Efficiency

Volvo Group North America recently received a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Better Plants Better Practice Award for preventing and reducing waste at several North American facilities. The Volvo Group was chosen among a record number of applicants to receive the honor. The Better Practice Award is presented to partners for innovative and industry-leading accomplishments in implementing and promoting practices, principles and procedures of energy management. The Volvo Group implemented several initiatives at its facilities to help the company work toward landfill-free status. moving towards landfill-free Reducing and eliminating landfill waste is imperative to helping protect our greatest resource - the environment" Currently, four U.S. manufacturing facilities are certified landfill-free, including the New River Valley facility in Dublin, Virginia, where all Volvo truck models for North America are assembled; Lehigh Valley Operations in Macungie, Pennsylvania, where all Mack heavy-duty models for North America and export are assembled; Middletown Remanufacturing, Middletown, Pennsylvania; and the Volvo Construction Equipment facility in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. "Reducing and eliminating landfill waste is imperative to helping protect our greatest resource - the environment," said Rick Robinson, Volvo Group North America director of Health, Safety and Environment. "We are pleased that our efforts were recognized by the DOE's Better Buildings, Better Plants program, and we hope to continue moving toward landfill-free at all of the Volvo Group's North American facilities." facilitate waste reduction In addition to the facilities already certified, the Volvo Group has three other sites that are in the 12-month certification process for landfill-free status. They include the Central Distribution Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Volvo Group Powertrain Operations, Hagerstown, Maryland; and the Charlotte Remanufacturing facility in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Volvo Group began working toward landfill-free status at its North American sites by conducting multiple studies to identify reduction opportunities and developed plant-level initiatives to facilitate waste reduction, reuse and recycling. documentation and mapping Certified sites must apply to the Volvo Group Environmental Committee for re-certification every three years The Volvo Group also benchmarked itself against peer companies in the manufacturing industry to determine best practices and created the Landfill-Free Facilities Operational Waste Directive to establish a definition for landfill-free (less than 1% of operational waste sent to landfill) and create a process for facilities to achieve Volvo Group landfill-free certification. The certification process includes the documentation and mapping of all waste types, implementation of waste reduction, reuse and recycling program and sustaining landfill-free status for a minimum of 12 months. Certified sites must apply to the Volvo Group Environmental Committee for re-certification every three years. energy efficiency solutions "Better Plants partners are implementing innovative energy efficiency solutions in the industrial space that are cutting costs and energy use, and the Better Practice and Better Project awards honor their leadership," said Valri Lightner, Deputy Director, Advanced Manufacturing Office, DOE. The Volvo Group participates in the DOE's Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge, which asks companies to commit to reducing energy consumption by 25% in 10 years. Since re-pledging the challenge in 2015, the Volvo Group has improved energy performance at 14 of its U.S. facilities by 23.4% versus a 2014 baseline. The Volvo Group has improved its performance by more than 50% since joining the challenge in 2012.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation have revealed new details of their innovative heat pump system, deployed in Hyundai and Kia's global electric vehicle (EV) line-up to maximize their all-electric driving range in low temperatures. Hyundai and Kia's heat pumps are a renowned heat management innovation that maximizes the distance that Hyundai and Kia EVs can travel on a single charge, scavenging waste heat to warm the cabin. It enables EV drivers to heat their car's cabin in cold weather without significantly impacting electric driving range, unlike other EVs. The technology was first introduced in 2014 on the first-generation Kia Soul EV. Comprising a compressor, evaporator and condenser, the heat pump captured waste heat given off by the vehicle's electrical components, recycling this energy to heat the cabin more efficiently. The technology meant the Soul EV's 180 km electric range was protected in cold weather driving conditions. real-range validation test The industry renowned heat pump system has now been developed further for new EVs from Hyundai and Kia. The new system scavenges waste heat from an increased number of sources for optimum cold-weather EV range. These innovations mean that Hyundai and Kia EVs offer more consistent range in temperatures where other EVs start to see a significant decline in the distance possible from a single charge. The test monitored the performance deviation of each vehicle in cold conditions compared to quoted figures Equipped with the latest heat pump technology, the Kona Electric proved this in a recent test in Norway, the most advanced EV market in the world. The Norwegian Automotive Federation (NAF) recently compared 20 EVs in cold and warm weather conditions to identify models with the most consistent driving range and charging performance. The test monitored the performance deviation of each vehicle in cold conditions compared to quoted manufacturer figures. EV cabin heating The Kona Electric took first place, travelling 405km in the cold – compared to the 449km quoted under WLTP combined cycle testing conditions (23°C / 73°F). In severe cold weather, the Kona Electric offered 91 percent of its WLTP combined cycle range, deviating just 9 percent from its claimed all-electric driving range. Hyundai and Kia's heat pump technology made its debut six years ago on the first-generation Kia Soul EV. Since then, the industry renowned heat pump technology has been developed further for new EVs from Hyundai and Kia. It now harvests significantly more energy by recycling additional waste heat not only from power electrics (PE) modules (such as drive motors, on-board chargers, and inverters), but also from the battery pack and slow charger. The system uses the heat generated by these components to vaporize refrigerant from liquid to gas form. minimize battery power consumption High-pressure gas is discharged from the compressor and forced into a condenser to be converted back into a liquid. This process generates additional heat energy that is recovered by the heat pump and used to warm the cabin. This captured energy improves the efficiency of the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system, recycling it to more efficiently heat up the cabin and minimize battery power consumption. By reducing the load on the battery, the heat pump cuts energy consumption from the HVAC system By reducing the load on the battery, the heat pump cuts energy consumption from the HVAC system, maximizing the available electric driving range of the car. Hyundai and Kia continue to develop their heat pump technology to yield even greater improvements in energy capture and efficiency. The system has been gradually refined since its 2014 introduction through extreme cold weather testing in Northern Sweden, where temperatures can get as low as -35°C (-31°F) in the winter. Battery pack heat management By testing in extreme cold temperatures, research engineers have identified additional ways to recycle as much waste heat as possible to increase the efficiency of the heat pump system. Testing the technology in these conditions ensures the heat pump is capable of operating in even the coldest environments. The heat pump is one of a number of innovations found in Hyundai and Kia's current generation of EVs, with heat management also used to realize major improvements in EV battery packs. A water-cooling system for Hyundai and Kia's EV battery packs, rather than conventional air cooling, have yielded further increases in range without increasing physical dimensions. This development means battery cells in Hyundai and Kia EVs can be packaged much more tightly, with water-cooling channels taking up less space than air-cooling channels, increasing battery density by up to 35 percent. reduced battery consumption This innovation means the latest EVs from Hyundai and Kia offer around twice as much driving range and battery capacity compared to the their first-generation EVs – and are capable of traveling significantly further on a single charge. For example, the first-generation Soul EV offered owners an electric driving range of around 180km from a single charge of its 30kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. Hyundai and Kia continue to hone and improve the heat pump system and other innovations The second-generation Soul EV, with a 64kWh battery occupying a similar amount of space, is capable of traveling up to 386km on a single charge. A study carried out by Korea's Ministry of the Environment on the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV found that the heat pump significantly reduced battery consumption in cold conditions. heat pump technology When each car was driven in temperatures of -7°C (19°F) with the HVAC system activated, they were able to maintain 90 percent of their driving range compared to journeys undertaken at an ambient 26°C (79°F) – setting a new benchmark for other EVs. By contrast, many EVs offered by other manufacturers saw their total electric driving range drop by between 18 and 43 percent under the same test conditions. Hyundai and Kia continue to hone and improve the heat pump system and other heat management innovations, with the technologies currently informing the development of next-generation EVs from each brand. Under its 'Strategy 2025' plan, Hyundai Motor aims to sell 670,000 battery EVs and FCEVs (fuel cell electric vehicles) annually and become a top-three EV manufacturer by 2025. Kia's mid- to long-term strategy, dubbed 'Plan S', will see the brand's line-up grow to 11 EVs over the same timeframe.

