RETA Breeze Sep-Oct 2022

RETA BREEZE

REFRIGERATING ENGINEERS & TECHNICIANS ASSOCIATION

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022

See you in Reno THE CONFERENCE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Economized Suction

BREEZE

The RETA Breeze is the official publication of the Refrigerating

Engineers & Technicians Association (RETA). RETA is an international not for-profit association whose mission is to enhance the professional development of industrial refrigeration operating and technical engineers. Don Chason Executive Editor 704-455-3551 Jim Barron Executive Director

Economized Suction

jim@reta.com Sara Louber Senior Director, Office Operations

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Epic Fails

sara@reta.com Stephanie Date Events Manager stephanie@reta.com Harry Wilkins Certification Manager harry@reta.com Dan Denton Chapter Relations Liaison ddenton@reta.com Vince Grindel Education Coordinator vince@reta.com

Message FromThe President........... 4 Message From the Executive Director............................ 6 RETA Chapters Are The Lifeline. ... 8 Economized Suction....................... 10

Management of Change ...................... 20 Introduction to freezer floors........ 24 RETA Testing Corner No. 32 Passing the Exam ................................ 26 In Memoriam Dallas Matthew “Matt” Bowles ........... 28 SocialLink. ....................................... 29 Certification..................................... 30 Honor Roll

Education Corner The conference is just

around the corner ............................... 12 RETA HQ is pleased to announce Harry Wilkins as the new RETA Certification Manager! . ................. 18

The information in this publication is based on the collective experience of industry engineers and technicians. Although the information is intended to be comprehensive and thorough, it is subject to change. The Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association expressly disclaims any warranty of fitness for a particular application, as well as all claims for compensatory, consequential or other damages arising out of or related to the uses of this publication. Publication of advertisements in Breeze , or any other RETA publication, does not constitute endorsement of any products, services or advertisers by RETA and shall not be considered or represented by advertiser as such. Copyright © 2022 Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association.

REFRIGERATING ENGINEERS & TECHNICIANS ASSOCIATION 1725 Ferry St. SW, Albany, OR 97322 Telephone: 541.497.2955 | Fax: 541.497.2966 RETA.com

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2021-22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Aer Teale, CARO, CRST Lineage Logistics PRESIDENT Keith Harper, CARO Tyson Foods Inc

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Bengie Branham, CIRO, RAI SCS Engineers TREASURER Michael Hawkins, CARO Midatlantic Refrigeration, LLC SECOND VICE PRESIDENT David Gulcynski, CIRO Dot Foods Inc. DIRECTORS Alan Gervais, CARO, CIRO Western Precooling Systems Andrew Palomar, CARO APCCO Bill Lape, CARO, CIRO, CRST SCS Engineers Debbie Koske Calibration Technologies, Inc. Edward Johnson, CARO

CHANGE Change is in the air. It’s fall again, the weather is cooling down, the leaves are changing, and it is time for RETA Conference! I am looking forward to seeing many dear friends and meeting new people. RETA is a beloved organiza tion, and many of us would like for it to never change. I would be fine to continue to see the same wonderful people that I have come to know and love year after year after year. But I know that is unrealistic. Things change. One of the changes that must take place is bringing new people into the RETA family—new faces and new ideas to help us remain relevant to a changing workplace. Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher said, “The only constant in life is change.” Josh Lee, one of my RETA friends from the Northwest Arkansas RETA chapter has used as his e-mail signature tagline another quote from Heraclitus. Josh’s signature tagline used to be: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” The physical circumstances of the world we live in are in a constant state of change, but so are we. We must change, even if we don’t want to. Certainly, sometimes we don’t want to change. It seems to me like I am fast approaching the age where it is harder to change. I find that I am much more resistant to change. Either that, or I am getting old enough that I don’t remem ber how resistant to change I was in the

Schwans Global Supply Chain, Inc. Gordon Rascoe, Jr, CIRO, CRST, RAI ConAgra Brands Jeff Lublin Kolbi Pipe Marker Co. JeremyMurfin AC & R Specialists Jim Kovarik Ricky Jimenez, CIRO Mericle Mechanical Inc Victor Dearman, Jr. Peco Foods, Inc COMMITTEE CHAIRS Certification: Lee Pyle, CARO SCS Tracer Environmental Education: Eric Girven, CIRO, CRST, RAI SCS Tracer Environmental Marketing: Dascha Whitmore Stellar Membership: Michael Hawkins, CARO Midatlantic Refrigeration, LLC National Conference: Jim Kovarik Gamma Graphics Services Publications: Ed Johnson, CARO Gamma Graphics Services Raymond Urban, CARO Lineage Logistics

