SEMINAR: Update on Refrigerants – Past, Present, and Future

Abstract:

In recent decades, the refrigeration and air conditioning sciences have been in a state of flux primarily because of the phase-out of ozone-depleting CFC and HCFC refrigerants, and secondarily because of environmental concerns related to the direct global warming impacts of some of the replacement refrigerants. Due to these concerns, there is significant worldwide interest in using substances that are naturally occurring in the biosphere as refrigerants, which are considered benign to the environment and are termed “natural working fluids”. This presentation provides a detailed review of the past and present refrigerants, and proposes refrigerants and their respective technologies that could be used in the future. An assessment of their characteristics related to choice of one versus another, and an identification of trends set by these choices will be made.

Biography:

Dr. Groll is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and the Director of the Office of Professional Practice. He joined Purdue University as an Assistant Professor in 1994 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2000 and Full Professor in 2005. He received his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the Ruhr in Bochum, Germany in 1989 and a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hannover, Germany, in 1994. Professor Groll teaches thermodynamics; his research focuses on the fundamental thermal sciences as applied to advanced HVAC&R systems, components, and their working fluids.

Dr. Groll has been recognized for his academic leadership in higher education. He is a 2010-2011 Fellow of the American Council on Education (ACE) and participated in the Academic Leadership Program of the Committee on Institutional Collaboration (CIC-ALP) during 2009-2010. He has received numerous awards for his research and teaching excellence including the 2010 E. K. Campbell Award from ASHRAE, induction into the Book of Great Teachers at Purdue University in 2008, and the 2007 Purdue University Faculty Scholar Award.