2LA flammable refrigerants

Watlow®, a pioneer in the design and manufacture of complete thermal systems, introduces its new HELIMAX™ ultra-efficient electric heat exchanger with Continuous Helical Flow Technology™, which helps reduce the coking and fouling typically associated with standard heat exchangers. Diminishing the coking and fouling rates can minimize heat exchanger maintenance intervals ultimately reducing downtime. Some heat exchanger design methods, such as segmental baffles, have known dead zones where hot spots can occur. These fluctuations within the heat exchanger to either the sheath or tube skin temperature or the localized flow rate are common causes of coking and fouling, which can lead to system failures and expensive downtime. Smaller shell diameters HELIMAX with Continuous Helical Flow Technology enables ultra-high heat transfer rates that lowers the skin and shell temperature rise above the process fluid and offers the ability to push the limit on high outlet temperature applications. Watlow is excited to now offer the new HELIMAX heat exchanger to our customers" It also minimizes fluid bypass assuring tighter sheath temperature control and provides smaller shell diameters. As a result, high pressures can often be handled with thinner shell walls or without resorting to expensive exotic materials. “Watlow is excited to now offer the new HELIMAX heat exchanger to our customers,” said Dennis Long, Director of Strategic Marketing. Improving system performance “HELIMAX’s Continuous Helical Flow Technology improves the velocity profile on the heating elements, allowing better heat transfer and flow rates improving overall system performance. This technology also reduces coking and fouling which keeps a system up and running. All of this in a smaller profile… the product is a win for any application requiring a heat exchanger.” HELIMAX is smaller and lighter weight compared to traditional heat exchangers offering significant benefits to space constraint applications such as offshore platforms or floating production storage and offloading vessels.

Johnson Controls, the global company in smart, healthy and sustainable building solutions, will host its ‘Game On’ Rooftop HVAC Conference virtually on April 21, 2021. The interactive training conference will offer a free online learning experience, with in-depth presentations developed by our HVAC experts. The courses will cover the product and service of Johnson Controls, YORK and TempMaster commercial rooftop systems along with trending industry topics, which are available for professional development hour (PDH) credits. ‘Game On’ Rooftop Conference This conference is created for anyone involved in designing and specifying, building, installing or servicing commercial rooftop systems. Participants can create a personalized itinerary with 16 unique courses to choose from within three primary conference tracks: Industry and Application Education: The industry and application education track offers a number of trending industry topics, including the transition to low-GWP refrigerants, HVAC systems’ impact on a building’s indoor air quality and the effects of ASHRAE1 on package unit design, all for PDH credit. Product Information: The product information track will consist of interactive presentations with product managers about the company’s rooftop HVAC equipment and controls portfolio, along with open time to meet the product managers and ask questions. Product Start-up and Service: The product start-up and service track courses are hosted by Ducted Systems Academy trainers, as they demonstrate key setup and configurations on 15 - 80 ton commercial rooftop units and control panels, and answer participant questions. Importance of continuous learning in HVAC industry The HVAC industry is always changing, so continuous learning is no longer optional" “The HVAC industry is always changing, so continuous learning is no longer optional,” said Joseph Oliveri, Vice President and General Manager, Global Ducted Systems, Johnson Controls, adding “We’re thrilled to be able to offer this truly unique educational opportunity to give our customers a leg up in their business and also expose them to what we have to offer. It’s game on!” Participants will also be given the opportunity to connect with their representative to discuss future opportunities. In addition, after the conference, participants will get first access to the new ‘Game On’ website, which offers additional information, including 360-degree video tours of the Rooftop Center of Excellence in Norman, Oklahoma, the facility’s world-class testing lab and the Ducted Systems Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At the completion of the conference, participants will receive 10% off one future Ducted Systems Academy course and will have full access to recordings of all conference classes also through the ‘Game On’ website.

In a new video series from Motili, the company has outlined how strategic electrification and variable refrigerant flow or VRF systems are bringing environmentally-friendly heating and cooling options to residential and commercial building owners. Strategic electrification in HVAC Recent government programs, code requirements, and utility rebates have been driving a movement of the electrification of the HVAC industry. This strategic electrification in HVAC sees increased use of electricity instead of fossil fuels within systems, to bring about positive impacts, such as more easily decrease pollution, decarbonizing the atmosphere, and drive down overall HVAC cost to run. Additionally, the electrification within HVAC systems frees up the building owner or homeowner from worrying about fluctuations in the fossil fuel market and eliminates any potential carbon monoxide poisoning, as there is no gas. Variable refrigerant flow or VRF systems Electrification is applied to an HVAC system by variable refrigerant flow or VRF Electrification is applied to an HVAC system by variable refrigerant flow or VRF. VRF systems are large and ductless systems that use heat pumps to provide simultaneous heating and cooling between different rooms or zones. This type of system optimizes the action of heating and cooling, significantly reducing carbon footprint along the way. VRF supports strategic electrification by reducing the overall heating and cooling costs for building owners, consumers, and society as a whole and helps address issues that are on the rise in decarbonization legislation. Benefits of VRF systems “The benefits of a VRF system are many - tax credits, utility rebates, and consumers can customize systems with their heating and cooling needs,” said Matthew Sallee, Vice President of Business Development at Motili. Matthew adds, “VRF systems are also quiet, easy to install, and are 30% more efficient than conventional HVAC systems. Here at Motili, we are constantly looking for ways to make the planet a healthier place and strategic electrification is one of the ways we can support a greener HVAC experience.” Assessing and completing HVAC systems work Motili brings contractors, operations teams, and the industry’s most advanced property management technology platform together to assess and complete HVAC work requests from start to finish. Motili automatically schedules, dispatches, manages, and invoices job requests and its predictive analytics improves budgeting accuracy by predicting product life cycle. Motili leverages its nationwide network of over 2,000 contractors and 1,000 distribution centers to provide HVAC and hot water services, across the US, to customers large and small.

