ARCHIVE

July 30 - Haier Develops 2000RT Centrifugal Chiller

Haier has announced recently that the company developed 2000RT centrifugal chiller adopting HFC134a and will export it to the UK.
To celebrate the success, the company held an event splendidly on June 18, and Mr. Zhang Ruimin, Ms. Yang Mianmian and other top management of Haier Group attended the ceremony, signing their names.
Haier has established a system ensuring optimum operation by means of a remote monitoring system which always monitors the unit's operational conditions. To complete the excellent unit, the company has also invited competent engineers from abroad to have them participate in design, in collaboration with Chinese engineers working at Haier's commercial AC factory. The company could also procure materials and components in a short time by utilizing Haier Group's advanced worldwide distribution networks.
Centrifugal chillers are large systems which can be produced only by a few super major makers in the USA, Japan, Korea, etc. The current success by Haier will probably draw attention of other makers not only in China but also overseas. By accumulating advanced air conditioning technologies, Haier has at last made it possible to develop large AC units, thus expanding the lines of business.

July 29 - HARFKO 2003, Korean HVAC&R Expo

HARFKO 2003 (Heating, Air-conditioning, Refrigeration and Fluid Exhibition), Korea, known as the biggest exhibition in this kind in Korea was successfully held on May 23 - 26 at Convention & Exhibition Center (COEX) with directly or indirectly attended by Korean leaders such as LG, Samsung, Century as well as world HVAC & R majors like Carrier, York (York Refrigeration).
The expo, with participation of 26,000 visitors and 152 companies in total from 17 nations showing their state-of-the-art products, was organized by KRA (Korean Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Industry Association).

July 28 - Chigo Successful at the 93rd Canton Fair

Being affected by SARS, Canton (Guangdong) Fair held in April incurred a sharp drop in the number of visitors from abroad, compared to usual years.
And yet, however, by overcoming the difficulties, Chigo seems to have succeeded in sales promotion at Canton Fair.
At the current fair, Chigo booth occupied the most outstanding corner of the 1st floor. With "Fortune Space" as a theme, the company's booth drew attention of visitors by green-colored background which symbolizes the environment-friendly concept. The company exhibited new models of RAC, PAC, commercial AC. A building multi AC developed by the company also made its debut.
Chigo is a middle-class maker expanding its sales not merely in China but also overseas. By exhibiting its products at major expositions such as Climatizacion in Spain this year, the company is trying to spread the popularity of Chigo brand overseas.
According to the company, its booth was visited by many businessmen from Southeast Asia, Middle East, North America, etc., and sales contracts amounting to some US$25 million were signed. Those from famous overseas companies such as Auchan (France), and CRI, QVC, Home Dept (USA), visited Chigo booth, having discussed more collaboration in the future.

July 25 - Economy Affects CFC Chiller Phaseout in USA

Building owners in the United States last year replaced or converted 2,594 comfort cooling chillers that use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), leaving an estimated 38,800 of the units that still rely on CFC refrigerants.
A survey of chiller manufacturers released annually by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) showed the impact of the weak U.S. economy in 2002 as the pace slowed from earlier years. ARI said there were 379 conversions and 2,215 chillers replaced with non-CFC equipment using alternative refrigerants.
There were approximately 80,000 large tonnage liquid chillers using CFCs in the early 1990s when phaseout of the units began in preparation for an end to production of CFCs on December 31, 1995.
According to the survey, manufacturers expect in 2003 approximately 2,549 replacements and 334 chiller conversions bringing the year-end total to 44,072 which is 55 percent of the 80,000 large tonnage liquid chillers that used CFCs, usually CFC-11 or CFC-12.
Non-CFC chillers use alternatives accepted for use by the EPA. They include units with hydrochlorofluorocarbons, HCFC-123 and HCFC-22, and hydrofluorocarbons, HFC-134a, HFC-410A and HFC-407C. EPA rules require recovery of CFCs and alternative refrigerants which can then be reclaimed to meet purity limits set in ARI Standard 700.
Employment declines and economic weakness in the U.S. and abroad affected new building construction and CFC chiller replacements. ARI reported that factory shipments of large tonnage liquid chillers for use in the U.S. and abroad dropped to 5,793 in 2002 from the 7,171 units shipped in 2001.

