RACA Journal: ISSN 1812-772X
Hot and chilled
NEVER BREAK
THE CHAIN
S
omeone once told me that no matter how bad the economy gets, people
still need to eat, which means that we will always need refrigeration.
Especially as more and more people move to the cities, maintaining the
cold chain is critical to ensure that fresh food and other perishable goods
such as vaccines, for instance, have a long enough shelf life to get where
they need to be.
So, despite many HVAC projects being put on hold until after the election
and the state of the industry being described as ‘sluggish’ at best when it comes
to projects, the refrigeration industry is still flourishing.
One of the key links in the cold chain is that refrigerated warehousing and
cold storage facilities (or just ‘cold stores’) seem to be going up left, right, and
centre all over the country. From ice cream to medicines to fish and everything
in–between – cold stores are where all these products live until they are needed.
As we continue including more refrigeration in ‘R’ACA Journal, this edition we
take a look at cold storage facilities. Our main feature chats to various industry
stakeholders about the ins and outs of cold storage design, drawing from their
extensive onsite experience to get a glimpse of where the local industry is at.
Read more on page 29.
Keeping with the theme, our cover project – the Chilleweni cold store in
Germiston – serves as a recent case study of an ammonia-run cold store to show
just how sophisticated these systems can be. Check it out on page 41.
Speaking of refrigeration and natural refrigerant solutions such as ammonia
plants, have a look at the feedback from the latest HCFC stakeholder meeting.
Main topics of discussion this time included the proposed ban on disposable
refrigerant canisters and the looming phase-down of HFCs. Where are we, and
what does this mean for industry? Stay up to date as this will most likely affect
you in some way or another. (Page 23).
One of the key topics of discussion at this HCFC meeting was the training of
the industry’s informal sector technicians. Skills and training are always high on
the priority list, because without proper skills, the industry will crumble under
shoddy (and risky) installations and maintenance. It’s always a thrill to see young
people getting involved and that’s why I always get so excited when WorldSkills
time rolls around again. See what happened at the national competition in
Durban where contestants had to build a water harvester (page 26).
With so much happening all the time, no wonder the first half of the year has
flown by so quickly. Take this time to reflect on your year so far and realign your
goals if need be for the second half.
Make it work!
(And yes, the headline is a Fleetwood Mac reference.) RACA
Editor | [email protected]
www.hvacronline.co.za
RACA Journal I June 2019
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