europe’s propane refrigeration expansion - emerson.com · e360 outlook volume 2 number 3 1 ⌂...
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E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 1
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Volume 2 Number 3 P. 8New York supermarket gets five times the refrigeration capacity without increasing energy costs
P. 12 Safety codes for flammable refrigerants under revision
P. 14 College students conceptualize the supermarket of the future
OutlookBalancing All Aspects of the Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industries
Europe’s Propane Refrigeration
ExpansionIs the U.S. far behind?
PAGE 2
2 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 1
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Welcome to our sixth edition of E360 Outlook. In 2014, we set out to create
an industry-wide dialogue that would address the four “E’s” impacting
commercial refrigeration: energy, environment, equipment and economics.
We call this initiative E360 for two reasons: 1) Because it takes a 360-degree view of
these four key concerns, and 2) It invites the participation of the entire channel of
OEMs, wholesalers, end users and contractors.
For this initiative to be successful, we sought each of your diverse perspectives to
shape and drive the conversation. Thankfully, you have answered the call and engaged
in many E360-sponsored events. Here’s a snapshot of your participation to date:
• E360 Forums: nearly 700 attendees have joined our five events across the U.S.;
1,700 watched these sessions on-demand through our YouTube channel.
• E360 Webinars: close to 5,500 of you have attended a live Webinar, with another
2,600 viewing these events on YouTube or on-demand at our website.
• E360 Outlook: we’ve distributed roughly 5,000 printed copies of our first five
editions; an additional 2,600 were downloaded from our website.
The shifting regulatory landscape in the past two years has made this industry
dialogue even more critical as we build consensus on the path forward. We will
continue to seek your insights as the conversation continues and E360 evolves. If
you’re not able to attend any of our events, we encourage you to connect with us
via any of the following methods:
• YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/EmersonClimateTech. Here you’ll find
video playlists from both our E360 Webinars and Forums.
• LinkedIn group: simply log into your LinkedIn profile, search for E360, and join the
group to catch up on recent industry news, information and topics of discussion.
• E360 section of our website: EmersonClimate.com/E360: From this portal you can
download or view previous E360 Outlook editions, archived Webinars and Forum
session presentations.
• Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/emersonclimate and www.facebook.com/
emerson.climate.technologies. Connect with us here for the latest updates and
join the conversations.
And, as always, feel free to reach us through our E360 email address at
[email protected] with questions, ideas and contributions. We all have quite
a bit of work to do to prepare for the road ahead. It’s more important than ever that
we keep the lines of communication open and collaborate toward our common goals.
F I R S T WO R D
Connect to E360 and Continue the Dialogue
by D O N N E W LO N CO N T E N T S
1 First Word BY DON NEWLON
Connect to E360 and continue the dialogue
2 F E ATUR E
Europe’s Propane Refrigeration Proliferation BY ALLEN WICHER
As R-290 becomes more common- place in the E.U., is the U.S. far behind?
8 SU C C E SS S TO RY
Five Times the Capacity Without Increasing Energy Costs
N.Y. supermarket quintuples refriger- ation equipment during store redesign
11 E360 Forum and Industry Events
12 Rajan on … Regulations BY DR. RAJAN RAJENDRAN Safety codes for flammable refrigerants are under revision; HFC phase-down continues
14 Helix Highlight College students conceptualize the
supermarket of the future
17 E360 Webinar Series
18 Contractor Connection BY BOB LABBETT
Bridging the refrigeration gap
20 Product Spotlight Site Supervisor delivers small-format consistency and predictability
Publisher
Emerson Climate Technologies
Managing Editor
Don Newlon
Email Us
Email us at [email protected]
with any comments or suggestions.
We would love to hear from you.
Website
EmersonClimate.com/E360 Don Newlon, Managing Editor, E360 Outlook
V.P./G.M., Refrigeration Marketing, Emerson Climate Technologies
A jet pilot, a surgeon and a contractor walk into a bar … or a commercial kitchen or a supermarket. While this
may sound like an interesting set-up for a joke, it’s actually an accurate description of a product ideation session that was recently held at The Helix Innovation Center.
There’s no question that the current regulatory climate has placed renewed emphasis on product development, creating a sense of urgency around this effort unlike anything our industry has seen in recent history.
In this dynamic environment, it’s easy to look toward new technologies as the only answer — and rightly so. But it’s as important to solve the industry’s challenges by maintaining a clear focus on the development of commercially viable solutions. Simply put, we need to have a
more complete understanding of how our customers will actually deploy, use and get real value from a proposed concept.
To accomplish this, we need to look outside of ourselves and peer through a different lens: through the eyes of the customers.
This means tapping into the breadth of our network of partners who can help us apply new toolsets, technologies and thought processes to our industry’s current challenges. It means looking at other industries that may have already solved a similar problem — leak prevention and detection, for example. It means bringing a jet pilot, a surgeon and a contractor together to look at things from entirely different perspectives.
Our new Helix Innovation Center embodies this outward-looking, customer-first philosophy.
Partnerships with a number of top-tier universities and government agencies as well as neighboring resources — such as the University of Dayton and the Wright
Brothers Institute — have helped us build a strong foundation for our partner network. We’re also seeing vast potential in online contributors and through industrial communities that share kindred challenges.
The model for this type of ideation is unique to our industry: first define the problem and then deploy as many (or more) opinions from outside our organization as there are on the inside.
By utilizing the real-world “playgrounds” at The Helix — our supermarket, commercial kitchen, residential home and data center — we’re able to take new ideas, rapidly prototype them, and test their technical and commercial viability in days, even hours in some cases. Before we launch a solution into the market, we can verify its benefits to the industry, including: equipment performance, servicing requirements, and environmental and economic value.
So what’s the punch-line to the above set-up? We hope you’ll bring your biggest challenges to The Helix and find out for yourself: Emerson.com/TheHelix.
