The NEWS reports on new products found by our editors at the recent AHR Expo in Chicago. Products are listed in alphabetical order within each category.
No technology has been generating more attention in recent months than the use of R-744 (CO2) as a refrigerant. Here are some of the latest announcements from a variety of sources.
Honeywell has announced that a refrigerant it markets as Genetron 245fa is helping to produce energy-efficient electricity at an aquatic complex in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Uses of so-called natural refrigerants such as HCs, CO2, and ammonia are being advocated as ways to positively deal with issues of climate change, greenhouse effect, and global warming. That was the primary perspective of an extended report from Eurammon, a joint European initiative of companies, institutions, and individuals who advocate an increased use of natural refrigerants.
Safety is paramount when working with ammonia refrigerants. Why? If something does go wrong in such a situation, it can have grave consequences. Ammonia is a health risk because of its corrosiveness to skin, eyes, and lungs. In fact, exposure to 300 ppm creates an imminent danger to life and health.
The world of so-called natural refrigerants, particularly hydrocarbons (HCs), has gotten a lot more interesting recently. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP) approval to three HCs.
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is moving forward with an ambitious project to identify low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. What does that mean?
Refrigeration contractors know that there are several upsides to ammonia refrigerants. The most common is its compatibility with the environment. Ammonia does not contribute to global warming because it does not deplete the ozone layer. It has thermodynamic qualities that require less electricity in its usage.
The long-term availability of HFCs survived another effort at phase-down during the 23rd Meeting of the Parties (MOP23) to the Montreal Protocol held in November 2011. Participants did not reach agreement on taking any action to control HFCs.
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