Hira Industries

Calling it the latest insulation material which has been approved by the HVAC industry for thermal insulation of ducts and pipes, Hira Industries, Dubai, has announced the launch of Aerofoam- XPE range of cross-linked polyolefin insulation material. According to the manufacturer, the material is reinforced with a heat laminated reinforced aluminum vapour barrier. The manufacturer further claims that the ease of installation and superior technical specifications make Aerofoam-XPE range a cost-effective alternative to traditional insulation materials.

Hira Industries lists the following product features and advantages:

• It comes in self-adhesive sheets, rolls and pipe sections and does not require any additional covering after installation for both indoor and outdoor applications.
• It has a lower thermal conductivity compared to other insulating materials, such as fiberglass and NBR insulation, enabling a lower thickness of foam to be used in various applications.
• It is suitable for space-constrained installations.
• The product is rated Class 1 as per BS 476, Part 7 test standard.
• It has no toxic fumes when subject to flame. These properties have been tested as per BS 6853:1999, and IMO Resolution MSC 61 (67): 1996.
• The almost zero water vapour permeability and water absorption make the product itself to be considered a vapour barrier as per ASHRAE and British standards.
• It is CFC and HCFC-free, and does not contain nor use in its production any substances that contribute to Ozone Depletion Potential.

Eliwell Controls

Dubbing it as environmentally optimised, Eliwell Controls has introduced its new EW Plus eo range of controllers for static and ventilated plug-in cabinets.

According to Eliwell Controls, the range consists of three models featuring completely renewed design features: the 1-relay EW Plus eo 961, the 2-relay EW Plus eo 971 and the 3-relay EW Plus eo 974.

The manufacturer claims that its design team has developed new control algorithms, which are energy efficient, regulate equipment power-up times, removing the need to install an additional sensor in the cabinet. The manufacturer says that the design solution is, therefore, suitable for new refrigeration equipment and also for upgrades. It adds that the new connectors will lead to significant reductions in the use of materials and optimise the disposal of the equipment at the end of its life cycle. The EW Plus eo controllers are also designed to meet the needs of applications that use new ecological gases, such as, R290, which makes them compatible with hydrocarbon applications, it further claims.

Eliwell Controls lists the following product features and advantages:

• The controllers allow the direct management of loads with a 2 HP relay and 230 VAC power.
• The cabling has removable terminal clamps, thus reducing the number of connections and cables in the applications.
• Start-up time has been notably reduced by the introduction of intuitive menus.
• The introduction of the USB Unicard implies that new configurations can be uploaded/downloaded even when the instrument is not powered up. Consequently, even small lots can be customised easily and quickly, without requiring external interfaces and a PC in the production line.
• The large-size display and coloured icons help easy readings even from a distance.
• All EW Plus eo units are compatible with Televis system monitoring applications.

Johnson Controls

Saying that it is an ideal choice for large chilled water plants, Johnson Controls (JCI) has introduced the YORK model YK-EP Energy Plus chiller. With a capacity range of 2,500 to 3,200 TR (8,800 to 11,200 kW), the YK-EP chiller is an ideal choice for large chilled water plants, the manufacturer claims.

According to Johnson Controls, the product features a patent-pending, mechanical-compression economiser cycle, which provides increased capacity and improved efficiency. As a result, claims Johnson Controls, the unit delivers the industry’s highest design efficiency of any large-capacity centrifugal chiller. This translates into significant energy savings at off-design conditions, where 99% of chiller operating hours are spent, it adds. This, says Johnson Controls, is due to the chiller’s ability to utilise entering condenser water temperatures (ECWT) as low as 13oC.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages:

Lower ECWT reduces instantaneous energy consumption by as much as 50% compared to chillers limited to a minimum ECWT of 24oC.

Off-design performance can be further improved by adding a YORK OptiSpeed variable-speed drive, which can trim average annual energy consumption by 30% or more.

In central utility plants and district cooling facilities that use multiple chillers, additional energy savings can be achieved by piping the chillers in a series-counterflow arrangement. This reduces the compressor work on each chiller and cuts system energy use by as much as eight per cent at design conditions.

