International Institute of Refrigeration

History

In the mid-19th century, demand for natural ice exploded during the summer months in Europe, North America and various colonies. Thanks to the advent of railways and steam ships, natural ice came onto the market. In order to meet demand, suppliers began looking for alternative ways of producing ice. Ferdinand Carré invented the absorption machine in 1859, then along came the vapour-compression refrigerator that is still used today.

In order to promote the development of refrigeration technologies in a developing environment with huge economic potential thanks to this new technology, the International Institute of Refrigeration was created.

The bylaws of the IIR as an intergovernmental organization were defined by an International Agreement signed on December 1, 1954 and an Application Protocol signed on November 20, 1956.

Organization

With the use of its international network, the IIR has established an Expertise Directory and a Laboratory Directory. The IIR is a bilingual organization that works in both English and French and operates thanks to:

General Conference

The General Conference of the IIR defines the IIR's general policy and convenes once every four years. It includes representatives appointed by member countries. Prof. Philippe Lebrun (CERN) is currently President of the General Conference; he was elected in August 2015. The General Conference elects the President and Vice-Presidents of the Executive Committee.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the IIR handles the administrative and financial aspects of the daily running of the IIR, and meets once per year. It includes one delegate per member country, a president and three to six vice-presidents. Since 2015, the President of the Executive Committee is Prof. Felix Ziegler, Delegate of Germany.

Management Committee

The Management Committee is responsible for management of the IIR in between Executive Committee meetings . It includes:

Science and Technology Council

The Science and Technology Council (STC) coordinates the scientific and technical activities of the IIR. The Science and Technology Council includes five distinct sections that are in turn divided into 10 commissions. The Science and Technology Council includes a president, three to four vice-presidents and commission presidents.

The President of the STC is Dr Piotr Domanski. (NIST).

Commissions

The IIR's scientific activities are divided into five sections, each of which is divided into two commissions; there are thus 10 commissions:

Section A: Cryogenics and liquefied gases

Section A Cryogenics and Liquefied Gases focuses on refrigeration science and technology at low temperatures: the cryogenic domain spans the lower part of the temperature scale, from absolute zero to 120 K, thus encompassing the normal boiling points of air gases as well as of liquid natural gas (LNG).

Section A comprises two Commissions, A1 Cryophysics and Cryoengineering, and A2 Liquefaction and Separation of Gases. Commission A1 deals with research, development and industrial activities at the lowest temperatures, including low-temperature physics, applications of superconductivity and helium cryogenics. Commission A2 essentially covers the liquefied gas industry, including air separation and LNG technology, two mature domains with high economic stakes and ongoing developments addressing important societal issues such as energy efficiency and carbon sequestration.

Section A also maintains and develops relations with other Sections of the IIR, mainly Commission B1 Thermodynamics and Transfer Processes in the field of thermodynamics and transfer processes, essential tools of the cryogenic engineer, and Commission C1 Cryobiology, Cryomedicine and Health Products for the cooling of biological specimens and living tissues for preservation or treatment which require implementing cryogenic processes. Section A consists of a panel of multidisciplinary professionals and experts in sciences and technologies such as thermodynamics, condensed matter physics, materials science, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, vacuum and leak-tightness, instrumentation and process control, applied to the low-temperature domain.

The vice-president of Section A is Dr Ralf Herzog (ILK Dresden).

Commission A1 - Cryophysics, Cryoengineering deals with research, development and industrial activities at the lowest temperatures, including low-temperature physics, applications of superconductivity and helium cryogenics.

The president of Commission A1 is Dr Ales Srnka (Institute of Scientific Instruments of the CAS).

The work of Commission A2 Liquefaction and Separation of Gases reflects world-wide activities in the domain of separation of gases and liquefaction. Apart from the personal involvement of Commission members in various projects, the Commission is present at conferences, workshops and seminars: LNG International Exhibition and Conference, GASTECH, Cryogenics, Cryogen Expos, European Cryogenic Course and others.

The Commission is close to academia, industry and end users of separated and liquefied gases. Commission members work closely with Commission A1 Cryophysics, Cryoengineering and Commission C1 Cryobiology, Cryomedicine and Health Products.

The president of Commission A2 is Dr Maciej Chorowski (Wroclaw University of Technology).

Section B: Thermodynamics, equipment and systems

Section B Thermodynamics, Equipment and Systems of the IIR focuses on the technological and scientific fundamentals of classical refrigeration, excluding cryogenic temperatures. The fundamentals are represented by its Commission B1 Thermodynamics and Transfer Processes whereas Commission B2 Refrigerating Equipment covers all kinds of refrigeration technology. Section B is a key player in most of the IIR international conferences; except for the International Conference of Refrigeration (ICR) organised every four years for all 10 IIR Commissions, where approximately 50% of all presentations are related to Section B topics.

