Tobago Training in Hydrocarbon as a Refrigerant

The National Ozone Unit of Trinidad and Tobago would like to invite you to a FREE training in Hydrocarbon as a Refrigerant in Domestic and Commercial Refrigeration.  

Our local expertise, Flavorite are conducting the training in the use of Hydrocarbon as a refrigerant. It is open to all technicians, students and persons in the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Sector.  The training will be held at Crown Point Beach Hotel, Crown Point, Tobago, at 9:30 am to 1 pm. 

>> Please register early as space is limited by calling the number below or via e-mail:

 

National Stakeholder Consultations on the Proposed Refrigerant Labeling Standard for Trinidad and Tobago

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is inviting all companies and/or individuals involved in the retail, import, distribution and servicing of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment and/or refrigerant gases to an important meeting on the proposed refrigerant labeling standard for Trinidad and Tobago.

This meeting will be held on Monday 15^th July at 10:00 am at the compound of the TTBS, Century Drive, Macoya.

Monitoring Refrigerant Imports can Save the Earth!

On Thursday 27th June, 2013, an article entitled "Better monitoring of refrigerant imports: Can help save the Earth" featured in the Business Day section in the Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday Newspaper. The article  was co-written by Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Nadita Ramachala from the Standardisation Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS).

The article gives the public an overview of the global environmental phenomena of ozone depletion caused by emissions of ozone depleting substances (ODS) such as refrigerants in the atmosphere.  It also showcases the efforts made by the National Ozone Unit to protect the ozone layer and phase out ODS ensuring the that Trinidad and Tobago meets its obligations under the Montreal Protocol. 

It also highlights the collaboration of the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in regulating refrigerants being imported and sold in the country via the development of national standards for the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry.  This alliance will ensure the improvement of these products and services while helping to guide the phasing out of refrigerants classified as ODS. 

If you missed last week's article in the Newsday, check out the link below to view the full article:

Better monitoring of refrigerant imports: Can help save the Earth

Page 19, Business Day

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Newspaper

Hydrocarbon Sensitisation Training

The National Ozone Unit comprising Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer) and Ms. Neera Singh (Ozone Officer) held Hydrocarbon Sensitisation Training sessions over the month of August 2012. 

The dates and venues of the sessions included:

• August 6th and 10th, El Sororro
• August 7th, Macoya
• August 8th, Couva
• August 27th, San Fernando
• August 30th, Tobago 

A key obligation of Trinidad and Tobago under the Montreal Protocol is the phase-out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). To facilitate the phase out, the refrigeration and air conditioning sector needs to be properly trained in alternative refrigerants. This is set out in the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP)  for Trinidad and Tobago.

One of the alternative refrigerants currently being explored is hydrocarbon, which is considered to be a green refrigerant. It is non-ozone depleting and has a low global warming potential (GWP). However, hydrocarbon is a flammable substance and therefore, proper training is required for technicians to safely work with the refrigerant.

The sessions served to build awareness of the importance of training service technicians in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry to work with hydrocarbon systems. Mr Ruben Marchand (Hydrocarbon Expert) and Mr Vernon Ramjattan (School of Practical Air-Conditioning) were the trainers for the sessions. Stemming from these sessions, the way forward will be to begin training technicians to service systems utilising hydrocarbon as a refrigerant.                                                                                      

Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer) speaking at the Tobago Session

Technicians at the Hydrocarbon Sensitisation Session in San Fernando

Ozone Awareness at ABS

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) continues its education of the air-conditioning and refrigeration sector on the Montreal Protocol and the impending phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) scheduled to begin in January 2013, through its lectures and outreach activities. 

The NOU most recently conducted training and awareness raising at Abel Building Solutions (ABS) at its Mount Hope Offices for the entire engineering department including senior staff, technical professionals and procurement officers.

Attendees were informed about the phase out targets for HCFC as well as the elements of the HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) which include equipment provision, further training in good refrigeration practices, retrofitting of equipment, and the establishment of a certification programme for technicians.  

To learn more about ABS, you can visit the company's website.

From L-R: Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer), Mr. Adam Sabga (General Manager; ABS ) and Mr. Winfield Clamens (one of the founders the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association)

Training Sessions on Ozone Depleting Substances and Servicing Practices for the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Sector

The National Ozone Unit within the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), recently embarked on the distribution of 16 Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) recovery units and tanks to technicians and service companies in the Air Condition and Refrigeration Industry as well as, to schools that teach this discipline.

Two of these schools agreed to host one-day training sessions to ensure that the recovery units are used in a safe and responsible manner and that Ozone Depleting HCFC Gases are not vented into the atmosphere.  Lectures were given by the National Ozone Unit to kick-off the training sessions, on Ozone Depleting Substances and the importance of appropriate practices in servicing Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment and the protection of the Ozone Layer.

Locations:  National Energy Skills Centre (NESC), Point Lisas – January 24, 2012 and School Of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Palmiste – February 2, 2012

Facilitator:  Mr Vernon Ramjattan

Lecture:  Ozone Depleting Substances and the importance of proper practices in servicing refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment to protect the Ozone Layer – Dr. Marissa Gowrie (Deputy Environmental Manager of the EPPD/National Ozone Officer).

Purpose:  Training on the safe and responsible use of the recovery machines distributed to ensure that no ozone depleting refrigerant gases are vented into the atmosphere.

Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Unit Officer) and Technicians next to a recovery training model (including HCFC recovery Unit and tank) at the School Of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Palmiste.

 

Dr Gowrie lecturing at the NESC, Pt. Lisas