July 24 - AUX Invests Large Sums in New Industrial Park

In order to expand production capabilities, AUX, an AC maker in Zhejiang Province, agreed to construct "Sanxing AUX Industrial Park" based on huge investment from Ninbgo Sanxing Group, AUX's parent company, at the beginning of this year. Phase-I construction of this project started fully from February this year.
In the severe AC competition in 2002, AUX belonged to the winner group. The company is now ranked among major Chinese makers. According to the company, Sanxing Group's sales in 2002 reached RMB 6.5 billion yuan, thus becoming one of the largest private enterprises in Zhejiang Province.
Having 2.08 km² of site area, the new industrial park is mainly used to expand businesses related to ACs and mobile communication units. The company can secure more than 90% of components internally. For expanding the lineup of ACs, the company has designated car ACs and commercial ACs as the next goals.
While securing its share in Chinese market, the company is also positively developing overseas operations, selling its ACs in Southeast Asian, European and even Latin American markets. In order to improve AUX's popularity in the world, the company signed an agreement on adopting Ronaldo, world's top soccer player, as AUX AC character.

July 23 - AUCMA Academy of Commerce Founded

AUCMA Group has founded "AUCMA Academy of Commerce" jointly with Shangdong University of Science and Technology. By utilizing this Academy of Commerce as a center for R&D and personnel training, AUCMA intends to commercialize the results of R&D at universities. Mr. Lu Qunsheng, CEO of AUCMA, seems to serve as emeritus president of this Academy. While facilitating the corporate growth, the company is also actively promoting a personnel training strategy by regarding it vital to nurture talented personnels. The company also intends to commercialize the results from R&D at universities, improve the personnel training program, and place talented personnels into the company activities.
AUCMA regards the industry-university cooperation a new way to the corporate growth, since, by making huge investment in university research activities, AUCMA can introduce the latest R&D results, Mr. Lu said. The company has technical tieups with about 20 well known universities and research institutes. For example, a multi projector and motor-driven bicycle have resulted from collaboration with Tsinghua University, while nickel metal hybrid battery and LED (light emitting diode) chip have also resulted from collaboration with other universities. Research on marine lives with Ocean University of China is also underway. The company has succeeded in shortening the time required for new product development by positively applying new technologies derived from collaboration with universities. The introduction of new technologies is also beginning to contributing to profit increases. Collaboration with universities will also be able to pour new vitality into the corporate management.

July 22 - Interclima, the international HVAC exhibition 2004
February 3 - 6, 2004; Paris, France

Interclima, the international HVAC exhibition, will focus on "the energy performance of residential, service and industrial buildings" in 2004.
Besides offering the opportunity to meet all those involved in HVAC and refrigeration over its 4 days, Interclima will act as a unique European platform for information on the scope of application of the new European directive and on the concrete effects that it will produce in various sectors.
Whether visitors are interested in the residential, services or industry sectors, Interclima will offer them personalized visitor trails for the exhibition. Special signs will also highlight the products or solutions on show that satisfy the new requirements of the directive. Health, food industry, hotels/catering, commerce and distribution, heavy or cutting edge industry…. Interclima 2004 will also offer a programme of sector workshops designed to offer specific and personalized responses for particular areas of activity. In this context the renewable sources of energy, in Hall 4, will be one of the major draws of the show.
The partnerships with the trade associations from which the visitors are drawn have also been strengthened. These include associations of specifiers, builder's merchants and installers, and they are already involved in planning the next Interclima. A particular objective is to increase the participation of visitors from the provinces and especially the south east of France.

