The ATMOsphere America focused on educating attendees about the benefits of using natural refrigerants in commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment.
The three-day event featured educational sessions and panel discussions that covered everything from technology and market trends to regulatory updates to what the future of the refrigeration industry may look like.
ATMOsphere America, a conference focusing on how natural refrigerants are being used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating systems, returns for its fifth edition, June 16 and 17, at the Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
Natural refrigeration technology is gaining traction with end users, yet, despite technological successes, there are still challenges to overcome in the form of regulatory obstacles and skill shortages.
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.
To continue to meet refrigeration needs, f-gas proponents are turning to low-global warming potential (GWP) HFCs and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) while advocates of so-called natural solutions — hydrocarbons (HCs), CO2, and ammonia — continue to build their cases.
Danfoss recently sponsored and participated in ATMOsphere America 2013, a conference which discussed natural refrigerant trends, latest technologies, and regulatory issues in the U.S. and Canada.
The attention being paid to so-called natural refrigerants is showing a shift toward hydrocarbon refrigerants, even as CO2 gains a stronger foothold and ammonia maintains a high profile. But, whether or not there will be a dominant natural choice remains unclear even in Europe, much less North America.
One measure of the impact of CO2 as a refrigerant comes with the increasing number of applications in North America, where its use can be stymied with questions related to codes and regulations in municipalities as well as the learning curve of installation and service technicians.