Looking Through a Different Lens to Solve Problems
By Bill Bosway
Group Vice President Emerson Climate Technologies
2 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 3
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2 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 3
As R-290 based refrigeration becomes more commonplace in the E.U., is the U.S. far behind?
By Allen Wicher Director of Marketing
Emerson Climate Technologies
Europe’s Propane Refrigeration Proliferation
defotoberg/Shutterstock.com
4 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 5
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TThe use of propane (R-290) as a
refrigerant in commercial refriger-
ation is the subject of much debate
in the U.S. Its A3, flammable classification
conjures up negative connotations in the
minds of operators, technicians and public
officials alike — beliefs that when examined
closer are largely unfounded. But in Europe,
the use of R-290 based equipment is well
into its second decade and continues to
play a big role. Some leading retailers
are even making it a cornerstone of their
refrigeration portfolio. How this may
influence R-290 perceptions and its
subsequent adoption in the U.S. remains to
be seen. We can, however, evaluate R-290’s
early adoption in Europe and speculate
on its path toward commercialization
in the U.S.
Environmental and energy efficiency
drive R-290 adoption in the E.U.
When it comes to adherence to environ-
mentally sound practices, the European
Union (E.U.) and its member countries
have consistently been ahead of the
curve. The E.U.’s F-gas regulations were
among the world’s first actions to
phase down hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)
refrigerants in favor of low global warming
potential (GWP) natural alternatives.
At the same time, consumer, OEM and
retailer preferences for sustainable goods
and eco-friendly systems contributed to
driving compliance with these regulations.
It’s no surprise then that Europe has
led the way in the adoption of natural
refrigerants in commercial refrigeration —
including R-290.
From an environmental perspective,
R-290 is among an elite class of viable
green alternatives to many of the
industry’s most common high-GWP
refrigerants. It’s a naturally occurring
hydrocarbon (HC) with a GWP of 3 and 0
ozone depletion potential (ODP). R-290
is a highly refined grade of the fossil fuel
propane, and although flammable,
In Europe, the use of R-290 based equipment is well into its second decade and continues to play a big role.
Characteristics:
• Naturally occurring, hydrocarbon
• GWP = 3, ODP = 0
• Readily available and affordable
• EPA-approved in commercial refrigeration applications
• High-efficiency, high-performance, reliable
• Flammable, A3 classification
• Safe to use when proper protocols are followed
• Globally mandated charge limit of 150g
Commercial refrigeration applications:
• Reach-in bottle coolers
• Reach-in freezers and refrigerators
• Integrated display cases
• Ice machines (in current EPA SNAP proposal)
• Under countertop
• Beverage dispensers
Challenges to wider adoption:
• Classified A3 Flammable Refrigerant
• Not a “drop-in” refrigerant; equipment and components must be designed for R-290
• Globally mandated low-charge limits of 150g restrict application range
• Difficulty getting approved in fire and building codes
• Lack of trained and certified technicians
• Absence of product and safety training
R-290: Separating fact from fiction
R-404A and R-290 EER Comparisonit is non-toxic in nature.
R-290’s green potential doesn’t
stop there. Its excellent thermodynamic
properties — such as pressure, low back
pressure, volumetric capacity, capacity
and coefficient of performance — are very
similar to R-22, even outperforming it in
certain parameters. In Emerson Climate
Technologies’ test labs and published studies
alike, R-290 consistently outperforms
R-404A in energy efficiencies.
For more than 15 years, retailers
in Europe have included R-290 based
equipment as part of their refrigeration
portfolio. Those who sought to meet
environmental objectives and establish
green market positions began field trials
and deployed R-290 chillers before the
regulatory actions to limit HFCs were in
place. Estimates vary about the degree
of R-290 proliferation, but according to a
2014 study on HC refrigerants in Europe,
nearly 0.5 million plug-in supermarket
cabinets were in the European supermarket
arena alone at the end of 2013, with many
calling this a conservative estimate. The
same study states that more than
2 million bottle coolers and ice cream
freezers were in use throughout the
European light commercial refrigeration
market at the time research was conducted.
In a region where 150 GWP is the
aspirational standard for green refrigerants,
R-290 allows retailers to comply with
both environmental and energy efficiency
requirements.
A charged issue on both sides of the pond
Adhering to proper R-290 safety protocols
is imperative when considering potential
applications. In the E.U., the 150g charge
limit recommendation set forth by the
International Electrotechnical Commission’s
(IEC) safety standards for the use of
propane is widely accepted. As a result,
Europe has seen a proliferation of R-290
R-290 yields 20%+ better EER efficiency than R-404A
Results from Emerson’s test labs, comparing Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of R-404A to R-290 in medium back pressure (MBP) and low back pressure (LBP), show a significant improvement when using R-290. Testing takes place in a controlled environment designed to simulate typical operating conditions.
4.2
4
6
8
10
2
0
2.7 2.5
5.65.0
3.94.5
3.3 3.0
6.45.7
4.4
1⁄3 HP ¾ HP
-10/130
1⁄3 HP ¾ HP
-40/131
1⁄3 HP ¾ HP
14/131
EER
LBP R-404A vs. R-290EER Comparison
nR-404AnR-290
½ HP 1 HP
45/130
7.14
6
8
10
2
0
7.6 7.6 8.1
4.23.6
8.7
9.4 9.3 9.8
5.14.1
½ HP 1 HP
5/131
½ HP 1 HP
50/131
EER
nR-404AnR-290
MBP R-404A vs. R-290EER Comparison
6 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 7
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based equipment in the light commercial
refrigeration segment.
This small charge limit also curbs
the size of the refrigeration application.
