Once every three years, the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration ups the ante within the expo portion of its annual conference by calling the expo a Heavy Equipment Show and including some especially large pieces of equipment. The most recent show in Orlando demonstrated the wide product range.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a final rule establishing federal test procedures for walk-in coolers and freezers. In the rule, DOE adopted by reference Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Standard 1250 (I–P)–2009, ‘‘Standard for Performance Rating of Walk-In Coolers and Freezers.”

When Stop & Shop was looking for ways to incorporate sustainable technology into its new multimillion dollar West Hartford, Conn., store, it focused on energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint. In fact, the store, which opened in December 2010, is a 38,000-square-foot model of sustainability.

Two refrigeration contractors were facing different challenges. In one situation, a restaurant in New York City needed to add refrigeration capacity for walk-in freezers and coolers, but in a constrained space. In another instance, a chain of restaurants was dealing with aging refrigeration equipment and the need to improve operating systems.

Emerson Climate Technologies has announced an “expanded presence” in China with the acquisition of Shanghai Well-Tech Refrigeration Systems Co. “Many analysts agree that the Chinese industrial refrigeration market offers significant growth opportunity,” said Ram Krishnan, president of the refrigeration division of Emerson.

Ferris State University’s Commercial Refrigeration Laboratory has gone totally chlorine-free. By replacing the refrigerant HCFC-22 that was in two medium-temperature commercial refrigeration cases in the laboratory, the students in the associate degree program in HVACR can boast that the lab is now chlorine-free.

ComStar International has made several announcements related to hydrocarbon refrigerants. ComStar said that it and its China JV company will begin offering compressors for HC-441a; Energy Star testing of R-441a for residential refrigerators is ongoing; and ComStar is licensed as the exclusive U.S. manufacturer and distributor of R-441a.

A company from Vermont called Freeaire Refrigeration has come up with a technology, according to the company, designed to reduce electrical consumption “by eliminating unnecessary operation of every part of a system” and, for colder climates, adding an element that allows the use of cold outside air.

The process of brazing ACR tubing is a common task for many refrigeration technicians. Although this is relatively simple, there are some system problems that can occur if some basic brazing procedures are not followed.

Two supermarket chains have announced recent environmental-related developments regarding a newer refrigerant and energy efficiencies.