R-32

Bacharach, an industry renowned company in gas detection and analysis instrumentation, has announced that its award-winning Parasense Refrigerant Tracking and Compliance Software is available for free with full-feature capabilities and unlimited users, sites, and refrigeration assets. Parasense Refrigerant Tracking  The Parasense Refrigerant Tracking and Compliance Software is a cloud-based software, and includes usage, tracking, and reporting for unlimited users, sites and refrigeration assets and is ideal for any organization looking to reduce refrigerant emissions and support regulatory tracking and reporting needs while eliminating reliance on spreadsheets or other less sophisticated methods. The software is an enterprise-scale system to track refrigerant usage, leak inspections, and leak events, as well as provide compliance reporting for EPA 608, CARB, F-Gas and GreenChill. Notable software features include: Compliance Calendar that automatically schedules and reminds about compliance activities. Regulation Workflow that maps regulations into specific tasks to maintain compliance. Compliance Score that gives a visual indicator to the state of compliance across the enterprise, regions, sites, or assets. Automatic Leak Rate Calculator that provides a rolling 12-month view of refrigerant usage as a percent of system charge. Enterprise-level to Single-site filters and data summaries. Refrigerant management Parasense Refrigerant Tracking software is designed for facility managers and compliance officers who support multi-site organizations like supermarkets, food processing plants, cold storage warehouses, hospitals, universities, or K-12 schools. The software is also valuable for smaller organizations, as well as for mechanical and refrigeration contractors that want to offer refrigerant management as part of their service. The software is also supported by professional services from the Parasense Information Center (PIC) team The software is also supported by professional services from the Parasense Information Center (PIC) team. The PIC team provides fee-based, value-added services such as data importing, pro-active data review and recommendations, periodic report preparation, and contractor coordination for timely completion of inspections, repairs, testing, and record-keeping.  The combination of the software and the PIC team services provides a complete solution for enterprise-grade refrigerant tracking and compliance. Fixed and portable refrigerant leak detection systems The use of Bacharach’s high-performance fixed and portable refrigerant leak detection systems provides organizations with a complementary, proven solution for identifying low-level refrigerant leaks, reducing refrigerant emissions, and achieving best-in-class leak rate performance (less than 10%/year).  The Parasense software portfolio is in use by over 1,000 sites including supermarkets, food processing, and data centers.

Daikin companies in North America (Goodman Global Group, Inc.; Daikin North America LLC; Daikin Applied Americas Inc.; Daikin America, Inc.; and Daikin U.S. Corporation) announced they are developing ducted and ductless residential, light-commercial, and applied products utilizing R-32 refrigerant. In evaluating alternative, low global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants for North America, Daikin–a global technology pioneer in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry–is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts. The company also took a holistic approach to include safety, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Based on comprehensive evaluation and testing, Daikin concluded R-32 is the ideal low-GWP alternative to R-410A for many key residential, light commercial, and applied products in North America. Daikin’s choice of R-32 is based on the beneficial attributes of the refrigerant. Compared to R-410A and certain alternative refrigerants, R-32 can mitigate effects of direct refrigerant emissions by reducing the equipment refrigerant charge. Daikin believes R-32 can effectively help to minimize the environmental impact of HVAC equipment Reduce Refrigerant Charge Daikin has found that in comparison to R-410A, R-32 has a drastically lower GWP and could reduce refrigerant charge in certain equipment by up to 40 percent. The company has also found that equipment using R-32 can be more energy efficient and compact–thereby consuming fewer manufacturing resources–when compared to equipment using R-410A or certain alternative refrigerants. Daikin believes that R-32–a pure, single component refrigerant available globally from multiple suppliers–is easier to reuse, reclaim, and recycle when compared to other refrigerants that are blends of R-32 and other components. In summary, Daikin believes R-32 can effectively help to minimize the environmental impact of HVAC equipment. Dominant Refrigerant For Residential HVAC Equipment The choice of R-32 for the North American region is consistent with the wide global acceptance of the refrigerant. In Japan, R-32 is the dominant refrigerant for residential HVAC equipment while in other Asian countries—including China—and in many European countries, the refrigerant has become an increasing popular choice for HVAC equipment. Daikin has estimated that more than 84 million R-32 residential units have been installed by the industry across 70 countries. According to a Japan Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News, Ltd. (JARN) report, in 2018 alone, over 25 million residential units using R-32 were sold worldwide, accounting for more than 25 percent of total residential units sold