Dennis Larson of Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC) recently announced that the program had collected and safely destroyed more than 2 million kilograms (4.4 million pounds) of refrigerant waste. The development was the latest in a series of accomplishments for the organization since it was established in 2000 to collect CFCs.
Hill-Phoenix has been what it described as “aggressively expanding” its sales and service dealers in order to provide “turnkey services to customers.” In a statement made at the time of the recent Food Marketing Institute Expo, the manufacturer of commercial refrigeration products had more than doubled its network of dealers.
Although a capillary tube can become totally restricted, a far more common problem is when it becomes partially restricted, allowing some refrigerant to flow into the evaporator but not enough to satisfy the requirements of the system. This seemingly easy problem to diagnose is actually rather tricky at times.
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has introduced a carbon calculator for members to help measure carbon footprints in stores. According to FMI, “Using the carbon calculator, retailers can measure their company’s carbon footprint, establish a baseline, and learn the potential savings if they institute and reduce energy use and emissions.”
This column discusses refrigerant overcharge. The check sheet shown depicts a refrigeration system with an overcharge of refrigerant. The system is a low-temperature HFC-134a unit with a TXV/receiver.
Contractors and service techs who work on reach-in coolers and freezers in stores should be aware that there is talk in that sector about reinventing the dairy department. In fact, a third-party organization has been formed to encourage stores owners to invest in such an overhaul and show them how to do it.
In mid-June, students poured in from all over the country to the French Woods Festival summer camp in rural New York. In 2008, camp management decided it was time to add a/c to several of the buildings. Many areas received HVAC for the first time; others are getting high efficiency ductless systems to replace existing window units.
Apps for smart phones have been multiplying, including several introductions to the HVAC industry. Is this a revolution, evolution, or flash in the pan? According to Daniel Burrus, technology forecaster and business strategist, “The main computing tool is becoming our phone. The power of the computer is in your pocket.”
Just as the Food Marketing Institute show in Las Vegas showcased a number of new innovations in supermarket technology, many of those trends are finding their way into supermarkets. They range from lighting to refrigerants to entire mechanical systems. Here is a look at three recent projects.
Over the last few decades, synthetic refrigerants such as CFCs and HCFCs are being phased out by regulation. Increasing concern and regulatory actions related to the environmental impact of HFCs has prompted a re-emergence of CO2 based refrigeration systems.
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