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Juny 30 - Honeywell Seizes Equipment Charged with Infringing R410A

Honeywell announced recently that customs authorities in Taranto, Italy, successfully seized 21 containers of air conditioning equipment charged with refrigerant R410A that violated Honeywell's European Patent No. EP 0 533 673.

The action, taken on May 23, was done on the basis of an application for border seizure made by and granted to Honeywell. It is part of the company's ongoing effort to halt the trade of patent-infringing goods.

The seizure was the result of a coordinated worldwide effort between Italian customs agents and licensed suppliers of R410A. The infringing refrigerant was found in equipment shipped to Italy by a Chinese equipment manufacturer.

Honeywell invented and patented R410A and its use in air conditioning and other applications. Specifically, R410A refrigerant is a blend of difluoromethane (R32) and pentafluoroethane (R125). This technological innovation has since become the globally accepted standard for use in new residential and light-commercial air conditioning systems. Honeywell has created a certified vendor program to encourage Chinese air-conditioner manufacturers to use R410A refrigerant purchased from licensed suppliers.

Juny 30 - Climamed 2007 Coference to Be Held in Genova, Italy

Climamed, the new edition of the International Conference devoted to Air Conditioning in the Mediterranean Countries will be held September 5 through 7, 2007.

The event is organized by AICARR (Associazione Italiana Condizionamento Aria, Riscaldamento, Refrigerazione) in co-operation with AICVF (Association des Ingenieurs Climatique, Ventilation et Froid), APIRAC (Associacao Portuguesa da Industria de Refrigeracao e Ar Condicionado), ATECYR (Asociacion Tecnica Espanola de Climatizacion y Refrigeracion), under the patronage of REHVA (Federation of European Heating and Air Conditioning Associations).

The venue, Genova, is one of the most strategic locations in the Mediterranean Sea, an historical liaison point to all other cities of the Mediterranean area.

Congress Scope

Climamed 2007 main scope is to share discussions, needs, technical know-how and practical solutions among the organizing countries (France, Spain, Portugal and Italy) and all other Mediterranean, North African and Middle East countries.

It is in facts a general hope that those geographical areas - which share many cultural, historical and technological aspects and in addition have characteristic climatic conditions which require particular attention to ventilation and air conditioning in order to obtain optimum levels of environmental comfort - may finally find a common point for the development of a shared action plan, in consideration of those specific differentiations from the solutions envisaged by the Northern European countries, which are in any case highly respected and accepted.

Juny 26 - MHI Receives Massive Wind Turbine Order from U.S.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has received massive orders for its wind turbine power generation systems in succession from five major U.S. wind power generation developers. The wind turbines ordered total 788 units with collective power generation capacity of 1,363.4 MW (megawatts). The orders consist of 411 units of 2.4 MW wind turbines (MWT92/2.4 and MWT95/2.4) and 377 units of 1 MW units (MWT-1000A). The collective generation capacity of the systems on order is almost equal to Japan?s total wind turbine power generation capacity (1,495.27 MW, generated by 1,314 units, as of the end of March 2007). This is the first time for MHI to receive such a large amount of orders for large-scale wind turbine power generators within such a short period.

MHI received all these orders through Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas, Inc. (MPSA).

Juny 23 - Sanyo Develops HIT Solar Cells with Conversion Efficiency of 22%

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. announced recently that it has broken its own record for the world's highest energy conversion efficiency in practical size (100 cm2 or more) crystalline silicon-type solar cells, achieving a efficiency of 22% (until now 21.8%) at a research level for its proprietary HIT solar photovoltaic cells.

Background

Sanyo is pushing forward with the expansion of its solar business, based on its Brand Vision 'Think GAIA', and aims to realize a clean energy society. SANYO announced the "Next Generation Program for HIT Solar Cells" last year, with its goal of becoming a top-level business in the global solar industry by FY2010.

The increase in the solar cell conversion efficiency this time is accompanied by significant advances in lowering the production cost of the photovoltaic system and the reduction in the use of raw materials such as silicon.

This achievement by Sanyo represents the first time that a photovoltaic manufacturer has broken through the 22% mark in conversion efficiency at the research-level for practical-sized solar cells, and further cements the leadership of Sanyo's HIT solar cell which is renowned for its high conversion efficiency.

For now on Sanyo will continue to advance its efforts into applying this research-level achievement into mass production, and promote further research into energy efficiency, as well as reductions in cost and materials.

Juny 23 - ASHRAE Publishes 2007 Refrigerant Safety Standard

Revisions to ASHRAE's Standard 34 should make it easier for manufacturers to prepare applications for refrigerant number assignment and safety classification.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-2007, Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants, establishes a simple means of referring to common refrigerants in place of chemical names, formulas or trade names. It also establishes safety classifications based on toxicity and flammability data. The 2007 standard contains a total of 16 new refrigerants.

The new standard contains revisions to the flammability classification and details on the flammability and fractionation testing procedures. These should make it easier for manufacturers to prepare applications for refrigerant number assignment and safety classification, according to Bill Walter, Standard 34 committee chair.

In addition, a new section has been added specifying the criteria to determine recommended refrigerant concentration limits (RCL) in occupied spaces. The addition of RCL values will be useful in application of the refrigerants in the field.

"In general, incorporating the 23 approved addenda into one document makes the standard easier to read and understand, making it easier for users to determine the current requirements to get a refrigerant listed in the standard," Walter said.

The cost of Standard 34-2007 is $49 ($39, ASHRAE members).

To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide), by mail at 1791 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, or visit the ASHRAE.org Bookstore at www.ashrae.org.

