Engaging employees and providing them quality training is critical when it comes to minimizing risks and protecting both on-site and off-site personnel, property and the environment, which is why employee participation and training are required parts of the process safety management and risk management plan programs, said IIAR in the latest member webinar to be released by the Institute.
Read MoreForced-air, tube, and fin evaporators have been used to refrigerate air for more than 75 years. In the 1960s, several papers documented the performance advantages of pumping ammonia through tubes with an excess amount of liquid, and pumped overfeed evaporators have been the popular choice for industrial ammonia refrigeration systems ever since.
Read MoreNow that the IIAR conference has ended and we’re back at work, your IIAR Board of Directors, IIAR Staff and member volunteers are putting forth great effort to carry the momentum of our Orlando Conference forward into the rest of the year
Read MoreThere’s a lot going on at IIAR headquarters these days. We’re growing and expanding with new initiatives, programs and goals for the new membership year. That growth just reflects the expansion of our industry in general.
Read MoreOwners and operators of ammonia refrigeration equipment have a number of regulatorydriven documentation requirements, and the level of understanding regarding those requirements can vary from company to company.
Read MoreThe Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation, IIAR’s education and research foundation, is launching an effort to expand the outreach of the organization through a new legacy planned giving program. At the same time, leaders said the Foundation would build its visibility and impact this year by celebrating its 10-year anniversary with renewed attention to mission, scholarship, talent development and research.
Read MoreThe Environmental Protection Agency has released its latest proposed rule that would make changes to the Significant New Alternatives Policy program, further restricting uses of what it terms higher global warming potential refrigerants, including HFCs.
Read MoreAwareness of International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration’s IIAR-2 standard is increasing among regulatory agencies, and is beginning to shape recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices, industry and government sources said.
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With the completion of IIAR-2 – the first comprehensive standard for the safe design of ammonia refrigeration systems – along with a companion suite of IIAR standards addressing installation, commissioning, operations and decommissioning, IIAR has evolved to become internationally recognized as a standards development organization, or SDO, said Jeffrey Shapiro, P.E., IIAR’s code consultant and president of International Code Consultants.
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Is it feasible to apply lowcharge ammonia technology in an application that has traditionally been dominated by the use of HFCs and other synthetic refrigerants? That’s what a big-end user wanted to know when it approached Azane Inc., a package supplier based in California, to manufacture a lowcharge ammonia chiller that provides chilled water to a HVAC air conditioning system.
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The movement toward low-charge systems is growing in popularity in the ammonia refrigeration industry for several reasons, and one effective way to significantly reduce ammonia charge is to design and operate evaporators using DX [direct expansion] technology.
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On March 14, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to modernize the Risk Management Program. The rulemaking comes as a part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to implement Executive Order 13650 – Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security. The Executive Order was issued in response to an incident at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas in April 2013.
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The use of carbon-dioxide refrigeration systems has been gaining in popularity in recent years as an alternative to ammonia systems, as companies learn about their energy efficiency, safety benefits and resiliency. Although CO2 , like ammonia, is classified as a “natural refrigerant,” there are a number of differences between the two refrigerants, related to the significantly higher operating pressure of CO2 systems that are critical to understand from a safety perspective.
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Business owners and operators must take steps to ensure that contractors working on or near ammonia refrigeration systems have the necessary qualifications and work experience to help employers understand their responsibilities related to ammonia refrigeration contractors, and demonstrate their proficiency in working with the system, Tony Lundell, IIAR director of standards and safety said. Lundell led an IIAR webinar in April entitled, “Qualifying Ammonia Refrigeration Contractors.”
Read MoreThe revision of IIAR-2 involved discussions of many philosophical and practical matters. Among the topics discussed was that of the need for eyewash/safety showers in areas other than machinery rooms, and specifically in cold environments such as a freezer or on the roof.
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Fitting screw compressors with economizers and side-loads provides a significant advantage over reciprocating compressors by improving energy efficiency and reducing the number of compressors needed.
Read MoreThe information contained in the present document is provided by the authors only as indication, without implicit or explicit warranty. It is the user’s responsibility to validate the parameters applicable to the specific usage and make the necessary adjustments.
Read MoreIt’s time again for IIAR’s Conference and Exhibition, and that means my term as Chairman is almost over.
Read MoreThe 2015 – 2016 membership year has been an exciting time for our industry. As regulations and technologies evolve at a rapid pace, we’re seeing new opportunities and applications for refrigeration grow like never before.
