Drawing attention to the lifethreatening trend of intentional inhalation or “huffing,” by children and young adults from access ports on residential and light commercial air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, Airtec Products Corp, manufacturer and importer of HVACR products, has announced the launch of Novent, tamper-resistant locking caps. They claim that the caps aid in the prevention of refrigerant theft and leaks into the environment.

According to Airtec, the corrosionresistant, aluminum-shrouded brass locking caps screw on to standard Schraeder valves. They also comply with the International Mechanical Code (Section 1101-10) and International Residential Code (Section M1411-6) that now mandate tamper-resistant outdoor access ports for all new AC/R installations.

Airtec claims that the patented locking caps, which can only be installed and removed with a special screwdriver or MultiKey key-ring wrench, are available only through wholesale HVAC/R distributors. The locking caps and screwdrivers are colour coded – green for R-22 and pink for R-410A – to assist in preventing accidental refrigerant mixing, and a universal silver is available for use with any refrigerant.

Product features

• Oil and sealant-resistant neoprene O-ring seals tightly to eliminate refrigerant leaks to the environment.
• Integral torque limiter prevents overtightening.
• Precision-machined, high-grade aluminum-shrouded brass fitting resists crushing and removal without a Novent key.

Airtec Products, which is the global distributor for Novent states that the products are sold in two packs, 10 packs and 50 packs of pink, green or silver 1/4-inch-thread, and a pink cap with 5/16-inch thread for imported R-410A equipment, which complies with EEC requirements.

HVACR aftermarket products manufacturer Cliplight Mfg, has introduced three Flash professional refrigeration system leak detection kits, that include three “no mess” cans of Flash, a reusable charging hose, an ultraviolet (UV) detector light and a carrying case.

Cliplight claims that the vacuum-packed, one-time use cans can each treat up to one five-tonne unit or 64-ounces (1.8-litre) of system oil. Also, unlike other dyes on the market, states the manufacturer, Flash does not use an injector or polyolester (POE) oil as a carrier. Instead, it uses Cliplight’s own Dry R drying agent, combined with the charging hose’s 29/1,000ths orifice to instantaneously mist the dye into the system, keep it stable and prevent crystallisation.

According to Cliplight, the kits vary by UV fluorescing light function and illuminating range as follows:

• Dual Pro 82 Kit uses the Cool Dual UV/White LED Light that functions both as a close range UV dye detector and a conventional flashlight in an aluminum casing, with an anti-drop wrist strap. The light includes 21 UV LEDs, 20 white LEDs and 4-AAA batteries.
• Mini Pro 84 uses Cliplight’s Vector 4 UV LED Light with patented focal lens technology for inspections up to 15 feet. The Vector 4 has a fourhour continuous use life and a 9V battery internal energy management system, ensuring full UV output throughout the battery life, with an intermittent on/off switch and orange 10-minute low battery warning light. It also includes an anti-drop wrist strap and 9V battery.
• Maxi Pro 87 uses Cliplight’s Vector 7 UV LED Light that focuses seven LED beams into one light source extending up to 20 feet. The cordless Vector 7 is rechargeable with a five-hour continuous use life and NiMH, 1,800-Ah battery that has no charging memory precautions. The light includes both an AC/ DC charger and low battery indicator.

Other leak-detection features of the kits include:

• Universal dye compatible with all refrigerants and oils
• No contaminating moisture introduced to the system, as Dry R is used as a dye carrier and stabiliser instead of POE oil
• No clean-up, hand contact, storage or injectors needed – system refrigerant fills the can, mixes with Flash and instantaneously distributes it throughout the system
• Reusable charging hose is cleaned automatically for the next application from solvency of system refrigerant exiting the Flash can
• Charging hose’s 29/1,000ths-inch throttling orifice guarantees no dye liquid will reach the suction line of the compressor
• No UV enhancement eyewear needed, as all kits use professional UV leakdetection lights
• All kits include service stickers for quick ID on future servicing
• Customer service support

California-based Electro-Chemical Devices (ECD), manufacturer of liquid analytical process instrumentation, has introduced models S10 and S17 Universal Toroidal Conductivity Sensors, which the company claims, enable highly accurate conductivity measurement. The inductive sensors feature a standard measurement range from 50 to 1,000mS. Model S10 is an immersion or insertionstyle device and Model S17 is a valve retractable-style device.

