If 30 percent of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants currently in use are reclaimed for reuse by 2040, approximately 18 billion metric tons carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent would be prevented from reaching the atmosphere over the next 25 years, according to a white paper released by EOS Climate.

If 30 percent of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants are reclaimed for reuse by 2040, approximately 18 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent would be prevented from reaching the atmosphere over the next 25 years, according to a white paper released by EOS Climate.

In many ways, refrigerant recovery and reclamation is an example of human ingenuity at its best. An innovative and essential product is created, and then a way is devised to prolong its usefulness by collecting it after years of service, purifying it, and using it again.

The ongoing phaseout of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), such as R-22, holds many unknowns for the HVACR industry as 2020 approaches, but at least one sector of the industry anticipates tremendous opportunity: the reclamation sector. 

There is no way that refrigerant reclamation can work the way the EPA has mishandled the program during the past few years. Businesses must be able to make money, or they will fail. Refrigerant reclaim is a business that is being hindered by government actions, or the lack of more appropriate actions.

Appliance Recycling Centers of America Inc. (ARCA) announced that it has been granted a patent (U.S. Patent No. 8,931,289) covering its systems, methods, and techniques for facilitating the recovery and recycling of refrigerants and oil from air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and other appliances that contain refrigerant.

The No. 1 trend in HVAC refrigeration is the increase in R-22 prices as the supply-demand equation sorts itself out. 

A-Gas International has announced the formation of A-Gas Americas following the merger of sister companies Coolgas, RemTec, CIJSA, and A-Gas Performance Chemicals. A-Gas Americas will operate from the companies’ existing locations within the group in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas as well as Mexico.

Proactive HVAC contractors have been working to educate their employees and clients on the inevitable phaseout. And, with the price of R-22 already starting to rise in many areas, educated contractors are finding it easier to convince customers to replace aging R-22 units with newer, more efficient models.

Hudson Technologies Inc. has announced the acquisition of the reclamation business and assets of Polar Technologies, a full service refrigerant reclaimer. Polar serves several hundred wholesale customers from three reclamation facilities located in Nashville, Tennessee; Ontario, California; and Puerto Rico.