Kiwi Energy, a New York and Ohio energy supplier providing environmentally conscious products, is pleased to announce that they have partnered with Cinch Home Services in order to offer new customers HVAC protection for their homes. The service will be incorporated as part of Kiwi Energy's Kiwi Guard product. They will soon offer a full suite of additional services for the home through the Cinch partnership. The premier offering available through the Cinch partnership will provide new customers with peace of mind in knowing that their heating and cooling systems are covered throughout the duration of their agreement with Kiwi Energy. Promoting energy efficiencies This not only ensures comfortability but also promotes energy efficiencies for the home. These are very important factors at this time, with most people spending more time than usual in their place of residence. Additional plan benefits include simple account access, a 180-day workmanship guarantee, appliance discounts, lockout protection and emergency lodging reimbursement. When major home systems break down, it can be difficult to come up with the money to get them fixed — or to find a trustworthy service professional to get the job done. "We know that our customers' homes are important to them," says Richard Booth, President of Retail Operations, Kiwi Energy. Enhance the customer experience "That's why we teamed up with Cinch in order to ensure that their needs are met quickly when problems arise. We are excited to add to the range of innovative and reliable home services we are able to offer our customers. Our partnership with Cinch will add further value to our customers above and beyond energy service." Kiwi Energy is constantly looking for ways to increase value and enhance the customer experience. Cinch Home Guard provides a new level of protection to the company's customers, and by ensuring their budgets are protected from the high cost of repairing or replacing the vital systems they rely on each day, customers have one less thing to worry about.

IT Tech Packaging, Inc., a globally renowned manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products in North China, has announced that its operating entity in China, Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited (Dongfang Paper), expects to launch the construction of a combined heat and power generation project utilizing biomass technology (Biomass CHP project) with the total construction area of 80,373 square meters which is located in its Wei County production base. Biomass CHP The company's biomass CHP project included in the 13th Five-Year Biomass Power Generation Program of Hebei Province has recently been approved by the Development and Reform Commission of Xingtai Municipality. Biomass CHP, a kind of renewable energy power and heat generation, utilizes biomass resources, mainly crop straw and forestry waste. As one of the key industries encouraged and supported by the Chinese government, Biomass CHP, beneficial for both the environment and economy, can alleviate energy shortage, as well as improve the environment and employment to a certain extent. Biomass boilers and steam turbine units installed Dongfang Paper will construct two 75 t/h biomass boilers and two 4.5 MW back-pressure type steam turbine units According to the plan of the Biomass CHP project, Dongfang Paper expects to construct two 75 t/h biomass boilers and two 4.5 MW back-pressure type steam turbine units, as well as auxiliary production facilities. The whole project is expected to be finished at the end of 2021. With successful operation, the project is expected to generate annual electricity output of 56.45 million kw/h, from which the Company expects to generate revenue of RMB42.9 million per year based on the biomass electricity price of RMB0.76/kwh guided by the National Development and Reform Commission. Generation of large-scale heating steam The project is also expected to generate annual heating steam of 521,100 tons, from which the company expects to generate revenue of RMB114.64 million per year based on the heating steam's current market price of RMB220 per ton. Mr. Zhenyong Liu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman at IT Tech Packaging, Inc. commented, "The biomass CHP project is expected to not only provide adequate power and gas supply to the Company's tissue paper production located in Wei County Industrial Park, but also provide bio gas for production of enterprises in the Wei County Industrial Park, as well as heating steam and electricity supply for nearby residents." He adds, “The construction and operation of the Biomass CHP is expected to enable us to expand to the renewable energy field and continue to diversify our offerings of products, which we believe will bring more stable revenue streams in the future."

Emerson introduced two new compressed air dryers designed to significantly extend maintenance intervals, minimize downtime and reduce energy costs in rail applications, including brakes and door control. Typically, air dryers have an average service interval of less than two years. The AVENTICSTM RDD (Roll-Up Dessicant Drying) and RDDmin air dryers, have a service interval of eight years or 25,000 operating hours. The new products feature a proprietary adsorption medium that removes humidity from compressed air systems more efficiently, reducing energy usage with a smaller envelope size and weight. The dryers’ shock and vibration resistant design further enhances their reliability in tough rail applications. brake control circuit Humidity in compressed air can cause corrosion and ice blockages at low temperatures, often disabling door systems or freezing valves in the brake control circuit. Until now, conventional dryer systems relied on a granular adsorption medium. The shocks and vibrations that occur during rail operations cause channeling, air bypass and dust generation, which leads to a significant loss in drying performance. Emerson’s AVENTICS RDD technology uses adsorbent crystals immobilized in a durable polymer support structure Consequently, the dew point increases. High water loading can cause a breakdown of the granulate bed resulting in frequent material changes and a reduced service life. To solve these problems, Emerson’s AVENTICS RDD technology uses adsorbent crystals immobilized in a durable polymer support structure, which is produced in a continuously embossed sheet and rolled up to tightly fit into a barrel-type housing for high shock and vibration resistance. excessive water loading Unlike competing products using desiccant beats, the AVENTICS dryers resist excessive water loading and fully recover afterwards. This ensures constant performance throughout the lifetime of the product and reduced life-cycle costs. The RDD dryer is used for main air supplies on trains, whereas the RDDmini is used for auxiliary air supply, to driver seats for example. The efficient design means that the overall envelope size for both dryers is half that of other dryers currently available on the market, allowing for smaller envelope sizes and lower unit weight. The moisture uptake allows for a much higher efficiency air consumption rate of less than 15%, which reduces energy costs. Purge loss typically ranges above 20% for conventional products.

