobreak Thermal insulation has become the benchmark in crosslinked polyolefin insulation. Manufactured by the Sekisui Chemical Group, the world’s largest polyolefin foam manufacturer, Thermobreak utilises Sekisui’s own Physically Crosslinked technology, which offers many advantages over conventional chemically crosslinked technology such as lower thermal conductivity and vapour permeability. All plants operate under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Standards.
Since its introduction in the Middle East in 1996, Thermobreak has been setting the standard in quality, reliability, performance and safety standards. It has proved its performance with over 500 projects in the Middle East, including the landmark projects such as Dubai Health Care City, Sidra Hospital, and Hamad Medical City at Doha, Qatar.
Testing & Certification As part of Sekisui’s corporate policy, all tests performed on Thermobreak are done with ISO 17025 accredited laboratories. This assures clientele of verified certification and results performed by laboratories that are accredited to perform such tests and do so under strict guidance to the test procedures. Whilst many test certificates are circulated by insulation suppliers, not all are performed by reputable and accredited laboratories and not all are performed according to the relevant Standard.
Third party certification such as FM (Factory Mutual) and UL are a further guarantee and reassurance of the high safety standards pursued by Sekisui, due to the follow programs and verifications that are involved. Large scale fire tests such as FM 4924 are extremely demanding and only a handful of insulation manufacturers have been successful. Thermobreak tube has been granted FM approval.
Eros GroupPO Box 1184 Dubai, UAET: +971-4-2666216 F: +971-4-2694778www.erosgroup.ae
www.sekisuipilon.com.au
Thermobreak has been tested to most international smoke and fire standards including BS 476, AS1530.3, ASTM E84, ISO5659, and BS 6853. It complies with NFPA 90A and 90B including the latest requirement to ASTM C411, a test requiring the insulation to be exposed to 120C for 96 hours. Fire and smoke test results are affected by the thickness of the material. Passing a test at 10mm thickness, does not mean that 25mm will also pass. Thermobreak testing is done on highest and lowest thicknesses of the product, thus providing safety assurance for any thickness used.
Thermobreak is tested on low and high thickness to reassure that a higher thickness like 25 mm should also pass.
Green Product Sekisui’s commitment to green products, protection of the environment and Indoor Air Quality are evident in the properties of Thermobreak. It offers a number of advantages that can accumulate points under the LEED system. It complies with Green Star requirements in terms of VOC content and has been recently approved for Masdar projects (www.thefuturebuild.com). Indoor Air Quality requirements under the Green Building Guide are assured by Green Star compliance as well as ASTM G21 tests for Anti Microbial properties.
Insulation properties for long term performanceThermal conductivity and Vapour permeability are at the heart of any insulation material and should be key considerations in any selection of insulation. Thermal conductivity is a measure of how good an insulating material is. Thermobreak offers the lowest thermal conductivity of any flexible insulation material. Despite certain claims, Physically crosslinked polyolefin ALWAYS offers better thermal conductivity than chemically crosslinked technology. This is due to the smaller cell size of physically crosslinked foam.
As any other building material, its properties are affected by the environment over time. Thermal conductivity (k) is one such property. Thermal conductivity is affected by vapour permeating into the insulation. Insulation performance and therefore energy costs will be affected over time if the thermal conductivity of the material changes from design data. Thermobreak exhibits very stable thermal conductivity over a 10 year period due to its physically crosslinked structure, as well as use of thicker reinforced aluminium foil composite. Its vapour permeability surpasses even the conventional canvas and coating systems.
SIDRA HOSPITAL
HAMAD MEDICAL CITY
PHYSICALLYC R O S S L I N K E DS E K I S U I T E C H N O L O G Y
event round-upC3 Doha
A time to introspect …
Actand40 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
ahead?•What macro directions
should the industry take, vis-à-vis water usage?
• Out of the current and future expected water consumption of the country, what is the percentage needed by district cooling?
• Is it worth the exercise?• If yes, would the
possible savings, using latest technologies and available options, also be worth the exercise?
The two-day conference, which saw technical presentations and panel discussions, with a spotlight on challenges and recent advancements in cooling towers, endeavoured to answer a host of questions by examining the various technologies and options, and listened to the received wisdom offered by the experts in the industry.
With the tagline: “This time around, we are talking water!” C3 Doha had the avowed mission of some soul-searching. The tagline and the theme reflected the
subtext – water is going to be a scarce commodity in Qatar and something needs to be done, and soon. According to estimates, water demand in Qatar will go up from 1.1 million m3/day in 2011 to 2.1 million m3/day in 2020. A large part of this increase is attributed to the needs of a growing population. Currently, the country depends largely on seawater desalination. But it evidently comes with a fine print – endangering the marine ecosystem.
The various presentations and panel discussions addressed these and related topics and came out with pertinent observations and recommendations. Fadhel Al Kazema, Tekneen Utilities, Kuwait clubbed the twin issues water and district cooling under discussion and hit the nail on its head when he said: “There is need to lower domestic oil consumption. You might reach a stage when there is no oil to export. And district cooling can help in reducing power consumption, which is generated through burning
fossil fuels.” It was, indeed, time to face up to the water situation in Qatar and the region, especially in relation to district cooling. The recommendations and observations of the delegates and participants painted a stark picture of the ground reality. It was also a wakeup call: The time for procrastination is over. It is time to act.
“Very soon, we will see a desalination plant every 200 kilometres in the GCC region,” said a participant, adding, “every year, we are going to increase the salinity of water. So, it is time to take stock of water.” Literally. And take stock the participants and delegates did. Held against the backdrop of water shortage in the world, across the region and Qatar, where the event took place, The Climate Control Conference with its avowed theme: “Optimising water use in district cooling, exploring macro-directions”, squarely faced up to a few pertinent questions:•What are the lessons
learnt so far?•What are the challenges
V
Around 700 million people in 43 countries suffer from water scarcity. The alarming situation is closer home than we think. Awareness campaigns to educate people about water savings is not enough. The assessment system is not enough. We need regulations and we need to enforce them. Aggressive policies
need to be implemented. And when it comes to district cooling, an integrated approach, taking into account cost-effective
technologies and environmental impact mitigation is the need of the hour. These were the points hammered home during The
Climate Control Conference (C3) Doha on April 10 and 11.
By 2025, we will likely end up in Very BAd stAte: 1.8 Billion people will Be liVing in countries or regions with “ABsolute wAter scArcity”. And two-thirds of the world’s populAtion could Be liVing under “wAter stressed” conditions
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 41
event round-upC3 Doha EXCERPTS
• Around 700 million people in 43 countries suffer from water scarcity.
•Water stress is defined as the situation where annual water supplies drop below 1,700 m3 per person.
• In the case of water scarcity, the annual water supplies drop below 1,000 m3 per person.
• In the case of absolute water scarcity, annual water supplies drop below “500 m3 per person
• By 2025, we will likely end up in very bad state: 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with “Absolute Water Scarcity”. And two-thirds of the world’s population could be living under “Water Stressed” conditions.
• According to Kahramaa, water demand in Qatar is expected to double from 1.1 million m3/day to 2.1 million m3/day by 2020.
• In the GCC, average rainfall varies between 70 and 140 mm a year.
•Water consumption is increasing by eight to 10% every year.
• Very soon, we will see a desalination plant every 200 kilometres in the GCC region, which is a cause for concern. Every year, we are going to increase the salinity of water.
• The next time you put up a desalination plant, you will be forced to desalinate 8,000 ppm water instead of 4,000 ppm water, which means you will need to put more energy towards the desalination process to accommodate the additional ppm in the water.
• The year-on-year growth in production of water in Qatar is 9.7%, which is quite alarming.
• Equally of concern is NRW (Non Revenue Water) – leakage – which is quite high in Qatar; Kahramaa is trying to reduce the figure.
• According to Kahramaa, water leakage is estimated at 20%.
ANToINE STEPHAN, Hamon CTC was of the opinion that:• There is no data on
losses or damages on cooling towers, because it really is a case-by-case basis, depending on the application and depending on the age. Of
ALI SLEIMAN, ADC Energy Systems, said:More than ethics, the issue really is with the subsidising of water and power, which is affecting the habits and cultural view of water resources, in general. Unless we take efforts to find where the leakages are and fix them, we will not achieve what we want.
FADHEL AL KAZEMA, Tekneen Utilities, Kuwait:• There is need for implementation of
integration of infrastructure to include production of electricity in new cities, allowing exchange of power between the city energy production and the national grid, to be utilised in case of emergency or both.
• All GCC countries subsidise power. Cost of producing electricity in Kuwait is 38 fils per kilowatt hour, and they sell it for 2 fils. This is not realistic. When you opt for district
cooling, you can deal with these things.• It is important to address district energy and
not district cooling.• Let owners, construction managers and
consultants provide outcome managements and refrain from exaggerated project input management. It is important to increase the integration of infrastructure services to lower fossil fuel usage and to increase alternative energy and technology and wastewater treatment.
GHALEB ABUSAA, The Three Factors Company, believed that:
• It is not fair to blame the cooling tower manufacturers, because the design could be at fault, and also the O&M could be a problem. Improper cleaning of the cooling tower, for instance, can have an impact on its performance.
• The owner wants the cooling tower to be the best in the world, the engineer will put all the precautions in the world to ensure it will work in any conditions, and this is not the best approach. In Qatar, they design it at 32 for throughout the year. Why this practice?
SALAH NEZAR, Qatar Project Management (QPM), listed the following facts:
course, you have to go by CTI recommendations and ensure proper servicing of electro-mechanical equipment. It is important to check on the fill, empty spaces, etc. If you ensure proper maintenance, you can easily reach a life expectancy of 25 years. You have to monitor the operations, and that is according to the first design conditions we have.
42 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
RADHIA MCHIRGUI, 3E – Energy and Environment Engineering, Qatar:• The per capita water consumption
in Qatar is 310 litres.• The water network loss (leakage) is
evaluated at 35%.• The existing infrastructure for re-
use of treated sewage effluent (TSE) is very poor in Qatar; almost 40% of TSE is thrown away.
HASSAN SULTAN, President of ASHRAE oryx Chapter and the Director of Mechanical Department, MZ & Partners (Architectural and Engineering Consultancy), made the following observations:• There are leakages underground.
And metering should be considered for main lines, branches and sub-branches to
• Qatar now re-uses 24% of total freshwater supplies; In contrast, it is only 16% for the whole of the GCC.
• Qatar is implementing a sustainability assessment system for getting energy efficiency (24% of the score) and water saving (16% of the score). In this context, Qatar has a National Strategic Plan 2030, including goals for sustainable water. One of the targets is to reduce water use by 83 litres per capita per day by 2030. This will be achieved as a first step by a Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016, published in March 2011, targeting a comprehensive Water Act.
• An integrated approach is needed to take into account cost-effective technologies for cooling towers and environmental impact mitigation: actual standard limit for Delta T = 3C.
• Awareness campaigns have to be conducted to educate people about water savings.
There is need to:• Reduce network water losses• To replace single-pass• To use polymers for cooling towers in order to save 30%
of make-up water through more than 50 cycles• To change water regulation and tariff – some studies
showed Qatar nationals can consume up to 1,200 litres/day per person, while expatriates consumed only 150 litres a day per person (because water cost for Qatar nationals is very low); and to put incentives for water and energy efficiency.
detect the leakages.• ASHRAE is ready to take up the subject and to assist
in minimising leakage. ASHRAE Oryx Chapter would like to engage Kahramaa.
• The assessment system is not enough; we need regulations and we need to enforce the regulations.
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 43
context, the sector appears to have steadied itself. But the recovery is not spectacular.
