Gambia institute launches natural refrigerants training
The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) has just provided its first training workshop for entrepreneurs and technicians on refrigeration and air conditioning using natural refrigerants.
The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) this week provided its first CO2 and hydrocarbon training in collaboration with the Gambian National Environment Agency (NEA).
The GTTI training workshop for entrepreneurs and technicians on hydrocarbon and CO2 management in refrigerators and air conditioning was funded by a UNIDO project.
The training, held on the GTTI’s premises, was aimed at familiarising attendees with the use of CO2 and hydrocarbons and providing access to modern equipment – provided by UNIDO – to reduce greenhouse emissions associated with industrial and domestic RAC facilities in The Gambia.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, GTTI Director Jahou S. Faal said the GTTI, in fulfilment of its mandate, aims to address the mid-level manpower needs of The Gambia and its partners.
As a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) provider, under a UN scheme, Faal said the engineering department is fully equipped with standard equipment to meet the training needs and to promote natural refrigerants for refrigeration and air conditioning applications.
“This training is an opportunity to learn and adopt good practice in the use of natural refrigerants as recommended as alternatives to the use of hydrochloroflorocarbons (HCFCs),” she said.
Lamin Komma, from the SPO coastal and marine unit in the Gambian NEA, said that HCFCs are powerful man-made greenhouse gases primarily used in air conditioning, refrigeration and foam insulation and are thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide.
He said the training would help participants to make the change to R290 in the Gambia’s air conditioning systems.
The GTTI will also work on other environment-related issues like energy efficiency projects and renewable energy. Komma said this would ensure that the environment is kept clean and avoids pollution.