Season 2017/2018
My Friends please look at the new 2017/8 program under "Calendar"
Following this introduction are the monthly reports of our members meeting in "latest first!" order
We are a society of active refrigeration engineers with "hands on experience" , with a history going back 50 years; we meet socially during the cooler months for updates in technology, legislation and information on associated products.
Our current Venue is in South East London at The GREENWICH TAVERN , 1 King William Walk , Greenwich, SE10 9JH
We meet on the second Thursday iof the month from September to April from 7.30 till 9.30pm. The format of the evening is a speaker with Q&As to 8.30pm , society business / issues on sites / Technical Advice / social chat till 9 or 9.30pm. It is very informal, but if you visit our site you will see the calibre of speakers we attract. A great society for your staff to belong to.
We would like to invite you , your technicians, your trainees, and your managers to come and join us; you might find you will enjoy it as well as learn something ! Below I have attached a brief history and contact details, please call us if you have any questions.
A Brief History
The LRS was formed in the 1960's following the demise of the "Refrigeration Serviceman's Association". Its aims are to help engineers keep abreast of the latest developments in air conditioning and refrigeration. As the gasses Carbon Dioxide, Methyl Chloride, Sulphur Dioxide and Ammonia fell from grace, the wonders of those great "non smelly" "non flammable" and "totally safe" R12 and R22 compounds came into common use and our membership grew.
The Society members in 1969 funded and organised the 1st "London Refrigeration Exhibition" at the White City Dog Track, which showed mainly components, then in '71 complete systems were displayed. In 1973 the Venue moved to Heston just off the new M4 where the British Refrigeration Industry and Hevac had their headquarters.
In 1975 it, like "topsy", had grown and with our very good friend Terry O'Gorman who was editor of the RAC magazine. Wembley Arena was taken over for the show area. As it was now a very successful (but time consuming biannual event), our dedicated committee members agreed that the "RAC magazine" took over the complete organisation and gave us joint sponsorship donations to assist our running expenses. In later years, the venue moved to The Agricultural Halls in Westminster. All of these shows were great places to meet with competitors, and late nights in the west end of London were often the bonus of the successful shows.
We see that in the 100th Volume of RAC magazine in May 1998 a long article including photos of the show committee gave the LRS full credit for beginning this trade show, and we today must thank our predecessors for our heritage.
We are still "hands on" engineering folk interested in furthering our knowledge in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Practices, and are affiliated to the Institute of Refrigeration.
Today the Society's committee still arranges eight "out of season" monthly meetings where we invite others with skills and information on "latest refrigeration developments, gas and oils, rules codes and practices, training, and health and safety regulations etc", to share their knowledge through discussion and open forum.
Our meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month, September through to April, and anybody within striking distance at 7.30pm can attend for just £15 pa. (or just receive our monthly emailed reports on the previous month's discussions)
We have supported the RAC shows since their start up by our predecessors way back in the 1960's. We have had exhibition stands where many new contacts are made and old faithful friendships are renewed, which seem to be a foundation of this great industry.
We hope, through the keenness of new comers to the trade, we will still be around for another 50 years, helping to pass on our knowledge, and encouraging suppliers and manufacturers to share their expertise / developments with the active guys at the sharp end!
CONTACT :
Ron Filer (Hon Treasurer) Brendan O’Reilly
91 Herongate Road c/o Blygold UK Ltd
Wanstead Unit 1A, Corinium Ind Est., Raans Road,
London Amersham, Bucks.,
E12 5EH HP6 6YJ
Phone:(home) 020 8989 7815 01895 259346 Mob 07876 654319
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Report on Meeting held Thursday 12th Oct 2017
We welcomed Mr Richard Betts of RABScreen, a company based in Newbury, who provide the RABScreen washable air intake filter for Condensers and Air Handling units etc.
Richard explained that in every environment where there is air movement, e.g. chillers, cooling towers, air handling units etc, this air movement carries with it lightweight debris such as seeds, pollen, insects and leaves.
This in turn is drawn through the finning of condensers and the air filters provided in duct work.
The efficiency of plant is dramatically reduced and the cost of power rises too. 1mm of dust reduces efficiency of cooling condensers by 21% and can increase running costs by as much as 35%.
A RABScreen prevents this debris from being drawn into the air intake due to its inherently electrostatic properties.
This RABScreen is a flexible polyester and polypropylene mesh which can be made to any size or shape required which a multiplicity of fixing designs including magnets, drop tab fixings and the new KEDER profile.