Some E.U. retailers have made attempts to
extend the charge limits to enable larger
applications and further expand their green
footprint. But when charges exceed 150g,
E.U. retailers are subject to the approval
of national, regional and local governance
standards and codes for building occupancy
and fire safety. Achieving this approval
requires a mandatory risk assessment and
third party certification of safe operation —
a potentially lengthy process that can
be costly and difficult for both OEMs
and retailers.
It’s also interesting to note that
R-290 adoption varies widely among E.U.
member countries. The U.K., for example, has
a more flexible stance toward R-290, even
approving charges up to 500g for retailers
committed to green refrigeration practices.
Meanwhile, some territories in France
and Italy have yet to employ even light
commercial systems, dispelling the notion
that R-290 based refrigeration equipment
is accepted in all corners of the E.U.
On the other side of the pond in the
U.S., the R-290 picture is quite different.
The U.S. is generally much more hesitant
to view the IEC standard for the 150g
charge limit as a rubber stamp to move
forward with R-290 commercial refrigeration
installations. In the absence of national
R-290 safety standards, even applications
with small charge limits are subject to the
authority of state and local governance, as
well as fire marshal jurisdiction — and these
differ drastically from region to region.
As a result, commercial adoption has
been limited primarily to the most
Some E.U. retailers have worked closely with their OEMs to
develop larger R-290 based refrigeration equipment that
still adheres to the 150g charge limit. Although this helps
accelerate the commercialization process, it does add to
system complexity. One such example of a successful
implementation involved a very prominent retailer who
sought to deploy a large integrated display case design that
could replace their centralized rack system architecture.
The retailer tapped a preferred OEM to develop new
integrated cases based on three individual 150g, R-290
circuits in the same case. The design requires three separate
R-290 compressors, each with its own supporting system
components (fans, valves, piping, etc.). The plan is to
install 10 cases per store in up to 1,000 stores each year.
The retailer also plans on expanding its operations in the
U.S. in the near future.
Major E.U. grocer deploys large R-290 display cases, keeps low refrigerant charge
While there are still many unanswered questions, the U.S. has the benefit of learning from the European model.
established grocers, foodservice outlets
and small format retailers who are
1) willing to absorb the cost required to
achieve requisite safety assessments and
certifications, and 2) seeking to meet
corporate sustainability objectives.
In recent years, the U.S. regulatory
climate has brought R-290 back into industry
and public awareness. First, in 2011 the
EPA listed R-290 as acceptable, subject to
use conditions, for use in certain commercial
refrigeration regulations, keeping the IEC
recommendation for a 150g charge limit.
More recently, the EPA also instituted the
phase-down of R-404A and other common
refrigerants over the next several years. On
a parallel timetable, the DOE has mandated
significant energy reductions in commercial
refrigeration equipment, thereby favoring
the use of systems and refrigerants that
produce high energy efficiencies.
The combination of these two regu-
lations is motivating OEMs and the entire
refrigeration supply chain to try and meet
both objectives in a single design cycle. While
R-290 is one of the few approved refrigerants
capable of satisfying both regulatory actions,
the lack of a national safety standard is still
a barrier toward wider U.S. adoption.
Efforts to establish national standards
are in motion, not only for R-290, but
potentially for a new class of A2L, (mildly
flammable) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)
refrigerant blends — some of which have
yet to be EPA approved. UL, ASHRAE, ISO
and IEC are all working to develop and
evolve their standards to align with market
trends, some of which may be finalized in
the coming year.
Even with the existing barriers to
R-290 adoption, the EPA approval of R-290
in 2011 prompted some of the larger
foodservice and small format retailers to
work through their OEMs to introduce light
commercial equipment to the market.
And with the promise of a true national
standard, more OEMs are in the process of
developing complete lines of R-290 based
equipment.
Following in the E.U.’s footsteps
The path toward broader commercialization
of R-290 based equipment and wider
adoption in the U.S. is largely dependent
upon the development of national
standards. While there are still many
unanswered questions, the U.S. has the
benefit of learning from the European
model — from the introduction of
environmental regulations and development
of standards to R-290 field trials, countless
installations and wide commercial acceptance.
As the E.U.’s international standards
continue to evolve, the industry is
appealing for the option to increase the
150g refrigerant charge limit to much
higher allowable charges. Should this
become enacted, there’s no question it
will influence the emerging standards
in the U.S., where the possibility of
increasing the charge limit to 300g is
already being discussed. This would
add flexibility to system design and help
transition R-290 to larger commercial
applications.
Finally, it’s important to remember
that there’s no such thing as a perfect
refrigerant. For decades R-22 was
considered ideal until it was discovered
to contribute to holes in the ozone layer.
Its replacement was a class of widely used
HFCs that were later found to have high
global warming potential. And both of
these were man-made compounds. Aside
from its potential flammability, which can
be managed with proper system design
and safe protocols, R-290 is very similar
(or better) in performance to its now-
prohibited predecessors.
One very important question remains
to be answered: will the U.S. refrigeration
industry allow the many benefits of R-290
to outweigh its perceived risks?
8 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 9
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Fallsburg
8 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3
Five Times the Capacity Without Increasing Energy Costs
New York supermarket quintuples refrigeration equipment during store redesign
SU C C E SS S TO RY
Imagine running a supermarket with a full array of refrigeration
equipment for just 10 weeks every year. That’s the annual
challenge faced by Skopps Supermarket, Inc., a family-owned
supermarket in the resort area of Fallsburg, New York.
Skopps operates seasonally, serving summer vacationers and
local residents from June through late August. The store is open
16–18 hours a day when the tourists come to town. For many
years Skopps was located in an older wooden building. By 2015,
however, it was clear the business needed to expand to keep pace
with Fallsburg’s growing population. An all-new 10,000 square foot
store was planned.