in that year. This number is expected to increase in 2019. R-32 For Ducted And Ductless Residential Products The company was the first to introduce R-32 residential air conditioners and heat pumps globally Furthermore, in the United States, acceptance of the refrigerant has already begun in some HVAC applications: JARN reports that in 2018, almost half of window air conditioning units sold across the U.S. used R-32. By selecting R-32 for various ducted and ductless residential, light-commercial, and applied products, Daikin is extending its leadership position in North America. The company was the first to introduce R-32 residential air conditioners and heat pumps globally and has, since 2012, sold more than 21 million R-32 residential units worldwide. Measurable Environmental And Performance Qualities To advance the adoption of R-32, Daikin has committed to share its knowledge and expertise. Earlier this year, Daikin announced its patent non-assertion pledge of identified patents to further facilitate the use of the R-32 in HVAC products. Daikin has also provided education and training programs for the refrigerant–programs that have been supported by many governmental agencies. Daikin’s overarching goal is to ensure that North America can benefit from the use of a refrigerant that provides measurable environmental and performance qualities that will advantage the environment and consumers. Effect Of Air Conditioning “We know that the net effect of air conditioning on the environment is a combination of the refrigerant used and energy consumed,” said Daikin Applied Americas’ President and CEO Mike Schwartz. “R-32 enables home and building owners to achieve reduced climate impact, superior performance, and operational savings. Daikin is in a unique position as a manufacturer of both HVAC equipment and refrigerants. R-32 brings many benefits including energy efficiency, resource reduction, and environmental mitigation" “Our approach has always been to use our expertise to choose the right refrigerant for each application. R-32 is the right low GWP refrigerant choice for many of our residential, light-commercial, and applied products in North America.” Right Choice For HVAC Manufacturers Goodman Global’s President and CEO Satoru Akama said, “Daikin’s choice of R-32 demonstrates our strong commitment as a U.S. HVAC manufacturer to minimize environmental impacts of our equipment including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. R-32 brings many benefits including energy efficiency, resource reduction, and overall environmental mitigation. Based on our global experience, we are confident R-32 is the right choice for HVAC manufacturers, contractors, and consumers.” Daikin’s North American production of R-32 products is the latest step in its efforts to advance technologies that reduce environmental impact and provide consumers superior technology. These efforts will take account of the developments in various North American jurisdictions as they enact appropriate regulations, codes, and standards.

Danfoss has announced the start of the third Refrigerant Week—with tools, events, and resources to help customers get ready for refrigerant change. In recent years, legislation around refrigerants has shifted significantly, affecting prices and availability all over the world. And the move to low-GWP (global warming potential) alternatives has only just begun. Danfoss Refrigerant Week Throughout the industry, people are dealing with unprecedented change. So, in 2017, Danfoss started Refrigerant Week. It's the company’s unique way of bringing together the best and brightest minds in refrigeration to help installers, resellers, wholesalers, operators, and OEM engineers handle the accelerating pace of refrigerant transition through a packed program of webinars, podcasts, and local training events.  International program of webinars The Refrigerant Week will have 11 live webinars to choose from, which take place simultaneously in a variety of time zones and languages, to give viewers the latest insights into subjects such as: Global trends and drivers - For cold chain technology, and refrigerants and regulations Handling A2L and A3 flammable refrigerants - Includes charging procedures and service routines Transitioning to new refrigerants and technologies – Will feature everything installers need to know about new refrigerant technologies, and moving away from R404A Benefiting from lower-GWP refrigerants – This will entail rethinking system design and comparing industrial refrigeration efficiency Using CO₂ - Including large industrial trans-critical systems and system optimization Looking to the future – Customers will need to be ready for changes all the way to 2030 And while the webinars will be broadcast in English, many will also be available in German, Polish, Ukrainian, Romanian, Turkish, Italian, French, Spanish, and Czech. Industry speakers and interactive activities In addition to the webinars, the Refrigerant Week will also offer exclusive insights from industry experts such as: Torben Funder-Kristensen - Head of Public and Industry Affairs, Danfoss Cooling Norbert Blatz - Global Application Manager, Danfoss Cooling Jürgen Fischer - President, Danfoss Cooling Ray Gluckman - Consultant with over 30 years of experience in refrigeration, energy efficiency, and climate change, and Owner of Gluckman Consulting Emilia Battaglini - Program Manager, Climate Change Group, Danfoss Cooling

