ARE NATURAL REFRIGERANTS THE ONLY SURE BET?
“With the second regulation finalized, the EPA is addressing technology transition. It previously focused on production and consumption and will next consider and rule on refrigerant management.
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EPA Publishes Final Technology Transitions Rule to Phase Down HFCs
On October 5th, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan signed the Final Rule Technology Transitions authorized under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act designed to phase down hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) use.
Read MoreTHE TECHNICIAN SHORTAGE
The refrigeration industry has been facing a shortage of skilled workers for years, and the problem continues to grow, creating significant challenges, disrupting essential operations, and limiting growth. “At a high level, the workforce shortage creates a bottleneck that threatens the industry’s ability to meet regulatory timelines,” said Danielle Wright, executive director of the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council.
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President’s Message by Gary Schrift
The months after IIAR’s annual conference are always think about the next membership year ahead. While there’s always a lot going on in these last few days of summer, it’s nice to pause for a moment and reflect on what it means to be an IIAR member and what new plans we have for the future.
Read MoreUpcoming IIAR Conference Features Significant Changes
The 2024 IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference & Heavy Equipment Expo, March 24-27, in Orlando, will bring several significant changes from previous years, including an updated schedule and an exclusive Natural Refrigeration Foundation Fun Day.
Read MoreAssessing and Mitigating Risk
Managing risk is an important part of any business, but especially for those that work with refrigerants, which can create a safety hazard if they aren’t handled properly. However, the best ways to manage and estimate risk aren’t always clear cut.
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OSHA Announces New Emphasis Program Targeting Warehouses and Distribution Centers
On July 13th, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new national emphasis program (NEP) targeting workplace hazards in warehouses, processing facilities distribution centers, and high-risk retail establishments.
Read MoreHydrocarbon Standard Moves Forward with Public Review
The IIAR HC (Hydrocarbon) Standard has continued to move forward and was recently released for its first public review. The 45-day public review ran from July 7 through August 21. As of early August, the standard had received 92 comments.
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Understanding
Have you ever thought about your understanding of the equipment and tools we use as well as the entire refrigeration system(s)? Many times, or maybe all of the time we assume we or someone else understands until something happens. This may be like the definition of confidence I have heard, which is “That feeling you get just before you understand the situation.”
Read MoreIIAR Board Advances Standards, Undertakes New Initiatives, and Celebrates Members
IIAR has recently had its June board meeting, and the board took action on several critical IIAR standards and initiatives, welcomed new committee chairs, and celebrated members who have devoted valuable time and expertise to the industry.
Read MoreIIAR Remembers
Klaas Visser, known to the natural refrigeration industry as a relentless environmental advocate who is credited by many for helping lead the renaissance of CO2, as well as a tireless innovator who introduced pivotal new refrigeration system designs, has passed away at the age of 83.
Read MoreThe Design of CO2 Refrigeration System Using Ammonia System Design Principles
Over the past 20 years or so the use of CO2 refrigerant as the first stage of CO2/HFC and CO2/NH3 cascade systems has increased significantly. The use of two-stage transcritical CO2 systems, which are invariably air cooled, is an increasing trend. Frequently, two-stage gas coolers are used with water sprayed on the secondstage air-cooled gas coolers to reduce the gas cooler exit temperature to as low a value as possible.
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IIAR WELCOMES 1,700 IIAR MEMBERS IN LONG BEACH
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration 2023 Annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo in Long Beach, California. The event provided four days of technical knowledge, networking, and industry-sponsored events for those involved in the natural refrigeration industry. Roughly 1,700 attendees took part in the show and IIAR set a new record with its exhibit space.
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President’s Message by Gary Schrift
Our Annual Conference in Long Beach was a great success, and now that the flurry of committee meetings, networking events, and technical discussions have ended and we’re all back at work, it’s time to set some new goals and carry the momentum of our recent meeting into the rest of the year.
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Uriah Donaldson, Gabriel Gutierrez, Winners of the 2023 IIAR Award for Presentation Excellence
Uriah Donaldson, a process safety consultant and account manager for Resource Compliance, received IIAR’s 2023 Award for Presentation Excellence for his outstanding description of “The Cost of Non-Compliance: An Objective Analysis of Federal EPA’s Enforcement at Ammonia Facilities” during IIAR’s 2023 Annual Conference in Long Beach, California.
