Hydrocarbon products and market prospects from the AHR Expo in Chicago

The first important step paving the way for the wider roll-out of hydrocarbon refrigeration in the US was achieved with the EPA SNAP approval for three hydrocarbons. Its impact was visible at the AHR Expo that took place from 23 - 25 January in Chicago. Hydrocarbon products, servicing and implementation were the hot topics at the exhibition stands and networking breaks.

Advertised as the world's largest marketplace for new HVAC+R products and technology, the AHR Expo hosted over 2000 exhibiting companies this year. hydrocarbons21.com was there live for you to talk to the most interesting companies as regards the future of hydrocarbons in the US. Part one of the list of companies and showcased products can be found below. More companies as well as picture galleries from the booths and products will be published next week.

Danfoss: As one of the leaders for natural refrigerant technology, Danfoss is positioned perfectly for new possibilities for hydrocarbon technology in the US. At the AHR expo the company showcased its R290 range of compressors that they manufacture with SECOP, namely the TL5CN and SC10CNX.2. The compressor range is optimised for propane and offers an ideal balance between performance and costs when making the transition from traditional refrigerants.

AGRAMKOW: Very pleased by the increasing demand for its hydrocarbon charging stations, Danish-based AGRAMKOW showcased mainly its hydrocarbons products to the US audience. The Sara-MAX-F at the booth demonstrated that economical and safe charging for hydrocarbon refrigerants is ready and available for the American market. Like the SARA-MAX, AGRAMKOW’s PRO-MAX station charges R290 and R600a. In addition, the PRO-MAX features high-speed, high-accuracy and flexibility.

Galileo: Knowing the importance of the safety aspect for the US market, Galileo also showcased its safe solution for charging hydrocarbons. The company presented its highly accurate and safe Frigus k, its automatic evacuating and refrigerant charging equipment. The Italian experts forecasted very positive developments for the North and South American market.

Emerson: In a press release issued on the 27 January 2012 Rajan Rajendran, Ph.D., director of engineering services at Emerson announced that “Emerson Climate Technologies fully supports initiatives to apply alternate refrigerants in an effort to mitigate the use of higher global warming potential refrigerants”. “To date, Emerson has been involved in the selection and application of R290 propane compressors and condensing units. These have been tested in prototype equipment designs requiring 150 grams or less of propane refrigerant.” Propane compressors will be available in the Emerson AFE, ASE, RFT, and RST models and for its M line condensing units.

Background SNAP approval

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a final ruling in December 2011 approving three hydrocarbon refrigerants as acceptable substitutes in household and small commercial stand-alone refrigerators and freezers.

The three hydrocarbons are:

R290 (propane)
R600a (isobutane)
R441A, a hydrocarbons blend also known as HCR188C

The announcement comes a year and half after the publication of a proposed rule under the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) programme and several years effort by end-users such as Unilever, and companies working with hydrocarbons such as A.S. Trust & Holdings, the company that invented refrigerant blend R441A, to have the refrigerants approved.