According to ECD, the sensors are built with the toroids, in line with the axis of the sensor, instead of perpendicular to the axis, as is commonly employed. This allows for the smaller diameter and shorter inductive path length, that is beneficial for the compact design.

With a compact 0.75-inch (19.05 mm) diameter sensor body design, the conductivity sensors, claims ECD, are ideal for use in tight places with crowded piping and equipment locations, such as, cramped industrial process and manufacturing operations.

They operate effectively in pipes as small as 1.5 inches (38.1mm) in diameter, which is up to five times smaller than typical conductivity measurement devices. Fitting into an existing pipe, without the need for re-plumbing the flow cell, is an added advantage.

Product features and applications:

• The sensors feature Kynar PVDF plastic body that is sealed, making them suitable for harsh industrial applications, including resin bed regeneration, acid and alkaline scrubbers, metal-plating baths and wastewater treatment.

• They can withstand harsh liquids such as acids and coolants, where corrosion and scaling pose problems.

• The models are compatible with ECD’s transmitters and controllers. The T23 and T28 loop-powered transmitters can be used either with NEMA 4X, T23, or explosion-proof T28, area classifications. The C22 controller has dual-sensor inputs that allow any combination of measurements and outputs to be combined in one controller.

Wins awards for Primary Energy Efficiency. Comes up with winning project for air conditioning solution.

According to an announcement in the Chillventa Newsletter, the first Daikin Planner Awards for Primary Energy Efficiency were presented by Daikin Air Conditioning, Germany, at the 6th Daikin German Planners Day, held from 22 to 23 April in Düsseldorf and at the Zollverein coal mine complex in Essen, in the presence of some 130 guests. The winner was Planungsbüro igb, of Weimar. The winning project was the air conditioning solution planned for an offset printing works in Cologne, using the Daikin VRV3 Energy- Rec System with heat recovery.

The following were the criteria for the award:

• Substantial saving of primary energy and CO2 emissions
• The planning challenge created by the project
• The planning expertise of the company
• The use of Daikin equipment

The announcement stated that in the jury’s opinion, the project entered by igb ideally fulfilled the requirements.

The announcement elucidated that the complete conversion of the printing works built in 1968 focused on heat displacement within the building. The heat flows generated in the printing works are now reportedly being used by the VRV3 Energy-Rec System, so that they are available for heating the office areas with high energy efficiency.

The report claims that since installation, the printing works has saved 45% of CO2 emissions in the parts of the building supplied by the new plant, and adds that the use of the Daikin VRV technology completely eliminates the need for fossil energy sources to heat the building.

Other awards, says the announcement, went to ZWP Ingenieur of Cologne, for its integrated heating cooling concept of the International School in Frankfurt, and imi Ingenieurbüro of Neumarkt, for the monovalent use of the Daikin VRV system in the Grasenhiller Service Centre. This project, states the announcement, provides performance figures that are 33% better than the requirements of the German Energy Conservation Act (EnEV). The second Planner Award slated to be presented at the 7th Daikin Planners Day in May 2011, says the announcement.

Güntner Middle East has announced that with effect from June 11, it has moved from Sharjah to their new office located at Office A 505, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai.

The new contact details are as follows:

Güntner AG & Co KG
PO Box 34 11 79
Dubai, UAE

Website: www.guentner.de
Phone: +971 4 371 28 21
Fax: +971 4 371 28 29

Svenja Konken
Assistant to Managing Director
Phone: +971 4 371 28 26
Fax: +971 4 371 28 29
Mobile: +971 50 69 67 494
E-mail: s.konken@guentner.de

Adel Kamel Dipl Ing
Managing Director
Phone: +971 4 371 28 26
Fax: +971 4 371 28 29
E-mail: a.kamel@guentner.de

American Breeze Middle East, has announced that it has moved to Office 316, Pinnacle Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE. Its new contact numbers are:

Tel: 00971 4 3951377
Fax: 00971 4 3951376

American Breeze Middle East further informs that all its email addresses and contact persons remain the same.