The media is an engineered mesh using polyester and polypropylene. Polyester is negatively charged and polypropylene is positively charged which means that any air movement excites the mesh to create an electrostatic charge.
RABScreen filter mesh can be cleaned without removal by using a hose, vacuum or brush taking care not to push the debris through the filter. If using nitrogen or high-pressure water jetting this must be done from the fan side to drive debris through the coil and filter.
To minimise downtime a second set of filters could be used to allow the maintenance engineer to remove and wash one set whilst maintain optimum filtration with the second set. This is particularly relevant to high end production lines where any downtime can be costly.
RABScreen also produce what Richard called the ‘Air Net which is a circular filter that fits over the air intake fan guards. These filters use an elasticated or draw string border to make them quick and easy to remove and replace.
It is estimated that there are 47,000 chillers rated at 250Kw & above in the UK. Add to this figure the smaller cooling plant, condensers and individual cabinets on shop floors and you can see that a significant amount of energy is wasted by compacted coils. RABScreen filters have a typical ROI of 3-6 months on energy alone and can also significantly reduce labour cost, chemical use and filter changes
The talk generated much discussion from our members and we recommend you look at the benefits on the website www.rabcreens.com . Richard can be contacted on 0800 999 5750 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Report on London Refrigeration Society meeting September 14th 2017
13 members 2 guests and our Speaker attended the first meeting of the season at The Greenwich Tavern
We welcomed Mr Z Ure of ECO MESH who gave a very descriptive presentation on Improving the efficiency of roof top condensers when subject to high ambient temperatures through poor circulation due to “protective” screens and close installation of other condensers and buildings.
Descriptive visual screen shots of installations at home and abroad were explained (which can be viewed via www.ecomesh.eu )
The history of this is based on hot countries hanging damp hessian across windows to cool incoming air!
Basically the “AIR OFF “ of one condenser is trapped or recirculated by drafts or by adjacent installations. This heated air is induced into the “AIR ON” causing excessive head pressures and failures.
Ecomesh solution is to install triple layer “curtains” approx. 500mm from the air on fins of the condenser and spraying electronically controlled untreated mains water onto the mesh. This Adiabatic system cools the “air on” when demanded; its mesh also traps dust, leaves, etc from fouling the coils. And in Winter snow conditions raises air on temperatures too!
Traditional emergency solutions are to put a garden spray onto the condensers - but this causes Salts, Verdigris, etc to foul the condensing areas giving expensive maintenance problems. By electronically regulating the water flow as demanded by air on sensing – water consumption can be 75% reduced and when in use up to 25- 30% greater efficiency achieved in the Cooling system.
These screens are installed by the end user contractor. Installations include Sainsbury, Tesco, Morrison, Asda and many companies overseas.
Please look up their website if you clients suffer this common problem on ever increasing crowded roof space. I’m sure Ecomesh will be pleased to advise
Ron Filer
Minutes of the final meeting of the 2016/7 season which was held on Thursday April 13th
when 16 of us gathered at Farringdon Underground station for our now traditional London walk.
Stan Medland our guide led us past many public houses overflowing with drinking office workers spilling out onto the pavements of old London outside the city walls. Walking around Spittlefields, Barts Hospital, Smithfield Market and centuries old churches. Schools museums and monasteries, then passing the excavation sites of Cross Rail Railway construction. walking many roads and back ways I had never visited before. Very interesting and full of details to keep us entertained for 2 hours. We finished at a noisy hostelry for a end of season drink.
( Look out for our next season's program resuming in September, which hopefully will magically appear due to the dedicated work of " BK " This is now published on our Calendar Page)
Minutes of London Refrigeration Society meeting on March 9th 2017
13 members welcomed Mike, Tim and Rob from Gree UK who presented their companies history and plans for the future.
Gree UK are based in Wimbledon SW19 and the parent company is the largest A/C company in the world. Their Chinese Hong Kong, owned Company have depots in 200+ countries. Their 70,000 employees design, manufacture and service all the components in their systems. The 2 stage Compressors used in their systems are Hitatchi and there are currently around 5.5 million Industrial and 60 million residential units
Their systems are fully fitted with inverters and diagnostic logic to commission and fault find these 7 year guaranteed systems. These are sold to contractors who have undertaken and passed Gree’s installation courses
Built in to their control logic is Sola Panel Power generation technology; Converting from DC to AC which will, in milli seconds select best power saving be it mains or free sola energy. If the sola energy is over generating, feed surplus back into the grid system or divert into over battery storage! It was stated that Sola panels are light (not necessarly sun) generated and efficiency is reduced in ambient over 50C as are dirty panels etc . Systems are built to work and tested in ambient temperatures of -28 to +30 C - Gas used is r410a
Graphs were shown which indicated the steep use of sola power uptake since 2006 in GB also the many quality Certification awards Gree have from around the world
Heat pumps too are part of their AC industry and Air to Air systems are preferred as ground source heat extraction very expensive to build in to refits.
