ABSTRACT
Manufacturers of picnic coolers face serious challenges and choices regarding impending blowing agent technology changes, and many are currently exploring options for meeting environmental regulations that will curtail the use of ozone-depleting potential (ODP) blowing agents such as HCFC-141b. Choices made over the next several months will determine whether these manufacturers can remain competitive in an industry that will likely suffer from increased raw material costs for alternative HFC blowing-agent technologies as well as soaring prices for stockpiled HCFC-141b after its production ceases at the end of December 2002. Therefore, comparative information on available replacement blowing agent technologies is both useful and timely.
This poster will present data generated in machine trials of several rigid insulation systems produced with approved non-ODP blowing agents. Included are HFC-134a, HFC- 245fa, and water, as well as combinations of the same.
The data includes foam reactivity, test-panel physical properties, and results of Ice Retention (I-R) and Reverse Heat Leak (Bayer RHL) applications tests on finished coolers.
