WAVE Ignites Innovation at Refcold India 2023
19th October 2023
Last week, our very own Gokul, Siva, and Nandu from the WAVE team had the incredible opportunity to attend the renowned Refcold India event in Chennai! This premier refrigeration and cold-chain exhibition took place from the 12th to the 14th October and was organized by ISHRAE. The event brought together industry experts, stakeholders, and enthusiasts from across the refrigeration and cold chain sectors.
Our team actively participated in knowledge exchange sessions, eagerly sharing their expertise and insights. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from our peers, gaining inspiration from their innovative approaches. The team left with an even deeper commitment to shaping the future of the refrigeration and cold chain industry. During the event, we couldn’t help but notice the prominent use of high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants in India. This observation reinforced the urgent need for sustainable alternatives that minimize environmental impact. As champions of eco-friendly solutions, we are more determined than ever to drive the adoption of sustainable refrigeration practices, drawing from our extensive experience from the UK and Europe.
The event was an absolute treasure trove of information and networking, giving our team a chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share our passion for advancements in the field. Here are some highlights from the event that left a lasting impact on our team:
Seminars: One of the key focuses of the seminars was on natural refrigerants, particularly CO2. We had the privilege of listening to the remarkable Prof. Pramod Kumar from IISc who shared insights on his groundbreaking work, including the development of India’s first CO2 refrigeration system. Prof. Armin Hafner also captivated the audience with his seminars on the INDEE+ project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway. This initiative aims to showcase eco-friendly natural refrigerants like ammonia, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons.
Shifting Towards Eco-Friendly Solutions: The event highlighted the current status of the Indian Refrigeration Industry and its current reluctance to move to natural refrigerants. While the commercial refrigeration industry predominantly relies on synthetic refrigerants, such as R32, R410a, and R407c, there is a growing need for a shift towards natural alternatives. The domestic refrigeration systems have already begun adopting refrigerants like R290 and R600a alongside the synthetic options.
Exploration of CO2 Refrigeration Systems: Prof. Armin Hafner fascinated the audience with his insights into CO2 refrigeration principles, covering various systems like the CO2 cascade system, transcritical two-stage compression system, simple ejector-supported CO2 system, and simple DX CO2 AC unit. As experts in CO2 refrigeration its great top see this sustainable technology taking seed in India.
Exhibits that Amazed: The exhibits at Refcold India were awe-inspiring, demonstrating the latest advancements in the field. Leading manufacturers and suppliers showcased a wide array of compressors, heat exchangers, evaporators, condensing units, and systems. Notable exhibits included compressors from Copeland, Kirloskar, Dorin, Refcomp, Daikin, Danfoss, J&E Hall, and impressive AHT freezer cabinets from Daikin. Additionally, Carel displayed various sensors, controllers, and expansion valves, while Paharpur wowed the crowd with their CO2 gas cooler.
Refcold India provided an invaluable platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing, and we feel fortunate to have been a part of it. The event sparked inspiration and ignited our team’s enthusiasm to continue pushing boundaries and driving innovation in the refrigeration and cold-chain sectors.
Congratulations to Gokul, Siva, and Nandu for representing WAVE at such an esteemed event, and we are excited about insights they have passed on and the incredible ideas they will bring back to the team. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of refrigeration and revolutionise the cold-chain industry together!