Although immersion heaters are most often the best possible solution for tank content heating, sometimes it is not feasible. Wattco highlights some key alternatives. Processing tanks, storage tanks, and holding tanks with immersion heaters are regularly used within the processing industry. Whether these contain water, oil, chemicals, asphalts or another fluid, there is commonly a need for the tanks content to be heated. Heat may be required to: Prevent solidifying or freezing. Maintain the minimum viscosity to pump the liquid. Initiate a reactor or maintain the chemical feed at a temperature effective for reaction. Provide heat for the fluids within the closed circulation system of heat transfers. Heat transfer or steam system loop The electric heat to provide external warming of tanks is accomplished by an external source A typical method that provides tank temperature heating and maintenance is to tap into an existing source of energy within the plant, such as a heat transfer or steam system loop. The coils could be wrapped around a vessel or tank to make up any heat losses. This method could also impart heat into a vessel or tank for processing. When a heat transfer or steam heat source is not easily available or installation is too costly, electric heat may be an option. The electric heat to provide external warming of tanks is accomplished by an external source, which is typically heat tracing in some form or another. Heat tracing Heat tracing is most often used to prevent freezing of pipes or lines, and occasionally tanks. On a large tank, however, the use of heat tracing could be very costly. Because it is an external heat source, it can be used most efficiently to make up any losses, instead of providing the additional heat to raise the content of a tanks’ temperature. Direct Source Immersion Heaters Installing an electric heater as a direct immersion heater could provide a continued tank temperature or provide tanks with heat up capabilities, when necessary. This type of heater could be submerged directly into a tank or installed as a loop for external circulation of heat. An immersion heater normally has a tubular heating electric element bundled and welded to the NPT threaded fitting or the ANSI flange. That heater is then installed into a mated size nozzle that is near the tank’s bottom. These types of heaters are essentially 100 percent effective as the heat generated is applied directly to the fluid. Natural transmission currents assist heat transfer These heaters are generally situated at a minimum of four to six inches from the tank’s bottom, which keeps the heater out of any contaminants or sludge that might have built-up in the tank’s belly. This also permits a setup of the natural transmission currents that assist heat transfer. The elements of the electric heater’s sheath material and watt density on the surface or power flux is matched perfectly to the liquid, which ensures a longer service life, due to the prevention of corrosion to the tubular element and the buildup of contaminants on the heater sheath. Danger of heater sheath corrosion One possible drawback of the direct immersion heater is the possible corrosion to the heater sheath One possible drawback of the direct immersion heater is the possible corrosion to the heater sheath. Even when every attempt to mitigate corrosive risk is made, occasionally a direct immersion heater should not be used due to a risk of corrosion, depending on the fluid present and the sheath’s composition. Another possible drawback could be contaminant buildup upon the element’s sheath. This normally occurs when an accumulation of minerals from carbon deposits while heating water, oils, or any organic chemical. This can cause the heater’s elements to constantly operate at a higher temperature internally, thus reducing service life. Still another drawback could be removing the immersion heaters for replacement or service could mean a necessity to drain the tank. This could be cost prohibitive for numerous tank applications. Exterior tank heat distribution system One method of overcoming a tank drainage issue would be to install the immersion heater as an exterior tank heat distribution system. This system would consist of the circulation heater, which contains an immersion heater, a strainer, pump, isolation valve, a sensor for positive flow, and any other necessary sensors or instruments. Frequently, the control panel will be supplied with its own skid frame for operational control. The tank’s liquid is then circulated through a heater, until the tank’s content reaches desired temperature. The fluid could be circulated continuously to maintain the tank’s temperature or an on/off control could be used to keep temperatures within a specific range. Draining the tank The drainage of the circulation vessel is necessary prior to the electric heater’s bundle removal In this setup, an advantage could be gained by not having to remove the heater for necessary maintenance. Hence, there is no need to drain the tank. A disadvantage is realized through higher overall costs compared to a direct immersion heater or an indirect method of heating. Additionally, the drainage of the circulation vessel is necessary prior to the electric heater’s bundle removal. Therefore, the drained fluid’s storage and/or disposal still leads to some associated costs.  Indirect Immersion heaters Indirect immersion heaters, such as the electric drywell heater, are designed to eliminate the need to drain the tank during servicing. The drywell heater, also known as pipe insert heater, is manufactured in a variety of forms. Basically, an electric heater is built into a drywell rather than immersing the heating element directly into the fluid. A pipe with a closed end is immersed into the fluid tank and the heater element heats the air inside the pipe, thereby creating what amounts to an oven. The heat radiates into the drywell, transferring the heat through convection to the fluid outside the drywell, inside the tank. safety against contamination or corrosion The advantage of a drywell indirect immersion heater is that the fluids do not come in contact with the heating elements, thus there is no chance of contamination or corrosion. The disadvantage is the higher cost than a direct immersion heater overall. Two predominant styles of the drywell heater are a direct attachment or the weld-in-place. The direct attachment is normally attached to the tank nozzle, whereas the weld-in-place is most often added to tank during modifications or fabrications, so that the drywell can be inserted into a hole in the tank and welded in place, as the name would imply.  A direct attachment method to the tank nozzle is preferred for a retro-fit application A direct attachment method to the tank nozzle is preferred for a retro-fit application. A mated thread fitting or a flange can be attached to a drywell to attach to the existing nozzle, without any alterations to the tank structure. Whichever case is preferred, the drywell should be set up four to six inches from the tank’s bottom. Applying the Drywell Heater Prior to deciding on a drywell heater over a different type of heater, direct or indirect, assess the probable failure costs. Does the added expense of the chosen heater outweigh the logistical inconvenience to gain access (through draining) to direct immersion heaters when replacement or maintenance is necessary? Some resource aspects to consider are: The tank size and liquid storage or replacement. The heater’s cost, physical size, life expectancy, and the cost of installation. Safety concerns, such as toxicity or corrosion during drainage or replacement. Downtimes during processing and product loss or spoilage. Necessary equipment and personnel requirements during transfer and service. Direct immersion heaters, the preferred option In summary, the use of direct immersion heaters is always the preferred method to an indirect method, when practical or possible. Heater costs and size are minimized. Additionally, virtually all power is generated to heat the fluid. Nonetheless, if a heater needs to remain segregated from the fluid because of sheath contaminant or corrosion concerns, or the necessity to service or remove the heater without drainage of the tank, a drywell heater might be a viable alternative.

