F-Gas Refrigerants: Safer and more sustainable solutions

April 14, 2025

10:00-11:30 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

This session will focus on the use of refrigeration in industrial settings and the advent of refrigeration processes involving safer refrigerant gases.  Expert speakers will provide an overview of the refrigeration cycle, discuss environmental and human health concerns associated with the most common refrigerants and present benefits and trade-offs associated with implementing safer and more sustainable refrigeration solutions.

Background

With the mounting pressure to mitigate climate change and toxic pollution, regulators and businesses are increasingly scrutinizing fluorinated gasses (f-gasses).  Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) became the dominant refrigerants in the 1990s after replacing ozone-depleting substances, but their high global warming potential (GWP) has led to international phase-down agreements. Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) are marketed as ‘low average GWP’ alternatives to HFCs; however, there are significant concerns associated with HFOs, which are a part of the broad class of chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

Non-fluorinated refrigeration solutions are available and rapidly gaining market share. Leading alternatives include CO2, hydrocarbon/CO2 cascade systems, and ultra-low charge ammonia systems, offering improved efficiency and sustainability while meeting safety standards.

Purpose & Agenda

This session will cover the fundamentals of refrigeration technology, delve into the issues surrounding common fluorinated refrigerants (F-gas), and examine the motivations for transitioning to safer industrial refrigeration methods along with the related trade-offs.

Speaker presentations will provide attendees with information needed to consider safer technical options for manufacturing refrigeration needs. Expert speakers will provide an overview of the refrigeration cycle, discuss environmental and human health concerns associated with the most common refrigerants and present trade-offs associated with implementing safer refrigeration methods. Q&A with the panel will answer audience questions about technical equipment and implementation techniques.

Speakers

Gabriel Salierno, Ph.D., Green Chemist, TURI

Gabriel Salierno joins TURI as its first green chemistry researcher. With a Master’s in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry from Universidad de Buenos Aires, Gabriel applies green chemistry and engineering principles to real-world challenges. His expertise spans chemical reactor engineering, clean energy, catalysis, and sustainable technologies. As an educator, Gabriel wants to make chemistry engaging while maintaining scientific rigor, having co-developed a green chemical engineering course. At TURI, Gabriel focuses on developing safer alternatives to toxic chemicals. He collaborates with businesses to implement green chemistry solutions and toxic use reduction strategies. His approach combines rigorous scientific methodology with practical applications for sustainable chemical management.

Dr. Ian Cousins, Professor, Stockholm University 

Dr. Cousins is a Full Professor in the Department of Environmental Science at Stockholm University.  He has published about 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and 10 book chapters, which have been well cited (designated as a Highly Cited Researcher in 2018 and 2020). Dr. Cousins previously worked as Associate Editor of Chemosphere (2012-2018) and became Associate Editor of Environmental Science and Technology in 2020 and Associate Editor of Environmental Au in 2021. In 2023, he was listed among the 30 EU politicians and professionals who have had the greatest impact on European environmental policy in the past two years.

Morgan Vanzo, Senior Director, North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council

Morgan Vanzo is the Senior Director at the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC). In this role, Morgan oversees numerous programs to accelerate the adoption of natural refrigerants in supermarkets. Mostly notably, Morgan is passionate about helping to build up the refrigeration technician workforce. Prior to her role at NASRC, Morgan worked at the American Forest Foundation supporting forest landowner programs in the northeast.

About TURI

TURI’s mission is to develop and facilitate the adoption of safer solutions to the use of toxic chemicals.  TURI’s provides education events like this one to update stakeholders on a range of topics relevant to Toxics Use Reduction, from chemical policies to technologic advances in manufacturing, from the fundamentals of toxics use reduction planning to exploration of chemical hazards.