Keith Harper, RETA National President

past. I love RETA just the way it is. I also realize that if you desire to get better, change is required. The workplace has changed. The relationship that exists between employees and employers is very different than what existed when I entered the workforce years ago. Today, due to labor shortages, workers have the upper hand. It is common for people to change jobs and even change careers many times. This too will change in years to come. As employers grapple with increasing labor costs, they look to automation, the way that they looked to outsourcing labor in the past. RETA’s role in an increasingly automated workplace is centered squarely on the technical worker. As things change, we

Schwans Global Supply Chain Executive Director: Jim Barron

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will still be developing materials to educate those who operate and maintain those automated systems. We will still be developing Certification and testing to validate the knowledge of those same individuals. Our challenge is to remain relevant to the worker of the future. To accomplish that, we must be ready and willing to change and adapt to the needs of the workplace of the future.

Josh changed. He changed roles—he was promoted from a Refrigeration Manager to a Refrigeration Trainer. He also changed his e-mail tagline, and I really like his new tagline. Now it reads: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin. That is a profound truth that teachers and instruc tors of adult learners must know and understand.

You know, I guess change can be good. When things change, we need to change in response.

Keith Harper RETA National President

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FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello RETA Family,

RETA-TI • REDWHITEandCOOL (Transitioning Military and Veterans) • WiNR (Women in Natural Refrigeration) • YAYA (Youth and Young Adults) We need your help in saving our industry. We are open to conversations and suggestions. And we really need your volunteerism. Please contact any RETA staff member when you see us at conference or call RETA HQ at 541-497-2955. On another note, and speaking of conference, here we are at that time of year again. Its well into fall and we at RETA are working diligently getting ready for our RETA Superbowl. We are looking forward in seeing each one of you at our annual family reunion aka the RETA National Conference. We have a jammed pack educational venue along with our annual business meeting and awards banquet. This year we have added awards for our exhibitors to be announced at the awards banquet. As always please be safe in your travels and God Bless you All,

Did you know that the industrial refrigeration industry has a major shortfall of qualified operators and technicians worldwide? What are we doing about it? Well to start, RETA has the only ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) certification body for CARO, CIRO, CRST in the world! The RETA National Board is working with the RETA Training Institute Board on development of online training for transitioning military and veterans as part of the REDWHITEandCOOL program. The purpose behind this is to train as many entry level transitioning military and veterans as we can to get them working in our industry. How can you help? You may help by donating to the RETA Training Institute which adds you to the we want to hire list. As we get these individuals trained and certified in CARO we will have a list of resumes for you to choose from. These folks will want to be placed all over the United States. Another way you may help is to volunteer for a RETA or RETA -TI committee, we need volunteers for all of them.

RETA • Future Board positions

Jim Barron

• Publications • Membership • Education • Certification

• Marketing • Conference • Spanish Translations

Jim Barron RETA Executive Director

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RETA CHAPTERS ARE THE LIFELINE

R ETA Chapters are the lifeline of your RETA membership and the entire association. During the recent bout with the pandemic, activities temporarily screeched to a halt, hence no in-person educa tional meetings, etc. Through the minds at hand, virtual formatting exploded to become first in line to continue delivering our education messages and more. RETA delivered its first virtual Conference in 2020 with favorable results. But even with that option, many Chapters did not meet and are still not making the RETA mission top priority. RETA wants the Chapters to be continue being cohesive and to remain successful. It’s always an exciting day when a charter is requested to become a Chapter. It is up to RETA National and Chapter staff to share the latest tools to keep your Chapter moving forward. The following is an explanation and the foundation to form a RETA Chapter and is vital for all current and future leaders to stay focused whether you are a twenty-year old Chapter or a one-year old Chapter. It is important to maintain a strong foundation through all endeavors.

