Season 2018-2019
My Friends please look at the new 2018/9 program under "Calendar"
Following this introduction are the monthly reports of our members meeting in "latest first!" order
Following this introduction are the monthly reports of our 2017/8 members meetings in "latest first!" order
Our next meeting is combined with the IOR on
WEDNESDAY 5th Dec @ 4.45pm
"Historical talk in the Canal museum"
The Birth of the Refrigeration Industry in London:1850 to 1900
The address is London Canal Museum,
New Wharf Road, Kings Cross, N1 9RT
8th November - Graeme Fox F-Gas - "the latest on Refrigerants"
This will be Up dated after each meeting !
On 11th October - John Bawden of Testo -presented
"Smart solutions for Refrigeration and AC Engineers!
On Thursday 11th Oct 2018 (Mr Jon Bawden of Testo Ltd - Alton in Hampshire) www.testo.co.uk) Jon gave an excellent presentation at our “Greenwich Tavern” meeting venue, on his worldwide company’s electronic testing products. These are designed for Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and associated trades, and they all have memory recording of multiple types of temperature, pressures of 62 multiple gasses etc with blue tooth transmission to engineers phones tablets etc. in PDF format at 20 sec intervals! Some devices also talk to the cloud to allow remote monitoring!
The pressure “gauge manifold sets” are very compact in sturdy carrying cases as are the leak detectors, Tor Gauges, Temperature monitoring Alarms, The Infra red “thermal imaging camera” is excellent for finding hot spots on bearings, electrical relays and contactors, giving speedy maintenance on potential future failings.
Their web site www.testo.co.uk displays all products and prices and local suppliers to you who hold these very user friendly stocks. Their Facebook account has demonstrations of setting up and using their products.
They are also holding a free draw for various products until Dec 2018 go to www.testo.co.uk/en-UK/win/35and find out!
An excellent evenings display
We also welcomed 3 new visitors Niccole Lenie and Jon.
Lens comments concerning the talk by TESTO
We had an interesting talk given by Mr.Jon Bawden of Testo which was about the latest update from the manifold set. They now have sets of pressure and temperature sensors that can be read by Blue tooth to an App that can be downloaded onto an iPad or Android phone. Whereas the older style unit had to connected through hoses the new units are corrected directly to the system and can be read up to 10m away giving the information on a selection of 90 different refrigerants which are being updated regularly
The pressure sensors have ¼” connections which require an adaptor for 5/16”. The temperature sensors clamp onto pipe up to 1.1/8” but if larger pipe is on site the sensor may be taken from the clamp and strapped directly to the pipe.
The true suction superheat is given taking into account any glide of the refrigerant. Len Fiddler
A post note from Jon our speaker
Something that your members might be interested in as well, we now have a dedicated landing page via
https://www.testo.com/en/applications/hvacr-refrigeration
for the testo range of refrigeration service instruments
Best regards - Jon www.testo.co.uk
+44 1420 544433
Newman Lane |
Alton |
Hampshire |
GU34 2QJ
|
|
On Thursday 13th September we met for the first meeting of this season at the Greenwich Tavern
Regretfully there were only 6 members in attendance to hear Mss Amy Gittoes of Artic Circle give her presentation on ”Efficient Heat Reclamation” for Packaged Refrigeration Plant!
There has been many styles of recycled discharge temperatures with in the trade ie - heating air or water , Artic Circle has with great electronic controls given standby refrigeration plant a duty to heat larger areas efficiently and as our last notification email said “Heating Car Parks”
With surface rain water now not allowed to enter sewage drains on new builds –surface water has to be returned to sub soil, and car parks cause problems due to their large surface area. Porous surfaces are now being laid to allow water penetration and by laying water lines 50cm below (these discharging unwanted discharge temperatures from large refrigeration plant..
Now it sounds complicated and you should have been with us to ask those relevant questions -as we did!
It was a gentle evening and if more information is required about these systems being installed by Morrison’s Tesco’s and Aldi look up Artic's web site www.acl-online.com or call 01432 273333 or Amy direct at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our Next meeting is on Oct 11th 2018 Join us if you can See the Calandar page for full program
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.
Notes on 2017 to 2018 Season
Meeting notes on Thursday March 8th at Greenwich
We met with Blue Diamond Condensate Pumps
Full report will follow but their contacts and web site follows
UK- BlueDiamond Pumps
Royston Road, Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 7NY
tel: +0044 (0) 1932 355277 fax: +0044 (0) 1932 351285 mob: 0044 (0) 7392087272
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. web: www.bluediamondpump.com
https://www.bluediamondpump.co.uk/home
Meeting on Thursday Feb 8th Joint meeting with the Institute of Refrigeration at the South Bank University Campus
The HVAC show comes to town 23rd-25th January 2018 at London’s ExCel Centre,
http://www.hvacrshow.com/the-hvac-refrigeration-show-2018-live-in-london/.
Joining instructions
CEREB. K2. London South Bank University, London, SE1 0AN. Directions here
3.30pm Refreshments and networking
4.00pm Presentation begins
5.15pm presentation ends
Regretfully our December 2017 meeting has had to be cancelled at short notice therefore our next meeting will be in 2018 Please attend if able
Dear friends of The London Refrigeration Society
Follows the report on Thu 9th Nov meeting other Notes follow. please read on
Regretfully only 7 members attended our November meeting to welcome
Mr Shane Leather from Armstrong Fluid Technology, a company
based in Manchester, Birmingham and London
"Armstongs" (not related to the insulation company of the similar name) manufacture a comprehensive range of pumps, pump control systems and Packaged Plant Rooms for the HVAC Industry.
Shane explained that one of the main considerations within the HVAC is energy saving and carbon footprint reduction and well as the obvious cost factor. His presentation covered how traditional methods of pump selection and installation are now being challenged by more energy efficient and cost- effective pump selections, methods of installation and control strategies.
Armstrong have just released to the HVAC market place their new Tango Twin pump,
Shane explained to the guys present how Armstrong are challenging the conventional thinking and installation methods in the arena of parallel pumps and multiple pumping systems.
By trying to move the consensus away from the traditional duty/standby scenario plus 15% safety margins being added on to the pump duties; to a more energy efficient installation of smaller pumps sharing a proportion of the load. This results in smaller pumps being installed, leading to a reduction in the size, weight and energy consumption of the electrical installation. This also has a reduction in the carbon footprint of the installation of the pumps; This is due to the Armstrong's vertical in line method of mounting the pumps which does away with heavy concrete inertia bases.
