REPORT ON HYDROCARBON REFRIGERANTS (HCs) TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR MEDICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS (METS)
GIZ (PROKLIMA)/NOU MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES & REGIONAL Development AUTHORITIES /REPORT ON HYDROCARBON REFRIGERANTS (HCs) TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR MEDICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS (METS) /
Venue: NATIONAL VACCINE CENTRE - MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH), KITENGELA Date:13TH – 18TH MARCH 2016 and 21ST – 24TH MARCH 2016 /
PREAMBLE
The three Days Workshop was conducted at the National Vaccine Centre in Kitengela under the Ministry of Health,Kajiado County, from Monday the 13th to Friday the 18th March 2016 and from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th March 2016. The Workshop was funded by the Multilateral Funding Agency, The German International Collaboration (GIZ,Proklima) Nairobi Office, in co-ordination and collaboration with the National Ozone Unit (NOU), Nairobi, of the Ministry of Environment,Natural Resources & Regional Authorities and the National Vaccine Centre of the Ministry of Health (MOH) under National Vaccination and Immunization Program
The course was facilitated mainly by Mr EdwardKamauof Nairobi Technical Training Instituteand Mr. Joseph Rugut of Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK)
INTRODUCTION
Hydrocarbon refrigerants, though having been used in the early years, are now seen as a viable and low cost alternative for domestic and smallcommercial refrigeration appliances in the phasing out of Hydro Chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) refrigerants. Hydrocarbons (HCs) refrigerants are the most environmentally friendly commercial technology option available today. Blends ofhydrocarbon refrigerants can be used as drop-in solutions for R 22 and R134a refrigeration systems, but the presentworking practices in production and servicing the new systems will have to be improved under safety aspects only.
Precaution with respect to the flammability of the hydrocarbon refrigerant during servicing procedures has to be considered very carefully.
Group Photographs session 1 and 2
PURPOSE
There is need to observe the Montreal Protocol in terms of protecting the Ozone layer, by reducing and controlling the use of the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), that have adverse effects on the Ozone due to their high Ozone Depleting Potentiality (ODP) and Global Warming Potentiality (GWP), which leads to high global temperatures. In so doing, we may revert towards a Greener World, by helping the Ozone layer reconstitute itself with time, if only we used compounds that do not exhibit these characteristics.
The Workshop intended to bring awareness, acceptance and adoption of safe use and good practices, with the latest and safest Hydrocarbons (HCs) refrigerants and equipment to the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Trainees so that they can disseminate the same new Technologies to others by organizing in house training in their respective workshops and places they are employed.
Extensive Theoretical and Practical sessions were intended to build confidence to theTrainees so that they couldembrace theNew Technologies on HCs Refrigerants while using related Tools and equipment.
Concern on HCs Refrigerants flammability were highlighted and addressed comprehensively regarding how to handle, store and carry out conversions of systems from Ozone Depleting Substances refrigerants to Non depleting substances and those affecting the climate change (GWP substances)
Class in session
ACTIVITIES
In order to impart these new knowledge and skills the workshop was organised to include sessions of Theoretical, with frequent class demonstrations, and Practical hands-on in a workshop situation, In a three days schedule for each group(APPENDIX 1), in line with previous trainings that have taken place in the country, training some of the Technicians in the company.
The workshop practical in METwere held at theworkshop while the conference was held at the Conference Hall. Meals were served at the Main Restaurant of the conference centre.
The Training was officially opened by theDr. Maree of the National Vaccine and Immunization Program (Kenya). Other officials present included Dr.Mutie, Dr.Charo, Engineers in the Centre and the GIZ Administrator Madam Josephine Mutero.
The key areas of training were on the following
- The Montreal Protocol and Ozone depletion
- Refrigerants preview and Refrigerant Phase out schedule (HPMP)
- Alternative refrigerants
- Hydrocarbons (HCs) refrigerants and their properties
- Safe handling and storage of HCs
- Tubing connections by brazing and use of non-flame methods – Lokring Technology
- CFC, HCFC and HCF conversions to HCs (R290 & R600a)
- Good repair Practices.
- Class room demonstration of Refrigeration Technologies and Tools
- Workshop practices on Brazing, Lokring Technology
- Recovery, Evacuation and Charging.
- Practical conversion of R134a into R600a and R290
- Area on Vaccine coaching (handled by MET Engineers)
Practical sessions in the workshop
CONCLUSION REMARK
The workshop was a great success in that the trainees were keen and focused in their objectives which were positively achieved.
As a way of improving the programme and in order to make the Montreal Protocol a reality the trainees made recommendations which were envisaged to have realistic objectives.
- There is need for more training on HCs and new technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning,
- More time is required for the Training especially on Practical
- More training on the conversion of cold storages and Air Conditioners
- Request for refrigeration tools specifically Lokring system and recovery machines from GIZ Proklima at reduced prices to all the Counties in the Country
RECOMMENDATIONS
- The training be conducted to other Technicians in the Counties as only one person was selected to attend the training
- GIZ to sponsor Technicians for training abroad.
- More Equipment be availed for training centres like MET and in County Hospitals
APPENDEX 1
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
NATIONAL VACCINES AND IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME (NVIP)
METS TRAINING ON COLD CHAIN EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT, 13TH TO 18TH MARCH 2016 AND 21ST TO 24TH MARCH 2016 TIMETABLE.