Air duct heaters are commonly used in the HVAC industry. They provide supplementary heat to the delivered air inside an air-delivery duct. For heavy duty industrial applications, air duct heaters are a perfect choice. With high tensile strength cages and durable tubular heating elements, air duct heaters provide appropriate heating solutions to the power generation industry. Air duct heaters An air duct heater is an electric-resistant heater mounted inside an air-delivery duct. It comprises branching network of round or rectangular pipes, which are made of sheet metal, fiberglass, or plastic-wire composite. The primary purpose of air duct heaters is to produce supplementary heat to the delivered air. When air in the duct flows through and around open coil elements, it gets heated. In other words, they temper forced air in industrial processes. Application in residential and industrial HVAC systems Air duct heaters can be used for residential HVAC systems. At the same time, they cater to the heating needs of industrial type applications. In the industrial segment, they are used in heating applications like refractories and core drying, industrial drying, autoclaves, heat treatment, load banks, dehumidification, and convection furnaces. In addition, materials like hydraulic fluids, air, water, heat transfer fluids, and bunker oils are heated. Watt Density and Temperatures High temperature air duct heaters can process air temperatures up to 1200°F High temperature air duct heaters can process air temperatures up to 1200°F. Medium temperature air duct heaters can process air temperatures up to 7500°F. The watt density is measured as the coil wire’s watts per square inch of the surface area. While high temperature heaters deliver watt density as high as 90 W/sq. inch, the lower the watt density, the better. Anything less than 50 W/sq. inch is preferred. With medium temperature heaters, a watt density of less than 30 W/sq. inch can be achieved. Air Flow Rates For a better performance of the air duct heater, a minimum of 200 fpm air flow rate is recommended. When there is insufficient air flow, coils in the heater get overheated or break up. The upper limit for air flow rate is 7000 fpm. An air flow rate of more than 7000 rpm can result in the deflection of the coils. However, it depends on the gauge of the coil. For heavy process applications, light gauge coils are avoided. If you install multiple duct heaters, they should not be mounted closely side by side. When a few inches of space is left between the air duct heaters, air can mix or blend, before reaching the next coil system. Available in square, rectangular and round shapes Air duct heaters come in square or rectangular shapes, in general. Certain models are custom-shaped as well. For certain unique applications, round air duct heaters are used. Standard sizes of an air duct heater are 6”, 12”, 22” and 36”. When optimal sheath material is used, the size, weight, and footprint of the duct heater can be considerably reduced. You can purchase a single-phase heater or a three-phase air duct heater. The air duct heater can be configured for different stages. When a stand-alone circuit is configured for each stage, users can get different levels of heat output. Air duct heaters can be separately wired for each stage to reduce amp load and gauge. Still, the entire system works in unison.

Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, has announced that the company leadership will participate in a virtual fireside chat at the 2021 Citi Global Industrials Conference. They will speak at 11:20 AM ET on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Global Industrials Conference The live webcast of the 2021 Citi Global Industrials Conference will be accessible on the Trane Technologies official website, under the investor relations section. An archive of the webcast will be available 30 days following the event. Trane Technologies is a globally renowned climate innovator. Through their strategic brands, Trane and Thermo King, and environmentally responsible portfolio of products and services, the organization brings efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes, and transportation.