There is a demonstratable link between humidity and the infectivity and longevity of a variety of viruses, such as influenza and coronaviruses, according to a new whitepaper by Munters, a globally renowned company in energy-efficient and sustainable air treatment solutions. Titled ‘How Humidity Control Can Reduce Viral Infectivity and Longevity’, the scientific report addresses how it is possible to reduce the transmission and longevity of harmful viruses by controlling indoor Relative Humidity (RH) levels. ‘How Humidity Control Can Reduce Viral Infectivity’ The paper is based on gathered research, including studies on the efficiency of respiratory droplet transmission at humidity and temperature, virus survival and transmission at absolute humidity levels, and the effect of environmental parameters on the survival of airborne infectious agents. Among the most notable and timely findings, the research demonstrates that at RH levels between 40 and 50%, many types of common and harmful viruses such as influenza and coronaviruses are rendered inert much more quickly than at RH levels of less than 20%. “Viruses that cause respiratory illnesses are often transmitted by viral particles through coughing, sneezing, talking and breathing,” said Martin Ginty, Global Pharmaceutical Industry Manager for Munters. Controlling indoor Relative Humidity (RH) levels By effectively controlling indoor climates, it is possible to limit the transmission of harmful viruses" Martin adds, “Research referenced in our whitepaper suggests that maintaining an indoor RH% level between 40 and 50% yields the maximum protective effect from both aerosolized and settled virus particles and that by maintaining these levels, it is possible to contribute to a healthier, safer environment.” “This evidence is particularly relevant in locations where winter tends to consist of low outdoor temperatures and low indoor humidity, as these conditions offer a favorable environment for viral transmission,” added Ginty. Martin further said, “By effectively controlling indoor climates in these locations, it is possible to limit the transmission of harmful viruses.” Maintaining target RH levels Maintaining target RH levels can be accomplished using humidity control solutions which facilitate precise RH control for indoor environments. Furthermore, the whitepaper concludes that humidity control is always useful, but particularly during a typical ‘flu season,’ where outdoor temperatures and absolute humidity tend to be lower.

Around the world, advanced building automation systems (BAS) in smart buildings are driving demand for smarter HVAC systems. Modern HVAC systems can improve energy efficiency and mitigate potential health problems associated with indoor air quality and ventilation. In fact, HVAC improvements and building controls are expected to be a big U.S. investment in 2021. But capitalizing on this opportunity will take more than smarter HVAC systems. It’ll require a smarter approach to communications and BAS integration. Increase of data traffic in the network Over the last few years, the industry has seen a dramatic increase in the bandwidth demanded by building automation systems. More nodes, bigger packets, more security, all of these things increase the amount of data traffic in the network. Legacy communications technologies like RS-485 struggle to handle all of this data. To compensate, system designers have shortened bus lengths, developed costly gateways, and added complex protocol conversion for BAS integration. Because, in most implementations it’s just not practical or cost effective to install new high-speed cabling. A high-speed wireline communication standard called HD-PLC that is developed specifically for today’s industrial IoT Now, there’s a better option: a high-speed wireline communication standard called HD-PLC that is developed specifically for today’s industrial IoT and smart building applications. In 2017, after careful evaluation of various technologies, LonMark International adopted HD-PLC as its new channel standard. And last October, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) ® approved ANSI/CTA 709.8 LON HD-PLC (High Definition Power Line Communication) as a new standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). LON HD-PLC technology for smart HVAC systems In this article, one will learn how LON HD-PLC technology is enabling a new generation of smart HVAC systems, using the existing building wiring. The Problem: Serial Networks Are Stretched to Their LimitsTraditional building automation systems rely on direct-digital control communication protocols over RS-485 signal levels. However, with a throughput of just 9.6kbps, RS-485 struggles to meet the demands of advanced HVAC applications. Overview of Wired Technologies for Building Automation Systems (BAS) In RS-485-based systems, each platform domain requires a gateway to translate proprietary protocols into IP. As such, the building administrator has limited control over individual devices in the network. To extend the network path from BAS to the digital or analog I/O module, the network wiring needs to be installed to connect a controller device over Fieldbus I/O systems. Central air conditioning system based on RS-485 While protocols like BACnet/IP, LON IP, and KNX IP enable system integrators to increase bandwidth and extend IP beyond the gateway; they require the installation of new wiring, which is time-consuming and expensive. System integrators also have to reduce bus lengths and add control equipment to support the high bandwidths required by modern applications. To enable BAS modernization and replace costly gateways, there’s a better solution – HD-PLC Bridging to connect Ethernet networks to other wireline (twisted pair, powerline, phone lines, coax, etc.) and wireless networks (WiFi, BLE, etc.). Megabit data rates for long cable lines  LonMark International adopted HD-PLC as the new channel standard for high-speed wireline networks. Based on the IEEE 1901 and ITU-T G.9905 international standards, HD-PLC combines IP-based broadband communication with an innovative multi-hop technology to reliably achieve megabit data rates over several kilometers of cabling (AC/DC power lines, twisted-pair, coax, etc.). The architecture supports up to 1024 nodes and is packed with innovations such as free topology, mesh networking with dynamic traffic routing, and crypto-strong AES-128 encryption. LON HD-PLC platform implements an Ethernet-like transmission, wherein devices act as an Ethernet gateway This new standard enables native LON communication over any IP transport such as Ethernet and Wi-Fi, as well as interoperability with IP-based web services so that building and industrial automation systems can seamlessly and securely interoperate with cloud and IoT applications. LON HD-PLC platform implements an Ethernet-like transmission, wherein devices act as an Ethernet gateway in parallel, enabling double use for all IP-based solutions. It creates a single control system to aggregate data and detects hidden faults in HVAC operations. Plus, IP networks can be used as a native network medium for LonWorks, so the use of LonWorks/IP-only devices is also possible. Central air conditioning system based on HD-PLC instant speed upgrade - from just kilobits to megabits- Built to seamlessly couple Ethernet and RS-485 devices, the LON HD-PLC Bridge enables system designers and integrators to upgrade to higher speeds, longer ranges, more nodes, and more advanced feature-sets over their existing wiring infrastructure with minimum cost. That way, everything connected to it becomes a part of the Internet of Things – acting as data points, to improve the operating efficiency of smart HVAC controls. Using IP-based communications (IPv4 or IPv6 multicasting), HD-PLC provides LON systems with an instant speed upgrade- from just kilobits to megabits-without needing to add or replace wiring. Especially designed for building automation, IPv6 provides a cost-effective transport mechanism for complex control systems to communicate with devices. In addition, IP based communication enables the use of existing IP based tools, like Wireshark, reducing the learning curve for system designers and engineers – which means less maintenance and ultimately lower cost. With this transformative wireline communication technology, manufacturers can effectively build a robust infrastructure into buildings today, ensuring the future-readiness for intelligent HVAC of tomorrow.

