ATMOsphere Report 2010 on Natural Refrigerants available for free download

A growing number of organisations around the world is already working on introducing technically and financially viable natural refrigerant systems. ATMOsphere 2010 brought them together on 27-28 September to discuss HOW to build a roadmap to bring ammonia as a replacement to HCFCs and HFCs even faster to the market. The results of intensive exchange of views, insightful presentations and lively workshop discussions have now been summarised into a 42 pages report highlightling the key messages from all presentations, surveys and workshop groups before and during ATMOsphere 2010.

Freely available as a download the report draws up a shortlist of barriers currently impeding the use of ammonia in different world markets and applications. As an example, participants and other interested parties identified these barriers to a widespread use of ammonia in industrial refrigeration equipment:

•   The lack of standard equipment and associated higher costs
•  The lack of competent companies / personnel in many countries for the installation and maintenance of systems
•  Inadequate technical & safety standards or unnecessary stringent legal restrictions
• Lack of harmonization of Regulations pertaining natural refrigerants between different locations within the same region

Solutions found by major stakeholders, industry leaders and policy maker during the workshop sessions include:

• Vocational training and certification on a national/regional basis need to be initiated and improved.
• Active involvement in international standardisation bodies and committees is also needed.
• Remove regulations within a region that are redundant and not harmonised with the rest of the region ( e.g. harmonisation of standards on ammonia charge limits )

Participants from all around the world joined in the discussions bringing to the table their unique perspectives. In his welcome message to the ATMOsphere 2010 report Marc Chasserot, Chairman of ATMOsphere 2010, pointed out that “people wanted to network and share knowledge regarding carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and ammonia. Participants talked as “We need” rather than “I need”. (…) I can assure you that we will not stop here. We will talk with partners around the world to ensure that these cutting-edge discussions continue to drive change both within industry and policy.”

Besides being available for download on www.ammonia21.com and the event website www.atmosphere2010.com, print copies of the report will be handed out next to policy makers at the UN negotiations in Uganda (MOP 22) and Cancun (COP16) as well as to the industry experts at main HVAC&R events including Chillventa 2010.