VENUE: KITENGELA NATIONAL VACCINE STORE
DAY 1
TIME / ACTIVITY / FACILITATOR8:00am – 8:30am / Registration, Opening prayers, Introduction, Norms & Expectations / Catherine
8:30am – 8:45am / Opening Remarks – MOH / Dr. Maree
8:45am – 8:55am / MEWMR Remarks
8:55am – 9:05am / GIZ Proklima Remarks
9:05am – 9:20am / Aim and objectives of the National Vaccines and Immunization Programme and Training Objectives / Dr. Mutie
9:20am – 9:35am / Overview of the concept of Vaccine Cold Chain System / Dr. Charo
9:35am – 10:00am / Aims of the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances / MEWMR
10:00am – 10:15am / Pre-course test / GIZ/MOH
10:15am – 10:45 am / Principles of refrigeration
Refrigeration Categorization and their properties / GIZ
10:45am – 11:00am / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
11:00am – 11:30am / Refrigeration Tools, Instruments and Equipment / MOH/GIZ
11:30am – 12:00am / Refrigeration Recovery, Recycle and Reclaim / GIZ
12:00am – 1:15pm / Introduction to hydrocarbon refrigerants / GIZ
1:15pm – 2:15 pm / LUNCH BREAK / ALL
2:15pm – 3:30pm / Brazing and pressure Testing using Nitrogen gas (OFDN) - Practical / GIZ
3:30pm – 3:45pm / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
3:45pm – 5:00pm / Good repair practices (Demonstration/Practical) / GIZ
DAY 2
TIME / ACTIVITY / FACILITATOR8:00am – 8:30am / Recap of Day1
8:30am – 8:45am / Cold Chain equipment used in Kenya / Catherine
8:45am – 9:45am / Temperature monitoring / George
9:45am – 10:45am / Introduction to Absorption refrigeration / Mutangili
10:45am – 11:15 am / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
11:15am – 11:45am / Parts Identification and fault finding on Dometic RCW 50 EG / Mutangili
11:45am – 12:30pm / Safety in CCE maintenance / Catherine
12:30pm – 1:00pm / Maintenance of absorption refrigerators / Catherine
1:00pm – 2:00pm / LUNCH BREAK / ALL
2:00pm – 4:00pm / Parts Identification, fault finding and repair of Dometic RCW 50 EG (Practical) / Wachira
4:00pm – 4:15pm / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
4:15pm - 5:00pm / Practical
DAY 3
TIME / ACTIVITY / FACILITATOR8:00am – 8:30am / Recap of Day2
8:30am – 10:00am
10.00 am – 11. 00 am / Introduction to compression refrigeration
Maintenance of compression systems / GIZ
11:00am – 11:30am / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
11:30am – 12:30am / Parts Identification and fault finding on Dometic TCW 3000 AC and Vestfrost MK144 / Mutangili
12:30am – 1:00pm / Safe use of Hydrocarbon refrigerants (R600a, R290) / GIZ
1:00pm – 2:00pm / LUNCH BREAK / ALL
2:00pm – 2:30pm / Hydrocarbon conversion from R12/ R134a/ R22 (demonstration) / GIZ
2:30pm – 4.00pm / System conversion to Hydrocarbon refrigerants use – Practical with TCW 3000AC/MK144 / MOH /GIZ
4:00pm – 4:15pm / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
4:15pm – 5:00pm / Maintenance of compression refrigerators -
Practical / MOH/GIZ
DAY 4
TIME / ACTIVITY / FACILITATOR8:00am – 8:30am / Recap of Day3
8:30am – 10:30am / Solar Photovoltaics – PV theory, installation, support structure and lighting protection / David
10:30am – 11:00am / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
11:00am – 12:00am / Introduction to Solar Direct Drive (SDD) refrigeration / David
12:00am – 1:00pm / Design and operation of Dulas VC200SDD / David
1:00pm – 2:00pm / LUNCH BREAK / ALL
2:00pm – 4:00pm / Fault finding and maintenance of SDD refrigerators / David/MOH
4:00pm – 4:15pm / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
4:15pm – 5:15pm / Practical lesson – Vestfrost MKS 044 / MOH/THS
Day 5
TIME / ACTIVITY / FACILITATOR8:00am – 8:30am / Recap of Day 4
8:30am – 10:30am / Introduction to Walk-in cold rooms (WCR) and walk-in freezer rooms (WFR) / Mutangili
10:30am – 11:00am / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
11:00am – 12:00am / Maintenance of a cold room (PPM) / MOH/GIZ
12:00am – 12:45pm / Introduction to Standby generators and PPM for generators / Mutangili/Wachira
12:45pm – 1:00pm / Post-test, / MOH /GIZ
1:00pm – 2:00pm / LUNCH BREAK / ALL
2:00pm – 4:00pm / Cold Chain Equipment (CCE) and Data Management (Roles and Responsibilities of CC technicians, CC Equipment Inventory, Management of CCE) / George/Catherine
4:00pm – 4:15pm / HEALTH BREAK / ALL
4:15pm – 5:00pm / Plenary and Closing ceremony / MOH
5:00pm / Departure
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