Why is forming a RETA Chapter viable? Chapters may be formed when three or more people come together in like mind to: 1. Provide or receive education, theoretical and practical – to experience discussions and presentations that relate to their situation. 2. To access technical information through peer-to-peer interaction. 3. To become a part of something larger than themselves. 4. To build resources through acquaintance with engineers and others engaged in the same field – to learn from others. 5. To bring a sense of community within their local industry through fellowship and relationship building. 6. To be personally involved in meeting the Association’s Mission Statement. How to Form a New Chapter The following specific steps for forming a Chapter may be used as a guideline to help interested parties get the process going. 1. Get interested parties together with these guidelines to find out if there is enough interest to start a RETA Chapter. A casual lunch is a good place to begin. 2. Review this guide once it is determined

that there is a desire for a Chapter in your area. 3. Make the decision to hold a meeting locally, inviting as many individuals from industry as contact information can be obtained. 4. Contact RETA HQ about your intentions. There may be RETA members At-Large in your area who might be interested in learning of the organizing efforts and would want to become members of your Chapter. Posting flyers at companies where parts are picked up and passing the information by word of mouth. 5. Secure a RETA speaker. There are RETA speakers throughout the United States. This could be any RETA member who is comfortable in front of a group sharing their experience of how they have benefited from their RETA membership. A great idea for a speaker is a member of the National Board. If there is no one in your area, contact RETA HQ for sugges tions. 6. Email an invitational letter to companies and even regulatory entities that might pass the word along to their employees. The RETA overview with Chapter Listing is available through RETA HQ along with

organizational literature to give to potential members. Frequently, companies that are interested in

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participating in this type of association will sponsor meals.

7. Be sure to bring this guideline to this meeting; interested people will want to see what it’s all about. It’s also a good idea to bring a couple of the RETA course books and copies of the RETA Breeze and Technical Report to give people a better idea of what the benefits are of being a member. Have a supply of membership application forms on hand so people can join right away or let them know they can visit www.reta.com to complete the membership process online. Those who are going to serve as charter members and Chapter officers need to be RETA members in good standing. 8. Have a good time learning and educating yourselves by working together. Any questions and comments may be submitted to Dan Denton, Chapter Relations at ddenton@reta.com or via phone at 541-497-2955 or mail to RETA HQ, 1725 Ferry St SW, Albany, OR 97322.

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ECONOMIZED SUCTION

History The first successful economizer design was used to increase the steam-raising efficiency of the boilers of stationary steam engines. It was patented by Edward Green in 1845, and since then has been known as Green’s economiser. Modern day boilers, such as those in coal-fired power stations, are still fitted with economizers which are descendants of Green’s original design. In this context

they are often referred to as feedwater heaters and heat the condensate from turbines before it is pumped to the boilers. Years later another use of the term

occurs in industrial refrigeration, specifically vapor-compression

refrigeration. The economizer concept is linked to subcooling as the condensed liquid line temperature is usually higher than that on the evaporator, making it a good place to apply the notion of increasing efficiencies

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Refrigeration The Economizer Suction is a side port strategically placed between the suction and discharge of a compressor. The purpose for the Economizer Suction port is to accept small heat loads primarily off a subcooling device often referred to as an Economizer. The Economizer is placed between the condenser and the evaporator. This can be a plate and frame or shell and tube heat exchanger. This is done to subcool the liquid feeding the evaporator using pressure differential, which yields a better refrigerating effect in the evaporator due to less flash gas being developed at the point of expansion. The way it typically works is the High Pressure, High Temperature Saturated Liquid leaves the condenser where a portion of the liquid passes through an expansion valve dropping both pressure and temperature, while the High-Pressure warm liquid passes though the remaining heat exchanger. (Warm liquid passes through one set of plates while cooler liquid passes through the opposite plates). The Low Pressure, Low Temperature liquid removes heat from the High Pressure, High Temperature liquid without effecting the pressure effectively subcooling the liquid feeding the evaporator. The heat exchange causes some of the liquid to evaporate. The vapor generated from the heat exchange at the Economizer is drawn into the side port (Economizer Suction) of the compressor. The subcooler (Economizer) is maintained at an intermediate pressure by the placement of the economizer suction port entering part way up the compression chamber. The evaporators

that are being fed by the subcooled liquid leaving the economizer can run at a lower temperature because of where the vapor leaving the evaporator enters the compressor. The vapor leaving the evaporator enters through the main suction port of the compressor where a much larger volume of vapor can be compressed giving you a variety of options in regard to temperature and pressure. Utilizing economized suction ports allows you to handle small and large loads utilizing only one compressor reducing the Kw demand on the low side of the system as well as the high side of the system. This is a much deeper topic than what was covered, and this was only meant to be an introduction to economized suction not an all-inclusive detailed description. The way it typically works is the High Pressure, High-Temperature Saturated

