Educator gives tips to contractors to fight moisture-related challenges

According to a news release by Cliplight Manufacturing, HVACR contractors are learning new ways of eradicating moisture that potentially kills ac/r systems, at the US state of Alabama’s mandated Continuing Education Programme designed for contractors.
“An epidemic of moisture-related problems are causing more system failures today than ever before in the history of air conditioning and refrigeration,” said Paul Appler, Director of Research, Cliplight Manufacturing, Toronto, Ontario, who was a technical speaker at the programme. He presented the state-approved ‘Repair and Servicing R-410A/POE and R-22/Mineral Oil-Related Systems’ class last April to HVACR service techs at the Alabama Johnstone Supply branches of Birmingham and Huntsville, respectively, Cliplight said.

“I think service techs are finally understanding that moisture is now public enemy number one, based on the many moisture-related questions they asked during the four-hour class,” said Larry Brudi, the programme’s host and owner of five Johnstone Supply branches in north central Alabama and middle Tennessee.

While R-410A/POE systems readily react with water or “hydrolyse” to form acids and alcohol that lead to accelerated system corrosion, Appler said that R-22/mineral oil systems can also develop similar problems, such as waxing particulates that restrict thermostatic expansion valves (TEV).

“Moisture is an old adversary, regardless of the system, but now it’s even more threatening because of the efficiency advancements of today’s systems,” said Appler, who also reportedly presented the same topic to Johnstone Supply in Fresno and Visalia, California; The Training College of the Sequoias, Visalia; HVAC Contractor, Arctic Mechanical, Rancho Cucamonga, California; and Refrigeration Supply Distributors branches in Buena Park, Pomona, Anaheim, and Monterey Park, California.

However, the good news is chemical-based drying agent additives, triple evacuations, liquid line drier replacements and other technology can help remove and prevent and greatly reduce system moisture, the announcement said. When combined with ac/r repair fundamentals outlined by organisations, such as the ARI, Arlington, Virginia, and ASHRAE, Atlanta, Georgia, moisture-related problems can be virtually eliminated or at least minimised, it added.

Highlights that proprietary systems are on the decline

‘Increasing the value of properties with BACnet’ was the topic of BACnet’s first forum held in London from April 11 to 13, in which around 130 manufacturers, developers and users in the field of building automation took part, BACnet has announced.

In his speech made on the occasion, Jeremy Towler, Chief Market Researcher at the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA), said: “Since the first development of open communications protocols around 24 years ago, the market share of proprietary protocols fell to 45% in Europe and below 25% in North America. Along with it, the market share for BACnet rose to 24% in Europe and 47% in North America.”

Towler also reportedly highlighted the existing differences in the European markets. While in Belgium, Germany, France and Italy, proprietary systems are at 40% and below, their share in the British market is the highest at 75%, he said. He projected 15% annual growth for BACnet systems over the next five years, and said he believed that BACnet was on the way to becoming the general standard for the entire field of building services, including safety and security systems, elevators, access control and smart grids.
 
According to the announcement, the participants at the forum agreed that an important milestone for the establishment of BACnet in Great Britain had been set. Other joint activities, such as a common organisation of the next BACnet Plugfests were proposed.
 
The next BACnet Forum will take place on November 10 in Hong Kong, details of which can be found at www.bacnetforum.org, the announcement added.

Schneider Electric says that its flagship event focused on energy management and renewable solutions

Schneider Electric has announced the conclusion of Power Solutions Expo 2011, a day-long event, which was held in Abu Dhabi on June 13. The event offered power and energy-efficiency solutions to industry professionals and served as a platform to experience the company’s products and solutions line-up. According to Schneider, it attracted professionals in energy, construction and related fields, including engineers, key decision-makers, partners and customers.

In what Schneider Electric dubbed its flagship annual event delivering key strategic business drivers for the future, this year’s Expo focused primarily on energy management and renewable solutions, healthcare solutions and optimising energy efficiency. Energy University, the vendor-neutral website, offering courses on energy and ways of saving energy, was also reportedly a key focus among the attendees.

According to Schneider Electric, the event was also leveraged to showcase the company’s portfolio of integrated solutions that facilitated intelligent energy management for its customers, combining presentations and real-life demonstrations with exhibits.

On the occasion, John A Griffiths, President of Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric, said: “The Power Solutions Expo acts as a platform to further educate our stakeholders about energy solutions. At the event, we discussed several means to address energy challenges and solutions that add value to one’s business in the long run.”

Receive recognition for occupational health, safety and environmental efforts

TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding, has announced that eight of its specialised business parks have received international certificates for their Environmental Management System Standard and Occupational Health and Safety Management System Standard, from Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The Environmental Management System Standard (ISO 14001:2004), and the Occupational Health and Safety Management System Standard (OHSAS 18001:2007) are considered two of the world’s most accredited certifications, and DNV is one of the world’s leading certification bodies offering management systems certification services, TECOM said.

