UK: Prof Graeme Maidment of London South Bank University has been recognised for his contribution to innovation in RACHP technology with the J&E Hall Gold Medal.
A former president of the Institute of Refrigeration, Maidment received the award at this year’s IoR dinner for his work on demonstrating innovation in the delivery of low carbon solutions.
His work has pioneered the integration of heating and cooling with practical projects on combined heating, cooling and energy storage; integration of heat, power and whole energy systems; and smart heating and cooling. Upon receiving the medal and prize of £5000 from Andrew Bowden of J&E Hall, Graeme said “Receiving this award is an amazing honour but it means so much more because it is from J&E Hall, my mentor”
Four awards were given out during the evening which honoured individuals at various stages of their careers.
The Ted Perry Award for Student Research was made to Nausheen Basha for her research involving improving cooling and oil distribution within an oil-injected screw compressor. Nausheen, who has recently been named one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering, used a modern numerical and experimental approach to improve heat transfer between gas and oil. This has resulted in reduced compressor mechanical losses and improved compressor performance substantially. Judges commented: “This research will have an immediate effect, that could have a global impact and is ready to be applied now.”
This year there were two winners of the IoR’s RACHP Engineering Technician Section Lifetime Achievement Award. This award to an individual who has spent their whole career in a hands-on role went to Andy Murrell, contracts manager of Star Refrigeration and John Broughton global application manager of Danfoss.
Andy Murrell joined the industry in his early years and has been with his current employer since 1989. He is described as an all-round great individual who has a personality that allows him to work effectively with people from all walks of life – customers, sub-contractors, apprentices, and senior business leaders.
John Broughton impressed the judges with his all-round dedication to the sector in his 35 years in the refrigeration business. This included helping clients and fellow engineers alike with troubleshooting problems, finding time to support colleges and students, and yet continuing with a busy schedule of international and national work travel.
The Lightfoot Medal which is awarded for the best IoR talk and paper, voted for by members, was made to Steve Benton and Andy Pearson for their paper Relief Valve arrangements for carbon dioxide refrigeration systems.