Dubbing it a subterranean solution, Sipos has introduced variable speed actuators for valve control. According to Sipos, the new design uses concrete rings as an alternative to shafts and tunnels.

Sipos points out that built-in shafts and tunnels, traditionally below ground systems are costly to construct, and extending the network or providing ongoing maintenance is expensive and preventing ingress of water, soil and other particulates is challenging. Sipos says that the ‘concrete ring’ solution has, therefore, been introduced, making it ideally suited for the application.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages:

The actuators can be mounted on a below-ground valve, with the electronics unit installed in a separate, readily accessible, above ground cabinet.

An integrated frequency converter protects motor controls, making the product a ‘fit-and-forget’ solution, ideally suited for below-earth application.

The underground application comes with an eight-year servicing cycle and IP68 protection class, which confirms the product’s high corrosion resistance.

Saying that it can be used for rapid conversion of humidity measurements, E+E Elektronik has announced introducing the humidity calculator.

The manufacturer claims that the calculator can calculate from the temperature and relative humidity, dew point, frost point, mixing ration and other humidity measurements with ease.

The product also includes measurement uncertainties in the calculation, it adds. This, says E+E Elektronik, is helpful for obtaining realistic and reliable overall uncertainties based on the specification of the measuring device.

According to E+E Elektronik, the humidity calculator can be used online without need for any program to be installed on the PC. It adds that the free online humidity calculator can be tested at http://www.humidity-calculator-online.com/

Aldes has announced introducing the second generation of low-energy consumption cabinet fans with Inovec micro-watt, a full range of seven C4 cabinet fans. The manufacturer says that the fans are fully cast in one piece, and the range covers any airflow up to 12000m3/h.

Aldes claims that the cabinet fans, benefiting from an innovative ergonomics, show higher performances and offer a large range of functionalities. It adds that while keeping a 400°C for half-hour fire resistance, the fans guarantee low-energy consumption with savings up to 30% compared to Aldes actual VEC microwatt range of fans.

The manufacturer lists other product features and advantages:

• Noise reduction from 1 to 2 dB on acoustics fading, compared to Aldes previous range of fans
• Adapted airflow up to 12000m3/h with a static pressure up to 300 Pa
• Integration of practical functionalities for installation and maintenance phases
• With micro-watt cast in one piece, the pre-built and prewired micro-watt box directly integrates into the fan unit
• Allows both a front digital display and better control
• Equipped with a vertical or in-line exhaust, offers two potential installation choices
• Equipped with a large access door on its side, it is easy to reach the impeller and the motor and easy to maintain
• Can be equipped with anti-vibration mountings located outside the fan to improve performance level and reduce noise
• Comes with integrated handles for easy handling and transportation

According to Aldes, Inovec Micro-Watt cabinet fans are available in three sizes and seven models.

AHRI on Twitter

Launches AHRI Cert, a new Twitter account for AHRI certification

AHRI has announced that it is now sending tweets related to AHRI’s certification programme on Twitter. You can follow it on AHRI_Cert by signing up directly and get updates about ahridirectory.org, AHRI certification programmes and current domestic and global certification marketing efforts, says AHRI.

You can also follow AHRI on the main Twitter address, AHRI2009, to receive breaking news and updates from AHRInet.org, trade press, media outlets and information on industry initiatives. AHRI2009 is currently followed by almost 600 members, contractors, media and others, revealed AHRI.

AHRI CSS reviews standards

Approves four

AHRI revealed that its Cooling Standards Subcommittee met recently to review revisions to the following AHRI Standards and addenda:

• AHRI Standard 1160-2008, performance rating of heat pump pool heaters
• AHRI Standard 530-2005, rating of sound and vibration for refrigerant compressors
• Addendum 1 to ANSI/AHRI Standard 1230-2010, performance rating of variable refrigerant flow (vrf) multi-split air conditioning and heat pump equipment
• AHRI Standard 370-2001, sound performance rating of large air-cooled outdoor refrigerating and air conditioning equipment
• Addendum 1 to AHRI Standard 810-2009, performance rating of automatic commercial ice makers
• Addendum 1 to AHRI Standard 885-2008, procedure for estimating occupied space sound levels in the application of air terminals and air outlets
• AHRI Standard 910 – 2006, performance rating of indoor pool dehumidifiers

AHRI said that the following standards were approved by CSS and will appear on the AHRI website as 2011 versions:

• AHRI Standard 1160-2011, performance rating of heat pump pool heaters
• AHRI standard 370-2011, sound performance rating of large air-cooled outdoor refrigerating and air conditioning equipment
• Addendum 1 to AHRI standard 810-2009, performance rating of automatic commercial ice makers
• Addendum 1 to AHRI standard 885-2008, procedure for estimating occupied space sound levels in the application of air terminals and air outlets

IEC Subcommittee 61D meets at AHRI HQ

Reviews technical comments regarding the updating of IEC Standard 60335-2-40

According to an announcement, the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Technical Committee 61/Subcommittee 61D gathered at AHRI headquarters from March 29 to 30. The attendees included members from Germany, Italy, Belgium, Japan, China, Denmark, South Korea, UK and the US. The Subcommittee reportedly reviewed technical comments regarding the updating of IEC Standard 60335-2-40, particular requirements for electrical heat pumps, air conditioners and dehumidifiers, into version 4.2.

Public review of ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 189.2P announced

Might be used in conjunction with ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170

ASHRAE has announced an advisory public review of proposed ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 189.2P, Standard for the design, construction and operation of sustainable high-performance health care facilities.

Proposed Standard 189.2P intends to prescribe the procedures, methods, and documentation requirements for the design, construction, and operation of high performance sustainable health care facilities, the announcement said. It is anticipated that the proposed standard will be used in conjunction with ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170, which prescribes the ventilation requirements for health care facilities.

More information is available at www.ashrae.org.

AHRI Expands its Presence in China

Participates at China Refrigeration and Heating Exhibition

AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek led a delegation to China on April 7 to advance the association’s goals in the global policy arena. The trip coincided with the 2011 China Heating and Refrigeration Expo, which took place in Shanghai from April 7 to 9.

The 22nd Annual International Exhibition for the HVACR and the frozen food processing, packaging and storage sectors, attracted over 1,000 exhibitors from numerous countries, said the announcement, and added that it was certified by the US Foreign Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce as meeting the high standards of international trade shows. AHRI had an adjoining booth with the China Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (CRAA) that highlighted CRAA as the official agent of AHRI Certification in China, the announcement revealed.

At the show, AHRI and CRAA reportedly hosted a seminar on AHRI’s Certification Programme, with a particular focus on the water source heat pump and ground source heat pump certification programmes, as well as the Energy Star Programme for which AHRI is now an approved certification body.

Photos from the Food Chain event held in May 2011

Will throw light on recent developments in MicroGroove Technology

The International Copper Association (ICA) has announced that it will sponsor two webinars on the use of MicroGroove technology in the development of evaporator and condenser coils for air conditioning and refrigeration applications. The webinars will take place on June 14 and June 22, the announcement said.

According to the announcement, the June 14 webinar titled, “The MicroGroove advantage: achieving higher energy-efficiency with smaller-diameter copper tubes”, is scheduled for 2pm Central European Summer Time. It will update the information presented in the MicroGroove webinar of December 15 and will answer many of the questions raised in the first webinar, which is now available on-demand via the website: www.microgroove.net/webinars. The June 22 webinar, titled “Boost ACR energy efficiency with copper microgroove tubes”, is scheduled for 1pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time, and will present new content relating to the design and manufacture or heat exchanger coils.

More information about the webinars can be found on the website, the announcement said, and added that registrants can submit questions in advance through the registration page.

 Pointing out that as OEMs seek to increase the energy efficiency of their air conditioning and refrigeration products and that higher levels of performance are being demanded from heat-exchanger coils, ICA claimed that one path to higher performance coils and energy-efficient AC&R products was the use of smaller-diameter copper tubes with inner grooves. In this context, ICA explained that it was sponsoring the webinars to bring US and European designers up to speed on information regarding this.

Says it embraces global move to hydrocarbon refrigerants

Tecumseh Products Company, manufacturer of hermetic compressors, condensing units and systems for use in residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning applications, has announced that it has become a recent signatory to “The Natural Voice”, a global call for action supported by industry and research, which points to the environmental, economic and social potential of natural refrigerants in heating, cooling and refrigeration.

Based on the avowed objectives of The Natural Voice, it believes that the heating and cooling industry using natural refrigerants has a role to play in the fight against climate change, and has called for policy and trade barriers to diminish so that natural refrigerants can become the ideal replacements in the post-HCFC era. Its campaign underlines cooperation with signatories from an entire supply chain, with signatories supporting natural refrigerants.

In this context, Tecumseh claimed that it was focused on developing compressors utilising hydrocarbon refrigerants R290 (propane) and R600a (isobutane), which have ozone depletion potential factors of zero, and a fraction of the global warming potential (GWP) of those refrigerants they are intended to replace.

