Two new reports that provide detailed studies of refrigerants have recently been released. The research is evaluating how newer refrigerants — ranging from HFC and HFO f-gases to natural refrigerants such as ammonia, CO2, and HCs — stack up against the current crop of popular refrigerants.

During the brewing process, certain temperatures have to be maintained. For the amber nectar to succeed, breweries need refrigeration solutions tailored to their processes and individual requirements.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership has honored a number of supermarkets, manufacturers, and individuals with its 2012 GreenChill Awards.

Icicle Seafoods, Seattle, has agreed to pay a more than $400,000 fine for refrigerant leaks at some of the company’s seafood processing vessels and plants in Alaska.

An article published in the Sept. 8 edition of the New York Times that discussed R-22 smuggling has prompted a response from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

Using CO2 requires a different system design than the traditional HFC-based system. In fact, there are three standard design types that exist in the application of CO2 as a refrigerant in commercial food retail refrigeration systems. Each type can have variations to meet different requirements or to increase benefits.

British-based Klima-Therm has installed what it said was the world’s first Turbomiser chillers equipped with Turbocor compressor HFO refrigerant. HFOs are being promoted by some f-gas manufacturers as the next generation of refrigerants beyond HFCs.

The relationship between high-performance air conditioning and refrigeration (ACR) sealants and moisture is similar to a dysfunctional marriage. ACR leak sealants can’t live with moisture and they can’t live without moisture.

To the natural refrigerants of HCs, CO2, and ammonia, there has been added what is being called a fourth platform. Water is now being promoted in the international community with the launch of a website called www.R718.com.

A hot topic in the world of refrigeration and air conditioning continues to swirl around refrigerants and what refrigerants will take hold and be used now, besides HFCs, and what will supplant HFCs in the future.