Association of Ammonia Refrigeration founded in India

The Association of Ammonia Refrigeration, India (AARI) is based in Pune, also known as “Refrigeration Capital” of India, as most of manufacturers, consultants and contractors are based there. All major ammonia refrigeration equipment manufacturers, contractors and consultants support the Association, which was formally registered in February 2012, in an effort also supported by the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR).

Long history of ammonia in India, but lack of common platform

“India has a long history of ammonia refrigeration, with the oldest existing ice plant with ammonia as refrigerant dating back to 1914”, explains to ammonia21.com Anand Joshi, Secretary of the AARI Board of Directors and Past President of ISHRAE PUNE chapter (Indian Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers).

“The manufacturing base of ammonia equipment has been developed in India since 1960, and ammonia has been widely used for Industrial refrigeration, cold storages and ice manufacturing units”, he continues. “At present more than 3,500 open type reciprocating compressors are manufactured every year in India for ammonia, as the new growth of cold chain and food processing industry has increased use of ammonia as refrigerant”.

“However, the refrigeration segment is still largely disorganized and lacks common platform to share knowledge; training of new engineers, plant operators; advise government on various standards. In view of this we all decided to form an Indian based organisation”.

Training programmes for dairies, cold storages, seafood processing plants

Since establishment AARI has conducted training programmes for various segments of industry such as:

• Dairies,
• Cold Storages,
• Seafood processing plants

The next training programme is sheduled on 12 May 2012 at Pune, India. It will dedicated to ‘Safety in Ammonia Refrigeration Plant’ and will be conducted by Mr. Godan, Life Member IIAR and ASHRAE.