⎪ Products and industry news ⎪
Cutting corners on HVAC leaves operators in the heat Booyco Engineering, a specialist Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of HVAC systems with over 40 years of experience in demanding sectors, is sounding the alarm on the risks of relying solely on kilowatt ratings when selecting HVAC solutions.
and T3, these classifications establish clear parameters for how equipment is expected to perform under various thermal conditions. “Temperature class standards exist to guide the design, testing and validation of systems for specific environments,” Spies explains. “The materials, cooling capacities and componentry of a T3-class HVAC system, for example, are engineered to handle far harsher conditions than those of a T1-class system. This makes a significant difference in high-temperature mining environments, where system failure is not just inconvenient but can compromise safety and productivity.” “Our air conditioning systems are ISO 5151 T3-rated, meaning they are designed to operate in ambient temperatures of at least 46°C, unlike many competitor systems, which are ISO 5151 T1-rated for just 35°C ambient temperatures,” says Spies. “This higher rating ensures our products maintain the speci- fied performance in extremely demanding environments. A system designed for T1 temperatures will not deliver the necessary cooling in T3 conditions, leaving the operator exposed to hazardous conditions.” Spies emphasises that cutting costs at the procurement stage by opting for a cheaper system based on kW rating alone can end up
Brenton Spies, Managing Director at Booyco Engineering, highlights a growing trend where specifiers and procurement de - partments are using only an HVAC system’s kW rating as a benchmark for selection. While this may seem like a straightforward ap- proach, it often leads to complications on site, becoming apparent only once the equipment is installed and in full operation on a mobile mining machine. “Not all HVAC systems with the same kilowatt rating are created equal,” says Spies. “We are encountering cases where a unit is rejected for being ‘too expensive’ compared to other products with the same kW rating, only for the customer to discover later that the chosen system cannot cope with the site’s actual ambient conditions.” The underlying issue, he explains, is that many buyers overlook critical international standards, ISO 5151, which defines the temperature classes to which HVAC systems are engineered. Known in the industry as T1
Booyco Engineering warns that relying solely on kilowatt ratings when specifying HVAC systems can lead to underperformance in high- temperature mining environments. costing operators far more in the long run. Unsuitable HVAC systems not only underper- form in extreme conditions, but they are also more likely to suffer premature wear and re- quire frequent maintenance or replacement. He urges those responsible for specifying HVAC systems, particularly for mobile min- ing and earthmoving equipment, to consider environmental conditions and the applicable temperature classes as a fundamental part of the selection process. With climate conditions becoming increasingly extreme, especially in remote and open-pit mining environments, ensuring that HVAC units are fit for purpose is more critical than ever. www.booyco.co.za commissioning and diaphragm replacement significantly simpler and quicker. Furthermore, the diaphragm with a bayo- net pin facilitates diaphragm replacement, while the new diaphragm technology offers greater safety and precision in plants. Due to the new seal system with fixed chambering, the natural setting behaviour of the dia- phragm is controlled, making it unnecessary to retighten the diaphragm. The optimised rolling behaviour of the diaphragm provides better controllability and ensures low stress on the diaphragm, allowing maintenance intervals to be optimised for specific applica - tions. The new body design not only saves weight but also provides a high and homoge- neous flow characteristics. This enables the GEMÜ D41, as well as the already released GEMÜ D40 diaphragm valve, to achieve up to 100% higher flow capacity values (Kv). The GEMÜ D41 diaphragm valve, featur- ing EasyLock technology, is a part of the LEAP generation of innovative products, which also includes: the D40 high-performance, pneu- matic diaphragm valve; the S40 pneumatic globe valve, the P40, an efficient tank bot - tom valve, the 12A0, an intelligent electrical position indicator, and the GEMÜ 44A0, a multi-functional combi switchbox. leap.gemu-group.com
GEMÜ D41 diaphragm valve with EasyLock Valve manufacturer GEMÜ, the global market leader in valves, measurement and control systems for sterile applications, has devel- oped a valve as part of its new product gen- eration. The GEMÜ D41 diaphragm valve features EasyLock technology.
This enables maintenance in seconds, reduces complexity and makes handling diaphragm valves significantly easier. The pneumatically operated GEMÜ D41 diaphragm valve is specifically designed
for use in aseptic manufactur- ing environments. The sealing concept of the valve is based on the newly developed GEMÜ diaphragm, which hermetically separates the actuator from the working medium. GEMÜ D41 with EasyLock technology is installed entirely without loose components via a central gearbox. The GEMÜ D41 diaphragm valve, featuring EasyLock tech- nology, is easy to handle, safe to use, and effective in its process. valve, featuring EasyLock tech for use in aseptic manufactur
EasyLock technology offers not only more reliable instal- lation, but also even com- pression of the diaphragm. The actuator is fixed to the body via a bayonet fitting and then centrally tensioned via a gearbox, entirely without any loose components. This makes actuator mounting and disassembly,
The GEMÜ D41 diaphragm valve features EasyLock technology, enabling maintenance in seconds.
November-December 2025 • MechChem Africa ¦ 41
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