Behind most modern portable and fixed evaporative cooling systems is a component known as rigid evaporative media. At first glance, this component appears to be a simple block of corrugated cardboard-like material. Outside appearances are often deceptive though, and this is most assuredly the case with evaporative media. Within the intricately and proprietarily designed flutes and angles is the ability to cool many everyday aspects of our lives, from data centers that support our daily online lives to the agriculture environments where our food is sourced. While you may have never heard of evaporative cooling, it is all around you. The simplest definition of evaporative cooling is cooling with water. Used since the ancient Egyptian days to generate natural cooling, a few examples of evaporative cooling at work include the cooling sensation felt when climbing out of a swimming pool, or feeling the cool breeze blowing across a lake. By evaporating water, the temperature of the air in contact with the liquid water will lower as an endothermic reaction takes place. During this reaction, the liquid water changes to a gas state and the temperature of the air lowers. This is where rigid evaporative media comes into play. The simplest definition of evaporative cooling is cooling with water Rigid Evaporative Media As mentioned earlier, rigid evaporative media is the technology behind portable evaporative coolers and fixed evaporative cooling applications. The quality of the evaporative media chosen for these systems makes a crucial difference in the effectiveness of the cooling achieved. The expert engineering of rigid evaporative media ensures even water distribution and is imperative to maximize the interaction between air and water for the most efficient evaporation, and therefore, the most effective cooling. Composing the media of only superior raw materials is the key aspect to producing strong media that does not easily break down in water, and it is designed in a way that the water self-cleans the media when it runs across it. Higher-end evaporative media is coated with a proprietary blend of resin material to ensure longevity and inhibit the growth of algae. Reputable evaporative media manufacturers have the ability to meet specific performance specifications, considering a customers’ desired pressure drop, saturation, wet out rate and more. Evaporative cooling offers an energy efficient, environmentally friendly and economical cooling solution over traditional air conditioning methods. There is no need for refrigerants or a compressor, meaning there is no additional heat to vent from the system. The expert engineering of rigid evaporative media ensures even water distribution and is imperative to maximize the interaction between air and water for the most efficient evaporation So where exactly does this cooling technology meet daily life? Food chain supply Did you know that agricultural applications from poultry houses, dairy farms, swine industries and greenhouses all utilize fixed evaporative cooling? Before we find food options on grocery store shelves or restaurant tables, there has been a process to provide the freshest, best-quality option for consumers. Meat and dairy production  Whether talking about egg-laying hens, broilers or free-range chicken, it has been proven that cooling improves the production and efficiency rates in chicken houses. The same is true for the dairy industry. Cooling the cows and reducing heat stress improves overall milk production. When it comes to meat production, it should be noted that animals such as pigs and broilers do not have sweat glands. Due to this physiological limitation, heat is intensified if their environment is not well managed. It’s important to keep these animals cool – from small, artisan farms to large, agricultural operations – to ensure production meets the quality and quantity demand of the food chain. Greenhouses Greenhouses are another area that must maintain a delicate balance of keeping temperatures from soaring when dealing with certain fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. As growers seek to find year-round crop growing options, evaporative cooling in greenhouses plays an important role in providing nutritious options in the food supply chain. This touches consumers who have become more conscientious about buying local and embracing farm-to-table practices. Data centers  They are the backbone to the fibers of our online and social media lives. Computers that power our cloud data run 24/7. Cooling the air surrounding these machines via the fixed evaporative cooling system helps reduce the load on a traditional air conditioning approach. According to a trade publication on the matter, growing demand for digital services and data centers means effectively meeting the power requirements of the IT industry in some geographies, which often means more and larger facilities. Media streaming makes up the biggest portion of global traffic, and it is steadily increasing to become the energy guzzler of the internet. This consumption essentially equates to energy usage and high demand on data centers during high traffic times such as the first half of 2020 during the unprecedented global quarantines that were put in place. Increased online data usage through work from home initiatives and added streaming applications will only increase the burden on data centers. Reducing the heat generated is a benefit of using a fixed evaporative cooling system to ensure data centers run efficiently, and consumers have the internet and social platform usage they want when they want to access it. Gas turbines  Gas turbines are used to create mechanical energy from a combustible fuel source to provide electrical energy to homes and businesses. Studies have shown gas turbines located in regions that experience high seasonal temperatures are prone to significant losses on both efficiency and output during these high-temp seasons. In response, engineers have begun installing evaporative coolers to cool the ambient air, resulting in increased performance and output. Portable evaporative coolers They provide cooling in a variety of settings from automotive shops, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses to outdoor sporting events and recreational settings, as well as home patios. Formerly referred to as swamp coolers, modern-day evaporative coolers are more energy efficient and effective thanks to the quality of rigid evaporative media that evaporates the water. Portable coolers create mobile cooling where traditional air conditioning is ineffective or cost prohibitive. As countries and governments focus more and more on the ravages of heat stress and heat-related illness in the work place, employers are looking to evaporative cooling as an effective and cost-efficient method of protecting workers and avoiding government fines. As consumers look for more green options, evaporative cooling is considered to be an environmentally friendly solution. Utilizing natural elements and staying away from harsh chemicals used in traditional air conditioning options, rigid evaporative media in a fixed or portable system can provide efficient and cost-effective cooling relief.

