Hira Industries

Hira Industries, Dubai-based manufacturer of products for the MEP industry, has announced Aerofoam NBR, a closed-cell nitrile rubber insulation manufactured in Ras Al Khaimah.

The range includes standard pipe sections, sheets and rolls. However, the product can be customised with self-adhesive reinforced aluminium foil sheets and rolls.

See the following product features and advantages:

• The closed cell structure of Aerofoam NBR ensures lower thermal conductivity compared to traditional fibreglass insulation, resulting in a thinner product compared with fibreglass for similar applications
• It does not require any vapour barrier for internal installations, and only a coat of UV paint for external installations
• It is compounded to achieve high water vapour diffusion- resistance ‘µ’ of more than 7,000, ensuring long service life
• It is classified Class 1 as per BS 476, Part 7 and Class O as per BS 476, Part 6 tests for spread of flame
• It has passed a wide variety of smoke and toxicity tests as per ISO 5659 standard
• The production and installation process is completely CFC-free and ozone friendly

DuctSox

Dubbed as a fabric duct backbone, HVAC fabric air dispersion manufacturer, DuctSox, has introduced SkeleCore, the in-duct cylindrical tensioning device (CTD) at the recent AHR Expo. The company claims the new product eliminates sagging and wrinkling.

According to DuctSox, the patent-pending SkeleCore is the first fabric duct CTD that maintains an inflated appearance even during idle air handler periods, and eliminates the popping sound associated with equipment start-up. The end caps also have a taut, flatter appearance.

SkeleCore consists of a 3/4-inch-diameter, lightweight aluminium tube supporting a series of 3/16-inch-diameter powder-coated steel, 360-degree connecting rings, which are precisely sized to administer tension on the inner fabric duct walls for a permanently inflated, streamlined appearance. SkeleCore’s backbone tubes are six feet long and designed to snap easily into the support rings and couplers with a spring-loaded, quick-connect / release mechanism.

See the following product features and advantages:

• SkeleCore is available in 15 diameters, ranging from eight to 36 inches. As against DuctSox’s 3 x 1 hanger system, SkeleCore adds approximately 30 minutes of installation time per 100-foot run, adds four to seven-ounces / foot of weight, induces minimal friction loss, and carries a comparable cost
• It is available with Sedona-Xm anti-microbial premium permeable fabric, Tuftex non-porous premium fabric, Coronado-patterned designer fabric, Duratex non-porous commercial fabric, and Verona all-purpose commercial
  fabric. SkeleCore is also available in Comfort Flow and High Throw air delivery models
• It is easily disassembled for air distribution reconfigurations or for commercial laundering
• It carries the same significant material and labour savings that all DuctSox have, as against metal duct and register systems.
• It is designed to be nested during shipping and carries similar shipping benefits as conventional fabric ductwork
• It is compatible with all cylindrical fabric duct track or cable suspension systems, and is a retrofit replacement for all other fabric duct brands
• It is compatible with all DuctSox diffusion systems, the Adjustable Flow Device (AFD), personalisation / imaging and other accessories
• It is more streamlined than spiral metal duct, which shows protruding registers and helical ribbing along each length
• It is visually aesthetic

Aldes

Saying that its new product line is designed to fit new energy efficiency regulations and needs in every country, Aldes has announced its range of fans with micro-watt technology: inoVEC micro-watt, VIK micro-watt, TVEC GII micro-watt and C.VEC micro-watt +. Aldes claims the company has developed micro-watt technology to control duct static pressure and ensure economical operation of its fans. Micro-watt’s specific electronics drive the motor speed through frequency variations, controlling continuous airflow range pressure, said Aldes.

According to Aldes, the most innovative product in the range is C.VEC micro-watt +, which is part of a new generation of cabinet fans with C4 fire classification (400_C ½ h fire rating).

See the following product features and advantages:

• An electronically commutated (EC) motor allows low energy consumption with high control possibilities
• Integrated overvoltage (400 V) and lightning protection
• Energy saving through a range of functionalities, including programmable curve, fan history and parameter changes
• Easier settings due to adjustable potentiometer and pressure display
• Grille sound reduction through adapted airflow; contrary to a classical installation
• Airflows up to 12000 m3/h – up to 75% of electrical consumption with a billing saving of up to 60%
• Savings on three-phase line voltage due to a 50/60Hz single phase power supply up to 2.2kW motors
• Return on investment within four years, thanks to energy savings made during the operation

Is claimed to help fight climate change and ozone depletion

In an announcement, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued final approval for HFO-1234yf, a new refrigerant for use in motor vehicle air conditioning systems, that it claims does not deplete the ozone layer and helps protect the environment and people’s health.