THE sTory so fAr …Taking a quick recap, the economic slowdown, undoubtedly, hit the fans and blowers industry hard. The demand declined across most business sectors in the region. The petrochemical industry, the construction sector and, as a corollary, the HVACR sector saw cutbacks on new orders, and in many cases, there were no takers for the stock of components. Global MEP packages were reviewed downwards. There was a drastic reduction in the once frenetic pace of work. But now, the unanimous verdict of the main players in the fans and blowers market in the GCC, represented by Leminar Air Conditioning
Company, Systemair Middle East and Maico Gulf is that things have stabilised.
sLow AnD sTEADy is THE kEyAboobacker Aslam, Technical Sales & Marketing Manager, Systemair Middle East, Dubai, believes that the market is recovering from the impact of recession. “It is compensating for the reduction due to the downturn by spreading out in more territories,” he says.
Rakesh Mistry, Assistant Manager, Leminar Air Conditioning Company, Dubai, dealing with Casals and Twin City brands, corroborates this view and adds, “In the post-global financial downturn scenario, the market is gaining some kind of stability, and so, we see the fans and blowers market becoming more
steady and growing.” But he warns: “With a market getting more cautious towards investments, there are only a few pockets doing okay. But the competition is fierce. Strangely, rent, cost of electricity and other overheads have not come down despite the slow pace of things. But a fixed cost is better to work with than the sudden rise or fluctuations, as it happened earlier. The market has become more predictable. In terms of business, this year appears more or less similar to last year. But we can work with that. Predictability and stability is good news after the unexpected slump.”
Amit Ahuja, General Manager, Maico Gulf, (Dynair and Elicent), Dubai, gives a detailed analysis of the situation: “As the
The fans and blowers market is quiet, but stable. It is moving at an even pace. This would have been labelled “Average” on the report card a decade ago. But with the robust all-round growth experienced at the beginning of the new millennium making way for the global economic downturn in 2008-09, the market slump has now become the accepted frame of reference against which all progress must now be gauged. Judged in this
Cover StoryA report on the fans and blowers sector in the GCC
t
A reading of wind direction reveals that there is no major storm brewing in the fans and blowers sector in the region. The market is whirring at a regulated speed, with no sudden gusts threatening to blow away the
status quo. This is good news and bad news. Getting used to the comfort zone does not augur well for business. But it is better than the windless
trough created by the double dip, believe industry insiders.By prATiBHA umAsHAnkAr
THE wAy THE
winD BLows
44 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
the working life of the fAn is drAsticAlly reduced when the right fAn is not chosen for the right ApplicAtion
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 45 June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 45
global financial crisis took hold, the GCC countries which thought they were decoupled were affected in trade and financial channels. The crisis triggered a collapse in asset prices and increased the spread on sovereign debt. The GCC countries witnessed a sharp decline in oil prices, and the recession, therefore, had an adverse impact on new investments, including in the hydrocarbon sector. Aside from planned investments in downstream oil projects, several large private projects were cancelled or stalled indefinitely. But in the second half of 2010, we started seeing projects springing back to life. There were movements in the construction industry in the UAE. In 2011, because of the strong growth in oil prices, the governments have started spending again. Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia have been leading the way in terms of spending relative to the size of their economies.”
The general feeling is that the sector in the region has now managed to recover from the substantial blow it had earlier sustained. But when it comes to an assessment of the size of the fans and blowers market in the GCC, the industry insiders think that it is difficult to get a clear picture due to different types of fans and different manufacturers and distributors. Also, there are various methods and approaches which can be deployed to evaluate market size, believes Ahuja. “However, we feel that the market size of fans and blowers in the GCC today is close to around $85 to $90 million, with the area under consideration being the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait,” he says. He gives a rough breakup – Qatar pegged at close to $20 million, Saudi
Arabia about $50 million and the UAE (Dubai + Abu Dhabi) at $20 million.
Mistry estimates the present GCC market to be worth around AED1 billion, with the UAE worth more than AED200 million and Qatar and Saudi Arabia over AED150 million each.
The figures, as can be seen, are not conclusive and are at best, ‘guesstimates’. But it is interesting to note that Mistry, like others in the market, clubs Qatar and Saudi Arabia together – one a mere speck on the map, and the other, a vast geographical entity. The common denominator
between the two is that they are seen as target markets showing growth in business opportunities. The big players have tried to tap this by either setting up shop in these two countries or upgrading an already existing base.
“Seeing the opportunities in Qatar, we have set up fully Systemair-owned office there and we have our distributor with a strong presence in all the regions of KSA,” Aslam reveals. “The construction markets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman have been picking pace, and there are several new government-funded projects that are being tendered and are currently under execution,” Ahuja says. “Leminar has a stronger presence in Qatar with an office, a showroom and a warehouse, as we see an upcoming boom in Qatar due to FIFA 2022,” Mistry affirms. “Leminar has also opened up its new operations in Oman, with a warehouse and an office facility to meet the demand in the country, which is being perceived as a stable market.”
The term “stable” being
reiterated and Oman being added to the list of potential markets is indicative of a new trend – it is better to invest time and money in a slow and steady runner than someone who fizzles out after the initial spectacular fireworks. “Yes, the excitement has gone from the market. But the excitement was unreal. This is a realistic and, perhaps, a better picture. This is the reality we have to live with and easier to deal with,” Mistry advocates sagely.
sTrATEgiEsNew realities in the region warrant a change of game plan. Both manufacturers and dealers have decided to tread cautiously into uncharted territories, but have tried to remain nimble, hoping to inject life into the market. Adapting their products to meet customer demand, adding new product lines like AHUs and air distribution products while laying stress on products like air curtains and heaters and a more expedient after-sales service are few of the measures the major players have adopted
the recoVery hAs Been uneVen Across the countries in the region, As goVernments hAVe tApped their soVereign weAlth to VArying degrees to cushion the Blow to their BAnking systems And Are trying to compensAte for the weAkness in priVAte sector demAnd And inVestment”
cover story
46 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
in response to the changed market scenario.
Speaking on behalf of Systemair, Aslam says: “We have spread up further in other growth markets. Adding new product lines like AHUs and chillers is another strategy we have adopted. The applications we have catered to are, car park ventilation, tunnel ventilation, kitchen
ventilation, staircase pressurisation, general ventilation and air curtains.”
Leminar has supplied its two leading brands mainly to commercial and residential buildings, warehouses, logistics facilities, pumping stations, electricity substations, sewage treatment plants, district cooling plants, schools, hospital and hotels. “After-sales service is the key behind the success of Leminar,” Mistry claims. “We have factory-trained technicians, spare parts for all the fans and a thorough knowledge of our products.” This, according to him, is why his company has been able to woo customers and keep them happy.
Maico Gulf, on its part, has ensured that it maintains a strong distributor network in most of the GCC countries, as it believes that it can serve its customer base and clients best this way, along with a diverse product range which caters to industrial, domestic and commercial ventilation segments. “We have the right strategies and resources in place for different markets in the GCC to counter and combat the current scenario, and we are executing them over time,” Ahuja says cryptically, not wanting to spell out
yes, the excitement hAs gone from the mArket. But the excitement wAs unreAl. this is A reAlistic And, perhAps, A Better picture. this is the reAlity we hAVe to liVe with And eAsier to deAl with
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the strategies at a time when everyone is vying for a wedge of a substantially shrunk market pie.
CHALLEngEsCOST IS KInGKeeping the prices competitive, while offering high quality products, has been the biggest challenge for the fans and
blowers sector. Cost is the first criterion for MEP contractors, is the general impression. “Stress on efficiency and reliability is seen only on select quality projects; typically, it solely depends on cost,” concedes Aslam. Mistry seconds the
view that price plays a major role in the GCC market. But Ahuja takes a stronger line. “Markets are governed by price is an understatement; the markets are ONLY governed by price,” he asserts. He thinks it is a cause for concern, as energy efficiency could become a casualty in the bargain.
Experts sound a general caveat that it is important for designers to understand that cutting corners can have a huge impact on the total energy usage, as chiller loads have the single biggest effect on energy costs in any building. They believe that it could be a proverbial case of penny wise, pound foolish in the long run. Also, undercutting could lead to an unhealthy competition and substandard products surreptitiously making inroads into the market.
HOW GREEn IS GREEn?With global focus on sustainability, it is an important element that needs to be factored into the equation. Cutting costs while offering energy-efficient products is, therefore, a balancing act for the sector, leaving very little wriggle-room for innovation. Given the current market climate, “green products” and “sustainability” are often mere buzzwords being bandied around, as they are the flavour of the month. Since sustainability and innovation go together, the GCC market also needs to address the problem of resistance to change.
Mistry stresses that the market is open and ready for new technology when it comes to fans and blowers. “Today, when the whole world is shifting towards green buildings, energy efficiency and reliability are the key issues,” he says. “Energy-efficient motor is now a standard feature for all our fans.”
However, Ahuja points out that consultants and designers have their own parameters within which they have to work. “Despite the fact that energy conservation and Green are the most extensively used words these days, a lot more needs to be done to create awareness and educate clients regarding energy-efficient products,” he astutely observes. “Our R&D and design teams are constantly working to make our products suitable to meet the demands of green building projects,” he claims.
LACK OF AWAREnESSOn the issue of customer responsibility, the experts cry foul. They believe that while manufacturers and suppliers, on their part, are expected to follow stringent product certification standards, customers are not always
held accountable and, hence, don’t do their bit. They point out that basic norms are routinely bypassed, product manuals are not read and compromises are made in the installation process. They bemoan lack of awareness, lack of maintenance and improper fan selection as other problem areas.
“In many cases, we have come across wrong wiring connection, and in some cases, wrong static pressure calculation,” Mistry reveals. He believes that fan design and the right selection are important. “Instead of going for two-speed motors, VFDs are a better choice in terms of energy efficiency,” he
adds.Low/high airflow due to
improper ESP calculation, noise due to wrong installation practices, incorrect system design and inefficient control systems are few of the challenges that Aslam lists. Highlighting the issue of over-sizing, he observes that in the days of the real estate boom, it was a practice to allocate large safety margins, which led to over-sized fans that operated at flow rates far below their design values. He now sees a move to rectify this.
Ahuja, alluding to the problem of improper fan selection points out that this could not only lead to an overuse of energy, but also to the ductwork getting seriously damaged, and in the long run, affect the entire system balance. “The working life of the fan is drastically reduced when the right fan is not chosen for the right application,” he warns. He stresses that lack of good and recommended installation practice is the major cause for performance-based issues. “We find contractors installing fans based on the limited space that they have at sites, resulting in lack of performance of the units,” he says. “Our trained engineers visit such sites and educate the clients to help them install the fans as per the recommended standards to achieve the desired performance.”
Space and design constraints are generally cited as excuses. Experts believe that these two aspects have to be factored in by architects at the tendering stage itself, which, unfortunately, does not always happen.
In a nutshell, following are a few of the challenges the fans and blowers sector faces:
Many designers do not incorporate fan efficiency
requirements in their design in a clear statement.• Incorrectinstallation
practice is due to lack of experience of contractors and improper fan selection.• Thesuppliersareblamed
for bad performance of the equipment.• Designsthathavea
negative effect on energy usage due to unnecessarily high static pressure requirements and lack of timely maintenance could have an adverse effect on the cost and environment.