Independently, and together with other Sections, Section B hosts a multitude of conferences such as the Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Working Fluids, the Ohrid Conference on Ammonia and CO2 Refrigeration Technologies, the Jordanian Conference on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning; or conferences on Thermodynamic Properties and Transfer Processes of Refrigerants, on Magnetic Refrigeration at Room Temperature, on Compressors and Coolants, and on Phase Change Materials and Slurries for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.

A number of Working Groups, where emerging topics in refrigeration are discussed by IIR experts with the aim of publishing results in handbooks or other forms publications, are organised within the scope of Section B. Main topics include mitigation of direct emissions of greenhouse gases in refrigeration, refrigerant charge reduction in refrigerating systems, magnetic cooling, life cycle climate performance evaluation, and refrigerant system safety.

Section B has more than 120 members from across the globe.

The president of Section B is Prof. YongTae Kang (School of Mechanical Engineering Korea University).

The objectives of Commission B1 Thermodynamics and Transfer Processes are to provide academic and industrial information and data, and to propose any solutions on thermodynamics and transfer processes. The Commission B1 has been extremely active in IIR Working Groups, sub-commissions, IIR conferences and co-sponsored conferences and commission business meetings.

As well as being involved in IIR Working Groups on the mitigation of direct emissions of greenhouse gases in refrigeration, the Commission is equally involved in the Working Group on Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) Evaluation.

Active in IIR conferences and congresses, Commission B1 similarly organises workshops in various fields such as refrigerant charge reduction in refrigerating systems. Initiatives and opportunities, such as the phase-down of high-GWP refrigerants, energy-efficient buildings and cars, transport refrigeration, food preservation, the economic importance of the refrigeration sector, the involvement of the younger generation and identifying industrial needs are all at the heart of Commission B1.

The president of Commission B1 is Prof. Carlos Infante Ferreira (TU Delft).

Section C: Biology and food technology

The activities of Section C deal with the application of refrigeration technologies to life sciences and food sciences.

Commission C1 Cryobiology, cryomedicine and health products is particularly focused on the application of refrigeration technologies on various branches of medicine: cryosurgery and oncology, cryotherapy, blood, organs and tissue preservation, health products (especially vaccines and thermosensitive preparations). On the one hand, the work focusses on the biological and biochemical aspects of the effects of refrigeration on organs, tissues and treated products, and on the other hand on the applied refrigeration techniques and technologies.

Commission C2 food science and engineering is focused more particularly on the application of refrigeration technologies in the area of food sciences: preservation (refrigeration, freezing); hygiene and safety in its microbiological aspect; process (lyophilisation, cryoconcentration, cryoprecipitation, partial or total crystallisation). The work focuses on establishing a model for the transfer of heat and matter during refrigeration treatments, on the effects of refrigeration on food products, and on the evolution kinetics of products kept in cold storage. The work deals with the impact of the integrity of the cold chain on the quality of food, including in warm climate countries.

The president of Section C is Mr Jacques Guilpart (Maison du Froid Conseil).

Commission C1 Cryobiology, Cryomedicine and Health Products have clearly defined objectives in cryobiology, cryomedicine and health products research; knowledge dissemination; technology transfer and education.

This Commission is truly active and participates in the various workshop series on cryoprocessing of biopharmaceuticals and biomaterials, as well as establishing innovative e-training actions concerning the Commission’s multidisciplinary needs as well as the interdisciplinary needs of the following commissions: A1 Cryophysics, Cryoengineering, A2 Liquefaction and Separation of Gases and finally C1 Cryobiology, Cyomedicine and Health Products.

The president of Commission C1 is Prof. Noboru Motomura (University of Tokyo).

Commission C2 on Food Science and Engineering focuses on research and breakthrough technologies related to food science and engineering. The Commission is key in hosting the IIR Sustainability and the Cold Chain Conference (ICCC), held internationally since 2010. In addition to the Cold Chain conferences and the IIR Congress, Commission C2 has also co-sponsored four other conferences in Macedonia, Spain, Croatia and Germany, and continues to reinforce its leading role at the heart of developments in food science and engineering. The Commission was a very active member of the organization team for the 2011 IIR congress in Prague.

IIR Commission C2 is composed of 38 experts from 20 IIR member countries. The Commission is involved in various IIR Working Groups and innovative projects linked to the development of the food chain across the globe.

The president of Commission C2 is Dr Judith Evans (London South Bank University).