Gree Technical support can easily be found via www.gree.uk.com 020 3376 3533 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Minutes of Meeting for February 9th 2017
Regretfully only 12 members greeted Lynn Sencicle Editor of the ACRnews magazine, who gave an excellent insight into BREXIT. Yes I bet you thought boring! "Ill give it a miss" but we all agreed that her comments and lighthearted presentation filled in lots of gaps in comparing different reporting mediums and their points of view.
Article 50 is the government vote to agree or disagree In or Out - Article 49 are for the get out clauses once 50 is agreed!
GB is still the Financial capital of the world and we have potential trade links set up with Canada, America, Australia, and maybe France, Italy, Denmark etc who also may also opt out if GB Exits the EU! So manufacturing and a world shopping basket could be to everyone's advantage with out having to produce straight bananas and nurture an expensive bureaucracy of top layer EU government.
Lynn answered many questions from our guys but not so many orientated on refrigeration.
Gas types are ruled by the Montreal Convention, and company preferences. Training needs are not being fully met as the link between manufacture, Installation and servicing of Large plant in supermarkets etc is done on lowest price wins!Len Fiddler gave an talk on the Institute and our link with them. We have and invite to join them for a talk on domestic cabinet fires and the use of Propane as a refrigerant. Venue is South Bank University near to Elephant and Castle Underground Station In Keyworth Street on Thursday 2nd March
Lynn Sencicle editor ACR News can be contacted via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Minutes for January 2017
The first snow of 2017 arrived and so did 9 members who braved it to the Greenwich Tavern
As did our speaker
Mr Barry Morris of “ Chalmor – Experts in Energy Saving Lighting and Heating”
Who gave a most informative and interesting talk and presentation on their 35 years of expertise!
Concentrating on Schools Warehouses and Hospital etc Barry explained how technology has improved in savings on capital costs and energy consumption. Also how zonal control of unoccupied areas can either be dimmed or switched off automatically easily
Explaining how shops and show rooms demand good lighting levels but with technology colour LEDs can give enhanced white light or warm feeling illumination at reduced costs to traditional Fluorescent lighting.
There are grants, business loans and incentives to meet legislation on fuel economy and carbon emissions. Chalmor are well respected to produce competitive quotes showing alternative solutions to suit budgets and pay back demands.
Barry said that badly installed LED lighting can produce Glare, Migraines, and poor product illumination . Chalmor do not install but their quotes on design and product selection includes their well trusted installation partner companies: or customers can use their own trusted companies
Chalmor can be contacted by visiting www.chalmor.co.uk their HQ is in Luton, Beds and phone contact is 01582 748700 or call Director Barry direct This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mob 07967 192899
If you or your contacts are interested please mention the LRS
London Refrigeration Society minutes of 8th December 2016
15 Members attended a very informative presentation by Simon of ZoomLock compression fittings.
Simon demonstrated the electrical/electronic crimping tool that seals refrigeration tube joints from ¼” to 1.3/8”. Cutting and deburring tools are in the kit. By being electronic the tool cannot be removed from the joint until full crimped and a RLS logo is stamped into the fitting! The two rechargeable batteries are each good for 150 crimps and recharge time is 15 minutes. This is useable with normal soft and half-hard refrigerant grade copper.
Briefly the benefits are everything required is in a single carry case, There’s No nitrogen purging, No brazing cylinders to carry to site, No hot work permits, No fire extinguishers. No one-hour fire watch, reduced risk, Ultra-clean method (no oxidization)! Therefore, roof work, and other locations are eased and speeded up in adverse conditions.
Test values of 70 bar, working temperatures range -40 to 121’c. Certificates for extensive vibration testing. All standard refrigerants including the new R32 are approved except R22
Now the cost is £2695.00 But Simon told of site “race” of 60 m runs with joints made with trad gas against Zoomlock! - Zoomlock halved the time with no fire risk potential etc etc. So when pricing for jobs remember on site time is reduced.