Location and tradition made reliability critical
As the design of the new store evolved, refrigeration and AC
challenges were a key consideration for contractor Steve
Eschenberg of Eschenberg Temperature Control. Reliability was
a major concern because the supermarket carries high-quality
refrigerated meats, poultry and seafood. Any system failure
could create the potential for significant financial loss. Because
Skopps is in a rural area, concerns about the local power grid
meant the system would have to work safely with a backup
generator to prevent downtime during hot weather. Skopps’
owner couldn’t afford to risk equipment loss or damage because
of power failure.
The store’s location — 60 miles from the nearest supply house —
was another factor that called for dependable equipment.
The system also had to be quiet enough to comply with local
noise restrictions, because the new store was located close to
a vacation home community. And since Skopps is closed nearly
nine months of the year, equipment placement was an important
factor in deterring theft and vandalism.
Finally, the new location would have approximately five times
the refrigeration equipment as the old store. The store owner
had a strong desire for the new equipment to be as efficient as
possible to keep operating costs under control.
A fast-track job
Eschenberg Temperature Control didn’t have a lot of time to
get the refrigeration and AC up and running in the new building.
Steve Eschenberg had his first meeting with the store owner
in late February of 2015. The new store had to be ready to open
by late June.
Eschenberg quickly determined that Skopps couldn’t risk
a centralized system. “If we used a central plant, a single fault
could impact the whole system,” he said. “We needed to make
it modular to limit losses if there was a breakdown.” Space
limitations in the new steel building also meant there was no
place for a machine room.
Ultimately, Eschenberg worked with Emerson Climate
Technologies and Meier Supply Company to design a multiple
condensing unit system that met the refrigeration challenge.
The system was designed around 18 Copeland Scroll™ X-Line
Series Outdoor Condensing Units mounted high on the
supermarket’s exterior wall closest to the majority of the
refrigeration devices. A pair of 15-ton Copeland Scroll roof
units provided the building’s AC needs.
“The XJs were perfect because they’re quiet, efficient, have
a lot of interchangeability with a good stock of service parts, and most important,
they’re reliable.”
— Steve Eschenberg, Eschenberg Temperature Control
Eighteen wall-mounted, X-Line outdoor condensing units provide quiet, efficient refrigeration for the entire supermarket.
10 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 11
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“This was the only way to go,” Eschenberg said. “The XJs
were perfect because they’re quiet, efficient, have a lot of
interchangeability with a good stock of service parts, and most
important, they’re reliable.”
Despite Skopps’ distance from the nearest supply center,
Eschenberg was confident because the system’s interchangeability
would allow him to manage most issues with his own supply of
spare parts and fuses. “Basically, anything but the compressor is
interchangeable,” he said.
The rapid turnaround time made the job tricky, because
multiple crews had to work simultaneously during the assembly
and installation. Fortunately, the system’s layout allowed for short
wiring and piping runs. Eschenberg was able to mount the units
on the building’s exterior in mid-May and began wiring and piping
in early June, finishing in time for the new supermarket’s opening
in late June.
Substantial energy savings makes a happy customer
In its first season of operation, the new system provided consistent
and reliable refrigeration and control for the supermarket’s meat
and fish cutting rooms, deli, a 34-door freezer, 16' grab-and-go
case, plus produce, dairy, meat, seafood and coolers. The new
store is four times the size of the old and holds five times the
refrigeration equipment. Yet according to the store owner, the new
equipment’s energy efficiency resulted in no increase in energy
costs. Power now accounts for a smaller percentage of his expenses
than at the old store.
There have been no noise complaints from the neighbors,
either. In fact, the units can’t even be heard when customers leave
the supermarket. And because the units are mounted high off the
ground, there were no vandalism issues during the store’s first
winter of 2015–2016. The whole cycle will begin again for the 2016
season when startup and adjustments take place in May.
I N D US T RY E V E N T S
NRA Show 2016 McCormick PlaceChicago, ILMay 21–24show.restaurant.org/Home
ATMOsphere America 2016The Westin Michigan Ave.Chicago, ILJune 16–17atmo.org/events.details. php?eventid=44
FMI Connect 2016McCormick PlaceChicago, IL — June 20–23fmiconnect.net
2016 ASHRAE Annual ConferenceAmerica’s Center Convention Complex and Marriott St. Louis Grand HotelSt. Louis, MO — June 25–29ashraem.confex.com/ashraem/ s16/cfp.cgi
HRAI Annual Meeting and ConferenceHyatt RegencyCalgary, Alberta, CanadaAug. 24–26hrai.ca/events.html FMI Energy and Store Development ConferenceSheraton New OrleansNew Orleans, LA — Sept. 11–14 http://www.fmi.org/forms/ meeting/Microsite/ESD2016
COMFORTECH 2016Pennsylvania Convention CenterPhiladelphia, PA — Sept. 20–22comfortechshow.com/ct16/ Public/Enter.aspx
World Energy Engineering CongressWashington Convention Center, Hall DWashington, DC — Sept. 21–23energycongress.com
Emerson Climate Technologies is excited to take our educational
platform on the road; we’ll be coming to Newark and Tucson
next. Once again, this daylong event will feature prominent
industry authorities as well as Emerson’s own internal experts.
Our Atlanta E360 Forum, held this past February, offered timely
discussions on top-of-mind industry concerns. More than 130
foodservice and retail leaders gathered and conversed about our
shifting industry.
The E360 Forums give attendees an opportunity to participate
in the conversations shaping the commercial refrigeration industry.
We hope to see you at an E360 Forum in the future.
E360 Forum Schedule
Newark, NJ Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel Aug. 24, 2016
Tucson, AZ The Westin La Paloma Oct. 12, 2016
What was the most meaningful takeaway from today?
The biggest takeaway for me is the boiling
down of the EPA and DOE regulations and how they’re
going to impact our industry over the next five years.”
— Mike Nohle, refrigeration division manager,
Meier Supply Company
How do you think today’s discussions will influence you
and/or your company?