July 21 - China, World's No. 1 Home Appliances Exporter

According to Xinhua News Service, Chinese exports of home electric appliances are growing favorably, having become the world's No. 1 for more than 10 items in both quantity and value. These data were reported at National Conference on Export & Import of Machinery and Electrical Equipment held in Hangzhou. According to the data, export items now ranking No. 1 in the world in both quantity and value are TVs, DVD players, mobile communication terminals, displays, ACs, containers, optical components, motor-driven tools, and small home electric appliances.
There are also many export items ranking No. 2 in the world, including motorcycles. According to the custom clearance statistics, color TVs and Braun tubes exported from China in 2002 were valued at some US$3,000 million, of which color TVs numbered 19.18 million sets, amounting to US$2,200 million.
Exports of color TVs from Changhong ranked top with over US$500 million. Exports of DVD players totaled 75.45 million sets, valued at US$3,570 million. Exports of mobile communication terminals totaled 63.15 million units, valued at US$5,280 million, while those of ACs accounted for 9.78 million units, valued at US$142 million, and those of microwave ovens 20.34 million units, valued at US$800 million.
According to an official in charge of related sectors of the Department of Commerce, since China's participation in WTO, many multinational enterprises have been hastily shifting their production facilities to China, and the processing trade of machinery and electric equipment is rapidly developing.
The value of machinery and electric equipment exports from the processing trade in 2002 reached US$117 billion, occupying 74.5% of nationwide total machinery and electric equipment exports.

July 17 - Sanyo Announces New "Super W Multi" Series

Sanyo Electric Co. has announced that they will release from the coming September 22 models of new "Super W Multi" series multiple AC systems (VRF) for commercial building use.
The new series consists of 4 DC inverter models in 6, 8 10 and 12 hp class (16.0 ~ 33.5 kW) for either independent or in combined use, 3 constantspeed models in 8, 10 and 12 hp class (22.4 ~ 33.5 kW) for combined use. Up to 48 hp system can be configured by adequately combining them.
The "Super W Multi" series has realized the industry's top cooling/heating average COP 3.63 (16.0 kW class), drastically reducing the yearly energy consumption. As its refrigerant, the new series uses R410A (HFC) which is already adopted in commercial ACs.
"In the case of multi AC systems, too, it is becoming the main trend to adopt R410A." said Mr. Kohei Sato, director of the company. "As in the light commercial AC segment, competition for higher COP will intensify in the multi system segment." Other features are as follows:
(1) Due to the compact design of outdoor unit, 36 hp class combined model (101.0 kW) has realized the "industry's top-class" space savings. Therefore, it can be installed more freely than before, and can be transported by elevator, thus reducing the installation cost drastically.
(2) When plural outdoor units are installed, they can operate in rotation depending on the heating/cooling load conditions. Even when one of plural outdoor units breaks down, operation continues due to backup function until the unit is repaired.
Sanyo plans to commercialize a remote monitoring system using Internet, which has such functions as schduled operation, alarm monitoring, trouble prediction, etc. Also, its plan includes development of system solutions for radiative heating and serving hot water.
The company intends to penetrate these units and systems into the growing or potential markets such as schools, hospitals and nursing homes.
Additionally, 4-way ceiling cassette type indoor units have been fully remodeled so that they enable users to keep the appearance of the room and units clean.

July 16 - AHR EXPO 2004 Goes to Anaheim

After a six year hiatus from the West Coast and an 11-year absence from Southern California, the 2004 Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR ExpoR) will be held in Anaheim, California, January 26-28, which is already generating a great deal of interest. According to show management, more than 1,200 companies have already reserved space for the 2004 Expo, including approximately 300 co-exhibitors/cross-listings, with more companies joining daily. With several months to go before the event, exhibit space is more than 80% sold which surpasses the 239,000 square feet of space reserved for the last show in Anaheim. Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Company, which produces and manages the AHR Expo, attributes some of this early interest to the fact that the industry's leading event has not been to Southern California for more than a decade.
The last West Coast AHR Expo was held in San Francisco in 1998, and the last show in Anaheim was 1992.
ASHRAE also has one of its largest membership bases in the Western states made up of several active local chapters. The Southern California chapter is planning a major membership event at Disneyland in conjunction with the show. Co-sponsored by ASHRAE and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), AHR Expo is held in conjunction with ASHRAE's Winter Meeting, which features in-depth sessions on HVAC &R systems and applications, deregulation of the power industry, indoor air quality, ventilation, energy efficiency of buildings, and new developments in ASHRAE standards.
With visitors from more than 100 countries regularly attending, AHR Expo draws leading HVAC&R professionals from every corner of the globe, and the Show now draws more than 20% of its attendance from abroad.

