Even newer refrigerants - both HFCs and HCs - are showing up on the radar screen. And, the 2004 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) was the place where manufacturers started to formally unveil their latest offerings. Also taking a high profile on the floor were companies with recovery and reclamation services.
A.C.S. Reclamation & Recovery Inc. (acsfreon@pacbell.net) billed itself as a specialist in recovery and reclamation of mixed refrigerants and solvents and said it does on-site recovery and reclamation, and also buys and sells refrigerants.
While not exhibiting on the show floor, Atofina (www.forane.com) had a number of its top technical staff on hand promoting a renewed commitment to positioning itself in the industry. Officials said, "The campaign brings a new look, message, and image through product packaging, advertising, and various other branding methods."
The French company Calorie (www.calorie.fr) promised to deliver "tous les fluids, dans toutes les tailles." Translation: "all the gases in all the sizes."
Danfoss (www.acr.danfoss.com) voiced its support of R-410A as a long-term refrigerant by noting its "full array of products approved for applications with R-410A." The company noted scroll compressors, expansion valves, filter-driers, pressure controls, solenoids valves, and four-way reversing valves.
DuPont (www.suva.dupont.com) was in an information mode, providing specific dates for phaseouts of specific refrigerants.
For example, the company noted Jan. 1, 2010, is the date for the ban on production and import of R-22 and R-142b, unless used in equipment manufactured prior to Jan. 1, 2010. The date of Jan. 1, 2015, begins the ban on production and import of all HCFCs, unless used in equipment manufactured prior to Jan. 1, 2020. Jan. 1, 2020, is scheduled to be the date for the complete phaseout of R-22 and 142b, with no production or import. Jan. 1, 2030, is the date for the phaseout of all remaining HCFCs, with the company saying this means "a complete phaseout - no production or import of any Class II controlled substance."
Emerson Climate Technologies (www.gotoemerson.com) noted its efforts "to help the industry prepare for the 2010 phaseout and further increase energy efficiency to meet tomorrow's demands and requirements."
Harp International (www.harpintl.com) noted a broad range of refrigerants, from familiar HFCs to some of the newer hydrocarbon refrigerants. Most of the latter are not available in the United States, but are starting to garner attention in other parts of the world.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) used the New Technology Showcase on the expo floor to look at the future of HFC-245fa in refrigeration applications. Up until now, the product has been primarily used as part of a foam-blowing agent for the installation of walk-ins. Company representative Randy Cool told an audience that the refrigerant "is a very attractive option for use in low-pressure centrifugal chillers."
Other possible applications, he said, include waste heat recovery, power generators, electronic cooling, and industrial heat pipes.
In a related development, Honeywell announced the launch of the Genesolv® Series of flushing agents based on the R-245fa molecule. The new line replaces Genesolv® 2000, which was based on -141b.
ICOR (www.icorinternational.com) featured a product called One Shotâ„¢, an HFC refrigerant blend that the manufacturer said can be used with mineral oil to replace R-502 in low- and medium-temperature applications.
National Refrigerants Inc. (www.refrigerants.com) noted a range of services to contractors, including supplying refrigerants, reclamation services, analytical testing services, cylinder refurbishing programs, and refrigerant recovery containers.
Polar Refrigerant Technology (www.polarrefrigerant.com) touted both its full line of refrigerant products, as well as its refrigerant management services.
Refron (www.refron.com) noted that it had "millions of pounds of refrigerants in inventory," as well as expertise in handling used refrigerants and related technical support.
Refrigerant Services (www3.ns.sympatico.ca/refrigerant), a Canadian company, showed R-24, an HFC said to work with mineral oil as a retrofit in R-12 units and RS-45, an HFC said to work with mineral oil as a replacement for R-22.
Noting that its services are summed up in the company name, Refrigerant Exchange (michelle@refex.com) is in operation in Irwindale, Calif.
Star Refrigerants (www.star-ref.com) offered the sale of CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants, reclamation services, refrigerant buybacks, separation technology, and destruction services.
Publication date: 02/16/2004