The discussions we had today influence
everybody day to day because it’s important for us to know
what is changing and how it impacts our daily business so
we can make the right decisions moving forward.”
— Derek Gosselin, system product manager, Hillphoenix
What do the E360 Forum attendees have to say about the event?
“
“
Forum
“The new store is four times the size of the old and holds five times
the refrigeration equipment. Yet the new equipment’s energy efficiency resulted in no increase
in energy costs.”— Joel Lowy, Skopps Supermarket
Reliability was a major concern because the supermarket carries high-quality refrigerated meats, poultry and seafood.
Visit EmersonClimate.com/
E360-Event-Registration to register.
12 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 13
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ASHRAE Standard 34
In the U.S., ASHRAE Standard 34 defines
the flammability and toxicity classification
of refrigerants, with the letters A and B
designating lower and higher toxicity,
and the numbers 1, 2 and 3 denoting the
level of flammability from none, lower
and higher flammability, respectively. For
example, R-290 is classified as A3, meaning
it has lower toxicity and higher flammability.
This standard was recently updated
to include the flammability subclass of
2L for refrigerants that burn slower than
those designated as Class 2. Newer HFO
blends, such as R-1234yf, fall into this
A2L classification.
ASHRAE Standard 15
ASHRAE Standard 15 is the U.S. safety
standard for refrigeration system design,
construction, installation and operation.
It adopts the classifications set forth in
ASHRAE 34, and is under revision in part
due to the inclusion of the A2L classification.
The current standard also prohibits the use
of A3 and B3 refrigerants except where
approved by the authority having
jurisdiction (AHJ). Once Standard 15
is revised, ASHRAE will propose revising
the building model codes in the U.S.
UL standards
UL 1995 is the most recent Underwriters
Laboratory (UL) listing pertaining to
HVACR; it does not address flammable
refrigerants. However, it is being revised
in accordance with the international
standard, IEC 60335-2-40, which is
currently under revision to include the
introduction of A2Ls.
International standards
The International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) is in the process
of revising its codes that affect heating
and cooling equipment, commercial
refrigeration appliances, and ice
and ice cream machines, including:
IEC 60335-2-89 and IEC 60335-2-24.
It’s widely anticipated that the standards
around charge limits — for both A3
and A2L refrigerants — will be included
in the IEC’s revisions.
As is the case with the UL adoption of
an existing IEC standard, the international
standards are often the benchmark from
which global safety standards are imple-
mented. The U.S. is no exception to this
rule, although usually with a degree of
deviation from the IEC standards. It’s also
as important to keep in mind that until
national safety standards are both adopted
and accepted in the U.S., A2L and A3
applications may be subject to AHJ.
While exact timing on regulatory
matters is difficult to predict, we expect
some movement in these areas through
2017 due to the urgency of HC and
HFO adoption.
Dr. Rajan Rajendran is one of the most
respected, global authorities on alternative
refrigerants and their applications across
a variety of industries. As Emerson Climate
Technologies’ Vice President, System
Innovation Center and Sustainability,
Rajan helps steer the company’s strategic
direction, research and product development.
Flammable refrigerant alternatives
are becoming increasingly viable as
global environmental regulations
push the HVACR industry toward low-GWP
refrigerants. Naturally occurring hydrocar-
bons (HC) such as propane (R-290) and
a new class of hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)
refrigerant blends are among the most
likely flammable refrigerants to be
considered as replacements. Since these
low-GWP options have varying degrees
of flammability, they’re subject to
requisite standards to ensure safe
operating and handling protocols.
In the current industry landscape,
there are a number of organizations that
have developed codes and standards to
manage the safe use of flammable refrig-
erants. Since the majority of today’s safety
standards were developed prior to the
increased emphasis on green refrigerant
alternatives, many are now currently
under revision to include A2L and A3
refrigerants with the intent to evaluate
their potential use with modern equipment,
applications and system architectures.
When dealing with flammable refrigerants,
the following criteria are evaluated to
ensure safe use:
• The lower flammable limit of the
refrigerant
• Amount of charge in equipment
• Risk of refrigerant leak
• Area where a leaked refrigerant could
occur
• Presence of ignition sources
While we can’t predict the extent of the code
changes, we can report on the most relevant
safety standards currently under revision:
Safety codes for flammable refrigerants are under revision; HFC phase-down continues
Evolving safety standards for A2L and A3 refrigerants
R A J A N O N … S TA N DA R DS A N D R EG U L AT I O NS by D R . R A J A N R A J E N D R A N
Reference
1. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/documents/snap_action_factsheet.pdf
New SNAP proposal
The EPA recently issued another SNAP proposal1
regarding the listing status of certain high-GWP
refrigerants deemed as “unacceptable” in specific
applications. Although the new proposal is relatively
smaller in scope, there are a few potential impacts to
be aware of, including:
• Listing of R-290 as an acceptable alternative in commercial ice makers, water
coolers and very low-temperature refrigeration equipment
• Exempting R-290 from the Clean Air Act’s section 608 venting prohibition
• R-404A will be unacceptable in soft-serve, frozen carbonated beverage and slush
machines as of Jan. 1, 2021
• R-404A will be unacceptable in cold storage warehouse by Jan. 1, 2023
Per usual, the EPA will accept public comments to the proposal for 45 days
after publication of the rule in the Federal Register.
14 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 15
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Emerson Climate Technologies recently
hosted the University of Dayton’s
E-week Innovation Challenge at
Emerson’s new Helix Innovation Center.
The entrepreneurial student club EMpwr
and engineering-based KEEN organization
also co-sponsored the challenge. The
theme of this year’s event was The Super-
market of the Future, and students were
asked to brainstorm innovative concepts
that addressed the many challenges and
opportunities facing grocers today, such
as: energy usage, convenience, customer
experience and even aesthetics.
