The IOR Annual Dinner, which took place in London on 30 June, provided the backdrop for rewarding exceptional individual achievement in advancing the RACHP industry.

Four awards were given out during the evening which honoured individuals at various stages of their careers.

The J&E Hall Gold Medal recognises the most noteworthy practical contribution to the field of innovation in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology. This year’s winner is Prof Graeme Maidment FInstR for his work on demonstrating innovation in the delivery of low-carbon solutions in practice for the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector. He 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”

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.”

The IOR’s RACHP Engineering Technician Section makes an award to an individual who has spent their whole career in a hands-on role, having displayed exceptional dedication to their customers, employers, and their sector. This year there were two candidates whose contribution was so exceptional and yet so different, that the judges decided to make two awards.

The first Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Andy Murrell of Star Refrigeration, 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. His willingness and ability to share knowledge amongst these people when he is with them is second to none.

John Broughton of Danfoss also received a Lifetime Achievement Award recognising him for his 35-year work in the refrigeration business. He impressed the judges with his all-round dedication to the sector, 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 of this session was made to Steve Benton and Andy Pearson for their paper “Relief Valve arrangements for carbon dioxide refrigeration systems”. The winner of this award is decided by vote of IOR members. You can read the paper and see the recording of a presentation on the IOR website.

To find out more about the awards that the IOR makes each year and how to enter for next year, click here.