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Natural Refrigeration Foundation Annual Golf Tournament a Success
The Natural Refrigeration Foundation has raised more than $73,000 at its annual golf tournament. The foundation promotes the climate-positive, safe, reliable, and efficient use of natural refrigerants through research and scholarships to develop industry talent, academic alliances, and outreach.
Read MoreIndustrial Refrigeration Faces Significant Cybersecurity Risks
The use of technology in the industrial refrigeration industry continues to increase, and automation and internet control of facilities are becoming commonplace. The benefits of automation and control are massive, but there is also a downside. The systems can be vulnerable to attack, making cybersecurity measures essential to protect against cyber threats.
Read MoreHeat Pumps Hold Potential in Household and Commercial Applications
Heat pumps can significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and the adoption of heat pumps is continuing to increase in both household and industrial applications as technology advances.
Read MoreWork Continues on IIAR Standards
The Standards Committee is continuing its work on revisions of several standards, which must be reviewed and revised a minimum of every five years by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for IIAR to remain as an accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO). Updates for each standard were given during the IIAR Standards Committee Meeting at the IIAR 2023 Annual Conference in Long Beach.
Read MoreIIAR Remembers Members for Their Service and Contributions
IIAR’s success hinges on the involvement of its members, and the association would like to pay tribute to several members who have passed away. These members generously shared their time and expertise with IIAR and the industry, and they will be missed.
Read MoreIIAR, RETA Work to Increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Industry
Industrial refrigeration has long been a male-dominated industry with women being few and far between, whether it be at the enduser, contractor, or manufacturer level, but that is changing.
Read MoreKeeping Up by Dr. Janet Lapp
The increase in the volume of work resulting from regulatory changes is superimposed on a backset of a) unprecedented instability and b) an increasing and overwhelming number of decisions we are forced to make daily. Generative A.I. is compounding the overwhelm. The number of decisions every day has increased tenfold over the last three years (74%), 78% are bombarded with more data than ever, and 86% say the volume of data is making decisions much more complicated.
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OSHA Nears Completion of Final Rule on Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Requirements
On April 7, 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) submitted its latest injury and illness recordkeeping proposal to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). Submission to OIRA usually marks the last step in the rulemaking process before a Final Rule is published. Injury and illness recordkeeping has been the subject of regulatory attention by the last three administrations.
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Lesson Learned: Bad Decommissioning Mistake
I am sure that many of us have seen ammonia refrigeration systems that have operated for several decades, with equipment and system components functioning well past recommended operating life. This is a credit to manufacturers, installers, service technicians, and operators. Aging equipment and piping at some point will eventually require replacement. Or the system or portion of it may be decommissioned due to a business discussion. Due to various conditions, it may become necessary to decommission a system or portions of it, which is defined in ANSI/ IIAR 8- 2020 – Decommissioning of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Refrigeration Systems as: “The permanent deactivation of a closed-circuit refrigeration system.”
Read MoreBenefit of Ammonia Heat Pump Implementation in the Industry and for District Heating
Over the last 15 years the market for high-temperature ammonia heat pumps has been growing in Europe and now it is also taking off in North America. That period in Europe has yielded many lessons as higher pressure and temperature present new challenges in refrigerant design. This paper explains where heat pump installation differs from refrigeration installation through three case studies of installations in Europe.
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President’s Message by Gary Shrift
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration is growing, both within the United States and abroad, thanks to the use of natural refrigerants, and nowhere is this more evident than at the IIAR annual conference. This year, we’ll meet in person in Long Beach, California to discuss everything from HFC phaseouts to the AIM Act, to new technologies.
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Chairman’s Message
As I wind up my year as chairman of our International Association of Industrial Refrigeration, I look back and see all the wonderful accomplishments that you – our members and committees have achieved –setting the stage for even more in the year ahead. First on my list is the newly formed IIAR AIM Act Task Force. The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM) Act is expected to increase the long-term use of natural refrigerants and bring significant new opportunities to the natural refrigerant industry.
