Ammonia-System Exhibitors Heading to Las Vegas for AHR Expo Next Week

The AHR Expo, which will take place January 31 to February 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center as scheduled, will feature a number of exhibitors with ammonia/NH3 (R717)-related refrigeration systems.

The annual HVAC&R trade show, which was cancelled last year due to COVID-19, will include more than 1,650 exhibitors and numerous educational sessions.

The show organizers acknowledge on the event’s website that “there are concerns regarding the status of the Show given the recent COVID-19 developments. We want to assure you that the AHR Expo will take place January 31 to February 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center as scheduled.”

The show’s COVID safety measures include required masking, increased ventilation in the convention hall and a Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GRAC) Star Accreditation.

Here are some of the exhibitors with ammonia-related products:

Mayekawa USA MYCOM, Booth C6738

Mayekawa will showcase its FUGU mCHILLER water-cooled NH₃ chillers, which are packaged in outdoor enclosure modules. According to Troy Davis, Energy Group Manager for Mayekawa USA MYCOM, the chillers are designed for larger chilled water or glycol applications such as district cooling, data centers or campus/university cooling loads. “These offer high efficiency, very low NH₃ refrigerant charge, and low turndown for capacity control,” he said. 

The outdoor enclosures can be fitted with NH₃ refrigerant detection/alarm systems and emergency ventilation systems. With this approach, an indoor mechanical room is not needed and the modules can be located on a facility’s roof or at ground level, Davis said.

Temprite, Booth C6245

Temprite offers energy-efficient 920 & 920R Series of coalescent oil separators, all compatible with ammonia refrigeration systems. Temprite specializes in energy-efficient coalescent and conventional oil separators as well as other refrigerant oil management products, including oil level controls and oil reservoirs. 

Temprite products are designed to improve refrigeration system thermal efficiency by minimizing oil and dirt in the system’s evaporator., the company said. This results in shorter compressor run times that reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption. 

Emerson, Booth C3106

Emerson manufacturers, through its Vilter division, single-screw ammonia compressors and heat pumps, and ammonia/CO₂(R744)/glycol packaged systems.

In 2020, French OEM Clauger introduced a high-performance ammonia heat pump with a Vilter single-screw compressor for industrial applications. 

In 2019 Vilter released its of NH3/CO2/glycol packaged Modular Rooftop Unit (MRU). The modular unit was designed to offer end users a choice between a glycol-based secondary system serving coolers and docks, or a CO₂ secondary system for low-temperature applications. In both cases, ammonia does not enter the refrigerated space.

Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC), Booth N8326

Suitable for ammonia-based Industrial refrigeration, Baltimore Aircoil’s evaporative condensers lower system condensing temperatures, thereby reducing  compressor horsepower, saving up to 15% energy compared to traditional air-cooled systems, the company said. This cooling system condenses refrigerant vapor in a coil that is continually sprayed with water. As the water evaporates, fans reject the heated vapor to the atmosphere.

Calibration Technologies, Inc. (CTI), Booth N10140

Calibration Technologies, Inc.’s GG-NH3 unit utilizes “proven electrochemical sensor technology for fast and accurate leak detection,” said the company. The standard detection range of the GG-NH3 provides real-time continuous monitoring of ammonia concentrations down to 5ppm. 

In 2020, CTI introduced the EM2 Digital Entrance Monitor, which can be used to monitor the presence of ammonia and other gases. “The EM2 provides plant personnel an at-a-glance visual indication before [they enter] potentially dangerous areas,” said CTI in its product brochure.

Stone Mountain Technologies (SMTI), Booth 7517

Stone Mountain Technologies, Inc. has developed a compressor-free, thermally driven home heat pump that uses low-charge ammonia-water absorption, triggered by natural gas, to generate space heating and domestic hot water.