Leminar, Systemair and Maico Gulf use seminars, trade exhibition platforms and ASHRAE events in the GCC region to educate designers and clients on the benefits of choosing the right product for the right application. Visiting designers, consulting engineers and end-users to raise awareness about energy-efficient products is another route they follow to raise awareness. Though these have yielded positive results, Ahuja, Aslam and Mistry concede that it is unrealistic to expect a positive transformation overnight.
rEguLATions AnD sTAnDArDisATionWhen it comes to quality, the three spokespersons agree that equipment in the sector is manufactured to international standards and there are new and more stringent environmental regulations in place, Regarding certification of products, they adhere to a strict testing regimen, based on either American or European standards. The ASHRAE standards are the most commonly used for design.
While Leminar follows ISO, BS, EN, Dubai and Abu Dhabi Civil Defense and Applus Standards for Casals fans, Systemair products
it is significAnt thAt Business hAs Become eVen more competitiVe on price, which rAises the concern thAt energy efficiency might Become the Victim, which offers long-term gAins, when whAt the sector wAnts is A quick-fix solution
cover story
48 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
go through their testing facilities in Skinnskatteberg, Sweden, and Windishbuch, Germany, and are checked for flow, pressure drops, power consumption and noise/vibration. Maico Gulf claims that since ambient conditions in the GCC are different from Europe and the rest of the world, its products are designed and tested to withstand these harsh conditions. Though the spokespersons of these companies think that having region-specific testing would be welcome, they are not sure if it is possible or practical, at least at present. They do see European and US standards being tailor-made to suit the GCC countries in future.
rETrofiTTingThe three spokespersons echo the view that the concept of retrofitting has not taken roots in the region. This is possibly because the
market has till now focused on new constructions. “The retrofit market is a very small percentage of the total market,” admits Ahuja. “We have been involved in some retrofit projects in the GCC. However, most of the replacements do not involve choosing energy-saving units. The trend is to go for similar older replacements.”
Aslam believes that energy-saving retrofit assignments involving changing of the impeller or incorporating VSDs might happen in the next couple of years.
ConCLusionThe general mood in the fans and blowers sector is that the worse seems to be over and the best way to keep afloat is by cautiously expanding the customer network, enhancing product range, and improving service and raising awareness.
The trade winds seem to be blowing in the direction
of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. But though things might look good on paper, it needs to be remembered that the mega projects in these two countries are working on a long time-frame. So, be it the Doha World Cup which might bring cheer or the massive housing projects in Saudi Arabia, they are not the instant panacea the market is looking for. While its gaze is set on the distant future, a market can collapse in weeks.
It is significant that business has become even more competitive on price, which raises the concern that energy efficiency might become the victim, which offers long-term gains, when what the sector wants is a quick-fix solution.
“But the potential of this region is amazing, as it is the third biggest HVAC market after the United States and India,” Aslam says, optimistically surveying the scene. Ahuja, while agreeing
with him, warns: “Private sector spending continues to be slow and cautious. Banks have been quite reluctant to extend credit to this sector. The recovery has been uneven across the countries in the region, as governments are tapping their sovereign wealth to varying extents to cushion the blow to their banking systems and to compensate for the weakness in private sector demand and investment.”
“Yes, nobody is willing to burn their fingers anymore,” concedes Mistry. “The golden period of big investments is over. It will, perhaps, not come back. But that was a fairy world of make-belief. We lived in a fool’s paradise. It was unrealistic. Now that we have woken up to the reality, we are better equipped to deal with it. Thankfully, we have entered a more stable phase, which is a healthy sign. It is poised to become even more stable in the coming years.” n
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 49
In recent years, Indoor Air Quality has become increasingly important in residential, commercial and industrial environments due to allergies, respiratory concerns, pollution, and
regulations. With greater focus on indoor air quality comes an increased demand for air cleaning products.
Electrical appliances that address indoor air quality can be loosely grouped into four primary categories: air filtering appliances, UV germicidal air cleaners, ionisers, and electrostatic air cleaners (definitions provided in Table 1). These products may be portable (provided with a cord and plug) or dedicated to one location by being wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, duct connected or plenum connected.
The category of air cleaning appliance determines the safety standard used for evaluating a product. Table 2 shows the US, Canadian and International electrical safety standards applicable to these appliances. In the US, media provided as a part of an air filtering appliance connected to or within the duct or plenum space are additionally required to comply with a fire safety standard, UL 900, “Air Filter Units.” In Canada the Standard is ULC S111, “Standard Method of Fire Tests for Air Filter Units.”
In addition to the Table 2 products/standards, and due to increasing demand, UL is currently developing a US standard for commercial and industrial indoor air quality systems of the ozone generating type. It will initially be published as an Outline of Investigation, UL 867A “Commercial/Industrial Indoor Air Quality Systems, Ozone Generating Type” until it has completed
the consensus standards development process.
TECHNICAl CONSIDERATIONSAir cleaning technologies typically have, in addition to the usual fire, electrical shock and mechanical hazard considerations, unique technical considerations related to the technology employed in the design and the expected use. These include, but are not limited to, ozone generation, high voltage arcing, and UV radiation exposure. Each of these items is discussed below from a US market perspective.
OzoneOzone can be naturally produced by a variety of sources and often has a background presence in the air we breathe. In electrostatic air cleaners and ionisers, ozone is produced as an unintended by-product of the electrical discharges associated with the operation of the high
perspective
How Safe are air cleaning applianceS?Growing awareness about the importance of Indoor Air Quality has elicited an increased interest in air cleaning products in the HVAC industry. Though there is a wide array of appliances which employ sophisticated technologies, they also come with caveats and safety considerations that need to be addressed, says Chante’ White Maurio. She evaluates the options available.
Air Filtering Appliance
Air cleaners which operate with an electrical source of power and which contain a motor and fan for drawing air through mechanical fitration media.
UV Germicidal Air Cleaners
Air cleaners that employ Ultraviolet lamps. Such devices may include a fan and/or filters.
Electrostatic Air Cleaners
Air cleaners which operate with a fan and incorporate electrically charged plates or wire to electrostatically collect particulate matter. Such devices may include a filter(s).
IonizerAir cleaners which incorporate an ion generator. Such devices may include a fan and/or filter(s).
Table 1 – Air cleaning product types1
INDOOR AIR QuALITy
50 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
voltage circuit used to help capture air particles. User exposure to ozone may affect the central nervous system, heart and vision. However, ozone predominantly affects the respiratory system. For this reason, the appliance safety standards include requirements to limit the ozone produced.
In the US, UL 867 limits the ozone produced by portable products to 0.05 ppm (50 ppb) measured near the appliance. The
ozone produced by duct and plenum-mounted products is not limited, provided ozone is not intentionally generated and not the primary air cleaning mechanism. For these products, ozone at the appliance is diluted by the relatively large volume of air moving through the duct or plenum. By contrast, products that purposely generate ozone are outside the scope of the US Safety Standards cited. As mentioned earlier, UL 867A is currently pending publication. Once published, this document will include requirements for Commercial and Industrial duct and plenum applications. The requirements will take into account ozone emissions measured near the source and the calculated dilution for a given installation and occupancy. These products will also be required to monitor ozone and signal an alert if ozone concentrations occur and may potentially exceed allowable values within an occupancy. Hardware and software reliability of the monitoring and alert system will be part of the requirements.
High voltage arcingIn recent years, air cleaning appliances have
been designed to include electrically charged filter media to enhance capture of airborne particles. Due to the increased fire ignition risk associated with the presence of high voltage within air cleaning products, UL 867 has been updated to include an arcing resistance to ignition test for these product designs. The test causes arcing to appear across the filter media surface. The arcing shall not ignite the materials nor create a carbonised path that increases the risk of fire.
UV radiationIt is a generally known fact that prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation generated by the sun poses health risks and that it is prudent to take appropriate precautions. However, the risk of UV exposure from appliance sources is not as well appreciated. To limit user exposure to UV radiation, products are classified by their Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices (published by the American Conference for Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Table 2 “Permissible UV Exposures”). Under this classification,
user exposure is limited to 0.1 µW/cm2 over an eight-hour period. UV radiation in excess of this value shall not be emitted from the appliance• before, during or after
installation• during operation• during maintenance• during cleaning• during replacement of
the UV emitter (example, lamp).
UV degrades exposed polymeric materials, such as those used to insulate electrical conductors and enclose moving parts. For this reason, all polymeric materials exposed to direct or reflected UV radiation are required to be suitable for this UV exposure. Electrical components not suitable for UV exposure are required to be suitably shielded by a non-reactive material.
CONClUSIONIn summary, air cleaning products are now often much more complicated than the simple fan/filter units of the past. They employ technologies that help improve Indoor Air Quality, but also come with safety considerations that need to be addressed. An informed safety evaluation of these products can provide peace of mind when using the air cleaning appliance.
REFERENCEANSI/AHAM AC-1-2006, Method for Measuring the Performance of Portable Household Electric Room Air Cleaners.
these products will Also Be required to monitor ozone And signAl An Alert if ozone concentrAtions occur And mAy potentiAlly exceed AllowABle VAlues within An occupAncy
The writer is Manager, Principal Engineer, Appliances, Underwriters laboratories (Ul llC). She can be contacted at [email protected]
UL Standard CSA Standard IEC Standard
Air Filtering Appliance
UL 507, The Standard for Electric Fans
CSA C22.2 No. 113, Electric Fans
IEC 60335-2-65, Particular Requirements for Air-Cleaning Appliances
UV Germicidal Air Cleaners
UL 507, The Standard for Electric Fans
CSA C22.2 No. 113, Electric Fans
IEC 60335-2-65, Particular Requirements for Air-Cleaning Appliances (other IEC Part 2 Standards would be referenced for UV guarding and irradiance requirements)
Electrostatic Air Cleaners
UL 867, The Standard for Electrostatic Air Cleaners
CSA C22.2 No. 187, Electrostatic Air Cleaners
IEC 60335-2-65, Particular Requirements for Air-Cleaning Appliances
IonizerUL 867, The Standard for Electrostatic Air Cleaners
CSA C22.2 No. 187, Electrostatic Air Cleaners
IEC 60335-2-65, Particular Requirements for Air-Cleaning Appliances
Table 2 – Applicable safety standards
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 51
perspectiveINDOOR AIR QuALITyNATuRAL REfRIGERANTS
THE BACkgrounDThe year 2012 is being swept by the Olympic wave. The whole world is waiting to see which records will be broken in the individual disciplines and which new idols will emerge from the Games. But the focus is currently not just on the sporting aspects. The general public also expects the Games to show “Olympian performance” when it comes to climate protection. They would like to see the Games and sportspersons making a mark in sporting history but leave no negative ones on the environment.
This call to leave the environment unharmed is already being heeded and has been factored in, in the construction of stadia
and sports halls. There is scope for a sustainable approach, particularly in the construction method and supply concepts for the facilities. For refrigeration and air conditioning, natural refrigerants, such as ammonia, offer an environmentally compatible solution. “Ammonia is not only highly energy efficient, but also very environmentally friendly to use,” explains Monika Witt, Chairwoman of Eurammon, the European initiative for natural refrigerants. “In contrast to synthetic refrigerants, ammonia has no global warming potential and, therefore,
makes no contribution to the greenhouse effect.”
Ammonia will also be used as refrigerant for the Olympic Games in London. A large-scale Energy Centre is responsible for supplies to all the facilities of the Olympic Park. Necessary refrigeration is generated by combining an electric compression refrigeration system with an absorption unit that uses the waste heat from the Energy Centre.
It needs to be stated that regardless of the Olympics, operators of sporting and
leisure facilities have long since discovered the advantages of natural refrigerants.
ComBinED rEfrigErATion AnD Air ConDiTioning sysTEm in kiTzBüHEL sporT pArkThe 4,500 m² Mercedes-Benz Sport Park in Kitzbühel in Austria, not only offers scope for daily sport and leisure but is also a venue for school sporting events, training camps and professional contests, together with other sporting, cultural and corporate events.
