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Tag: refrigerant
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It’s time to talk about forever chemicals
“Forever chemicals” such as PFAS and TFA are being found in drinking water, household dust, food, and human blood, raising global concerns.
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$26m US refrigerant research centre announced
The US National Science Foundation has announced $26 million in funding for a cross-university research centre into sustainable refrigerants.
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Scientists create most effective cooling material yet
A team of researchers has synthesised what appears to be the most effective solid-state cooling material ever discovered.
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New type of AC replaces refrigerant with water
A multidisciplinary team at Harvard University is working on a design for a new type of air conditioner that it says uses a fraction of the energy typically needed by current models. The device uses water in place of refrigerants. Dubbed ColdSNAP (SNAP stands for “superhydrophobic nano-architecture process”), the design incorporates a coating that, inspired […]
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IOR releases refrigerant selection guide
The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) has released a new Guidance Note, a guide to refrigeration selection. The guide aims to provide an overview of the critical points that should be considered in selecting refrigerants. The IOR says the guide, which it refers to as Guidance Note 37, will be of particular interest to equipment owners, […]
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RRA offers $10 a kilo for recovered refrigerant
Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) is increasing the rebate for recovered refrigerant rebate to $10 per/kg as part of the Gas Seeker Initiative. The new rate, which will apply from January 1 to June 30, 2021, is more than triple the current rebate of $3 per kilogram. RRA says that the initiative is intended to give […]
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RRA launches augmented reality app
Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) has released a series of new digital training resources that provide an innovative and hands-on way for apprentices to understand the refrigerant recovery processes for various types of equipment. “The processes for recovering refrigerant, pressure testing, evacuating and re-charging systems are critical for both upholding industry best practice and reducing the […]
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Cash for refrigerant data
Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) is seeking help from HVAC&R technicians to better understand what happens to refrigerant from split system air conditioners when they are replaced. And it is paying for the data. RRA is a not-for-profit organisation that works with industry to recover, reclaim and destroy surplus and unwanted refrigerants. The organisation is offering […]
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Free refrigerant course offers certification
REAL Alternatives 4 Life is a free online course that provides education on the safe use of alternative refrigerants such as ammonia, hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. The course was developed in response to the European F-Gas Regulation, which encourages wider adoption of refrigerants with a lower global warming potential (GWP). The program is now offering […]
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Free online refrigerant course
Industry groups have joined together to create a free online course called Real Alternatives 4 Life, to provide education on the safe use of alternative refrigerants such as ammonia, hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. The course has been developed in response to the European F-Gas Regulation, which encourages wider adoption of refrigerants with a lower global […]
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The new successor to R410A?
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has given Honeywell’s new stationary air conditioning refrigerant R466A (also known as Solstice N41) the official designation A1 – non-toxic and non-flammable. The classification could be a key factor for manufacturers deciding which refrigerant to use in their systems in the medium-term. As a result of […]
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Crackdown on refrigerant offences
The Department of the Environment and Energy has issued a number of fines for offences under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. A New South Wales-based refrigeration mechanic has been fined $2,520 for discharging R410A while installing an air conditioning system. According to the Department, the offender holds a permit issued […]
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Five low-hanging fruit of HVAC&R
The time has come to herald the sustainability solutions offered by HVAC&R, rather than focus on its challenges. That’s the message from Andrea Voigt, Director General of the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE). As Europe swelters through one of its hottest summers on record, cooling in the form of air conditioning is […]
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ARC visits regional permit holders
In the past six months, engagement officers from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) have visited regional and remote locations to perform permit holder and education visits. Visits were made to Darwin and surrounding areas (81 visits); to Toowoomba and surrounding areas in Queensland (71 visits); to Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas in New South Wales […]
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China denies illegal use of CFC-11
China’s environmental ministry has cast aspersions over claims that the country is responsible for a recent spike in emissions of CFC-11, a banned ozone-destroying gas. A recent report in science journal Nature found that China is responsible for approximately 40–60 per cent of the recent rise in CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane) emissions. Researchers traced the increase to the northeastern […]
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Illegal HFC trade ‘flourishing’ in Europe
A new report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has revealed the startling extent of Europe’s illegal HFC activity. The report, Doors Wide Open, is the result of surveys conducted in late 2018 with EU member states and key industry stakeholders. “Reports from industry indicate that large-scale illegal HFC trade and use is occurring in […]
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Heatcraft launches Gas2Go cylinder management app
Heatcraft has released a new app to help customers better manage their cylinder fleets. Gas2Go lets business owners and contractors assign and transfer cylinder holders, scan bar codes and geolocate cylinders. They can also assign locations and add activity notes against each cylinder. And fill weights can be adjusted to accurately measure refrigerant across the […]
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Charge limit increase imminent
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has taken the next step towards increasing the charge limit of A3 refrigerants in commercial refrigeration equipment. As reported earlier this year, the change would increase the limit on A3 (flammable) refrigerants such as propane in commercial refrigeration equipment from 150g to 500g. This would enable hydrocarbons to be used […]
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Honeywell announces “breakthrough” non-flammable AC refrigerant
Honeywell has announced a new non-flammable refrigerant called Solstice N41 for stationary air conditioning systems that it says could replace R410A, and could also potentially be a rival for R32. The HFC phase-down has prompted the search for alternatives to high global warming potential (GWP) gases such as R410A. At present, many original equipment manufacturers […]