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Technology & Equipment

Always Learning

The following are some examples of being willing to learn versus not being willing to try to learn.

Energy Savings

Managing 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.

November 2022

President’s Message by Gary Schrift

This month I’m dedicating my column space to one of our organization’s most important ongoing activities, our membership. As an IIAR member, we all depend on you to take that essential first step to participate in the activism and advocacy of our industry, by keeping your membership current. If you are not yet a member, this is a great time to join IIAR.

November 2022

Chairman’s Message

It seems like we were all just in Savannah, and now we’re looking at starting another membership year. That means we’re wrapping up preparations now for the next IIAR annual conference, in Long Beach, Calif., March 12- 15, and I’m approaching the last annual meeting during my term as Chairman.

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.

Codes & Standards

IIAR 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.

Education/Training

IIAR 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.

Safety

Refrigerant 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.

Regulation & Compliance

EPA’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.

Regulation & Compliance

IIAR 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).

Regulation & Compliance

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.

November 2022

Concerned About Timing the Market?

Buy low. Sell high.” While this age-old investment advice may seem simple, it can be extremely precarious due to its emphasis on market timing. During a bull market, investors following this advice may be reluctant to invest and too eager to sell.

Maintenance

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.

Technology & Equipment

Don’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.

February 2021

President’s Message by Gary Schrift

In this February 2021 Edition of our Condenser Magazine, you will read about progress made with the California Air Resources Board, completion of the ice arena for the upcoming 2022 Olympics, an overview of research projects, and ANSI standards development…..all initiatives conducted by IIAR volunteers, members, and the organization as a whole towards furthering our mission to provide advocacy, education, and standards for the benefit of the global community in the safe and sustainable design, installation, and operation of ammonia and other natural refrigerants.

February 2021

Chairman’s Message Dave Schaefer

It is with great regret that we have to cancel the face-to-face 2021 IIAR conference in Palm Springs, CA. However, we look forward to an exciting second virtual conference that will be as informative and widely watched as the fantastic first-ever 2020 All-Natural Refrigerant Virtual Conference.

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.”

Technology & Equipment

2022 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.

Codes & Standards

The 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.

Safety

IIAR 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.