New cooling system to offset gas prices In the United States, Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp., has strengthened its position as a leader in heating and cooling systems by launching the next advancement in the growing trend of energy efficient products. Hybrid HeatTM system is a fuel-saving alternative to traditional heating and cooling units that combines a furnace with a heat pump, rather than an air-conditioner. At the heart of the Hybrid Heat system lies Carrier’s state-of-the-art heat pump, which works as an air-conditioner in hot weather and can reverse the process to provide heat in cold weather. Rather than burning fuel to generate heat, the heat pump moves heat without a flame, making it a more efficient method of heating a home. Additionally, some Carrier heat pumps feature Puron® non-ozone depleting refrigerant, thus making them an environmentally sound option. Contact: Ms. Jillian Kwolek/Ms. Christina Cozzi, Carrier Corp., United States of America. Tel: +1 (212) 6972 600 E-mail: jkwolek@gibbs-soell.com ccozzi@gibbs-soell.com Website: www.carrier.com Website: www.sev.prnewswire.com Water-cooled chiller The United States-based Carrier Corp. has added a new model to its range of Evergreen Series water-cooled chiller. The 23XRV uses non-ozone depleting HFC-134a refrigerant and a variable-speed screw compressor that delivers full-load energy efficiency ratings down to 0.53 kW/t and part-load energy efficiency ratings down to 0.33 kW/t. As such, peak demand charges and power distribution equipment size requirements are reduced while providing low life cycle costs. With an advanced variable frequency drive, the 23XRV achieves a power factor of 0.99, lowering energy transmission losses by as much as 20 per cent of the industry average. Also provided is total harmonic distortion (THD) of less than 5 per cent, which minimizes interference to sensitive electrical equipment, exceeding the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ standard for THD. Website: www.hpac.com Retrofitting vehicle air-conditioners One of the measures implemented by the Indian government to mitigate the release of CFCs is an order mandating retrofitting of air-conditioning units in vehicles manufactured before November 2002 with HFC refrigerant. Essentially, retrofitting, carried out by companies such as Subros Limited, requires alterations in the following parts:   Compressor oil (following overhauling);   Both hose suction and discharge;   All rubber parts, including ‘O’ rings;   Condenser to ensure better heat dissipation;   Expansion valve;   Receiver dryer; and   Thorough flushing of rest of the components with cleaning agents followed by dry nitrogen. (Ozone Cell) Liquid-cooled refrigerants solve density hot spots Several companies are revisiting liquid cooling technologies in a bid to provide an ideal solution for cooling requirements in data centres. Even the best infrastructure plans, e.g. hot-aisle/cold-aisle designs, have not been able to guarantee that the servers will stay cool. Liebert XD from Liebert Corp., the United States, is a supplemental cooling system that sits on top of a rack in high heat density areas of a data centre. It pumps a liquid refrigerant (R-134a) that is converted into gas within heat exchangers and then returned to the pumping station where it is recondensed to a liquid. Liebert XD technology is being used in well-designed hot-aisle/cold-aisle data centres that have problems in high-density areas. Virgina Tech’s research department has incorporated XD technology at its supercomputing lab. Another liquid cooling technology available is IBM’s Cool Blue, which is known as the eServer Rear Door Heat Exchanger. Cool Blue is a door that hinges to the back of a rack, with a hose installed in the floor that goes up the door. Sealed tubes filled with chilled water remove up to 55 per cent of the heat generated in a fully populated rack, then dissipates it by pulling hot water into the unit so it is not released into the data centre. Another liquid-based cooling product is SprayCool, from ISR Inc., which utilizes the evaporation of a non-conductive liquid to cool components. Website: www.searchdatacenter.techtarget.com Air-cooled liquid chiller 30XA AquaforceTM systems from Carrier Corp., the United States, are air-cooled packaged chiller units that are fully piped and charged with HFC-134a refrigerant. Weatherproof construction, lightweight distribution and a small footprint make them ideal for rooftop or ground level installation. Upward discharge airflow minimizes directional sound and carries heat away from surrounding areas. Contact: Customer Service, Carrier Corp., Customer Relations, P.O. 4808, Carrier Parkway, Syracuse, New York 13221 4808, United States of America. Fax: +1 (315) 4326 620. Website: www.commercial.carrier.com HFC blend for HCFC-22 systems Arkema, France, is offering a 100 per cent HFC blend for easier retrofitting of existing refrigeration and air-conditioning installations based on HCFC-22. Forane® FX 100 is a non-inflammable and non-toxic refrigerant fluid that allows for a simplified retrofit. It requires just one drainage of the system’s original oil (mineral or alkylbenzene) followed by its direct replacement by a POE (PolyOilEster) oil. Optimum performance, similar to R-22, is feasible without the need for a thorough rinse of the circuit; thanks to a high tolerance to residual mineral or alkylbenzene oil. Tests at several commercial installations yielded positive results by attaining highly satisfactory operating conditions. FX 100 complements the extensive range of Forane® refrigerant fluids from Arkema to effectively fulfill customer requirements. Contact: Ms. Sylvie Finessi, Arkema, Direction de la Communication/Public Affairs Division, 4-8 cours Michelet, La Defense 10, F 92091, Paris La Defense Cedex, France. Tel: +33 (1) 4900 7899 E-mail: sylvie.finessi@arkemagroup.com Website: www.arkemagroup.com