The phase out of using R22-R is looming for the UK and Europe

The phase out of using R22-R is looming for the UK and Europe

As of Midnight on the 31/12/2014 we will see the end of the use of Reclaimed R22 and other Reclaimed HCFC’s. As of 1st January 2015 it will become illegal to use Reclaimed R22, or other Reclaimed HCFC’s for servicing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. This legislative change, implemented under the Montreal Protocol, will affect the entire Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning industry, as Reclaimed R22 becomes obsolete and banned for use in any air conditioning and refrigeration system..

The ban is a SERVICE BAN ONLY; if the system is gas tight you DO NOT have to remove the Reclaimed R22 contained within it. However, be aware, that if (or when) the system leaks, the refrigerant will have to be replaced with a suitable alternative.

This phase out will mean Reclaimed R22 will no longer be available to purchase in the UK on or after 1st January 2015.

For more information email: info@orionair.co.uk

Blue Star, has announced the launch of a new range of eco-friendly and energy efficient Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Air conditioning System

Central air conditioning and commercial refrigeration major, Blue Star, has announced the launch of a new range of eco-friendly and energy efficient Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Airconditioning Systems using the Inverter technology.

A VRF system is a sophisticated centralized airconditioning system that cools large multi-zone spaces with varying heating and cooling needs through intelligent controls. This results in tremendous power savings as the system is smart enough to know where to cool, and when. Many modern establishments having multi zones such as sophisticated offices, hotels, premium residential properties and hospitals are opting for VRF Airconditioning systems because of the flexibility of control and significantly lower electricity billsIn VRF Airconditioning Systems, there are two popular technologies based on the compressor, namely Digital Scroll and Inverter. Blue Star has been offering VRF Airconditioning Systems with Digital Scroll technology since 2008. However, the Company realized that it is not addressing the needs of customers who prefer the Inverter technology. Considering that the VRF AC system segment is on a fast-growth path, the Company thought it prudent to launch VRF Systems with Inverter technology in addition to Digital Scrolls in order to address the entire universe of customers. Thus, with this new range of inverter-based systems, the Company will be able to offer both the technologies to its customers.
The new range of Inverter-based VRF Airconditioning Systems is being offered in partnership with Gree, China. Gree is China's leading airconditioning designer and manufacturer and has over 1000 installations of its VRF Inverter Airconditioning systems across the world. The units being offered are currently part of the latest fourth generation Inverter technology.

The new range being launched can support a wide range of 70 indoor units with up to 500 m of refrigerant piping, amongst the highest in its class. These units can operate in a wide range of 7oC to 48oC and offer both cooling and heating options. It boasts of intelligent microprocessor-based controllers at multi levels – an all encompassing centralized PC-controlled system for the entire installation; zone-wise control and individual unit control through the respective remotes. It incorporates the eco-friendly R410A refrigerant and offers tremendous energy savings thanks to its capacity variation in 1% steps from 10 to 100% of rating.

According to Mr B Thiagarajan, President, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Products Group, Blue Star Limited, “Blue Star is a market leader in the central airconditioning segment catering to both corporate as well as commercial requirements. With the launch of our Inverter-based VRF Airconditioning Systems, we now have the entire spectrum of VRF systems to cater to all customer demands and are in a position to further consolidate our leadership position in the central airconditioning business.”

British companies behind the development of the first chillers to run on the new "fourth generation" HFO refrigerants

The British companies behind the development of the first chillers to run on the new "fourth generation" HFO refrigerants are forging ahead with their plans despite claims from Danfoss Turbocor that its compressor has not been validated to use with these new gases.

Our story on this ground-breaking development was the talk of this week's ASHRAE conference and AHR show in Las Vegas, with some people there questioning the truth and accuracy of our information.
Doug Bishop, vice-president of sales at Danfoss Turbocor, manufacturers of the oil-less compressor used in the new Turbomiser chiller, told ACR News that his company did not offer an HFO1234ze or 1234yf compressor. But, today, Klima-Therm and Cool-Therm, the British companies who developed the chiller in association with Italian manufacturer Geoclima, stood by the story.
A company statement said: "We understand that Danfoss Turbocor has not yet given an official green light for use of HFOs with Turbocor. However, this is a rapidly developing area, and there is sometimes a lag between those pioneering the application of new technology and those carrying out detailed validation. We believe this will follow in the normal course of events, and that HFOs will become established as a long term viable option for the future."
However, a spokesman for the companies did add that is now thought that HFO1234yf may not be suitable for use with the current generation of Turbomiser machines, due to the particular properties of the refrigerant. He would not be drawn on what these were but said that development work in this area continues.

Metal thieves getting jail for conspiring to release ozone-depleting substances.

IN WHAT is thought to be one of the first such cases of its kind, three thieves in Georgia, USA, convicted of stealing copper coils for scrap from air conditioning units, have pleaded guilty to additional charges of conspiring to release ozone-depleting substances.

The three men, Daniel Arnot, Corey Beard and Justin Joyner, were indicted in June last year on one conspiracy count and 12 counts of releasing R22 into the environment. As reported in ACR News (August 2010), this involved the dismantling of approximately 35 air conditioning units from 14 locations, including a church.

Arnot and Beard could now face millions of dollars in fines and up to 65 years in federal prison. Joyner, who only pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy and releasing ozone-depleting chemicals, faces a maximum jail sentence of 10 years. Sentencing dates have not yet been set. Arnot's wife is awaiting trial on similar charges.

As the price of raw materials rises around the world, thieves are cashing in by stealing metal for scrap. The popularity of air conditioning in the US makes the copper coils in the condensing units particularly attractive to thieves. With copper selling for around $3 a pound in the US, thieves can expect $1.50 a pound from scrap metal merchants.