EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
the MP and Kigali Agreement relied on
the competency of those that used
refrigerants in the installation, servicing
and maintenance to do so safely, prevent
leaks, avoid venting and check on
plant performance to maximise energy
efficiency. “The required competency
levels could only be gained by thorough
training, theoretical and on job training.”
Admittedly, there are gaps in the
qualifications and curriculum, and these
are being addressed.
Laidlaw felt strongly that we revert
back to the old system of a four-year
apprenticeship to gain a South African
Qualifications Authority (SAQA) recognised
qualification. “There is no short cut to proper
training. Unfortunately, there will always
be those that resist change similar to those
that continue to use R134a as opposed to
gaining skills in the alternatives,” he shared.
Training in the skills associated with
hydrocarbon refrigerant is of the biggest
concern. “There are thousands of bottle
coolers charged with R290 – who is servicing
all these units?” he asked.
Grant gave details of specific upskilling
projects. The activities planned to fulfil
South Africa’s obligations to phase out 35%
of the HCFC baseline by 2020 envisaged,
among others, the support to and upgrade
of the competencies in the service sector
to improve the capability to decrease
leakages and to facilitate re-use of
refrigerants and retrofits of HCFC systems
to non ODS, as well as upgrade of the
competencies on use of alternatives.
“The project will initiate the training of a
minimum of 200 informal service technicians
followed by a second possible project with
the inclusion of formal sector technicians.”
The UNIDO funded training will form part
of a recognised qualification if the trainee
wishes to continue at a later stage. The
project seeks to address “the readiness of
service technicians’ skills with regards to the
COLD LINK AFRICA •
March/April 2020
usage of hydrocarbons,” said Kochova.
The revised training programme, already
approved by the Quality Council for Trades
and Occupations (QCTO), will include
additional qualifications like hydrocarbon,
ammonia and CO 2 mechanics.
Hennie Basson, SARACCA Western Cape
chairman, highlighted many challenges
facing those wanting to obtain a formal
qualification in AC&R. “There are no
facilities for proper trade tests to be done in
ammonia, CO 2 or hydrocarbons. There are
many in the field that have qualifications
but are not competent. Most TVET colleges
are far behind in the training needed by
the AC&R sector.”
He proposed that industry fund a
container equipped with what is required
for the mentioned trade tests and this be
moved between the different TVET colleges
encouraging industry to get involved.
Retired industry veteran, Harry Blaxall
suggested that equipment suppliers sell
their product with a full maintenance plan
similar to that in the automobile industry.
This trend would create the demand for
competent and qualified mechanics.
THE WORLD MAKING A CHANGE
Kochova outlined the important role
of refrigerants in the global economy.
“Globally there are three-billion systems that
are charged with refrigerants (heat pumps,
air conditioners, refrigerated containers,
commercial refrigeration systems) and
each also uses energy.”
Although the Amendment is aimed at
the phase-down of HFCs with a high GWP,
the Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer (MOP) has recognised the
opportunity to enhance and maintain the
development of a sustainable supply of
energy that will add to public health and
global energy security. It also recognises the
large returns made in a short space of time
The solution-driven workshop saw experts from around the country present.
by role players in technologies that are HFC
free and high in energy efficiency.
At MOP 31, the Technology and
Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) was
asked to report on new developments
with respect to best practices, accessibility
and cost of energy-efficient technologies
in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat
pumps regards the implementation of the
Kigali Amendment. “Low GWP alternatives
require adjustments and redesign. The
alternatives may require a high investment
cost but have the same or lower
operational cost. UNIDO have funded
successful projects aimed at alternatives
in Brazil, Gambia, Jordan, China, Chile
and the Philippines. The outcomes of these
projects are available for guidance to
South Africa,” she said.
She also added that equipment
manufacturers have been quick to
respond to the Amendment and regional
regulations as seen with the rapid phase-
down of HFCs in the European Union
(EU), with manufacturers recognising that
sustainable cooling services need to be
accessible and affordable. To mitigate
climate change and global warming,
industry needs to promote energy
efficiency in parallel with low
GWP refrigerants.
WALKING THE TALK
Based on personal expertise, Hannes
Steyn, director at GEA Africa promoted
the use of ammonia (NH 3 ), in water
chilling and comfort cooling applications.
“There are several favourable properties
of ammonia systems, for example low
power consumption, robustness and
reliability, low cost of ammonia and being
environmentally friendly, has favoured it
for large industrial applications.” Because
of the increased cost of electricity and the
higher cost of fossil fuels for boilers more
ammonia plant operators have added
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