The architectural planning concept for a new ice
giving naturalrefrigerantS a Sporting cHanceEurammon, the European initiative for natural refrigerants, demonstrates with case studies how natural refrigerants can be innovatively used in sports and leisure facilities to make an appreciable difference to the environment.
52 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
rink to be erected on the Sport Park premises entailed combining the already existing indoor tennis centre with the new skating rink. To this end, the town of Kitzbühel called for tenders including planning the complex. The refrigeration system was to supply the refrigeration capacity for an ice hockey pitch (1,800 m²), a curling track (600 m²) and a mobile outdoor ice surface (600 m²).
In addition, the client wanted a refrigeration system to take care of the entire air conditioning for the sport complex – skating and curling, skittles, climbing, tennis and restaurant. The curling track and the air conditioning had to be rated for operation all year round so that the complex could be used as a national curling training centre – the only one of its kind in Austria. Together with an energetically optimised, climate-neutral rating, the requirements included in particular a very low-temperature spread across the entire curling track. Curling is a very sensitive sport that is also called “chess on ice” on account of the refined tactics involved, and makes highly specific temperature requirements of the refrigeration system.
Haas Anlagenbau won the tender for the entire refrigeration technology, including cooling the ice rinks. The company planned and built an ammonia refrigeration system with direct evaporation for the ice hockey and curling facility. The system has two GEA Grasso reciprocating compressor units with a refrigeration capacity of 750 kW. Around 30,000 metres of evaporation piping was installed for the system. Together with the energy and climate-
neutral advantages of ammonia, direct evaporation in particular warrants a low temperature spread across the entire ice surface of the curling track. A secondary glycol circuit, which is also integrated in the central ammonia system, is responsible for air conditioning of the sport complex. The mobile outdoor ice surface is also connected to the circuit.
In addition, Haas Anlagenbau installed two different temperature levels to recover heat from the refrigeration process. The waste heat is used for air conditioning tasks and for melting the snow pits. In addition, refrigeration professionals equipped the refrigeration plant with a remote monitoring system for on-line support in addition to maintenance on site. As the sport complex is located right in the heart of Kitzbühel, the system engineers also worked together with the Austrian authorities and Kitzbühel
curling is A Very sensitiVe sport thAt is Also cAlled “chess on ice” on Account of the refined tActics inVolVed, And mAkes highly specific temperAture requirements of the refrigerAtion system
fire brigade to develop a corresponding safety concept for the ammonia refrigeration plant. The refrigeration plant has now been running for four years to the utmost satisfaction of the operator.
unDErwATEr worLDs CooLED wiTH nATurAL rEfrigErAnTsThe Ozeaneum in Stralsund was opened in mid-2008 by the Stiftung Deutsches Meeresmuseum. The spectacular new museum with its huge seawater aquariums, the largest of which encompasses 2.6 million litres of water, offers visitors a unique journey through the underwater world of northern seas that is unrivalled in Europe. Altogether the Ozeaneum’s aquariums contain six million litres of water. One key aspect in planning the
underwater museum on Stralsund’s harbour island consisted in environmentally friendly construction and operation of the entire building.
The refrigeration system needed for cooling the water for the aquariums and for air conditioning the building also had to meet the high ecological demands. Accordingly, SWS-Energie GmbH, a subsidiary of Stralsund municipal utilities and responsible for the project, contracted Johnson Controls Systems & Service GmbH to draw up the concept and proceed with installation of a sustainable, energy-efficient refrigeration plant. The system was to avoid plumes of steam caused by evaporation as far as possible, while reducing noise to a minimum level.
Altogether, the museum requires refrigeration
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perspectiveINDOOR AIR QuALITyNATuRAL REfRIGERANTS
capacity of 900 kW, with 400 kW for the aquarium systems and 500 kW to air condition the building. Refrigeration is provided by cold water at a flow temperature of 6°C and a return temperature of 12°C. To warrant reliable, sustainable refrigeration supply for the museum, the refrigeration experts at Johnson Controls opted for a single-stage ammonia refrigeration system with flooded evaporation. The system consists of two separate Chill-Pac chillers and two hybrid evaporative condensers to chill the cold water. To warrant high refrigeration capacity even in the event of a disruption, the refrigeration experts rated the two Chill-Pac chillers with an output of
730 kW each and installed them together with the main switchboard in a separate machine room on the ground floor of the energy centre. Direct condensation takes place using the two Jäggi hybrid chillers installed on the roof of the building, each with an output of 850 kW.
The two Sabroe reciprocating compressor units can be operated independently if necessary so that if one compressor fails, a good 80% of the total needed refrigeration capacity can be provided by the other unit. Each compressor is equipped with a power control to warrant particularly energy-efficient operation of the system. The power stages
are triggered and actuated by corresponding power solenoids. In addition, each compressor has a frequency converter for speed control. In this way, the power stages are added constantly and the speed is increased when the system demands more power. When output is reduced, the power stages are switched back accordingly and the
compressor speed is reduced. As the total refrigeration capacity of 900 kW is already generated when the two Chill-Pac chillers work at a capacity of 60%, the refrigeration experts managed to considerably reduce the noise levels. In addition, this power buffer permits dry operation of the hybrid chillers at nominal
to wArrAnt reliABle, sustAinABle refrigerAtion supply for the museum, the refrigerAtion experts At Johnson controls opted for A single-stAge AmmoniA refrigerAtion system with flooded eVAporAtion
ozeaneum in sTralsunDPhoTo CourTesY oF hTTP://WWW.raDTour-rueGen.De
The moDern FaCiliTies aT The merCeDes-benz sPorTPark have launCheD iCe hoCkeY in kiTzbühel inTo a neW era.PhoTo CourTesY oF hTTP://reGionauT.meinbezirk.aT
54 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
load up to an outside temperature of 21.5°C so that no plumes of steam are emitted over the building as a result of evaporation.
rEfrigErAnTs for EuropE’s onLy ELEvATED iCE TrACkOn October 1, 2011, the new Lent Park opened its doors in Cologne with ice rink and indoor swimming pool. Europe’s only 260-metre-long elevated ice track is a special attraction which runs around the building as a gallery on the first floor, offering skaters views of the lower 1,800 m² ice rink, the swimming pool and the restaurant.
Energy-efficient refrigeration was the main demand made by KölnBäder GmbH for the new building to be erected on the grounds of the old ice skating and swimming stadium. Accordingly, the Gesellschaft für Kältetechnik-Klimatechnik mbH (GfKK
mbH) designed both the elevated ice track and the ice rink as a direct evaporation system with ammonia. A central refrigeration plant was installed with total refrigeration capacity of 819 kW and a refrigerant charge of 7,000 kg NH3. The system operates with three GEA Grasso reciprocating compressors. The waste heat is put to energy-efficient use for heating process water and melting the snow pits, as well as antifreeze protection. The remaining waste heat is emitted to the outside with an air-cooled condenser that operates with EC ventilators. Refrigeration supply for the elevated ice track is designed to maintain a constant ice quality even under differing framework conditions and heat loads. The plant itself is equipped with a central GfKK control unit with visualisation.
mEDAL-worTHy iniTiATivEsNatural refrigerants are producing Olympian performance in other applications, too: The British retailer, Marks & Spencer has built a new store in the Olympic Village that uses only natural refrigerants, carbon dioxide and propane for refrigeration. And Coca Cola uses only drink chillers that operate without fluorocarbons (FCs) that would boost the greenhouse effect.
“Not every natural refrigerant is suitable for a certain application,” says Witt, “But today, it is possible to find the right solution for energy-efficient, environmentally friendly refrigeration with natural alternatives for all application areas, thanks to the various properties of ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons,” she explains. “As refrigerants, they are definitely worthy of a gold medal.”
the British retAiler, mArks & spencer hAs Built A new store in the olympic VillAge thAt uses only nAturAl refrigerAnts, cArBon dioxide And propAne for refrigerAtion
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 55
Refrigerant standardsAnSI/ASHRAE Standard 34, designation and safety classification of refrigerantsAccording to the standard, “ASHRAE Standard 34-2010 is intended to establish a simple means of referring to common refrigerants instead of using the chemical name, formula, or trade name. It establishes a uniform system for assigning reference numbers, safety classifications, and refrigerant concentration
limits to refrigerants.”34 Most notable in the context of this paper is the ASHRAE 34 designation of HC refrigerants as A3 – high flammability, lower toxicity (see Table 3 for illustration of classification scheme).
A significant inclusion in the latest edition (Clause 6.1.3) is the optional 2L subclass added to the existing Class 2 flammability classification, signifying Class 2 refrigerants with a burning velocity less than or equal to 10 cm/s. Class 2L refrigerants include R32 and the newer HFO 1234 yf, which is being promoted for use in motor vehicles.
The potential market for 2L refrigerants in HVAC equipment and appliances is currently unknown and further equipment standards development is needed. Otherwise, a 2L refrigerant will simply be handled as a Class 2 (eg, A2) refrigerant. Proprietary studies done to date have suggested that equipment and installation requirements that result in ignition sources being kept a distance above the floor (or not directly below wall mounted equipment) may facilitate introduction of such refrigerants.
AnSI/uL 2182, standard for safety for refrigerantsThis standard contains test procedures and methods to evaluate refrigerants and to authoritatively mark containers according to the extent of the refrigerant’s flammability. The refrigerants covered in this standard are those used as components of air conditioning and refrigeration
reviSiting flammaBle refrigerantS – treaD witH caution
this requirement effectiVely meAns thAt self-contAined, permAnently instAlled (not “portABle”) commerciAl And lArge household refrigerAtors And freezers mAy employ A3 refrigerAnts only with permission
In this third and final part, Thomas Blewitt concludes his review of the current status of standards and codes relevant to flammable refrigerants. He points out that as the drive towards more environmentally friendly refrigerants and greater energy efficiency gains ground, it is also important for stakeholders of the US safety system to take a holistic look at the potential impact of such use, and take steps to ensure the continued safety track record of HVAC equipment and appliances.
perspectiveREfRIGERANTS AND fIRE SAfETy
56 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
equipment.35 The standard was created in 1994 as a supplement to ASHRAE 34, and is intended for use in conjunction with end product appliance standards. It enables the characterisation of flammable refrigerants (blends, in particular) with respect to fractionalisation, flammability and auto-ignition. The requirements do not yet address the additional characterisation needed for Type 2L refrigerants.
AnSI/nFPA 58, liquefied petroleum gas codeThis code applies to the storage, handling, transportation and use of LP-Gas. It indicates that “refrigeration cycle equipment and LP-Gas used as a refrigerant in a closed cycle” is outside the scope of the code.36 However, the 2008 Handbook for NFPA 58 states that the scope exclusion for refrigerant cycle equipment does not include the storage of LP-Gas, which would include gas in cylinders such as may be used by service personnel. For small HVAC and appliances, the cylinders are likely to be DOT cylinders.37
It would seem likely that the well-established practice for handling LP-Gas cylinders used in barbeques and similar applications would be appropriate for the filling, transport and
storage of cylinders used for servicing household and smaller commercial HVAC equipment and appliances. However, NFPA 58 does not specifically anticipate refrigerant recovery/recharge in clause 6.2.2, where it lists applications where containers may be brought into buildings, nor in clause 6.19 where specific uses are cited. Temporary use for training and demonstration purposes (clause 6.19.9) is limited to 20 lbs. of propane in a cylinder, although the cylinder may have a larger capacity.