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High Growth For Low Charge
The pace of adoption of low-charge and packaged systems continues to increase as government regulations, sustainability initiatives, safety precautions, and technology advance. “There has been a drive to reduce refrigerant charge in all refrigeration,” said John Collins, industrial sales manager for Zero Zone. “The synthetic refrigerants containing HFC compounds are being regulated. Current and proposed regulations set definite limits which are driving system design for those types of systems and driving low-charge systems and more packaged unitary equipment because they’re trying to get the charge down.”
Read MoreIIAR Annual Conference Heads to Long Beach
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration 2023 annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo will take place in Long Beach, California, March 12th15th with a Foundation Golf Outing on March 11th and the first ever Foundation Pickleball/Cornhole Tournament on March 12th. The event provides four days of technical knowledge, networking, and industry-sponsored events for those involved in the natural refrigeration industry.
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Identifying Hazards Using Appropriate Assessment Techniques
The United States EPA National Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program implemented several national compliance initiatives (NCIs) effective for FY2020-2023. One of these NCIs is titled “Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities”. IIAR has received notice from the EPA and several end-users that one area of their focus is to determine whether facilities using hazardous chemicals have conducted a hazard analysis.
Read MoreTechnical Papers Provide In-Depth Thought Leadership at the IIAR Conference
During the annual IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition, industry experts will come together to present technical papers at the IIAR Technical Program. This year’s papers will address several key categories, including carbon dioxide, security, and safety.
Read MoreUpdate on IIAR Standards: 2023
IIAR is the world’s leading advocate for the safe, reliable, and efficient use of ammonia and other natural refrigerants as well as an ANSI-accredited standards developer. IIAR is currently the only organization writing design and operation standards specifically for ammonia and other natural refrigeration systems. All IIAR Standards are developed to meet essentialrequirement criteria set by ANSI. All IIAR Standards must be re-affirmed every 5 years.
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EPA Proposes HFC Phase Down Rule for Refrigeration Sector
On December 9th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act to advance the transition to more efficient heating and cooling technologies by restricting the use of hydrofluorocarbo and refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump equipment beginning in 2025. EPA has listed entities potentially impacted by the rule to include companies that manufacture, import, export, package, sell or otherwise distribute products that use or are intended to use HFCs, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, heat pumps, foams, and aerosols.
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Code and Standards Road Map Overview
Alot has happened since 2019. IIAR, in its continuing mission to promote the safe and sustainable use of natural refrigerants, produced the ANSI/IIAR CO2-2021 Safety Standard for Closed-Circuit Carbon Dioxide Refrigeration Systems. As the phase-down of F-gas refrigerants continues to accelerate worldwide, CO2 technology has become an increasingly popular option utilized in the industrial refrigeration sector and more recently in the commercial refrigeration sector.
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Colors of Ammonia?
If you have been around the ammonia refrigeration industry for a while you know ammonia is clear (colorless) unless it has been contaminated with impurities. However, over the last several years ammonia is more often being referred to with a color, which is not referring to the ammonia, but the process used to manufacture it.
Read MoreIIAR Task Force Keeps Members Up to Date on the AIM Act
The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM) Act is expected to increase the long-term use of natural refrigerants and bring significant new opportunities to the natural refrigerant industry. To ensure those in the industry are aware of the changes and opportunities the AIM Act will bring, IIAR has formed the AIM Act Task Force, which is being led by Miguel Garrido, executive president, Günter U.S.
Read MoreIIAR, RETA, GCCA, ASTI Form Coalition to Promote Natural Refrigerants
Safety, prevention, and emergency response readiness are top priorities within the natural refrigerant industry, and the Ammonia Safety Training Institute, IIAR, Global Cold Chain Alliance, and Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association have come together to form the Ammonia Safety Day Coalition.
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President’s Message by Gary Schrift
It’s that time of year again, and I’m happy to welcome all IIAR members back to our most important event – the IIAR annual conference and exhibition!
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Bridging the Gap: IIAR’s Newest Standard to Address Hydrocarbons in Industrial Refrigeration
IIAR is nearing the completion of its first standard for hydrocarbons—such as propane and butane—in large refrigeration systems. Hydrocarbons have been used for years in the petrochemical industry and are increasingly used in some refrigeration applications.