The past six months have been busy for those in HVAC as offices are updated and made safe for people to return. In addition to the various standard checks that need to be carried out, more care is being taken in relation to air movement and filtration to prevent the spread of disease. There is evidence that at least some of the COVID-19 virus can remain suspended in the air and infectious for up to 3 hours. While this is not the main form of transmission, it is vitally important, especially as we are seeing a second increase in infections, that all measures are taken to prevent the spread of the disease. Sick building syndrome In addition to the fundamental elements of HVAC in public buildings, the sector should be looking to the future of technological use; whether COVID-19 is completely wiped out or lingers in the population, we may be at risk of more new diseases in the future. Although maintenance is one of the least visible of building services, it has long played an important role in ensuring the health of buildings. Decades ago, the concept of sick building syndrome was first introduced, showing quite how important our environment is to health. Now, we are being reminded of this on a daily basis in ways that have never been under such scrutiny. We are suddenly hyperaware of what we have touched and who else is breathing our air. In many ways, this new awareness of the unseen is a boon for the sector that has so long been behind-the-scenes, but it also puts it to the test. Potentially stagnant pockets There are numerous recommendations from experts on how to increase safety Governmental guidelines have not specifically required that ventilation and air conditioning be increased in the workplace. Yet, there are numerous recommendations from experts on how to increase safety. At the low-tech end of the spectrum, the use of ceiling and table fans to increase movement in potentially stagnant pockets of air has been suggested. At the other end, technologies that have long been growing in popularity, such as remote monitoring, will really come into their own in the coming months. A particular challenge for the industry as workers return to the office under social distancing guidelines will be accessing certain areas for maintenance. For as long as the virus remains in the population, risk assessments for work will be more complex and non-essential jobs will likely be put on hold where possible. Optical remote sensors Intelligent technology and monitoring systems are already driving the market and will play a role in minimizing contact with others when visiting a site. There is already a great range of tools available: wired sensors, wireless sensors, and optical remote sensors. These allow organizations to monitor vibration, temperature, acoustics, and the power of numerous assets remotely and in real-time. Any issues can be addressed as soon as they arise, minimizing the cost and time that an engineer may need to be in the building. Installing these technologies while buildings are still unoccupied or only partially occupied will also reduce the risk of exposure of engineers to the virus and will improve the efficiency and prolong the life of important assets. Whether a second lockdown takes place or not, these tools will protect building services. Motion-Activated air conditioning Other sensor-based features such as motion-activated air conditioning also have great potential Other sensor-based features such as motion-activated air conditioning also have great potential. These can manage the new hygiene anxiety which pervades public places at the moment. In the longer term, they can be a means of building sustainability practices into the workplace, using power only when needed. Internet of Things (IoT) features such as occupancy sensors have long been growing in popularity to create buildings which are more energy-efficient and promote productivity. Many of these features are demonstrating added value during the pandemic. Occupancy sensors, for example, can be used to ensure that buildings do not exceed safe numbers for social distancing. HVAC systems will be integrated ever further into the IoT approach. Some features of virus reduction, however, have posed a challenge for systems. Air conditioning systems Air conditioning systems, for example, can best reduce the risk of viral transmission through increasing the amount of air which is brought in from the outside into the systems. This will reduce the amount of recycled air but will also increase the temperature fluctuations within the buildings. Other recommendations have included reviewing ventilation strategies, increasing ventilation operating times, deep cleaning filters, and replacing filters more often. Cutting corners on anything which reduces the risk of virus spread will only be a greater loss to the client All of these can potentially see an increase in time and cost required by the client at a time where many companies have been stretched financially. Cutting corners on anything which reduces the risk of virus spread will only be a greater loss to the client in the long run if their employees lose time to illness but it still may be a temptation. Strong working partnership FM providers must work closely with clients to understand their individual fears and needs in such turbulent times. For Anabas, we believe demonstrating expertise and experience is a means of reassuring organizations that they are in safe hands. The future of the pandemic is still unpredictable. While its elimination is hopeful, it is still well worth the investment for many organizations to install the tools which minimize the risk of infection of COVID-19 - or any future infections. Clients are looking for certainty in an uncertain world and data-driven insights and real-time monitoring are ideal ways to provide this. However, the reassurance that comes with a strong working partnership will also be more important than ever. Communicating developments and what they mean for the client, as well as assuring them their priorities are understood can set a provider apart.