Equipment standardsAnSI/ASHRAE Standard 15, safety standard for refrigeration systemsASHRAE Standard 15-2010 is directed towards the safety of persons and property on or near the premises where refrigeration facilities are located.38 While the standard covers installations involving the full range of potential refrigerant charges in equipment, it defers to the listing of equipment complying with appliance safety standards for charges of less than 3 kg, with some restrictions. For example, institutional occupancies are permitted only up to 50% of the refrigerant concentration limit (RCL)39 permitted for other occupancies.
Group A3 and B3 refrigerants are not permitted except where approved by the authority having jurisdiction. One exception to the restriction is “listed portable-unit systems containing no more than 0.331 lb. (150g) of Group A3 refrigerant, provided that the equipment is installed in accordance with the listing and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.”40 This requirement effectively means that self-contained, permanently installed (not “portable”) commercial and large household refrigerators and freezers may employ A3 refrigerants only with permission. Typical household refrigerators, dehumidifiers and other cord and plug connected appliances meeting the charge restriction would be permitted.
ASHRAE 15 includes a general prohibition on the use of Group A2, A3, B1, B2 and B3 refrigerants for comfort cooling (Clause 7.5.2). There is an exception for sealed absorption (ammonia) systems and unit systems (eg, window air conditioner), provided that the refrigerant quantity is no more than 3 kilogrammes or 10 kilogrammes for residential and commercial occupancies, respectively. [Note that ANSI/UL 484 is expected to restrict room air conditioners employing flammable
refrigerants to A2 and A3 refrigerants.]
The ASHRAE committee responsible for Standard 15 (SSPC15) continuously maintains the standard and has formed an ad hoc group to address the new 2L refrigerant sub-class created by SSPC34 (committee responsible for ASHRAE 34).
AnSI/uL 207, Standard for safety for refrigerant-containing components and accessories, nonelectricalThese requirements cover non-electrical, refrigerant-containing components and accessories (eg, accumulators, driers, evaporators, condensers, etc.), intended for field installation in accordance with ASHRAE 15 in refrigeration systems, air conditioning equipment, or both, charged with the refrigerants identified for use in the component or accessory. The requirements also apply to components and accessories intended for use by manufacturers in factory-assembled systems or units, in which case the component
the AshrAe committee responsiBle for stAndArd 15 (sspc15) continuously mAintAins the stAndArd And hAs formed An Ad hoc group to Address the new 2l refrigerAnt suB-clAss creAted By sspc34 (committee responsiBle for AshrAe 34)
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perspectiverefrigerants and fire safety
or accessory is also judged under the requirements for the individual system or unit.41
Primarily addressing strength of materials and mechanical assembly, the standard includes consideration of flammable refrigerants. ANSI/UL 207 Table 11 specifies the minimum design pressures for common refrigerants. Data for flammable refrigerants is excerpted from that table and
reproduced in Table 4.
AnSI/uL 250, standard for safety for household refrigerators and freezersThis standard applies to self-contained household refrigerators and freezers for use in residential occupancies in accordance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.42 Supplement SA of the standard documents the requirements for refrigerators (freezers, etc)
having flammable refrigerants. It
addresses concerns regarding the flammability of the refrigerant by limiting the amount of charge according to auto-ignition temperature or heat of combustion, and controlling for design and construction variables that can contribute to the risk of fire. See Table 5 for a summary of the requirements.
ANSI/UL 250 will be superseded in 2016 by ANSI/UL 60335-2-24, the Standard for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances and Ice-Makers.43 With respect to flammable refrigerants, the IEC requirements are modified or replaced such that the requirements are effectively the same as the current ANSI/UL 250 standard.
The scope of ANSI/UL 60335-2-24 is not identical to that of ANSI/UL 250. ANSI/UL 60335-2-24 also includes ice makers and household ice cream makers, which are covered by ANSI/UL 563 (Ice-Makers) and ANSI/UL 621 (Ice-Cream Makers). Should such appliances use flammable refrigerants, ANSI/UL 60335-2-24 would be applicable for that aspect of their design.
AnSI/uL 471, standard for safety for commercial refrigerators and freezersThese requirements cover unitary (self-contained)
and remote commercial refrigerators and freezers intended for connection to circuits rated not greater than 600 volts AC. Commercial refrigerators and freezers include equipment, such as display cases, reach-in cabinets, meat cases, frozen food and merchandising cabinets, beverage coolers, beverage cooler-dispensers, food service carts, ice-cream cabinets, soda fountain units, door panel assemblies and processing water coolers.45
Flammable refrigerant
with respect to flAmmABle refrigerAnts, the iec requirements Are modified or replAced such thAt the requirements Are effectiVely the sAme As the current Ansi/ul 250 stAndArd
58 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
requirements of this standard (Supplement SB) are virtually identical to those of ANSI/ UL 250, with the notable exception of a higher allowable refrigerant charge and the particulars of required markings and instructions. Clause SB3.3 of the standard limits
34 Class 2 “Lower Flammability” refrigerant. It has limits of flammability, and heat of combustion less than 19,000 kj/kg (8,174 Btu/lb.).
• 150 grammes (5.3 oz) - ASHRAE 34 Class 3 “Higher Flammability” refrigerant. It has limits of flammability and heat of combustion greater than 19,000 kj/kg (8,174 Btu/lb).The current standard further
page 14
White Paper: Revisiting Flammable Refrigerants
Table 5 — Summary of Additional Requirements for Household Refrigerators and Freezers Employing Flammable Refrigerants
Charge The charge size for refrigerators or freezers shall be as follows for the kind of refrigerant used:• No charge limit - Has no limits of flammability, has either an auto-ignition temperature
less than or equal to 750°C (1382°F) or no auto-ignition temperature.• No charge limit - When the blend (does not fractionate).• 225 grams (8.0 oz.) - Has limits of flammability, and heat of combustion less than 19,000 kj/kg (8,174 Btu/
lb). When the leaked amount of refrigerant during leak scenario testing of the refrigerating system, does not exceed 225 grams (8.0 oz.), a larger amount of charge is not prohibited from being used.
• 50 grams (1.7 oz.) - Has limits of flammability and heat of combustion greater than 19,000 kj/kg (8,174 Btu/lb). When the leaked amount of refrigerant during leak scenario testing of the refrigerating system does not exceed 50 grams (1.7 oz.), a larger amount of charge is not prohibited from being used.
Construction The requirements distinguish between protected and unprotected cooling systems, the difference largely based on the level of access the user has to refrigerant containing components via the refrigerated storage area.• No dead spaces anywhere within the appliance where flammable gas mixture can accumulate.• Refrigerant tubing must be protected or enclosed to avoid mechanical damage.• No quick-connect refrigeration fittings or packed-stem valves.• Refrigeration joints shall be brazed or welded and protected from mechanical damage.• Refrigeration circuit shall be protected from corrosion.
Leakage For a protected cooling system, refrigerant leakage simulation at most critical point in system, which would be one of the joints in the refrigeration circuit. • 80% of the refrigerant charge, or quantity capable of being discharged in a prescribed
way within 1 hr., is leaked in a controlled manner at a joint. • For an unprotected cooling system, refrigerant leakage simulation at prescribed location in food storage compartment• 80% of refrigerant charge is discharged within 10 min.• Where accumulation of refrigerant may occur outside the food storage area, leakage simulation at that location.• 80% of refrigerant charge is discharged at a constant rate over a period of 1 hr.• For each of the simulations, the refrigerant air mixture shall not exceed 75% of the lower flammable limit
(LFL) for the flammable gas at any time and not exceed 50% of the LFL for a period exceeding 5 min.
Ignition If exposed to the refrigerant during the leakage testing, electrical switching components are tested to determine whether they are capable of igniting the flammable refrigerant / air mixture.• Tested in accordance with ASTM E681-98 (Standard Test Method for concentration Limits of
Flammability of Chemicals (Vapors and Gases)) at room ambient and again at 50oC
Temperature Surface temperature of parts that may be exposed to a leaked refrigerant shall not exceed the ignition temperature of the refrigerant reduced by 100 oC.• R290 (Propane) – ignition temperature: 470 oC, LFL 2.1%• R600 (n-Butane) – ignition temperature 365 oC, LFL 1.5%• R600a (Isobutane) – ignition temperature 460 oC, LFL 1.8%
Scratch Accessible surfaces of protected cooling system components are scratched in a prescribed way as preconditioning of the Strength Test applicable to all refrigerant pressure containing systems. [Typical strength test pressures are comparable to those of CFC’s]
Markings and Instructions
Permanent markings on the appliance are required:• “DANGER - Risk Of Fire or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. Do Not Use Mechanical
Devices To Defrost Refrigerator. Do Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing”.• “DANGER - Risk Of Fire Or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. To Be Repaired Only
By Trained Service Personnel. Do Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing”.• “CAUTION - Risk Of Fire Or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult Repair Manual/Owner’s
Guide Before Attempting To Service This Product. All Safety Precautions Must be Followed”.• “CAUTION - Risk Of Fire Or Explosion. Dispose Of Property In Accordance With
Federal Or Local Regulations. Flammable Refrigerant Used”.• “CAUTION - Risk Of Fire Or Explosion Due To Puncture Of Refrigerant Tubing; Follow
Handling Instructions Carefully. Flammable Refrigerant Used”.The refrigeration system processing tubes shall be color-coded to indicate the refrigerant used.44Cautionary statements shall be repeated in the instructions and packaging. They shall emphasize that servicing shall be done by factory authorized service personnel.
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perspectiverefrigerants and fire safety
indicates that, when the leaked amount of refrigerant during leak scenario testing of the refrigerating system does not exceed the 225 or 150g value, a larger amount of charge would not be prohibited from being used.
AnSI/uL 1995, standard for safety for heating and cooling equipmentThe standard is applicable to stationary equipment for use in nonhazardous locations rated 7200 V or less, single- or three-phase, and remote control assemblies for such equipment. Cooling equipment examples include heat pumps, air conditioners, liquid chillers, condensing units, heat pump water heaters and fan coil units.46 Currently, the standard does not address the subject of flammable refrigerants, which should be construed to mean that flammable refrigerants (aside from ammonia47) are not permitted – an interpretation consistent with ASHRAE Standard 15.
There is an active, tri-national harmonisation effort being conducted under the auspices of the Council for the Harmonization of
Electrotechnical Standards of the Nations of the Americas (CANENA)48 to update parts of ANSI/UL 1995 (and completely replace UL 484 and UL 474) with a standard based on IEC 60335-2-40, Standard for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Electrical Heat Pumps, Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers. Draft UL 60335-2-40 deals with the safety of electric heat pumps, including sanitary hot water heat pumps, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers incorporating motor compressors and hydronic room fan coils.
Though the IEC standard also addresses electric heat pumps, air conditioners and
dehumidifiers containing flammable refrigerant, the Standards Technical Panel developing the draft standard has not itself addressed flammable refrigerants in its work. For this reason, the draft UL standard has a US national deviation that would currently preclude use of flammable refrigerants.
IEC 60335-2-40 uses the ASHRAE 34 refrigerant classification system (also used in ISO equivalent standard, ISO 817). For mechanical strength of the refrigeration system, the standard refers to ISO 5149 requirements.49 Many of the construction requirements for equipment employing flammable refrigerants are
similar to those described for ANSI/UL 250, with the addition of specific construction requirements for equipment charged at the installation site, and of requirements addressing transport, storage and service operations. The most significant difference between the standards involves how charge limits are determined.
