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Innovative Solutions April 2009
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In this issue
-- Feature Article: Natural Refrigerants
-- Engineering Tip: HVAC Calculators
-- On A Personal Note:
-- On A Lighter Note:
-- Article Policy

Dear Robert,

Welcome to the April 2009 edition of Innovative Solutions, the monthly newsletter from Innovative Thermal Solutions. If you find this information interesting or useful, please share it with your friends and colleagues.

Word count approx. 835
Reading time approx. 2 minutes.


Feature Article: Natural Refrigerants
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 Even as some companies struggle to meet the deadline for replacing HCFC use in new equipment using the widely adopted alternative HFCs, ASHRAE has published an official position endorsing the use of "natural refrigerants". Full text of the position paper can be found here Natural Refrigerants (pdf).

ASHRAE news release, March 5, 2009:

ATLANTA - In a new position document, ASHRAE outlines its support for research, assessment and strategic growth in the use of natural refrigerants such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, air and water in refrigeration systems and technologies.

ASHRAE's Position Document on Natural Refrigerants can be read at www.ashrae.org/positiondocuments.

As the industry searches for alternatives that have low global-warming potential, natural refrigerants are gaining increased interest. These refrigerants offer the potential to improve the environmental performance of refrigeration systems, according to ASHRAE.

"In light of the current global scenario, ASHRAE's response to the demand for environmental sustainability is to promote the development of systems that use natural refrigerants, safely, economically and efficiently," Bill Harrison, ASHRAE president, said.

With this position document, ASHRAE demonstrates its commitment to:

  • the application of natural refrigerants
  • the development of strategic relationships to advance natural refrigerants
  • the consideration of natural refrigerants in existing and new guidelines, codes and standards
  • the provision of guidance and education to policy makers and the public
  • the creation and dissemination of methods and tools for environmental assessment of refrigeration systems
  • the publication of technical information highlighting best practices from a safety, reliability and efficiency standpoint
  • the promotion of authoritative information on natural refrigerants through seminars and publications

Engineering Tip: HVAC Calculators
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 Here is a great site with many useful online calculators for engineering and HVAC Calculators. Notice the links at the lower left side of the page for more links to free HVAC software.


On A Personal Note:
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 This is not an April Fool's issue, although even we were surprised to find our last newsletter had gone out over two years ago. In our defense, it has been a very busy time. We had a family wedding (congratulations Josh & Nicole), our first grandchild (Michael, son of Jeff & Sarah), and a graduation (Lauren's BS in Communication Technology) in 2008.

We have been to ASHRAE meetings in Salt Lake City and Chicago, winery conferences in Missouri and Benton Harbor, MI, and a personal vacation to South Padre Island, TX. You may have seen South Padre Island in the Girls Gone Wild videos on TV or Youtube featuring college girls on Spring Break. Apparently in February most of the "girls" are of a somewhat more mature demographic - very mature.

But mostly we have been consumed with project work. A special thanks to all of our clients that have entrusted their new product development projects to us.


On A Lighter Note:
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 Quotes from Will Rogers:

A fool and his money are soon elected.

Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even.

All I know is just what I read in the papers, and that's an alibi for my ignorance.

Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.

Don't gamble; take all your savings and buy some good stock and hold it till it goes up, then sell it. If it don't go up, don't buy it.

Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.

I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.


Article Policy
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 © 2009 Innovative Thermal Solutions. All Rights Reserved. You are free to use material from the Innovative Solutions newsletter in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear.

The attribution should read: "By Bob Utter of Innovative Thermal Solutions. Please visit Bob's web site at www.innovativethermal.com for additional articles and resources on engineering services and new product development." (Make sure the link is live if placed in an eZine or in a web site.)

Read more about Innovative Thermal Solutions...



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