Armstrong’s manufacturing processes and the dynamic balancing of the pump impeller, combined with the pump body design allow Armstrong pumps of up to 450 kw. to be suspended within the pipework installation.
This led into a discussion regarding pump redundancy and how smaller Armstrong pumps can actually increase the level of redundancy and maintain heating and cooling levels in the event of one of the pumps failing in the system.
This is due to the Armstrong strategy of selecting pumps to be at their most efficient at part load as opposed to theoretical full load. Shane explained to us that typically buildings only reach full design load 5 or 6 days a year, while for approximately 60% of the year the plant is normally operating at 40-60% capacity of the installed HVAC plant.
It makes more sense to select a pump to be at its most efficient where it spends most of its working life.
The presentation moved on to the built in control strategy and Shane demonstrated that the Armstrong staged parallel pump control can save up to 36% in electrical running costs over a standard BMS controlled parallel pumping system. This combined with the installation cost savings and low maintenance costs give Armstrong the grounds to claim that their pumps have the lowest whole life costs for HVAC chilled LTHW pumps currently available.
Full built in Electronics and remote internet control can anticipate many potential problems even gland leaks!
Armstrong also manufacture at their Halesowen (Birmingham) plant a comprehensive range of Packaged Plant Rooms specialising in chilled water and multiple boiler systems, modular packaged plant rooms for standalone buildings and district energy networks.
The talk generated much discussion from our members and we recommend you look at the benefits on their website www.armstrongfluidtechnology.c om . Shane can be contacted via 07896 691673 or sleather@armstrongfluidtechnol ogy.com or post to "Armstrong Fluid Technology", 1 Wenlock Way, Manchester, M11 2ET.
Long Serving member Phill Stark's cremation service is on 17th November at 1.30pm at East Hampstead Crematoruium: Bracknell: RG40 3DW we agreed to send £50 to the charity “Crisis at Christmas” in his memory.
Our December Meeting Unfortunately we cannot meet at Greenwich but kindly Shane offered hospitably premises at their offices on Thursday 14th December open at 7pm for a prompt 7.30 start @ The Adams Room
We welcome you all to attend The address so you can look it up is; 10 Fitzroy Square London W1T 5HP Please meet up there for the final meeting of 2017
Warren Street Tube Station (Northern Line) is 150 yards away and there are numerous pubs around if you all wish to meet for a beer beforehand or afterwards.
14th Dec. "Teslamiser – continuity of cooling for Data Centres”
Mr Tim Mitchell of Klimatherm
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.
Our meeting in February was a belated Christmas meal by our regular members and partners, a pleasant event with 30 attending the Greenwich Tavern.
Welcome to our January 2015 minutes
12 members and 6 guests attended for a presentation by Chris Alexander ofVulcan Lokringon Pipe jointing and leak detection.
Chair: Malcolm Lay and as ever our thanks to our Meetings Organiser: Brendan O’Reilly who with our treasurer were unavoidably absent
A group of visitors from J&E Hall were welcomed and Chris began with a brief Introduction of the Vulcan Lokring Company who have been agents for this system in England for over twenty five years, some of the older members remembering a previous presentation by Chris’s predecessor.
Using video presentations we saw that the Lokring system is not restricted to just air-conditioning and refrigeration but is used in any gas or fluid industry including automotives as being a mechanical pipe jointing system no ‘Hot Work’ or other safe working restrictions apply. With a tag line of ‘one system – endless possibilities’ it is distributed worldwide and used throughout domestic, commercial and industrial organisations.
Loctite is used as a lubricant for the joints but it is a compression fitting applied with a manual crimping tool which compresses the specialised fitting axially so that it is deformed by a collar sliding along the inner part to seal it into and onto the outside of the pipes that forms and seals the joint.
The range of pipe sizes, copper or aluminium, the system covers is split between the mainly domestic, covering 1.6mmØ to 11mmØ with some of the fittings specially suited to joining capillaries into standard pipe, and a larger range called the 50 series where the crimper compresses eachside of the joint to the pipe in turn which covers the range 5mmØ to 35mmØ. Onlargersizestheinternalboreofthepipework can be slightly reduced but on capillary lines, due to the thickness of the tube wall, this does not happen.
Each range has a mechanical crimper which was demonstrated with interchangeable jaws for each size of joint, and with the 50 series having a swivel jawed version for restricted access.
Also shown were display cases to illustrate the versatility of the fittings and the sizes of the pipe to be connected.
Comments were made about aluminium fittings which are rated at a higher pressure now 50bar - up from 25bar, also stressing the need to use different tools to those for copper and aluminium to avoid contaminating one with the other and so introducing corrosion.
A protecting shrink wrap sleeve was shown to cover fittings when of a dissimilar metal to the pipework for a similar effect.
It was pointed out that the use of aluminium pipe in a refrigeration systemcancausesimilar problems as most components are of different metals.
Following our liquid refreshment interval aVideo presentationon electronicleak detection was played stressing the difference between detecting with Nitrogen, Helium or Hydrogen; the former having been used for some time, whilst the latter with their smaller molecules, improves response could be better.
Inflating tyres with Nitrogen, which is formed of larger molecules, which therefore leaks more slowly, is another indication of this.
If using Nitrogen as the trace gas a system pressure up to 50bar may exceed the working pressure of some of the components; whereas using hydrogen the pressure canbelimitedtobetween7and10barwithleaks still beingdetectable,eventhrough insulation. This lower test pressure is also a safety feature reducing the ‘blowing out’ or shattering of sight glasses.
The video continued with a demonstration of a compressor replacement on a domestic system utilising the Locring fittings but it was marred by the poor or illegal practice of dumping the charge out the window!
ThespeakerexhibitedaLeakdetectingdevice, whichselfcalibratestothelevelof Atmospheric Hydrogen; this was demonstrated by the use of a hydrogen filled balloon which gave a leak reading for the hydrogen escaping through the rubber. This system had been used to trace oil leaks from Varon transmissions, the casings of which are extremely thin walled aluminium castings.