Rather than a fixed charge limit, IEC 60335-2-40 correlates refrigerant charge, volume of the space (room) for equipment installed indoors, and installation height (floor, wall, window, ceiling). Smaller amounts (eg,≤152gpropane)offlammable refrigerant in products, such as portable dehumidifiers are addressed in a manner similar to that of a refrigerator (minimum room size not specified, mechanical ventilation not required).
For more than these amounts(eg152<g≤988propane), the equipment must be marked with a minimum room size, calculated in accordance with Annex
currently, the stAndArd does not Address the suBJect of flAmmABle refrigerAnts, which should Be construed to meAn thAt flAmmABle refrigerAnts (Aside from AmmoniA47) Are not permitted – An interpretAtion consistent with AshrAe stAndArd 15
Figure 2
60 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
GG of the standard (see Figure 2 for example results). This requirement will typically affect portable air conditioners. Larger amounts (up to 4.94 kilogrammes) of refrigerant will require mechanical ventilation operated by a leak detector/sensor. These amounts are limited to fixed equipment only.
Equipment having very large amounts of refrigerant is not covered by IEC 60335-2-40, which states that national standards shall apply (eg, ASHRAE 15).
AnSI/uL 484, standard for safety for heating and cooling equipmentThese requirements cover room air conditioners rated not more than 600 Vac. Room air conditioners include packaged terminals (PTACs), special purpose and
recreational vehicle type air conditioners.
Flammable refrigerant requirements have recently achieved consensus in the UL 484 Standards Technical Panel and will be published shortly. These requirements are similar to the requirements described above for IEC 60335-2-40, in that the maximum charge is correlated to the size of the room in which the air conditioner is intended to be installed. However, they do not include an allowance for larger amounts of flammable refrigerant when there is mechanical ventilation.
AnSI/uL 474, standard for safety for heating and cooling equipmentThis standard details requirements for movable, household, self-contained dehumidifiers employing
hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors, and intended for connection to single-phase, alternating-current circuits rated not more than 20 A, 125 V or 15 A, 208 or 230 V. The situation relative to flammable refrigerants is identical to that of ANSI/UL 484.
uL 984, standard for safety for refrigerant motor compressorsThis is the legacy standard applicable to hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors rated 7200 V or less, for use in air conditioning and refrigerating equipment that comply with the standards applicable to such equipment.It distinguishes between refrigerants primarily by their thermodynamic properties, and by the strength of materials necessary to contain the refrigerants under
though the iec stAndArd Also Addresses electric heAt pumps, Air conditioners And dehumidifiers contAining flAmmABle refrigerAnt, the stAndArds technicAl pAnel deVeloping the drAft stAndArd hAs not itself Addressed flAmmABle refrigerAnts in its work
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normal and abnormal conditions. Specific reference to flammable refrigerants is not made in the standard; instead, it defers to ASHRAE 15.
The basic requirements are the same for all types of refrigerants, except that leakage around gaskets and seals is not permitted during Strength
Testing of compressors intended for refrigerants other than A1 (or A1/A1 blends). The flammable refrigerant, lubrication and the compressor motor electrical insulating system must also be compatible. The standard prescribes a test to establish compatibility, though there are alternative means to do so.
Going forward, UL 984 will only cover motor-compressors that are outside the scope of ANSI/UL 60335-2-34.
AnSI/uL 60335-2-34, standard for household and similar electrical appliances, part 2: particular requirements for motor-compressorsIn late 2009, revisions to the previously published UL 60335-2-34 were completed so that the standard could be declared as harmonised with UL 984. Designation as an American National Standard (ANS) was then transferred from UL 984 to UL 60335-2-34.
ANSI/UL60335-2-34 is based on IEC 60335-2-34 whose scope “deals with the safety of sealed (hermetic and semi-hermetic type) motor-compressors, their protection and control systems, if any, which are intended for use in equipment for household and similar purposes and which conform with the standards applicable to such equipment.
It applies to motor-compressors tested separately, under the most severe conditions which
may be expected to occur in normal use, their rated voltage being not more than 250 V for single-phase motor-compressors and 480 V for other motor-compressors.”51
There is no difference between ANSI/UL 60335-2-34 and UL 984 with regard to how refrigerants are handled.
Other appliance standardsOther standards potentially affected by the introduction of flammable refrigerants are ANSI/UL 412, Standard for Safety for Refrigeration Unit Coolers, ANSI/UL 399, Standard for Safety for Drinking Water Coolers,52 and ANSI/UL 541, Standard for Safety for Refrigerated Vending Machines.
“Reverse-cycle” heating, long the staple of heat pumps, is also making an appearance in products such as clothes dryers and water heaters. With their experience in the use of HC refrigerants in household refrigerators and freezers, European manufacturers have expanded the application to
these newer energy saving technologies (eg, clothes dryers53).
The water heater application is currently covered by ANSI/UL 1995 for conventional refrigerants. There is no current mechanism within that standard to address a flammable refrigerant. Similarly, clothes dryer requirements (ANSI/UL 2158, Standard for Electric Clothes Dryers) do not anticipate the heat pump technology (conventional or flammable refrigerants). For this reason, there is an effort underway at UL to re-purpose an existing Standard for Refrigerating Units, ANSI/UL 427, to be a general source for refrigeration circuits employed in appliances where the relevant appliance standard does not already include such requirements.
ConclusionIn the 1990s the US market was not ready for the introduction of flammable refrigerants in many HVAC and appliance applications when CFC phase-out began to take effect. However, much experience with equipment using HC refrigerants has been gained around the world in the intervening years. As the drive towards more environmentally friendly refrigerants and greater energy efficiency continues, it’s time to revisit the use of flammable refrigerants in the US.
Anticipating that these refrigerants can very quickly attain more widespread use, it is important that the stakeholders of the US safety system take a holistic look at the potential impact of such use, and take the necessary steps to ensure the continued safety track record of HVAC equipment and appliances. UL believes that raising awareness and facilitating dialogue among stakeholders is an important first step in this direction. n
References[34] ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34, Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants, Scope.
[35] Standard for Safety of Refrigerants, ANSI/UL 2182, Scope.
[36] ANSI/NFPA 58-2011, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code Clause 1.3.2.
[37] DOT cylinder specifications are provided in 49CFR178, “Specifications for Packaging.”
[38] ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15-2010, Safety Standard forRefrigeration Systems, Scope.
[39] Refrigerant concentration limit (RCL) is the measure of complete discharge of each independent refrigeration circuit into a volume of space.
[40] ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15-2010, Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems, Clause 7.5.3 Higher Flammability Refrigerants, Exception c.
[41] Standard for Safety
the BAsic requirements Are the sAme for All types of refrigerAnts, except thAt leAkAge Around gAskets And seAls is not permitted during strength testing of compressors intended for refrigerAnts other thAn A1 (or A1/A1 Blends)
Water heater
62 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
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for Refrigerant-Containing Components and Accessories, Nonelectrical, ANSI/UL 207, Scope.
[42] Standard for Household Refrigerators and Freezers, ANSI/UL 250, Scope.
[43] Tri-national (US, Canada, Mexico) standard based on the eponymous IEC 60335-2-24.
[44] The U.S. EPA is proposing that equipment must have distinguishing colour-coded hoses and piping to indicate use of a flammable refrigerant. They indicate that one unspecified color would be sufficient for both household refrigerator and freezers and retail food refrigeration (stand-alone units). (Federal Register/Vol. 75, No. 89/Monday, May 10, 2010 / Proposed Rules p. 25808).
[45] Standard for Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers,ANSI/UL 471, Scope.
[46] Standard for Safety for Heating and Cooling Equipment,
ANSI/UL 1995, Scope.
[47] “In general, ammonia can be used in unlimited quantities in direct systems for industrial occupancies; however it must be used in indirect (secondary) systems for commercial and public occupancies, while its general use in small absorption equipment is unrestricted.” “Ammonia as a Refrigerant,” Position Document Approved by ASHRAE Board of Directors January 17, 2002, Reaffirmed by ASHRAE Board of Directors January 26, 2006, http://www.ashrae.org/docLib/200622793710_347.pdf.
[48] According to the CANENA website (http://www.canena.org/about/about.aspx#canena), “CANENA provides a forum for harmonisation discussions and; upon agreement, the draft harmonised standards are then processed by the respective standards developer in each country, in accordance with that SDO’s procedures.”
[49] ISO 5149, Mechanical
refrigerating systems used for cooling and Heating – Safety requirements.[50] Standard for Hermetic Refrigerant Motor Compressors, ANSI/UL 984, Scope.[51] Standard for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Motor-Compressors, ANSI/UL 60335-2-34, Scope.
[52] Rockwell Industries Ltd of India claims to be able to produce water coolers using hydrocarbon refrigerant (http://www.rockwell.co.in/aboutus.html).
[53] Patent application filed by Agent BSH Home Appliances, Intellectual Property Department: HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE CONTAINING A HEAT TRANSFER FLUID, Publication date: 08/26/2010, Patent publication number: 2010-0212178. The patent is described to be “for a household appliance includes a drying chamber, a process air loop and a heat pump. The heat pump includes a heat transfer loop
Thomas blewitt is Director of Primary Designated Engineers, underwriters Laboratories and can be contacted at: [email protected]
containing a heat transfer fluid, an evaporator heat exchanger, a liquefier heat exchanger, a compressor, and a nozzle. The heat transfer fluid has a critical temperature above 60°C – a nominal heat of vapourisation at boiling point of at least 220 kJ/kg, a GWP index of less than 150 and a lower flammability level of at least 0.1 kg/m3. Preferably, the household appliance is a dryer for drying wet laundry.” (Description obtained from http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20100212178 where the refrigerant was further described to be R152a).Copyright
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 63
perspectiveDAMPERS
DamperS can Save liveSDampers play an important role in making a building safe from fire and smoke hazards. Saad Ali explains how they work and cites the recent incident of fire in a Doha mall as an example to highlight the need for strict building codes and fire safety measures.
Massive construction transformation has been taking place in the Gulf Arab States in general, and the UAE in particular, with the tallest building in the world, enormous shopping malls and beautiful resorts. It is, therefore, natural that safety
of people has become the prime objective in case of danger, such as fire in these structures.
It is typically easy to get away from a fire unless an explosion has occurred, but as smoke inhalation is usually the culprit for
most deaths, it’s important to have an HVAC system capable of delivering the proper amount of air and, at the same time, contain the smoke migration, to minimise property damage and, most importantly, save lives.
64 Climate Control Middle East June 201264 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
If smoke is introduced into an HVAC system supplying conditioned air to virtually every area of a building, the entire occupants’ area can be contaminated. Residential apartments, businesses, schools, banquet facilities – any such structure provides the opportunity for smoke-related casualties or property damage unless the building is properly equipped with smoke detectors and fire/smoke dampers.
In recent years, various new designs in fire/smoke dampers have been introduced to prevent casualties in a fire accident and to also increase designer and installer flexibility. Therefore, the right kind of fire/smoke dampers installed properly, along with the knowledge of current codes and standards can go a long way in saving lives and property.
FIRE, SMOKE AND COMBINATION DAMPERSSmoke dampers are operated by either a factory-installed electric or pneumatic actuator. They are controlled by smoke detectors and/or fire alarms. Smoke dampers are qualified under UL Standard 555S, Smoke Dampers, and are designed to resist the passage of air and smoke.
Smoke dampers have two general applications:• Part of a “passive smoke
control system” in which they close upon detection of smoke and prevent the circulation of air and smoke through a duct, transfer, or ventilation opening
• Part of an “engineered smoke control system” designed to control smoke migration using walls and floors as barriers to create pressure differences
Pressurising the areas surrounding the fire prevents
the spread of smoke to other areas.
