ANAHEIM, Calif. - At the 2004 AHR Expo, Earthship USA, a company based in Japan, introduced its AIRS50, which the company said is the first commercially available air cycle refrigeration system. At a press briefing, president and CEO Norio Sugano said that AIRS50 only utilizes air, so it is both CFC- and ammonia-free. It also has no CO2 emissions, he said.

"Our system produces colder air temperatures more economically than ammonia-based or Freon-based systems," said Sugano. Indeed, he stated that the system can produce air temperatures as low as -106 degrees F. The system is comprised of a turbine, booster, heat exchanger, defroster, and controller, and the maximum pressure inside the refrigeration system is less than 2 atmospheric pressure. The defrosting process is unnecessary, said Sugano.

AIRS50 is designed for various industries, including refrigerated/frozen warehouses, grocery delivery centers, shipping containers, air cargo, rapid food freezing, and pharmaceutical production.

For more information, visit www.earthshipusa.com.

Publication date: 02/16/2004