Liquid leaves the condenser (b) where it is then split. A portion of the liquid (m1) passes through an expansion valve dropping both pressure and temperature (e), while the remaining High-Pressure warm liquid (m2) passes though the heat exchanger. The warm liquid passes through one set of plates while cooler liquid passes through the opposite plates. This heat exchange causes some of the warmer liquid to evaporate (m1) where it enters the economizer suction port (f ) which is strategically placed between the main suction and discharge ports of the compressor. In the next issue of the RETA BREEZE, I will expand on the subject in more detail. If you have any more information in regard to economized suction and want to include them in my next article, please email me at harry@reta.com.

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CONFERENCE CORNER

By Stephanie Date, RETA Marketing & Events Manager THE CONFERENCE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

With less than a month before we see you all again, we are in the final prepping stages of the 2022 RETA National Conference in Reno, Nevada. The 2022 Conference will not only offer relevant educational Technical Topics, Manufacturing Sessions, Hands-On, Hot Points but we also have some great Workshops lined up: The Operators Challenge, Management of Change, WiNR Professional Development, and an oldie but goodie, Epic Fails! Networking opportunities such as WiNR Happy Hour Networking event and Chapter Leaders Reception will surely connect you while learning more about the programs.

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You will not want to miss our Evening Night Out event at the National Automobile Museum. Hitch a ride on the provided transportation and join us for a fast filled night cruisin’ the museum’s beauties while rubbing elbows with the rest of the RETA Family. You can race around the streets looking at the classic cars or make a pit stop for a little food. Remember to come to a complete stop and have some fun before heading down the one-way street for some refreshments. No reversing or U-turns and make sure to yield to our RETA sponsors!

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Awards Night at the RETA National Conference will be fun, exciting and a little different! Not only do we have fun, on-stage entertain ment and a casino night afterward, but we are also introducing the First Annual Exhibitor & Sponsor Awards. That right! The opportunity you’ve all been waiting for. We know that the RETA National Confer ence could not happen without your continued support through exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities and now, it’s time to be recognized, on stage! Attendees will receive a ballot at registration and vote onsite at Conference. Winners will be announced at Awards Night, Thursday, November 10th. Don’t forget to select that you’re attending the Awards Night when you register for Conference!

Did you know you can get involved and be a part of the team that makes the Conference successful? It’s true. The RETA Conference has many volunteer opportunities:

• Conference Committee Member • Onsite Session Moderator • Conference Speaker & Presenter • Onsite Event Setup • Registration Support • Onsite Volunteering For more information and to get involved, contact Stephanie Date at stephanie@ reta.com or by calling 541-497-2977.

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Don’t forget to save the date for RETA 2023! If you missed the opportunity to sponsor and/or exhibit for this year, don’t worry! We will have opportunities for 2023. REGISTER TODAY! If you have not registered yet, now is the time! Please register at https://reta.com/ page/2022-conference-register.

BOOK YOUR ROOM TODAY! Continue on and book your rooms with the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino through our online portal or by calling them directly at (800) 648-6992. Remember to mention RETA 2022 National Conference to receive the negotiated group room rate.

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As always, the success of this event is not possible without the continued support of our generous Sponsors, Exhibitors, Conference Committee, Volunteers, RETA HQ Staff and Board of Directors.

See you in RENO!

Stephanie Date Event Manager

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RETA HQ IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE HARRY WILKINS AS THE NEW RETA CERTIFICATION MANAGER!

Harry started his career in the refrigeration field in 1998. Beginning at Eastman Chemical Company, where he worked his way up to Lead Operator and Instructor. In 2010 he accepted the Provisions/Gobbler. In 2018 he took a position at Rich Products as a Level-III Technician. While at Rich Products, he earned his RETA CARO Certification and later that same year, he earned his RETA CIRO Certification. From there he took a position as an instructor at Wagner-Meinert, LLC. In 2019 he earned his RETA CRST Refrigeration and Maintenance Supervisor position for Dakota

certification. In 2021 he went on to achieve his RETA Authorized Instructor (RAI) credential. As a longtime RETA member, Harry also served on the RETA Education Committee. In August of 2022 he joined RETA HQ staff as the Certification Manager, where he is very excited to start this new adventure. Harry can be reached at 541-497-2955 or harry@reta.com.

Please join us in welcoming Harry!