Section 101.3 (Intent) of the 2000 International The Building Code states: “The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.”
SMOKE – THE MAIN CUlPRITSince smoke inhalation is usually the cause of most deaths, installing the correct HVAC system that can deliver the right amount of air but, at the same time, is capable of containing smoke through its system, plays an important role in saving lives and minimising damage to property.
By definition, inhalation injury is the breathing in of
superheated gases, steam, hot liquids or noxious products of incomplete combustion that cause thermal or chemical injury to the airways and lungs. The combustion of all natural and man-made products results in the production of various chemicals, including hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes, hydrochloric acid, and acrolein, which produce the changes in the airway and lungs, that is characteristic of inhalation injury.
The injury can occur above or below the vocal cords, or in both locations at once. Injuries above the vocal cords are typically caused by inhaled heat, while those below the cords are usually caused by toxins and particulate matter. “Because dry heat does not easily penetrate as far as the lower respiratory tract, true thermal damage of the lungs is rare. The presence of inhalation injury doubles the predicted mortality rate associated with any size of burn in all age groups,” warns Tom Edwards, President, Ruskin Co.
THE WAKEUP CAllOn May 28, more than 20 people were killed, 14 of them children, in a blaze at the Villaggio Mall in Doha. This tragedy raised questions over the entire region’s building codes and whether or not proper measures were implemented to contain the poisonous combustion migrating through the building’s HVAC system. The mall fire incident is a wake-up call for the authorities concerned and building owners. They need to make sure that such scenarios are not repeated. The need for adopting fire safety measures in buildings, especially places like crowded malls, can never be overstated.
By definition, inhAlAtion inJury is the AspirAtion of superheAted gAses, steAm, hot liquids or noxious products of incomplete comBustion thAt cAuse thermAl or chemicAl inJury to the AirwAys And lungs
an airfoil multipleblade smokedamper
The writer is general Manager, Ruskin Titus gulf Manufacturing LLC. He can be contacted at: [email protected]
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 65
to motoriSe or not to motoriSe – tHat iS tHe queStion!David Stevenson takes an in-depth look at the role of fire dampers in reducing smoke and heat from spreading from one fire compartment to another through HVAC ductwork and believes that motorized actuators ensure greater efficiency and safety.
perspectiveDAMPERS
66 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
The use of fire dampers in compliance with various codes of practice is generally considered to be a mitigating factor which prevents spreading of fire through the ductwork. The prevalent codes recognise various qualities of dampers and their method of operation, but regulatory guidance states that all alternatives are equally acceptable. This obviously leaves the specifier to go for the cheapest option, such as the thermally operated fire curtain damper, for regulatory compliance. However, this is not an effective method of preventing the spread of cold or even warm smoke, and certainly would not always be 100% effective, even against the spread of hot smoke, depending upon the efficiency of any thermal triggering device.
Furthermore, the efficiency of any fusible link could be seriously reduced in a sprinklered environment, where the smoke temperature may be lowered to below the device’s operating temperature. Despite a sprinkler suppressed fire having the potential to generate more than a normal amount of smoke if the thermal devices fail to operate, there is a greater risk of uncontrolled smoke spread.
CONTRADICTORY MAINTENANCE GUIDANCEThere is a further potential conflict between the regulatory authority, whether it is a local authority or a building
control officer and the risk assessor. This once again brings the issue of maintenance into sharp focus, thanks to the wooliness in the guidance. The guides state that in “dust-laden” and similar atmospheres, the operation of the damper should be confirmed by testing at intervals suited to the degree of pollution. It has long been recognised that checking of damper operation is more easily carried out with motorised actuators than with manual operation. The risk assessor will normally take frequency of checking into account and may well require an enhanced level of checking over and above that which is sensibly achieved by manually checking fusible link-operated dampers. However, if the minimum specification has been accepted by the building control authorities, the risk assessor’s expectations may be deemed incompatible.
REGUlATORY GUIDANCE AND RISK ASSESSMENTThe important question to ask is: Does regulatory guidance satisfy a life safety-based risk assessment? BS5588: Part 9, for example, states that “all fire dampers should be simple in their operation with the minimum number or moving parts”. In fire performance terms, the code only requires the dampers to satisfy the integrity requirements of BS476: Part 20: 1987, and whilst it recognises the enhanced insulation that an intumescent damper can provide, and even acknowledges the existence of intumescent dampers with integral, detector-operated smoke blades, the basic recommendation is for fusible-link operated “integrity only” dampers. Such dampers are recognised as not generally being
regarded as fully effective in resisting smoke. But it does state that the “integrity only” damper will “assist” in reducing or retarding the movement of smoke. Without qualification, such a statement could be seen as highly optimistic.
A greater level of guidance is given on the activation of fire/smoke dampers by smoke detectors. Indeed, there are positive advantages in life safety terms in actuating fire/smoke dampers by smoke detectors (in addition to) thermally activated devices, particularly in buildings presenting a high or special life hazard, such as hotels, hospitals and other non-domestic buildings like entertainment premises, involving a sleeping risk. The catch 22 situation is that building control has no mandate to ask for a higher standard, and the risk assessor is not duty-bound to accept a lower standard. ARE THE CONCERNS SUPPORTED BY FACT?It is a fact that in these litigious days, society is no longer permitted the luxury of an accident. Invariably, on the occurrence of death or injury, somebody will be
looking for compensation. The principle of “no-win-no-fee” engagement of solicitors makes it almost risk-free to take an action against anybody who may be at fault. In the event of an employee being injured, or even worse, dying as a result of a fire incident in a building that has recently
the efficiency of Any fusiBle link could Be seriously reduced in A sprinklered enVironment, where the smoke temperAture mAy Be lowered to Below the deVice’s operAting temperAture
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 67
perspectiveDAMPERS
been identified as being safe, it would become a very high profile target for such an action.
Taking that to be the case, one needs to look at the guidance to see the area where the spread of smoke is most compromised. Air handling ducts that link enclosures and, indeed, compartments together for the purpose of creating tolerable working environments must be an obvious potential route for the spread of fire and smoke.
Codes of practice, such as, BS5588: Part 9 heavily promote the concept of dampers for isolating the duct between the separate compartments which handles the risk of fire spread. However, very little guidance is given on their
specification or performance. Dampers dividing compartments will invariably be fairly simple, robust, mechanical dampers that are operated by a fusible link if the regulatory guidance is followed. Such dampers do not react to smoke ingress into the duct until the smoke has a temperature sufficiently elevated to operate the fusible link. As a consequence, in a slowly developing fire, significant volumes of smoke can spread through the ductwork, potentially putting people at risk in remote positions before the damper begins to operate.
In the light of this, the fact that dampers are not generally designed to provide smoke resistance is of a lesser concern than
the fact that they will not operate early in the event of a fire. The important question that needs to be asked is: How can a damper be installed, in such a way that it does get activated early enough to make a contribution to the control of smoke spread? The only sure way to ensure this is to have the damper so that it operates from a smoke detector, preferably closing in a controlled manner using motorised actuators.
indeed, there Are positiVe AdVAntAges in life sAfety terms in ActuAting fire/smoke dAmpers By smoke detectors (in Addition to) thermAlly ActiVAted deVices, pArticulArly in Buildings presenting A high or speciAl life hAzArd
The writer is the Managing Director of belimo Automation. He can be contacted at: [email protected]
68 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
in order to isolate a fire at birth and to improve safety of people. Here are a few cardinal steps to ensure a safe compartmentation.
BASICS OF COMPARTMENTATIONDEFInITIOn:A fire compartment is defined as an area of a building which is totally separated from the rest of the building by continuous construction. This area could be a single room or a series of rooms or even an entire floor area.
OBJECTIVE:The purpose of compartmentation is to subdivide a building into fire compartment(s) to isolate the fire at birth in a small
volume and to limit spread of fire, smoke and heat through HVAC ductwork.
HOW TO ACHIEVE IT:Fire dampers need to be installed in fire separating walls and floors to prevent fire and to reduce smoke and heat spreading from one fire compartment to another through HVAC ductwork.
FIRE DAMPERSA fire damper is a device installed in an air distribution system with blades open, but designed to close automatically upon detection of heat or close through remote signal from fire alarm panel in order to interrupt the airflow and to restrict the passage of flame, smoke and heat. A fire damper can be
Dividing a building into discrete fire zones or fire compartmentation is regarded as the most effective way of limiting fire damage. In this regard, it is important to understand the basics of compartmentation. While constructing a building, it is important to establish correct compartmentation
enSuring Safe compartmentationContaining or delaying the spread of fire in a building by restricting its flammability or combustibility can help mitigate hazards and loss of life and property. Noman Qamar illustrates how compartmentation can go a long way in achieving this.
As this smoke is cold, A mAnuAl fire dAmper will not close AutomAticAlly, And therefore, smoke could eAsily spreAd through the hVAc ductwork to other AreAs of the Building
manual or motorised.A manual fire damper,
typically also known as a curtain fire damper, closes automatically via melting of fusible link when temperature exceeds the temperature rating of fusible link.
A motorised fire damper is connected with Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) and Building Management system (BMS). It can be closed through remote signal from FACP in the early stage of fire, upon detection of smoke (to avoid spread of cold smoke to other areas through
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 69
HVAC ductwork). It is also equipped with fusible link or Thermal Responsive Device (TRD) to close automatically on detection of heat, thus ensuring dual safety.
IN CASE OF FIRE…
THE FIRST PRIORITY – LIMIT THE SPREAD OF SMOKEThe first priority when fire is detected is to limit the spread of smoke through the HVAC ductwork. This is because, at the start of fire, smoke
develops rapidly as compared to the rise in temperature. As this smoke is cold, a manual fire damper will not close automatically, and therefore, smoke could easily spread through the HVAC ductwork to other areas of the building.
ExAMPlES OF INCIDENTS OF FIREMGM GRAnD HOTEL FIRE In 1980According to the “Investigation report on the MGM Grand Hotel fire – Las Vegas, Nevada – which
perspective
inhalation […]. No one was seriously injured. The fire started about 4pm […]. The smoke spread throughout the 2,017-room hotel through the ventilation system. Hotel guests from the eighth to the 33rd floors said that the hallways were thick with smoke.” (Source: http://www.iklimnet.com/hotelfires/case52.html)
CONClUSIONTo stop the smoke propagation through the HVAC ductwork needs to be the first priority of any compartmentation system with quick activation through a smoke detection system. Therefore, fire dampers need to be:• Motorisedwithaquickor
instantaneous (1s) operation via a fire alarm control panel (FACP) connected to smoke detectors• Airtightatlowaswellas
high temperatures to stop propagation of smoke, preferably with intumescent seal to seal gaps• InstalledinanHVAC
system with fan shut-off quickly after the start of the fire
THE SECOND PRIORITY – STOP FLAME HEAT TRAnSFEROn the basis of the report, “Examination of the fire resistance requirements for ducts and dampers”, made in 2005 in the UK by Building Research Establishment (BRE), the principle causes of ignition and fire spread
the principle cAuses of ignition And fire spreAd inside ducts Are fluff, dust, food residue And greAse contents inside ducts
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occurred on November 21, 1980 (Best and Demers 1982)”, available on NFPA website, “the HVAC systems operated during the fire and contributed to smoke spread through the high-rise tower. The equipment was not equipped with smoke detector arranged to shut down the systems upon sensing products of combustion. In addition, some fire dampers were arranged so that they could not close when the fusible links melted and others did not close completely”.
