Buildings in the UAE should have high mixing rates of space air diffusion, whose ideal level is for someone to feel neither hot nor cold.

Aldes’ Swirl Diffuser Twisted 850

This, according to Francois Biguenet, product manager at Aldes Group. “The comfort in air diffusion is when there is nothing to feel, nothing to hear and nothing to see,” he said, referring to the new Aldes air diffusers, which do not create noise and can be installed in ceilings as part of their design.

Speaking before the Air Diffusion Seminar, held recently in Dubai, Biguenet said the diffusion by air mixing, which accounts for 70% of the HVAC systems in Western Europe, is best for the UEA due to its hot temperature.

The diffusion by active chilled beams, which is 20% of the HVAC systems in Western Europe, is good for green buildings in that region. “We’re not promoting this in the Middle East,” he said.

Aldes, which manufactures the whole range of grilles and diffusers for the HVAC industry, introduced its new Swirl Diffuser Twisted 850 to the Middle East market during the seminar.

Dedicated to air conditioning, the product is equipped with a patented system of swirl diffusion, providing added mixing capacity on a wide range of airflow. It achieves the “Coandă effect”, or when a low pressure area causes the moving air mass to cling to and flow close to the ceiling surface.

In space air diffusion, a good air distribution design is one that makes use of room surfaces to keep supply air away from the occupied area.

A component of an HVAC system for commercial buildings, a chilled beam is located in the room itself and uses water to remove heat from a room. This system relies on air handling units to remove heat from the room air and transfer it to the water. The chilled water is, then, blown into occupied spaces through ducts.

No wonder Biguenet pointed out that commercial buildings, schools, universities, dry labs and hospitals must “optimise energy consumption through good ductworks”.

He said that design, energy efficiency and comfort in HVAC products and design are what the current market needs. “The ease of using the product, its good design and its easy installation and commissioning,” he said, “are what consumers are looking for.”

Undetectable to the eye and by conventional leak detection methods, leaks of up to 300 microns bleed money through energy wastage, as compressors work harder to maintain temperatures with decreased refrigerant charges. Companies are wasting increasing amounts of money on energy costs, even as global warming puts heavier loads on cooling systems. In the light of this, dubbing it an alternative to continuous servicing and searching for leaks – or the even more expensive total replacement of refrigeration/ air conditioning systems – Cliplight Manufacturing offers its latest product, Super Seal Total.

Formulated to conserve cash in challenging economic times, the product, claims Cliplight, consists of three major components targeting specific leakage issues:

The original Super Seal sealant formulation can be used in applications ranging from factories to food processing plants and from shops to offices. Refrigerant containing Super Seal reacts with moisture in the atmosphere, as it escapes through leaks, forming a permanent lowtensile crystalline structure, which seals the hole from the inside out.

Cliplight’s new DRY R formulation is developed to address the issue of moisture/ acid and the formation of sludge. It chemically removes water from the system and improves drier efficiency.

An ultra-violet tracer dye marks any leaks that are too large for Super Seal to seal, making them simple to detect with standard UV fluorescing lights.

In addition, Cliplight also supplies Super Seal formulations for mobile refrigeration plants.

“Increasingly Super Seal Total is being used, not only as a cure, but also as a three-in-one preventative incorporated into maintenance programmes to safeguard against energy cost and pollution penalties, and also, ultimately, against the cost of replacing entire systems,” says International Sales Manager and HVAC/R specialist, Gary Oborne of Cliplight Manufacturing.

He elaborates: “Downtime involved in this process can be crippling to the owner’s business, particularly in the hospitality, product processing and retail areas. Equipment owners are faced with not only the loss of trade, but also potentially massive costs associated with the temporary ‘housing’ of their products.”

Oborne cites the cases of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and perishable goods as examples.

The Waterproofing and Heat Insulation Division of Henkel Polybit, manufacturer of water proofing products and allied construction chemicals in the UAE, has announced two types of waterproofing systems: Ceresit Wall Insulation System and Combo Roof System. The thermal insulation and moisture protection systems for buildings have Dubai Municipality’s approval.