Air conditioning and commercial refrigeration major Blue Star Limited’s wholly owned subsidiary in Dubai, Blue Star International FZCO, has embarked on an aggressive expansion drive in Western Africa. The company, with its comprehensive range of air conditioning and refrigeration products, had commenced operations in Nigeria in association with its local distribution partner, Merald Technology Solutions Nigeria Ltd, in 2017, and now it intends to rapidly expand its business in this market. To promote its wide range of offerings, the company hosted a technical seminar on September 6, 2019, at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Technological leadership Blue Star, with its rich pedigree of 75 years of leadership in the HVAC industry, has an edge in the industry due to its diverse and technologically superior product offerings such as air cooled chillers, water cooled chillers, process chillers, ductable splits, ductable packaged systems, VRF systems, magnetic turbocor chillers, cold rooms, banana ripening chambers, chest freezers, room air conditioners, water coolers and bottled water dispensers, amongst others. Blue Star’s new generation highly energy-efficient 100% inverter VRF V Plus systems, for example, exemplify the company’s leadership. These systems are best-in-class as they deliver 100% capacity up to 43˚C ambient temperatures. With over 75 models of indoor units, and outdoor units with capacities up to 112HP, they can cater to a wide range of applications. In addition, each of these systems has a 34-litre accumulator which is one of the largest in the industry, enabling their use across diverse operating loads from 5% to 130%. Besides, they come with a host of advanced controllers such as group controllers and central controllers, and tenant billing software that tracks power consumption parameters. Sustainable environment-friendly initiatives The company has proactively taken steps to adopt natural refrigerant HC R290 The company has adopted zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) refrigerant HFC R410A as replacement to HCFC R22 which is in the phase-out list of The Montreal Protocol. Considering that HFC refrigerants have high global warming potential, the company has proactively taken steps to adopt natural refrigerant HC R290 after careful evaluation of safety in certain products. Further, HFC R32 which has one third global warming potential of HFC R410A is being progressively adopted in the company’s room air conditioners. The company has already adopted Cyclopentane which is also a natural refrigerant as blowing agent in foam panes used in cold rooms. Strong partnership Speaking at the seminar, Dawood Bin Ozair, CEO, Blue Star International FZCO, said, “Blue Star takes immense pride in being associated with Merald Technology Solutions, a leading player in Nigeria with a strong base in providing engineering services and facility management solutions. We are confident that with Blue Star’s products that are backed by robust R&D and world-class manufacturing and Merald Technology’s well entrenched network in this region, we will be able to build on and consolidate our presence in this region.” Yogendra Singh, Managing Director, Merald, added, “With many upcoming projects and development of both residential and commercial properties, we are ready and equipped to provide the best of Blue Star’s HVAC solutions most suited to each requirement.”

“Evaporative cooling, direct, indirect, and two-stage solutions, are being used across the board in a wide variety of commercial and industrial solutions,” said Randy Niederer, Director of Marketing, Cambridge Engineering Inc. “It is currently experiencing a renaissance, as large manufacturing and distribution facilities are choosing this technology to provide cooling relief for employees.” This renaissance, along with several new technology factors, creates a backdrop for contractors to benefit from the sale of evaporative cooling solutions. Direct evaporative cooling Effectively selling evaporative cooling solutions to customers begins with understanding the different ways to accomplish evaporative cooling. Direct evaporative cooling is the traditional technology of which most contractors and technicians have knowledge. Direct evaporative cooling systems put the process fluid, typically water, into direct contact with air According to ‘Evaporative Cooling 101’ on Evapco’s website, direct evaporative cooling systems put the process fluid, typically water, into direct contact with air. Water flows through fill as a fan draws air across it, facilitating the transfer of heat from the warm water to the cooler air. This is the system used in open-air cooling towers. Indirect evaporative cooling Indirect evaporative cooling is much the same as direct in concept; however, instead of coming in direct contact with the water, the air is pumped through coils, and water flows across the coils. Two-stage solutions, a combination of both indirect evaporative cooling and direct evaporative cooling technologies, use a plate heat exchanger with the indirect section’s airstream, which then passes through the direct evaporative media for additional cooling. Two-stage evaporative cooling According to Niederer, “Direct evaporative cooling works well in dry arid climates, whereas indirect evaporative cooling works well in a much broader geographic area. Two-stage evaporative cooling is being used in many situations, and evaporative cooling is also being used to efficiently pre-chill intake air being used in refrigerant-based cooling applications.” He explained that there are tradeoffs between evaporative cooling and DX or VRF that should be communicated to the customer. “Contractors must determine what their end user is trying to achieve with their IAQ and then design that solution with either in-house engineers or