Read MoreIIAR Annual Conference Returns with In-Person and Virtual Learning Opportunities
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration 2022 annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo will return to an in-person meeting this year in Savannah, Georgia, March 6-9, with a Foundation Golf Outing on March 5th. The event provides four days of technical knowledge, networking and industry-sponsored events for those involved in the natural refrigeration industry. IIAR will also record each technical session and make recordings available online about a week later for those who can’t attend in person.
Read MoreTechnical Papers Provide In-Depth Thought Leadership at the IIAR Conference
During the annual IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition, industry experts will come together to present technical papers at the IIAR Technical Program. This year, the session will feature a dozen papers covering a broad range of topics.
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IIAR’s Global Reach Promotes Standards, Safety and Education Worldwide
As a global organization with members across the world, IIAR gives members the opportunity to learn from those with different experiences and points of view as well as improve the overall safety of the industrial refrigeration industry.
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Regulatory Outlook for 2022 by Lowell Randel, IIAR Government Relations Director
As the Biden Administration enters its second year, agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are preparing to take significant regulatory actions that will impact the industrial refrigeration industry.
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Awareness and Attention
Being aware and paying attention to what’s around you, where you are, and what’s happening can be really important. Sometimes for whatever reason, we miss something that we may be looking right at, hearing, smelling, etc. I’m sure that we all have some lack of awareness and/or have not been paying attention at various times. Lack of awareness and attention can be caused by several factors such as exhaustion, sickness, demands on your time, stress, boredom, hunger, etc.
Read MorePandemic Pressure and Growing Acceptance of Natural Refrigerants in Europe
As in other regions of the world, the past months have been heavily influenced by the global pandemic. But despite or perhaps because of the pressures introduced by the pandemic, business in European industrial refrigeration has increased quite a lot, and as such, the difficulty has been and still is to maintain the human resources to continue working even with pandemic-related challenges.
Read MoreBenefit of Ammonia Heat Pump Implementation in the Industry and for District Heating by Kenneth Hoffman, Application Manager heat pumps, GEA heating and refrigeration technologies
Over the last 15 years the market for high-temperature ammonia heat pumps has been growing in Europe and now it is also taking off in North America. That period in Europe has yielded many lessons as higher pressure and temperature present new challenges in refrigerant design. This paper explains where heat pump installation differs from refrigeration installation through three case studies of installations in Europe.
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President’s Message by Gary Schrift
Our first in-person Annual Conference since the pandemic began was a great success, and now that the flurry of committee meetings, networking events, and technical discussions have ended and we’re all back at work, it’s time to set some new goals and carry the momentum of our recent meeting into the rest of the year.
Read MoreIIAR Forms AIM Act Task Force
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency will restrict refrigerants’ allowable global warming potential throughout the United States and it is expected to increase the long-term use of natural refrigerants. IIAR has formed the AIM Task Force to help learn more about the AIM Act’s requirements and how the association and its members can support the act.
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IIAR Members Return to First Post-Covid Conference
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration 2022 annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo held its first in person meeting since 2019 this year in Savannah, Georgia, March 6-9. The event attracted 1,272 attendees and 122 exhibitors and provided four days of technical knowledge, networking, and industry-sponsored events for those involved in the natural refrigeration industry.
Read MoreIIAR Honors Members for Outstanding Contributions
During IIAR’s annual conference and expo, IIAR honored Dave Schaefer with the Member of the Year Award and Joe Pillis and Jeff Shapiro with Honorary Lifetime Member Awards. “All three—Dave, Jeff, and Joe—are well deserving of the awards,” said Kurt Liebendorfer, vice president of Evapcold. Schaefer served as chief engineer for Bassett Mechanical before retiring earlier this year.
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IIAR Announces Regulatory Initiatives
IIAR dedicated time to updating members on the latest regulatory initiatives during its annual conference. Lowell Randel, director of government affairs for IIAR, discussed several areas of focus for the association and the natural refrigerant industry.
Read MoreIIAR’s Foundation Focuses on its Three Pillars, Prepares to Change Name
The foundation focuses on three pillars—research, educational training, and educational scholarships—and has had a successful year supporting each of these areas. During IIAR’s annual meeting and expo, Dave Schaefer, chairman of the Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation, provided an update on the foundation’s accomplishments.