The chiller’s high-efficiency performance helps buildings qualify for LEED points in the Energy and Atmosphere Credit 1 (EAc1): Optimise Energy Performance category.

It reduces additional ownership costs: when equipped with an OptiSpeed drive, the unit reduces installed cost with its ability to accept medium or high-voltage power. Higher voltage power reduces distribution losses, voltage-transformer requirements, and power cable size, improving system efficiency and cutting installation costs.

Installation costs can also be reduced by the chiller’s shipping configuration: It ships in a disassembled arrangement, consisting of three pieces that are less expensive to ship, easy to move into place, and easily reassembled.

Maintenance costs are lower because the YK-EP chiller’s compressor drivelines utilise open motors. If a motor failure occurs, the chiller can be brought back online quickly and cost-effectively, reducing downtime.

It improves plant sustainability by using refrigerant HFC-134a, which has zero ozone-depletion potential, low global-warming potential, and no phase-out date.

Because of reduction in refrigerant charge, buildings using the YK-EP chiller can qualify for the maximum LEED points in the Energy and Atmosphere Credit 4 (EAc4): Enhanced Refrigerant Management category.

Carrier

Carrier, a unit of United Technologies Corp, has announced the formal launch of the Evergreen 19XRD Chiller, which, it claims, is the company’s largest single-piece chiller with non-ozone depleting refrigerant, in accordance with the Montreal Protocol commitments. The product was reportedly unveiled at Carrier’s Middle East HVAC Engineering Conference on October 5 in Abu Dhabi.

According to the manufacturer, Evergreen 19XRD, a dual-compressor chiller with two independent refrigerant circuits for built-in redundancy, is suited for large district cooling plants serving airports, shopping malls, commercial complexes and factories.

Product features:

• It offers a capacity of 2,500 refrigeration tons under Middle Eastern high-ambient conditions.

• It offers the flexibility of one or two- piece design for ease of delivery and installation.

• It is manufactured at Carrier’s factories in the United States and China, and is supported by Carrier’s field sales and service organisations throughout the Middle East.

Philippe Delpech, President, Carrier HVAC EMEA and Commercial Refrigeration, whose role was recently expanded to include the HVAC businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, speaking on the occasion of the product launch, said: “The HVAC market in the Middle East is shifting in favour of sustainable products. Carrier counts environmental stewardship as a core value, and this value has been incorporated into the high technology sustainable products that Carrier is bringing to the Middle East.”

Eliwell Controls

This section contains regional and international products information

Saying that the new SH600 controller connects and manages air conditioning and under-floor heating systems to enhance home comfort whilst minimising energy consumption, Eliwell has announced that it has introduced the product at this year’s Chillventa event.

Eliwell claims that SH600 controller has been designed to guarantee optimal integration of radiant heating systems with cooling systems in domestic environments and to interact dynamically with various types of systems and technologies used in modern construction.

Eliwell lists the following product features and advantages:

• Its auto-adaptive capability offers benefits in terms of energy saving.
• It is designed for 4 DIN rail mounting, which combines the management of both hot and cold systems within the home in one device.
• It can integrate and manage up to 10 thermal actuators control modulating or three-point mixing water valves and manage the complete system of under-floor and air conditioning equipment over one or two zones.
• It has advanced algorithms which can adapt automatically to internal or external changes of temperature or humidity with “auto-adaptive functionality”.
• It has a programmable timer which can be set for daily or weekly function.
• It has four simple buttons and a large and clear LED screen and an easy-to- use menu.
• It has a full range of accessories available, including transformers, temperature probes, humidity probes, software tools, and mechanical and electronic thermostats.
• It can be installed with the Eliwell SKW22 room terminal (with built-in temperature and humidity sensors) and can interface with other Energy Flex instruments, such as the SW600 controllers for heat pumps.

Endress + Hauser

Claiming that they make transparent consumption recording of energy-intensive processing steps as well as the heating and cooling invoicing possible, Endress + Hauser has introduced two products: the BTU meter EngyCal RH33 and the steam meter EngyCal RS33. They are recording meters for liquids and steam, respectively.

