Natural Refrigerants www.instituteofrefrigerationireland.ie
Seamus Kerr BE, MEngSc, MIEI, MIRI seamus@rslireland.com www.instituteofrefrigerationireland.ie
Reminder on terminology: CFC : R12, R502, R11 HCFC : R22, R123, R142b, R408A HFC : R134a, R125, R23, R32 HFC Mixtures : R404a, R507, R407a HC : R290, R600 HFO : R1234yf (A2L),AC5, AC6 Natural Refrigerants : C02, NH3 (Ammonia) Others Low GWP
ODP Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of Refrigerants 1.200 1.000 1.000 0.800 0.600 0.400 0.330 0.200 0.000 0.055 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 CFC CFC HCFC HFC HFC HFC HFC Propane (HC) Ammonia Carbon Dioxide R12 R502 R22 R134a R404A R407A R410A R290 R717 R744 Thanks to Declan Fitzmaurice for table
GWP
Current Regulations ODS Regulations F-Gas Regulations
Current Regulations ODS Regulations 1 st Jan 2015 No service and maintenance using: R22, R408A, R402.. All refrigerant to be recovered and replaced during repair/servicing
Current Regulations F-Gas Regulations 1 st Jan 2015 Regulation (EU) No. 517/2014 Containment measures Equipment bans Service bans Refrigerant phase down Record keeping, training, labeling
Equipment Bans (HFC s) Domestic GWP 150, Jan 2015 Commercial GWP 2500, Jan 2020 Commercial GWP 150, Jan 2022 Not all systems...exceptions Movable GWP 150, Jan 2020 Split AC GWP 750, Jan 2025 (less than 3kg) R32
Service Bans (HFC s) 2020 Equipment 40T CO2 equivalent and 2500 GWP
Service Bans (HFC s) Exceptions : Reclaimed/Recycled GWP 2500, Jan 2030
HFC Phase Down Schedule: Freeze 2015, first step 2016, reduction of HFC supply by 79% in 2030 (in CO2 equivalent)
Impact on Irish Refrigeration Industry?
Alternative HFC Refrigerants R22 alternatives R422A, R422D, R417 R404A alternatives R442A, RS50 (GWP 1888) R449A Opteon XP40 (GWP 1397) Long Term Alternatives NH3, CO2, R718, R290, R600, R1270 R1234yf, R32, AC5, AC6, HFO s
Alternatives (GWP) R404A = 3922 R407A = 2107 (R407F = 1824) (R-32,R-125,R-134a, R407A :20/40/40 R407F with 30/30/40%) R410A = 2088 R134A = 1430 R32 = 675 R1234yf = 4, AC5 = <100 CO2 = 1 NH3 = 0 R600a, R1270 and R290 = 0
Long Term Alternatives NH3, Ammonia, R717 Not suitable for retro-fit Energy usage low (normally evaporative) Capital/Install cost high Available, 50 yrs experience in a small sector. Safety High risk (Toxic) Training Requirement High Less that 5% of Irish Contractors trained, Yes training facility Limited applications, Industrial Exempt from all bans
Long Term Alternatives NH3, Ammonia, R717 Normally Flooded or Pumped systems 200kW smallest system traditionally 40kW Direct Expansion Coldstore @ -30 deg C Installed in Cavan 2015 Electronic Expansion Valves Stainless steel evaporator coil, aluminium fins 6.5kW @ -10 deg compressor equipment
Long Term Alternatives
Long Term Alternatives
Long Term Alternatives NH3, Ammonia, R717 Secondary Systems 2000kW Ammonia Glycol System COP > 6:1 Flooded ammonia @ -10 deg C Variable speed reciprocating compresors Evaporative condensers Glycol pumps Reduced Ammonia charge CDF plant in Grange Castle 3 stage plant with high stage heat pump 2000kW
Long Term Alternatives
Long Term Alternatives CO2 Not suitable for retro-fit Energy usage high in warm areas Actual energy usage in Ireland is significantly higher than equivalent HFC systems. Capital/Install cost high Available, 5 yrs experience in a small sector. Safety High Risk (V.high pressure) Training Requirement High Less that 5% of Irish Contractors trained, Training facility in Northern Ireland Limited applications Exempt from all bans
...it was thought that it had to be a combination of factors, as all safety features (compressor unloading, Pressure Switches, PRV's etc) - that would have lowered the pressures, failed at a particular point in time. -
CO2 Long Term Alternatives Supermarket Distribution Depot Charleville and many more Ammonia/CO2 cascade Supermarket Tramore R134A/CO2 cascade Air cooled condenser Bottle coolers Drinks distribution companies
Long Term Alternatives R600, R290, R1270 (Butane, Propane, Propylene) Not suitable for retro-fit generally Energy usage low Capital/Install cost high Available, 5 yrs experience in a small sector. Safety High Risk (Flammable) Training Requirement High Less that 5% of Irish Contractors trained, Training facility in N Irl Limited applications (small plant 1500g) Exempt from all bans
Sunmedia Oct 2012 Long Term Alternatives
CNN ireport 2008 Long Term Alternatives
Long Term Alternatives R600, R290, R1270 (Butane, Propane, Propylene) EN378 maximum charge 1kg located below ground 1.5kg public area (e.g. Supermarket) 2.5kg for systems in a supervised area No limit for complete systems outside in an authorised access area. Supermarket UK based, multiple units (30) at less than 1.5kg each. Domestic Pharma Plant Co Clare, Propane chiller packages
Main Challenges Time Phase out 2022 equipment ban Is the Refrigeration Industry ready? Safety, Training and up-skilling Equipment and materials Energy usage Industry ready? Investment and change Safety Timing
Thank you for listening seamus@rslireland.com www.instituteofrefrigerationireland.ie