Read MoreFoundation Scholarships Help Students Gain New Insights into the Natural Refrigeration Industry
The Natural Refrigeration Foundation, which supports research and education programs benefiting the industrial refrigeration industry, awarded its largest scholarship commitment to date. The scholarship program provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about a technical field, attend IIAR’s national conference, be financially rewarded and contribute to the future of the planet.
Read MoreIIAR, RETA Celebrate and Encourage Women in the Industry
IIAR hosted its first women’s networking reception during the annual meeting and expo, celebrating women in the industry and providing a venue for them to connect.
Read MoreAutomatic Oil Return Systems: Why, When, and How?
Safe oil draining is a subject that is well documented in IIAR publications, and workshops dealing with proper oil draining are always well-attended. Removing oil from an ammonia refrigeration system is routine maintenance that nearly every ammonia refrigeration system operator will encounter sooner or later.
Read MoreIIAR Continues Work Updating and Developing Standards
IIAR is known for its development of standards, and to date, IIAR has published nine ammonia standards and one CO2 standard. Per ANSI requirements, each standard must be updated at least every five years.
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EPA Continues Work to Implement AIM Act
The Environmental Protection Agency is continuing its work to implement the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020.
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Learning About Learning
Many times we don’t think about how we learn, which is something we are or should be doing most of our lives. This fact was brought home to me this past winter as I became involved as an instructor in a winter sport I like. As I was learning to be an instructor and understanding how people might learn I could see a correlation between what and how someone is teaching and how people learn.
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Costa Rica Moves on Mandatory IIAR Standards
All IIAR standards, including the Carbon Dioxide standard, ANSI/IIAR CO2, have been adopted within Costa Rica on a voluntary basis as National Norms, and the country is moving forward with its plans to make the standards mandatory. The next step is to prepare and educate industry professionals in the country on IIAR standards before the mandate takes effect.
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What happened to the IIAR Bulletins?
What happened to the IIAR Bulletins? Short Answer: The IIAR Bulletins were all “Superseded!” Let’s discuss the history of the onset of IIAR Bulletins and how their material was eventually distributed and captured to become superseded.
Read MoreAutomatic Oil Return Systems: Why, When, and How? By Monika Witt, TH. Witt
Safe oil draining is a subject that is well documented in IIAR publications, and workshops dealing with proper oil draining are always well-attended. Removing oil from an ammonia refrigeration system is routine maintenance that nearly every ammonia refrigeration system operator will encounter sooner or later. One major advantage of ammonia systems is that oils are not normally soluble with ammonia and will therefore collect at the lowest spot in the system. However, accumulation of oil is gradual, and the location for accumulation must be suitable, i.e., calm enough, such that oil gets a chance to settle.
Read MoreIIAR Releases Second Edition of Guidelines on Manual Hand Valves
The IIAR Compliance Committee has updated the Guideline for Developing an Energy Control Plan for Manual Hand Valves and released a second edition. “After a guideline has been out and used in the industry, members and users will ask questions and provide input for consideration to make the guideline even clearer to use or capture additional information that enhances its value as a practice,” said Tony Lundell, senior director of standards and safety for IIAR. “An addendum typically will have minimal changes which could include simple edits, and/or provide statements that can add value to the guideline.”
Read MoreNatural Refrigerants Continue to Grow in Retail
Adoption of natural technologies in new and existing retail space is increasing as companies work to increase sustainability while meeting consumer, employer and shareholder expectations. “Many retailers, especially national chains, are prepared to make very large investments to significantly reduce their carbon footprint by converting to naturals in existing stores,” said Danielle Wright, executive director of the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council.
Read MoreCircuit Court Supports Tampa Electric’s Response to a Release
The Eleventh Circuit has rejected an appeal from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the case against Tampa Electric Co. and its response to an ammonia release at a power generating facility in 2017. The court of appeals upheld the finding that the release was controlled and the clauses pertaining to emergency response were not applicable.
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Climate Change Policy in the Spotlight By Lowell Randel, IIAR Government Relations Director
President Biden has made addressing climate change a signature priority for his administration. Since his election, climate change policies have been at the forefront of agency actions, Congressional deliberations, and, most recently, before the Supreme Court.
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Always Learning
The following are some examples of being willing to learn versus not being willing to try to learn.
Read MoreManaging Your Energy Costs: It Can Be Done!
