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UPPING QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE
Transporters and body builders are urged to make full use of the chamber , not because of legislation , but to benchmark their quality standards and performance . Every litre of diesel saved to maintain temperatures improves profitability and reduces carbon emissions for the good of humankind .
To ensure consistency and the accuracy of tests done in the chamber , a standard — SABS 1744 — has been drafted and published . Enforcement of this standard will also ensure that any locally tested vehicle can safely be sold to foreign buyers with the assurance that the thermal performance meets international standards .
INTRODUCING R290
The conversion of a transport refrigeration unit charged with R404A ( GWP 3260 ) to a natural refrigerant R290 ( GWP 3 ) was another element of the GIZ project . A locally produced Transfrig model MT450 unit was chosen for the pilot project . Bill Wilson , technical director of Transfrig , presented an
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overview of the project and the potential commercial benefits .
The refrigerant charge of the unit was reduced from 3.5kg to only 600g , the coefficient of performance ( COP ) improved between 25 % and 30 % ( depending on the duty ), and some of the piping reduced from 10mm to 7mm ( evaporator ) and from 10mm to 5mm in the condenser .
Being a class A3 refrigerant with a high level of flammability , the biggest challenge was to meet all the requirements to prevent an explosion . The tests were extensive and inclusive for all possibilities of leakage from the system .
The testing and design changes were done with the guidance of consultant Daniel Colbourne of the UK .
The unit is undergoing field trials on a 4m body for the local distribution of ice cream in Johannesburg . The performance thus far is encouraging , which indicates that the unit could become a standard production model .
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OPEN FOR BUSINESS
As of 23 May 2017 , the thermal chamber was handed over by the German Embassy to the SABS . On opening the 5m-high doors of the chamber , Herman Strauss , senior manager of the SABS , was keen to explain the layout and functioning of the chamber .
“ For the commissioning of the chamber , a sample body , which had been tested in the Cemafroid chamber in France , was tested in our chamber . The results were almost exact ; in fact , our time to achieve stable conditions was slightly better than those in France ,” he said .
The chamber is now fully commissioned and ready to accept vehicles for testing . The chamber will be operated by Constant Pretorius , with the measurements and calibration of instruments done by registered petrologist , Joshua Msimanga .
GETTING TESTED
When asked , Pretorius indicated the charges for testing . “ The charge for a test to determine the K factor is estimated at
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R45 000 , and the time required will vary from two to five days . My advice is that interested parties contact me and I will discuss the tests and charges in detail .”
A NEW ERA
The unveiling of the SABS thermal test chamber has been recorded as a milestone and the beginning of a new era in refrigerated transport in South Africa . The industry salutes GIZ on such a magnanimous initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of refrigerated transport in South Africa . CLA
The unveiling of the SABS thermal test chamber has been recorded as a milestone and the beginning of a new era in refrigerated transport in South Africa .
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