Modular, in terms of manufacturing, is not a new concept. There is a certain logic to it: manufacturing cataloged production models rather than custom models is certainly more cost effective, and building and/or assembling in a manufacturing plant versus onsite…
Walk-in boxes are an essential component of commercial applications such as convenience stores, grocery stores and restaurants. Without them it would be difficult for these businesses to maintain a steady supply of products that require refrigeration, either to maintain their…
Refrigerant company A-Gas Americas has announced its expansion in the Canadian market in February, along with new leadership in the region. Louise McCann, managing director of A-Gas, said the company has “strong relationships within Canada, having participated in the reclaim…
Refrigeration industry professionals are set to converge at the Montreal Convention Centre this August. The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is will host its 25th International Congress of Refrigeration in Montreal, QC from August 24 to 30, 2019. Plenary speaker…
United Technologies Corp. on November 26 announced the completion of its Rockwell Collins acquisition and plans to separate into three independent companies. Otis, a manufacturer of elevators, escalators and moving walkways, is to become the second independent business after UTC’s…
In Part I, which appeared in HPAC October 2018, the various considerations prior to undertaking a chiller conversion were discussed. What follows is a simple (or maybe not so simple) step-by-step procedure for actually converting a R-22 chiller. 1 Systems…
Danfoss has acquired Pennsylvania-based AAIM Controls Inc., a supplier of custom-designed regulation and control automation solutions. With the purchase, Danfoss hopes to enter the industrial refrigeration market as a systems provider. “By adding electronic regulation and control automation to our…
Michigan-based Tecumseh Products Company has approved Honeywell’s Solstice N40 refrigerant with a lower global warming potential following “extensive testing.” The refrigerant was approved for use in the reciprocating compressors used in Tecumseh’s global commercial refrigerant systems. Solstice N40 aims to…
While there have not been any widespread shortages of R-22 to date, the price has certainly been reflective of a reduced supply. With a complete ban on new R-22 (either imported or manufactured) beginning January 2020, the supply will continue…
Technical Safety BC has released its investigation report into the ammonia release at Fernie Memorial Arena on October 17, 2017, which resulted in three fatalities, as well as the evacuation of 95 residents from 55 nearby homes. The report provides…
Chemours has acquired Indiana-based Icor International, a privately-owned manufacturer and supplier of ozone safe air conditioning and refrigerant products. According to Chemours, the acquisition will allow it to expand in North America and meet customer needs. “Icor has developed an…
ASHRAE’s Chapter Technology Transfer Committee (CTTC) has called for presenters for its 2019 webcast: The Future of Refrigerants in Unitary and VRF Systems. The webcast will examine how air-conditioning system configurations will adapt to worldwide regulations and advancements in refrigerant…
Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC) has launched a new website under HRAI’s domain. The website includes links to two videos: RMC Annual Report 2016 and Refrigerant Management for Contractors. A search tool allows users to find nearby RMC wholesaler locations. A…
Currently, the HVAC/R industry is undergoing a third paradigm shift in regulating refrigerants–this time the transition is specifically aimed at addressing climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The earlier two transitions from CFCs to HCFCs, then from HCFCs to HFCs,…
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The 2018 ASHRAE Winter Conference takes place January 20-24 at the Palmer House Chicago with the co-sponsored AHR Expo being held January 22-24 at McCormick Place. The AHR Expo seminar program features over 120 sessions, including over 70 free one-…
Mexichem has launched Klea 407H in partnership with Daikin. Klea 407H is intended to replace refrigerants R404A or R507 as a lower GWP alternative in medium and low temperature applications. It has a GWP of 1495. Starting in the new…
Ammonia is a colourless gas, composed of one nitrogen molecule and three hydrogen molecules. It is produced naturally in the human body, as well as in nature (water, soil, air and so on). It has a very distinct pungent odour,…
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published the final revisions to the federal ODS and Halocarbon Alternatives regulations concerning control of HFCs in Canada Gazette II on October 18, 2017. These revisions come into force 180 days after the date…
ASHRAE will present a series of refrigerant and residential building “mini-track” seminars at the 2018 AHR Expo. The 2018 ASHRAE Winter Conference takes place January 20-24 at the Palmer House Chicago with the co-sponsored AHR Expo being held January 22-24…
The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC), is working to remove the barriers to adopting natural refrigerants such as CO2, ammonia and propane in food refrigeration in the grocery sector. NASRC has been hearing repeatedly from end-user retailers that while…
By Michael Power “In the blink of an eye it’s all over.” That’s how Ryan Matsuba describes the experience of competing with Team Canada in the WorldSkills International Competition. Matsuba won a Medallion of Excellence at the competition, which requires…
When I was in high school, the cost of gasoline was seldom of concern. I drove a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, with a modified 409 engine in it, and I do not think I ever thought to check what the…
Attendance ramped up compared to last year for the 49th-annual conference of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) in Quebec City. Held August 16-18, the event saw changes to the organization that included Bruce Passmore appointed…
In my travels I have many opportunities to visit and interact with HVAC/R contractors. In the course of these visits, a frequent topic of discussion is refrigerant conversions. After the typical “what’s the best replacement for R-22”, and “do we…
Bacharach, Inc., global manufacturer of refrigerant gas leak detection and monitoring instruments, and combustion and emissions analyzers, has announced the completion of the acquisition of Parasense, Inc. A privately-owned ISO 9001:2008 accredited small business provider of engineering and technical services, Parasense…
After the Montreal Protocol began the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants in 1987, the HVAC industry began to test alternative refrigerants. Since then, the industry’s primary concern has been “safety first.” This does not mean just environmental safety, but also…
The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) reports that a Notice of Intent was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on March 4, 2017 indicating Natural Resources Canada’s intent to proceed with the development of Amendment 15. This…
UPDATED The annual Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) Canada Conference will be held at Algonquin College in Ottawa on May 5 and 6, 2017. The program includes four speakers, opportunities to test for the CM, CMS designation and a dinner…
ASHRAE’s Annual Conference will be held June 24 to 28 in Long Beach, CA. The five-day event boasts eight conference tracks, tours, social events and a keynote message from Derreck Kayongo, CEO of the Center for Civil and Human Rights.…