Roof Care claimed that the products come with the manufacture’s performance guarantee of 25 years, as against other conventional systems available in the market, which are guaranteed only by the applicators, generally for a period of 10 years.

It further claimed that it takes responsibility to protect the health and safety of its employees and the employees of the subcontractors engaged by it, as also the responsibility of protecting the environment, while its activities are going on.

Established in the year 2002, Roof Care, the fully owned Application Division of Henkel Polybit, said that its machineries and technicians can move to work sites and also cater to the requirements of individual customers in the region.

Stating that it is primarily for use in district cooling applications, Danfoss has announced its full range of self- acting differential pressure controllers (DPCs). The basic function of a DPC, say Danfoss, is to maintain a constant and stable differential pressure across Motorised Control Valve (MCV), from 100% to 0% flow conditions. As a result, the valve authority of the control valves is improved.

The manufacturers state the following salient features of the DPCs:

• Tailored/adapted setting range, which fit to almost all requirements.
• Because of pressure relieved valves, the DPCs are able to close off against high pump pressure – 10-20 bar.
• The VFG valves come with a soft sealing option – EPDM rubber – in case of low leakage requirements.
• Self Acting Actuators (AFP) are fitted with a pressure-limiting valve in the rubber diaphragm in order to protect it against excess pressure.

The DPCs have the following specifications:

• Size : DN 15 to 250
• PN 16,25 & 40
• Mounting : Flow or return

The manufacturers specify that the two impulse tubes (copper tubes), which transmit chilled water upstream and downstream pressure, should be installed before and after the MCV.

Saying that it is the only screw compressor unit with a five year compressor and 15-year bearing warranty, Emerson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson, has recently launched its Vilter brand industrial refrigeration compressors in the Middle East and Africa markets.

According to Emerson, the single screw compressor technology with patented parallex slide system, elicits the following advantages:

• Part-load energy efficiency
• Balanced forces (radial and axial) for long life and low maintenance
• Quiet, vibration-free compressor
• All bearings are at suction pressure for reliability
• Widest operating range: 1.2-7.0 Vi

Emerson claims that the introductory seminars and training sessions it conducted have received positive response from interested contractors and end users, thanks to the cost-saving advantages of the single screw technology.

The company also offers Vilter’s 450XL series reciprocating compressors, with applications in the carbonated beverage and ice-making segments. Its features and applications include:

• Ideal for variable loads
• Instant unloading capabilities
• Superior part-load performance
• Inherent variable volume ratio
• Cold starting capabilities with low head pressures <2:1
• Can operate at 100% unloading for extended periods
• Enhanced part-load performance

World refrigeration and air conditioning market to grow noticeably again in 2010.

According to information from BSRIA, the British market research group, the worldwide sales of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment will grow by about five per cent – about $66 billion in 2010, as against $63.2 billion in 2009. This comes as good news after a difficult year for the sector in 2009.

BSRIA expects appreciable growth for VRF air conditioning systems, split air conditioners and rooftop air conditioners, but the British researchers forecast another drop for window air conditioners and portable air conditioners.

The BSRIA analysis shows that sales in the worldwide market for refrigeration and air conditioning dropped by 10% in 2009, from $70 billion in 2008 to around $63.2 billion. Only VRF air conditioning systems managed to increase sales, whereas all the other segments had to accept considerable losses in some cases. This affected fan coils, chillers, mini split units and central air conditioning equipment.

The BSRIA study – ‘Global air conditioning feels the world recession in 2009’ (www.bsria.co.uk) – was published in April this year, and contains sales figures for the following products and product groups:

Air conditioners (portable air conditioners, split, multisplit and VRF air conditioners)

• Rooftops
• Chillers
• Air handling units
• Fan coils

BSRIA reports the following sales figures for these segments in 2009 (the figures in brackets show the changes over 2008):

The BSRIA study also includes the product groups of US ducted split units ($3.6 billion = -44 %), indoorpackaged units ($1.1 billion = -38 %) and portable air conditioners ($459 million = -7 %).

Another hall added to meet the expected increase in demand for space

Chillventa, the international trade fair for refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and heat pumps, will take place for the second time at the Exhibition Centre in Nürnberg. The event will be held from October 13 to 15. The key parameters of the exhibition have, reportedly, grown appreciably, according to NürnbergMesse, the event organisers.