Finally, products of Refrigeration Technologies, whom Vulcan Locring are agents, were presented including joint sealant called NYLOC which is used on mateing surfaces of a flare as it is both a sealant and a lubricant. It has been used to cure nut splitting caused by condensation tracking and then freezing. A third video was downloaded from the internet on NYLOC showing how it allows dismantling of gaskets, ‘O’ rings and Schrader valves.
NYLOC is available through selected wholesalers in two types for use with either Esta or Hydrocarbon oil using systems.
Their web site is www.vulcan.com and Chris can be contacted on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our meeting in February has no speaker and our regular meeting members have opted for a meal at a local hostelry
Our March meeting is planned at the Greenwich Tavern on Thursday Mar. 10th starting at 7.30p
"The problems with cooling surgical units in Ethiopia " by Dr Helen Fitzgerald
Welcome to our December 2015 minutes
Welcome to our November 12th 2015 minutes
14 attended to hear our speaker Mr Glan Blake Thomas of Flexiblespace.com (based in East Grinstead) who gave a most interesting talk on
“Under floor Heating and Air Conditioning” but of course it was a much deeper subject than it first appeared! Glan highlighted that in 1860 there were 1 billion humans on earth 1950 there were 3 Billion and in 2100 there will be 7 Billion Also in Madagascar the population discard 300 times their body weight in rubbish per year. Whilst in Europe each person’s equivalent dump is 1500 times, but in America a massive 4500 times obviously these figures indicate that the world is wasteful and its resources are not infinite.
New buildings around the world demand Power in the form of Heating, Air Conditioning and for Computing and just living. Where does it come from? New builds are conceived as perfect, but the second tenant revamps, meaning walls power etc are in the wrong place – its very costly and time consuming refiting using “standard methods” as current standards are solid floors, and ductwork across ceilings; with a/c units in external walls etc
Glan’s company have conceived many large buildings around the world such as Beijing, Kuwait, Shanghai, London etc all with floor voids which contain the air flow and return systems, power for desks, water and drainage, for all users vending machines, catering etc.
The square grid walking surfaces protecting the services can be of wood, stone carpet or any other customers finish each which can be lifted and services accessed and repositioned speedily.
Air terminals in the floor are individually programmed from phones etc to give local comfort. Internal walls can be moved easily along with services, very speedily and without major reconstruction of the fabric of the bulding.
By doing away with 600mm ceiling voids and just using the floor void, costs are reduced, as is the total height of floors. In Hong Kong with out sacrificing quality, the original ceiling based design proposed building to be 387m high but with underfloor systems it was built at 352m giving around 10% cost and material saving, more flexibility, less solar gain and reduced elevator power etc etc
I’m sure this is the way to go in the future (think of ease of over spill air from Multideck cabinets being entrained into the floor eliminating cold isles in supermarkets) New store layouts without dedicated floor chasings. Flexiblespace have already made 3 stores for Marks and Spencer for example.
Go on line check out the logic, www.flexiblespace.com, tell your contacts, mention you heard of it at the LRS. Friends you missed a very interesting meeting.
Contact Glan Blake Thomas This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
201/3 London Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH191HA phone 01342310400
Normal 0
Report on LRS meeting of Oct 8th 2015
As ever most arrived early to have a meal together and discus the topics of the day
Regretfully our planned speaker Mr Neil Panting of Fujitsu was unable to attend at the last minute so emergency plans kicked in where our treasurer presented our accounts for the previous session for the members comments. Thanks were expressed for looking after the books which show a deficit on the year of £434.12 this still leaves the society of a healthy balance thanks to the wisdom of our founders way back in the 1950’s; when they set up an income from the exhibitions. But unfortunately due to exhibition shrinkage and change of owners this funding has dried up. Active membership too has shrunk although our mailing list remains valid.
New member Zabar has set us up with a Face book and Twitter account. Look them up and pass on the message that London refrigeration Society is alive and well.
It was suggested that we try to set up a “Networking Café” where local trades associated with refrigeration are invite to meet in an informal atmosphere to exchange contacts and feeds! Don’t know if I have put this right but Lee will investigate contact listings from around a 30 mile radius of Greenwich and report back.
We spent some time mulling over 30 quiz questions whilst the usual liquid refreshments were devoured!
On Thursday November 12th we have the 3rd meeting of this season where “Under-floor Air-Conditioning Technology” will be presented by Glan Blake of Advanced Ergonomic Technologies sounds interesting See you all at the Greenwich Tavern by 7.30pm on the 12th
September 10th 2015 minutes
"Life After R404A - planning for the phase down with low GWP Alternative" Mark Hughes - Opteon Refrigerants
We were very pleased to welcome 14 engineers to The Greenwich Tavern, (most came early to chat and eat before ascending the stairs to the comfortable upper room for our meeting!
Mr Martyn Sentence of BOC introduced our speaker Mark Hughes Business Manager of “CHEMOURS” which means “CHEMICAL and OURS” - There is 200 years of experience in the trade with Dupont - now with 6000 employees, and 5000 customers. Their declaration is to plough all profits back into the industry not to buy up other companies! (of the type DuPont did)
Mark gave a very informative talk and visual display of Gasses of the Future or how does the phase down of HFC's affect everybody from Designer, End User and installation Engineer.
Their product gasses OPTEON (XP40) are retrofit for Stationary - OPTEON (XP44) for Transport Refrigeration Systems and XP10 for R134a replacements - all obviously have low GWP potential.
Regulations on Global Warming are getting tighter and slowly being recognized around the world at last.
Phase down of HFC production to a CO2 equivalent is on line.
The quotas available to place on the market are based on average sales between 2009 and 2012 and these were equal to 183 MILLION TONS of CO2 in 2015: which consists of all HFCs used for new installation and to service leakage to atmosphere. And by end of 2017 this must be reduced by a further 37% and then year by year reducing further. So good planning now is urgent for Endusers Designers and Engineers. We must continue to emphasize that Legislation, more Energy Efficiency, less Global Warming, and the Increase prices of supplies are inevitable!
CHEMOURS refrigerant range of OPTEON gasses are true drop in replacements and meet the above reduction levels, obviously thorough evacuation is essential, but save the pumped out charge for reuse!! (not quite certain this is legal- OK if the product is either returned to distributor for reclamation or used directly as recycled product by the end user it came from ) and NO MIXING of refrigerants can be undertaken on topping up systems. Oils are reusable in replaced systems.
