The IIAR Condenser Magazine is a quarterly publication that contains technical articles, regulatory and code updates, industry news and information about IIAR activities and publications. It is distributed by email to all IIAR Members and IIAR Contact lists.
WINTER 2026 NATURAL REFRIGERATION REVIEW
The Natural Refrigeration Review issues are available as a PDF downloads for both lIAR Members and Non-members, or as individual article posts below. Click the button below to view the full issue, or scroll through all the individual issue articles below.
RSES and RETA Merger Moves Forward
The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) will be merging with the Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association (RETA) to help build awareness of industrial refrigeration careers and increase the number of technicians entering the industrial space. “We believe we will be better together moving forward,” said Jim Barron, executive director of RETA.
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The Role of Emergency Preparedness for Facilities with Natural Refrigerants
Natural refrigerants, including ammonia and CO2, require robust emergency response and management protocols to address potential risks and ensure safety. As the refrigeration industry continues its transition towards natural refrigerants, prioritizing emergency response and management is paramount, and the industry, state and federal governments and local jurisdictions are all working to ensure they’re prepared.
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EPA Issues Final Rule with Risk Management Program Changes
On March 11th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Final Rule that makes changes to the agency’s Risk Management Program (RMP). The move is the latest in a series of rulemakings related to RMP over the last 10 years and reinstates several requirements similar to those mandated by the Obama Administration and later rescinded by the Trump Administration.
Read MoreRMP Rule Changes Resulting from the SCCAP Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued proposed rule changes to the Risk Management Program Rule as part of the Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Rule. The final rule provisions took effect on May 10, but there are future phase-in dates for some provisions. Douglas Reindl, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the founding director of the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium, provided an overview of the rule during IIAR’s annual meeting.
Read MoreGlobal Perspectives on Integrating Natural Refrigerants
The use of natural refrigerants is increasing as governments, investors, and end users work to reduce the use of high-global warming potential refrigerants. Europe has been at the forefront, promoting the use of natural refrigerants through regulations and incentives, but challenges remain in other areas. Those involved in refrigerants globally said it would take increased awareness and, possibly, regulatory changes to facilitate the adoption of lower GWP solutions.
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Refrigeration Industry Works to Increase Diversity and Inclusion
The industrial refrigeration industry is working to build a diverse workforce and foster an inclusive environment, and this year’s annual conference created opportunities for those in the industry to learn more about promoting diversity and inclusion. “Diversifying our workforce not only broadens the talent pool but also provides our industry the opportunity to flourish with varying perspectives and backgrounds,” said Melissa Cassell, finance director for General Refrigeration Company.
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President’s Message by Gary Schrift
It’s IIAR conference time again, which means immediately following the March Conference, in April 2024, it will be time to begin the membership renewal process for the 2024-2025 IIAR Membership year which runs from July 2024 through June 2025.
Read MoreIIAR Remembers
Roger was born in Missoula, Montana, to Jerry and Gwen McMillan. He spent his early childhood in Spokane, Washington, and then Jerry and Gwen relocated their dry-cleaning business to Colville, Washington, where Jerry invented specialized laundry machines and started the Colmac businesses.
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Colmac Coil Builds Cooler for NASA
Colmac Coil said it has built a specialized replacement fluid cooler for the cooling system of the 70-meter (230 feet) diameter dish antenna that is officially known as Deep Space Station 14 (nicknamed Mars antenna) that’s part of the Deep Space Network (DSN). The company said the project was completed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Located at the agency’s Goldstone site near Barstow, California, the Colmac Coil fluid cooler will help cool a part of the largest and most sensitive scientific telecommunications system in the world.
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What’s NEXT: LESSONS FROM CALIFORNIA’S HFC PHASEDOWN
Companies nationwide are phasing out high global-warming potential refrigerants as they comply with federal and state regulatory requirements and meet their corporate ESG and climate goals. The natural refrigerant industry is prepared to meet increasing demand.
Read MoreMergers and Acquisitions in the Refrigeration Industry Continue
The refrigeration industry has experienced several notable mergers and acquisitions, addressing the increasing need for ultralow global warming potential refrigerant technologies and solutions.
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EPA Publishes Final Technology Transitions Rule to Phase Down HFCs
In October 2023, 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 MoreCopeland Announces DOE Grant Award
Copeland announced that it has received a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant to support a $2.5 million project to research and develop innovative heat pump technology for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The company said the grant will fund the research and development for a modular, plug-and-play, load-flexible heat pump technology with low-cost thermal energy storage for space conditioning and water heating.
Read MoreIIAR Standards Update
IIAR 1: ANSI/IIAR 1-2022 Standard for Definitions and Terminology Used in IIAR Standards is presently in effect. It will be opened up for review starting in mid-2026 for its next revision with a targeted completion with ANSI approval in 2027.
Read MoreIIAR Annual Conference to Provide Technical Knowledge, Industry Insight to Members
IIAR’s 2024 annual Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida, March 24-27 will provide technical knowledge, networking and industry-sponsored events for those involved in the natural refrigerant industry. There will be numerous educational opportunities throughout the conference, and attendees can earn professional development hours
Read MoreTechnical Papers Provide In-Depth Thought Leadership at the IIAR Conference
During the annual IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition, industry experts will present technical papers for the IIAR Technical Program. This year’s papers will address several key categories, including heat exchangers, cold storage, ammonia charge, CO2 optimization and more. There is also a series of workshops and panels that will discuss various other topics.
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Innovative Refrigeration Announces Tube Ice Maker Project with CO2 Refrigerant
Innovative Refrigeration Systems said it completed a two-stage cascade refrigeration system for a tube ice maker in Pennsylvania. The company said the project is unique because the tube ice makers were specifically designed to work with CO2 as the refrigerant, making them environmentally friendly.
Read MoreTraining on Ammonia Systems Keeps Employees and Facilities Safe
Training at ammonia refrigeration facilities is critical to ensure safety and comply with regulatory requirements. Nearly everyone who works at a location with ammonia onsite needs training, even if they don’t work on the systems directly.
Read MoreIIAR Marked Notable Accomplishments Throughout 2023
IIAR staff and IIAR’s many volunteer committees were hard at work throughout 2023 and have strengthened the membership offerings, provided valuable education, and furthered the organization’s mission through advocacy, work with regulatory agencies and new partnerships.
Read MoreTechnical Papers
Generally, safety standards for refrigeration systems require the placement of at least one overpressureprotection device on all carbon-dioxide (R-744) systems as well as on vessels manufactured in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII Division I, or the regional equivalent1,2.
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