Hydrocarbon refrigerants

There is still time to submit your abstract for the inaugural IIR International Conference on the Application of HFO Refrigerants with an extended deadline to 30 October 2017.

During a meeting on 7 October in Vladivostok, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Working Group SC61C – formed to update the international standard for commercial refrigeration, IEC 60335-2-89 – agreed to finalize its work and advance the draft amendment (committee draft for vote; CDV) for public comments.

India-based Godrej Appliances has launched a line of R290 air conditioners in the Maldives.

The European directive on mobile air-conditioning (MAC) entered into force in 2006. It introduces a gradual ban on greenhouse gases in passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Since January 1, 2011, new vehicles’ air conditioning systems must be filled with a refrigerant with a lower GWP. R134a has been banned totally since January 2017. All cars must be equipped with a system with a GWP below 150.

After a brief respite, refrigerant prices in China are reported to be on the rise again.

Representatives from local governments in Southeast Asia detailed the current state of HFC phase-down plans and highlighted the natural refrigerant projects currently underway in the region.

The Brazilian compressor manufacturer told the 9th International Conference on Compressors and Coolants that propane increases the efficiency of the compressor by 30% compared to HFCs.

Mayekawa and Panasonic were among the companies reporting impressive growth in NatRef systems at ATMOsphere Asia 2017.

The IIR International Conference on the Application of HFO Refrigerants is calling for papers. Submission is quick and easy. Click here to visit the conference website for full details. The deadline for abstracts is Monday 2nd October.

On 25 August, the small Caribbean island country of Grenada installed its first two air-conditioning (AC) units to use hydrocarbons. The installation of the R290-based (propane) units is part of a regional demonstration project implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

A busy hospital’s need to create a new service building meant relocating seven roof mounted condensing units cooling the hospital’s mortuary and provided the ideal opportunity to comply with current and future refrigerant regulations.

Daikin UK’s latest round of Future Thinking seminars will cover new BREEAM construction standards and the F-gas regulations.

In Rabat, Morocco, a gigantic cultural project began in 2010 in the Bouregreg valley. Four facilities are being constructed and should open in 2018. Among them, the futuristic Grand Théâtre de Rabat, designed by Zaha Hadid, will accomodate 1800 spectators.

The German manufacturer extends its energy-optimized propane compressor program with new SCE compressors.

Financed by the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action, the REAL Alternatives for LIFE consortium met in June for the project kick-off meeting.

Geoclima’s new range of air cooled chillers is said to achieve even higher efficiencies thanks to the incorporation of special cylindrical condensers and cascade flooded evaporators.

As the UK’s leading refrigeration wholesalers announce another round of HFC price increases, a major supplier implores the industry to stop using R404A in new equipment.

NASRC will hold a free seminar on natural refrigerants at DC Engineering’s offices in Boise, Idaho on 17 July.

REAL Alternatives, an online training programme, will be holding new ‘train the trainer’ events and study days across Europe thanks to new funding from the European Commission.

The Climate & Clean Air Coalition’s HFC Initiative still has over US $200,000 left to fund capacity-building activities.