S. Forbes Pearson
The International Congress of Refrigeration is slated for Aug. 17-22 in Washington. It is held once every four years under the auspices of the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR).

The last congress was held in Australia in 1999. It was last held in the United States in 1971.

The meeting, according to planners, will cover “a wide range of refrigeration technologies, products, and applications.” Topics include:

  • Liquefaction and separation of gases;

  • Thermodynamics and transfer processes;

  • Refrigeration equipment;

  • Refrigerated storage and transport;

  • Air conditioning;

  • Heat pumps; and

  • Energy recovery.

    IIR was described as a “forum for exchange of scientific and industrial know-how,” with its objective being “to promote knowledge about refrigeration technology in companies, laboratories, and organizations.” More than 1,000 engineers and scientists are expected to attend.

    Technical sessions will take place over five days following an opening reception on Sunday evening, Aug. 17. The daily proceedings will include plenary sessions, concurrent technical sessions, short courses, and technical tours.

    One of the announced plenary speakers is S. Forbes Pearson, Ph. D., speaking on “Refrigerants — Past, Present, and Future.”

    Pearson has developed and patented refrigeration components and systems for applications ranging from food freezing to computer cooling. He is reported to have developed the first practical interim replacements for R-12 and -502. He is currently working on enhanced-efficiency replacements for R-22. He is a visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.

    Another plenary speaker is Elsa Murano, Ph. D., of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She has served as Undersecretary for Food Safety since 2001 and has been involved in numerous organizations, such as the American Society for Microbiology, Association of Meat Science, Institute of Food Technologies, Poultry Science Association, and the International Association of Food Protection.

    In addition to the technical sessions, a variety of social events will take place, including a reception and awards banquet at the host hotel; a reception at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center; and tours to numerous area attractions such as Capitol Hill, the Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Georgetown, Embassy Row, National Cathedral, Annapolis, Naval Academy, Holocaust Museum, and Mount Vernon.

    The planners have announced the availability of the Final Invitation and Preliminary Program. The brochure includes basic information, such as dates and times of sessions and events.

    For more information, visit www.icr2003.org or contact conference managers Hachero Hill Inc. at 301-984-9450, 301-984-9411 (fax), or nadineg@conferencemanagers.com.

    Publication date: 06/23/2003