Read MoreDuring a recent high school fundraising dinner in my small town of Azle, Texas, I looked around in amazement at the nearly 200 people who came out to support this event.
Read MoreAs hedrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons are being increasingly phased out to meet government and regulatory requirements, natural refrigerants are candidates to fill the void, getting a closer look from many types of businesses installing smaller refrigeration systems, such as supermarkets and convenience stores.
Read MoreThe annual conference is an exciting time for all sectors of our industry to come together and catch up with friends and business partners at one of the largest conference and expo events dedicated to the use of natural refrigerants.
Read MoreThe International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration 2016 annual conference in Orlando, Florida, will provide three days of technical knowledge, networking and industry-sponsored events for those involved in the ammonia refrigeration industry
Read MoreDuring the annual IIAR Conference technical program, a number of presenters will discuss their findings from peer reviewed technical papers. Topics range from global refrigerant trends to determining the effectiveness of vapor retarders on insulation systems.
Read MoreIAR is moving forward on its recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice (RAGAGEP) standard for existing facilities, which is intended to provide guidance for end users and compare their older designs to the new and updated safety standards.
Read MoreThe North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council — a newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — is working to advance natural refrigerants such as ammonia or carbon dioxide and create a more sustainable future for supermarket refrigeration.
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The regulatory burden on synthetic refrigerants is much stiffer than it ever has been before, which is opening more opportunities for natural refrigerants in the U.S. Lowell Randel, vice president, government and legal affairs for the Global Cold Chain Alliance, said a number of factors are contributing to the growth of natural refrigerants, including the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program, which is authorized under the Clean Air Act and administered by U.S.
Read MoreBob Appleton never flaunted his expertise in the ammonia refrigeration industry, but those who worked with him during his five-decade career knew that he was the man to see whenever they had a riddle they could not solve.
Read MoreIn an industry that relies on complex data, Bob Armstrong packaged technical information with an inventive elegance and a critical eye as the driving force behind the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration’s annual conference for many years and the first editor of the Condenser magazine.
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Thermosyphon systems have a solid reputation in the industrial refrigeration industry, and are a popular choice for many . . . as long as they work. But when a thermosyphon system has problems, those problems are sometimes not easy to identify or correct. Gary Gneiting, director of engineering at Mericle Mechanical, Inc., said a vortex could be one reason at the bottom of a poorly performing system
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The ammonia refrigeration industry has long understood that the most critical time during a potential ammonia emergency is the first 30 minutes. The quickness and effectiveness of first responders can mean the difference between a minor, manageable incident, and a chaotic catastrophe.
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The lessons we learn come from many placLESSON es, some from experiences within our work environment and many outside of that environment. Consider this question, “Are you or a co-worker properly prepared to safely perform your assigned responsibilities?” “Have your past training and experiences formed a solid base that will help you complete your activity not only safely, but in an effective and efficient manner?”
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In February 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it is initiating a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel in order to get feedback on several potential revisions to OSHA’s Process Safety Management Program (PSM) standard.
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Noncondensable gases in industrial refrigeration systems are common, and although it may take years for those gases to accumulate, they must be addressed. If not, the steady accumulation can become problematic and have an adverse effect on systems.
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For owners of a cold storage warehouse or food processing facility, selecting the right air cooler can significantly affect energy consumption. Purchasing properly-sized, efficient evaporators to produce maximum capacity with minimal fan power can mean the difference between energy overages and energy savings.
Read MoreWe are officially three months away from the 2016 IIAR conference, and while most people are busy getting ready for the holidays, the IIAR team is also hard at work adding the final touches to our annual conference programming.
Read MoreAs you’ve likely noticed, this issue of the Condenser is all about the re-release of IIAR-2, the first comprehensive code standard for the safe, reliable and efficient design of ammonia refrigeration systems. We’re dedicating so much space to IIAR-2 because it is perhaps one of the most important, long reaching projects our association has completed in recent years.
Read MoreWith the completion of IIAR-2, the most comprehensive standard for the safe design of closed-circuit ammonia refrigeration systems, the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration has written a single authoritative source document that provides a path forward for the ammonia refrigeration industry.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is continuing its phase-out of certain hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in favor of safer, more climate-friendly alternatives, which is expected to create new opportunities for the natural refrigerants industry. So far, the EPA has focused on commercial applications, although a rule on industrial applications may emerge eventually
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The Occupational Health and Safety Administration recently warned employers of a situation in which an imposter posed as an OSHA inspector and requested unaccompanied access to a workplace. The agency asked company officials to utilize due diligence anytime they interact with someone claiming to be an OSHA official.