The TECOM Business Parks which received the certifications include, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Outsource Zone, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, International Media Production Zone, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai International Academic City and DuBiotech.

According to the announcement, the Environmental Management System served as a tool to provide a systematic way of managing an organisation’s environmental concerns. On its part, the Occupational Health and Safety Management System Standard focuses on minimising risk to employees and improving existing safety and health management systems, it added.

Expressing her thoughts on the company receiving the recognition, Dr Amina Al Rostamani, CEO of TECOM Business Parks, said: “Our commitment to implementing the requirements for achieving the two international standards will curtail the risks of health and safety to employees, customers and business partners. It will also help achieve better management of the environmental risks at the business parks, while boosting the morale of employees.”

Hussain Ali, Executive Director of Business Excellence, TECOM Business Parks, added: “The implementation of the HSEMS (Health, Safety and Environment Management System) promotes a safe and a healthy working environment by providing a framework that allows the business parks to consistently identify and control its health, safety and environmental risks. This helps reduce the potential for accidents, aid legislative compliance and improve overall performance of business partners.”

Solar power plant is net exporter of energy to the UAE

In an announcement, Masdar said that the largest photovoltaic (PV) plant in the MENA region located at Masdar City has hit all performance targets in the first two years of its operations, demonstrating that utility-scale PV plants in the region are viable.
 
The 10MW PV plant, which is one of five projects in the UAE registered for carbon credits under the United Nation’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), entered its third year of operations this month, Masdar said. Since operations began, the plant has reportedly saved 24,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 3,300 cars off Abu Dhabi’s roads.

According to Masdar, the 10MW solar plant, consisting of 87,777 panels of thin film and crystalline silicon technologies, and connected to the Abu Dhabi National Grid, has so far generated approximately 36,000MWh of clean energy. The plant is a net exporter of energy to the grid after it meets the entire energy needs of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) in Masdar City, the announcement claimed.

“The success of the 10MW PV plant is a good example of how Masdar integrates research, development and innovation with investment, sustainable production, and deployment,” said Frank Wouters, Director, Masdar Power, one of the five integrated units of Masdar. “The utility-scale PV plant has also enabled our engineers to gain insights into ways different PV technologies respond to the region’s climactic conditions. The expertise and knowledge gained will serve as a valuable reference point for other utility-scale PV projects in the region,” he added.

Masdar explained that the connection of the 10MW solar power plant to Abu Dhabi’s electrical grid was a joint effort by Masdar, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and the Emirate’s regulatory body, the Regulation and Supervision Bureau. ADDC, Abu Dhabi’s main grid holder is responsible for operating and developing the distribution networks.

Masdar Power is currently constructing the 100MW Shams One, which Masdar claims is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants of its kind in the world and the largest in the Middle East. Located at Madinat Zayed, 120km southwest of Abu Dhabi city, the project is said to be on schedule for completion towards the end of 2012.

Güntner

Güntner has announced that as part of its endeavour to continuously improve its Microox technology, since its market launch in 2008, its new GVHX/GVVX series condenser has now undergone a performance upgrade. This, claims Güntner, has the added benefit of lower refrigerant charge, a reduced unit weight and high-quality aluminium alloy.

Optimised since its market introduction in April 2011, GVHX/GVVX Microox condenser comes with a nearly four metre-long heat exchanger coil, says Güntner, and claims that with the extended coil, the condenser can now achieve capacities of up to 350 kW. Thus, the price-performance ratio of the condenser, certified by Eurovent, has been further improved, says Güntner.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and benefits:

• Due to standardised coil sizes, the GVHX/GVVX with fan diameters of 450 and 500 mm will soon be implemented in the software program for units in stock, and will be available within four days of delivery.
• Customers can now select refrigerant receivers for the upgraded condenser. In addition, it can be equipped with a sub-cooler.
• EC fans with Güntner motor management are available for energy-efficient control.
• It comes with an option of an empty casing for enclosing additional components and protecting them against possible damage.
• Other accessories include extended feet, vibration dampers and disconnect switches.
• All technical data of the condenser, including options and accessories, are contained in the Güntner product calculator for a thermodynamically precise calculation of the application case.
• Other products by Güntner Controls can be used as accessories for the upgraded condenser.

Offers hands-on sessions to facilitate installing its ceiling and partition solutions for Middle East projects
 
SAS International has announced opening a dedicated training centre at its suite at the Dubai Investment Park, where the company’s international technical experts will offer contractors hands-on training programmes and seminars on installing its metal ceiling systems and partitioning. The experts will conduct comprehensive tailor-made sessions to meet specific requirements of customers and provide them with practical advice on product performance properties and details on fitting its ceiling solutions, the announcement added. In addition, as part of the new service, SAS International said that it would also conduct training seminars at the offices of architects at a time convenient to them.

According to SAS International, the move is aimed at improving its service to its customers in the Middle East market and meeting the needs of contractors by facilitating their interior fit-out projects.

