ASHRAE webcast to tackle future refrigerants
5th April 2019
USA: The transition to low GWP refrigerants and the challenge that poses for the HVAC&R industry will be the subject of this year’s ASHRAE webcast.
“The Future of Refrigerants: Unitary and VRF Systems” webcast will discuss how common air-conditioning system configurations could adapt to substantial changes in refrigerant technology.
“This past January, developed countries—including the US—began phasing down their hydrofluorocarbons refrigerant emissions, in accordance to the Kigali Agreement,” said Ingersoll Rand’s director next generation refrigerant research Stephen Kujak, one of the webcast presenters.
The webinar is designed to help people understand the Kigali Amendment regulations and the HFC phase-down timing which will dictate when new products will be introduced. It will also cover the safety and performance of potential alternatives, and the impacts these new alternatives may have on the supply and service stream.
“The industry is at a critical point in this transition, as there are different approaches and timelines worldwide for the phase down of high-GWP refrigerants,” said Douglas Tucker, director of industry and government relations at Mitsubishi Electric US Cooling & Heating, another webcast presenter.
While the refrigerant industry is developing new refrigerants as an alternative to R410A for unitary and VRF systems, Tucker said changes to the product safety standards, installation, building codes and increasing energy efficiency mandates will present many challenges at every stages of equipment life cycles.
To help the industry prepare for and address these changes, the webcast will look at how the refrigerant industry will meet the needs of installed packaged and split system air conditioners, specifically VRF systems. It will also discuss future trends in DX air conditioning (including VRF) equipment design, performance and application, the future of low GWP refrigerant options for unitary products, whether refrigerant retrofits are possible, and the challenges and best practices in working with flammable refrigerants.
This year’s webcast will be limited to two hours and will broadcast live twice – on April 17 at 19.00 to 21.00 and April 18 at 11.00 to 13.00. All times are EDT.
The webcast is free, but registration is required. Further information here.