Sustainability and environmental impact are core issues of the HVAC market in 2020 or any year. During the last year, HVACinformed.com has addressed multiple facets of sustainability in some of our most popular articles. This retrospective will highlight some of the sustainability articles published during 2020 at HVACInformed.com. An HVACInformed.com Expert Panel Roundtable commented on various aspects of sustainability, including the responsibility of HVAC manufacturers to develop more sustainable, energy-efficient products that can reduce a building’s reliance on fossil fuels. Energy consumption pattern Honeywell has launched a platform that incorporates newer technology. Combining self-learning algorithms with building automation, Honeywell Forge Energy Optimization is a cloud-based system that analyzes a building’s energy consumption pattern and adjusts its settings. Heat networks, or district heating, are becoming an ever-greater part of the industry’s involvement Pete Mills of Bosch Commercial & Industrial outlines how cities are using ‘heat networks’ to achieve carbon emission targets in the United Kingdom. Heat networks, or district heating, are becoming an ever-greater part of the industry’s involvement in larger-scale schemes. The ability to help the decarbonization of heat both now and in the future has made them an attractive solution to the new-build sector, as well as those undergoing deep renovation works. Centralized heat generator Generally, heat networks are defined as a system of supply pipes with a centralized heat generator (Energy Center) that serves multiple domestic or non-domestic dwellings. These are usually in different buildings, but sometimes within a single large building like an apartment block or a university campus. Some U.S. cities are taking the lead to make building performance standards mandatory, thus providing additional incentive for customers to invest in new, more efficient and climate-friendly HVAC technologies. New York City has deployed its Carbon Mobilization Act, which will cut six million tons of CO2 annually by 2020. Washington D.C. adopted the first Building Energy Performance Standard, which will reduce energy use in buildings by more than 20%, thereby lowering carbon dioxide emissions by a million tons annually. Improving environmental performance Newer buildings tend to be designed to be ‘green’, but what about older existing buildings, which still represent the largest share of environmental impact? There is more work to be done in the retrofit sector; and improving environmental performance of older buildings often involves ‘deep retrofits’ that are costly and impact multiple factors inside a building. In the COVID-19 era, there is also growing concern about needs such as circulating outside air, increasing humidity, and improving filtration systems even as older buildings seek to become greener. The consistent theme is a need to work toward better-designed, more energy efficient and healthier buildings The consistent theme is a need to work toward better-designed, more energy efficient and healthier buildings. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is moving forward with rulemaking that sets limits and deadlines to decrease the use of refrigerants with global warming potential (GWP) in the commercial refrigeration market and in the residential and commercial stationary air conditioning equipment markets. Air conditioning systems California regulations are widely expected to influence the direction of other states seeking to regulate GWP of refrigerants. The addition of biodiesel lowers the carbon content (and thus the environmental impact) of heating oil. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions, including nitrogen oxide. The process of making biodiesel from renewable and organic sources also boosts the environmental profile. The Wyss Institute at Harvard University has developed an evaporative cooling system that uses a specially coated ceramic to cool air without adding humidity. Researchers say the approach can yield more affordable and environmentally friendly air conditioning systems for the future.

The impact of HVAC systems on the spread of the novel coronavirus has been a hot topic since the beginning of the pandemic. However, it is striking that, even given all the discussions and guidance, there is still a lot that we do not know. Vaguely speaking, we know that crowded spaces with poor ventilation and/or low humidity levels tend to promote virus spread that filtration can help to remove the virus, and that measures such as UV-C radiation can help to disinfect indoor air. But even those suggestions are far from definitive and may be undermined by future study. In general, we ‘think’ that HVAC systems are a factor in spreading the virus, but we are not sure. Air flow Obviously, because the coronavirus is new, much information about the relationship between HVAC and virus spread is based on studies that were carried out in previous years related to other germs, such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, which are similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. But can this previous testing and studies really be extrapolated to apply to the new disease? The answer is that no one really knows; therefore, such information basically amounts to educated guesses. There have been some studies since the pandemic began about how HVAC and air flow impact disease spread, some of them in China. However, these studies involve smaller sample sizes and come with caveats, disclaimers, and fine print contained in footnotes about the limitations of the conclusions. Hypotheses are often formulated, but typically the authors have not conducted aerodynamic testing or used other techniques to confirm them. HVAC and the transmission of pathogens A rush to provide useful (if flawed) information is understandable in the midst of an emergency More study is needed, and more time is needed to complete those studies and expand our base of knowledge on this important subject. A rush to provide useful (if flawed) information is understandable in the midst of an emergency. Acting on imperfect information has likely saved thousands of lives. But that success does not diminish the need to pursue more detailed and accurate information. Those pursuits will likely extend years into the future and well past the aftermath of the pandemic. Studies are needed in specific areas to round out the knowledge base and prepare us to better understand the impact of HVAC on disease spread in the next pandemic. There are no clear answers, and the role of a building’s HVAC systems in transmission of pathogens requires more attention. Further areas of study Among other areas, we need studies to cover: Epidemiologic factors to measure the role of ventilation, recirculated air, and to adequately quantify ventilation rates Use of computer simulations to more accurately track the spread of fine-exhaled droplets. More robust examination of the direct role of HVAC in transmitting and removing viable viruses within respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols. More research by multi-disciplinary teams that include HVAC engineers, epidemiologists, virologists, infectious disease experts, and other experts working together. Broader studies should cover the fields of epidemiology, engineering and aerodynamics/aerobiology. More partnerships between building facilities management departments and those tasked with preventing infection.   Will the pandemic change HVAC? The pandemic has impacted the HVAC market in many ways. As more of us spend time at home, we become more concerned about issues of air quality and indoor comfort. Some of the changes in our work-life patterns will likely be permanent, which will have a lasting impact on how office buildings are used – and how they are heated and cooled. It may be that the global pandemic changes the HVAC market for good, both challenging us to expand our technologies and providing opportunities to enhance our businesses. In the future, 2020 may become a pivotal date in the history of the HVAC market – a date after which nothing is ever quite the same. Establishing a sound scientific basis to direct the changing role of HVAC ‘after Covid’ will enable the industry to invest in safer technologies and innovative approaches to drive the future of the industry – and of the world.

