BUSINESS AND TRAINING |
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN |
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“ Ammonia is not to be trifled with .”
a glint of pride in his eyes . " And guess who was responsible ? Yours truly ." Duties included the physical maintenance of the equipment as well as upgrading of Skania Fluid beds and Lewis Tunnel IQF freezer equipment and plant . There followed many years of working , installing and maintaining large cold rooms and freezer rooms and equipment as well as large air-conditioning installations countrywide .
" Ammonia isn ' t something to be trifled with ," he cautions , a note of seriousness entering his tone . Recalling one particular mishap , Petrie leans forward , his expression grave . " We lost just over 100 tons of refrigerant ," he admits . " It was chaos . But we dealt with it . That ' s the thing about this job – you learn to adapt ."
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His journey took him to Nelspruit , where he grappled with the challenges of fruit preservation and mining operations . " It was a delicate balance , keeping citrus fruits cool while rigging up four-and-a-half-ton gearboxes atop leaching tanks . It was like a ballet of machinery .
" After Nelspruit , the company beckoned me to Welkom , and eventually I found myself in Johannesburg , consulting for the very company that once employed me . Life has a funny way of coming full circle , doesn ' t it ?"
" Life ' s a journey ," he muses , " filled with twists and turns , mishaps and triumphs . But through it all , one thing remains constant – the thrill of mastering the art of refrigeration ."
The consulting work was with Spoormaker and Partners where he
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took on the maintenance portfolio for its various clients .
In his varied career , from 1998 to 2015 we worked in the field of training of apprentices . As Petrie ' s reputation grew , so too did his influence in the field . " I had become a consultant , a mentor , a trusted advisor ," he says with pride . " From Melrose Arch to data centres , I left my mark on some of the most iconic projects in the industry ."
But perhaps Petrie ' s greatest legacy lies in his dedication to nurturing the next generation of cold chain and HVAC professionals . " I ' ve always believed in paying it forward ," he muses . " Whether it ' s training apprentices or sharing knowledge with fellow enthusiasts , I ' ve made it my mission to ensure that the flame of passion for refrigeration burns bright .
" I ' ve always been drawn to the inner workings of refrigeration ," Petrie adds , his eyes alight with the spark of nostalgia . " From the snap action thermostats of yesteryear to the cutting-edge electronic controls of today , I ' ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable evolution of the field ."
ADAPTING , EVOLVING AND EMBRACING CHANGE
Indeed , Petrie ' s expertise spans decades , encompassing everything from troubleshooting ammonia systems to navigating the complexities of data centre cooling . His passion lies in his commitment to excellence and innovation .
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" I ' ve always believed in staying ahead of the curve . In an industry as dynamic as refrigeration , you can ' t afford to rest on your laurels . You have to adapt , evolve and embrace change .
" Whether it was ensuring the seamless operation of a central plant or troubleshooting a malfunctioning compressor , I took pride in my work ," Petrie says , a sense of satisfaction evident in his tone . " At the end of the day , it was about ensuring that people could go about their lives without having to worry about the intricacies of refrigeration ."
As Petrie reflects on his career , his thoughts turn to the future . " The world of refrigeration is constantly evolving ," he says , his eyes sparkling with anticipation . " And I have no doubt that the best is yet to come ."
The landscape has undergone significant changes since his early days in the industry . With advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability , the approach to air conditioning and refrigeration has evolved in profound ways .
One of the key innovations Petrie has followed is the implementation of hot aisle / cold aisle systems in data centres – a revolutionary approach to cooling that optimises energy usage while maintaining ideal temperatures for sensitive electronic equipment . By carefully managing airflow and strategically placing cooling units , data centre operators can achieve remarkable efficiency gains without compromising performance .
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