According to the manufacturer, the EngyCal RH33 was developed especially for applications with liquids, such as water, water glycol mixtures or thermal oils. EngyCal RH33 calculates the enthalpy (hot and cold), the energy (thermal flow), the density and the mass flow precisely, based on the flow value and the temperature difference measured.

Elaborating on the second product, RS33, the manufacturer claimed that it was developed for saturated steam applications or for applications with superheated steam, and added that it calculates the enthalpy, energy (the thermal flow) as well as the density and the mass flow based on the flow value as well as temperature and/or pressure. All calculations, said the manufacturer, are carried out according to the EN 1434 and IAPWS-IF 97 standard (International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam).

Explaining the process, the manufacturer said that heat meters and temperature sensors can be optionally ordered with MID approval — that is, custody transfer approval. As an additional option, the integrated DP flow compensation makes the highest precision possible in applications with difference pressure flow meters, it added.

Endress + Hauser has listed the following product features and advantages:

• Calibrated and electronically paired temperature sensors ensure high-accuracy temperature difference measurement (primarily important in cooling applications) and make an exchange of individual sensors possible in the field (also on custody transfer devices). A cost-intensive use of paired sensors, is therefore, not necessary.

Transparency during the regular process and in fault or alarm conditions:

• EngyCal has a built-in measurement logbook as well as an event logbook. The measurement memory with defined report formats (day, month, year, billing date), event logbook and additional tariff counters create transparency during the regular process, ensure a quick summary of consumption values and make energy invoicing possible.
• Due to a defined fault behaviour and the separate deficit counter, the meter ensures transparency of the energy calculation and documentation for invoices.
• In steam applications, the wet steam alarm gives additional security; condensed steam hinders an exact energy calculation.
• Using the Field Data Manager Software the stored measurements, alarms and events as well as the device configuration can be selected (automatically) and stored manipulation-proof in a SQL database.

Highlighting the point that computers can be applied in the support processes of all industries (for example, heating and cooling production, steam production, heating, cooling and steam distribution systems), in district heating networks as well as in building technology, the manufacturer elaborated the following:

Open and web based information and integration into systems:

• If devices are connected using Ethernet, customers can read out measurement data, calculated values and device data (such as serial number, TAG) at any time, using the integrated web server.
• Additional software for the supervision of online data is, thus, rendered unnecessary.
• It can also be optionally ordered with interfaces for Modbus RTU & TCP or M-bus in order to ensure easy system integration.
• It is a user-friendly device due to a flexible set-up in the field in selectable languages.
• Custody transfer heat counters are normally ordered pre-programmed. The integrated calibration logbook makes storekeeping of EngyCal and flexible set-up of the device possible for custody transfer applications.
• EngyCal has a multi-line backlit LC display and a language package for freely selectable operating languages. Configuration can be carried out on the spot, using push buttons or using a USB interface and FieldCare.
• Developed for the process industry, the products are suitable for connection to and powering of all commonly used flow meters, pressure transducers and temperature measurement points.
• The compact housing for field or wall mounting, panel mounted installation and DIN rail mounting makes the use of the device possible in all surroundings.
• It is optionally also delivered pre-programmed.

According to Endress + Hauser, EngyCal RH33 and RS33 are deliverable since August.

Awards Valerius Füner Foundation prize

Compressor manufacturer Bitzer has reported introducing several product innovations at Chillventa 2010, which included reciprocating compressors for subcritical CO2 applications, the Octagon varispeed series and the Ecostar condensing unit, CS.3 series screw compressors and the Orbit 8 scroll compressor series.

“With our innovations, we are responding to the future challenges that are becoming ever more significant for the refrigeration and air conditioning industries,” said Hans P Meurer, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and Managing Director of Bitzer. “There is a growing sense of responsibility towards the environment, the question of sustainability and the ever greater importance of energy savings, owing to rising energy costs.”

According to Bitzer, in addition to the technical innovations on display, the award of the Valerius Füner Prize on the first day of the fair was another highlight at its stand. As the main sponsor of the Valerius Füner Foundation, Bitzer has supported the training of young people for many years, it said. And this year, the prize was awarded to Thorsten Hauck, who graduated from the faculty of mechanical engineering and mechatronics at the Hochschule Karlsruhe in June 2009 with an overall mark of 1.3 and a distinction.