July 15 - IEG and RUIE Form New Partnership

International Exhibition Group (IEG) and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RUIE) jointly announced the formation of a new event management organization in Russia which will produce leading edge trade fairs serving the business to business community in the Russian Federation. The new company, "International Expo RUIE", will be based in Moscow, with worldwide offices in Stamford, CT (USA), Kiev, Ukraine & London (UK). Three trade fairs, "Health & Fitness Club Management", "Refrigeration & DeepFreeze" and "Development of Small & Medium-Sized Businesses" will take place in Moscow December 2003. Ten shows will be organized in 2004, including "InterNetSecurity" in Saint Petersburg in March in addition to new industrial fairs such as "Energy Producing Machinery", "Recycling of Garbage & Industrial Wastes" etc. taking place in Moscow in the fall.
The joining of the industry's two leading organizers has created a powerful marketing force that has the ability to deliver important and relevant events for buyers and sellers throughout the entire Russian Federation & beyond. U.S. based IEG has a documented history as Comtek International of creating, developing and executing some of the largest and most successful "western" style trade fairs throughout Russia, Eastern Europe, and the United States including: Comtek, World Food, CEM, TRBE, Internetcom, CERF, and MODA. RUIE, founded in 1991, is the largest and most influential trade organization in Russia with nearly 350,000 members from the industrial, scientific, financial, economic, commercial and business segments of the Russian corporate sector. RUIE represents the interests of enterprises that form more than 60 percent of the GDP of Russia and the organization has the ability to deliver both sellers and volume buyers in most segments of Russia's most important and critical areas of interest. 26 of the FT-100 Eastern Europe are members.

July 14 - Sharp Expands Photovoltaic Module Production

Sharp is expanding its photovoltaic power generation system business. At present, the company occupies 49% share of total photovoltaic module sales in Japan, and 24% share of world total sales, according to the company.
Sharp's total sales amount to 123.07 Mega Watt (MW), of which domestic sales occupy about 70% and overseas sales about 30%. In 2003 the company expects to secure large share of both domestic and overseas markets comparable to those in 2002.
In addition to Sharp as the industry leader, Kyocera, Sanyo and Mitsubishi Electric participate in the photovoltaic module production. They are endeaboring to penetrate photovoltaic systems into the housing market as a means of promoting homes without gas or oil-fired applications.
Although competition between the makers is expected to intensify further in 2003, Sharp intends to secure large share of both domestic and overseas markets comparable to those in 2002. By adding 2 cell production lines last year to the existing 4 lines at Shinjo Factory, Sharp secured 200 MW production capabilities (sales in 2002 totaled 123.07 MW).

July 13 - ISH North America October 1-3, 2003 Las Vegas, USA

Messe Frankfurt, Inc., the show organizer, is partnering with the American Supply Association (ASA), the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC)- National Association, and the Radiant Panel Association (RPA) to hold ISH North America, International Trade Show for Kitchen & Bath, Plumbing, PVF, Heating and Air Conditioning.
The show follows the traditional ISH concept, established by Messe Frankfurt for its Frankfurt and China events. A home to over 500 exhibiting companies the ISH North America show floor will again be segmented into three distinct areas: Kitchen & Bath / Plumbing; PVF - Pipes, Valves and Fittings; and Hydronics / HVAC. This arrangement provides easy access to specific areas of interest for attendees while offering a diverse assortment of products and services in allied industry areas.

