Refrigeration - Articles - Page 97

EPA Releases 2016 Refrigerant Reclamation Numbers

10.8 million lbs. is an increase of 1.3 million lbs.over 2015

September 5, 2017

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 10,804,918 lbs. of ozone-depleting refrigerant was reported as reclaimed by EPA-certified reclaimers in 2016. The total includes 9,409,494 lbs. of R-22.

Two Views of the DC Court’s HFC Ruling

The EPA can’t use SNAP to phase down HFCs –is that a pointless sidetrack or a wise slowdown?

Ron Rajecki

September 5, 2017

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It is said that every story has two sides, and two recent conversations I had with estimable members of the refrigeration industry vividly illustrated that. Both of these gentlemen have been involved in the industry for a long time -- one on the supplier side and one on the contracting side. The topic of both conversations was the ruling by a United States court of appeals that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot ban the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under Section 612 of the Clean Air Act. The topic was the same, but the conversations were very different.

Seeking Sustainability in Supermarkets

Contractors promote savings via integrated controls, optimized compressor runtimes, and more

Ron Rajecki

September 4, 2017

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Energy Star calculates that, on average, supermarkets in the U.S. use around 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 50 cubic feet of natural gas per square foot per year — an average annual energy cost of more than $4 per square foot.

Liquid Injection Takes the Heat Off Compressors

TREVs continue to be effective problem-solving tools for new refrigerants

Gene Zielger

September 4, 2017

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A large percentage of compressor failures in low-temperature vapor-compression refrigeration system applications originate from overheating.

Dealing With an Inefficient Refrigeration Compressor

High suction pressure plus low head pressure can risk product quality and safety

John Tomczyk

September 4, 2017

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Refrigeration service technicians often run service calls in which they find a compressor with a higher-than-normal suction pressure along with a lower-than-normal head pressure. Many times, the refrigeration equipment is still running, but the product temperature is too warm, which causes product quality and safety to suffer.

Danfoss Opens Application Development Center in Florida

The Tallahassee center features three fully automated test facilities

Nick Kostora

September 4, 2017

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An iced evaporator is a common problem encountered by technicians servicing medium-temperature refrigeration systems. A visual inspection of the coil will show this obvious problem. Most technicians will install their low-side service gauge, find the running pressure to be lower than normal, and conclude the system has a low refrigerant charge. However, an iced evaporator can be caused by a totally different system issue.

Causes of and Cures for an Iced Evaporator

Practice patience and examine the pattern of the icing before acting

Joe Marchese

September 4, 2017

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An iced evaporator is a common problem encountered by technicians servicing medium-temperature refrigeration systems. A visual inspection of the coil will show this obvious problem. Most technicians will install their low-side service gauge, find the running pressure to be lower than normal, and conclude the system has a low refrigerant charge. However, an iced evaporator can be caused by a totally different system issue.

US DOE Finalizes WICF Regulations

Ruling closes a three-year process drenched in litigation

Samantha Sine

August 28, 2017

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New rules dictating energy usage in walk-in coolers and freezers (WICF) will become law Sept. 7, according to a recently published final rule, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Court Ruling Halts EPA’s HFC Phasedown

Appeals court concludes Section 612 authority is limited to ozone-depleting substances

Ron Rajecki

August 21, 2017

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A U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot ban the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Thermal Energy Storage a Budding HVAC Option

The market’s set to grow from $3.67B in 2017 to $6.20B by 2022

Nick Kostora

August 21, 2017

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Thermal energy storage has been a proven commodity for years in Europe, but the technology has seemingly been on the peripheral of the HVAC industry in the U.S. Now, energy storage is gradually stepping into the industry spotlight, and manufacturers are ready and willing to showcase their offerings in this important space.