Read MoreUpdating the IIAR-2 standard was a massive four-year effort, during which IIAR’s volunteer committee – working to achieve consensus – took a “divide and conquer” approach to handle the approximately 1,500 comments and more than 1,000 off-the-record suggestions, said standards committee vice chairman Don Faust.
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The recent release of IIAR-2 provides an updated standard that clarifies previously cloudy codes and regulations and provides new information that enables facilities to meet the highest safety standards. Specifically where safe machinery room operation is concerned, the standard is critically important to the future of the ammonia refrigeration industry.
Read MoreThe ideal training for ammonia systems should include classroom training coupled with a hands-on component in which operators and technicians can combine book learning with practical application, according to some industry training specialists.
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Most facility op erators believe that they and - LESSON their employees know what needs to be done in an ammonia release situation. But knowing what needs to be done is very different than knowing you will be able to do what needs to be done when the stress of an event makes reaction time and clear thinking crucial.
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Advances in technology have produced ammonia refrigeration piping systems capable of withstanding dramatic climate changes, leading many in the industry to locate as much of their facilities’ equipment as possible on the roof, which is a safer alternative in the event of an accident than the traditional location inside the building.
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On November 9, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking entitled “Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Update to the Refrigerant Management Requirements under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.”
Read MoreCodes march on… Difficult as it may seem to believe, the 2018 editions of some model codes are already well on their way to completion. The 2018 International Mechanical Code is already completed, pending final ratification of recommended changes by members of the International Code Council.
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When it’s time to replace a pressure vessel on a closedcircuit ammonia refrigeration system, considerations such as facility design, installation, operation, and maintenance can help operators determine what to purchase.
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Energy represents the second greatest cost in industrial ammonia refrigeration, and a compromised vapor barrier is a significant contributor to energy losses.
Read MoreThis paper presents an overview of the reasons for charge reduction in air conditioning and refrigeration systems and discusses strategies for charge reduction: in compressors (oil), vessels, pipes, and heat exchangers. The focus is on heat exchangers, microchannel in particular. In addition to a trivial reduction of internal volume as a strategy for charge reduction, the effect of mass flux on void fraction and needed manipulation of circuiting is presented. A framework and example of comparison between refrigerants based on their potential for low condenser charge is provided.
Read MoreWe’re nearing the second half of the year, and for IIAR staff, committee, and volunteer members, that means building on the substantial work completed so far in 2015 on a variety of different initiatives. You’ll read in this issue of the Condenser about two important research projects, a new scholarship initiative and work to reach our funding goal for the Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation.
Read MoreIn this issue, we’re presenting news on many exciting activities in our industry and our organization. IIAR is working harder than ever to deliver on its promise to membership: to promote the ongoing growth and health of industrial refrigeration.
Read MoreAgriculture and food processing operations across the American West are scrambling to find new water sources amid a record drought. And although their water problems continue to be seen as a mostly regional issue for many in the industrial refrigeration industry, there’s no mistaking that water scarcity will loom larger in the years to come.
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On August 1, 2013, President Obama signed Executive Order 13650 entitled: Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security. The action was driven in response to an explosion at a fertilizer facility in West, Texas
Read MoreThe Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation has launched a new process to select its research projects, which now starts with a simple, one-page form.
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Having enthusiasm LESSON for your work and a desire to accomplish something is good. I have worked with many people in the industrial refrigeration field that are enthusiastic, fun to be around, and even in challenging or stressful situations they have worked through issues in a positive manner.
Read MoreNew technology that utilizes low charge direct expansion at low temperatures can improve safety and reduce the first cost of installation, while significantly reducing the ammonia charge required on site. That, in turn, can reduce the regulatory burdens associated with large ammonia inventories.
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Profitability is always an important issue, and plant managers are frequently faced with addressing safety challenges while striving to achieve higher levels of production and efficiency. But instead of looking at safety and production separately, as many facilities often do, the two can be combined into one dynamic process called real-time profitable safety.
Read MoreIIAR Committees serve as a valuable forum for the open discussion of the critical issues facing the industry. IIAR’s Compliance Guidelines Committee, is one of the organization’s newest committees. Its purpose is to review, revise and publish IIAR guidance documents that currently do not have a formal home within any of the other committees.