Tecumseh said that hydrocarbon refrigerants are already being utilised successfully in many parts of the world, and are expected to be authorised in the United States for use in commercial and residential refrigeration applications this year, due to approval of the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Tecumseh added that it has launched its “Green Technology” initiative by committing cross-functional resources to design, develop, manufacture and market compressors and condensing units that are optimised for use with low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. It added that it has been producing compressors that utilise hydrocarbon refrigerants for more than 10 years, with a family of 150 models of eco-friendly compressors

Adrian Kershaw is backed by 15 years of career experience

National Central Cooling Company PJSC (Tabreed) has announced that Adrian Kershaw has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective from May 1. He replaces Steve Ridlington.

According to the announcement, Kershaw, who was formerly Tabreed’s Financial Director, joined the company in June 2010. He has over 15 years of experience in finance and accounting, and has worked across various sectors in the region and internationally for companies, including Corporate Publishing International (CPI) in Dubai, Macdonald Hotels Resorts, and Scottish Newcastle Plc in Edinburgh.

In the context of Kershaw’s appointment, Khaled Al Qubaisi, Tabreed’s Managing Director, said: “As Tabreed’s Finance Director, Adrian is well-versed with the company’s financial management, and his new role is a natural progression of his responsibilities. Over the past year, he has played an active role in the company’s recapitalisation programme and in establishing a best-in-class financial reporting framework at Tabreed.”

Placing on record Ridlington’s contribution to the company, Al Qubaisi added: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to acknowledge Steve’s role at Tabreed over the past two years. He has been a valued adviser, leading the Company through its recapitalisation programme, and he leaves behind an invaluable legacy. Everyone connected with Tabreed is indebted to him, and on behalf of them, I would like to thank Steve and wish him well for the future.”

Will add 1,680 megawatts of power to the country’s grid

GE has announced that it has been selected to provide gas turbine technology and services for four Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) power plant expansions that will support Saudi Arabia in meeting its growing power needs, especially during the hot summer months when electricity demand is at its peak. The total value of the agreements with GE is expected to be more than US$500 million, and the power plant expansions are expected to add over a hundred new local jobs, the announcement said.

GE Energy has revealed that the four SEC power plant expansions will add 1,680 megawatts of power to the Saudi grid – more than half of SEC’s planned annual increase of 3,000 megawatts. The Kingdom’s electricity demand has been reportedly growing at the rate of about six per cent per year.

The company said that the contracts bring its orders for SEC projects in the last two years to over US$2 billion. It also claimed that to date, its power generation technology and services are supporting the generation of nearly half of the Kingdom’s installed capacity.

According to the announcement, the new power plant expansion projects that GE will be supplying to include: 600-megawatt expansion of the SEC power plant in Qurayyah, 480-megawatt expansion of the PP-10 power plant 40 kilometres south of Riyadh city, 480-megawatt SEC power plant expansion at Qassim, 350 kilometres north of Riyadh and 120-megawatt expansion of the SEC power facility near Tabouk.

In addition to supplying power generation technology, GE said that it will provide all four plant expansions with technical advisory services, performance testing as well as giving training for SEC technical teams to support them in the operation of the plants.

Against the backdrop of bagging the project, Ali Saleh Al Barrak, President and CEO, SEC, said: “These fast-tracked plant expansions are designed to meet peak summer demands. Our customers expect reliability, and over the years GE has built a reputation we can count on and trust. A stellar history of on-time delivery and well-proven gas turbine technology has made our 40-year relationship with GE a success story, with more than 400 GE turbines that are supporting close to 40 SEC projects around the Kingdom.”

Joseph Anis, GE Energy’s President and CEO for the Middle East, added, “In Saudi Arabia and around the Middle East, we continue to deliver energy technology solutions that have helped us earn the trust of our customers.

Leminar appointed distributor of Hattersly valves in Qatar

According to an announcement, Leminar Air Conditioning Company has been appointed the distributors of Hattersley (UK) valves for the Qatar region. Hattersley is a brand of Crane Building Services and Utilities, and supplies a range of valves for use in HVAC systems for the commercial, industrial and institutional construction industry, the announcement added. The agreement was reportedly signed between Mark Youssef, President of Crane Company, Middle East and Africa, and Navin Valrani, CEO of Leminar.

Leminar, which has been operating in the UAE since 1989, has four offices, four manufacturing plants and nine showrooms across the UAE, Qatar and Oman, the announcement said, and added that its facilities have obtained certifications such as ISO 9001 and AHRI.