with an MEP [mechanical, electrical, plumbing] engineering firm,” said Niederer. Higher efficiency and cost savings He adds, “If the end user just wants to set a thermostat at 70°F and be assured that the temperature never gets warmer then evaporative cooling may not meet their requirements. End users that want to condition their space to be more user-friendly than the outside air, yet perhaps not as cool as a residential setting, will find that evaporative cooling can often meet their needs.” He gave the example of conditioning a distribution center in Dallas and compared the cost of purchasing and operating a refrigerant-based system for this application versus an evaporative cooling system solution. “In this application, the cost for refrigerant-based cooling could be exorbitant,” said Niederer, adding “Yet direct evaporative cooling can provide a delta T drop of 20° for a fraction of the purchase and operating cost.” Awareness and technical understanding The role evaporative cooling and the impact it can make is completely undervalued by the HVAC industry" With an understanding of what evaporative cooling is and how to better communicate with customers about the topic, contractors will next need to ascertain which solutions will work and where to find the right customers. “Although awareness and technical understanding of the latest technologies is increasing, I feel the role evaporative cooling and the undoubted impact it can make is completely undervalued by the HVAC industry as a whole,” said Mike Sullivan, CEO of Air2O. “With the phase out of HCFCs and, now, HFCs with a high GWP, it is only natural that the industry will have to start to seriously consider where possible R-718, water.” Effective evaporative cooling application Sullivan noted that when using evaporative cooling as the primary cooling measure, regions with low wet bulb often yield the best results. Dependent on the application, however, evaporative cooling technologies can have benefits to all regions. Niederer suggests that HVAC contractors look for customers in industrial manufacturing, warehouse/distribution, higher education, prisons, and utilities for ideal evaporative cooling customers. Other applications mentioned included data centers, confinement farming, hospitals, and indoor sporting facilities. Reducing CO2 footprint and energy consumption “Evaporative cooling is the preferred method of cooling whenever reduced footprint and/or reduced energy consumption are of the greatest importance,” said Adam Radford, Global Product Manager, Closed Circuit Coolers, Evapco. “The technology is suited for all areas of the United States, depending on the application and site requirements.” Identifying a good evaporative cooling application customer is not based solely on location and humidity. According to Scott Jacobs, Director, Engineering, Portacool LLC, there are many tell-tale signs that contractors can identify. High application in hot, humid conditions Evaporative cooling popularity has surged in high-heat areas where people, equipment, and animals need relief" “Look for the current use of subpar attempts of cooling, like barrel fans,” said Jacobs, adding “Even in hot and humid areas, evaporative cooling can provide some cooling relief when used properly. Evaporative cooling popularity has surged in high-heat areas where people, equipment, and animals need relief.” He explained that contractors can use the current regulatory environment and laws to highlight the need for worker health and safety to potential customers. Jacob further said, “Even though using evaporative cooling in enclosed buildings becomes much more difficult in humid climates, savvy users can supplement an evaporative system with proper ventilation in order to maintain a comfortable environment.” Future scope of Evaporative Cooling technology A push for energy and financial savings continues to drive innovation in the evaporative cooling market. Manufacturers take different avenues to improve the technology for further diverse applications. For example, according to Evapco, both internal tube enhancement and extended surface fin technology have significantly increased the efficiency of the current technology in the evaporative cooling market. “From data centers located in a dry, desert environment looking to save on water and footprint to large commercial HVAC buildings in Seattle looking to go ‘green’ with the provision of environmentally sustainable cooling solutions, hybrid coolers are really where the present and future of the industry is headed,” said Adam Radford. Energy recovery ventilation technology Portacool has found that by manipulating different factors in its manufacturing process, the company can get different results. “This has resulted in a more efficient product and has allowed evaporative cooling to become a legitimate option in many more parts of the world,” added Scott Jacobs. Cambridge Engineering expects to achieve even more energy efficiency from evaporative cooling units via more efficient fan technologies and variable frequency drives in the future. “We also foresee adding ERV [energy recovery ventilation] technology to the units and finding ways to reduce water consumption and improve the quality of the water used,” said Niederer. Improved performance Air2O is aware of many concepts to improve efficiency and performance, especially at the times of high wet bulb. “We are working on a few ourselves,” said Sullivan, adding “In the meantime, great advancements have been made in evaporative cooling technology in recent years, and it is now a viable, and, in many cases, superior ,form of cooling for many projects.”