According to the announcement, the new chemical may now be used in air conditioning for new cars and light trucks. When used appropriately, the chemical can reduce the environmental impact of motor vehicle air conditioners and has a global warming potential that is 99.7% less than the current chemical (HFC–134a) used in most car air conditioners, and is, therefore, an option available to automakers, the announcement added.

“This new chemical helps fight climate change and ozone depletion,” said Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “It is home-grown innovative solutions like this that save lives and strengthen our economy.”

EPA said that prior to HFC-134a, car air conditioners generally used CFC-12, a potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance that depleted the stratospheric ozone layer, which led to higher levels of UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. UV radiation has several harmful effects, including skin cancer, cataracts, immune system suppression, and premature ageing and wrinkling of the skin, EPA added.

The announcement highlighted that EPA assists in the transition to green technologies by identifying alternatives that are better for people’s health and the environment.

Seeks the best scientific thesis on the subject

In an announcement, Eurammon, a joint European initiative of companies, institutions and individuals, who advocate increased use of natural refrigerants, has called for submission of entries for the fourth time, for the Natural Refrigeration Award. The award will be presented to the best scientific dissertation in the field of natural refrigerants. Eurammon will also invite the winners to present their dissertation to an international audience during the award ceremony. For the first time, the organisation has also associated itself, vis-à-vis the Award, with the social media platform, Facebook, and offers international participants an opportunity to network with each other, the announcement added.

According to the announcement, for this initiative, it is joining forces with the technical faculty of Rijeka University, Croatia, and the Russian trade magazine, Refrigeration Business, to award the prize of € 5,000.

Eurammon has listed the following criteria and other details for the submission of papers:

• The Award is open to all graduates from universities, colleges and similar educational institutions, whose scientific work has been acknowledged as a Bachelor’s/Master’s dissertation or comparable qualification.
• The dissertation must be devoted to the issue of refrigeration with natural refrigerants, such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons or water.
• The paper should have been assessed between January 2010 and June 2011.
• The closing date for submitting applications for the award is June 30.
• The submission must consist of an English abstract, the completed application form and the dissertation.
• An international jury of representatives from science, business and the media will decide on the winning entry.
• The prizes will be awarded during the autumn of 2011.

More information and application forms can be found on www.eurammon.com or on Facebook.

Speaking about the significance of the award, Monika Witt, Chairwoman of Eurammon, said: “With the Natural Refrigeration Award, we want to support young scientists and give an international incentive for further research work into refrigeration with natural refrigerants. In the context of the current climate debate, the aim must be to make refrigeration more sustainable and promote the use of natural refrigerants. Natural refrigerants are not only environment friendly, but also energy efficient, and will, therefore, assume a more significant role in the future.”

According to Eurammon, since 2005, it has been presenting the Natural Refrigeration Award every two years.

Agreement continues Al Jazirah’s excellent relationship with Emerson, Saudi company says.

Al Jazirah for Home Appliances on February 22 signed an agreement with Nidec, thereby renewing its contract for a period of five years for a geographical zone that will include the entire Middle East and Africa.

Al Jazirah produces evaporative coolers, whereas Nidec has stepped into the niche to offer evaporative motors under the Emerson and US Motors brand names.

Wael Enani, the Marketing & Business Development Manager of Al Jazirah, said that Al Jazirah has enjoyed a 30-year relationship with Emerson and sees in the signing a continuation of the special bond with the American major.

Left to right: Eng Mohammed Al-Shammari, GM, Al Jazirah for Home Appliances; Eng Abdul Aziz Al Aboudi, Chairman, Al Jazirah for Home Appliances; Mr Kei Pang, President, Nidec Motors Corporation

Speaking to Climate Control Middle East, Enani said the signing ceremony was significant, because it saw a confluence of key stakeholders, which included three presidents – one from Nidec and two from Emerson – motor dealers and those that deal with completed evaporative cooling units. In addition, he said, the event also attracted export agents representing 18 countries in the region.

Enani said he was enthused with the warm association the company enjoyed with Emerson, adding that Emerson reciprocated the sentiment. “Emerson told us we are their number one business partner in the world,” he said.

Speaking broadly about Saudi Arabia, Enani said that the Kingdom was a hub for not only the GCC but also for the entire Middle East and Africa. “Saudi Arabia can be a prominent hub for multinational companies,” he said. “The general feeling among multinational companies is that they can trust us to go ahead not only in the Middle East but also the whole of Africa.”