Consequently, “the fire was limited to the first floor, but smoke spread throughout the building. Some occupants on upper floors were exposed to smoke for hours before rescue. The death toll was 85, and the majority of the deaths were on floors far above the fire.” (Source: Design of smoke management systems, J Klote J Milke, ASHRAE Special Publications, 1992.)
HILTOn nEW YORK HOTEL FIRE In 2005“A fire in an electrical shaft at the Hilton New York hotel forced the evacuation of the 45-storey Midtown building, sent 33 people to the hospital with smoke
70 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
inside ducts are fluff, dust, food residue and grease contents inside ducts. All these can have an impact on both fire ignition and fire spread inside the HVAC ducts.
Heat transfer through fire dampers, even with blades in close position, could ignite any fluff or dust on the opposite side and, then, spread the fire throughout the building.
The main danger due to the heat transfer comes from the pyrolysis of any material and dust. For example, the pyrolysis of a piece of wood starts at 200°C, and the pyrolysis of the products (gases...) starts to burn (with flames) between 500°C and 700°C, leading to the fire propagation.
CONClUSIONTo prevent flames and heat transfer from one compartment to another is the second priority of any
The writer is with the Marketing Department of Aldes Middle East. He can be contacted at [email protected]
THE uAE firE CoDEBelow is an extract from the new UAE Fire Code (Chapter 10), which also explains that a fire damper should not only stop flames, but should also ensure that no smoke leakage and no heat transfer takes place, especially in sensitive buildings.
“10.6: Fire dampers used in any sensitive buildings as healthcare facilities, hotels (ie, occupancy with sleeping risk), education buildings, and any buildings where habitable height exceeds 23m shall be controlled by an automatic alarm initiated device, and shall ensure no smoke leakage and no heat transfer.”
PRINCIPlE CAUSES OF IGNITION INVOlVING SYSTEMS lFB DATA
PRINCIPlE CONTRIBUTORS TO FIRE lFB DATA SPREAD OF FIRE IN DUCTS
Electrical wiring/insulation
Fat/oil/food residue/soot/grease/dirt
Fluff or dust or airborne particles
Extractor fan casing/vent casing/fan components/grille
Insulation
Fat/oil/food residue/soot/grease/dirt
Ventilation components Building construction Furnishings, fittings,
room contents
compartmentation system. Therefore, it is essential that:• Firedamperblades
are made of refractory material to avoid heat transfer to the unexposed side of the damper• Noflameshouldbe
allowed to transfer to the unexposed side through the closed damper
It is evident that limiting the spread of smoke through the HVAC ductwork and stopping flame heat transfer need to be top priorities. In this regard, it is important to establish a correct compartmentation to isolate fire at its onset. n
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makes them capable of causing health hazards. Silicosis, for example, is an occupational lung disease caused by inhaling silicon dioxide (silica) dust, usually in crystalline form as quartz.2
There is an abundance of Silicon (Si) in the earth’s crust, as it is the second most common element next to oxygen. Generally, the effect it has on our health depends on the dose and the type of dust inhaled, the size of particles reaching the lungs and exposure time in the dusty environment.
pArTiCLE sizE in EnginEEring TErmsOnce again, as has been reiterated in this series, the size of the particle is of
Aerosols influence our daily lives through the role they play in the chemistry of the atmosphere. Aerosols are defined to be liquid or solid particles suspended in a gaseous medium long enough to be observed and measured, generally about 0.001 to 100 µm.1 Their ability to impair visibility and penetrate into the deepest segments of the respiratory system
A microscopic
View of pArticles
spotlightAir filtration
A
Dr Iyad Al-Attar explains the importance of defining critical parameters, such as particle size, which affect the performance of air filters. He also strongly advocates the view that we need
to take strides in the field of air filtration today to make a positive impact on the health of generations to come.
pArticle density, concentrAtion And shApe Are equAlly importAnt And need to Be giVen due Attention
it is essential to enhance our understanding of the atmospheric aerosols properties, specifically particle size. The first step towards building a solid knowledge in aerosol filtration, is establishing engineering definitions to the significant parameters influencing the process at hand. While particle diameter stands as the greatest nominee since it has several definitions depending on the criteria at which it is defined, other parameters, such as particle density, concentration and shape are equally important and need to be given due attention.
Clearly, an important parameter to be addressed is the location of dust
importance. Particle size is regarded as a crucial parameter is every aspect of Aerosol Science. However, in order to quantify aerosol effects on human health,
72 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
be physically determined to characterise the particle property and behaviour is required. A common description of the particle diameter is the aerodynamic diameter, which is a physical property of a particle in a viscous fluid, such as air.
Aerodynamic diameter is an expression of a particle’s aerodynamic behaviour, as if it were a perfect sphere with unit-density and diameter equal to the aerodynamic diameter. Such a model has the same terminal settling velocity. Aerodynamic diameter is commonly applied to particulate pollutants and inhaled drugs to predict where in the respiratory tract such particles will get deposited.
Another related diameter is Stokes diameter ds, which is defined as the spherical particle that would have the same density and settling velocity (VTS) as the particle. The Stokes
deposition in the lung, which largely depends on the particle size. Motion descriptions of airborne particles require a definition to encompass their often irregular shapes. But the question is, can such a definition make particle size describable in engineering terms?
AEroDynAmiC DiAmETEr vErsus sTokEs’ DiAmETErParticle size or diameter is usually associated with our perception of spherical particles and our sight limitation down to a human hair (See Figure 1) or a cloud of smoke [50-100µm]. Particle diameter measurement is critically an important parameter in filtration and in other fields. In general, particles have irregular shapes (See Figure 2) with actual geometric diameters that are difficult to measure. However, when considering irregular geometries of particles, an equivalent diameter that can
filtration mechanisms. Figure 4 shows various sizes and irregular shapes of atmospheric dust particles existing in the GCC atmosphere.
DusT CAkE formATion – fiLTEr CLoggingWhen filter fibres collect dust particles and, then, particles collect one another, a dust cake is formed. A dust cake acts as another layer of filtration, and with time, its great fragility and variable thickness makes the filter performance analysis more complex. Therefore, knowledge of dust cake properties, such as particle size, dust cake porosity and permeability are imperative for better prediction of the
filtration performance.4,5 Filter clogging is the last
stage of the lifespan of a filter, and is also highly affected by particle size. Therefore, particles of different sizes, shapes and phases are a major point of interest for researchers in the air filtration field, since it allows designers to determine the lifetime and the pressure drop at which the filter should be replaced. The filter structure may change internally if particles deposit within the media, or externally if particles deposit on its surface to form a new layer of dust. Such a change in structure affects the
figure 1: sEm of a human hair
figure 3: A comparison between different particle diameter definitions [Adapted from Hinds, 1998]3
figure 2: sEm image of an atmospheric particle
figure 4: various sizes and shapes of the gCC atmospheric dust particles
AerodynAmic diAmeter is commonly Applied to pArticulAte pollutAnts And inhAled drugs to predict where in the respirAtory trAct such pArticles will get deposited
diameter is less common and the Aerodynamic is widely used to represent the particle diameter. Figure 3 illustrates the differences of particle diameters.3
The performance of air filters is highly affected by particle size, and its distribution. Particle size, shape and density can determine the dominating
June 2012 www.climatecontrolme.com 73
spotlight
the filter structure mAy chAnge internAlly if pArticles deposit within the mediA, or externAlly if pArticles deposit on its surfAce to form A new lAyer of dust
pressure drop response of the filter, which also depends on air velocity. As far as the size of the particle is concerned, finer particles cause higher pressure drop and are considered more clogging than larger particles.
rEDuCing pArTiCLE ConCEnTrATion – vEnTiLATion AnD fiLTrATionWhen we think of improving the Indoor Air Quality, typically, our focus merely shifts towards air filtration. However, ventilation is another means used to reduce particle concentration by either supplying air to or removing air from an indoor space with the intention of controlling air contaminant levels, humidity or temperature within the space. Ventilation is considered to be one of the most common engineering mechanisms used to control emissions, exposures and chemical hazards in the work environment.
It is absolutely essential in many applications, both residential and industrial, to install air filters for several reasons. Initially, air filters
protect the HVAC equipment and provide improved Indoor Air Quality for human occupants. Further, filtration is application-specific, providing certain cleanliness to meet the requirement of each application. In installing filtration stages, particle concentration is reduced, which will have a great impact on the system performance at hand. The reduced concentrations of particulates in indoor air have a great impact on human health and productivity.6
ConvEnTionAL wisDom Conventional wisdom tells us that in order not to pass judgement, facts need to be gathered. By the same token, prior to making any air filtration selection, fundamental knowledge on the subject needs to be gathered. This article has addressed how important it is to define critical parameters, such as particle size, which affects the performance of air filters.
It would certainly be an endless list, if I were to enumerate the names of the great scientists, chemists and engineers who spent their lives researching Aerosol Science and working towards its advancement. The technology brought about in the light of their findings and the underlying theories they established are being taught in universities worldwide. However, a compelling question remains: Are we endorsing or even suggesting any scientific initiatives that can be taken today to make advancements in the field air filtration science, technology and research to positively impact generations to come? As a corollary, are we building on the great advancements made by the pioneers in the field? Although there is so much more that needs to be done in the field of aerosol filtration, collaborative endeavours could be the first step in the right direction towards bringing our far-reaching goals, within our reach. n
The writer is Regional Director, Middle East, and International Consultant, EMW Filtertechnik, Germany. He can be contacted at [email protected]
imporTAnT noTE: unless otherwise referenced, the images used in this article are copyright of the author.
rEfErEnCEs1 Analytical chemistry of
aerosol, edited by Kvetoslav Rudolf Spurny, lewis Publisher, 1999.
2 Pathology by Rubin, John l Farber, MD (Editor), Emanuel Rubin (Editor), [1988]. lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
3 Hinds WC, 1998. “Aerosol Technology”, Wiley, New York.
4 Schmidt E, 1997. “Theoretical investigations into the compression of dust cakes deposited on filter
media”, Filtration & Separation, 34(4), 365-368.
5 Neiva ACB and Goldstein l Jr, 2003. “A procedure for calculating pressure drop during the build-up of dust filter cakes”, Chemical Engineering and Processing, 42(6), 495-501.
6 Fisk W and Rosenfeld A, (1997), “Improved productivity and health from better indoor environments”, Center for Building Science Newsletter, lawrence-Berkeley labs.
7 Advances in aerosol filtration, edited by Kvetoslav Rudolf Spurny, lewis Publisher, 1998.
8 Fuchs NA, 1964. “The mechanics of aerosols”, Pergamon, Oxford.
A TRIBUTE TO AEROSOL SCIENTISTS
Looking back at the historical achievements made by science in the past two centuries, we would certainly be remiss if we do not acknowledge the names of great scientists who shone the light of learning to eradicate ignorance, and laid the foundations of aerosol science.
A deserving applause goes to John Aitken (1839-1919), a Scottish meteorologist, physicist and marine engineer, who was one of the founders of Aerosol Science and builder of the first apparatus to measure the number of dust and fog particles in the atmosphere.
In 1959, air filtration by fibrous filters was one of the main branches of aerosol research organised by Prof Nikolai Albertovich Fuchs (1895-1982) in the Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry in Moscow. Fuchs’ name is associated with the establishment and the advancement of aerosol filtration, through his ability to theoretically interpret results of experiments. He was the founder of the Aerosol Science in Russia and an important cofounder of this scientific discipline globally. I strongly doubt if there is a single aerosol physicist, chemist or engineer who is not familiar with the great contribution of Prof Fuchs to the field of Aerosol Science. His book, The Mechanics of Aerosols stands tall as a great reference work in libraries worldwide.1, 7, 8
74 Climate Control Middle East June 2012
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