Danfoss has boosted the part load performance and the operating map of its leading VZH variable speed scroll compressor range. The third-generation commercial inverter scrolls retain the strengths of the previous version, with the addition of the Intermediate Discharge Valve (IDV) technology for enhanced seasonal efficiency, and a wider operating map. The products are particularly suitable for comfort reversible applications and computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units.  Matthieu Stoll, Global Marketing Director A/C, Danfoss Cooling said: “The introduction of IDVs in the large models means that there’s no longer a need for high- and low-pressure compressor optimization – potentially halving inventory management requirements. And the wider operating map brings huge value for strategic applications. We can accelerate the changeover from older Danfoss inverter scrolls to the third generation seamlessly.” addressing energy efficiency regulations Features and benefits of the new generation variable-speed scrolls include: Prequalified Danfoss compressor and drive package for time to market and reliability Accurate temperature control and humidity management for high energy efficiency and comfort. Low start-up current, and manageable acoustic level with variable speed technology A complete line-up of models from 4 to 26 TR (up to 52 TR in hybrid tandems) all with IDV technology for superior part-load efficiency Wider operating map to cover more types of applications Smaller OEM inventory on larger models with the transition from two high-, low-pressure ratio to a single IDV model Looking to the near future, multi-refrigerant capability is in the pipeline for the VZH range, including R452B and R454B, and a version derived from VZH will also be released for R32. This will enable OEMs to respond to future challenges in the refrigerant landscape, while addressing energy efficiency regulations. optimal system operation VZH compressor and ETS Colibri electronic expansion valves: innovative solutions for IT cooling Precise close control air conditioning systems are crucial for areas where cooling is business-critical, such as data centers, mobile phone network exchanges, and server rooms. Danfoss’ VZH compressor and ETS Colibri electronic expansion valve offer an affordable solution to deliver the precision needed. The ETS Colibri electronic stepper motor valve with direct driven bi-polar motor delivers precise liquid injection into evaporators. The unique in-line design includes a balanced cage and slider assembly to ensure tight shut-off flow in both directions, providing optimal system operation.

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, global provider of transportation and logistical solutions, is expanding its fleet with a record-setting order of 5,000 refrigerated containers equipped with Carrier Transicold’s XtendFRESH atmosphere control technology, as part of a larger order. This innovative system manages oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within refrigerated containers and removes ethylene, thus slowing the ripening of produce and helping to preserve its quality beyond what can be achieved by refrigeration alone. XtendFRESH-equipped containers The XtendFRESH-equipped containers are being leased through SeaCube Containers LLC The XtendFRESH-equipped containers are being leased through SeaCube Containers LLC. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. “By adding atmosphere control for selected perishable cargoes, we are enhancing the care we provide for the valuable commodities we ship for our customers,” said Giuseppe Prudente, chief logistics officer, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. “XtendFRESH technology enables MSC to transport fruit and other refrigerated cargo over longer distances, creating tremendous new opportunities for exporters and importers.” Controlled-atmosphere equipment MSC’s order is the largest for the XtendFRESH option since the system was introduced in 2013, and it represents a significant step in the growing trend among shipping lines to provide controlled-atmosphere technology for the benefit of their customers, according to Willy Yeo, Director of Marketing, Global Container Refrigeration, Carrier Transicold. SeaCube CEO Robert Sappio agrees that factors such as slow steaming and new trade routes, resulting from shipping line alliances and consolidations, are creating opportunities for XtendFRESH technology. “MSC is just one example of the very strong demand we’ve seen for controlled-atmosphere equipment. As shipping lines fine-tune their operations and optimize their networks, controlled atmosphere is a way for them to assure their customers that they are carrying their products more safely.” Fresh-air ventilation In use, the XtendFRESH system’s patented, self-regenerating activated-carbon scrubber assembly captures carbon dioxide and ethylene, a hormone given off by ripening produce that can accelerate ripening if left unchecked. As perishable cargo consumes oxygen, on-demand fresh-air ventilation automatically maintains the optimum level inside the container. “The innovative XtendFRESH system allows shipping lines to optimize conditions for specific commodities,” Carrier Transicold’s Yeo said. “It is the only atmosphere control solution with an integrated ethylene removal capability.” PrimeLINE refrigeration units PrimeLINE units use digital scroll compressors to deliver greater cooling capacity using less energy The XtendFRESH system was selected by MSC as an option for Carrier Transicold PrimeLINE refrigeration units being installed on new 40-foot high-cube containers. In support of its environmental initiatives, MSC specified PrimeLINE units with a new provision that enables conversion from R-134a to R-513A, a refrigerant with a significantly lower global warming potential. PrimeLINE units use digital scroll compressors to deliver greater cooling capacity using less energy than prior models from Carrier Transicold. The PrimeLINE unit’s value proposition also includes rapid pull-down, tight temperature control, high air-flow performance and excellent cost of ownership. Global shipping company With global headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. is a privately owned global shipping company with vessels that sail on more than 200 trade routes, calling at over 500 ports, with access to an integrated network of road, rail and sea transport resources that stretches across the globe.