Based on the initial forecast, Gabriele Hannwacker, Exhibition Director of Chillventa, NürnbergMesse, said: “I’m really pleased to say, I have only good news to report. The experts gave Chillventa a great reception. The premiere was a resounding success, and the response is still impressive today. I have never experienced anything like it on this scale, in my truly long career as exhibition organiser. This is particularly reflected by the present level of registrations.”

She revealed that the organisers had already received binding bookings for over 90% of the 2008 exhibition space, and around 700 exhibiting companies had been obtained so far. “This clearly shows that the companies from all the event’s product segments unanimously support the Chillventa concept. Chillventa is expanding in all product segments – in refrigeration, and moderately in the air conditioning and heat pump segments too,” she added.

According to NürnbergMesse, the positive response has encouraged them to add another hall to meet the expected increase in demand for space, taking the number of exhibition halls to seven. This, said the organisers, gives them more planning flexibility and offers more possibilities for exhibitors.

Former Exhibition Director, and the present Member of the Management Board, NürnbergMesse, Richard Krowoza, who took over responsibility for Chillventa at the beginning of this year, speaking about the event said: “Chillventa is unique and convincing, with its clear arrangement of product segments for exhibitors – refrigeration, insulation, air conditioning, ventilation, heat pumps, C&I/automation, services for the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, forums and symposia.”

Though the target group of visitors is contractors from the refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation, plumbing, heating and cooling, and electrical segments, Krowoza said that there would also be visitors from facility management, the supply trade, plant operators from industry, commerce and buildings, building services planners and architects.

A concentrated presentation of heat pumps in the Industrial Heat Pump Village, and a new special theme of cleanroom technology, would be the highlights of the event, Krowoza revealed.

“The Industrial Heat Pump Village was a real success in 2008, and is presented in hall 1 again this year. This time, it teams up with the newly created Cleanroom Village, which celebrates its premiere in October,” he elaborated. “Cleanroom technology is a substantial application in refrigeration and air conditioning. It was, therefore, obvious for us to respond to the wish for a separate dedicated platform for this theme at Chillventa.

A wide range of aspects of cleanrooms and ultracleanrooms are combined here in a top format.”

Krowoza explained that the Cleanroom Village offered manufacturers the opportunity to present the latest technologies for planning, construction and operation. He said that in addition, forums would be organised for the Industrial Heat Pump Village and Cleanroom Village, as also, two separate forums for refrigeration and air conditioning.

Commenting that the successful European Heat Pump Summit held in Nürnberg in September 2009 was actually an offshoot of the Industrial Heat Pump Village, he added that a Supermarket Symposium would be taking place in Nürnberg this month, inspired by Chillventa. “As you can see, a world of refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and heat pumps exists in Nürnberg,” he said. “I will even go a step further, as we are adapting the successful Chillventa concept in Russia, as a market of the future –Chillventa Rossija celebrates its premiere in Moscow from March 1 to 3, 2011.”

Answering the question, why in Russia, Krowoza said: “We are already active in the Russian refrigeration market. So, it’s not new for us. After organising two successful CholodExpo Rossija events in Moscow, we are now responding to the wishes of many companies, and offering a comprehensive business platform for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps in Russia. Another step in this direction was the successful CholodSummit Rossija 2010. The future Chillventa Rossija will focus on air conditioning and heat pumps, in addition to refrigeration. This combination is not yet available in the Russian market, and we have the expertise and decades of experience to contribute.”

More information from the industry platform is available at ask-Chillventa.de, with 2,900 products and over 800 exhibitors online.

Trane uses imaging technology to aid diagnosis and recovery

Taking a page from powerful imaging technologies, such as, X-ray, MRI, CAT scan and ultrasound that are available to medical professionals to aid diagnosis, Trane, a member of Ingersoll Rand, announced that it now employs similar techniques. One of the tools it employs to get a better insight into the condition of a chiller is, Eddy Current Tube Analysis. According to Trane, this helps it see inside a chiller and ascertain its state of health. This knowledge, it claims, can lead to:

• Reduced operating and energy costs
• Extended equipment life
• Reduced risks of costly breakdowns
• Improved reliability
• Reduced downtime
• More predictable service costs (no surprises)

Comparing the tubes within a chiller to veins and arteries in the human body, Trane believes that ensuring that they are clean, clear and strong is critical to a chiller’s efficiency and effectiveness.