Read MoreFred Walker was known for his unfailing work ethic, integrity and commitment to the refrigeration industry, in which he was involved for more than 40 years. “A saying Fred used was, ‘The only thing better than coming in early is staying late,’ and he lived it.
Read MoreFor the ammonia and chemical industry, the ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas, in 2013 has served as a catalyst for change, causing several government agencies to examine their policies and update safety regulations.
Read MoreAmmonia refrigeration systems use evaporative cooled condensers almost exclusively. Due to the large size of most ammonia systems, historical context, and industry perceptions regarding performance and efficiency, air cooled condensing is seldom considered for ammonia.
Read MoreThe International Institute of Refrigeration, IIR, said its sixth Ammonia and CO2 Refrigeration Technologies Conference clarified future uncertainties regarding both the Montreal and the Kyoto Protocols and environmental regulations applicable to natural refrigerants.
Read MoreThis month marks one of the most productive and interesting times of the year for IIAR. The March annual meeting is behind us, and we’re at the beginning of the organization’s new leadership cycle. That means it’s time to build on all the momentum we created in the last year, and at the same time look ahead to a few new goals.
Read MoreThroughout this edition of the Condenser, you’ll see a common theme: change. New technologies are opening the door to new types of customers and applications for ammonia and other natural refrigerants.
Read MoreThe move towards lower charge has spurred demand for products like standardized package systems that promise solutions to at least some of the industry’s biggest problems. But exactly how those products will develop, and who will take them to market is yet unclear.
Read MoreThe International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration drew record attendance again this year at the 37th Annual IIAR Conference & Exhibition, an event that marked a variety of transitions and new initiatives for the association this year.
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The November 2014 elections resulted in a significant shift in control of Congress. Republicans gained control of the Senate and widened their majority in the House of Representatives. As a result, efforts to reform the regulatory process are seeing renewed interest this year.
Read MoreThe International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration is looking for a new executive director for the Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation to lead the non-profit research and education organization toward continued growth and expansion.
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IIAR brought together more international members than ever before at the 2015 Industrial Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition in San Diego this year. And IIAR’s International Committee gathered members and delegates from around the globe to give a picture of the trends that are shaping the refrigeration industry worldwide.
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Increased regulatory scrutiny and the growing emphasis on process safety management have spurred a steady relocation of equipment from production room floors, freezers and coolers to facility rooftops. The reasons for the transition have been practical.
Read MoreWhen it comes to safety, prevention is the most important factor in avoiding potential consequences. Whether a facility is working with 900 pounds or 90,000 pounds of ammonia, the risks of an incident are similar.
Read MoreAs recently as five years ago, air-conditioning and refrigeration applications were dominated by a handful of refrigerants – ammonia in large industrial systems, HFCs like R404A and HFC-134a in stationary and mobile refrigeration and air-conditioning, and R410A in stationary air-conditioning applications. Meanwhile, the use of HCFC-22 was declining as it was being phased-out by the Montreal Protocol agreement.
Read MoreOur IIAR Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego is finally here! The conference team has prepared a tremendous program for those of you attending this year, and while this is the last annual meeting during my term as Chairman, this year’s conference represents just the beginning of many exciting developments for IIAR and its members.
Read MoreThis issue of the Condenser marks the end of the last member year, and the beginning of a new one. It also marks our annual conference, where we come together from all corners of our industry to talk about the trends and technology shaping our business – at IIAR’s Annual Industrial Refrigeration Conference and Exhibition.
Read MoreThe use of CO2 as a refrigerant has grown in recent years, thanks to market demand spurred by a combination of environmental regulatory actions and technology advances in microprocessor controls and valve design.
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In February 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency issued an enforcement alert entitled: “Anhydrous Ammonia at Refrigeration Facilities Under Scrutiny by U.S. EPA.” The EPA’s Office of Civil Enforcement issues alerts such as this periodically to highlight areas where the agency is placing enforcement priority.
Read MoreIt’s time again for the industrial refrigeration industry’s largest conference and we think this will be one of the best and most informative programs we’ve ever produced. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all attendees to the 2015 IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition.
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Over several decades I have met and worked with many outstanding refrigeration operators and engineers. These refrigeration operators have been able to truly operate their systems in an efficient, effective, and safe manner while keeping any ammonia releases down to incidental levels.
