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Feature
WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE 2025 – ENERGY / ENGINEERING
DAY 1 WILL COVER TOPICS AROUND ENERGY AND ENGINEERING While refrigeration technology has brought numerous benefits, it also has environmental implications that cannot be overlooked. The production and use of refrigerants, the energy consumption of cooling systems and the disposal of refrigeration equipment all contribute to environmental challenges.
Refrigerant emissions: Many traditional refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons( CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons( HCFCs), have been found to deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. Although these substances are being phased out under international agreements like the Montreal Protocol, their replacements, such as hydrofluorocarbons( HFCs), still have a high global warming potential( GWP). As a result, there is ongoing research into developing more environmentally friendly refrigerants with lower GWP, such as hydrofluoroolefins( HFOs) and natural refrigerants like ammonia and carbon dioxide.
Energy consumption: Refrigeration systems are energy-intensive, and their widespread use contributes significantly to global energy consumption. The energy required to power refrigeration systems often comes from fossil fuels, leading to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate change. Improving the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems is a critical focus area for reducing their environmental impact. Innovations such as variable-speed compressors, advanced insulation materials and smart thermostats are helping to make refrigeration systems more energy-efficient.
Refrigeration engineering focuses on the design, installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of cooling systems. It involves a combination of mechanical engineering principles, thermodynamics and heat transfer to create efficient and reliable refrigeration systems.
Time: Topic: Description: Speaker name and bio:
10h00 – 10h45
10h45 – 11h30
11h30 – 12h15
Global Warming Routes How To Enhance Efficiency In Hydronic Systems Granting Long Working Life Of this Equipment
Energy efficiency in insulated structures
Thermal fluid systems
Global Warming is recognised today as one of the main issues that all governments of the world must be accountable for. To reduce CO2 emissions in our sectors means first producing units that are extremely efficient and reducing input energy for the same amount of cooling or heating energy, and second to produce units for cooling and heating with refrigerant that has low Global Warming Potential. Today the main manufacturers of HVAC units have available many options of very efficient new units but in many cases if such units are not installed in a proper system with a correct design we do not benefit from their efficiency and performances, with the risk to generate bad feeling and bad reference of these new technologies that potentially will reduce market opportunities. Today we would like to provide some fundamental guidelines on how to design a very efficient system granting long life of the HVAC machines.
The subject of this talk will focus on energy efficiency in insulated structures( i. e: cold stores, etc) and modelling the performance of the insulation with increasing ambient temperatures( Climate Change)
This talk explores improving the efficiency of CO₂ systems, with a focus on optimising hot water recovery. It will examine current industry practices, strategies to minimise system operation in transcritical mode, and compare the COP and cost savings of various CO₂ options against a standalone heat pump. Attendees will gain practical insights into enhancing CO₂ system efficiency, driving cost savings and sustainability in both refrigeration and heat pump applications.
Luigi Rossettini is a member of the AICARR association. Rossettini has been a member of AiCARR since 1999. Although the organisation was founded in 1960, AiCARR has always dealt with issues relating to the responsible use of energy and natural resources and the innovation of energy infrastructures, both in residential and industrial buildings. Rossettini is currently a director of Aermec Middle East LLC.
Robert Fox is the current president of the SAIRAC since 2022. He is also a costing estimator with Club Refrigeration with the responsibility of designing cold stores, refrigeration systems and AHUs.
Jannie Potgieter – consulting engineer – Thermologika. Potgieter is a mechanical engineer specialiszing in thermal fluid systems, with 15 years of hands-on industry experience. With a masters degree focused on CO₂ systems and a passion for first-principles design, he brings practical insight and deep technical knowledge to every project. An active SAIRAC member, Potgieter is well known for presenting the annual Psychrometrics course. He currently works at Thermologika, providing consulting services to the HVAC industry.
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RACA Journal I June 2025 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za