EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Steve Davidson (Full Gauge) on left with John
Ackermann (SARDA).
GOING NATURAL
Jaco Wagenaar of Frigoglass quoted
statistics to verify the international
change to R290 in beverage coolers
and R600a in domestics. Many leading
brand names like Coca Cola, Heineken,
and Danone have now changed to
R290 beverage coolers. CO 2 was also
considered for the same applications,
but according to Jaco, had the
disadvantage of very high operating
pressures and loss of efficiency at high
ambients. The supply base of CO 2
compressors and long lead times was
also quoted as unfavourable and
encouraged the swing towards R290.
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The workshop took place in a lecture room at Elsenburg, Stellenbosch.
A panel discussion around the
implementation of natural refrigeration
technologies in the Western Cape
brought to light varied views and lively
interaction with delegates.
Ajay Trikam (DED &T) highlighted the
job opportunities at the ‘Green Hub’
established in the Atlantis area.
Cornel Badenhorst (Department
of Health), was wary of technologies,
unwanted in other countries, being
dumped in Africa. The lack of technicians
with the required skills dampened a
leapfrog from R22 & R134a in chillers
to natural refrigerant technologies.
Badenhorst felt that much could be
achieved by better thermal efficiencies in
public buildings.
Yusuf Jacob (Department of
Transport and Public Works) thought that
consultants needed to ‘think out of the
box’ when it comes to alternatives to R22
for air-conditioning applications. Yusuf
also felt that pilot projects were needed
to benchmark alternative technologies
against existing systems. Quality of
workmanship was also of great concern.
In one installation, all AHUs had failed
due to poor manufacturing and lack of
quality control.
Andrew Perks of A Perk Enterprises
was of the view that the energy usage
of all existing refrigeration plants could
be reduced by at least 10% through
better maintenance, a change in piping
or different operating procedures.
Ammonia had proven to be a constant
and reliable refrigerant for industrial
applications and is now being applied
to smaller installations because of the
availability of the required compressors
and components.
In many instances cost is the overriding
factor above being environmentally-
friendly. It is also of no value if the plant
is ‘green’, but has a high energy usage
as this will increase the carbon emissions
from the generation of power to drive
COLD LINK AFRICA •
SEPTEMBER 2019