When you're managing ammonia refrigeration systems, you face a constant challenge: maintaining rigorous safety standards while keeping operations running smoothly and cost-effectively. It's a balancing act that can make or break your facility's performance and your peace of mind. After some time of overseeing ammonia refrigeration inspection projects, I've learned that safety and efficiency aren't opposing forces. When approached strategically, they actually reinforce each other. Here's how...

For those in the natural refrigeration industry, IIAR often feels like a set of high holidays, a time when professionals from across the country come together to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and celebrate the work that makes this space so meaningful. IIAR 2026 lived up to that expectation and more. Amidst a packed schedule of exhibit hall hours, technical sessions, and countless conversations, our team had the opportunity to do what matters most: connect. Whether it was sharing...

In ammonia refrigeration, removing non-condensable gases is not optional maintenance; it is essential for system performance. Air and other non-condensables raise discharge pressure, increase compressor workload, and reduce overall capacity. Over time, even small amounts can translate into measurable energy penalties and unnecessary mechanical stress. The two primary methods for removing these gases are manual purging and automatic refrigerated purging. Both methods are used in the field, but...