In the mid-19th century, carbon dioxide was being used as a reliable and efficient refrigerant. However, with the introduction and wide use of synthetic refrigerants, such as HFCs and CFCs, the utilization of CO2 in industrial and commercial refrigeration decreased. Today, new refrigeration regulations are in place with the goal to reduce the use of harmful refrigerants. As a result, [...]
Whether for the protection of the earth’s ozone layer and or the conservation of our finite natural resources have started to diminish, regulations on environmental protection continue to emerge. Starting with the Montreal Protocol down to the Paris Climate Agreement, a number of policies have been implemented to promote sustainability across different sectors. In our industry, sustainability and climate change [...]
Rising temperatures, climate change, and the recent pandemic are among the health and environmental challenges facing many industries. The refrigeration industry is one of the industries affected by these issues through, among other changes, sustainable and stringent refrigerant regulations to protect the environment. This year, 2021, is a pivotal year for the refrigeration industry when it comes to new [...]
As the food retail industry seeks alternative refrigerants beyond HFC’s due to environmental concerns, it is sensible to focus our attention on the increasingly viable alternative which is R290, or commonly called Propane. As a refrigerant, R290 has not caught on as quickly in North America, but it is frequently used in other parts of the world. For example, in [...]
The new California Air Resources Board (CARB) refrigerant regulations approved in December 2020 are expected to lead to increased adoption of natural refrigerants in the industry. Given the nature of the new regulations, which encourage the use of refrigerants with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP), natural refrigerants fit the bill. The new CARB regulation is in accordance with CARB’s goal [...]
Rising sea levels, the slow erosion of the earth’s ozone layer, and the threat of global warming have enacted environmental policies in different industries around the world. The commercial refrigeration industry is no exception. Ever since the Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocol were put in place to protect the stratospheric ozone layer and reduce greenhouse gas emissions respectively, several states [...]
By Franco Sebastián D'Aprile, Jan 12, 2021, 05:00 GMT-5. A transcritical CO2 (R744) system installed last year at an existing distribution center in Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, South America (near Medellín), has so far reduced energy consumption by 45% compared to a new conventional fluorinated system, according to the equipment distributor for Columbia, which installed the system. Given this savings, and [...]
By Franco Sebastián D'Aprile, Jan 12, 2021, 05:00 GMT-5. A transcritical CO2 (R744) system installed last year at an existing distribution center in Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia, South America (near Medellín), has so far reduced energy consumption by 45% compared to a new conventional fluorinated system, according to the equipment distributor for Columbia, which installed the system. Given this savings, and [...]
Ever since the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, the search for the most sustainable refrigerant expanded in the commercial refrigeration industry. Historically, refrigerants like Ammonia, Propane, and most especially Carbon Dioxide (CO2) have been widely used in the 20th century. Although CO2 is one of the most benign refrigerants, many were hesitant to consider it as a viable option due [...]
The future of the commercial refrigeration industry is looking bright, but some challenges remain uncertain. There is one thing we are sure of though: refrigeration regulations are emerging, and it will greatly impact our industry in one way or another, coming sooner rather than later. Compliance with refrigeration regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy, [...]