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EPIC FAILS

MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE

By Bill Lape, SCS Engineers

It happens to everyone. We miss a detail that mucks up the works. In this edition of Epic Fails, we will look at a failure to manage a change fully. In this example, we have an upblast fan that was installed in 2016 to provide emergency ventilation for a small machinery room. IIAR2-2014, which was the current edition when this project was planned and executed, stated: 6.14.7.1 *Emergency mechanical ventilation systems shall provide not less than 30 air changes per hour based on the gross machinery room volume. The emergency ventilation system shall be permitted to include temperature control ventilation fans that meet the requirements of Section 6.14.3.7 and Section 6.14.6.3, Item 2. Note that IIAR2-2021 has the same requirement for emergency exhaust rate. The machinery room volume is 9690 ft³. At 30 air changes per hour, this requires an exhaust rate of 4845 CFM. To limit the temperature to the maximum of mechanical ventilation design capacity shall be the volume required to limit the room dry bulb temperature to 104°F (40°C), taking into account the ambient heating effect of machinery in the room and with the make-up air entering the room at a 1% design dry 104°F as required by IIAR2-2014. 6.14.6.1 *Temperature control

Figure 1: Fan Submittal

bulb temperature. The emergency ventilation system shall be permitted to be used to supplement temperature control ventilation, and vice versa. EXCEPTION: A reduced temperature control ventilation rate shall be permitted where a means of cooling is provided or room electrical equipment and wiring is designed to accommodate temperatures exceeding a dry bulb temperature of

104°F (40°C), in accordance with UL listings and the Electrical Code. IIAR2-2021 makes a change to this paragraph as follows: *Temperature control mechanical ventilation design capacity shall be the volume required to limit the room dry bulb temperature to 104°F (40°C), taking into account the ambient heating effect of machinery in the room and with the make-up air

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Figure 2: Fan Catalog

RETA.com 21

entering the room at the annual 1% design dry bulb temperature. This change was to provide clarity to the required values. For our purposes here, it makes no difference. A review of the motors in the room, gives a required exhaust rate to limit the temperature rise to 104°F of 7680 CFM. If we review the submittal sheet for the fan in Figure 1, we see that this model is capable of 6000 CFM, more than enough for the required emergency ventilation rate, but not enough to limit the temperature rise in the room properly. Since this was the only fan to be installed in the machinery room, it does not meet the requirements of IIAR2. Another requirement in IIAR2 is that the fan motor must be of the totally enclosed type if it is in the airstream or IIAR2-2014 and IIAR2-2021. Since the motor on this fan is on top of the fan unit outside of the air stream, the ODP type motor called out in the submittal is acceptable. Let’s look at the construction of the fan unit. IIAR2-2014 stated that, 6.14.3.6 Machinery room exhaust fans, regardless of function, shall be equipped with non-sparking blades. In the 2021 edition of IIAR2, this was updated to state 6.14.3.5 Emergency exhaust fans shall be constructed such that radial or axial displacement of the impeller or shaft will not permit two ferrous parts of the fan to rub or strike. This re-wording of the requirement was done to clarify what is meant by non-sparking construction. Note that the submittal sheet does not state if this fan is “non-sparking” construction. However, a look at the manufacturer catalog shows that this fan and housing is of aluminum construction, making it non-sparking. inside the machinery room. This requirement is identical between

Another requirement of IIAR2-2014 is a minimum discharge velocity. Section 6.14.3.5 states, Machinery room exhaust shall discharge vertically upward with a minimum discharge velocity of 2,500 ft/ min (762 m/min) at the required emergency ventilation flow rate. The language in the 2021 edition of IIAR2 is identical. Now, where might we find the discharge velocity for this fan? It is not clearly indicated on the submittal sheet. In fact, the only place to find the discharge velocity for the fan outside of placing a call to the manufacturer’s representative is a formula buried in the catalog. As figure 2 shows, the average discharge velocity for the model fan that was selected is calculated by using the following formula: As you can see, the fan is well under the minimum 2,500 fpm as required by IIAR2. So far, we have identified two deficiencies in this fan installation merely by reviewing the exhaust fan submittal itself. We have not reviewed the placement of the fan relative to air intakes, building entries, and property lines. We have not looked at the control scheme for the exhaust fan. Will it be run at full speed upon detection of an ammonia concentration of no higher than 150ppm in the machinery room? If the ammonia level detected exceeds 150ppm, will it continue to run until a reset is pushed inside the machinery room? Is the fan able to be started with a manual switch outside the primary machinery room door? Will it run at a minimum 0.5 cfm/ft2 of machinery room area or 20 cfm per occupant, whichever is greater, during occupied conditions? Is the emergency exhaust fpm= CFM 3.76 fpm= 6000 1595.7 fpm 3.76