The company claims that the metal ceiling systems it manufactures have a lifespan of more than 25 years and can count towards LEED environmental credits or the Estidama Pearl Rating System.

Dectron

Dubbing it HVAC industry’s most energy-efficient make-up air dehumidifier system for commercial, institutional and industrial applications, Dectron, manufacturer of indoor air quality and energy recovery equipment, has announced introducing Dry-O-Tron DK/RK Series heat recovery dehumidifiers.

The manufacturer claims that DK (indoor) RK (rooftop) Series offers the largest selection of standard and optional features aimed at reducing energy costs of outdoor air compliances of ASHRAE Standard-62 indoor air quality (IAQ) standards, and includes features such as, gas-phase air purification, electronically commutated (EC) motors, energy recovery method options and digital scroll compressor technology, when specifying a custom-manufactured make-up air system.

According to Dectron, ASHRAE Standard 62’s new IAQ Procedure (IAQP) option allows a reduction of outdoor air when gaseous air-cleaning devices are incorporated, such as, the RK/DK Series gas-phase air purification module supplied in-house by Dectron’s Circul-Aire subsidiary, and offers both relative humidity and temperature set point precision. The manufacturer claims that, in addition, the product employs variable hot gas reheat, electronic hot gas bypass, variable heat (for heat pump options) and digital scroll compressor technologies. Additional precision is ensured by onsite or remote monitoring and/or controlling with Dectron’s proprietary 16-bit microprocessor, the Supervisaire, which is compatible with all building automation system protocols, the manufacturer adds.

Dectron lists other product features and benefits:

• A 60-point quality control inspection under full load and design conditions in an advanced in-house test lab
• Rooftop model amenities of two-inch foam insulation, four-coat paint process, hinged access doors with vinyl compression gaskets and cam latches and stainless steel hardware
• A choice of three environmentally friendly refrigerants – R-134a, R-407C or R-410A
• Blower/motor assemblies combined with digital scroll compressors ensure a quiet operating unit
• Exhaust energy recovery also offers a variety of methods, including enthalpy wheels, heat pipes, and plate-type technologies to reduce heating and cooling energy requirements
• Direct drive plenum or plug fans with a choice of either variable frequency drives or EC motors increase efficiencies up to 14% more versus conventional motors and belt drives

It was part of recapitalisation programme for long-term funding for growth

National Central Cooling Company PJSC (Tabreed) has announced that it has completed the tender offer in connection with its 08 Sukuk, by way of delivery of the relevant shares. The announcement follows the regulatory approval given by the UAE Ministry of Economy on May 17, approving its planned capital increase in relation to its 08 Sukuk, and the earlier approval by 08 Sukuk holders for Tabreed’s tender offer, as disclosed by Tabreed on March 28.

The company’s tender offer for the 08 Sukuk formed a part of Tabreed’s recapitalisation programme, which had been approved by Tabreed shareholders on May 30, 2010 and was completed on April 1, the announcement added. 

According to Tabreed, the completed recapitalisation programme provides the company with a stable capital structure and long-term funding for future growth.

Appoints consultants for feasibility study, in line with Dubai’s energy diversification strategy

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that after completing the assessment of the bids received for technical and economic consultants to study the feasibility to generate power by using clean coal, it has selected M/s McKinsey & Company in association with technical consultants, M/s Black & Veatch, and legal consultants M/s Allen & Overy.

The tenders received world-wide response, as more than 16 national and international consultancy companies expressed their wish to participate in the economic and technical feasibility study aimed at assessing the possibility of generating energy by using clean coal, the announcement said.
 
According to DEWA, the initiative to conduct the assessment is in line with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to promote sustainable development and global position of Dubai, while preserving the environment and natural resources from pollution, and  also in line with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy’s strategy, which focuses on ensuring energy supply, meeting growing energy requirements in Dubai and diversifying energy sources. The announcement revealed that DEWA was, therefore, seeking to provide alternative primary sources of energy at a reasonable cost, while reducing their negative effects, which cause harm to the environment.
 
In this context, H E Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer MD and CEO of DEWA said: “This study is a major step towards the implementation of the energy diversification strategy adopted by the Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy, in which coal is set to become part of Dubai’s energy portfolio. The strategy aims to diversify energy sources to ensure energy supply and meet the growing energy demands in the Emirate of Dubai.”

Al Tayer added that the study would be divided into two phases. In the first phase, the selected consultants would conduct a preliminary analysis on the type of technology, the type of coal and sourcing strategy, which would best suit DEWA’s requirements, taking into account logistics and infrastructure requirements, as well as environmental impacts associated with the construction of the first coal-based power plant for DEWA. The second phase would comprise setting technical and business specifications to implement and establish a coal-based power plant, after the request of bid submission and assessment.

The study, expected to be completed by September 2011, will be followed by another study for the second phase, to be conducted during the last quarter of the year.