This American (also available in Australia, Europe, US) Zoomlock Kit is promoted and serviced by The Greenmill Supply Company of Colchester 01206 864467
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.zoomlock.co.uk for full information
We continued after our "refreshments" with general chat and comments and discussed a January get together meal for regulars and partners details will be circulated
Here's wishing you all a restful and prosperous Christmas and New Year
London Refrigeration Society minutes of 10th November 2016
The Information provided on Alan's presentattion has been made available in a DropBox - please follow this link if you can www.ecocooling.org or visit Evaporative Cooling
On Thursday 8th September 2016;
15 of our members met at the Greenwich Tavern for the first meeting after the summer break. We welcomed Mr Luke Jones of Air Flow who presented their range of fans from 6” window mounted units to major air handling systems
Luke moved on to explain why we need ventilation, we all need to breath ‘fresh air’ and as humans we all exhale a lot of moisture, we need the air changed regularly to maintain a reasonably dry environment both for our own health and for the environment as it limits the growth of mould and fungus's
MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) was now presented as a heat exchange unit which provides fresh air at a temperature approaching that of the conditioned space either as backup for the heating or cooling systems or as the main source. The air is filtered coarsely to stop bricks and bugs, both in and out of the building with an additional #7 grade (Virtually Heppa) screen to limit spores, micro organisms and fine dust into the conditioned space.
The unit will cut off if the air passage becomes restricted with blocked filters and the integral controller will send a signal to the user/owner/maintenance and to Airflows office where it is monitored it to ensure it is cleaned.
Additional components that can be supplied include duct heaters or coolers to temper the air supply to give the desired conditions. A ‘Summer Bypass’ allows the filtered air to miss the heat exchanger and give free heat/ cooling where the external ambient is closer to the desired conditions than the exhaust air.
Selection is based on maximum occupancy with 2 or more speed fans to minimise energy consumption.
With the European regulations all energy consuming products have to be rated, A to F dependant on the normal operations consumption. The regulation is not policed but Air Flow thinks it should be complied with and DEFRA would be the ideal body the administer it.
A need has been identified to stress the requirement of ventilation in domestic dwellings and for this to be considered at an early stage in all new developments.
Many large engineering companies produce ventilation products as an addition to their main portfolio while Air Flow specialist in ventilation with only one or two other major players in the same discipline trying to police the whole industry.
The European Regulation also requires all buildings to be given an A to F rating, again with A as the best.
Germany has adopted a ’Passive Building’ approach where there is minimal interaction with the outside environment; with a required efficiency of 75% whilst minimising energy consumption and cost. This means the air tightness must be very high which means internal ventilation is required with efficient heat transfer.
Crossover heat transfer units previously used gave poor thermal efficiency, better were the thermal wheels which gave lower pressure drops or used less energy with a reasonable Thermal Efficiency but gave cross contamination between the air flows.
The option just presented is the Counter Cross Flow unit which works like two cross flow units feeding each other so that there is no contact between the two airflows.
The fans are Electronically Commutator (EC) controlled as opposed to AC (alternating current) the EC fans are fixed speed, set by the manufacturer and are completely sealed. (EC motors are brushless DC motors with external electronics. The rotor contains permanent magnets and the stator has a set of fixed windings. A circuit board continually switches the phases in the fixed windings to keep the motor turning. Because the speed of the motor is controlled by the commutation electronics, these motors are not limited to synchronous speeds. Appliance design)
Integral CO2 and H2O sensors are provided to allow ‘boost’ when required which is useful for areas with intermittent use, Kitchens, Offices or Schools.
In multiple or varied use buildings either individual units can be supplied for each area or one or more major unit ducted throughout with damper control managed by a BMS function which can be set up to be monitored remotely by ‘phone; tablet of PC.
To give an idea of the cost a four bedroom with a central unit, fully ducted would cost around £4,000.
A ducted system usually aims to have the supply in one corner of a dry room and extract from a wet one (Bathroom/Kitchen/Shower/WC) with undercut door or similar. The external intake and discharge are designed to be at least ½m apart but preferably on different building faces.
After our usual “half time tea break” Luke answered many varied questions. Our Chairman warmly thanked Peter and presented him with “full bottle” as a small token of appreciation.
During the general conversation that followed Lee raised the question of domestic A/C stating ‘Do not buy cheap because of the noise nuisance which may be present. The main causes are
A The sound of running water caused by the liquid refrigerant trickling into the evaporator.
B Condensate pumps they are never quiet
C Fan noise the on/off causes nuisance.
Remedies include
external mounting avoiding other dwellings, gravity drain condensate acoustic insulation and possibly more.
If you have a question of these about air movement and fans please look up their comprehensive web site www.airflow.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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