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

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

The National Ozone Unit within the EPPD, recently embarked on the distribution of 16 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/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.