Residential HVAC is a fulfilling business to be in. Whether be it servicing a furnace or installing an air conditioning unit, the individual is doing important work to help keep families in the community safe and comfortable. The work also comes with perks such as good margins, some great customers, and the ability to set varying pricing and schedule. If an individual is in a growing business in this space, chances are that they have seen more than a few hectic days. Days where it becomes difficult to juggle crews, instruct technicians on necessary job details, and answer client calls, all at the same time. In theory, this chaotic day-to-day is a good problem to have. In practice, it can get really tiring, pretty fast. Robust system to streamline operations The work can be extremely overwhelming and if the right systems aren’t in place, the business could suffer. Lines of communication can get crossed and if time is being spent working on the wrong things, the individual could miss out on opportunities to grow. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing a high growth HVAC business, by applying the right operational strategies, businesses can flourish. Coordinating requests while dispatching techs out to do work is where many administrators and operations managers hit a roadblock in business growth. This is precisely why businesses need to implement software that lets them track jobs, view technician schedules, and flag new jobs to crew members all in one place. This will eliminate the need to play ‘phone tag’ across the organization, which in turn will keep operations running smoothly and reduce manual errors. What’s more, if the software allows techs to automatically trigger an invoice that customers can pay on the spot, businesses can avoid hours of chasing down past-due payments and create a better cash flow. mobile apps: Picking The right software Businesses are encouraged to choose software with a mobile app where customers can enter the payment type Businesses are encouraged to choose software with a mobile app where customers can enter the payment type, such as cash, check, credit, debit and a receipt can be automatically emailed to customers. This will also cut out out-of-date operations, while giving businesses access to what they need (schedules, work orders, customer information and more) at anytime from anywhere. Having a central hub for keeping everything organized also creates the operational flexibility needed to take on work. To ensure businesses don’t have to turn new jobs down due to delayed responses or scheduling issues, a crew member can be kept flexible for this task. In order to do this right, businesses need to calculate how much emergency work they’re losing due to unavailability and adjust accordingly, by creating a schedule with allotted time. Spacing out work won’t impact the number of scheduled installs and replacements retained, while giving businesses added time and revenue to take on emergency repairs. This strategy is only doable if businesses have the requisite software that can provide an accurate and full look into employees’ workloads. pricing services Research Is Important A business in high-growth mode needs to ensure their pricing reflects the services being offered. This can be done with researching of other companies in the area that are charging for the same services offered, so that the business can have a number to compare to when setting prices and also prepare to justify higher price to customers. Setting prices higher can be advantageous for a business, if they can show customers the differentiators. Most people want work done right, and an added premium that ensures top service often won’t turn them away. Additionally, it’s important to make sure all expenses are covered, down to the credit card fees. When pricing services, businesses need to build a file of overhead expenses, then determine the percentage profit want to charge clients. Different jobs require unique services, so prices should reflect that Varied pricing per customer Different jobs require unique services, so prices should reflect that. A business might charge more for commercial clients than homeowners. These minor adjustments will ensure that a business makes the profit that the work deserves. Feedback is also very important for repeat orders. If a business is not getting repeat clients due to pricing, they should keep that in mind when building profit margins. Pricing shouldn’t be static, continuous adjustments has to be made where it makes sense and extra time invested to do the research. Ensuring exceptional customer service It’s important to set up systems and expectations for teams to follow right out of the gate With business growth also comes customer growth, and for residential HVAC companies that physically go into a customer’s home, it’s crucial that their services reflect the highest quality. It’s important to set up systems and expectations for teams to follow right out of the gate. Helping crews do their best work from a technical and customer service perspective by establishing guidelines for what the business wants every homeowner to experience is the key. Open lines of communication Aside from ensuring that the crew keeps a clean workplace, keeping open lines of communication with customers should be a top priority for businesses. This can be as simple as answering the phone and getting a technician to a job site as soon as possible. Often, customers come from positions of stress due to broken equipment, so having quick response time is a key differentiator between good and bad service. A good solution for this is to evolve into automating key communications that allow techs to send ‘on my way’ text messages. How a business interacts with customers is a key signifier into how the company operates, so businesses need to ensure that have the best customer service practices in place. Never take valuable employees for granted While it sounds simple, a high-growth business needs reliable employees to scale, so that their competition does not swoop in and scoop up an employee who doesn’t feel valued. As business ramps up, it’s easy to miss that technicians are not being dispatched to jobs that they enjoy. If employees are constantly doing a job because they’re good at it and they don’t feel fulfilled doing that specific job, at the end of the day, they are not going to be happy. To avoid losing employees, businesses should take the time to ask what jobs they like to do and see if they can accommodate schedules to reflect their preferences. employee retention And loyalty A crucial factor in building a top performing team is employee retention and loyalty A crucial factor in building a top performing team is employee retention and loyalty. Businesses should focus on creating a great atmosphere to work in. This includes keeping a pulse on what’s happening in the team’s personal lives and use that to show appreciation in meaningful ways. One way to do this is by investing in the team’s education. For example, paying tuition fees for techs so they can get new certifications and licensing. These types of gestures show that the business cares about the success of their employees, while also helping them retain the most qualified crew members. Incorporating software solutions and automating tedious tasks Developing a high-growth residential HVAC company doesn’t have to be stressful if businesses know what systems and processes to implement to better manage operations. By adopting strategies that incorporate software solutions, like Jobber, to streamline operations, automate tedious tasks and improve customer communications, the opportunity for growth is more accessible for businesses. Organizations should focus on creating a solid operational system by doing research before pricing services, keeping customer service a top priority and not letting great employees slip away. All these strategies will work together to help maximize business growth.

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2019 would provide an orderly national framework to guide replacement of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) over the next several years in the United States, with newer refrigerants that have less negative impact on the environment. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases with very high global warming potential. The future of the HVAC industry is tied to the manufacture of next-generation refrigerants and their adoption. Versions of the AIM Act – Senate bill S.2754 and House bill H.R.5544 – are currently in the Senate Environment and Public Works and the House Energy and Commerce committees. The global market is moving away from the use of HFC refrigerants, given that the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol requires their phaseout; however, the United States has not ratified the Kigali Amendment. Over the next 15 years, the AIM Act would phase down HFC to a low of 15% of current production and consumption levels. In addition, aftermarket supplies from recovery, recycling and reclaiming would ensure adequate availability of the refrigerants for use in legacy systems and in applications for which substitutes are not available. Economic Stimulus For The U.S. HVACR Industry The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) contends passing the act would “serve as a potent form of economic stimulus for the U.S. HVACR industry,” in addition to providing clarity on the regulatory landscape. The AIM Act would create new manufacturing jobs in the United States, spur HVACR investment in the U.S. economy, and ensure the continued safety and training of licensed HVACR professionals, experts say. Over the next 15 years, the AIM Act would phase down HFC to a low of 15% of current production and consumption levels The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) support the federal approach to an HFC phasedown as preferable to a state-by-state approach, urging Congress to include preemption language in the AIM Act that would require states to follow a federal HFC phasedown schedule for the residential HVACR market. Addressing Safety Concerns Safety concerns arise with the introduction of A2L mildly flammable refrigerants as part of the next phase down of HFCs. ACCA says a unified approach across the United States will ensure the introduction of A2L refrigerants is done safely. Commercial and industrial HVAC markets have been using flammable refrigerants for years; however, building codes and safety standards in the residential market do not currently allow their use. ACCA also urges inclusion of language in the AIM Act to strengthen EPA certification programs and restrict the sale of HVACR systems and refrigerants to only trained and certified individuals. “If Congress does not provide the EPA the authority to regulate and implement an HFC phasedown, then the EPA may not be able to implement training and certification programs or restrict the sale of dangerous products to unqualified people,” according to testimony the ACCA submitted to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Ending "Dumping" The future of the HVAC industry is tied to the manufacture of next-generation refrigerants The AIM Act would also seek to end the practice of “dumping,” in which foreign manufacturers export inferior products to the United States that are priced below the cost of manufacture. The AIM Act would restrict the import of HFCs as part of the production and consumption phasedown. However, the non-profit Competitive Enterprise Institute (CSI) rejects the need for the AIM Act. “The free market provides the best policy answer,” writes Ben Lieberman, CEI Senior Fellow. “Let the new refrigerants and equipment compete with the current ones, rather than favoring one over the other [through legislation].”