The Wyss Institute at Harvard University has developed an evaporative cooling system that uses a specially coated ceramic to cool air without adding humidity. Researchers say the approach can yield more affordable and environmentally friendly air conditioning systems for the future. ‘cold-SNAP’ system The ‘cold-SNAP’ system uses a water-repellent nano-scale surface coating that is applied selectively to surfaces of a 3D-printed ceramic heat exchange. The result is much cooler buildings with less humidity. ‘cold-SNAP’ is short for cold superhydrophobic nano-architecture process. The invention uses evaporative cooling, which happens when hot air is put in contact with water. As the water evaporates, it cools the air but adds moisture. Use of the water-repellent coating separates the moisture from the cool air to provide an inexpensive source of cooler, dryer air that can cool a building in lieu of traditional air conditioners. Evaporative Cooling technology The hydrophobic coating is selectively applied to components that will manage the flow of dry air The approach is a union of old and new – combining ceramic, one of the oldest, cheapest and most widely available building materials, with the novel hydrophobic surface coating developed by Wyss Institute. Because ceramic is malleable, the heating exchange unit can be produced via extrusion or 3D printing of a single piece, with its shape adjusted to maximize surface area available for heat transfer and evaporation. The hydrophobic coating is selectively applied to components that will manage the flow of dry air. Variation on indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) systems The specialized coating separates incoming hot air from outgoing wet air, allowing the hot air to be cooled by circulating water without adding humidity to the inside of a building. ‘cold-SNAP’ is a variation on indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) systems, which use complex heat exchange units that make them difficult and expensive to manufacture.  Researchers say the approach can create low-cost, efficient air-cooling units to meet the world’s increasing demand while using 75% less energy. The system can be up to four times more efficient than conventional air conditioners as measured by the coefficient of performance (COP), the ratio of cooling to required energy. ‘cold-SNAP’ was designed by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and designers from the Wyss Institute’s Adaptive Material Technologies Platform, Harvard’s Graduate School of Design (GSD), and the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities (HCGBC). Integration into evaporative cooling systems The new technology could be integrated into existing evaporative cooling systems and sold as environmentally friendly air conditioners in a variety of climate zones. It could even be manufactured into the facades of buildings, thus cooling the space within, using only the energy needed to pump water to the system. With global warming causing a rise in the Earth’s average temperature, worldwide demand for air conditioning systems that do not contribute to that climate change increasingly will be in demand. A growing middle class throughout the world is also contributing to demand. No humidity added to the air ‘cold-SNAP’ does not add humidity to the air and works well in humid, tropical climates, as well as dry, hot climates Because ‘cold-SNAP’ does not add humidity to the air, it works well in humid, tropical climates (where it is sorely needed) as well as in dry, hot climates like the Middle East.  Traditional electric air conditioners use mechanical vapor compression to convert a chemical refrigerant back and forth between its liquid and vapor forms, absorbing heat during vaporization and then removing moisture during condensation. Traditional systems use a large amount of energy to cycle the refrigerant, which increases costs, not to mention the refrigerants contribute to global warming. Historically, the environmental impact of such systems was a hidden cost that was not considered. Wyss Institute Validation Project In 2019, ‘cold-SNAP’ was named a Wyss Institute Validation Project, which puts it on track to become commercialized. The validation program seeks to ‘de-risk' technologies and demonstrate that they can be scaled up for commercialization. The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University emulates Nature’s design principles to engineer new, ‘bio-inspired’ materials and devices with high-impact applications in healthcare, manufacturing, robotics, energy, and sustainable architecture. The cross-disciplinary faculty, technical staff, students, and fellows undertake high-risk research and technology development. 

Thermo King® customer Bottomley Enterprises greens up the holidays for millions of people across the United States each year. For many people, the holidays are simply not complete without a traditional tree, wreath, garland, swag, or some type of tabletop greenery – the fresh evergreen smells are often that final touch that make gatherings with family and friends memorable. And while millions flock to their local box stores for these holiday treasures, the odds are good that the products originated from the Blue Ridge Mountains and were delivered with love by Thermo King Customer Bottomley Enterprises. Producing exceptional quality “Our farm ships to large box retailers, the who’s who of retailers,” said Ken Kaelin, president of Bottomley Enterprises, the transportation arm for Bottomley Evergreens and Farms, which has been producing exceptional quality and service for nearly 30 years. What started out as a small family farming business in the hills of North Carolina has grown to produce a large variety of vegetables – think cabbage, corn, cilantro, collards, sweetcorn, pumpkins, green beans, and more, that feed consumers throughout the U.S. It also became one of the largest suppliers of holiday greenery in the eastern United States. The farming business led to the creation of Bottomley Enterprises in 2004 as founder Mitchell Bottomley fulfilled his dream of owning his own trucking company. While the businesses operate separately, Bottomley Enterprises still hauls the farm’s products. Home-Grown products Bottomley has depended on Thermo King refrigeration units to preserve the quality of the home-grown products From its beginning, Bottomley Enterprises has depended on Thermo King refrigeration units to preserve the quality of the home-grown products it transports. “The company started with just a couple tractors and trailers. Today, we are running a fleet of 70 tractors and 120 refrigerated trailers – all with Thermo King Precedent® S-600 units and a few legacy units that are used at the farm,” said Ken. “That number represents 40 percent growth within the past 15 months alone. Our trucking arm has enjoyed fast growth through our great culture, solid customer base and dedicated employees who understand that service is everything. All of this has really allowed for an exciting evolution for our companies.” Remote setting control Indeed, service is king for the Bottomley businesses, “And that’s a big reason why we have always chosen Thermo King to protect our products,” said Mitchell, who owns the company with his mother, Martha. “We are proud Thermo King users – it’s the only unit we have because we can depend on them. We love our Thermo King units.” The company not only depends on the refrigeration capacity of the units but also the telematics technology built into each unit. “We count on the TracKing® telematics,” said Ken. “The scrutiny of food safety and the ability to have visibility throughout the supply chain is like quenching a thirst for shippers. It helps us keep insurance and liability costs down. It offers remote setting control. It helps us track each load. It’s essential these days.” Keeping products safe Thermo King Central Carolinas also takes care of our reefer service work" Beyond the product is the service Bottomley receives from its home dealer Thermo King Central Carolinas and the entire Thermo King dealer network. “The partnership we get from Ben Cox, our service representative, is outstanding – he really is an extension of our employee team. He helps us manage our equipment and maintenance needs, and he provides our drivers with the product and operational information they need to run the unit efficiently – and keep our products safe.” “Thermo King Central Carolinas also takes care of our reefer service work, ensuring the equipment is tuned up and ready to go – this is wildly helpful to us. And if service is needed when our 120 team drivers are out on the road, we have an entire network to call on – that is added peace of mind,” said Ken. Refrigerated transport business Peace of mind is particularly important this time of year, when so many are depending on a fresh selection of trees and greenery at their local stores so they can decorate their homes with traditional holiday décor. The Bottomley family is poised to continue delivering for the long haul having recently opened a 33,000 square foot new trucking terminal in Mount Airy, North Carolina, that will accommodate many years of growth and create new jobs. “They have built a legacy – in both their farming business and the long-haul refrigerated transport business, and it truly is a pleasure to partner with them and see their continued successful growth,” said Ben.