Read MoreIn discussions on which codes and standards should be adhered to, I am all too often reminded of Daniel Patrick Moynihan who is the former U.S. Senator attributed with saying “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Read MoreThe growth of natural refrigerants such as ammonia and CO2 in industrial and commercial facilities, and the regulatory restrictions that accompany their use will be a central topic of discussion in technical papers to be presented at this year’s IIAR Annual Conference in San Diego.
Read MoreThe U.S. Safety Chemical Board, or CSB, issued a safety bulletin on Jan. 15 that provided recommendations for industries utilizing anhydrous ammonia in bulk refrigeration operations.
Read MoreThe recently issued U.S. government schedule for the phase out of R-22 is set to create opportunities for both the providers of natural refrigerants and for the developers of small charge technologies.
Read MoreThe International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration is looking for a new executive director for the Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation to lead the non-profit research and education organization toward continued growth and expansion.
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Because we are always looking to make the information that we produce available to a greater number of end users for the benefit of our industry, the International Committee, following the direct request of our IIAR Chairman, Marcos Braz, has initiated the IIAR Chapters Implementation Project worldwide.
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Every owner of an industrial ammonia refrigeration plant with more than 500 pounds of ammonia in the United States is required by government regulations to have an action and, or, response plan in place should an emergency event occur.
Read MoreAlthough it could take many years for non-condensable gases to accumulate in an ammonia closed-circuit mechanical refrigeration system – enough to cause abnormal operations to be evident – that buildup will almost certainly occur if it isn’t managed.
Read MoreThe current methodology for valve sizing has been accepted in the industrial refrigeration industry for years. This paper will review past efforts undertaken in the literature and standards to determine suitable methods for quantifying the compressible flow pressure drop in valves and attempts to compare them while providing a base rationale for which, if any, are appropriate methods for determining pressure drop
Read MoreThe New Year is almost here, and for many of us, that means we’re wrapping up projects and getting ready for 2015. At IIAR headquarters, your staff team is hard at work adding the fi nal touches to the annual conference programming and conducting general planning activities for the year ahead.
Read MoreOne of IIAR’s most important responsibilities is advocating on behalf of our members on state and federal policy. I’m happy to report that in 2014 we stepped up our efforts even more in this realm and we’ve been working closely with government regulatory agencies to provide them with our expertise in a number of different ways.
Read MoreMuch has been made of the so-called manufacturing skills gap in the United States as manufacturers across a wide swath of industries report that the pool of prospective workers with the skill sets and certifications required to perform highly specialized job functions is narrowing, even as U.S. manufacturing continues its steady climb.
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In July 24, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency published a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the agency’s Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations. The RFI was generated as a part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to implement Executive Order 13650 - Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security.
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In most cases, experience is something we build upon. It allows us to take advantage of the things we’ve learned, and hopefully, remember those lessons when they matter most. But sometimes, no matter how important the lesson, it can get overlooked.
Read MoreThe Ammonia Refrigeration Management Program, built by the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration to help small facilities develop a sound safety plan focused on prevention, now has a global reach.
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The buildup of frost and ice in a freezer at an industrial refrigeration facility is a sure-fire way to drain dollars from the bottom line. When the psychrometric properties of freezer air mass and infiltration air are not properly managed, energy costs can increase substantially.
Read MoreThe Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation, the research arm of the ammonia refrigeration industry, reported that it raised $400,000 in donations in 2014, bringing its endowment to more than $2 million.
Read MoreLast year’s fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, drew the attention of regulatory agencies to nearly every corner of the chemical industry
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The Natural Refrigerants Forum organized by Eurammon on Wednesday, October 15 at the Chillventa fair in Nuremburg, Germany provided an intriguing survey of the factors, both positive and negative, infl uencing the use of ammonia and other natural refrigerants around the world.
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The issue of when, and how, to measure wall thickness on a pipe has become a hot topic in recent months. Clearly, it’s important to maintain the mechanical integrity of refrigeration systems in order to avoid ammonia leaks. But there is debate in the industry over when pipes that display no visible damage should be examined.
Read MoreIn many closed-circuit ammonia refrigeration systems, water contamination can occur over a period of time and the effects of that contamination can easily go unnoticed. One thing water contamination can do is cause an aqueous ammonia solution to be formed, which then replaces anhydrous ammonia refrigerant.
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