A fuel called “Bioheat” is made by blending biodiesel made from organic and recycled products with ultra-low sulfur heating oil. The feedstocks used to make biodiesel include vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease. About half the biodiesel produced in the United States is made from soybean oil. Blends are designated in percentages – a 5% blend of biodiesel with heating oil is B5, a 10% blend is B10, and a 20% blend is B20. Blends up to 5% are called “Bioheat,” while blends from 6-20% are “Bioheat Plus.” Blends from 21-100% are “Bioheat Super Plus,” and ongoing research is under way on higher percentage blends. The process of blending biodiesel into heating oil must meet ASTM D396 and 6751 specification and standards. Biodiesel-based Heating Oil Much of the home heating oil currently used in the United States contains biodiesel, but its use is not required in every state in New England, where the cold climate favors use of heating oil over electric heat pumps. The New York Heating Oil Association has pushed for mandates to use B20 blends by 2034, with the percentage of biodiesel increasing gradually from a B5 blend required in 2017. New York is the only state with an active mandate. Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont require all neighboring states to have active mandates before laws go into effect. Although Massachusetts implemented a Bioheat mandate in 2010, it was subsequently replaced with a voluntary program because of costs. Lowering The Carbon Content The process of blending biodiesel into heating oil must meet ASTM D396 and 6751 specification and standards The home heating oil industry is concentrated in five Northeast states: New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, which use 3 billion gallons of heating oil per year between November and March, according to the Energy Information Administration. 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. Greenhouse gases emitted by the heating sector are significant. For example, in Rhode Island, the sector produces a third of the state’s 11 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents released annually.  All Electric Systems And Heat Pumps Although biodiesel can help to meet carbon reduction goals, there is also a push for more expensive “all electric” systems (i.e., heat pumps) in cities throughout the Northeast. Pricing of heating oil blended with biodiesel is comparable with that of pure heating oil but may be somewhat higher. A blended fuel also burns cleaner and more efficiently, which reduces heating system maintenance and improves energy efficiency. Bioheat fuels can be used in the same tank and furnace system as standard petroleum heating oil without modification. Concerns Surrounding Biofuels The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions, including nitrogen oxide There is some concern that producing biofuel stock could strain the food supply by displacing food crops in order to produce plant-based fuels on a large scale. Currently biodiesel is limited by the volume of available feedstock needed to achieve scale. Also, the lifecycle of producing renewable fuels may emit greenhouse gases. American GreenFuels, New Haven, Conn., has announced its biodiesel product has achieved environmental claim validations from Underwriters Laboratories. UL has confirmed that biodiesel produced by American GreenFuels contains an average of 42 percent post-consumer recycled content and 46 percent byproduct synergy feedstock content. As the largest biodiesel producer in the Northeast United States, American GreenFuels produces biodiesel from plant oils and recycled waste materials. 

Machine learning provides a tool to lower energy costs in a building, and Honeywell has launched a platform that incorporates the 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. “We can help building portfolio owners fine-tune their energy expenditures to drive efficiencies and create more sustainable practices,” says David Trice, Vice President and General Manager, Honeywell Connected Buildings. Autonomous building solutions Honeywell says the autonomous, closed-loop building solution may deliver double-digit energy savings while decreasing a building’s carbon footprint. It can be implemented without significant capital expense or changes to a building’s current operational processes. The system autonomously and continually optimizes a building’s internal set points across hundreds of assets every 15 minutes by evaluating whether the HVAC system is running at peak efficiency.  When analyzing when to make an adjustment, the system considers factors such as time of day, weather, occupancy levels and other data points. The system considers factors such as time of day, weather, occupancy levels Honeywell Forge Energy Optimization calculates its decisions 96 times per 24-hour period in every building in a portfolio. Deployment is a simple plug-and-play process with no changes needed to business mechanics. Systems do not need to be rip-and-replaced. Results of the technology The technology has been demonstrated in a pilot at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, achieving an initial 10% energy savings. The pilot achieved the extra savings over and beyond what was achieved earlier in the highly smart, energy-efficient building with fully connected lighting, cooling, building management, power and efficiency control optimized based on real-time occupancy. The pilot also uncovered local control issues with the chiller plant and fresh air handling unit that were not adjusting to set points. “Honeywell Forge [was able] to drive further energy savings beyond our achievable optimization with the techniques we [had],” says Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, HBMSU’s Chancellor. The university is collaborating with Honeywell to support the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to drive operational efficiencies. Energy consumption in commercial buildings is significant. Buildings and buildings construction combined are responsible for more than 36% of global final energy consumption and nearly 40% of total direct and indirect CO2 emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Energy demand in these sectors continues to rise, driven by improved access to energy in developing countries, greater ownership and use of energy-consuming devices, and rapid growth in global buildings’ floor areas. Opportunities for energy saving It is a market where the potential impact of greater efficiencies is huge It is a market where the potential impact of greater efficiencies is huge. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning often presents the largest opportunity for energy savings in a commercial building. “Buildings aren’t static steel and concrete – they are dynamic ecosystems and their energy needs fluctuate based on ever-changing variables like weather and occupancy,” says Trice. “We are evolving building operations far beyond what would be possible even with a robust team of engineers and the rules they code in their building management system.”