At the kick-off reception, students
gathered at The Helix to learn more about
the parameters of the competition.
Participants were given the option to
work independently or in small groups,
although the event facilitators encouraged
collaboration to raise the team’s collective
IQ. Teams then had one week to come up
with a concept and create a presentation
that would be delivered separately to the
six judges at the adjudication competition.
At stake was prize money for the top three
teams in the amounts of $1,500, $1,000
and $500, respectively.
Participants were judged on their
ability to demonstrate the technical and
financial feasibility of deploying their
concept by 2050. In addition, teams were
instructed to keep KEEN’s three C’s in
mind: curiosity, connections and creating
value. Finally, participants were reminded
to not forget the all-important “wow factor”
when conceptualizing and presenting
their ideas.
Dr. Rajan Rajendran, vice president of
system innovation center and sustainability,
explained at the opening reception that
this event not only showcased the
ingenuity of UD’s engineering students,
but also highlighted the partnership
between Emerson and UD at The Helix.
“One of the dreams we had when
conceptualizing this unique facility was to
be able to host educational events just like
this,” Rajendran said.
Before leaving the opening reception,
students were presented with an exercise
to get their “brain stirring” in motion.
Each team was given 15 minutes to build
the tallest free-standing structure possible
using 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of
tape, one yard of string and one marsh-
mallow (which also had to be placed on
the top of the structure). As expected, the
exercise yielded diverse designs as teams
scrambled to achieve this objective.
The winning concepts
Exactly one week after the opening
reception, the students returned to The
Helix with their poster boards to pitch
their concepts to the judges. It was
immediately apparent from the first
presentations that the teams had not only
clearly understood the challenge but
also had significant insights to contribute.
Among the six judges on the panel
that night was Don Newlon, vice president
and general manager of refrigeration mar-
keting at Emerson Climate Technologies.
Newlon was impressed by how the teams
synthesized the task at hand with their
diverse individual perspectives.
“It was impressive to see how well
the group as a whole responded to the
challenge, and how their unique millennial
mindset produced solutions geared toward
College Students Conceptualize the Supermarket of the Future
H E L I X H I G H L I G H T
E-week challenge calls for a fresh approach and new thinking
16 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 17
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Given the changing HVACR landscape, a new
approach to innovation that involves all links
in the refrigerated equipment value chain is
required. During our recent E360 Webinar, we high-
lighted the inclusive, collaborative approach that is
driving the development of future technologies:
• The current focus of Emerson Climate Technologies’
innovation efforts
• The fundamentals of the innovation process
• The importance of rapid prototyping and testing in
real-world conditions
• Why collaboration is needed to solve today’s
big problems
• The Helix’s supermarket refrigeration and
foodservice modules
• How The Helix’s environmental control room can
simulate virtually any ambient condition
Recently Archived Webinars
Find archived Webinars at EmersonClimate.com/E360-Webinars
Innovation in Refrigeration January 26, 2016
Understanding Leak Detection and Implementing Effective Programs November 3, 2015
EPA Final Refrigerant Ruling: Its Impact on Your Business August 18, 2015
Seven Keys to Servicing CO2 Systems July 14, 2015
Meeting Future Refrigeration Energy Regulations With Today’s Technology Alternatives March 17, 2015
Unlocking the Potential of Embedded Electronics January 26, 2015
Staying Ahead of DOE 2017 Walk-In Cooler and Freezer Energy Efficiency Ratings October 21, 2014
Team 1Ali Al-Saihaty
Team 2 (Honorable Mention)Megan AponteAudrey LaurashLinda Moodie
Team 3 (Second Place)Manjhunath AyyampudurChristopher Wagner
Team 4 (Honorable Mention)Troy BarklayStephen Ripepi
Team 5 (First Place)Nicolas Carducci
Team 6Teresa BradfordColin JoernAndrew Tarutani
Team 7Jay BrandyberryKeaton Cole
Team 8Daniel Curry
Team 9Marc CzulewiczDaniel LenzJackson MalladyLisa MusselmanMichael Zahorec
Team 10 (Honorable Mention)Elise DermodyNathan MansourBrian Sikora
Team 11 Madhumitha EzhilanAshish Gogia
Team 12 (Honorable Mention)Kimberly Gliebe
Team 13 (Honorable Mention)Mary GraebnerWilbur Sharpe
Team 14Drew HasenkampEric Insana
Team 15 (Third Place)Noelle JacobsMichael KellerSarah Stratil
Team 16Jeffrey LecaveSarah RichardKatelin Weitzel
Team 17 (Honorable Mention)Emily McDonaldVictoria WawzyniakJoseph Zielinski
Team 18Asia Roebuck
Team 19Brendan CunninghamJoseph MancewiczMaxmilian Pawlikowski
Team 20 Matthew ConleyClayton Ralston
Participating E-week Teams
consumers and retailers alike,” he said.
After the judges heard each team’s
two-minute pitch, they had the unenviable
task of selecting the top entries. Here are
the winners and a brief description of their
innovative concepts:
First place ($1,500): Nicolas Carducci
All in One — The winning concept featured
a mobile device app that combines a recipe
book, calorie counter, grocery list and food
inventory, all integrated with supermarket
and home food inventory databases for a
streamlined shopping experience. The app
displays nutritional information and expi-
ration dates for the ingredients needed to
make specific recipes, and then determines
which items need to be purchased at the
supermarket. The shopper then uses this
app to order the missing ingredients and
pick up the order at their preferred store
location. The All in One app allows end
users to keep track of caloric intake by
entering the number of servings consumed in
a particular recipe, and even provides push
notifications for food expiration warnings.
