The climate change is a global issue with catastrophic consequences of which we are reminded almost every day. There are alarming projections of GHG emissions including HFCs. The conference will take place 27-29 April 2023, in Ohrid, North Macedonia.
In Europe the regulation on F-gases has been introduced with many restrictions and gradual phase-down. The 28th Meeting of the Parties (in 2016) adopted an amendment to the Montreal Protocol for gradually phase-down of HFCs (from 2019 to 2047) to achieve 85% reduction.
Recently, new HFC refrigerants (named HFOs) with low GWPs are appeared on the market. However, in July 2021, five European member states published their intention to submit a joint proposal for restriction of PFAS, including HFC and HFO refrigerants.
The choice of refrigerant (and technology) has become a very complicated issue. In the RAC industry, confusion and uncertainties related to working fluids in many applications are continuing. In addition, there are many groups with diverging interests: chemical companies, manufacturers of equipment, distributors, users, environmental organisations, politicians, and the public.
After several conversions CFCs -> HCFCs -> HFCs -> HFOs(?), the global trend towards using natural refrigerants is intensifying. There are very positive signals in Europe and some parts in the world where expanding use of ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons in various applications is occurring. We will eliminate all uncertainties in the future regarding both Protocols and environmental regulations applying to natural refrigerants.
Of all refrigerants applied today, ammonia and CO2 are the oldest that have been used since the 19th century. The previous nine conferences were very successful, so we look forward to the 10th conference.
The organisers of the conference are the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering – Skopje, and the International Institute of Refrigeration while the programme sponsors are the European Association for Ammonia Refrigeration and the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration.
The main topics of the conference will include:
- Design of modern ammonia (NH3) systems and technological innovation
- Design of carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigeration and heat pump systems
- New innovative components
- Energy efficiency of ammonia and CO2 refrigerating systems
- Applications of ammonia and CO2 refrigeration
- Absorption machines
- Ammonia and CO2 systems in developing countries
- Technical and safety issues; Guidelines and training materials
- Public awareness of the image and benefits of natural refrigerants
For more information, visit the official website here.