HCs gaining market prominence in US - view from The NAFEM Show

To find out more about the market outlook for R290 and R600a refrigerants in the US, hydrocarbons21.com this year attended The NAFEM Show for the first time, organised in Anaheim California, USA, from 19-21 February 2012. With several suppliers showcasing hydrocarbon (HC) products, it was clear that HCs are coming to the US. In this article we look at HC exhibitors True and Tecumseh. PHOTOS + VIDEO

Distributors, manufacturers, consultants, end users and other attendees at the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) Show, represented all areas of the foodservice industry, from convenience stores to fine-dining restaurants. More than 550 exhibitors presented the latest innovations in the US foodservice equipment market, with several showcasing their hydrocarbon compressors, refrigerators and bottle coolers.

True Manufacturing Co. – HCs up to 15% more efficient that R134A and R404A

An entire section of the True Manufacturing Booth, the largest at the trade fair, was dedicated to hydrocarbon products including air curtain cabinets, freezers and single door refrigerators, all labelled with a unique “natural refrigerant” logo. hydrocarbons21 caught up with Todd Washburn, Engineering Manger, True Manufacturing Co. about their HC products, who said:

We are showcasing to our customers that this is the future refrigerant”

At the Booth, key messages about the benefits of HC refrigerants were also on show, in particular the fact that hydrocarbon refrigerants are up to 15% more efficient that R134A and R404A.

True’s HC products included:

T-23F-MC-HC: 8.44 kW, -23°C temperature, 116g R290 refrigerant
GDM-19T-HC: 2.96 kW, 0-4°C temperature, 91g R290 refrigerant
TUC-24F-HC (230/50): Undercounter zero clearance cabinet
Green kitchen package: the hydrocarbon package can cut operating costs by €370 per year

Tecumseh – 11 -20 % energy efficiency improvements for HC products

Tecumseh showcased their hydrocarbon bottle cooler prototype, produced for Beverage Air, the leading US manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment for the food service and beverage industries. According to Keith Gifford, Marketing Director, North America, Tecumseh, the HC bottle cooler presents an efficiency gain of around 11%, which can rise to up to 30% in other applications. The bottle cooler includes the following features:

Day/Night Mode (economy)
Eco Button and new keypad
Refrigerant System Failure Alarm (RSF)
Initial Pull Down
2Hp compressor relay

Background

The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) is a trade association of nearly 550 foodservice equipment and supplies manufacturers providing products for food preparation, cooking, storage and table service.

The next NAFEM Shows will take place:

19 – 21 February 2015, in Anaheim, California, USA.

9 - 11 February 2017, in Orlando, Florida

7 – 9 February 2019, in Orlando, Florida