News
Study finds ‘novel’ transcritical CO2 ejector system outperforms conventional CO2 system up to 82.5% in hot climate
A “novel” transcritical CO2 (R744) supermarket refrigeration system using a multi-ejector, parallel compression and mechanical subcooling was found in a new study to be up to 82.5% more efficient than a conventional transcritical CO2 booster system in a warm ambient climate. Read more
CO2 refrigeration helps cut electricity use at finnish ice rink by 34%
According to the latest data from consultancy firm EKA Finland, a CO2 (R744) rack with two-stage heat recovery has helped to reduce the electricity demand at an ice rink in Pirkkala, Finland, by 34% compared to its previous R404-based refrigeration system. Read more
World Refrigeration Day looks to the future
This year’s World Refrigeration Day on June 26 will focus on the future of cooling technology, the industry, the people working within it, and those that benefit from cooling. Read more
UK pushes for pragmatic approach to F-gas
Leading UK experts have accused the EU of being “blinkered” by ambition in their F-gas revision proposals, pushing for the UK to take a more pragmatic approach. Read more
Sorption process points to small-scale applications of ammonia refrigeration
The use of the sorption process in ammonia (R717)-based refrigeration represents a scalable solution that broadens the horizon for small-scale applications of ammonia. Read more
Danfoss introduces a new algorithm for enhanced control of ejectors and high-pressure valves in a CO2 industrial system
Danish component manufacturer Danfoss has unveiled an algorithm to optimize the control and distribution of refrigerant flows between ejectors and high-pressure valves in large industrial transcritical CO2 (R744) systems. Read more
10th IIR conference calls for ‘F-exit’ and switch to natural refrigerants
The 10th International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) conference, held in Ohrid, North Macedonia, April 27–29, called for an “F-exit” – an exit from fluorinated refrigerants – and a switch to natural refrigerants. Read more
Scientist calls for use of natural refrigerants in ice slurry systems on fishing vessels
Though ice slurry refrigeration systems offer many advantages for the fishing industry, there are few ice slurry systems installed on fishing vessels that use ammonia (R717) or CO2 (R744) for ice slurry systems. Read more
International Network for Women in Cooling launches online platform to connect women professionals around the globe
On May 11, 2023, the International Network for Women in Cooling (INWIC) officially launched its web service, available at http://www.inwic.org. The website will act as a hub for the organisation and its members with the primary purpose of providing a networking platform for women working in cooling, which broadly covers the heat pumps, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR). Read more
Yes, hydrocarbons are clean and natural refrigerants, says gas manufacturer GTS
From an environmental point of view, hydrocarbons are “highly sustainable and among the cleanest refrigerants” due to low GWP and zero ODP (ozone depletion potential), with no harmful molecules produced during production, said Paolo Zunino, CEO of Italian-based gas manufacturer GTS in a recent article published in Zerosottozero. Read more
Demonstration sites highlight potential of natural refrigerants in India
The INDEE+ project, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and designed to transform India’s refrigeration and air-conditioning sector, has recently unfurled a series of natural refrigerant demonstration sites in Goa, and Kochi and Bangalore. Read more
AREA welcomes the launch of the European Year of Skills 2023
To achieve the EU’s decarbonisation goals and deployment of clean, low-carbon and efficient heating and cooling technologies, a skilled workforce with the proper training and certification is of utmost importance. All current upskilling and reskilling opportunities require not only additional promotion and funding, but also backing by additional training tools and programmes and stakeholder partnerships. Furthermore, we need to ensure that the training and certification are mutually accepted in the EU countries, which in turn should also ensure a reciprocal process of recognising such coming from overseas. Read more
Road to COP28. Energy efficiency and recovery of refrigerants
As stated by the UN Environment Programme, the refrigeration sector is becoming a global priority. The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 30 to December 12. Sustainable cooling will be the focus of COP 28 as one of the key solutions to tackle climate change. The IIR will be partnering with UNEP’s Cool Coalition and several other organisations to deliver a “Global Cooling Stocktake report” program promoting sustainable cooling. Read more
Freor’s ‘Continuous Cooling’ technology cuts energy use in R290 commercial cases up to 70%
Continuous Cooling – a technology developed by Lithuanian refrigeration manufacturer Freor and Italian component producer Carel – can reduce the energy consumption of commercial refrigerated cabinets by up to 70% compared to traditional control systems, according to Rytis Bernatonis, CEO and Founder of Freor. Read more
Energy Recovery’s pressure exchanger boosts Epta CO2 refrigeration efficiency by over 30% at ambient temperatures above 40°C
When operating in ambient temperatures above 40°C (104°F), an Italian supermarket using Energy Recovery’s PX G1300 pressure exchanger realized more than 30% efficiency improvements in its Epta CO2 (R744) refrigeration system compared to a standard CO2 booster system. Read more