The Paris event to provide networking opportunities

On May 9 and 10, 2011, experts, academics, policymakers and professionals from the district heating and district cooling sectors will converge at the 35th biennial Euroheat & Power Congress and Exhibition, which will be held at the Maison de la Chimie, Paris, the organisers announced. Hosted by Euroheat & Power and the French Association, FEDENE, the theme of the congress is Reduce, Recycle and Replace: Doubling District Heating Now!

Elaborating on the theme, Euroheat & Power said that achieving the EU 2020 and 2050 energy goals required adopting a systematic approach based on three REs – reducing end-use, recycling energy, that otherwise would be wasted, and replacing fossil fuels.

It added that district heating and district cooling played a key role in such a concept, and that the congress was an important reminder of the benefits and the potential that district heating and cooling sector could offer as modern, sustainable energy solutions.

The event is expected to provide delegates with a platform for debating political demands, business models, customer value and marketing tools. In addition, the exhibition, technical tours and social events will provide extra networking opportunities, the organisers claim.

For more information, those interested can go to www.ehpcongress.org or http://www.euroheat.org/ or contact Sinéad Boyle, Communications Manager at communications@euroheat.org.

Company honoured for its Precedent high efficiency packaged gas/electric and cooling units

Trane has reported that for the fourth consecutive year, its Residential Solutions business has been recognised for innovation and excellence in product design by The Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration (ACHR) NEWS. The Trane Precedent high efficiency packaged gas/electric and cooling units received a Bronze Award in the HVAC light commercial equipment category in the magazine’s 7th annual Dealer Design Awards programme. An independent panel of 30 contractors acted as judges for the contest, which had 114 entries from different industry brands, Trane said.

“Trane has constantly sought input from contractors and dealers to improve the designs of its light commercial systems,” said Mike Ray, manager of light commercial development for Trane Residential Solutions. “The new high efficiency Precedent units are typically up to 30% lighter than similar products on the market today, and only slightly heavier than the standard efficiency units, making them ideal for replacement applications. The additional advantage is that an installer may not need to engage a structural engineer, which can save time and money.”

In addition to the weight advantage, the units deliver high- energy efficiency (up to 13 EER) by virtue of the patented Hybrid condensing coil, which makes for easy cleaning and better heat transfer, claimed Trane.

Peter Blanchflower, Marketing Leader for the Middle East, Africa, and India region for Trane, added: “The Precedent unit is also very popular among contractors, consultants and Trane distributors in the Middle East. It is used in residential, retail and commercial building applications.”

ICA co-sponsored research on heat exchanger coils reveals higher efficiency of small-tube copper coils

The International Copper Association (ICA) has recently announced its research results based on a Chinese small-diameter copper tube research consortium as well as published articles from Chinese OEMs. According to the results revealed in the announcement, air conditioning products that use heat exchanger coils made with small-diameter copper tubes use less material and are more economical and energy efficient than products made with conventional tubes. It also states that OEMs have started adopting small-tube copper to increase efficiency and lower the cost of air conditioning and refrigeration products. The consortium members include the ICA, two universities and at least five air conditioner OEMs.

The announcement elaborated that Wenson Zhang, Frank Gao and Kerry Song from ICA recently co-authored two articles on small tube copper with investigators from Shanghai Jiaotang University and two articles with researchers from Xi’an Jiaotang University, The School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotang University, Xi’an, in China. The four papers with ICA co-authors encompass key aspects of coil design and testing, including such subject as tube circuitry, fin design and refrigerant behaviour for heat exchangers coils made with small copper tubes, it added. The research consortium has reportedly been active in bringing the technology into production, and already products featuring small-tube copper have started appearing in the AC&R market.

According to the announcement, the results demonstrate the feasibility of making residential air conditioners with small diameter copper tubes and have set the stage for high-volume production of a new generation of air conditioning products.

The ICA has dubbed this technology “MicroGroove”, as it claims that there is an enhanced inner surface of the copper tubes.