July 12 - Japanese and Korean Makers Compete in Asia

All major Japanese and Korean electric appliance makers are increasing their production in Southeast Asia. Korean majors such as LG and Samsung expand production of washing machines, refrigerators by 30~50% this year. Japanese majors such as Hitachi and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. (Melco) increase AC production by 20~30%. Now that the future outlook of world economy looks dim, "keen competition between Japan and Korea" seems to have surfaced.
Production Race LG and Samsung increase washing machine production in Thailand to the one-million level this year. LG also expands AC production by extending the production lines. While increasing refrigerator production by about 50%, Samsung started to operate a new microwave oven factory in Thailand in May.
Meanwhile, Hitachi is increasing refrigerator production in Thailand by about 30% in 2003 compared to that in 2002, and also increase AC production in Malaysia by about 25%. Melco expands AC production in Thailand by about 15% compared to that in 2002.
In the Thai and Indonesian markets, with the steady increase of electric home appliances, the unit number of main products recorded all-time high last year. Judging from the perspective that these markets be promising, Korean majors made full-scale entry, and resulted to have the lion's share. Japanese majors enter into rivalry with them by production increases. Products of Chinese makers do not diffuse much.
Both Japanese and Korean majors export some of home appliances produced in Southeast Asia to countries in other regions. By pursuing mass production, they intend to lower the cost per one unit, thereby increasing sales within and outside Southeast Asia. For Chinese market, they are constructing new factories in China.
Collaboration
On the other hand, some major makers are strengthening their collaboration in "white goods" production. By procuring washing machines from Samsung, Toshiba and Melco plan to sell them in Japan and overseas. Matsushita expands collaborative relations with LG in AC production. By, for example, entrusting even the design of some types of product to Korean partners, they aim to reduce the cost of development and thereby quicken the release of new products.

July 11 - Kawasaki Launches New Absorption Chiller-Heater Packages

Kawasaki Thermal Engineering Co. released "New M Series" of middle-sized absorption chiller-heater packages with drastically improved energy- saving feature (JIS Standard COP 1.16). This series lines up 4 models ranging in cooling capacity from 141 to 264 kW (40 to 75 RT).
An absorption chiller-heater is a cooling/heating unit using gas or oil as fuel and water as refrigerant, having been commercialized in 1968 by Kawasaki for the first time in the industry. Since then, the company has been developing various technologies as a leading manufacturer of absorption chiller-heaters which are widely used for hotels, offices, commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, district heating/ cooling plants, factories, etc. not only in Japan but also overseas.
Based on the predecessor "M Series" released in 1982, "New M Series" has improved its energy saving performance without changing the machine size by adopting new-type solution heat exchangers developed for large absorption chiller-heater "Sigma Ace Series". As a result, this series has cleared the reference COP value (1.05) designated in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's "Law on Promoting Green Purchasing", and also attained the top-class energy savings in the field of middle-sized absorption chiller-heaters.
The main features of "New M Series" are as follows: o This series has realized 13% cutdown on fuel consumption compared to the predecessor series.
Because New M Series adopts operation systems with low fuel consumption under low to high load.
This series can be installed outdoors for its weatherproof casing, and it can also use cargo elevator for it is compact and light. Since it can be installed on the rooftops or indoors, it can meet the existing unit replacement demand.
By combining several units, this series can meet the need of demand for replacement of existing large absorption chiller-heater.
Both gas- and oil-fired models are available for user convenience.
With the release of "New M Series", further energy savings have been realized for an absorption chillerheater integrated with the cooling tower.

July 10 - Little Swan Starts Exporting Commercial ACs

Little Swan, China's top washing machine maker headquartered in Jiangsu Province, has been making allout effort to export its commercial ACs since a year ago when they embarked on commercial AC business by intro- ducing the VRF technology from Japan, while accumulating sales results within China.
In March 2003, the company's commercial ACs made their debut in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to the company, this was the company's first commercial AC export, being valued at about US$200,000. The company seems to have received business inquiries not only from South Africa, but also from Italy, Turkey, Russia, Brazil, etc.
Little Swan, which started from washing machines, made huge investment in AC business in 2002. After absorbing Japanese technologies, the company developed and commercialized its own SMV (Super Multi Variable) system.

