In this conversation, we’re talking about ice rink refrigeration design with Art Sutherland of Accent Refrigeration Systems Ltd. Art shares his journey from technician to becoming a business owner and traveling the world with his family while working on diverse industrial refrigeration projects, from glamorous European castle exhibits to Olympic ice rinks. He provides valuable insights into the industrial side of refrigeration, energy efficiency, integrating heat pumps, and the importance of staying updated with changing regulations and technologies in refrigeration.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Starting a business: from technician to entrepreneur

-Travel and family: a unique business journey

-Providing ice rinks for the olympic games

-Advice for technicians and business owners

-Demand for industrial refrigeration professionals

-Refrigeration in the ice rink industry

-Importance of climate in ice rink installation

-Comparing refrigerants used for ice rinks

-Safety protocols in refrigeration

-Modular systems

-Redundancy

-Heat reclaim and the future of refrigeration

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 107: Step by Step Walkthrough of a Transcritical CO2 Ice Rink Chiller Plant

Episode 152: CO2 Transcritical Ice Rinks with Jason Hill

Accent Refrigeration Website

Accent Refrigeration on Facebook

Follow Art on LinkedIn

In this episode of CO2 Experts, we’re talking about pressure relief valves (PRV’s) for CO2 refrigeration systems with Jordan Gronkowski, Technical Director at Henry Technologies. We discuss the importance of selecting the right size PRV’s, understanding their role in preventing catastrophic events and ensuring system and human safety. Jordan also covers challenges specific to CO2 systems and methods to test and troubleshoot PRV’s.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Introduction to pressure relief valves

-Pressure relief valve sizing

-Challenges in CO2 refrigeration systems

-Selection and standards for prvs

-Troubleshooting pressure relief valves

-Using the Henry Tech PRV selector tool

-Valve selection process

-Pressure drop

-Excessive pressure drop

-Proactive troubleshooting

-Importance of rupture disks

-PRV maintenance

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 144: Troubleshooting CO2 High Pressure Valves Using Trend Graphs with the CAREL Boss System

Follow Jordan on LinkedIn

Email: jordan.gronkowski@henry-group.net

Henry Group Industries on LinkedIn

Website: Henry Technologies

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Community here

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at

https://refrigerationmentor.com/

This episode of CO2 Experts Live is a deep, technical conversation about compressors with Bitzer specialists Tobias Fuhrer and Manuel Reichle. Specifically, they cover the intricacies of capacity regulation and the Varistep system. They talk operational and mechanical aspects of Varistep in varying load conditions and share troubleshooting tips and maintenance practices to help technicians feel more confident when work with these components and CO2 systems in general.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Compressor types and applications

-Understanding capacity control

-Varistep system

-Low load situations

-Compressor configurations

-Balancing system load with Varistep

-Electrical control of Varistep

-Monitoring and troubleshooting Varistep

-CO2 vs ammonia refrigeration systems

-Future of refrigeration technology

Helpful Links & Resources:

Bitzer Website

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Community here

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at

https://refrigerationmentor.com/

In this episode of CO2 Experts Live, we’re diving into troubleshooting transcritical CO2 chillers with Damon Reed from Pro Refrigeration. Damon covers the basics of these complex systems, identifying the different components, the sequence of operations, and advanced remote diagnostic tools. We also teach you about electronic controls, safety devices, and tips to help refrigeration technicians troubleshoot and help maintain chillers more efficiently. This conversation is packed with practical tips and essential knowledge for refrigeration technicians looking to enhance their skills in working with CO2 systems.