Blackheath High School, an independent day school for girls and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) network, recently invested £18 million to provide new state of the art facilities including a new library and resource centre, and AET Flexible Space supplied an underfloor air conditioning system to provide comfort cooling for students in the new learning zone. The project involved the design and construction of a three storey new build, aesthetically designed to blend with the existing Victorian structure. The library and resource center are located in the lower ground floor, sunk beneath the existing site and the new courtyard area. Air conditioned zone Underfloor air conditioning makes use of the plenum beneath a raised access floor Due to the underground location of the resource centre, air conditioning was required for this area, and an underfloor air conditioning system was specified by consultant Hilson Moran so that the ceiling space, featuring the unique pyramidal skylights, could be left exposed. Underfloor air conditioning makes use of the plenum beneath a raised access floor to distribute conditioned air. At Blackheath High School, a single CAM-V33 Direct Expansion downflow unit serves the air conditioned zone, and the conditioned air is supplied into the space by 14 TU4 Fantiles. The CAM-V receives spent air back for re-conditioning via high level transfer grilles. A major challenge with this project was the 900mm high underfloor void within the main resource area, requiring special modification to the CAM baseframe and raised floor substructure. The new state of the art facility reached practical completion over the summer of 2018 and was ready for students to use in September at the start of the new school year.

In practice, incumbent building services can help architects and designers overcome planning and structural constraints. Building typology comes in all shapes and sizes, each with its own unique design criteria. Frequently building services, heating, ventilation and air conditioning in particular can be challenging to integrate into a building design but experience shows that this does not necessarily have to be the case. Working with underfloor air conditioning over the past 30 years,) AET Flexible Space can demonstrate that such systems have a number of benefits in design application that ultimately make it the ‘system of first choice’ when compared with alternative overhead and perimeter air conditioning systems and their practical application. ease of reconfiguration Principally there are two different types of underfloor air conditioning (UfAC) system, the first being a full underfloor solution, with zone units supplying conditioned air, and receiving spent air via the plenum beneath the raised access floor. As it effectively becomes the ventilation zone, the plenum is divided into supply and return air paths using fire-resistant, air-tight silicone cloth. As there is no need to divide the floor plenum, this option permits freedom to maximize the floor plate This first system is undoubtedly the best option if the brief is to expose ceilings and maximize headroom in refurbishments as it allows total elimination of any ceiling void. Another option is a system with a zone unit which supplies conditioned air via the floor plenum, but receives spent air at high level or via ceiling extract grilles. As there is no need to divide the floor plenum, this option permits freedom to maximize the floor plate as well as future flexibility due to the ease of reconfiguration. ceiling based air conditioning Refurbishment projects in the UK often have specific design criteria, dictated either by the client, or frequently by planning conditions. 8 Waterloo Place in the St James’ area of London is a classic example. The fabulous building constructed in the early 1900’s is Grade II listed and features ornate vaulted ceilings and decorative plasterwork cornices. Both the client and the architect specifically requested no services at high level in order to preserve and highlight these features using bi-directional up and down lighting. This immediately eliminated ceiling based air conditioning as an option. The seven story building also has differing floor to ceiling heights on each floor, proving to be an additional challenge for investor Barings, whose aim was to create the highest quality, modern office space at the prestigious Mayfair property. high profile tenancy A full underfloor air conditioning system was subsequently specified for floors 1-4 of the building, which all had an existing 300mm floor plenum. The height restriction of the dormer fifth floor only permitted a very shallow floor plenum, so a perimeter system was adopted for this space. The end result of the refurbishment was 70% occupancy in a very short period of time, the building attracting high profile tenancy and achieving high levels of rent, “a truly special building”, comments the MD at Barings Real Estate. Another key building characteristic is the small windows and low natural light levels Another refurbishment project to reference is 33 Glasshouse Street, London, prominently located on the corner with Regent Street, a fusion of three buildings and with a Grade II listed façade, varying slab heights and low floor to ceiling heights, developer Hermes set about a full “Cut and Carve” structural reconfiguration to form larger, deeper, open plan floor plates and increase the floor to ceiling height to 3.3m on floors 3-7. raised floor system Another key building characteristic is the small windows and low natural light levels. Underfloor air conditioning was specified to help maximize the floor to ceiling heights and permit the greatest level of natural light through the deep floor plates. Perimeter heating and cooling would not have been effective given the deep floor plates and ceiling based air conditioning would have required a ceiling void that would virtually cover the low level windows, severely restricting light penetration. Even with the introduction of a raised floor system and underfloor services, the down stand beams are clearly visible underneath the window line, but this only serves to highlight the unusual building characteristics in an effective way. The end result, another achievement by the project team with a successful outcome. Prime, modern office space attracting the highest caliber occupants, commanding premium rates. overhead services At Cathedral Hill in Guildford, UfAC was used to cool the atrium area where overhead services could not be used September 2018 saw the completion of the tenant fit-out on three floors of the building for one of the world’s biggest tech giants. Design freedom with underfloor air conditioning is not only apparent in refurbishment projects, over the last three decades, the company's systems have also helped new builds achieve their design objectives, whether by using a full underfloor system, or simply integrating floor recessed Fantiles with Displacement Ventilation or other HVAC systems. At Cathedral Hill in Guildford, UfAC was used to cool the atrium area where overhead services could not be used. At First Point, Gatwick, adopting UfAC saved 2m in height compared with an identical building at Heathrow with ceiling services. cellular meeting pods At the expansive Sky Central Campus, UfAC Fantiles are used to enhance the Displacement Ventilation system by boosting cooling in the cellular meeting pods, and at the award winning Here East Innovation Centre, UfAC has been innovatively integrated with overhead services offering fully flexible and functional workspace for the start-up community. The above are just a few examples of how innovative thinking and design application has encouraged the uptake of underfloor air conditioning and promoting it as a viable solution to wide ranging design challenges in new build and refurbishment projects, helping property owners and agents to differentiate their offering and create world class workspace.

AET Flexible Space recently completed the supply and commissioning of underfloor air conditioning equipment for the new ninth floor at 55 Gresham Street. Situated near the Guildhall in the heart of the City, the 84,038 sq. ft., eight story building was acquired in 2014 by Angelo Gordon and Beltane, extended and fully redeveloped to provide 11 floors of Grade-A office space over 121,569 sq. ft. underfloor air conditioning The redevelopment included the creation of a new level access corner entrance and reception at Wood Street and Gresham Street, with remodeled cores, extensions of the floorplates at ground to sixth floors and replacement seventh and new eighth and ninth floors created through the removal of the existing ninth floor plant. New services are supplied throughout and new composite stone facades to the south, west and north are well in keeping with the urban locality. The design is characterized by its imaginative use of materials and historical references The design is characterized by its imaginative use of materials and historical references. Designed by Fletcher Priest Architects, with mechanical, and other design services provided by consultant, Waterman Group, underfloor air conditioning was specified for the new ninth floor terrace in order to maintain the architectural vision. Direct Expansion coils By placing services within the floor void, the remaining available space and floor to ceiling heights were maximized by eliminating the need for ceiling based pipe and ductwork. The two zone system on the ninth floor terrace is served by two CAM-C25 downflow units with Direct Expansion coils and a total of thirty standard TU4 Fantiles with EC fans for enhanced energy performance. This considered redevelopment is a building designed with the occupier in mind and testament to this approach, the entire building was pre-let prior to practical completion to global giant, Investec Asset Management. Main contractor ISG handed over the £34 million project at the end of 2018 and has a BREEAM target of Excellent.

