In addition to a wide range of CO2 (R744)-related case studies and several refrigeration and heat pump presentations involving the use of ammonia (R717), hydrocarbon refrigeration and charge-limit standards will be addressed at the ATMOsphere (ATMO) America Summit 2023 on natural refrigerant-based HVAC&R.
This 12th annual edition of the conference will be held Monday, June 12, and Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Washington, D.C.. The event, addressing applications of the natural refrigerants CO2, hydrocarbons and ammonia, is organized by ATMOsphere, publisher of R744.com.
You can register for the event here and find the program and other information on the event website. End users can register for free, and contractors/installers of HVAC&R systems are eligible to receive one free ticket per organization, with a 50% discount on additional tickets.
Hydrocarbon refrigeration presentations will include:
- The Advantages of Propane (R290) Monoblocks for Cold Rooms, by John Prall, Application Engineering Expert, Embraco (Nidec Global Appliance), and Neil Monson, Director – New Technology Development, Hussmann
- New Innovative Uses of Propane Into a Self-Pasteurizing Soft Ice Cream Machine to Improve Energy Efficiency, by Anthony Chambon, Application Engineer, Tecumseh
In addition, Christina Starr, Senior Manager, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), will present on ultra-low GWP cooling and heating: standards and codes for A3 refrigerants.
Her presentation will address the higher charge limits (300g for closed cases and 500g for open cases) approved in the U.S. and Canada by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) for hydrocarbon-based commercial refrigeration display cases under the UL 60335-2-89 standard. Further adoption of this standard awaits approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Starr will also look at the prospects in North America for higher charge limits for propane and other flammable refrigerants in household air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers; these higher charge limits have already been approved by the subcommittee overseeing the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) safety standard for these appliances.
Many end user and contractor speakers
A large number of end users and contractors – including Walmart, Ahold Delhaize USA, Lineage Logistics and CoolSys – will be speaking on their experiences with natural refrigerant-based systems.
In particular, Jim McClendon, Director of Engineering at Walmart Stores, will participate in a session, “Solving the CO2 Shortage,” that will examine ways to ensure a sufficient quantity of refrigerant-grade CO2.
There will be two policy-related sessions, one on technology transitions with the EPA and one on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Other speakers confirmed for the event include:
- Rob Bradley, Managing Director, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young
- Ben Churchill Chief Strategy Officer, CoolPlanet
ATMO Awards will be presented to a retailer and an industrial end user, and attendees will vote on three products to receive the Innovation of the Year award. A Person of the Year will also be named.
The Platinum sponsor of ATMO America 2023 is Hillphoenix. Gold sponsors are M&M Carnot, Kysor Warren, Emerson, Hussmann and Energy Recovery. Information on sponsorships can be found here.
Media partners include Supermarket News, Contracting Business and Frozen & Refrigerated Buyer.
Presentations from last year’s ATMO America can be found here.
