When I first started writing about the HVACR industry more than 25 years ago, the term used to describe the harmful effects of refrigerant emissions in the atmosphere was ODP. After scientists discovered the hole in the ozone layer, they determined that it was caused by the chlorine in chemical compounds like CFCs, which were widely used in aerosols and refrigerants. They needed a measurement to describe the amount of ozone depletion caused by various substances, thus the term ODP was born.
Last December, EPA proposed to modify the use conditions required for use of three flammable refrigerants — isobutane (R-600a), propane (R-290), and R-441A — in new household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators and freezers under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program to reflect an updated standard from Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Attendees will hear from experts on refrigerant regulations and policy, as well as those from leading engineering and manufacturing firms that specialize in natural refrigerant technologies. Together, attendees will map refrigerant choices and see what the future holds for each option.
Determining which refrigerant may work best for an application can be challenging. While larger supermarket and restaurant chains usually have in-house personnel who help make this decision, they often turn to their local contractors for their advice as well.
Grocery store owners and managers are increasingly utilizing the IoT in order to monitor the performance of their refrigeration equipment, so they can take immediate action should a problem arise.
Manufacturers are rolling out a wide array of new equipment that utilizes all types of refrigerants, providing end users with a number of new options to consider.
It is always best to find and repair the source of the leak. But depending on the size of the system and the size and location of the refrigerant leak, it may not be an easy or inexpensive repair.
Refrigerant floodback occurs when liquid refrigerant enters the compressor’s crankcase during the running cycle. Refrigerant floodback will dilute the compressor’s oil with liquid refrigerant, which will cause oil foaming in the crankcase, washing the bearings clean of their lubricating oil.