New compressor comes with the promise of highest COP in the market, company says

Danfoss on March 6 conducted a product seminar in Dubai to spotlight its Performer H Series commercial compressor, which is manufactured in China.

The seminar was led by Manohar S Reddy, the company’s Global Marketing Product Manager for air conditioning compressors, who started off his presentation by saying that the Performer was the company’s next-gen scroll, because it was advanced and simple in design.

Elaborating on the product, Reddy said the product gave value to customers in the forms of energy savings (the highest COP in the market), low sound and higher reliability (with features like oil injection and HOOP – Hot Oil Over Protector).

Further, Reddy said, the Performer had one-third fewer parts than any scroll in the market, no threaded fasteners, almost no startup or shutdown sound, delta P start and adaptive control.

Elaborating on the earlier-stated claim that it had fewer internal parts than other scrolls in the market, Reddy said that this single feature imbued the compressor with higher quality, enhanced reliability and consistent performance. Likewise, the absence of threaded fasteners, Reddy said, meant it cancelled the possibility of loosening of bolts/fasteners while running, during the compressor’s lifetime, which in turn, protected the compressor from failing.

In his presentation, Reddy said the Performer also had good thermal fault protection, thanks to HOOP and a bi-metallic oil return thermal valve. The valve, he added gave additional protection for the compressor and worked in conjunction with HOOP. This, he said, greatly improved the tolerance to thermal fault conditions.

Speaking on the low sound feature, Reddy said that this was possible owing to a disk check valve. The valve, he said, was positioned right on top of the discharge port. Being a flat disk, the valve provided an excellent seal and eliminated leaks, he added. The valve, Reddy said, remained open while running and closed at the time of shutdown.

Then speaking on the oil injection feature, Reddy said it improved efficiency from reduced leakage and ensured cooler discharge temperatures at high ambient/Pr. ratio conditions and better scroll tip and floor lubrication for thermal fault conditions.

During his presentation, Reddy also addressed the issue of replacing a failed compressor, essentially presenting a checklist of dos and don’ts. For instance, he said, it was important to check for burnt electrical components and to ensure that the technicians involved in the replacement process flushed and cleaned the entire system and checked for the proper oil level. It was also important, Reddy said, to ensure that the compressor was of the same capacity and voltage and that it matched with the existing unit voltage. In the same way, it was important to check for reverse rotation and to monitor the oil level after re-commissioning. Further, he said, it was crucial that the system was checked to ensure adequate oil returned even under minimum load conditions.

Speaking generally about the Performer, Reddy clarified that there were no design changes in what was manufactured in US and in China.

When asked why the company decided to manufacture the Performer out of China, Reddy said it was to serve the Chinese, Indian and Middle East markets better.

Prior to Reddy’s presentation, Julio Molinari, President (Middle East) of Danfoss FZCO, spoke on the occasion.

7-9 April 2011, Shanghai, China

China Refrigeration 2011, the 22nd International Exhibition for Refrigeration, Air-conditioning, Heating and Ventilation, Frozen Food Processing, Packaging and Storage, will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

4-6 April 2011, Atlanta, Georgia

‘ASHRAE’s Energy Modelling Conference – Tools for Designing High Performance Buildings’ will provide hands-on modellers and principals with the information to better harness the power of energy modeling tools. The conference covers modeling fundamentals, building component contributions, software demonstrations and case studies. A collaborative perspective is provided that demonstrates how energy models and computer simulations can assist all project team members in creating energyefficient buildings.

Contact Jodi Scott
Public Relations
T: +1 678 539 1140
E: jscott@ashrae.org

Construction industry guide to the galaxy hits shelves, new guidelines, no more excuses…

Full service agency BSRIA has announced it will release the fifth edition of its guide, Rules of Thumb, mid-April. The agency claims the new edition is an updated and expanded version of previous editions, presented in a more user-friendly format.

The guide, based on general principles derived from practice and experience rather than precise theory, has been created by referencing various contemporary sources in the building services industry.

As with previous guides, the forthcoming version, with 88 pages, 41 figures and 38 tables, will be useful for approximately calculating values, setting outline targets and rapidly comparing different options to inform the early stages of the design process.

Construction industry professionals and wider stakeholders can benefit from the new edition in the following ways…

• Increased guidance about space and weight allowances
• CO2 emissions benchmarks
• Clearer guidance about costs, expanded to include energy consumption, maintenance, operation and life-cycle cost information
• A system feature section that has been subdivided into mechanical and electrical systems and further clarified
• Guidance on compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations, renewable technologies and air permeability of buildings.