fan powered independently of the machinery room equipment and continue to run if the emergency shutdown for the machinery room has been activated? If the emergency exhaust fan loses power, or fails to achieve the emergency ventilation rate, will an alarm be sent to a monitored location? We have also not reviewed the air intakes to the room to ensure that enough air can be supplied to limit the negative pressure in the room to no more than 0.25”WC. Nor have we ensured that the intakes, if they are supplied with motorized louvers, fail to the open position. We have also not evaluated the mesh size for any screens on the intakes. IIAR2 limits the mesh size to no smaller than ¼”. IIAR2 2021 now includes an exception that allows for smaller screen mesh, or air filters, to be installed providing that engineering or administrative controls are in place to ensure that the maximum neg- ative pressure does not exceed 0.25”WC. Finally, we have not evaluated the airflow in the machinery room after upgrading this ventilation system. Any time the exhaust system is modified, a smoke study should be conducted to ensure that all air in the room is exchanged every two min- utes and that there are no areas in which the ventilation air does not flow and thus does not properly exchange the air. As you can see from this simple example, managing changes to your ammonia refrigeration system can get heavy on details that can easily be overlooked. If you do not have subject matter expertise on the applicable codes and standards for your ammonia refrigeration system, you should consider finding someone who does to review a project as even the best contractors can overlook code details.

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RETA 2022 RENO, NV NDT BOOTH 107

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EDUCATION CORNER

INTRODUCTION TO FREEZER FLOORS

Concrete freezer floors are an integral part of efficient operations and represent a substantial investment in the construction cost of large frozen storage buildings. They support the weight of the stored product, storage racks and the pounding of lift truck traffic. Concrete floors can last more than half a century with proper maintenance care, or they can be destroyed rather quickly by the formation of ice in the underlying soil.

HOW DOES FROST HEAVE OCCUR? First a look at a freezer floor (slab temperature below 32°) and the relationship of temperature and vapor pressure. Heat wants to move to cold. Insulation cannot stop heat flow; it can only slow it down.

What is Frost Heave in Freezers? When the temperature of the earth below a freezer drops below freezing, the moisture in the soil will freeze and expand, forming large ice crystals (often called an ice lens). This formation of ice can cause floors to crack, break, buckle, and lift up or “heave”. Ice lens formation will lift roof columns and product racking support columns, push foundation walls over, and even rip open roofs.

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According to Darcy’s law, cold air has a lower vapor pressure compared to warm air. Warmer air will move toward cooler air because of the driving forces of vapor differences between cold and warm air. RETA’s Industrial Refrigeration Book 2, Chapter 3 introduces the properties of air/water. Warm air has a higher vapor pressure which will force its way through a hole, a permeable layer, or move through earth and soil until the vapor reaches equilibrium or reaches a point where the temperature drops to 32° causing the water vapor to condense, form ice, or adhere to the underside of a frozen slab. Warm moisture in the soil will migrate to the cold at the bottom of the freezer slab. The temperature of the soil below the slab will form a gradient over time, gradually lowering the temperature and moving the freeze point deeper into the soil. Layer by layer the ice expands as it forms an ice lens forcing the floor up with extremely high pressure. In order to keep the vapor from freezing beneath the slab, the earth must be warmed above the freezing point restoring equilibrium. The freezer slab must be insulated to reduce the loss of heat from the slab and balance the vapor pressure with the warm ground below the freezer floor. The underfloor heating system beneath requires regular preventive inspection and maintenance. Proper precautions are required to prevent frost that can form in the sub-grade soils resulting in raised, cracked floors and a list of potentially serious problems, including safety concerns, operational issues, and significant structural damage. If the heating system malfunctions and the soil isn’t heated to above 32°, the extreme cold can penetrate through the concrete floor, past the insulation and through to the soil. This causes the moisture within the soil to freeze. Eventually forming an ice lens that pushes upward, heaving the concrete floor above. Given time, the lens will grow and, in nearly every case, will begin pushing the building foundations up. Heat flow is relentless and unstoppable. Insulation can only slow it down. The soil underneath freezer floors must be heated, ensuring it remains

