As 2015 begins, the end of new and imported HCFCs is in sight and phasedown and limits on certain HFCs seem more and more likely. So to continue to meet refrigeration needs, f-gas proponents turn to low global warming potential (GWP) HFCs and HFOs, while advocates of natural refrigerants continue to build their case.

A Canadian refrigeration company has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) GreenChill Partnership. Carnot Refrigeration, based in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, is now one of a number of refrigeration system manufacturers to join the partnership which emphasizes the adoption of greener refrigeration practices.

The announcement a few months ago that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was proposing to decertify certain high-global warming potential (GWP) HFC refrigerants for use in a wide range of new commercial refrigeration equipment did not come as a surprise to the HVACR industry.

The following article was prepared by Parker Hannifin Corp. Micro Thermo Technologies and describes one of the approaches for use of CO2 in transcritical systems for refrigeration.

The HVACR industry is always exploring new options that may lead to more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly refrigerants to keep facilities — and the people and technology in them — comfortably cool.

Hussmann Corp. and Systemes LMP, Quebec, Canada, have announced an alliance to provide customized solutions for CO2 transcritical refrigeration systems. Together, the two companies expect to expand the reach of their products to a broader audience.

Almost two-thirds of large supermarkets surveyed in northern and western European countries now use natural refrigerants in their stores, according to a new report issued by Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Europe. The research finds that this trend is being driven by industrywide sustainability policies that are outpacing legislation.

Hank Bonar, owner of Bonar Engineering and Construction of Jacksonville, Florida, provided the following as part of his response to a story on refrigeration trends in the Sept. 8, 2014 issue of The NEWS. A portion of this was used in that story; here, Bonar’s comments are presented in their entirety.

CO2 as a refrigerant has been a part of the refrigeration landscape for close to a decade. The most anticipated next step was running CO2 as a standalone refrigerant in a system, which is being done in Europe in more and larger applications. Finally, the approach crossed the Atlantic.

This article is the second of a two-part series in response to the question: “Should I choose CO2 (R-744) for my refrigeration system?” It was prepared by engineers with M&M Refrigeration of Federalsburg, Maryland.