In Europe, three recently completed construction projects all used ammonia as a refrigerant in some decidedly complex, yet energy-efficient projects. 

Noncondensable gases (NCGs), as the name implies, are not able to condense inside a condenser, unlike refrigerant gases. This can have a serious impact on system operating conditions, energy efficiency, and the lifetime of a system.

The upcoming games of the XXX Olympiad in London are featuring some of the latest state-of-the-art refrigeration and air conditioning equipment as well as the use of one of the oldest refrigerants, namely ammonia, as well as other natural refrigerants such as CO2 and HCs.

Mueller Streamline Co. has been working with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to conduct a series of performance tests regarding its copper tube and fittings and some of the newer higher pressure refrigerants. As a result, the company’s Streamline® copper tube and fittings are UL recognized to 700-psi operating pressures.

I just returned from my biannual visit to the Food Marketing Institute Food Retail Show, called FMI 2012. This is for all things in supermarkets and convenience stores. For me it means the latest in refrigeration equipment and — more and more these days — the refrigerants used in that equipment.

Interest in so-called natural refrigerants continues to grow, especially when it comes to the refrigeration of food. Here are some examples that illustrate how companies are using natural refrigerants to keep food cold and fresh.

While my last series of columns explored liquid subcooling in a refrigeration system, this article will compare subcooling amounts in a refrigeration system incorporating an overcharge of refrigerant, a dirty condenser, and air in the system.

Technicians should make safety a first priority when working on any refrigeration system. There are many potential hazards associated with installing, servicing, and maintaining these systems. One of these potential hazards is the refrigerant within the system.

Fresh on the heels of the announcement of an almost 50 percent reduction in supplies of virgin HCFC-22, the supermarket industry is reacting. What are they focusing on now? 

There are many reasons for wanting to stop refrigerant leaks in HVAC mechanical equipment. Some of the most obvious are partial or total loss of cooling capacity, decrease in efficiency, system damage, costly repairs and cleanup, etc. The list goes on and on.