July 9 - Gree Specializing in ACs toward Success

Different from many other Chinese makers which are pressing forward with multilateral operations, Gree has achieved remarkable success by specializing in air conditioners (ACs) for ten years or more.
According to the settlement of accounts for 2002 announced in April, sales in 2002 totaled 7,030 million yuan, up 6.71% over the preceding year, and net profit reached 297 million yuan, up 14.1%. Thus, Gree is regarded to be one of the most profit earning brands at Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchange.
It is not easy to obtain such favorable results as Gree's in the current Chinese AC market which is suffering from excessive price competition. The company is highly reputed by consumers as "Gree, synonymous with high quality ACs", by adhering to high quality, technology preference, activation of sales routes, etc. as concrete management policies.
Unshakable adherence to high quality
This may be said to be the key to the company's growth which has continued for 12 years. Training of excellent personnels and positive investment in R&D have led to the development of high quality ACs. By realizing powerful heating functions, Gree ACs have obtained much confidence from Chinese consumers, as they are beginning to value the quality more than the price of ACs (refer to JARN, Apr. 2003).
Endeavor to develop new products
The company has been developing new products with higher added value such as "Digital 2000", "Cool & Quiet King" and "Blue Angel". In 2002 Gree developed many new models of RACs, PACs and commercial ACs. "Digital 2002" incorporated a body sensor and CO sensor. The company has also developed GMV (Gree Multi Variable) system and commercial ACs by its own technology.
Activation of sales routes
Gree has introduced the "sales incentive mechanism", a sales system for nurturing energetic dealers in all areas.This system effectively motivate these dealers to attain sales targets.

July 7 - Matsushita Develops Home- Use Fuel Cell Cogeneration System

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand, recently announced it has developed a home-use fuel cell cogeneration system featuring industry-leading durability, 35% power generating efficiency, and quiet operation. It aims to commercialize the system by the end of next fiscal year ending March 2005 after field-testing at its research facility. Matsushita has been chosen from among the Japanese fuel cell producers to exhibit this system at the World Gas Conference scheduled June 2 to 5 in Tokyo.
For the past year, an operating prototype has been exhibited at the Panasonic Center situated in Tokyo.
Based on data obtained under real world testing conditions, the present system is designed to offer the following features: (1) membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) structures designed to limit output voltage fluctuation per 1,000 hours to under 3 mV, achieving record durability in the industry; (2)
35% power generating efficiency; (3) reliable operation based on the application of combustion and fluid control expertise accumulated over the years; and (4) quiet 44 dB operation, equivalent to an air conditioner's outdoor unit, to allow its use in densely populated residential areas and at night.
The field testing of the home-use fuel cogeneration system will be carried out in Matsushita's two-story house research facility in Osaka. Control methods and efficiency will be evaluated under different real-life scenarios.
Research and suggestions on new "eco ideas" that employ both fuel cell cogeneration systems and network systems will be tested in this facility, in addition to studies on reducing the energy consumption of individual products. Matsushita aims to contribute to the harmonious coexistence of humankind and the global environment through the technologies brought into being by this project.

July 5 - MHI Develops Compact 1 kW Fuel Cell for Home Use

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has successfully developed the world's smallest 1 kW PEFC (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell) power generating unit.
This dramatic compactness - 1 m high, 60 cm wide and 30 cm deep - has been realized by fully utilizing MHI's own "integrated piping technology". At the same time, through the dramatic compactness, it has become possible to curb heat loss during power generation, and attain the rated power generating efficiency 36% at the transmission end (in terms of LHV: lower heating value) and overall thermal efficiency 87%.
Although the new compact unit uses city gas or LPG as its fuel for the time being, MHI has already developed reforming technologies for 6 types of fuel including kerosene, naphtha, methanol and dimethylether with cooperation of a fuel company.
Moreover, as a result of compactness, this system has remarkably reduced the unit's heat loss, and the reforming efficiency has been improved to 83% at the rated operating condition and 79% even in 300W load operation.
As a result, it has become possible to attain one of the highest levels of power generating efficiency 22% to 36% in the load range from 300W to 1kW.
Also, by developing and incorporating a new reformer having a function for generating purge gas instead of nitrogen gas, DSS (Daily Start up & Shut down) versatility has improved greatly. In usual electric power consumption pattern at home, about 200W/h is consumed at midnight and 300~500W/ h during the daytime. So, when introducing 1kW fuel cell, it is more advantageous from the point of view of light & fuel expenses for the system to be capable of starting/stopping daily and also capable of efficient operation at lower output.
Coupled with drastic improvement in DSS versatility, this fuel cell is expected to accelerate commercialization.

