Cold Link Africa September 2019 | Page 29

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN Presenters Dr Joy Leaner (left) and Maragaret Molefe. associated with ammonia. The development of CO 2 since the 1940s was delayed due to its poor performance in high ambient temperatures. In the last decade, major strides have been made in the development and design of CO 2 systems and trans-critical systems are now performing well in high ambient temperatures in South Africa and other countries. Katharina Arndt of GIZ, GmbH went on to say that natural refrigerants are the ultimate solution to save energy and mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) from RAC systems. She quoted sustainable climate friendly refrigerants for nearly all applications such as: CO 2 in mobile air conditioning, HC in domestic refrigeration, CO 2 and HC in foam blowing and ammonia in industrial refrigeration. COLD LINK AFRICA • SEPTEMBER 2019 SKILLS AND TRAINING Training and skills development were being realigned to better equip refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics to handle all refrigerants safely and with the minimum impact on the environment. Grant Laidlaw of ACRA training academy outlined the revised curriculum for the training of technicians. The curriculum will include modules and trade tests for ammonia, hydrocarbons (R290 and R600a) and CO 2 . Laidlaw called on industry to get involved in the revision of standards, a greater policing of compliance with safety standards and the implementation of a new national trade test. He concluded, “Qualifications are in place; we need to embrace natural refrigerants and move forward.” Bhawoodien Parker (DEA&DP) with Elisabeth Dusik (right) of the Bavarian Environment Agency visiting the South African Weather Services Global Atmospheric Watch Station at Cape Point. The watch station is one of 31 situated globally that monitor for a range of climate-change- relevant trace gases including CO2 and fluorinated gases. As part of the collaboration between the Western Cape Government and Bavaria, Laidlaw visited Bavaria to become familiar with the training standards and methods adopted in Bavaria. “After my visit I am confident that our local training methods are on the right track,” he said. Most low GWP alternatives have characteristics that require extra training. According to Edgar Timm of HEAT GmbH, the training should embrace all levels of activity, such as the technicians doing the installation, maintenance and end-of-life decommissioning. Design engineers should also undergo training specifically for low GWP refrigerants. Many of the low GWP refrigerants have a high level of flammability level or high toxicity. Presenters enjoying a refreshment break, from left: Dr Werner Reifenhäser (head of department, Bavarian Environment Agency), Elizabeth Dusik (Bavarian Environment Agency), and Jaco Wagenaar (Frigoglass). Piet van Zyl (DEA & DP) of Western Cape Government delivered the opening address of the two-day technical workshop. www.coldlinkafrica.co.za 29