News

Transcritical CO₂ systems are set to proliferate in the Australian commercial sector, according to food retailers, system suppliers and leading overseas manufacturers who attended ATMOsphere Australia last week.

With an increasing number of air conditioning units using R32, one of the leading manufacturers has stressed the importance of specialist training before using this “mildly flammable” refrigerant.

R22 belongs to the hydrochlorofluorocarbon refrigerants (HCFCs), which are subjected to different legislations since the Montreal Protocol. Since January 1st, 2015, the European Regulation EC/2037/2000 – amended by the EC/1005/2009 Regulation – makes it illegal to use recycled or reclaimed HCFCs to service refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

The European Union is eyeing important progress on practical implementation of the Paris Agreement at the UN climate change conference on 8-18 May 2017, in Bonn, Germany.

Venturing beyond traditional ammonia systems, group is targeting CO₂, low-charge ammonia and commercial applications.

Stefan Jensen, managing director of low-charge ammonia system manufacturer Scantec, told ATMO Australia 2017 about his hopes for more compact ammonia systems that can work in air conditioning, supermarkets and commercial refrigeration.

Compressor manufacturer Bitzer has warned of counterfeit refrigeration oils which can lead to compressor breakdowns.

Updated European standard EN 378 came into force in France on 1 April. The new standard clarifies the use of hydrocarbons and ammonia-based HVAC&R systems.

At Seafood Expo, held on 25-27 April 2017 in Brussels, Belgium, SRS Frigadon was confident that demand for the company’s propane (R290) and propylene (R1270) chillers would grow in the fish processing industry as end users become more comfortable with these systems.

Daikin is set to introduce three new models running on lower GWP refrigerant R32 to its Sky Air range of small to medium commercial air conditioners.

Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority has asked Daimler to recall 134,000 cars filled with R134a-based air-conditioning systems. The Federal Environment Agency is urging the manufacturer to turn to CO₂ as an alternative.

Refcom has produced a technical guide for suppliers of pre-charged split systems and their responsibilities under the F-gas regulations.

Honeywell has launched its lower GWP R404A replacement refrigerant R448A in the Asia Pacific region.

Norwegian manufacturer FrioNordica is tapping into the aquaculture industry by introducing the company’s low-charge ammonia system in Norway and Chile.

Daikin, the pioneer of the switch to lower GWP refrigerant R32 in air conditioners, claims to have sold a landmark 10 million units in 52 countries since its introduction.

The German government’s Federal Motor Transport Authority has called on Daimler to recall cars filled with refrigerant R134a in contravention of the MAC directive.

In Kristianstad, Sweden, Advansor is teaming up with an installation company to put CO₂ racks in a huge warehouse.

The ATMOsphere America conference in San Diego will see Danfoss bring its mobile training unit for CO₂ applications to the western United States for the first time.

EPEE has called for a swift ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol following approval by the EU’s council of ministers and the appointment of the team of rapporteurs.

Chinese air conditioning manufacturer Midea is to use R452B, a lower GWP alternative to R410A, in its unitary air conditioning units designed for the North American market.