July 4 - Sutton Cites Trans-Atlantic Partnership of HVACR Manufacturers

William G. Sutton, president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), says the transatlantic partnership between U.S. and European manufacturers of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) equipment is "more important and vibrant than ever before." In a speech on May 16, 2003 at the Eurovent-Cecomaf General Assembly, Sutton said that "as a global industry, we share the common goals of improving consumer comfort, safety, health and productivity worldwide. And in the pursuit of these goals, we face a tremendous range of opportunity, as well as growing and formidable challenges." He noted that with increasing demand for air conditioning and refrigeration products, "industry representatives from Europe and the U.S. have established strong and prosperous business partnerships. Industry has formed successful political alliances on issues such as refrigerants, indoor air quality and energy efficiency." "By establishing this common ground, we strengthen the voice of the global industry, and collectively accomplish what is nearly impossible to accomplish alone." Sutton said that "thanks to innovative manufacturers and dedicated associations and coalitions, air conditioning and refrigeration plays a vital role in improving the quality of life in homes, the workplace, schools, hospitals, industrial plants and institutions throughout the world." In his speech, Sutton noted the various roles of organizations such as Eurovent-Cecomaf, the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE), the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue (TABD), the International Council of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Manufacturers Associations (ICARMA) and the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) which is holding its International Conference on Refrigeration in Washington, D.C. on August 17-22, 2003.
"Now that CFC substitutes have been found, EPEE, TABD and ICARMA generate a better understanding that these refrigerants - if used in well engineered and efficient systems with strict adherence to responsible use during installation and servicing, - have a minimal effect on global warming." "From a pan-European perspective, the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment, or EPEE, of which Eurovent-Cecomaf and ARI are members, is fighting against the possible phase-out of HFC refrigerants in Europe," he said.

July 3 - Russian Refrigeration & DeepFreeze Trade Fair

December 9-12, 2003 Rosstroy Expo, Moscow
The only Russian event specifically targeted to volume buyers involved with refrigeration, deep freezing, and climate control systems for food production, storage and transport.
Exhibits include: cooling systems, refrigeration, deep freezing systems, transport vehicles & devices, systems & services. For the agricultural, retail & wholesale food trade and other temperature dependent industries.
Within the world's largest country spanning across 11 time zones, the Russian food & agriculture industry has major challenges in transporting and storing food to feed 150 million people. Because of a severe shortage of modern, imported refrigeration and freezer equipment & technologies, it is estimated that 25- 50% of product spoils before reaching the marketplace. Russian agriculture desperately needs and is ready to buy the deep freezing technologies that would allow them to increase the volume of product sold dramatically without the need to increase production.
Whether its equipment, technology, or cold storage transport, Russia has become an outstanding opportunity for global suppliers to capture new business.
"The shortage of refrigeration equipment in Russia, and that nation's eagerness to buy such products, presents a tremendous opportunity for equipment manufacturers to expand their businesses into a new market" says Mr. Robb E. Isaacs, Executive Vice President for the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society.