Its postal address is: PO Box 27146, Dubai, UAE and the website is: www.americanbreeze.com

Claims that new technology is more energy efficient than conventional motors

Dubbing it as a move to meet building owners’ demand for increased energy efficiency throughout the HVAC system, Trane has announced that it is now applying electronic commutation (EC) fan motor technology throughout its range of chilled water terminals. The company claims that the technology offers office buildings and hotels substantial energy savings and improved user comfort.

According to Trane, EC motors using electronic commutation of motor windings require four times less energy (Watt) than conventional alternating current (AC) motors in the low speed range. While AC fan motors run on fixed speeds, EC fan motors run at all speeds throughout the entire operating range of the unit, with the motor rpmcontrolled via a 0 to10 Volt signal from a unit controller. Without perceptible sound shift, when modulating the fan speed, to adapt to minimum cooling and heating load variations, increased acoustic and thermal comfort is ensured, Trane asserted.

Trane says that it has, therefore, incorporated the new technology into three types of terminal units: the new horizontal concealed fan coil FED; U-Line units and the chilled water cassette CWE.

The FED, Trane further says, is a straight-through fan coil unit that offers up to 100 pa of static pressure within several configurations of coils, plenums, electric heaters and water valves from 0.6 to 4.0 kW within a range of four sizes. The U-Line models’ innovative “u-turn” airflow pattern, claims Trane, fits buildings where individual offices of 10 to 30 m² are grouped along a building’s perimeter. Both FED and U-Line have a slim shape (225 mm high) that makes them suited for concealed installation in office buildings and hotels, Trane further claims.

The third Trane terminal unit with CE fan motor technology, the new chilled water cassette CWE, is reportedly available from 1.5 to 11 kW and comes in five sizes. The system fits seamlessly in all kinds of suspended ceilings in retail or office buildings, adds Trane.

According to the announcement, the new terminal units can be factorymounted and configured with the Trane Tracer ZN525 controller. The new controller maximises EC fan motor technology performance by providing an average of five per cent additional power consumption savings on an annual basis. According to the announcement, it also controls the fan speed to adapt to exact cooling and heating loads of individual rooms or zones in the building, improving room temperature and acoustic comfort.

Commenting on Trane adopting EC fan motor technology, Franck Biegalke, Applied Integrated Systems Leader for Trane Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, said: “Building and hotel owners can reduce energy bills for their airconditioned spaces by up to 90% by incorporating Trane terminal units with EC motor technology into their HVAC system. This technology will help ensure lower electricity cost, thereby limiting impact on the cost of ownership. This will keep rent rates stable for years. In addition, with energy regulations becoming ever more stringent, investing in EC fan motor terminals today will guarantee the value of building assets for years to come.”

Abu Dhabi Launches Region’s First Framework For Wastewater Regulation. Two regulations in place for responsible and efficient use of effluent water

The Regulation and Supervision Bureau (RSB), the independent regulatory body for the water, wastewater and electricity sector of Abu Dhabi, has announced the launch of two important new regulations – Trade Effluent Control Regulations 2010 and Recycled Water and Biosolids Regulations 2010. They came into effect from June 1, and concludes a three-year consultation process across the wastewater sector.

According to the RSB, the Trade Effluent Control Regulations govern all nondomestic discharges into the capital’s sewerage system. Under the new regulations, wastewater operating companies, including ADSSC and ZonesCorp, are empowered to require companies to obtain consent for their wastewater, before discharging it into the sewerage system. Sewerage services companies are also required to maintain trade effluent registers recording the activities of organisations discharging wastewater into the system.

The RSB contends that, earlier there were no formal controls over what businesses were allowed to discharge. This posed a risk to the wastewater treatment system and to the environment. But this issue can be effectively addressed with the Trade Effluent Control Regulations in place.

Similarly, the Recycled Water and Biosolids Regulations 2010, has been introduced to ensure, for the first time, the standards of treated wastewater in Abu Dhabi. The RSB claims that these standards will maximise the opportunity to reuse products in environmentally beneficial ways, as recycled water and biosolids are the treated products of the wastewater treatment process, and a valuable resource for meeting Abu Dhabi’s sustainable development goals.