above freezing temperature. This is achieved through floor heating systems, such as:

is easily installed, monitored, and repaired. The Major disadvantage is cost of electricity. Heated Hydronic (glycol or heat transfer fluids) The heated hydronic loop circulates a heated liquid through pipes, PEX or polypropylene tubing located under the insulation layer embedded in what is called the mud slab or compacted sand. This fluid can be heated in a number of ways including: • Heat exchanger from compressor discharge waste heat (desuperheater) is the most common heat source, • Waste heat reclaim, • Electric heaters, • Plant steam or boiler, • Solar energy. In all cases the circulating fluid’s level and chemistry must be monitored and maintained according to SOP and MP to prevent corrosion of the metal parts of the system. What can happen? An example of worst case what can happen when the floor heat system goes off-line. The first symptom was a gentle dome shaped rise in the floor, stacks of totes began to lean. Then came the cracks in the foundation.

• Static air vent tubes • Forced air vent tubes • Heated forced air vent tubes • Electric resistance heat • Heated hydronic

Natural ventilation air vent tubes Static air vent tubes utilize the natural prevailing winds to push air through tubes located in the soil below the insulation that run from one side of the building to the Forced air ventilation tubes Forced air vent tubes utilize a fan or blower to force ambient air through the under-floor tubes Heated forced air ventilation tubes Forced air vent tubes utilize a fan or blower to force heated air through the under-floor tubes located below the insulation layer. Electric Heat Electric resistance heating cable located in conduits or raceways embedded in the sub-slab or soil area below the insulation layer. Sub slab temperature is monitored by controls that power the self-regulating heaters ON/OFF as needed. Electric heat

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RETA TESTING CORNER NO. 32

PASSING THE EXAM

Dr. Ron Rodgers, RETA’s Psychometrician (testing expert) and ANSI Accreditation Manager

RETA made a major policy change in 2021 by including one attempt for a CARO, CIRO or CRST practice test in the app- lication fee for each exam. This change appears to have helped improve candidate performance in CARO and CIRO, its two largest programs. Many candidates also take practice tests multiple times. Additional practice test attempts can be purchased for $59 per attempt. RETA practice tests are about half as long as the full test. They include questions just like those that appear on the full exams, but all practice test questions have been taken out of the active pool of questions that can appear in the full exam. RETA’s Certification Committee (CertComm) has validated every practice test question in exactly the same way that is used for questions on each full exam. Practice tests also have a 90-min ute time limit compared to three hours for each full exam to help candidates take

these exams at the same pace. CARO pass rates improved from 56% in 2020 before the change to 69% in the first three quarters of 2022. Pass rates also improved in nine of 10 content areas by from three to 16 points. These results are shown in the accompanying chart. Another resource that can help candi dates prepare is the CARO Study Guide, which can be downloaded free from the Certification section of the RETA website. Study guides for all RETA exams show candidates how to navigate references that appear next to questions on each test and include copies of all the reference documents. CARO candidates in 2022 who took the CARO Practice Test achieved a pass rate of 76%. Those who did not take the CARO Practice Test had a pass rate of 71%. CIRO results showed much less improve ment because many CIRO candidates

have limited mastery much of what CIRO requires to identify and correct problems that can occur in refrigeration systems. Questions that require interpretation of temperatures and pressures at various locations in refrigeration systems are distributed throughout the examination. The CIRO Study Guide includes these operating screens and other resources candidates must use during the test. Pass rates remained below 50% in five content areas even after the policy change. • Electricity • Monitoring System Performance • Valves, Controls and DX Systems • Liquid Overfeed and Flooded Systems • Two-Stage and Secondary Coolant Systems CIRO pass rates improved from 40% in

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2020 before the change to 44% in the first three quarters of 2022. Pass rates improved in six of eight content areas by from one to 15 points. These results are shown in the accompanying chart. CIRO candidates in 2022 who took the CIRO Practice Test achieved a pass rate of 68%. Those who did not take the CIRO Practice Test had a pass rate of 63%. RETA recently added another resource to help CIRO candidates prepare. The CIRO Study Guide asks 28 questions about data in a sample screen showing normal and abnormal operations in a refrigera tion system plus eight questions based on an electrical diagram. A new resource on the website explains how to answer these questions and why the information matters in system operations. These policies and resources reflect RETA’s mission statement “to enhance the professional develop ment of industrial refrigeration operating and technical engineers.” RETA created CARO and CIRO to improve the health and safety of all operators, employees and the public in and near the refrigeration facilities where they work. CARO and CIRO are the first steps to help operators demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills to manage safety and efficiency in and around these facilities. We welcome your questions about RETA’s credentialing exams and activities. Send your questions by email to certification@reta.com.