Welsh plumbing, heating and green energy company, Heatforce, has entered into a two-year sponsorship of Glamorgan Cricket Club in association with Viessmann. The spectator terrace at Glamorgan Cricket’s Sophia Gardens Stadium, Cardiff, will be renamed ‘The Heatforce/Viessmann Terrace.’ Heatforce’s close relationship with Viessmann has led to the decision to explore a new audience, and to provide support for the Club. Local installation partner Sophia Gardens will host the World Cup champions when England take on Pakistan “As a Glamorgan Cricket supporter myself, I’m delighted that we are joining forces with Viessmann, to support the Club and to raise our brand awareness in the local area. We have big ambitions – just like the cricketing side – and we are very pleased to be able to back a Welsh sporting side, especially in these challenging times,” said Paul Maddocks, CEO of Heatforce, which has been serving homeowners in Wales for 35 years. Graham Russell, Viessmann’s Managing Director, said: “Viessmann is very happy to sponsor Glamorgan Cricket, together with our longstanding local installation partner, Heatforce. Having supported Welsh rugby in recent years, we’re looking forward to having a presence at Sophia Gardens and introducing our heating products to a new sporting family.” “Like many others, we can’t wait to get back to spectator sports and some decent cricket weather, and we don’t have to wait too long to be able to support Glamorgan from the new ‘Heatforce/Viessmann Terrace’.” Sophia Gardens will host the World Cup champions when England take on Pakistan, on Thursday 8th July 2021.

Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS), the exclusive provider of Zoned Comfort Solutions® and a supplier of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating and cooling systems, is pleased to support METUS distributor, S. G. Torrice Company, in its donation of Mitsubishi Electric equipment to Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. S. G. Torrice Company supplied equipment to outfit Homes For Our Troops’ control/equipment room in their Taunton, Massachusetts office. Specially adapted homes The new equipment replaces a malfunctioning 8-year-old system. The donated Mitsubishi Electric equipment included: (1) A/C Outdoor unit (PUYA12NKA7) (1) Wall-mounted Indoor Unit (PKAA12HA7) (1) Low Ambient Wind Baffle (WB-PA4) (1) Wall-mounted Remote Controller (PAR-40MAAU) “Homes For Our Troops does incredible work for injured veterans by building specially adapted homes so they can rebuild their lives,” says Stephen Torrice, president, S. G. Torrice Company. “We’re honored to support an organization whose focus is to support those who have sacrificed their previous way of life for our country.” Financial planning services Since 2004, Homes For Our Troops has been building and donating custom homes nationwide for injured post-9/11 veterans so they can rebuild their lives. These specially adapted custom homes enable veterans to focus on their recovery in a safe environment, and regain their freedom and independence. Veterans also receive financial planning services for long-term success after the home is built. S. G. Torrice Company is a full-service, family-owned HVAC distributor founded in 1958 by veteran Samuel G. Torrice. The company is headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts and has 12 locations serving residential and commercial HVAC dealers in Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Global thermal and energy management supplier Hanon Systems announces the company is supplying their innovative R744 heat pump components to the Volkswagen Group for its global MEB platform. Designed specifically for battery-powered and electric vehicles, the first to market R744 heat pump components enable a single solution that delivers cabin comfort in cold or warm conditions with low power consumption. Heat pump systems "Based on our own market insight and engagement with global vehicle manufacturers, electric vehicle driving range is a known important consideration," said Nurdal Kücükkaya, president of Hanon Systems. "Our solutions for R744 heat pump systems demonstrate Hanon Systems is actively developing and bringing to market solutions to address these challenges in automotive electrification." The solution designed with Volkswagen uses R744 refrigerant (also known as carbon dioxide or CO2), which is widely known for its heat transfer properties and operates at higher pressure levels compared to other refrigerants. Improving energy consumption The solutions supplied by Hanon Systems, in combination with the refrigerant characteristics of R744, improves energy consumption compared to conventional refrigerants while meeting the desired cabin temperature, even in challenging sub-zero temperatures. Hanon Systems supplies the electric compressor, refrigerant valves, internal heat exchanger and accumulator as part of the R744 heat pump system equipped on various models based on the Volkswagen MEB platform.

