The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published in the Federal Register a notice finding carbon dioxide acceptable as a refrigerant in new equipment for ice skating rinks, centrifugal chillers, positive displacement chillers and industrial process air conditioning.
While ammonia has long been an accepted industry standard refrigerant, especially in larger industrial refrigeration systems, a new generation of natural refrigerant technology is shaking up the sector. A special edition Accelerate Corporate, recently published in partnership with Japan-based Mayekawa, investigates further.
Japan-based technology provider Mayekawa Manufacturing Company, Ltd. has announced plans to launch four new models of its highly efficient natural refrigerant-based cooling system, the NewTon, on 21 July 2016. The NewTon R-3000 and R-6000 for cold storage, and F-300 and F-600 for frozen storage, will feature reduced refrigerant charge, system size and weight compared to previous models.
At the IIAR Conference and Exhibition, the manifold industrial refrigeration components on display addressed low-charge, safety, efficiency, space saving and more.
The fourth IIR Conference in Auckland highlighted a maturing HVAC&R sector in New Zealand, one that is looking to natural refrigerants in greater numbers.
Emerson Climate Technologies is in the final stages of testing reciprocating compressors for CO2/ammonia cascade systems in its recently opened Helix Innovation Centre. The company expects to launch the new products in the coming months.
Mayekawa (MYCOM) turned heads at HVAC&R Japan 2016 in Tokyo with a prototype of a 30kW NH3/CO2 system for smaller industrial applications and potentially even commercial applications, while Danfoss showcased its broadest array of natural refrigerant solutions yet at the event.
With CO2 quickly establishing a global reputation as one the safest, cleanest and most efficient refrigerants for food retail applications, Denmark’s Danfoss foresees that the rapid uptake of new technologies and an increase in the number of CO2 systems installed worldwide will make this climate-friendly refrigerant an even more attractive solution in 2016.
Natural refrigerant systems are proliferating in Asian countries, offering environmentally friendly solutions while helping to reduce operating costs in a wide range of areas, from cold storage or ice rinks to ground freezing for construction work. Users of CO2/NH3 systems in Asia shared their experiences and plans for the future at ATMOsphere Asia 2016.
Next-generation integrated systems, compressors for machine air conditioning, and mixed compressor technologies were among the CO2 case studies aired at ATMOsphere Asia 2016. These new solutions are among many set to open new avenues for CO2 in the commercial HVAC&R market in Japan and abroad.
