ATLANTA, GA — The fact that recovery equipment at the show had familiar technology (even with a more streamlined look) could be seen as good news for contractors. For the most part, reputable companies with long standing in the industry displayed well-understood, reliable products.

At the same time, more recent efforts in Europe to do recovery work resulted in several overseas companies making an appearance at the AHR Expo here.

Among newer units introduced were the R70 Series from Ritchie Engineering (Blooming-ton, MN). The units were billed as having “hands-free” operation and being capable of automatically regulating liquid or vapor inlet pressure to the compressor. The unit was said to be ideal for R-410A. A second series, the R60, featured oil-less compressors with an “on-the-fly purge” feature.

Also new was the GS2000, part of the Globesaver Series from National Refrigeration Products (Bensalem, PA). The oil-less unit pumps liquid or vapor directly and is said to work with a wide range of systems, including commercial a/c, commercial refrigeration, rooftop units, ice machines, residential a/c, and appliances.

Promax (Miami, FL) featured the RG5410HP oil-less system for high- and low-pressure refrigerants. A one-hose setup avoids the need to change hoses from liquid to vapor recovery. The use of a semi-hermetic compressor allows a technician to service the unit.

Stinger 2000 was the name of a recovery unit from Bacharach (Franklinville, NJ), which within the past year had secured the Fluorotech brand name. The company claimed the unit could do the same work with less weight and size than comparable models. The unit was designed for medium- and high-pressure refrigerants.

Also on display in the booth was FM3000H, billed as being “ideal for vapor recovery.” That unit was said to work with R-12, -22, -134a, -500, and -502.

CPS (Hialeah, FL) featured a range of units in its Pro-Set line, including oil-less models and those with oil-filled compressors. The company also noted that it has units configured for use in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Inficon (East Syracuse, NY) had among its entries the Xtract-R, which has an upsized fan for better cooling and an arrangement that allows gauges to be changed without taking the case apart.

Robinair (Montpelier, OH) featured some of its newest models in the CoolTech line. Automatic operation was touted, including liquid-to-vapor switching, liquid lift, and safety shut-off.

Perfect Cycle (Red Oak, TX) showed a recovery-recycling system that employs oil-less compressor technology. The company’s models also used a heated pre-oil separation system.

A company from Belgium called ITE showed a portable recovery-recycling product called “Maxi-R” with oil-less technology and automatic recovery of liquid and vapor “without any manipulation.”



Managed Supply

Companies with emphasis on recovery-recycling-reclaim used the show to assuage fears of shortfalls of familiar refrigerants.Refron(Long Island City, NY) detailed its exchange program, as well as its willingness to help contractors “manage your used refrigerants.”

A company called Clean Air (Norcross, GA) said it bypasses the traditional wholesaler approach in its recycling-reclaim services. Booth officials said they prefer dealing directly with the contractor because it is less expensive. Processing is done at the company’s facility just north of Atlanta.

EVTC Inc. (Fort Worth, TX) used the Expo to announce that it has rebranded its on-site recovery and recycling services. Full Circle-Nth Degree said it uses EPA-certified technicians and a fleet of trucks for on-site services.

Publication date: 03/05/2001