While the word “refrigerant” isn’t normally the first thing one thinks of when Thailand is mentioned (can you say “Pad Thai” or “Tom Yum soup”?), interestingly the two intersected at an event.
When mechanical refrigeration came along, refrigerants such as sulfur dioxide and ammonia and the fluorocarbons were introduced. The latter two — ammonia and f-gases — are still being used. Of the fluorocarbons, the choices were pretty simple: CFCs -11, -12, and -502. It is not so simple these days.
The patent-pending VaporVue is a visible vapor charging device that absorbs heat naturally and flashes the liquid refrigerant from the cylinder and charges into the system as a vapor.
Warren Heeley, president of Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC), announced the implementation of a disposal fee for CFC-11 refrigerant entering the extended producer responsibility (EPR) program.
The use of R-744 (carbon dioxide/CO2) as a refrigerant in HVACR applications has been gaining attention. But it faces installation and servicing challenges for technicians familiar with fluorocarbon refrigerants.
Hybrid sealants are drawing more attention from contractors and distributors. According to comments from within the industry solicited by Cliplight Manufacturing, which makes a variety of sealants, there is an interest for sealants that are a combination sealant, drying agent, and dye.
As hard as certain elements in Europe continue to push for a ban on f-gas refrigerants including HFCs, there is an equally strong push back by those who want any decisions based on a range of factors that could well keep HFCs in play for a long time.
Recent developments related to refrigerant research are focusing on testing of a new HC refrigerant and growing acceptance of a method of destroying unwanted refrigerants. In the first, ComStar International is providing test results on its blended hydrocarbon 188C2. In the second, Midwest Refrigerants is reporting on its destruction technology.