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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System (FFS) for the Quantification of Methane Emissions
Published on: June 12, 2016
Sustainable Refrigerants, Policy Drivers, and Emerging Technologies
Emmanuel Ababio1,2,3, David R Corbin1,2,3, Mark B Shiflett1,2,3
1Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH), US National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA;
Abstract:
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems are essential across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors but are critical energy consumers, and their refrigerant emissions and energy use present a major challenge to global sustainability goals. This state-of-the-art review moves beyond tracing the evolution of refrigerants to evaluate key international agreements, including the Kigali Amendment, and national regulations as primary drivers of the transition to sustainable refrigerants. It critically assesses current sustainable alternatives, including natural refrigerants and low-global warming potential synthetic options, such as hydrofluoroolefins, highlighting the trade-offs in their technical application, economic viability, safety, and infrastructure implications. Emerging solutions, including not-in-kind cooling technologies, innovative thermodynamic cycles, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, digitalization, and refrigerant lifecycle management, are examined to provide critical perspectives and guide future research, development, and deployment. By integrating regulatory, market, and technological insights, this review offers a comprehensive road map toward a sustainable, low-emission, and energy-efficient HVACR sector.
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