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Industry News Updates from around the rink Do you have news? Send industry news along with a high-resolution photo to INFO@RINKMAGAZINE.COM 14 / NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM ComStar Conversion from R22 to RS-45 Refrigerants for a Direct Liquid Overfeed Ice Rink System , ComStar International Inc., the world's most comprehensive manufacturer of environmentally safe, industrial-strength chemical products, successfully introduced a turnkey system for ice rink managers to comply with the government-mandated phase-out of R22 refrigerant. This case study details a recent ice rink project in Michigan and shows how easy the transition can be. Brownstown Sports Center is a 40-year-old sports complex with two full size ice sheets. The rink had a direct liquid overfeed refrigeration system with approximately 11,000 pounds of R22 refrigerant operating with mineral oil. Specifications of Converted R22 Flooded System • Direct liquid overfeed refrigeration system • R22 refrigerant charge of approximately 11,000 lbs. • Two reciprocating compressors: York GI-12 and an Emerson Vilter 450 XL • Coalescing oil separator with line to an oil still on low side with lines from still to the two compressors • System operation on mineral oil (no change out required) • System has a manual expansion valve Since the United States Environmental Protection Agency declared that new production and import of most R22 will cease by 2020, conventional refrigerant costs have risen and also left ice rink managers facing the prospect of depleted supplies. ComStar, a 47-year-old U.S. company, manufactures the only R22 replacement refrigerant for use in flooded, R22 liquid overfeed ice rink systems without changing components or oil. ComStar's RS-45 (R434a) refrigerant is a true drop-in replacement for R22 and blends with any remaining R22, with low glide for high performance applications. ComStar supplied the new RS-45 along with empty cylinders for the R22 that was removed from the system and subsequently purchased by ComStar. Serv- Ice Refrigeration of Northville, Michigan evacuated the R22 and recharged the system with RS-45 for the two rinks over a four-day period in August. The cost of the RS-45 was offset by the R22 buyback, resulting in a small net cost to Brownstown. There was no maintenance performed on the system before or during the replacement of refrigerant. Owners can continue to use an A1 safety classification product, thus avoiding toxic or flammable chemicals like ammonia and hydrocarbons, respectively, which, amongst other things, also requires a major overhaul of facilities. RS45 (R434A) does not involve any significant loss of cooling power compared to R22. Unlike R22, there is no phase-out plan for RS-45. Ice-America Opens Two New Rinks , Ice-America, the fast-growth portable ice rink company successfully opened up two outdoor summer rinks in 2016. The first was installed at the Navy Pier in Chicago, open from mid-July through October. The second was opened Sept. 2–25 at the Lost Angeles Country Fair in Pomona, California. Both rinks exceeded expectations with more than 1,500 skaters per day at the Los Angeles Fair rink and ice slide, and sold out on Bobby the Seal skating aid rentals every session. Forty Bobby the Seal skating aids were rented out with an overturn rate of three times per 1.5 hour ice sessions. Ice-America was showcased on every news outlet in Los Angeles. RINK RANGERS by Mike Curti WELL OLD FRIEND, YOU ARE MY ONE CONSTANT IN MY LIFE! 9 5 o 5 5 o 4 4 o 5 6 o 5 4 o 6 3 o 0 6 o 5 5 o