Past events: The IIR around the world, August and September 2024

Thermag

 

The 10^th Conference on Caloric Cooling and Applications of Caloric Materials (Thermag 2024) took place on 21-24 August 2024 in Baotou (China). 185 participants from 13 countries (including China but also other Asian, European and American countries) took part in the event. The transformation from magnetic refrigeration conferences to more general solid-state refrigeration technologies showed the hopes for the development of these various technologies in different types of application.

 

Compressors and Refrigerants

 

The 11^th Conference on Compressors and Refrigerants took place on 9-11 September 2024 in Bratislava (Slovakia). Discussions focused on the application of the new F-gas regulation in Europe and similar issues in other regions, as well as the future of refrigerants, especially natural refrigerants.

Successful 16^th IIR Conference on Natural Refrigerants Held at the University of Maryland

 

A successful conference attended by 250 attendees from 23 countries and where 136 research papers were presented.

 

The International Institute of Refrigeration proudly hosted the Gustav Lorentzen Conference from August 12 to 14, 2024, at the University of Maryland (USA). Organised by the US delegation to the IIR, led by Prof. Yunho Hwang and Prof. Vikrant C. Aute, the conference brought together scientists and industry leaders from around the world to share insights and advancements in natural refrigerant technologies.

With nearly 250 attendees from 23 countries, the conference was a remarkable success. Participants engaged in vibrant discussions surrounding the latest technologies aimed at meeting increasing refrigeration demands while promoting environmental sustainability. A total of 136 research papers were presented, showcasing innovative solutions in refrigeration and heat pump technologies.

The IIR extends its gratitude to the local organising committee, the University of Maryland, the scientific committee, reviewers, and sponsors for their invaluable support in making this event successful. Special appreciation is also extended to the plenary speakers Björn Palm (Professor at KTH Sweden, member of the IIR Management Committee and Swedish delegate to the IIR), Eric M. Smith (IIAR), Hannes Fugmann (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems) and Zahid Ayub (Isotherm, Inc.)  for their contributions, which enriched the conference experience.

One highlight of the conference was a series of workshop sessions featuring projects such as ENOUGH, SophiA, and INDEE+. These sessions provided a platform for researchers to present concrete outcomes and demonstrate how clean and energy-efficient refrigeration and heat pump technologies are being implemented in real-world applications, including food preservation, healthcare, and human comfort.

The IIR Director General participated in the event, delivering remarks at the opening ceremony and presenting findings on the emissions database of EU food supply chains during the ENOUGH workshop. Additionally, she has been co-authoring a research paper with colleagues from NTNU Luca Contiero, Armin Hafner, Krzysztof Banasiak (NTNU), Bart Verlaat and Paolo Petagna (CERN) on ‘Applying Krypton as Refrigerant for Cooling of Future Particle Detector Trackers’ presented at the conference.

The IIR looks forward to building on the success of this conference and advancing the discussion on natural refrigerants and heat pump technologies at future events. Save the date! We invite all participants to join us for the 17^th Gustav Lorentzen Conference, scheduled to take place in New Zealand in 2026. Stay tuned for more details!

 

Krypton (R784) Introduced as New Refrigerant for Ultra-Low Temperatures at GL 2024 Conference

 

Another hit at Gustav Lorentzen Conference for Natural Refrigerants (GL 2024), a groundbreaking advancement in refrigeration technology was unveiled.

 

PhD candidate Luca Contiero, representing both CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, and NTNU in Trondheim, Norway, introduced a new refrigeration system utilising Krypton (R784) as a natural refrigerant for ultra-low temperatures ranging from -90°C to -60°C. This development is being affirmed as a significant step forward in refrigeration for both scientific and industrial applications.

Contiero’s research focuses on addressing the refrigeration challenges faced by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, home to renowned particle detectors like ATLAS and CMS. These detectors, built with lightweight structures to ensure minimal interference with particle tracks, house electronics that generate substantial heat. Maintaining stable, ultra-low temperatures is essential to protect these components from high levels of radiation.

Currently, CO₂ is widely used for cooling the detectors down to -40°C, due to its efficiency in compact cooling channels that preserve the detector’s lightweight design. However, as radiation levels increase in future detectors, the need for lower cooling temperatures beyond CO₂’s freezing point (-56°C) is becoming critical. This led CERN and NTNU to explore alternative refrigerants, and Krypton emerged as a promising candidate. Krypton boasts a freezing point of -157.4°C, offering favourable thermodynamic properties at ultra-low temperatures similar to CO₂’s performance at higher temperatures.

This marks the first time Krypton has been considered as a refrigerant. Its potential extends beyond scientific applications, with possible uses in industrial refrigeration.

Development of the Krypton-based refrigeration cycle is well underway at NTNU. A prototype system has been constructed and is undergoing initial testing. One of the key innovations is the incorporation of an ejector into the cycle, which generates flooded cooling in small-diameter tubes, ideal for use in the particle detectors. This process allows for precise temperature control during the cooldown from warm gas to cold evaporation, ensuring gradual cooling to avoid thermal shock to the delicate structures.

A major challenge has been adapting components, such as compressors and ejectors, to work with Krypton’s higher gas density compared to CO₂. Current tests, using a modified Dorin CO₂ compressor, have yielded encouraging results with warm Krypton gas. Soon, the prototype will be transported to CERN, where it will be integrated with a CO₂ chiller as primary cooling. The goal is to demonstrate the system’s viability in maintaining temperatures below -60°C, as required by the next generation of particle detectors.

This research paves the way for new advancements in cooling technology, offering sustainable solutions for both scientific and industrial applications.

For those interested in contributing to this innovative field, a PhD position is currently open for candidates to join the research group at NTNU. For more information, visit: PhD Position in -80°C Cooling Technology.

This promising innovation positions Krypton as a key player in the future of ultra-low temperature refrigeration, potentially revolutionizing both high-tech research and industrial practices.

 

 

Exciting Developments at CHPC 2024, Shenzhen – Informative sessions on heat Pump Technology and Global Energy Transition

 

The China Heat Pump Conference (CHPC) 2024, held from August 27 to 29 in the innovative city of Shenzhen, marked a significant milestone in the global scientific dialogue on energy transformation. Co-sponsored by the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and organised by the Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR), the conference gathered more than 1200 participants from different countries and showcased the latest advancements and trends in heat pump technology, a cornerstone in the push for a more sustainable energy future.

IIR Director General Yosr Allouche has delivered a keynote presentation at the conference, discussing the strategic role of heat pumps in energy policy in Europe. She has also highlighted the essential role of innovation in driving the adoption of heat pump systems, which are increasingly recognised as vital for decarbonisation while driving energy efficiency, in a global energy policies landscape shifting toward sustainability.

The IIR is proud to be part of this movement, promoting the deployment of heat pump technologies adopting climate friendly refrigerants aligned with international sustainability objectives. The conference also presented a valuable opportunity to strengthen collaboration between IIR and CAR, reflecting China’s pivotal role as a member country of the IIR. During the event, Yosr Allouche had the opportunity to conduct constructive discussions with CAR aiming at reinforcing engagement with national associations of member countries.

In addition, she had the privilege to visit GREE, the pioneering technology-based Chinese industrial group developing refrigeration and AC equipment, where she was warmly welcomed and offered a tour in their showroom and large manufacturing facility, witnessing firsthand their innovative commercial and industrial refrigeration products.

The IIR looks forward to continuing collaboration with the Chinese colleagues advancing knowledge about refrigeration and heat pump technology to realise a sustainable and energy-efficient sector for all.