Section D: Storage and transport

Section D Storage and Transport of the IIR is involved in the controlled-temperature logistics and distribution of temperature-sensitive products, from foodstuffs to health products (medicines, vaccines, blood products, organs ...) from artwork to chemicals.

It addresses all issues of equipment and solutions for a durable cold chain from the production or manufacture, to the consumption or use of these products.

Section D thus covers the issues of storage, transportation by land, air or water, packaging, distribution and delivery of these products to the consumer, and the traceability of the cold chain.

The Section is involved in warehouse and platform equipment, devices for temperature-controlled transport, coolants or cool packs, small coolers and refrigerated containers, chillers, refrigerated furnishings, refrigerated cabinets, climate chambers, refrigerators and freezers, but also to thermometers and temperature recorders.

The cold chain involves many temperature ranges, both positive and negative, from -80 °C to + 63 °C.

The vice-president of Section D is Gérald Cavalier (Cemafroid SNC).

Commission D1 Refrigerated Storage deals with the storage of all products which require temperature control, such as food and pharmaceuticals. Industrial, commercial and residential storage are also taken into account so that, in cooperation with Commission D2 Refrigerated Transport, the entire cold chain is treated, from raw materials to the final product at our home. Refrigeration plays an essential role for perishable products. While the estimated capacity of refrigerated warehouses was over 500 million cubic meters worldwide in 2014, in some countries global food losses due to the lack of a cold chain are still very important and can reach as much as 20% of the global food supply. At the same time, in heavily industrialised countries, the use of commercial and domestic refrigerators accounts for up to 6% of global electricity consumption.

As a result, the Commission faces important issues in order to promote widespread, energy efficient and environmentally friendly storage systems. New refrigerants, synergies to save or exchange energy with other systems and new technologies are the main focus of its activity. One of the most important themes in these days for this Commission is energy efficiency

The president of Commission D1 is Kuniaki Kawamura (Mayekawa Mfg. Co. Ltd.)

The IIR’s Commission D2 Refrigerated Transport is extremely active. In addition to the IIR’s four yearly congress, Commission D2 participates in the IIR Conference on Sustainability and the Cold Chain, held out of synchronisation to the congress.

Every year, Commission D2 CERTE test engineers meet in a European country to discuss refrigerated transport technology and testing issues. This group subsequently advises the United Nations working party on transport of perishable foodstuffs held each year in Geneva. Commission D2 is currently addressing the “Cold Chain for Pharmaceutical Products” and will add this to regular transport discussion and advisory topics. Commission D2 also helps to produce Informatory Notes to assist in areas of technical or regulatory difficulty.

The role of the IIR is well recognized, and in particular, the expertise of the members of Commission D2 makes an important contribution to refrigerated transport issues: reducing food wastage and minimizing emissions.

The president of Commission D2 is Richard Lawton (CRT Cambridge).

Section E: Air conditioning, heat pumps, energy recovery

IIR Section E co-ordinates the work of the both Commissions E1 Air-Conditioning and E2 Heat Pumps and Heat Recovery.

The core activities and interests of both Commissions are strongly connected resulting in tight collaborate and jointly organised conferences.

Air-conditioning is a subject that is now more frequently addressed due to both better comfort in an increasing number of countries and the effects of global warming. Now, even countries where demand for air-conditioning during summer months was limited, due to a cooler climate, require the operation of an air-conditioning plant for longer periods. The demand of heating is nevertheless significant and the most efficient system to provide heating is undoubtedly the heat pump. No other technology can provide net primary energy savings, economic benefits to users and reduced climate impact at the same time.

Also providing a cooling effect, the heat pump is expected to be the most common solution in the future for all year round operations. The combination of these technologies, with heat recovery capable buildings or industrial plants, cooling and heating requirements can be meet in the most efficient, reliable, cost effective and environmentally friendly way. Section E with its Commissions is made up of 101 experts.

The vice-president of Section E is Prof. Renato Lazzarin (Universita di Padova DTG).

Commission E1 Air Conditioning often collaborates with Commission E2 Heat pumps and Energy Recovery as they have at least one common aspect, the compressor. Both Commissions frequently work with the same equipment which is adapted according to the seasons, alternating between air conditioners and heat pumps.

The Commission is involved in various aspects of air conditioning from equipment to systems. In the last years it developed a particular focus on energy saving and sustainability, whilst maintaining good conditions of thermal comfort ranging from topics such as free cooling, solar cooling or long term energy storage. The general importance of the themes addressed by the Commission results in relevant International Conferences.

The expertise of the Commission members on the use of new refrigerants in air conditioning systems, annual comparative studies of innovative and renewable energy systems, opportunities of part load operation on air conditioning systems to limit penalties or even to gain efficiency, and on other up-to-date research fields, is valuable, not only to the scientific community but also to the multitude of air conditioning users.