Potential alternative is said to meet new European environmental regulations

Honeywell and DuPont announced last month, a manufacturing joint venture to produce a new refrigerant known as HFO- 1234yf, with presumably 99.7% lower global warming potential (GWP) than the current refrigerant. It is intended for use in automotive air conditioning systems.

The venture follows an earlier joint development agreement, under which the two companies developed the product. Under the agreement, DuPont and Honeywell will share financial and technological resources with the intent to jointly design, construct and operate a manufacturing facility for the new refrigerant. However, the two companies will market and sell the product separately.

The product, said the two partners, meets European Union regulatory requirements for lower GWP refrigerants for automobile air conditioning systems. Today’s automotive air conditioners use hydrofluorocarbon HFC- 134a, which has a GWP of 1430. The European Union’s Mobile Air Conditioning Directive requires that, starting in 2011, all new vehicle models use a refrigerant with a GWP below 150, and by 2017, all new automobiles sold in Europe will be required to use a low-GWP refrigerant. The new refrigerant, say DuPont and Honeywell, has a GWP of 4.

The joint venture will begin supplying the refrigerant in the fourth quarter of 2011 – prior to construction of the new facility – in time to meet the European Union regulatory requirement.

According to Honeywell and DuPont, they introduced HFO-1234yf to the automotive industry in 2007, and since then, it has undergone extensive testing for safety and efficacy, by independent testing groups, such as, the SAE International Cooperative Research Program, in which leading automakers participate. The partners claim that SAE testing has found that the product offers environmental performance superior to carbon dioxide, an alternative refrigerant, while having “the lowest risk for use in mobile air conditioning systems in meeting environmental and consumer needs”.

“Through this manufacturing partnership, Honeywell and DuPont will deliver to the automobile industry this environmentally preferable solution that meets both operational and regulatory requirements,” said Terrence Hahn, Vice President and General Manager for Honeywell’s Fluorine Products business. “Globally, consumers will benefit from this new technology, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This complements Honeywell’s significant energy efficiency and environmental solutions portfolio.”

Gary W Spitzer, President, DuPont Chemicals & Fluoroproducts, added: “The new refrigerant enables the automotive industry to reduce the environmental footprint of vehicles at significantly lower cost than alternatives. By working together with Honeywell, DuPont is confident we’ll have the winning combination to enable the industry to realise environmental benefits sooner.

According to industry estimates, there are more than 400 million cars with air conditioning systems globally, with each system using between one half and one kilogramme of refrigerant.

Acquisition to strengthen its capabilities in the industrial refrigeration markets

Emerson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson, recently announced that it has acquired Vilter Manufacturing, a privately held compressor manufacturer based in Cudahy, Wisconsin. Vilter, whose compressors are used in an array of industrial refrigeration systems, will become a part of Emerson Climate Technologies’ Refrigeration Division, which provides commercial refrigeration products and solutions. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Vilter has a well-respected brand that will enhance our presence in the food processing and cold storage segments of the refrigeration industry,” said Ed Purvis, Executive Vice President and Business Leader of Emerson Climate Technologies. “This acquisition will allow us to expand our existing industry-best product offering and strengthen our position in the refrigeration industry.”

Pratap Chavan, Vice President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, of Emerson Climate Technologies, said: “There are already many Vilter compressors operating for over a decade in the MEA region. Vilter single screw compressors offer tremendous benefits to customers in the region due to its part-load efficiency, reliability and ease of maintenance.”

Some of the refrigeration markets served by Vilter are:

• Meat and poultry
• Beverage
• Food processing
• Dairy
• Seafood
• Refrigerated storage and warehousing
• Ice rinks and arenas

Vilter is, reportedly, fully supported in the region via Emerson Climate Technologies’ Dubai office, by providing sales, application and after-sales support.