In this episode, we discuss:

-Overview of transcritical CO2 chillers

-Component breakdown and controls

-Safety devices and troubleshooting

-Order of operations for troubleshooting CO2 chillers

-Remote troubleshooting tools

-Understanding heat recovery mode

-Condenser and high pressure controls

-Graphical and data-driven troubleshooting

-Alarm management

-Email alerts and power issues

Helpful Links & Resources:

https://prochiller.com/

https://www.mychiller.com/

Email: sales@prorefrigeration.com

Follow Damon on LinkedIn

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Community here

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at https://refrigerationmentor.com/

The biggest key to career success in refrigeration: belief. If you’ve got aspirations of advancing in the refrigeration industry - or are feeling stuck in your current situation with no idea how to get out - this quick episode will go over the actions you need to start to taking to create more opportunities for yourself. It starts with believing in yourself and your abilities, and the desire to want to get there. Along the way, it takes perseverance, the need for continuous learning, and surrounding yourself with the right people - things all successful people, inside refrigeration and out, strive for, no matter how long it takes.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Mindset and belief

-Success stories from refrigeration industry leaders

-Setting and defining your goals

-The reality of success: no overnight miracles

-Building a career plan

-Leadership and continuous learning

-Resilience and motivation

-Finding confidence and validation in your work

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 206. Investing in Leadership and Training Great Managers with Jim Pape, CEO of The Arcticom Group

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Community here

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at https://refrigerationmentor.com/

In this episode of our CO2 Experts series, we’re talking about pipe sizing for CO2 refrigeration systems with Chris Griffiths, UK Technical Manager for Omega Solutions. We cover correct pipe sizing for design, troubleshooting, and service to ensure proper flow, minimal pressure drops, and efficient oil return to compressors. Chris also highlights common issues related to improper pipe sizing, excessive bends, and incorrect insulation, and also run through real-world examples to help refrigeration technicians identify and solve problems more efficiently.

In this conversation, we cover:

-Importance of pipe sizing in co2 systems

-Common pipe sizing issues

-Software tools

-Identifying and solving pipe size issues

-Pressure drop and system efficiency

-Oil issues in refrigeration systems

-Design considerations for suction pipework

-Double riser configuration

-Real-world examples and troubleshooting

-Impact of changing conditions on system design

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 047: What To Know When Sizing Refrigeration Piping

Episode 164: Educating a Growing Industy on CO2 Refrigeration with Chris Griffiths

Episode 193. Designing CO2 Supermarket Refrigeration Systems: Applying Heat Recovery with Chris Griffiths of Omega Solutions (Part 3 of 5)

Learn more about Omega Solutions

Connect with Omega Solutions on LinkedIn

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Email Chris: chris@omega-solutions.co.uk

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Community here

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at https://refrigerationmentor.com/

In this conversation, we’re talking about how to manage a common challenge across the refrigeration industry: burnout. We explore the differences between physical and mental exhaustion, the bad habits that often lead to burnout, and strategies to combat burnout like setting boundaries, better planning and scheduling, and communicating more openly with your management and coworkers. Recognizing potential burnout and making adjustments to avoid it will foster a healthier, more productive work-life balance.

In this conversation, we cover:

-Mental vs physical burnout

-Setting boundaries to combat burnout

-The importance of self-care

-Seeking social support

-Taking breaks and staying hydrated

-Developing a growth mindset

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 254. Avoiding Unhealthy Habits As A Service Technician

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Community here

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at https://refrigerationmentor.com/

This conversation is truly proof of the endless opportunities within the refrigeration industry, featuring longtime refrigeration industry veteran Robert Ochs, currently a Regional Sales Manager with Carrier. Here, he opens up about his extensive and diverse refrigeration career - from his early days in rack refrigeration to attending trade schools, global travels, compressor expertise and working with everyone from  Tyler to Costco, Walmart, and Target. If you’re a refrigeration technician plotting your career trajectory, Robert’s journey will definitely inspire you to look at the myriad of opportunities and earning potential globally, and provide advice and tips on how to find the opportunities that are out there waiting for refrigeration professionals.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Early career and work experience

-How his family founded Tyler Racks

-Becoming an Engineer for Carrier

-Travelling the world as a refrigeration professional

-CO2 in truck trailers and shipping containers

-Robert’s influence in compressor technology

-The Importance of continuous learning

-Advice for new technicians

-How to connecting with refrigeration industry experts

Helpful Links & Resources:

Follow Robert on LinkedIn

Episode 141: Hanging with Rusty Walker from Hill Phoenix