Page 6 - Climate Control News magazine Oct-Nov 2022

News
Ammonia plant upgrade delivers big energy savings
IN A REFRIGERATION PROJECT UPGRADE AT JIM BARRY WINES, PLANT DECISIONS FOCUSSED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY RIESLING PRODUCTION AND ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL IS a critical parameter in quality wine production and is especially important in South Australian winer- ies due to the warm climate.
Refrigeration addresses this need but it is often the largest consumer of electricity in Australian wineries, typically accounting for 50 to 70 per cent of total electricity use, highlight- ing the critical need for environmental impact to be included in the decision making process.
Foreseeing a rise in Riesling demand, Jim Barry Wines decided to upgrade their refrigeration plant, seeking advice from Cold Logic, Australia’s largest provider of refrigeration to the wine sector.
Cold Logic partner Eddie Lane, said the com- pany is passionate about helping clients improve their efficiencies and environmental impact.
“We aspire to minimise impacts on the envi- ronment through actively promoting the use of natural refrigerants, those that actually
benefit the environment rather than harming it,” he said.
“At the same time we also try to minimise the electrical energy consumed by refrigeration systems.
“Ammonia refrigeration is the most efficient refrigerant in industrial applications with a very high COP (coefficient of performance) effi- ciency factor.”
As a refrigerant ammonia is 100 per cent envi- ronmentally friendly with a zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) factor and zero Ozone Depleting Factor.
For Jim Barry Wines ammonia was the most energy efficient system and environmentally friendly option.
Lane said the ammonia plant was designed and assembled at Cold Logic’s Port Adelaide factory and took into account future growth at the winery.
ABOVE: Eddie Lane and Tom Barry celebrate a successful upgrade.
The system can service a 4000 tonne crush and whole bunch pressing of 15 tonnes of Riesling a day.
Jim Barry Wines general manager, Tom Barry said the company is concerned about climate change and felt they had a responsibility to act.
“We are extremely aware of our responsi- bilities surrounding sustainability and achieving our end goal of being carbon neu- tral,” Barry said.
“We estimate that we have achieved around 30 per cent in energy savings in just its first year of operation.”
Bill strengthens ozone protection
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has intro- duced a bill to parliament which will provide stronger measures to reduce Australia’s green- house gas emissions.
The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Reform (Closing the Hole in the Ozone Layer) Bill 2022 will modernise and streamline Australia’s laws to
Parliament House, Canberra.
manage ozone depleting substances and syn- thetic greenhouse gases.
Australia’s ozone legislation controls the import and use of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases which are commonly used in refrigeration and air condi- tioning, fire protection, aerosols and insulat- ing foam.
The control and phase-out of ozone gases stems from the highly successful Montreal Protocol which was ratified by Australia in 1989.
Some ozone depleting chemi- cals to be managed by the legisla- tion are also synthetic greenhouse gases, primarily hydrofluorocar- bons (HFCs), which are thou- sands of times more potent than carbon dioxide.
HFCs make up only two per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas
emissions but their use is growing rapidly because of increasing demand for air conditioning.
The government is working closely with industry to phase down the use of HFCs by 85 per cent between 2018-2036.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, said after years of delay on climate policy Australians are asking for real action. “
“By working together, across national boundaries, we can move away from refriger- ants that damage our shared environment,” she said.
“The Montreal Protocol provides concrete proof that global cooperation can heal the planet. It is the world’s most successful inter- national environmental treaty.”
As part of the phase down Australia is com- mitted to assisting neighbours in the Pacific offering technician training and providing information about managing the transition to newer gases and equipment to reduce emissions.
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