HVAC and recycling systems customers

It has been widely acknowledged that the number of technicians trained to handle natural refrigerant systems is dwindling. But the advent of small and standardized low-charge ammonia packaged systems – which can be used instead of traditional massive ammonia plants or synthetic refrigerant systems – will make it easier to train and maintain enough qualified technicians, according to Mike Chapman, director of process safety management (PSM) compliance at Stellar, and Kurt Liebendorfer, vice-president of Evapco.

Johnson Controls’ new York YZ centrifugal chiller is said to be the first such machine designed specifically for use with low GWP refrigerant R1233zd and using magnetic bearing technology.

If there’s one thing we’re learning about this global planetary experiment called climate change, it’s that there are unexpected consequences. Case in point: All of the water pouring off Earth’s melting ice sheets is making the oceans heavier, so much so that seafloors are literally sinking. And that could be messing with our measurements of global sea level rise.

With the phase-out of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer progressing, the introduction of alternatives with not only zero ozone depleting potential (ODP) but also low global warming potential (GWP) and improved energy efficiency is becoming an issue of increasing importance, especially in developing countries.

A surge in refrigerant prices in China in the final months of 2017 look set to increase pressure on HFC refrigerant prices worldwide.

UN Environment OzonAction, in cooperation with the World Customs Organization and the Ozone Secretariat, is launching the global Montreal Protocol award for customs and enforcement officers.

A new guide on variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning was published in December 2017 ior cibse vrfas a joint publication from the Institute of Refrigeration and CIBSE. IOR members will be able to download it for FREE from the web site.

Tests carried out by a major supermarket have shown that refrigerated display cases are at their most efficient when specifically designed for use with doors.

A-Gas Americas, one of the largest refrigerant recovery and reclamation companies, is anticipating US ratification of the Kigali amendment “in the near future”.

Pursuing a policy of continuous refinement of its products, Dorin has optimised the performance of its top of the range CD400 CO₂ compressors.

A leading Australian meat processor has been fined AUS$84,000 after an ammonia leak from its refrigeration system harmed two employees.

Chiller supplier ICS Cool Energy has warned that failing to switch to lower GWP refrigerants could cost end users over £50,000 per year.

The German refrigeration and air conditioning industry has been granted the opportunity to put its concerns over refrigerant shortages to the German government.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems has added a large-capacity 20hp CO₂ condensing unit to its commercial refrigeration line-up in the Far East.

Daikin has officially announced the launch of its first chillers using the low GWP HFO refrigerant R1234ze(E).

Danfoss is to extend its existing ATEX compressor testing laboratory in Trevoux, France, in response to the growing use of flammable refrigerants.

The implications of the European F-gas regulations and phase down will be discussed in a new forum set up for public sector employees in London and the South East.

The permanent IceHotel, opened last year in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, has been successfully retained this summer thanks to solar energy and a CO₂ refrigeration system.

Trane has expanded its Sintesis range of air-cooled screw chillers using low GWP refrigerant R1234ze.

Daikin Italy has launched the first integrated system to offer hybrid heating, direct expansion air cooling and domestic hot water production using lower GWP refrigerant R32.