The president of Commission E1 is Prof. Xianting Li (Tsinghua University).

Commission members are proposed by member countries then appointed by the STC following proposals from Presidents of commissions. These commission members comprise industry, university, and research-centre specialists or refrigeration practitioners.

The aim of commission E2 Heat Pumps, Energy Recovery is to promote and enhance scientific and technological knowledge in heat pump and energy recovery fields thanks to various activities such as the organization or co-sponsoring of international conferences, or the publication of books and Informatory Notes.

The president of Commission E2 is Dr Alberto Coronas (University Rovira i Virgili).

ELICiT

This ELICiT project focuses on the application of magnetic cooling technology in domestic refrigeration appliances.

Funded by Framework Programme 7 (FP7), the 3-year project began in January 2014 and will end in December 2016. Its main objective is to further increase collaboration between SMEs and global appliance manufacturers, and to draw on the expertise found in universities and research centres).

COOL-SAVE

The COOL-SAVE project carried out the development and dissemination of cost effective strategies to improve energy efficiency in cooling systems in the food and drink sector. More specifically, it aimed at optimising vapour-compression mechanical systems in the food and drink sector, which can be achieved through the dissemination and the implementation of energy efficient strategies which prove effective.

Funded by Intelligent Energy Europe, the 3-year project began in 2012 and ended in April 2015.

FRISBEE

A 4-year Framework Programme 7 (FP7) funded project begun in 2010, FRISBEE ended on 31 August 2014. The objective of the FRISBEE project was to provide new tools, concepts and solutions for improving refrigeration technologies along the European food cold chain.

Fridoc database

Fridoc is the most comprehensive refrigeration database in the world. It contains nearly 100,000 references to documents in all domains of refrigeration.

Most of the documents referenced in Fridoc are scientific and technical. Fridoc also contains many review articles, documents on economic data and statistics, articles dealing with regulations and standardization, etc.

Publications

The IIR has over 160 publications available on refrigeration and refrigeration applications: reference documents, guides, technical books, conference and congress proceedings, tables and diagrams comprising the thermophysical properties of refrigerants. Books in the refrigeration field published by other publishers are also available for purchase.

Recent publications include the IIR technical guide on the application of CO2 as a Refrigerant by Dr Andy Pearson (2014), the Handbook on indirect refrigeration and heat pump systems, editor, Åke Melinder (2015).

Newsletter

The IIR produces a quarterly newsletter. It features refrigeration-sector news: regulations, events, economic data, monitoring, technological progress, etc.

It provides a detailed overview of the general developments within the sector worldwide and as acts a regular information tool for readers.

International Journal of Refrigeration

The International Journal of Refrigeration is the reference journal in the refrigeration field. It is now ranked 19th out of 115 journals in the domain of mechanical engineering and 13th out of 49 in the field of thermodynamics.

It is practical for all those wanting to keep abreast of research and industrial news in the refrigeration, air-conditioning, heat-pump, refrigerated storage and transport fields.

Conferences and congresses

The IIR holds international conferences and congresses on key themes which include:

Once every four years the IIR holds overarching International Congress of Refrigeration (ICR) encompassing all refrigeration fields which unites major stakeholders active in the refrigeration industry. This event takes place in a different location worldwide each time and acts as a platform for experts, engineers, professors, students and other interested parties to exchange on current matters within the field.

Working groups

IIR Working Groups (WG) operate on a temporary basis, bringing together specialists, to work on projects arising from current issues.

Their aim is to promote development, provide knowledge and give recommendations in these spheres. In order to achieve these objectives, they hold conferences and workshops, write publications and provide recommendations.

Members of WGs are IIR members from industry, university and research-centre settings or are refrigeration practitioners.

IIR network

Today, the IIR has 58 member countries, 26 of which are active, paying members, representing over two-thirds of the global population. These countries are divided into six categories according to their contributions to the IIR. They take part in IIR activities via their delegates and their nominated commission members. The delegates and commission members determine IIR priorities and take part in the IIR scientific activities and Working Groups, and develop recommendations. Member countries are entitled to host several IIR conferences and meetings per year. Their category level (ranging from 1 to 6) determines the services that they receive.

Member countries

The following countries are members of the IIR:

Benefactor and corporate members

Benefactor and corporate members can be companies, universities, national, regional or international organizations, laboratories, associations or any other structure active in or connected to the refrigeration industry or IIR activities.

Private members

Private members can be individuals such as researchers, scientists, industrial practitioners or professors with extensive expertise, passion or active in fields related to the refrigeration sector.