Carrier Air-conditioning Sales & Service (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Carrier China) was selected by Guangzhou Respiratory Center to provide advanced heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions to help protect the health and safety of patients and medical staff. Carrier China will provide solutions available through Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program to help improve indoor air quality in the center. Carrier China will also install high-efficiency chillers and heat pumps to complement the Healthy Buildings solutions. Carrier China is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, a global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions. Improving indoor air quality Guangzhou Respiratory Center is a multi-functional medical center planned to open in summer 2021. It will be equipped with 1,200 beds and will be the site of clinical trials, scientific research and education. The project covers nearly 85,000 square meters, with a total construction area of more than 193,000 square meters and a total investment of nearly RMB 2 billion. It is jointly funded and constructed by Guangdong Province and Guangzhou City. Carrier China will provide thousands of advanced airside products with UV light Carrier China will provide thousands of advanced airside products with UV light, which can greatly improve indoor air quality. Also, In order to meet the customer’s needs for high efficiency and energy savings, Carrier will provide comprehensive solutions for the project, including water-cooled and air-cooled chillers to significantly increase the system’s overall efficiency, and cooling-only and heat pump technology that can achieve both cooling and heating. Protecting staff wellness “Medical institutions are being increasingly designed as a space that can provide care for patients and protect staff wellness,” said Cissy Wang, General Manager, Commercial HVAC Equipment Distribution, Carrier China. “We’re glad that Carrier was selected to provide our Healthy Building Solutions to the Guangzhou Respiratory Center and we’re contributing to such a meaningful project." "2020 is a challenging year. The outbreak of COVID-19 puts forward stricter requirements for hospital design," said Titus Yu, Managing Director, Carrier HVAC North Asia, Carrier. "We’re committed to helping to improve occupant health and safety with our Healthy Buildings solutions and services for the medical industry."

Accommodating significant fleet growth and modernization, one of North America’s renowned refrigerated trucking companies, KLLM Transport Services, is adding 1,400 new Utility trailers refrigerated by Carrier Transicold units, equipped with the eSolutions telematics platform and TRU-Mount solar charging systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, a globally renowned provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions.  “Thanks to continued investments to replace and upgrade our equipment and technology, we are, today, a 57-year-old company with one of the youngest, most advanced fleets on the highway,” said Jim Richards, President of KLLM, a Top-3 refrigerated carrier, headquartered in Richland, Mississippi. Carrier Transicold refrigeration units “As a premier service provider, with more than 6,000 refrigerated trailers and domestic intermodal containers serving 48 states and Mexico, it is vital that we continuously renew our fleet,” said Richards, adding “This latest investment helps us keep our fleet new and modern for improved service, less downtime and to provide our customers with the advantage of the most current technology.” The new Carrier Transicold systems include 1,325 X4 7500 single-temperature trailer refrigeration units to be deployed by KLLM, and 75 Vector 8600MT multi-temperature units to be used by KLLM’s Dallas-based Frozen Foods Express (FFE) business. All refrigeration systems will be installed on 53-foot Utility 3000R insulated trailers by Carrier Transicold and Utility Trailer dealer, Southern States Utility Trailer Sales Inc., also located in Richland. eSolutions telematics platform Carrier Transicold’s eSolutions platform helps refrigerated transporters operate more efficiently by improving visibility of their cold chain assets and intelligently providing a centralized data stream about their transport refrigeration units (TRUs) and cargo. In addition to supplying critical data, such as temperatures, location and movement, the eSolutions platform will provide two-way control as well as analytic and diagnostic information about its refrigeration units. TRU-Mount solar charging system Carrier’s TRU-Mount solar charging system helps maintain the charge of the refrigeration unit battery Carrier’s high-performance TRU-Mount solar charging system helps maintain the charge of the refrigeration unit battery, which supports the eSolutions telematics system, even when the refrigeration unit is off. “The fact that the eSolutions system is integrated with the Carrier Transicold units is very important to us,” stated Jim Richards, adding “It will give us new abilities to download data and upgrade over the air, including our IntelliSet profiles, something we are certainly excited about.” IntelliSet feature software application The IntelliSet feature is a software application included with Carrier Transicold’s APX refrigeration unit controllers that allows custom configuration of multiple refrigeration parameters to create profiles based on specific commodities or customer preferences. With the eSolutions system, IntelliSet configurations can be selected remotely, and parameter updates can be done over the air rather than manually, saving time and resources. For additional details about Carrier Transicold’s transport refrigeration units, eSolutions platform and solar charging options, turn to the experts in Carrier Transicold’s North America dealer network.