July 2 - Increased Energy Efficiency of Japanese RACs and PACs

Since the revised regulations of Energy Saving Law are enforced from 2004, all makers are accelerating the remodeling for improving the efficiency of low-price RAC models. According to a presentation made by an engineer of Hitachi Home & Life Solutions at the 14th Earth Technologies Forum held in April in Washington DC, the company has improved the cooling/heating average COP to 6.01 by using R410A.
Tables 1~5 (page 60) show the top 10 COPs of RAC models in respective classes for Japanese market. These data were complied by the Energy Conservation Center, Japan based on the makers' leaflets as of the end of December 2002.
Japanese makers are compelled to compete towards higher energy efficiency by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Top Runner Standard" (Regulations). The transition of average COP of RACs from 1973 to 2000 and the target for 2004 are shown in Fig. 4. The target COP level for 2004 is nearly twice as high as that in 1985.
As the Energy Saving Law's regulations are also applied to the vast majority of PACs, all makers are endeavoring to improve the energy efficiency by adopting the inverter driven DC motor, heat exchanger with enhanced efficiency, etc. Toshiba Carrier also discussed the improvement of light commercial PACs using R410A and reduction of CO₂ emissions at the Earth Tech Forum. According to Toshiba's engineer, 50.2% of commercial ACs adopted an inverter in the second half of 2002.
Daikin's Zeas II cassette models have attained COP=4.81 (see page 44, January '03 issue of JARN). Daikin's PACs adopt an efficient heat exchanger and DC reluctance motor to avoid efficiency drop occurring when R410A refrigerant is used. The company has succeeded in realizing further energy savings by mounting the swing compressor on up to 3 hp models, and the new scroll compressor on 4~6 hp models.
Toshiba Carrier mounted the DC twin rotary compressor on the "Super Power Eco" series (up to 16 kW), and adopted the vector IPDU control system, thereby succeeding in attaining the cooling/heating average COP=4.2 for 11.2 kW model.
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. (Melco) adopts DC twin rotaries and scrolls in small models, while adopting new-type scrolls in 1.5~6.0 hp replace inverter models and realizing the improved COP by adopting R410A. Hitachi and MHI adopt rotaries in 2.5~3 hp models and scrolls to realize high efficiency for ACs adopting HFC. They suitably use scrolls and twin rotaries according to capacity, and improve performance by DC systemization of motor technology, PWM/ PMV control of inverter technology, etc.
MHI has developed a compressor adopting reluctance DC motor which can deliver high efficiency across a wide range of rpm for its PACs.
"Hi Inverter RZ" developed by Hitachi AC features improved cooling capacity due to adoption of sine wave DC inverter (new vector control system), improved CBC control and newly added subcooler.

July 1 - Fu Sheng Screw Compressors Offer High Efficiency

Fu Sheng Industrial Co., Ltd., Taiwan, offers screw refrigerant compressor in a wide range of sizes, ranging from 126,000~605,000 Kcal/h, to suit various applications. Advanced CNC Machining Centers and Rotor Milling Machines are used to manufacture the SR series compressors. All the parts and casings of the compressor are precisely milled in a climate-controlled environment where the humidity and temperature are kept at a constant level. Sophisticated coordinate measuring machine is used to inspect the dimensions of the finished parts. Compressor rotors are dynamically balanced before assembly. Under stringent quality control, every screw refrigeration compressor is fully tested prior to shipment.
Features:
High EER, Low Energy Consumption
The newly designed, asymmetrical rotor profile, which has five lobes ad six flutes in the male and female rotors respectively, results in a low pressure differential between flutes. This design provides high volumetric efficiency as well as low power consumption.
Low Noise Level, Low Vibration
Rotors are precisely milled and dynamically balanced. Supported by high precision bearings, the rotors run smoothly and with little vibration.
Precise Capacity Control System
The standard four-step capacity control system, as well as the optional linear capacity control system, provides operations under variable loading conditions with minimum power consumption.
Ease of Maintenance
The semi-hermetic design and the low number of components used significantly reduce the maintenance requirements.
In addition, the semi-hermetic design needs no shaft seals, thus eliminating the chance of refrigerant leakage.
The detachable motor construction makes quick servicing possible.

Archive of news:

2009 year - | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 
2008 year - | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 
2007 year - | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 
2006 year - | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 
2005 year - | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 
2004 year - | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 
2003 year - | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 

To return to the latest news