Juny 16 - ASHRAE, UNEP Partner on Emission Reduction

As the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol approaches, two international organizations focused on the environment have joined forces to reduce emissions and encourage energy-efficient refrigeration and air conditioning systems and building designs.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) have formalized an agreement to cooperate in several technical issues, such as assessing and addressing remaining chlorofluorocarbon-based chillers. The two organizations also will promote sustainable activities in areas such as emissions reduction and energy efficient systems and building design.

In the mid-1980s, worldwide concern occurred over damage to the ozone layer from the use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These substances have important applications, including refrigerants, heat transfer fluids and blowing agents for insulating foams.

In 1987, the Montreal Protocol was adopted after a hole was discovered in the ozone layer over Antarctica. Under the Protocol, CFC use for new equipment has ceased in developed countries, and HCFC usage has been capped and is scheduled to be phased out. Developing countries have agreed to phaseout schedules for both CFCs and HCFCs and have made substantial progress in meeting this commitment. Many new technologies to replace CFCs and HCFCs have emerged with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have zero ozone depletion potential but positive global warming potential, as one of the most popular.

"ASHRAE and the heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigerating (HVAC&R) industry are responding to growing global demand for new technologies that do not contribute to ozone depletion and are energy efficient," Terry Townsend, ASHRAE president, said. "Energy efficiency is a key issue because the burning of fossil fuels to generate electric power is considered a major greenhouse gas emitter. By partnering with UNEP/DTIE, we can further our respective work by mutual exchange of technical guidance."

"Thirty months from now, CFCs will only be found in history books with a remaining burden to deal with thousands of tones banked in existing systems," Rajendra Shende of UNEP said. "An intenational debate has just also triggered about accelerated scenarios for phasing out HCFCs as well as the future of higher global warming HFCs refrigerants. It's quite clear that HVAC&R industry has and will continue evolving rapidly to respond to such global concerns and movements. Joining hands with ASHRAE as a world pioneering association in HVAC&R will definitely have its positive impact in addressing many clients with latest technologies and updates."

Juny 16 - MHI To Double Centrifugal Chiller Production

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. will double production of centrifugal chillers to 600 units a year as early as 2008, as reported by a Japanese newspapers.

The company will invest 2 billion yen to add production lines at a plant in Takasago, Hyogo Prefecture. With many redevelopment projects under way in metropolitan areas, demand for centrifugal chillers is expected to rise.

Mitsubishi Heavy is said to have a 50% domestic market share in centrifugal chillers. The company predicts that the domestic market will grow to 900 to 1,000 units a year over the next four to five years.

The increase in production is also intended to meet overseas demand. As reported in JARN May edition, the company secured a large-lot order in April from South Korea's Hynix Semiconductor Inc., which plans to install and use the chillers for clean rooms.

Centrifugal chillers account for about 13 billion yen of the roughly 200 billion yen in annual sales in the firm's air conditioning and refrigeration systems business. Mitsubishi Heavy plans to double centrifugal chiller sales by fiscal 2010.

Juny 14 - Danfoss Expands Heat Exchanger Range

With the acquisition of Qinbao, a Chinese manufacturer, Danfoss can now supply its refrigeration and compressed air customers with brazed plate heat exchangers. "The flexibility of production at Danfoss Qinbao, and the versatility of the product, means that we can supply a tailored exchanger for any fluid flow and heat capacity", explains Simon Firth, Danfoss Application Manager, Air and Gas Systems.

Brazed plate heat exchangers greatly outperform the traditional shell and tube design. Heat transfer performance is significantly improved with closer approach temperatures, while the amount of fluid required for heat dissipation is substantially reduced. The corrugated shape of the plates, coupled with a polished stainless steel construction, ensures low pressure drop of the air while still delivering a low fouling rate. And thanks to the exchanger's compact design, the size and weight of the unit is reduced by more than 75% in comparison to shell and tube units.

Juny 08 - Mitsubishi Motors and MHI Win U.S. EPA Award

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announces that it has won a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2007 Climate Protection Award in recognition of its contribution to protection of the global climate for the power-saving automotive air conditioning unit that it has developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

In its selection of the Power-saving Air Conditioner for the award, the EPA cited the significant reductions in power consumption it achieves as a result of improvements to the air conditioner itself and to its control system. In the joint project, MHI developed a new compressor and other components and undertook developmental testing of the system. MMC, for its part, fitted the air conditioner to a Mitsubishi Outlander on-road SUV model and boosted the operational efficiency of the system by making improvements to the vehicle body and to the control system and was also responsible for practical utility testing.

The power-saving automotive air conditioner developed by MMC and MHI clears the 30% improvement target in air conditioner system efficiency called for under the Improved Mobile Air Conditioning (I-MAC) research program launched by the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) and the EPA in 2004.

Juny 02 - ARI Board Approves Path Forward for GAMA Merger

At its April meeting, the ARI Board of Directors reviewed the recommendations of the Study Group made up of former ARI and GAMA chairmen and of the three broad committees that provided recommendations to the Study Group. The Board decided to take several additional steps, including involving a wide range of ARI members in the merger process. The Board specifically authorized that ARI:

Establish focus groups of companies to solicit specific concerns, specific feedback, and topics related to the merger and what might mitigate those concerns.

Formulate a possible structure of the combined association with some level of detail, including prioritization of issues, concerns and services.

Investigate other association mergers, noting successes and barriers.

Enter into a confidentiality agreement with GAMA to allow sharing of member sales volume information for the purpose of evaluating the impact of a combined dues structure.

ARI and GAMA will hold four regional briefings in the next few months to give members an opportunity to provide input regarding the possible merger.

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