All too often, energy management projects with good potential will fail for any number of reasons. Most of these failures will be a result of the project not addressing key requirements for success, or not meeting the expectations of all users throughout the organization. This report is intended to provide a 10,000-foot view on taking a holistic approach to energy management and reduce the risk of project failure.
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HYDROCARBONS: IIAR EXPANDS HORIZONS WITH NEW STANDARD
IIAR is moving closer to completing its first standard for hydrocarbons—such as propane and butane—in refrigeration systems and is hoping to release the standard for public review in early 2023.
Read MoreIIAR Releases Updates to IIAR-1 and IIAR-3 Standards
IIAR reviews and updates existing standards every five years for periodic maintenance and has recently released updates on IIAR 1 and IIAR 3. The periodic maintenance reviews and updates meet the “Procedures for the Development of IIAR Standards for ANSI Approval” and ANSI’s Essential Requirements.
Read MoreIIAR Latin America Seminar Turns Out Record Attendees
The recent IIAR Seminar for Latin America in Guadalajara, Mexico, August 24- 26, brought together nearly 400 manufacturers, contractors, and end users from 12 countries for a unique opportunity to meet, learn and do business. Attendees took part in 14 technical paper presentations, five technomercials, networking events, and a heavy equipment exhibition. The event is the only one of its kind in the world outside the U.S. and is the most attended event in Latin America.
Read MoreRefrigerant Leaks in Commercial Mechanical Equipment Rooms
Industrial and commercial refrigeration systems use different types of heat transfer fluids (HTF), many of which are toxic and/or bad for the environment when they leak. The most common HTF refrigerants are Ammonia and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), however while ammonia has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 0, the HFC’s all have a very high GWPs and are currently being evaluated by the EPA for phase down as per the US Government’s December 2020 AIM Act and per the recent United States ratification of the Kigali agreement.
Read MoreEPA’s Proposed Amendments to RMP Burdensome on Industry
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed amendments to its Risk Management Program regulations, which include several changes to the accident prevention program requirements, enhancements to the emergency preparedness requirements, and increased public availability of chemical hazard information.
Read MoreIIAR Comments on Risk Management Programs
The undersigned organizations submit these comments regarding Docket ID No. EPA-HQ- OLEM-2022-0174 Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act; Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention (Proposed Rule).
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OSHA Considering Revisions to Process Safety Management Regulation
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recently taken steps to advance the rulemaking process to update the Process Safety Management (PSM) regulation. The OSHA effort is taking place in parallel to EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) rulemaking, raising concerns about coordination and consistency between the two regulatory schemes. The underlying rulemaking was actually initiated during the Obama Administration.
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Its’ HOT!
Sometimes it may be difficult to understand but we all have free agency to believe what we want. Some people believe the earth is flat. Some believe we never landed on the moon. I suppose there are people who believe those amazing photos from various robotic machines on Mars are fake too.
Read MoreDon’t Curse the Purger
The goal of operators, contractors, and design engineers is to operate a closed loop refrigeration system as close to design intent as possible. The owner wants maximum value from the equipment and personnel employed at the facility. The presence of gases that do not liquify within the operating conditions add cost to the running of the system.
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The Covid Cold Chain
Before COVID-19, the cold chain wasn’t on most people’s radar, but shifting consumer demands, concern over food supply and specific healthcare needs during a pandemic put it in the spotlight. “It changed last spring when we started to see disruptions and challenges in the early days of the pandemic related to food,” said Lowell Randel, director of government affairs for IIAR and senior vice president of government and legal affairs for the Global Cold Chain Alliance. “The attention around the cold chain got even more intense with the vaccines coming online.”
Read More2022 Winter Olympics Embrace Natural Refrigerants, Set the Stage for the Future
For the first time, transcritical CO2 refrigeration will be used to make ice at a Winter Olympics, which will be hosted by Beijing in 2022, with the International Olympic Committee deciding to use CO2 refrigeration system for the most iconic venues for the Beijing Olympics. The decision, which the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee announced as part of a joint alliance with the United Nations (UN) for the Climate Action framework agreement, led by the IOC, will decrease the overall carbon footprint of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
Read MoreThe ANSI-Approval Process: A Step-By-Step Guide
Well-developed standards are critical. They can empower and strengthen users with regard to marketplace position and even the global economy. They also ensure the safety of consumers and that the environment is protected.