Booklet guides from the addresses below are available and by searching the web for full DUPREX calculations and software to download for free data and guidance.
WARNINGS Use Oxygen monitors in leak conditions - re breathing in contaminated air . Do not use open flames. And during new installation if you detect a visible change in the size or colour of a flame when brazing to repair equipment STOP work and leave the area immediately! Ventilate thoroughly!
(Not sure that Mark commented on this but its in their guidance notes!!? )
With our usual delivery of half time drinks, questions and chat followed this presentation (which this report does insufficient justice to the host of data so keenly given)
So please check out the following for more detail
Contacts
Mark Hughes mobile 07785925556 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and web www.opteon.com
The Chemours Company, Windham Road, Chilton Industrial Estate Sudbury CO10 2XD
Martyn Sentance BOC Refrigerants Mob: 07785517097 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Minutes of 2014/5 monthly meetings follow in reverse order:-
We resume our next season of meetings on 10th September 2015 (Is it our 50th season already?)
Our season finished with our "Stan the Man's" conducted tour of Greenwich Village- via St Alfege Church of then to the Greenwich Park, The Greenwich Observatory (via the very steep Hill) to see the Meridian Line, Olympic Equestrian site, then down again to The Sailors Hospital, Old Power Station, via 2 excellent pubs, and views across the River as the sun set over London, Yes I'm sure the 20 who attended enjoyed the wealth of knowledge he imparts of the history, dates and anecdotes of the areas we have visited over the years.
Stan emailed me today thanking us for being so attentive!!
On Thursday 12th March 2015
Our thanks to Keith Sweatman of Airedale who at our March meeting gave a very informative talk on F Gas new regulations: his companies history and their latest “CO2 Efficient Chiller Systems”
The gas of the future is R1234ze , along with the “TorboCor” compressor which is oil and bearing free! This is Airedales future for their air conditioning plant to emerge from their brand new state of the art factory in Leeds.
The “TorboCor” compressor is heavily dependant on electronics which controls the output, speed, “bearing suspension location” and leak detection system. These units come in modules from 3Kw to 2Mw (which are 13m long!)
The self-contained systems also have panel style condensers and EBM fans, which deliver chilled water for the customer’s requirements.
As we should all know R134a has a legal limited life from 2020 and Airedale see “Hydro Fluoro Olefins” as their future. R134a has a Global Warming Potential of 1430 whilst R1234ze has a rating of only 7GWP! (note R23 has a GWP of 14800!)
The lifespan of released gasses are revealing too 134a takes 13.4 years whilst R1234ze is 10 days!
Although flammable Hydro Fluoro Olefins have a low grade heat/flame potential so these gasses automatically satisfy BREEM Standards
May we remind you too that all name plates on plant must be marked visibly and indelibly with the refrigerant gas type, charge, weight in equivalent tonnes of CO2 and this label must be in the members language! This must also be include in the instruction manuals for each system.
Keith then answered varied questions after and during his presentation. from our 15 members present on the night
Contacts: for Airdale
Airedales Web site is www.airedale.com And Keith:- Southern Area Senior Sales Manager can be contacted via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
On Thursday 12 Feb 2015 We met to hear an excellent discussion presented by Mr Roger Smith of Agas.
13 members attended the Greenwich Tavern where, Mr Roger Smith of “A Gas” informed and entertained us with his interpretation of the latest and future regulations.
All of you obviously know that to buy or use refrigerants you and your company MUST be registered with Refcom, Bureau Veritas or Quidos, your gas supplier will only supply when your company and you have been verified.
Gas weights used, decanted or recycled have to be logged in the site log book and the owner must sign for work done at the time of action!. Also refrigerant intended to be destroyed or cleaned has to be recorded on the appropriate Waste Disposal form, with Weight, System ID and Company/Operative ID at the time of decanting from the system.
The future of F Gas legislation is still unknown but we do know that the volume of Global Warming Potential gasses must dramatically reduce year by year! This can be done by replacing old systems with cleaner substitutes so that by 2030 the Total Value of GWP brought into the country is approximately 20% current levels.
Tied in with the volumes of GWP gases in each system legally defines maintenance and leak checking frequencies, 6 months seems to be the time intervals for larger systems. So are we informing our customer / owners of future changes that gasses may/ will have to be changed and the rising cost of increased maintenance and new F Gas purchase?
A Gas have a free app called GTO (gas track on line) which is easily downloaded to you mobile which calculates the GWP for a system. This App can also be used to record and track your gas usage / Disposal.
By 2017 it is a legal requirement to permanently label each system with charge type and weight and leak checking frequency. This is the installers responsibility, but on existing systems YOU the maintenance company have to ensure each system complies.
Domestic units, when purchased the shops “Currys” etc record the units details and at their disposal if found abounded units can be back tracked and dumping fines imposed!! Therefor when buying new get the supplier to remove old or take to a council recycling dump!
Roger gave many examples of gas equivalents for replacements and he answered a host of questions with humour and knowledge, but basically blends of HydroFlouroOlefins (Modified HFC’s) which are MILDLY Flammable are the future!
By MILDY Roger explained that these gasses only light with a hot flame, and do not support their self ie when the heat is removed the flame goes out and these are not Explosive, So providing the plant room and evaporator are well ventilated there is minor chance of major damage.
The Meeting finished with thanks to Roger for his presentation and to Brendan for his continued work in finding excellent speakers
For more information look up A Gas (UK) Ltd web site www.agas.com or call 01275376600
On Thursday 8th January 2015:
15 of our members met at the Greenwich Tavern for the first meeting of the year in our new venue. We welcomed Mr Peter Dyment of Camfil Air Filtration Systems, who have their UKHQ and factory in Haslingden Lancashire.
Peter gave a most informative talk on the Camfil company production and research over 50 years into providing top quality air filters for every industry from Medical, Scientific, and of course Refrigeration. He explained how Low Energy Air Filters save on energy costs as well as providing improved air cleansing performance.
This in real figures can be savings as much as £300 per year per individual filter in an air handling system! The payback time for such measures can be measured in one or two months. Therefore large plants with many Processing areas, Computer suites, Operating Theatres, Board Rooms etc all benefit with reduced energy and running costs, less down time and better indoor quality air.