Second place ($1,000): Manjhunath Ayyampudur, Christopher Wagner
Carbon Emissions — The first runner-up
team pitched an innovative app that gives
environmentally conscious shoppers a way
to calculate the carbon footprint produced
by their eating habits. By assigning a carbon
equivalent value to each grocery item in
the supermarket, consumers have the
option to choose items that minimize their
carbon footprint.
Third place ($500): Noelle Jacobs, Michael Keller, Sarah Stratil
STC Supermarket — This eco-friendly concept
centers on a three-pronged approach that
combines solar-equipped parking lots,
self-scanning grocery carts and community
food trucks to drive sustainable, technolog-
ically advanced and community-oriented
supermarkets.
In addition to the three winners, six
teams earned an honorable mention distinc-
tion. All in all, the event proved that the spirit
of innovation is alive and well in our collegiate
class. We can all rest assured that the future
of the supermarket industry is in good hands.
Don Newlon, Emerson’s V.P./G.M of refrigeration marketing and Eddy Rojas, University of Dayton’s dean of the School of Engineering present prize money to the challenge winner, Nicolas Carducci.
18 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 19
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E360 Forum panel discussion
The technician shortage was the focus of a spirited panel discussion at our most recent E360 Forum in Atlanta. Panelist Dan Steffen, vice president of AAA Refrigeration, talked about the misperception surrounding what is essentially an extremely viable career opportunity.
“At trade shows, I talk with many peers who don’t want their kids going into this profession,” Steffen said. “The truth is this is a great industry for smart people, and until they find another way to preserve food, this is a recession-proof industry. It’s an opportunity not just for a job, but for a career. We need to change perceptions from within,” he added.
Jim Alexander, chief technical officer at Epic Services, said that one way to attract a new generation of talent into the industry is by better engaging with them on social media. “The industry does not have nearly enough exposure to youths entering the job market. We need to do a better job getting our message out and meet them where they live on social media,” he said.
Ross Fazio, service director of Fazio Mechanical Services, shared that this career opportunity was never presented to him in high school. “When I told my friends I was a refrigeration contractor, they thought I fixed refrigerators. High schools need to do a better job in offering the trades instead of just college,” he said.
Vet2Tech co-founder George Nicholson, whose group connects U.S. military veterans with jobs in the HVACR, commercial food equipment and residential appliance repair industries, said vets coming back into the workforce want more than just a job. “They know they will start as a tech, but they want a career path. We need to show them where they can go with this career and give
them a road map for how to get there,” he said.
Building an industry-wide coalition
While the panel discussion didn’t produce a solution to the growing problem, the panelists all agreed that it will take the concerted effort of the entire HVACR industry to turn the tide. Everyone has skin in the game, from contractors, OEMs, distributors, industry organizations and trade publications.
To be successful, we will need to leverage the collective strength of the entire industry and develop strategies to attract, recruit and retain new technicians to the HVACR industry.
Starting points for executing on this strategy could include:
• Bringing together industry stakeholders to holistically evaluate and address the problem, and determine a plan of action
• Expanding certification opportunities geared specifically toward commercial refrigeration
• Leverage new media to recruit the next generation of entrants into the refrigeration business
• Demonstrate a clear path for career advancement and longevity
We know that the commercial refrigeration trade offers tremendous potential to a new generation of job entrants. But, we need to figure out how to get this message out to the public. It will require the participation of all industry stakeholders to brainstorm new ideas and bring them together in a master plan.
Emerson Climate Technologies is committed to becoming a champion of this effort. Stay tuned for more information in subsequent E360 events and publications.
Pictured: panelists Jermaine Johnson, Mainline Mechanical Services; Ross Fazio, Fazio Mechanical Services; George Nicholson, Vet2Tech; Jim Alexander, Epic Services; Dan Steffen, AAA Refrigeration; Lamont Gill, career and technical education industry veteran; Moderator – Kyle Gargaro, ACHR News
For more than a decade, the lack of qualified technicians in HVACR has been a growing problem in the U.S. While this issue is often attributed to the larger HVACR trade,
refrigeration is where the biggest challenge exists. In fact, if you’re a mechanically inclined entrant seeking technical training in the U.S., you may be hard-pressed to find a vocational school or technical college nearby that specializes in refrigeration.
Recent industry statistics help reveal the extent of the technician shortage. An ACHR News article estimated that more than 27,000 skilled technicians are projected to retire annually. Meanwhile, according to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 15,000 trained HVACR technicians are entering the workforce annually, and the industry is expected to grow 21 percent through 2022. The most conservative estimates indicate the current technician shortage to be roughly 20,000, with that number expected to increase dramatically in the near future.
In annual contractor roundtables hosted by Emerson Climate Technologies, the lack of qualified refrigeration technicians is consistently cited as the number one challenge contracting business owners face. Although different HVAC initiatives have
attempted to address the issue through the years, the situation for refrigeration has not improved. On the positive side, we’re beginning to better understand the roots of the problem and where to focus our efforts.
What is the refrigeration gap?
The refrigeration gap may be defined as follows: a shortage of qualified refrigeration technicians available to service increasingly diverse and complex refrigeration systems and applications, compounded by limited access to training programs offered throughout the nation’s career vocational schools and technical colleges. Adding to this challenge is an industry dealing with continually evolving regulations and emerging technologies.
While most of the nation’s technical schools offer accredita-tion in the AC trade — complete with hands-on training with the industry’s most commonly used equipment — very few of these schools are equipped to support the breadth of equipment and system architectures required to educate refrigeration technicians. Refrigeration technicians must be equipped to deal with a much broader range of refrigerants and application temperatures, as well as myriad system architectures.
CO N T R AC TO R CO N N EC T I O N by B O B L A B B E T T
Bridging the Refrigeration Gap
Industry needs to address the shortage of commercial refrigeration technicians
20 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3 21
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Refrigeration and building controlsSite Supervisor provides control and logging of nearly every aspect of a facility’s refrigeration and building systems.
