Alternative low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants will be presented at the ASHRAE/NIST 2012 Refrigerants Conference: “Moving toward Sustainability,” Oct. 29 - 30, 2012, at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Md.
Papers from leading global experts will be presented on refrigerant alternatives and technologies, environmental effects of refrigerants, new refrigerant performance considerations and natural refrigerants. All papers at the conference are presented by invited speakers.
“The goal of the conference is to provide new information on the technologies, methods and means that will be used in the future to accommodate the imminent phase-down of high-GWP refrigerants,” Piotr Domanski, conference co-chair, said. “International concerns about the impact of refrigerants on climate change inevitably lead to increased focus on refrigerants with a low GWP applied in high-efficiency systems. This includes a new generation of unsaturated fluorochemicals and the expanded use of ‘natural’ refrigerants.”
This is the fourth jointly sponsored refrigerants conference organized by ASHRAE and NIST. Those involved in all the different aspects of refrigerants and refrigeration technology – policymakers, manufacturers, researchers and government officials – will receive an opportunity to learn about the latest developments and directions going forward. A number of papers address the new generation of low-GWP fluorochemicals, including “Introduction to Alternatives for High-GWP HFC Refrigerants;”
“Alternatives to High-GWP HFC Refrigerants” for air-conditioning, heating and refrigeration applications, chillers and residential and small commercial unitary; and “AHRI Low-GWP Alternative Refrigerant Evaluation Program” among others. Complete information on new low-GWP refrigerants according to ASHRAE designations, including blend compositions, will be presented. Papers addressing risk assessments for applications with 2L refrigerants will include “Risk Assessment of Residential Heat Pump Systems Using 2L Flammable Refrigerants” and “2L Flammability Investigation and Risk Assessment Enables Automotive Industry Approval of HFO-1234yf.”
Papers on specific emerging refrigerants address “Environmental Impacts of HFO-1234yf and Other HFOs,” “Thermal and Chemical Stability of HFOs” and “Thermophysical Properties, Heat Transfer, and Pressure Drop of HFOs.” A broad perspective on the expanded use of natural refrigerants are addressed in papers titled “Outlook for Natural Refrigerants,” “Application of CO2 in Supermarkets in Europe” and “Ammonia.”
Three opening keynote presentations will provide broad perspectives:
• James Calm, engineering consultant, Great Falls, Va., will speak on “Refrigerant Transitions…Again”
• Drusilla Hufford, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will address “Opportunities for Improved Climate Benefit under the Montreal Protocol”
• Dr. Steve Montzka, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will address “HFCs in the Atmosphere: Concentrations, Emissions, Impacts.”
In addition, the conference will feature panel discussions on “Global View on Refrigerant Preferences” and “Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in 2032.” Conference registration fees through Sept. 14 are $450 ($400, ASHRAE members). Conference fees Sept. 15 to Oct. 17 are $475 ($425, ASHRAE members). Registration closes Oct. 18, and there will not be any onsite registration because of security requirements at the government facility.
For additional information or to register, visit THIS LINK.