CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTATION
Technology brings energy savings in from the cold
Countries around the world are following the UK’s example and setting ambitious targets for carbon reduction. Shaun Evers, managing director of Stonegate Instruments, outlines how technology can help with the efficient growth of the ‘cold economy’.
F
ood, medicine, industry, data centres and, of course, the cold chain – all rely on the provision of cooling. In the UK, cooling accounts for around 14% of all electricity consumed, bringing with it an electricity bill of more than £5 billion. Given that ours is a relatively cool climate, this largely excludes use cost of items such as domestic air conditioning systems.
The so-called ‘cold economy’ has been largely overlooked so far in the debate about energy efficiency, with the spotlight firmly on heat, electricity and transport.
The Carbon Trust estimates that by 2030, worldwide demand for cooling will increase by the equivalent of three times the total power output of the UK. And as global demand for cooling increases, so too will interest in its environmental impact. One trigger for this increase is the continuing expansion of the Indian and Chinese economies, where sales of air conditioning units are increasing rapidly. In addition, as our diets and lifestyles change, and the focus on reducing food waste continues, more demand will be made for cold chain provision. Providing cooling services with conventional technology would place an unacceptable demand on primary fuels, cost and global warming. Current cooling solutions in use in the developed world have already been shown to have a negative effect on both the environment and public health. Research shows that the transport refrigeration unit on a refrigerated trailer emits 29 times as much particular matter and six times as much nitrogen oxide than the truck’s much larger propulsion engine. While the need for cooling systems is undeniable, the need to replace current technology with sustainable alternatives is also clear. As is so often
50 December 2017
the case, the simplest solutions can be the most effective.
Prevention is better than cure
It has also been found that if broader emission reduction targets are met, the leakage of refrigerant gases could amount to around one fifth of all global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Although refrigerants are essential for keeping industrial refrigeration systems running, exposure can cause a severe danger to workers. Prolonged exposure can lead to symptoms such as irritation of the throat, eyes and skin, frostbite, and chemical burns, as well as more severe symptoms like lung and brain damage.
Refrigerant gas is clear and odourless, and it is impossible to predict when a leak is imminent. The latest technology, however, is making it possible to alert a company’s workforce the moment gas does escape. This enables staff to identify the cause of the leak and make the necessary repairs before either the workers or the environment come to harm. Working on the basis that prevention is better than cure, EU regulations governing the handling of F-Gases came into force in January 2015. These include bans or restrictions on F-Gases in new equipment, including refrigerators, heat pumps and air conditioners; conditions on the quantities of gases; and rules regarding containment, use, recovery and destruction of HFCs.
Responsibility for complying with these various restrictions lies firmly with the equipment operator. Moreover, included in the legislation is the requirement that refrigeration equipment which has 300kg or more of refrigerants is fitted with a leak detector.
Cold stores with a charge of between three and 30kg must be tested for leaks once a year, and those with a charge of more than 30kg must have a bi- annual check.
The latest generation of gas leak detection equipment can identify a range of both toxic and non-toxic gases, including HFCs. These sophisticated detectors have both audio and visual alarms, in addition to a battery back-up system in the case of power failure. LED colours can be used to indicate the status of each sensor. These are arranged in different zones, so in the event of a gas leak, it can be swiftly identified and repaired without delay.
Although gas leaks are the biggest contributor to energy loss in modern cold stores, equally detrimental to a refrigeration system’s energy performance is leaving doors open. It’s a minor error, but leaving a door ajar forces the system to work harder to remain at the right temperature, which in turn uses more energy and incurs higher bills. An easy way to prevent doors being left open for an extended period is through the installation of a door open alarm. These wall mounted devices use flashing Xenon Beacon lights and 100dB sounders, which produce audible and visual warnings to alert staff of open doors. An adjustable delay of up to 30 minutes can be pre-set, and the sounders can be independently disabled or adjusted to ensure maximum speaker volume.
Temperature displays and alarms can also be installed. These offer a clear indication of the temperature within a cold store, and alert members of staff to any fluctuations which may lead to product depreciation and unnecessary energy usage.
www.acr-news.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