One Benjamin Street, situated directly opposite Farringdon Station on the corner of Turnmill Street, is a fabulous new build with mixed use accommodation comprising retail and commercial space as well as residential penthouse apartments. The prominent site, owned by The Girdler’s Company for some 400 years, formerly featured three individual buildings of different style and character, which were considered unfit for purpose and replaced by one high quality single building. Designed by world renowned architect AHMM, and inspired by the character of local Victorian warehouses, and craftsmanship at the core of The Girdler’s Company, the new build offers 1692 m2 of high quality, sustainable office space with highly flexible, column free floor plates and BCO recommended floor to ceiling height of 1.8m on the 1st to 3rd floors. air conditioning system Underfloor air conditioning was recommended by Main Contractor who had experience of floor level air conditioning The overall design brief was to provide optimum flexibility when adding or re-arranging fittings for incoming tenant requirements, and the AET Flexible Space underfloor air conditioning system specified fits this brief perfectly. Underfloor air conditioning was recommended by Main Contractor, Knight Harwood who had experience of floor level air conditioning from another London refurbishment in Soho Square. M&E Consultant, Scotch & Partners were satisfied that the system could cater to demand, whilst offering greater flexibility for future change of use than the originally proposed perimeter heating and cooling systems. The system specified is a CAM-V system with underfloor supply air and return air received back to the zone unit at high level. The CAM-V system is the best solution for future flexibility as there is no underfloor air baffle to reconfigure should a layout change be considered. supply conditioned air Each of the office floors is split into two zones, with a CAM-V33 downflow unit serving each zone. A total of 105 recessed Fantiles, which supply conditioned air into the space, are evenly distributed across the six zones. The completed new build with its reinforced concrete frame, flat slab construction and exposed concrete soffits, columns and walls offers contemporary interior styling, and the exterior detailing combining feature brickwork, exposed polished concrete medallions and signature façade cladding incorporating the client’s crest is a quality improvement to the local streetscape and a testament to the client and project team.

Komax Systems, Inc., is recognized as a global provider of advanced mixing solutions for the municipal and wastewater treatment industries. Municipal and wastewater treatment plants with large open channels face enormous challenges and need solutions to effectively treat and use the water flows. Energy efficient and cost-effective solutions are needed for treatment systems to run properly. Large open channels need treatment for both influent raw water streams coming into a water treatment plant and wastewater and effluent water from wastewater treatment plants. Chemical injection and accurate dispersions are needed before the water can be released or consumed. Mixing Technology Solution Komax recognized that these problems need solutions and that in many cases custom modifications to the solution to fit within the plant's specific needs. The standard mechanical mixers and blades are not adequate for larger capacities along with the continual repairs and maintenance. The Komax channel static mixer utilizes non-clogging mixing technology for water treatment chemicals into water flowing through rectangular channels. The channel static mixer is used in water treatment for both influent raw water and effluent water treatment New pollution problems have placed additional burdens on wastewater treatment systems. Today's pollutants such as heavy metals, chemical compounds, and toxic substances are more difficult to remove from the water. Rising demands on the water supply only aggravate the problem. The increasing demands call on better wastewater treatment solutions. The channel static mixer is used in water treatment for both influent raw water and effluent water treatment. high efficiency mixing Influent water streams use the channel mixer to injection and mixing of coagulants and flocculants before the water goes to the clarifier. Effluent water from wastewater treatment plants also utilize the channel mixer to inject and mix chlorine and sodium bisulfite to disinfect the wastewater for safe discharge into large bodies, such as rivers, streams, or lakes. Komax has a proven reputation for product design and manufacturing quality that ensures outstanding performance.  The static mixers manufactured by Komax provide cost-effective, high efficiency mixing. As the needs evolve so will Komax's solutions.

AgraFlora Organics International Inc. announces that Propagation Services Canada Inc. the Company’s flagship cultivation asset located in Delta British Columbia has secured a Standard Cultivation License from Health Canada. “Obtaining the License at the Delta Facility marks the end of a journey commenced in Q4 2018 and is the key milestone in beginning cannabis sales from what is the 2nd largest and one of the most advanced greenhouses in Canada” stated Brandon Boddy AgraFlora Executive Chairman and CEO. environmentally friendly greenhouse We’re commencing the cultivation of a curated portfolio of elite live plant genetics" "With license in hand, we’re commencing the cultivation of a curated portfolio of elite live plant genetics that will enable us to execute on a focused strategy of high-potency low-cost cannabis to drive high-volume value brands from coast to coast.” The Delta Facility’s first phase represents 422828 sq. ft. of cultivation space utilizing a state-of-the-art pressurized semi-open Venlo greenhouse design considered to be one of the most technically advanced and environmentally friendly greenhouse platforms in North America and is uniquely located in an agricultural micro-climate on the shores of the Pacific. humidity control management The Delta Greenhouse is scalable up to 2200000 sq. ft. Key features of the Delta Greenhouse include: Fully integrated on-site natural-gas-powered power plant Advanced climate and humidity control management infrastructure Proprietary energy-efficient air exchange to maintain stable climate conditions at a fraction of the cost of traditional HVAC systems Ebb-and-flow watering systems to enhance complete irrigation recapture and water treatment Multistage supplemental lighting augmented by natural sunlight to foster optimized illumination equilibrium A proprietary ERP system to allow for efficient resource management and cost tracking agricultural micro-climate Our company brings 40 years of agricultural expertise to PSC as well as decades of experience within this greenhouse" Ruben Houweling, General Manager of Houweling Nurseries Stated “Our company brings 40 years of agricultural expertise to PSC as well as decades of experience within this greenhouse. We have a well-integrated organization with more than 200 employees. Our facility is located in a unique agricultural micro-climate on the shores of the Pacific Ocean that will help the company produce high-potency low cost cannabis.” PSC will now commence the cultivation of its curated portfolio of elite live plant genetics which were specially curated by an award winning Canadian cultivator with a focus on combining high potency with above-average yields and favorable agricultural traits such as disease and pest resistance. high potency THC genetics Combined with the agricultural experience and expertise of the PSC management team these genetics will support the Company’s strategy of producing high-potency low cost cannabis to support national value brands. With current granting of the standard cultivation license the company’s consultants in conjunction with the PSC team indicate that the inaugural harvest of high potency THC genetics at its Delta greenhouse complex will occur within the fourth quarter of 2020.