Dr. Ron Rodgers, RETA’s Psychometrician (testing expert) and Accreditation Manager, has guided development of all RETA credentialing exams since 2002. RETA Testing Corner provides information and answers questions from RETA members, candidates and others to help them earn and benefit from RETA credentials.

RETA.com 27

IN MEMORIAM DALLAS MATTHEW “MATT” BOWLES

Dallas Matthew“Matt” Bowles, 50, of Urbana, Ohio passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022 as a result of a motorcycle accident. Dallas was born June 2, 1972 inWilmington, Ohio, the son of Anthony and Bonnie (Rammel) Bowles. He served his country in the United States Navy. Since 2004, Dallas was an ammonia technician and boiler operator with Veolia working at Nestle. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, woodworking, going to the Ohio Renaissance Festival and playing games on his phone. Dallas loved drums and

good food. But most of all, Dallas loved his family, especially his wife and son, Devon. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy and the Pearce Kerns American Legion Post #120. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of VERNON FUNERAL HOME, 235 Miami Street, Urbana, Ohio 43078. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com

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SocialLink

If you have ever logged into reta.com, you were redirected to our social platform SocialLink. The SocialLink platform is a fantastic place to share information and connect with other members. Get access to the latest news and updates from any device, allowing you to stay in the know from wherever you are. If you pass a RETA certification, give yourself a shout out! You deserve it! Post news of your achievement, or even include a picture and RETA will send you a patch and some hard stickers! You can also access SocialLink through the SocialLink Mobile App which makes it easy to connect and engage, quickly access relevant content, and even renew your RETA membership though the Quick Links!

Double Diamond

Diamond

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CERTIFICATION

Honor Roll

Congratulations to our newly RETA Certified Operators, who passed the exam(s) between July 1, 2022 to Aug 31, 2022. For information about the examination process and preparation to take the RETA exam, please visit RETA.com.

CARO - Certified Assistant Refrigeration Operator

CRST - Certified Refrigeration Service Technician Justin Little RAI - Reta Authorized Instructor Mark Carlyle

Nicholas S. Johnson Gary L. Kaelin Brent Koeller Chun K. Lam Seth L. Latta Edward Loftis William N. Lyden Emerson A. Martinez Tyler Mayes Scott A. Murtz Curtis Nelson Jonathan J. Newsom Jared Porter Arnulfo Quiroz Mark Reece Theron W. Richardson III Tommy Rios Matthew E. Ritchie Andrew Schlangen Chris Seward Javier E. Solis Aaron Steinhour Tanner A. Strausbaugh

Dakota Young Jared M. Youngkeit Jonathon Zapata

Bradyn Abell Jessie Barajas

CIRO - Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator

Cody R. Barlow Lemuel Bates III Nicholas A. Bloome Jake Boye Bryce Calta Everardo Cantu Amalio C. Chaves Eric R. Cuevas Kyle Culberson II Torey J. Cundiff Brian Danish Guillermo Delgadillo Brent Dermer Jeremiah Douglas Thomas Duggins Scott Ellsworth Luke Emack Andriew J. Fenner Shawn Fowler Alfredo Gasca Jordan J. Gensch Albina Gilaeva Garrett Greenhalgh Martin Gutierrez Tyler Harris Raymond Heller Dustin C. Johnson

Brian L. Beegle Adam D. Bizzell Corey Bostic Michael Dean Dale Delisle Ronald Douglas II James S. Eason Jacob Fitzmaurice Ryan J. Heinlen Carlos O. Hernandez Jesus E. Hernandez Nicholas S. Johnson Bryan B. Lady Aaron Leonard Enrique Mendoza Hyacinth S. Okoli Wesley G. Peterson David D. Rusow Leonardo Sarabia Joseph C. Scouten Bradley Smith Zackery Stingley Joshua L. Stone Austin Sturgill William Trakymas

Spencer Thiel Michael A. Tim Tomas Umholtz Dale Van Bebber Brandon L. Walton Justin Wood J.W. Yates Marcus T. Yeakel

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