Read MoreIIAR Improves Safety and Operations with Ongoing Research and Standards
As the world's leading advocate for the safe, reliable and efficient use of ammonia and other natural refrigerants, research is a critical component of IIAR’s work. IIAR’s ongoing research projects lead to improved safety and more efficient operations while also shaping industry standards.
Read MoreColmac Coil Manufacturing Announces Leadership Change
Colmac Coil Manufacturing has announced that Joe Fazzari, P.E., has been promoted to the position of President, Colmac Coil Manufacturing, effective January 1st, 2021. Fazzari succeeds immediate former President Bruce Nelson, P.E. who has transitioned to a new role as Director of Innovation of Colmac Coil Manufacturing. Fazzari will have the oversight of all operations and strategic direction of Colmac Coil.
Read MoreCARB Moves Forward on Low-GWP Requirements for California Ice Rinks
At the December meeting of the California Air Resources Board, the board voted to approve the proposed regulation on hydrofluorocarbons that established a 150 GWP limit for new ice rinks and other types of large refrigeration systems in locations such as cold storage warehousing.
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Energy Performance Benchmarking: Considering the Efficiency of an Ammonia Refrigeration Installation
The number of countries ratifying the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is steadily growing.
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Emergency Series Part 2: Emergency Shutdown and Response
This article has been updated from a previous version to distinguish the differences between a nuisance leak response and a HAZMAT response. Emergency response or responding to emergencies means a response effort by employees from outside the immediate release area or by other designated responders (i.e., mutual aid groups, local fire departments, etc.) to an occurrence which results, or is likely to result, in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance.
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Unknowns
Participating in IIAR conferences, webinars, committees, and sub-committees has certainly increased my knowledge and my access to information. I have listened to and worked with very knowledgeable people from many backgrounds. Even after being involved in the ammonia refrigeration industry, and specifically IIAR for many decades, I am still learning. This reminds me of a famous statement I read in a book by Donald Rumsfeld, who served as George W. Bush’s secretary of defense.
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Biden Administration Takes Early Action on Regulatory Policy and Climate Change
Joe Biden began his presidency on January 20th by signing a series of Executive Orders impacting a wide range of policy issues. In just the first 10 days of his Administration, Biden took 42 individual executive actions, many of which reversed policies instituted by former President Trump. Regulatory review and climate change are among the major actions that will have an impact on the natural refrigerants industry.
Read MorePressure Relief Design Considerations From a PSM Compliance Standpoint (Part One)
Pressure relief design documentation is often the most misunderstood portion of the Process Safety Information required under 29 CFR 1910.119(d) (3)(i)(D) and 40 CFR Part 68.65(d)(1) (iv). The two regulations state that the relief system design AND design basis shall be included in the process safety information pertaining to the equipment in the process. The word “design” is fairly straightforward. The Cambridge Dictionary defines the word design, when used as a noun, as “a drawing or set of drawings showing how a … product is to be made and how it will work and look” or “the way in which something is planned and made.” Sounds simple, right? We need to have the technical specifications and physical arrangement of the relief design documented. Easily done.
Read MorePressure Relief Design Considerations From a PSM Compliance Standpoint (Part Two)
In the first article of this series, some of the factors that affect the relief capacity of a relief system that are often overlooked were highlighted to raise awareness of what is needed to properly document the safety relief design. In this article, we will discuss some of the pitfalls associated with internally relieving relief valves. It has long been held that the best way to relieve overpressure in an ammonia refrigeration system is to have the safety relief valves (SRVs) relieve into another part of the system, often simply on the opposite side of the downstream isolation valve. While this can be a viable option, it is often fraught with pitfalls.
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EPA Takes Aim at the Future Proposed rulemaking Jumpstarts HFC phasedown
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been given statutory authority to move forward with phasing down hydrofluorocarbons as part of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM), which is expected to increase the long-term use of natural refrigerants. The agency has taken rapid action, and on May 3, it released its first proposed rulemaking under the AIM Act to establish an allocation system for the HFC phasedown.