Peter told how London Street Air quality is very poor and maps were shown of air pollution concentrations mainly due to vehicle emissions. London Air is up to 300 times dirtier with fine combustion particle concentrations than the country side away from traffic emissions.
These invisible fine particles affect the lung performance then penetrate into the blood stream, causing cancers and damage to vital body organs. Effective air filters provide the best protection for people inside buildings.
For smaller buildings without a centralised air system the new Camcleaner air purifiers can offer fast a plug-in solution for cleaning air at an initial cost of about £10 per M3. These units have H13 Hepa filtration with molecular gas filtration to remove air pollutants such as Nitrogen dioxide to a high level of efficiency.
In heavy industry such as Oil rigs: sea salts can enter processes, and in Nuclear systems clean environments are obviously essential. Whilst bearings of precision compressors will suffer if the smallest molecular contaminants enter bearings and controls. Etc.
Camfil provides a clean air solution for individual customers that can include filter optimisation, duct or coil cleaning, system validation, energy efficiency measures. AHU Intake and Chiller screens are often required.
After our usual “half time tea break” Peter answered many varied questions. Our Chairman warmly thanked Peter and presented him with “full bottle” as a small token of appreciation.
If you have a question of these about air filters please look up their comprehensive web site www.camfil.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text32876); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our next meeting is at the Greenwich Tavern on February 12th 2015 with Mr Roger Smith of A-Gas
Jan 1st 2015
Shabbir has found the new venue below
The Greeenwich Tavern
1 King William Walk, Greenwich London SE10 9JH
So we have our first meeting of the new year on Next Thursday 8th January 2015 in their top room. They do light meals beforehand and parking seems OK after 5pm on the roads which are outside the congestion zone. (They are residents only up to 5pm)
Our speaker is planned to be Mark Taylor - of Camfil filtration systems-
As previous we will get drinks and maybe pre meeting meal/ snacks
2014 reports
The reports on previous meetings are in reverse date order:-
Report on our final meeting of the year 11th Dec 2014
We had planned a casual or informal meeting with food and drink, But unfortunatly our excellent Host of Chimes Wine Bar gave us the sad news that he is closing at Christmas so we are now homeless! So if YOU know of a friendly central London venue that could take bookings at least for 8th January , 12th February and 12th March 2015 we will be eternally grateful Please contact Ron on 07852122948 with details.
Ron informed all that our program secretary Brendan O'Reily is in hospital with ticker problems, We wish him well and speedy return to work.
The meeting continued with food and drinks along with the AGM which sadly as ever no new members wanted to to take any of the committee jobs.
The accounts were presented and agreed,. The monies we have in the bank ensure we can continue till around 2020 by careful planning by future committees. Our thanks must go to the skill of our predessors arranging sponsorships which now sadly have now lapsed!
We then had a quiz and not to embarrass anyone there were no refrigeration topics but that didnt stop the questions being called into doubt re their accuracy!
We finished the evening by paying the bill and giving a tip to our Chimes Staff for the friendliness over the past years
Our next meeting is planned for Thursday Jan 8th but where??
Happy Christmas and a successful new year to all our members!
Report of our joint meeting with the IOR on Thursday 4thDec at UCL Holborn
A good meeting which showed the differences between evaporative and Air cooled condensers on large AC Plant Up to 2000 KW ! Graphs displayed wet and dry bulb figures from various locations around the British isles. Fuel costs etc It got very complicated for your non technical or theoretical reporter so I will just refer you to the Institutes web site where I'm sure a full report will be available
The UCL is a massive educational set of buildings set in the midst of Euston, Russel Square and Holborn so lucky me at Googling the best way to find the correct venue. Sorry to be a little flippant but I did enjoy it Honestly
Report of LRS Meeting Thursday 13th November 2014
17 members attended Chimes Bar to well receive Mr Neil Stewart of “Yellow Jacket” who gave very interesting talk on Refrigeration Tools of the Future! The now traditional Gauge Manifold was designed back in 1967 with its protective wire cage by Yellow Jacket and has been copied by many other companies around the world.
Their latest Gauge set is intelligent - Electronic of course but with built in memory that can store and transmit via blue tooth to mobile phones, iPads ect!
Flexible finger tight hoses were also introduced by YJ way back in 1950.
Neil explained that “pressed in” sight glasses are potentially dangerous if pressure is suddenly let into the test equipment. Yellow Jacket devices have a “bleed hole” feed to their test equipment to alleviate this problem found in lesser equipment (YJ’s are all tested to 600 bar!
These latest devices have 102 refrigerant formulae built into their memory! And these can store up to 3weeks data recorded at 15 sec intervals. (who ever reads all these figures?) but for commissioning and fault analyst, an ideal tool.
Yellow Jacket have a free app to download to your mobile or IPad etc but Neil told us their development costs were around 2 million pounds, and a special chip built in to their transmitters cost £30 each, and these can only be bought from Microsoft!
Vacuum pumps biggest failure is YOU! Oils require changing after every system repair or at 6 hour intervals. This is due to the efficiency of these pumps pulling back sludge and dirty oils which stick to the rotor blades and scrape their close fitting surfaces causing pump damage. Hence its cheaper to replace oil than pumps.
For more information on pumps etc look up the ACRIB web site
Neil can be contacted via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01738 550 005
Web site www.fairfieldtechnologies.co.uk and www.yellowjacket.co.uk
Our Next Meeting is a joint one with the Institute of Refrigeration on Thursday 4th Dec 2014
Venue Room 110 Roberts Building, University College London, Gower Street
Speaker John Clark MInstR and Angus Gillies MInstR
Oganiser IOR
Subject “Comparison of evaporative and air cooled condensers in industrial applications for design engineers
Please try and make this meeting,
Report on Our meeting on 9th Oct 2014
Mr Warren Clark, The project manager from Hitachi.
Our first meeting was on
10th Sept. 2014 (WEDNESDAY – a one off !) - Roger Palamarczuk of Humidity Solutions -
subject “De-humidification in low temperature environments”
Roger gave an excellent talk firstly on the reading of Psychometric Charts which was a great revision wake up to those attending, well especially to me!
