In a brief review of the history of the development of refrigeration technology and the related history of the use of refrigerants, the author examined some characteristics of classical refrigerants used at the end of the 19th century. (Table 1). Among them, from a thermodynamic point of view, ammonia was the best, but for safety reasons, air and carbon dioxide were preferred to use in ship refrigeration plants.

Heat exchange during boiling of aqueous solutions of lithium bromide of different concentrations in bare and finned tubes in large volume has been investigated. It is shown that the heat exchange coefficient during boiling in finned tube is 15—20 % higher than in bare tube. Empirical relationships of heat transfer coefficients during boiling in bare andfinned tube have been obtained. These studies show that finned tubes can be recommended for use in generators of absorption lithium bromide heat transformers.

A new heat exchanger «liquid-air» is offered where the process of heat exchange is intensified through the use of the tubes of a drop like section (instead of round tubes), and the surface of heat exchange is significantly increased owing to the use of net plates. The increase in heat exchanger efficiency is also achieved during evaporation on heat exchanger surface of the water injected into the flow of the cooling air.

Grasso manufactures the Purger automatic non-condensable gas separator for low-temperature ammonia and freon refrigeration units.

The company "Siesta-Holod" carried out design work on the reconstruction of the refrigeration system for the milk acceptance line at the OJSC "Tsaritsyno Dairy Plant".

In connection with the growing demand for quick-frozen foodstuffs, PTF “Kriotek” has in recent years stepped up work on the design, manufacture and supply of various quick-freezers with intensive air movement. With this method of processing, the product is frozen in a stream of cold air.

At the prestigious IKK exhibition in Germany in 2003, thousands of people visited the Danfoss booth. Danfoss employees from all over the world welcomed over 3,000 customers to the huge stand in Hannover. The 400 square meter booth showcased the latest refrigeration technology that Danfoss has to offer today. The focus was on a sample carbon dioxide compressor (R744).

NPF «Potok-Inter» has developed a new technology for decontamination and filtration of air of operating theaters with full inactivation of microorganisms and viruses under the action ofconstant electric fields ofpredetermined orientation and intensity. The installation «Potok-150-M-01» based on it, with a ceiling air distributor supplies the conditioned air of the required to the operating theater, and the recirculating installations «Potok-150-М-О!» clean zones near operating and instrument tables. The installations were also used on board the orbit cosmic station «MIR».

An integral part of ammonia refrigeration units (ACU) is an emergency system for the release of ammonia into the atmosphere. It consists of safety valves installed on vessels and apparatuses, switching devices and a common pipe with a pipe riser for the release of ammonia into the atmosphere.

In connection with the rise in prices for traditional energy carriers, there is an increasing interest in alternative, renewable energy sources. One of them is the wind.

The monograph deals with modern refrigerants and refrigeration oils, as well as issues of operation and maintenance of refrigeration systems related to the use of refrigerants and oils.

On February 9-13, 2004, under the patronage of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, the traditional 11th International Fair of Food Products and Raw Materials for Their Production - Prodexpo-2004 - was held in Moscow at the exhibition complex on Krasnaya Presnya. Its organizer is ZAO Expocentre with the assistance of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation and the Government of Moscow. The sponsors of the fair are Rollton and Luding companies.

From December 9 to 12, 2003, the International Specialized Exhibition Refrigeration & DeepFreeze was held at the RosstroyExpo exhibition complex on Frunzenskaya Embankment. The exhibition, designed to present new technologies for refrigeration and food storage, as well as refrigeration and freezing equipment, was organized by CJSC Exhibition Directorate Expo RSPP and International Exhibition Group (USA). More than 30 firms and organizations from Russia, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Turkey, Great Britain, Austria, Norway, USA took part in the exhibition.