Emerson Climate Technologies Approves Arkema’s Forane for Copeland Discus Compressors
Arkema announced in December that its Forane 427A (R-427A) retrofit refrigerant has been approved by Emerson Climate Technologies for aftermarket use with Copeland Discus compressors in low- and medium-temperature refrigeration applications.
Arkema sources say Forane 427A refrigerant is the "EASY CHOICE" when it comes to retrofitting many R-22 applications, including air conditioning and low- and medium-temperature refrigeration. They say Forane 427A refrigerant is the closest match to R-22 in terms of performance and operating conditions and was developed to minimize the work necessary during an R-22 system retrofit.
Copeland Discus brand compressors are some of the most widely used in supermarket refrigeration, and approval from Emerson Climate Technologies demonstrates Forane 427A’s excellent performance as an R-22 retrofit solution. Emerson Climate Technologies is updating their technical bulletins (93-11 R28 and 95-14) with Forane 427A’s approval for aftermarket use with Copeland DiscusTM compressors and POE oil in low-temperature Demand CoolingTM and medium-temperature refrigeration rack applications. “Emerson’s endorsement is valued within the industry,” says Patti Conlan, marketing manager, Arkema. “Our customers have found Forane 427A refrigerant to match R-22’s capacity and efficiency closely, while reducing compressor discharge temperatures.” "Securing Copeland approval gives Arkema and our customers further confidence of the capabilities of Forane 427A refrigerant and the benefits it offers to anyone looking for a long-term retrofit solution," adds Glenn Haun, director of sales for fluorochemicals in North America. Forane 427A refrigerant is specifically designed to replace R-22, an ozone-depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that is being phased out under the Montreal Protocol agreement. Forane 427A refrigerant is the closest match to R-22 in terms of performance, mass flow rates, and operating pressures, over the whole range of temperatures among the R-22 retrofit solutions. Forane 427A with a GWP of 2138 (IPCC 4th Report) has one of the lowest GWP of any current major R-22 retrofits, Arkema reports. — Arkema forane.com
Flir Systems/Extech Products at AHR Expo
FLIR Systems and Extech Instruments plan to showcase many new thermal cameras and test and measurement tools 
Extech plans to unveil its new AN500, pictured at right, which uses a new glass-substrate sensor technology that provides enhanced durability, responsiveness and accuracy in terms of its ability to compensate for fluctuating temperatures to deliver accurate in-duct Air Velocity measurements. The AN500 allows easy access through openings as small as 3/8-in. via its 8mm probe, which is located on the end of a telescoping wand that extends more than 2 meters in length. Other improvements include a dual readout display, ruler label on the telescopic wand to make it easier to take measurements in the center of hard-to-reach ducts, and an ergonomic directional handle and anti-rotation sensor confirms that probe direction and airflow direction are aligned for confident readings. The AN500 calculates CMM/CFM based on a variety of duct shapes and sizes, provides adjustable parameters for Altitude and GAIN, and saves/displays 36 stored readings. The AN500 comes with telescoping probe with cable, 100V-240V AC Universal Adaptor with 4 plugs, six AA batteries, hard carrying case, and user manual. — FLIR Systems / Extech Instruments flir.com / extech.com