Read MoreIIAR Brings Synchronous Learning Opportunities to Industrial Refrigeration
COVID-19 has changed the way learning takes place across the globe with virtual opportunities and distance learning taking off as social distancing and travel restrictions have kept people out of classrooms. IIAR is among those groups that pivoted to provide valuable learning opportunities to those within the refrigeration industry. In March, IIAR partnered with Don Fenton, a professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering at Kansas State University, to bring the 54th offering of the Industrial Refrigeration Workshop to participants through online synchronous learning, which allowed participants to interact with instructors in real-time.
Read MoreIndustry Joins Together to Provide Valuable Training to OSHA Inspectors
Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance officers are continuing to benefit from ammonia refrigeration education presented by the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium. The training, which is funded by IIAR, the Global Cold Chain Alliance, IRC, and OSHA, first launched in the fall of 2014.
Read MoreIIAR’s Annual Conference to Feature a Deep Dive on the Ammonia Piping Handbook
During the 2021 Natural Refrigeration Conference and Expo, IIAR will offer a four-hour training on the IIAR Refrigeration Piping Handbook. “It will examine all the parts of the handbook and provide an overview of the content,” said Eileen McKeown, vice president for marketing and sales for IIAR. The educational session, Ammonia Piping Handbook Education Program: Exploring an Essential Tool for Designers, Contractors, and Operators, will take place on Thursday, June 24 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time.
Read MoreIIAR Annual Conference Continues with Virtual Platform
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration 2021 annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo will continue with its virtual format, providing four days of technical knowledge, networking, and industry sponsored events for those involved in the natural refrigeration industry. The event first went virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreTechnical Papers and Workshops at a Glance
Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practices (RAGAGEP) are written documents intended for use in the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of process equipment. There has been a move in the ammonia refrigeration industry towards standardization, yet there are historical variants which often cause confusion. This session will examine RAGAGEP variants and discuss the importance of adhering to IIAR standards. We’ll also look at tools for keeping RMP/PSM programs on-track and ensuring that a process adheres to RAGAGEP standards. Uriah Donaldson, Resource Compliance
Read MoreThe Industry at Rest: How SEC Benchmarking will Create New Momentum in the Refrigeration Sector for Mixed-Use Refrigerated Warehousing.
Newton’s first law in part states that an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an external force. And this is where we are at the moment. Our industry, specifically in the mixed-use refrigerated warehouse sector is at rest. Or differently expressed, at a standstill when it comes to ongoing improvements, new ideas, and implementation of new technology that has the potential to make systems and plants more energy-efficient and creates ongoing savings for our clients.
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OSHA Ramps Up COVID Enforcement By Lowell Randel, IIAR Government Relations Director
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a high priority for the Biden Administration. Despite increases in vaccinations and lower cases in many parts of the country, President Biden is calling on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ramp up its enforcement efforts to regulate workplaces. Biden was critical of OSHA during the Trump Administration for not being aggressive enough in protecting workers from COVID-19.
Read MoreScholarships Provide Multiple Learning Opportunities for Recipients
The Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation, which supports research and education programs benefiting the industrial refrigeration industry, is currently accepting applications for IIAR’s Founders Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to collegiate juniors exhibiting exceptional character and interest in pursuing an engineering or related technical degree leading to a career in the refrigeration field.
Read MoreIIAR Standards: A Look Back
Bob Czarnecki can’t remember exactly when he started as chairman of IIAR’s Standards Committee, but he thinks it was 10 to 12 years ago. “The former chair had some medical issues, and I was filling in for him. So, I’m blurred as to when I started,” Czarnecki said. “When I first started, the mandate was to develop, maintain and interpret standards. At the time, we had two standards that were ANSI approved. Since then, we have developed eight other standards that have gotten ANSI approval.”
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Reporting Release Rates: How to find the middle ground
Estimating the amount of ammonia lost due to an accidental release can be a complex process and when they do occur, end-users want to avoid underpredicting or over-predicting release quantities. Presently, there is not a single reference guideline that provides details for calculating ammonia quantities released as a consequence of incidents.
Read MoreInternational Fire Code to Defer to IIAR for Ammonia Issues
After years of work, it is more than likely that all code bodies will now refer to IIAR for ammonia refrigeration requirements by 2024. IIAR has made significant progress towards this goal over the past 20 years, but there was one outlier—the International Fire Code. However, the IFC’s technical committee has approved a proposal for the 2024 edition of its model code, deferring all matters related to ammonia refrigeration to IIAR.
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