As per the regulation, sewerage services companies are now required to guarantee the quality of the wastewater delivered to users. This quality assurance will increase the use of recycled water and biosolids. According to the RSB, the increase can provide useful material for soil improvement and help reduce demand for energy-intensive desalination.

Following the launch of the two regulations, the RSB stated that it will draw up compliance programmes with all relevant licensees to ensure they conform to the regulations within the appropriate timeframe.

The RSB has revealed the following regulation consultation timetable and key objectives to elucidate how the regulation process was achieved:

• September 2007: Initiation meeting with ADSSC, EAD, the Abu Dhabi Municipality Parks and Recreational Facilities Department
• June-July 2008: The first public consultation to establish need for regulation: 10 documents issued, plus press notice. Received 12 detailed responses
• December 2008-May 2009: Regulatory Impact Assessment carried out by independent consultants
• April-May 2009: The second public consultation – consultation on draft regulations; 20 hard copies issued to licensees and government agencies. Range of e-mails sent; consultation advertised on website. Received 25 detailed responses
• March-April 2010: The final consultation on draft regulations and guidance documents – targeting licensees and key stakeholders; 19 formal responses sent and posted on website. Received 13 formal responses
• March 2010: Consultation Workshop conducted with 37 attendees plus 10 bureau representatives
• 1 June 2010: Launch of regulations

Regulation and Supervision Bureau timeline:

• Established in 1999 to ensure the safe, reliable and efficient delivery of power, water and wastewater services in Abu Dhabi
• Consults closely and continuously with companies operating in these sectors to control prices, issue regulations and ensures compliance and investigates any health or safety incidents

Key objectives:

• To ensure that future capacity and product availability match customer demand and meets the 2030 Government Strategic Vision
• To promote optimal utilisation of water, wastewater and electricity
• To minimise unit costs at all levels
• To ensure that quality-ofservice standards are met at all times
• To promote health and safety standards involving all stakeholders
• To minimise environmental impact from the activities of the sector

In the context of announcing the regulations, Nick Carter, Director General of the RSB, said: “These two regulations are among the most important the Bureau has issued since we were established, over 10 years ago. As the emirate continues with its ambitious plans for growth, these regulations mark a key milestone in the supply of wastewater products. Under the governance of a panel drawn from experts within the sector and from licencees, Abu Dhabi now has a mechanism in place to ensure the highest international standards of recycled water and biosolids. This is helped, in part, by a check for the first time on what businesses are putting into the sewerage system.”

Dubbing the consultation process long and thorough, Carter added: “I would like to thank all those who have contributed towards making these regulations as relevant and workable as possible. With input from such a broad range of interested parties, we have strong support from within the sector for the new legal framework. We look forward to working closely with all wastewater licencees, to ensure effective compliance.”

Trane introduces remote monitoring facility for chiller plants and BMS

Trane has announced that a remote monitoring option that tracks the operation of chilled water plants and building management systems (BMS) via a GSM phone network, is now available in the Middle East, India and Africa. The application allows users to stay in touch with a facility’s HVAC system when away from the office, claims Trane.

It further claims that when the systems need attention, users receive alarms and event notifications on their mobile phones as text messages.

Explaining how it works, the manufacturer says that a GSM modem interface/transceiver board is fitted to a Trane Tracer Summit control system, and connected to a wireless modem via a RJ12 cable and a DB9 connector.

Trane says that the remote option may be beneficial especially to organisations where a small operations team has to cover a very large site, or where facilities are scattered over a wide geographical area. Trane backs this claim by adding that apart from in-house testing, it has also carried out successful pilot installations at a globally recognised microprocessor manufacturer in India and an international pharmaceutical company in South Africa.

Commenting on the technology, Akel Diab, controls and contracting leader for Trane, in the Middle East, India and Africa, said: “Customers are no longer tethered to the office when it comes to monitoring their heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. They can now remotely and reliably track the operation of their systems and take appropriate action as soon as they receive an update by text message.”

Johnson Controls Saudi Arabia, through the 11th edition of the company’s in-house journal, Ripple Newsletter, has announced that Al Salem Johnson Controls has been awarded the biggest single order of OM chillers worldwide, for the project of the Holy Mosque in Makkah.