Innovation is not a term from another planet. It’s one of the very fundamental inherent qualities of human nature. Its continued manifestation has brought the entire human civilization to the state where we are standing today. As far as the HVAC&R industry is concerned, in its true sense, everybody connected to the industry is innovating to be in the market – because today it’s not only the issue of cost competitiveness, but also the field presents a bouquet of challenges.
It goes without saying that right now the epicentre of the challenging waves in the field of HVAC&R is the concern about the environment. The regulatory changes that are being brought in almost all countries are making the business owners, scientists, designers as well as users think of innovation. Although all countries are not yet at par as far as the steps towards this is concerned, globally the process of rethinking has started.
Let us now see a few innovative products that have been recognised by the global experts in the recent past. Trade fairs are the best places where most of the innovative technologies are displayed first. So, I am choosing some examples from the renowned trade shows. Contextually, I have already stated that innovation is happening everywhere in the HVAC&R industry, but everything cannot be covered within one small article. Therefore, I am going to talk about only a few innovative technologies.
Award winning reversible hybrid heat pump
This year the CLIMATIZACIÓN 2015 was held in Madrid. In the IFEMA’s exhibition, 590 companies connected to the HVAC&R field displayed their products in front of 44,693 professionals from 65 countries. The figures indirectly reflect one thing that globally the number of people who are seriously concerned about the developments in the HVAC&R segment is increasing.
Technological innovation, efficiency, environmental commitment, design and comfort were the main points of focus for CLIMATIZACIÓN 2015. The regulatory changes that affect the industry also received a great deal of prominence in the event. The list of innovative products that attracted people’s attention in the exhibition and got selected by Climatización 2015’s technical committee for the 6th Innovation Gallery –included Ciat’s AQUACIAT2HYBRID and AQUAIR PREMIUM.
AQUACIAT 2 HYBRID…
Aquaciat 2 HYBRID is the first range of packaged, outdoor, reversible hybrid heat pumps that house an integrated natural-gas-powered condensation boiler module. This new range combines the benefits of both technologies in a single package that is compact and – particularly easy to install. With a total of eight possible combinations available and three 45 to 80 kW boilers, Aquaciat 2 HYBRID meets the heating and air-conditioning needs of new and existing tertiary-sector buildings ranging from 500 to 1500 square metres. Engineered using eco-design principles, the entire range is at least 85% recyclable. Aquaciat 2 HYBRID also won the Silver Trophy in the HVAC category at the Innovation Awards held during the Interclima trade show in Paris last year.
Innovative product recognised by ISHRAE
The Indian HVAC&R industry is expected to grow by 30% to over Rs 30,000 crore over the next two years. Thus, in this developing sub-continent also, huge importance is being attached to innovation in the HVAC&R segment. This year, ACREX India 2015, the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers’s (ISHRAE’s) exhibition, which was produced by NuernbergMesse India, was conducted at India’s only LEED Certified Green Exhibition Center – Bangalore International Exhibition Center (BIEC) with over 40,000 sqmt of fully covered and air conditioned space. Around 28,000 business visitors werepresent in the exhibition. This figure also shows the interest of the business community – mainly from India and other Asian countries.
Copeland Scroll ZPV038 and ZPV063 variable speed compressors and Emerson drives…
Global warming and climate change is the result of excessive use of energy. The global warming has brought in loss of human lives, loss of forest cover, extinction of certain flora and fauna. There is a strong need to reduce the level of energy usage. A comprehensive approach needs to be applied to reduce the use of energy like: replacement of fossil fuel energy with clean energy, conserving energy, using of energy efficient systems, processes and equipments. Hence, the theme of ACREX India 2015 was ‘LESS ENERGY = MORE LIFE.’ Four hundred exhibitors representing over 25 countries, including Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, United Kingdom, USA, displayed their latest products in ACREX India 2015.
Emerson Climate Technologies, a business segment of Emerson, won the ‘Green Product’ Award at ACREX India 2015 for its Copeland R410A Large Commercial Scroll Compressors. The Copeland Scroll Residential Variable Speed Compressor was also recognised at the awards in the ‘Energy Savings’ category for its outstanding performance. According to the manufacturer, the new Copeland R410A Larger Commercial Scroll compressor opens the door to a widespread use of R410A for air-cooled as well as water-cooled chiller systems. This large commercial scroll compressor can be assembled in a wide range of Copeland qualified combinations, which is ideal for manufacturers who gain from increased flexibility in system design as well as inventory optimisation.
ASE recognises an innovative and patent pending technology
Danfoss has been named the 2015 recipient of the Alliance to Save Energy’s (ASE’s) Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency award, recognising the innovative success and potential of Danfoss Turbocor oil-free, magnetic bearing, variable speed centrifugal compressors on the commercial HVAC market. With a compact footprint and oil-free design that reduces maintenance needs and noise, Danfoss Turbocor compressors can improve chiller efficiency by up to 40% compared to a similarly sized fixed-speed screw chiller.
AQUAIR PREMIUM…
The Star of Energy Efficiency awards recognise outstanding and/or unique contributions to energy efficiency with demonstrated, quantifiable, cost-effective energy savings. According to an ASE report, Danfoss Turbocor Compressors has been transforming the commercial HVAC market with innovative technology that redefines lifetime operating costs for mid-range chiller and rooftop applications. Known as the pioneer and world leader in the oil-free centrifugal compressor product category, Danfoss’ Turbocor compressor has received numerous awards and international recognition with the introduction of the world’s first oil-free centrifugal in the TT Series. VTT (Variable Twin Turbo) is the model group name of the latest compressor innovation from Danfoss Turbocor Compressors. The VTT series of compressors will be available with nominal capacity ranges from 200 to 350 Tons for voltage applications between 380 to 460Volts as well as 575Volts and operates with R134a. These models are intended for water-cooled or evaporative cooled chiller applications reaching up to 1,000 Tons or more.
They are intended for commercial air conditioning or process cooling applications, which require a high efficiency solution. The compressors enable chiller manufacturers to meet the new ASHRAE 90.1-2015 efficiency standards by Path A and Path B. Based on proven TT series compressor technology, the VTT models are oil-free, variable-speed, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressors. They extend the stable operating envelope while simultaneously improving both full- and part-load efficiency. The VTT series of compressors is the first to introduce IntraFlow technology, an innovative and patent pending technology for improving compressor efficiency – and providing an extended stable operating range while simplifying capacity control. The new drive technology, which will be exclusive to the VTT series of compressors, is the result of integrated R&D efforts blending Danfoss’ extensive expertise and capabilities in high efficiency compressors and variable frequency drives for the HVAC industry. The VTT drive will have the superior reliability and performance that has come to be expected from Danfoss – in a small frame size made achievable only with refrigerant controlled heat removal.
The VTT compressors will also include newly developed control electronics capable of communicating via USB, Ethernet, and wireless. Other new features include USB drive data recording, shaft speed detection, motor & drive cooling and condensation protection.
These compressors will also have the capability to download firmware and configuration updates remotely – without requiring any hardware exchanges. Up to 35% energy savings (annually) is possible with use of oil-free variable speed compressors compared to equivalent fixed speed screw chiller.
Conclusion
With development of technology, environmental complications have grown manifold. However, it is pleasing to note that globally, all stake holders are continuously working to mitigate the menace of global environmental change. Although, the pace of innovations is supposed to accelerate, at this moment it’s more important to disseminate the new innovations and their benefits – so that the global user community can embrace the new technologies ASAP – and save our environment from further deterioration.