He went on to explain the the removal of moisture from process air was a little more than "just refrigerating it" references when designing needs consideration of "Wet Bulb" " Dry Bulb" "Absolute Moisture" whether Humidity or Dehumidify, thickness of coils 3 pass or 8? DX or Chilled Water, or even Desiccant Wheel, Sorption or amalgamation of all, and finally of course COST! which is when efficiency may be considered.
The processes in industry which need dehumidification systems range from Ship Building welding techniques, Computer rooms, Food production, Ice Rinks and audience space, Libraries and Art Storage, Frozen Food Storage, the list is endless.
If you need professional help please contact
Roger Palamarczuk at Humidity Solutions Ltd,
Humidity House,1140A Axis, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey,
tele 08448221180 web www.humiditysoluti.ions.co.uk
After Rogers excellent talk he was surprised by Lee Freeman (our archivist!) who told us that this was Roger's 4th visit to LRS as a speaker in the last 30 years, a record!
After Roger left to catch his train we continued firstly to discuss the past summer activity interval and our future program of speakers. We importantly collected annual subs at £15 per member (and new members always welcomed) debated a venue for our Christmas get together, and next years London walk topic.
RF
recent article from ACR magazine
NEWS ITEM - BEWARE , F-Gas outlaws are getting caught
19 May 2014
Companies and individuals who carry out F-Gas work without the required accreditation or certification are being tracked down and compliance is being enforced, explains Steve Crocker of Refcom.
A small cowboy element can cause a disproportionately large amount of harm to our industry’s reputation and this is becoming evident in the increasingly robust enforcement of F-Gas regulations. Companies and individuals who fail to hold appropriate F-Gas certification or accreditation are not only being hunted down in growing numbers by the authorities, but are also being found out through customer complaints to Refcom about their work.
Refcom is the F-Gas certification body with which about 88 per cent of F-Gas certified companies are registered. In the same way that Refcom worked closely with Defra in setting up the F-Gas Company Certification scheme, now Refcom is liaising closely with the Environment Agency (EA) in its enforcement activities. Defra is still the policymaker but the EA is the policeman and Refcom is assisting with the investigative process.
Protecting commercial interests
All of this investigative and enforcement work is designed to help protect the commercial interests of the vast majority of companies that are complying with F-Gas regulations so that they don’t have to compete unfairly with businesses that are cutting corners. It is also to protect the industry’s professional reputation from being damaged by the small minority of installers and maintainers who flout the law and, of course, to help meet the objective of the F-Gas regulations thus safeguarding the environment from unnecessary leakages of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Some unscrupulous businesses are simply ignoring the F-Gas regulations and hoping that they’ll get away with it. They either have no certification at all, or they have previously obtained interim certification but didn’t bother to upgrade to the full certification, which became a legal requirement in July 2011. This corner cutting mentality invariably has other symptoms, such as second-rate work. Customer complaints about unsatisfactory work within the scope of the F-Gas rules – the installation, maintenance or servicing of stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment containing or designed to contain F-Gas refrigerants – start an investigation process that can often lead to uncovering failures in F-Gas compliance.
This unlawful element is also found out because properly accredited companies in the same geographic area eventually hear about them and report them. Refcom and the Environment Agency receive and encourage such information feedback from law abiding certificated companies.
Logos but no validity
Other violators are being more devious, trying to get around the regulations in ways they hope will allow them to argue their compliance – these actions are being uncovered by our investigative work with the Environment Agency and help from our members. A common offence is hiring, on a sub-contractor basis, individuals who have F-gas qualifications and then send them to do the installation or servicing work on the company’s behalf. These companies then claim to be certificated and often display a certification body logo on their website or stationary.
For a business to hold a valid company certificate, it must directly employ its own engineers and not pay them as sub contractors. Through our work with the Environment Agency, Refcom logos are being removed from uncertified company websites and those contacted are now seeking their own company certificates or receive formal regulatory advice.
Certification theft
Other complaints have led to investigations that have unearthed even clumsier violations. In recent months, one particular company was found to be using another company’s valid Refcom company certification. In instances like this, the Environment Agency will work with its own local area officers to make direct contact or liaise with local authorities’ Trading Standards to ensure these companies become compliant if they wish to continue trading in the future.
The Environment Agency is made aware of unscrupulous companies identified by Refcom and our members and works to ensure compliance. Those companies that choose not to work with the Environment Agency receive legal notices requiring direct actions with given timescales and, as a final option, those that continue to offend will be prosecuted by the Environment Agency’s legal teams in the same way it enforces the waste industry.
Refcom knows the Environment Agency is methodically going through business registers, websites and chat rooms tracking down companies to ensure they have the appropriate certification. The Environment Agency is working with certification bodies and trade associations to investigate cases that arouse suspicion.
And Refcom is in contact with the EA on an almost daily basis, reporting its own findings and helping to support our certified companies. From about 800 companies that were failing to comply with F-Gas regulations in 2009, we’re now down to around 90. If you’re one of those, there’s a fair chance you’ll get caught.
At our final meeting of the season on April 10th. We were lead by our London Blue Badge Guide "Stan the man" around Notting Hill Gate area of London, the numbers of attendees were down this year but as ever it was an informative and enjoyable walk finishing a a friendly hostelry.
We look forward to September for another 6 months of Refrigeration updates and companionship.
13th March 2014 16 regular attending members gathered at Chimes Bar for our usual monthly meeting, but unfortunately our guest speaker and Hitachi had parted company and no replacement was found this was not discovered until 7.15pm on the night. But as ever we coped firstly by asking each of the attendees to give tips of the trade or just reminisce!
We started with car AC; then differing gasses and their explosive qualities, Plant maintenance; secret military locations, disposal of redundant NH3 and Sulphur gases; 100 year old coldstores with cork and rats!! The recent RAC show which is sadly depleting in size; National Trust properties; Recent flood stories etc etc . etc
Folk didn’t get up and leave early so it couldn’t have been too bad.
We also suggested topics for Brendan to arrange next year: Can you suggest some or even have a favoured company or rep who would talk to us who are eager to keep up to date on refrigeration and akin topics?
Next month on the 10th we have our walk around London Town details not readily to hand yet but I will contact the regular attendees soon with an underground station to meet at with your loved ones (or wife even} for a hopefully warm dry night out which as ever will finish at a hostelry!
Thursday 6th February 2014 REPORT on meeting in conjunction with the Institute of Refrigeration, at 33 Queen Street.
