Hydrocarbon refrigerants

A new group, the Coalition for Green Heating and Cooling, aims to persuade Italian and EU policymakers to pursue more aggressive measures in the upcoming revision of the F-gas Regulation, including support for natural refrigerants across HVAC&R sectors.

Scientists at the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have joined efforts to find a way to reduce the environmental impact of producing ammonia.

Transport refrigeration company Ecooltec Grosskopf has developed a new generation of electrically-driven transport refrigeration unit using CO₂ and the hydrocarbon refrigerant R1270 (propene).

By transitioning its lineup of commercial refrigerators and freezers to propane (R290), Georgia (U.S.)-based manufacturer Hoshizaki America has reduced the energy consumption of its equipment by an average of 11%, according to a recent presentation from the company’s Director of Engineering, David Sellers.

In a study coordinated by energy-efficiency-as-a-service (EeaaS) company Budderfly, two Subway restaurants in Connecticut (U.S.) realized average energy savings of 50% by installing U.S. manufacturer Refrigerated Solutions Group (RSG)’s new propane (R290) Capsule Pak ECO refrigeration system for indoor walk-in coolers and freezers.

Dutch supermarket chain Boon’s Markt, part of the Boon Food Group, has fitted its newest store in the village of Wolphaartsdijk with propane (R290)-based refrigeration display cases from Lithuanian manufacturer Freor.

The latest Boon’s Markt local supermarket in the Dutch village of Wolphaartsdijk is using a range of Freor propane refrigeration and freezer cabinets operating with Freor’s Hydroloop refrigeration system.

PHNIX brings to the global stage R290 HeatMaster Series, which has many advantages such as low GWP, zero ozone layer damage and high efficiency, aiming to bring a more economical water heating solution to commercial projects and reduce carbon emission and curb global warming.

German manufacturer Viessmann Group has announced that it plans to open a new production site in Legnica, Poland, for its largest business area, Climate Solutions, with a particular focus on high-efficiency, propane (R290)-based heat pumps.

Israeli heat-exchanger manufacturer Lordan Coils has developed a cold-climate propane (R290) residential heat-pump water heater (HPWH), using 5mm (0.2in) MicroGroove copper tubes to achieve a low charge.

A propane (R290)-based variable-speed compressor from U.S. manufacturer Tecumseh meets the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star “Emerging Technology” award, according to a recent study conducted by the company.

While Australian supermarket chain Woolworths has focused its rollout of natural refrigerants on CO₂ (R744) systems, the company also has its eye on hydrocarbons.

The EU-funded project Refrigerants, Naturally! RefNat4LIFE has recently launched two free online courses – also known as massive online open courses (MOOC) – on natural refrigerants to support store owners’ and technicians’ transition away from f-gases.

An inverter propane (R290) compressor can reduce the energy consumption of vending machines by up to 27% compared to a fixed-speed compressor, according to research conducted by Embraco, a Brazilian manufacturer and brand of Nidec Global Appliance.

Test installations of R290 self-contained refrigeration systems in walk-in coolers at two Subway restaurants in Connecticut are said to have shown average energy savings of 50%.

Austrian manufacturer AHT, part of Daikin, highlighted its propane (R290)-based cabinets and Active Monitoring System (AMS) as part of World Refrigeration Day, celebrated yesterday (June 26) under the theme “Cooling Matters.”

Hillphoenix announced the launch of R290 self-contained display cases, part of the company’s Second Nature® Natural product line. R290 cases are the newest addition to Hillphoenix’s expansive natural refrigerant portfolio and provide customers with a plug-and-play, flexible and compliant solution for their retail operations.

U.S.-based supermarket chain Hannaford has equipped the entire frozen section of its new store in Brunswick, Maine, with propane (R290) self-contained cases, according to a recent presentation by Harrison Horning, Director of Maintenance, Retail Business Services – Hannaford and Stop & Shop, part of Ahold Delhaize.

In the light of the worldwide phase-down of high GWP refrigerants, Dave Richards, UK head of sales at refrigerant supplier Climalife, looks at the various options available for HVAC chillers.

While Europe continues with the HFC refrigerant phase down, new proposals to be put before the Commission could see further restrictions or even bans on HFCs and HFOs.