• Display case set points
• Suction groups
• Condensers
• Circuits
• Defrost schedules
• Alarms
• Connects to refrigeration
control devices
Refrigeration controller Building controller
• Air handling units
• HVAC zones
• Lighting zones
• Occupancy schedules
• Alarms
• Connects to building
control devices
Today’s convenience store chains and
small-format retailers find themselves
in a rapidly changing landscape. As
consumer preference for freshly prepared
food offerings continues to spill over into
their space, small-format retailers are
adapting their business models to become
more like foodservice providers.
Making this transition without
sacrificing their commitment to convenience
is no small challenge. It means not only
ensuring proper food refrigeration and
preparation protocols, but also creating
and maintaining an inviting in-store
experience for patrons. It means keeping
close watch over every store system and
piece of equipment impacting that
experience — from refrigeration and lighting
to heating and cooling. Because the
reality is, it only takes one bad customer
experience to tarnish your brand.
Enter Site Supervisor, a flexible facility
control platform that allows retailers to
quickly and economically enable monitoring,
optimization and control over key store
systems. As part of Emerson Climate
Technologies’ ecoSYS family, Site Supervisor
manages refrigeration, HVAC, lighting and
other critical equipment and systems while
collecting data on important performance
indicators, including:
• Refrigerated case temperatures
• Energy usage
• HVAC discharge and space temperatures
While this data enables store managers
to quickly respond to issues that may impact
Meet the New Boss
P RO D U C T SP OT L I G H T
Site Supervisor delivers small-format consistency and predictability
7" display
• Performance meter identifies equipment
that is performing out of range
• Detailed floor plans allow the manager
to see an overview of their equipment
portfolio
Site Supervisor builds upon Emerson’s
strong controls legacy, including a flexible
approach that allows customers to add to
their system as needs change. It can even
be configured to integrate with another
manufacturer’s controllers.
Enterprise-wide visibility
To enable enterprise-level visibility, site
management and advanced support services,
the ecoSYS platform offers optional
extended capabilities. Site Supervisor
can be configured to tap the expertise
of Emerson’s ProAct services to support
profitable, efficient operations and quickly
diagnose system issues before they impact
the customer experience.
Site Supervisor can also be connected
to Emerson’s Site Manager software to
help retailers achieve consistency across
their entire network of stores — even push
out specific operational settings from a
central location to ensure uniformity. This
not only relieves store associates of routine
system setting and maintenance tasks, it
also helps streamline service activities by
providing a common operational footprint.
Site Manager can be hosted on the Emerson
cloud or locally at an enterprise level for those
who prefer a locally managed solution.
Site Supervisor is even backwards
compatible with Emerson’s E2 facility
management system.
While the initial release of Site
Supervisor is designed for convenience
stores, restaurants and small-format retail
operations, upcoming releases will support
supermarkets and all types of retail installa-
tions, including the capability to integrate
with existing control systems. This robust
new platform is designed to address many
of today’s — and tomorrow’s — most pressing
concerns in foodservice and food retail.
the customer experience and food safety,
detailed reports can also be accessed
through ProAct™ Services to evaluate trends
and gain deep insights into operations.
Intuitive user interface and key features
Site Supervisor gives store managers and
service technicians visibility to systems
and equipment through an intuitive
interface that displays site controllers in
one place. A responsive design allows this
information to seamlessly scale with the
size of the viewing device, whether that’s
the Site Supervisor’s rugged display or a
web-enabled mobile device.
Four primary screens provide quick
access to facility-wide information: Home,
Inventory (of your equipment list), Scheduler
and Device. Easy access to store system
data keeps relevant information at the
facility manager’s fingertips for improved
efficiencies:
• Refrigeration setpoints and lighting
schedules
• Verification when new equipment is
brought online during installation
• All store equipment visible on one
screen
• Interface design keeps the majority of
functions no more than two clicks away;
Home screen is accessible from any
location in the system
• Option to drill down for more information
as needed
• Setting of alarm thresholds to alert
them of fault conditions
Site Supervisor enables easy access to store system data to keep relevant information at the facility manager’s fingertips.
Responsive design allows information to scale with the size of the viewing device.
Smartphone
10" display
22 E360 Outlook Volume 2 Number 3
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Emerson Climate Technologies Copeland™ Refrigeration and AC CompressorsSidney, OH
Emerson Climate Technologies,
Retail SolutionsFacility ServicesKennesaw, GA
Vilter Manufacturing, LLC Compressors for Industrial Refrigeration and Oil & Gas CompressionCudahy, WI
Fusite Seals, Feedthroughs and Precision Metal ProductsCincinnati, OH
White-Rodgers ThermostatsSt. Louis, MO
Air Comfort Products Ceiling FansSt. Louis, MO
Control Techniques Variable Speed Drives and MotorsEden Prairie, MN
Therm-O-Disc Electronic SensorsMansfield, OH
Control Products Custom Electronic ControlsChanhassen, MN
Design Services NetworkDesign and Testing ServicesSidney, OH
Educational Services HVACR Training ProgramsSidney, OH
InSinkErator Waste Disposal for Residential and Commercial UsesSturtevant, WI
Emerson Climate Technologies1675 West Campbell RoadP.O. Box 669Sidney, OH 45365-0669
PRSRT FIRST CLASSU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPERMIT #1315DAYTON, OH
Thank you for reading this edition of E360 Outlook! At Emerson, we believe
the challenges faced by the refrigeration industry cannot be solved in a vacuum.
Only through collaboration and a commitment to innovation will we discover
answers to the difficult questions before us.
We hope the information provided here will spark conversations and open
all of our eyes to new perspectives. But for that to happen, we all need to contribute.
And that starts with you. Feel free to contact us with your feedback, questions
and insights. We look forward to hearing from you.
We’d like to hear your feedback.
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