In 2001 the Laboratory of Applied Thermodynamics, Cooling Technology & Refrigerated Vehicles established two pioneering ATP Control Units (at the Zografou University Campus and at the Lavrion Technological Park), which are ISO-17025:2005 accredited by the ESYD and are included in the official list of internationally recognized ATP Laboratories of the competent UN Committee in Geneva. Among the benefits offered by the establishment of the ATP Control Units are the following:
- fast, economic, and reliable issue of a Greek ATP Certificate.
- high-quality Greek exports with reliable refrigerated vehicles, which guarantee the stability of transport conditions and support the Greek international transport industry.
- protection of public health and the final recipient, i.e., the consumer, in terms of maintaining the quality of circulating perishable foods (cold chain).
- provision of cold rooms and industrial refrigerators to the manufacturers to detect the thermal losses of the walls (thermal bridges) with high-fidelity infrared thermal camera, and to optimize design and building through thermography of the external surfaces of the cold rooms of the vehicles and the storage areas of the industrial refrigerators. In addition, there is the possibility of laboratory measurement of the Coefficient of Specific Conductivity “λ” in W/mK of various heat insulating materials in the Laboratory.
- support to the buyer of a truck-car refrigerator, who can now turn to a reliable and independent body to ensure that the equipment acquired meets mandatory specifications and requirements defined by the international ATP Agreement in relation to the quality level and adequacy of the vehicle and the “k” Coefficient.
- mitigation of exhaust gas emissions. In the case of refrigerated vehicles, laboratory controls leading to the issue of an ATP certificate ensure adequate insulation capacity, cooling performance and efficient operation of the equipment which can result in reduced CO2 emissions.
Finally, it should be noted that NTUA’s ATP Laboratory is open for cooperation and supply of free technological advice to the construction industry, the refrigeration industry, and the services of refrigerated transport. The laboratory staff’s in-depth knowledge and experience in industrial refrigeration is documented by publications and announcements in international journals and conferences, and particularly focuses on issues such as ecological refrigerants, analysis-optimization of operating costs, modelling of the operation of refrigeration facilities, detection of thermal losses with a thermal camera and thermography of buildings, electrical panels of ships, automation of refrigeration installations, etc.
STAFF
Hatzidakis Konstantinos – Dr. Mechanical Engineer, NTUA
Mitsiaris Ilias – Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, NTUA
Antoniadou Elisabeth – Administrative support