Are doors on fridges the best environmental solution for the retail sector?
3 members attended for a debate on the merits of the use of doors on Refrigerant Display Cabinets.
The meeting was preceded with refreshments of tea, coffee, sandwiches etc and a brief opportunity for networking. The members were joined by some of the Institutes services section and students.
Opening with a general overview and various facts and the development of supermarket display, the chair for the evening, Ms. Judith Evans, introduced Mr. Alex Pitman of the Co-op and Mr. John Austin-Davies who led the discussion.
Mr. Alex Pitman spoke first, in favour of the doors being fitted, although making the case for their fitting during manufacturing rather retro-fitting; citing that the Co-op was ‘rolling out the fitting of doors in all their new stores and in those being refitted.
Mr. John Austin-Davies then opposed this view, suggesting that with the improved case design, doors were almost unnecessary and that they impeded sales, limiting their value further.
Both speakers suggested that the selection of tests for cooled cabinets showed sufficiently varied results, therefore, proving to not be completely reliable. However, improvements to case design indicated 30%-80% energy savings; similar savings were available with fitted doors. The limiting factor in all cases was the customer usage.
It was pointed out that with lifecycle costing being considered more rather than just capital cost, the inclusion of doors may continue to get more support as the inherent benefits seem to gain when looked at in the long term.
The discussion was then opened to the floor, when your Chair, Malcolm Lay started by suggesting that the use of doors was purely academic as such a large proportion of sales went direct from the warehouse to the customer and that as this trend was increasing even display cases were becoming obsolescent.
Further debate covered the relative benefits of roller shutters, sliding and hinged doors as well as cooled rooms and recycled cooling
A vote for the alternative options was called for and although close, with doors just won.
January 2014 Meeting Report
Mark and Andrew entertained us - yes entertained the 16 members with their presentation into the world of national and international skill competitions ranging from Hair Dressing down to our specialist subject of Refrigeration nationally known as SkillFRIDGE. (the UK had 36 Skill trades represented internationally at the 2013 Worldskills event in Leipzig).
They began by each of our members reading part of a paper titled “ARE YOU READY TO PERFORM” which relaxed us all! So before starting any project in daily tasks we should consider 1st Preparation, 2nd Performance, 3rd Planning and very importantly Reflection.
To take part in the Worldskills International Competitions; competitors must be younger than 23 in the year of the competition:- and it can take 3 years from nomination into the national SkillFRIDGE trials and regional competitions in order to be selected to represent the UK in refrigeration at the Worldskills International competition!
At competition level, the marking assessment criteria is strict. The international test covers both refrigeration and air conditioning skills, the tasks are designed where design diagrams have to be interpreted, so that materials and components have to be fabricated, assembled, wired, tested to standards, and commissioned to ensure energy efficiency. There is also an electrical fault finding, and component replacement task and it all has to be performed in no more than 20hours total!
And if that wasn’t enough, all this is in front of the noisy public in huge exhibition halls - So no pressure!
The national SkillFRIDGE competition is very similar; it is a 12hour test and does not include air conditioning or component replacement, but nearly all the other skills needed to be a refrigeration engineer are covered (we don’t test competitors to tear down or rebuild compressors)!
In both national and international competitions, the test projects are pre announced with line drawings and a brief of what is expected during the competition, but no sizes, but then on the day 30% changes are announced that define the detail dimensions and operational parameters!
To enter the competitions, students are nominated by colleges, employers and training centres. Competitions can really improve individuals, even if they don’t come first, all competitors say they enjoyed the journey and learned real skills along the way that help them in the job and ultimately their employer! competitors are out of their comfort zones and often have to problem solve, but by entering, all competitors can go for a ‘performance excellence’ qualification, which can be earned right through to degree level for the very best international competitor.
These competitions are all about raising the standards nationally and globally. There are training grants available for the international competitors, but not for the SkillFRIDGE competition, there is therefore a need for industry/company support and sponsorship, and it was said that if all companies in the industry sponsored £100 each year to help in accommodation, fares etc, the SkillFRIDGE competitions could have a secure future!!
Much discussion Questions and Answers followed this educational and enjoyable evening over the traditional glass of beverage. Mark then had to beat a hasty retreat to get the last train to Manchester, Andy being a local lad guided Mark to Pimlico tube station.
The meeting continued,where we discussing our banking arrangements, Our next London Walk and the February meeting to be held jointly with the IOR
No December 2013 meeting .... But regulars got together prior to Christmas which went well, 26 gathered for a 4 course meal at Chimes, along with a few silly quiz questions. An enjoyable evening
Now Mick Warren sends this warning note
"Hello Ron happy new year to you all , Mum and I are doing ok. Pass this message out about the dangers of R600, do`nt get complacent -- I was working with some yesterday and a spark from the vac pump on/off switch ignited some and blew everything up, I was not badly hurt but customer did not like having his kitchen blown up, Michael"
Our meeting on Thursday 14th Nov 2013
was attended by 13 members had a meeting to discuss energy costings. Our speaker no longer has contacts so this report has been removed to save fruitless calls to the company, Thank you
After a beer and discussion Keith Sweatman of Airedales gave us an update on the fire which devastated their production works and offices in West Yorkshire, He explained how the 400 employees had pulled together to get a major part of the works up and running again. Their parent company and Insurers really got together to finance the restoration, and hopefully full production will by January 2014
Again he thanked all who supported Airedales and if you need any help from them call their HQ via 01132391000 www.airedale.com
Our next meeting is in December for our regular members who know who they are.
So the following meeting will be an open one for all in our trade on
Thursday 9th January on"World Skills Standard Specifications for RAC"
OCTOBER 10th 2013
Report on
Jason started with basics explaining "damp air in" produces ice, snow, or moisture on evaporators, products and floors. By reducing these symptoms defrost times can usually be reduced and their intervals increased. In one example from a defrost every six hours was reprogrammed to once a day, saving temperature rises of products and less cleaning times on floors etc.( please see their web site for full details or contact Jason direct)
This is achieved by circulating the room air through a rotary wheel containing a desiccant of silica jel which is bonded in a patented method to "crinkled" composite wheel heat exchanger, which captures the room’s moisture. The wheel moves about eight revolutions per hour, and ambient air is heated to around 100 degrees centigrade and passed through a one third section of the moving wheel in the opposite direction to the refrigerated air. This heated air constantly dries the re-circulated moist air in the wheel reducing the RH from around 75% to less than 25/% even to 10% giving the above listed savings. The rejected moist air now around 10 to 70 deg C is vented safely to waste.
Jason gave examples of around 900 firms who are using these systems, but Munters have a wide range of other products which can be explored by checking their web site www.munters.co.uk or a direct call to our host This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 01480432243 at their British HQ in Huntingdon Cambs.
On Thursday 12th Sept we had our first meeting of the season where KR Associates instructed us on their skills. Director Mr John Eastwood and Laser Scanning Consultant Mr Rhys Lupton gave a presentation of their electronic scanning and measurement devices for site analysing. (This can be an internal area or external application)
Their very modern “camera” takes millions of images around 180 degrees in about 10 minutes The equipment is then repositioned several times and the location re-measured. Their computer system then combines these multi pictures to give a 3D image of the location giving dimensions in any plane.
These can be then be analysed to see suitability for site redevelopment, possible noise penetration, visual objections, and where to site plant landscaping etc etc.
KR offer Acoustic consultations, to all the large Supermarket groups as well as site evaluations, where all information is available on the cloud for individual locations can use remote conferencing for instant decisions.
As you can guess much discussion was generated from this very interesting evening.
“Noise is our business. Since 2003 we have worked closely with companies across an array of business sectors, helping them to appreciate and deal with their noise issues.
Our understanding of the science of sound is deep, our knowledge of the issues noise can cause in the real world unparalleled and our track record in successful noise issue resolution unrivalled.
We are dedicated to a quality of customer service unmatched in our industry and we are ready to listen to - and understand - your needs.”
KR Associates are at 2 Vancouver Wharf, Hazel Road, Southampton SO19 7BN
call 02380550455 www.kra.uk.com email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
August 2013
Our new Season of meetings begin on Thursday Sept 12th please look up ourCalandar page for latest details
Dear friends in refrigeration,
I regret to inform you that member Russ Nicholson passed away last month, his committal was on Thursday 11th July 2013
Russ lived in China in recent years after serving many years with Carter Refrigeration at their London Offices, he kept in touch via emails, talking of life in China along with topics of the day and risqué jokes which I never dare pass on, May he rest in peace.. RAF
London Refrigeration Society
Meeting of 14th March 2013 at Chimes Wine Bar
13 attended the discussion “What is the Industries Future” lead by Mr Andrew Gaved Editor of RAC magazine.
Where is our Industry going? With new developments in technology are we going too fast or should we improve what we already have? Do our engineers get enough training? Should we just improve our gas tightness and contain these “horrible” substances?
Andrew told of the Cass Business School who had discovered after studying Formula One Racing Cars the fascinating fact that ‘too much advanced technology actually harms performance.” He suggested this could be equally true of refrigeration? Are we developing new systems and not trialling them thoroughly? References were made by the group to several catastrophic failures in systems that blew joints, exploded, had partial shut downs, or were topped up with non-compatible substances! Was this because the technology had been brought in before the industry, particularly the engineers, were thoroughly prepared for it?
Do development managers and end user managers agree on time lines, or are they pushing too fast? Is it cost or quality that decides progress? The Cass Business School concluded that ‘adapting current technology may be a better route than continually finding new solutions’.
One of the ways that we could be doing this, Andrew suggested is with HFOs - Hydro Fluoro Olefins which have a very short atmospheric life time and have a reduction in global warming potential for all production manufactures. They are new refrigerants, but they are designed to be used in the same way as HFCs, which means adaptation, not radical change.
We discussed car AC where the car manufactures had all agreed to use these HFOs to meet the European directive, but now the Germans had dissented, because they really want to use CO2. But there are problems of CO2 in hot ambient weather systems where pressures rise dramatically. It was said that AC in a car decreases effective output by 4/5 HP . Will the Germans only sell their cars in colder countries in future?
We also talked about the popular supermarkets’ progress in introducing carbon dioxide to their systems and their varied success, but I will not mention names You should have come and joined in the lively debate. Andrew provocatively suggested that anyone working on refrigeration would need to learn about CO2 in the next five to ten years.
Should we reinvent the wheel and will employers really commit to real training?
We need Gentle Evolution not Violent Revolution. As the Cass researchers said, we must move ‘fast but not too fast.’ Yes all clichés I know, but as the guys on the sharp end of the industry we need answers very soon.
We thanked Andrew (and ourselves) for a very lively debate and an interesting meeting.
Ron Filer
Normal 0 For cooling news every day, together with industry information, practical guidance and forward features,
February 7th 2013
Meeting of the LRS
for a presentation by WELLERS ACCOUNTANTS
via Mr Richard Payne or Mr Joe Lennon
London SW1P 2PN
020 7630 6665
www.wellersaccountants.co
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our Jan 10th meeting was conducted by Mitsubishi Electric Ltd
If you want to hear it first Join the LRS! Click the box below for this month's report Ron
Dec 13th 2012
December 13th 2012
11 members attended for a presentation by James Whale of Testo Limited on Measurement Solutions for Refrigerant Engineering.
Chair. Malcolm Lay Meetings Organiser. Brendan O’Rielly
November 15th 2012
Mr Derek Moore of Johnson Controls division of Sabroe
October 11th 2012
Regretfully our planned speaker was unable to attend, but our chairman Malcolm introduced a resume of the past year which I list below.......
LRS Chairman’s Statement for the year ending April 2012
September 13th 2012
The Season has begun with our first meeting on September 13th, at Chimes Bar.
We welcomed Mr Howard Nobble of FSW LTD. who gave a most interesting and informative talk on REFLOK AC&R solutions "compression fittings with Aluminium tube" for the refrigeration industry.
April 13th 2012
Report on our Annual Walk around "St Ratfords" Olympic Park
Thursday 12th April found a depleted group of regulars assembling at Leyton underground station
March 8th 2012
LRS REPORT on meeting held at Chimes Wine and Cider Bar Pimlico
16 members attended for a presentation by Steve Zimmerman of
micronics on Flow Measurement.
February 2012
LRS meeting for February
had to be postponed as our speaker was unavailable.
The regular attendees got together with their other halves for a "pie and a pint", most enjoyable!