Sustainable Technologies in Stationary Air Conditioning Workshop Research for the Development of Safety Standards February 1, 2017 Xudong Wang, Karim Amrane Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
Low-GWP AREP Overview Cooperative research & testing program to identify suitable alternatives to high GWP refrigerants Evaluation of candidates strongly desired by OEMs The program is NOT to prioritize refrigerants, rather test and present objective results in a consistent manner Phase I was completed at the end of 2013. 38 refrigerants/40 test reports. Phase II testing was completed in early 2016 17 refrigerants/29 test reports. Viable low GWP refrigerants exist Many promising refrigerants are classified as 2L under ASHRAE Standard 34 (mildly flammable)
Refrigerant Safety Classification A2L safety group classification used by several refrigerant designation standards: ASHRAE Standard 34 ISO 817 from: ASHRAE Standard 34-2010
U.S. Path for using flammable refrigerants ASHRAE Standard 34 Designation and Safety Classification EPA SNAP Approval Significant New Alternatives Policy Program In compliance with Safety Standards Refrigeration Systems: ASHRAE Standard 15 Equipment: relevant UL/EN/ISO Standards Model Building Codes Adopted by State and Local Codes 2016 2018 2021 2022+
Relevant standards ASHRAE Standard 15 Addendum d propose to allow Group A2L refrigerants in high-probability systems for human comfort only. 2 nd Public Review to be issued soon. Addendum h proposes to allow Group A2L refrigerants in applications requiring machinery rooms. Other applications using A2L refrigerants will be addressed in future addenda proposals. ASHRAE Standard 15.2 Specifically for residential applications 1 st Advisory Public Review to be issued in early 2017.
Relevant standards IEC 60335-2-40 WG9 for A2L in 6 th Edition Committee Draft for Vote (CDV) was issued. The best estimation on the publication time is late 2018. WG16 for A2/A3 in 6.1th Edition no plans to expand the charge limit beyond 1 kg. Additional mitigation measures are being investigated/developed to enable A2/A3 Refrigerants The best estimation on the publication time is ~2020. UL 60335-2-40 WG10 incorporate A2L requirements for all products in scope of IEC 60335-2- 40 future edition 6 into UL 60335-2-40 edition 3 Publish Q4-2017 (target to meet Jan 2018 deadline for ICC IMC 2021)
International United States State of Standards and Codes Global View Increasing charge limits for flammables is global trend Expect safety standards in 2017; codes follow standards Refrigerant Classification Usage Restriction Application ASHRAE34 Refrigerant Designation & Safety Classification UL2182 ASHRAE15 Safety Standards for Refrigeration Systems 2015-2018 UL1995 Heating and Cooling Equipment 2014-2015 UL471 Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers 2015-2019 UL621 Ice Cream Makers 2015-2019 UL60335-2-40 Heating and Cooling Equipment -2017 UL60335-2-89 Commercial Refrigeration -2018 Refrigerant Classification Usage Restriction Application ISO817 Refrigerant Designation & Safety Classification (2013-2014) ISO5149 Safety and Environmental Requirements, Phase 1 Phase 2 2014-2015 IEC60335-2-40 Heating and Cooling equipment 2015-2017 IEC60335-2-89 Commercial Refrigeration 2015-2019 IEC60335-2-24 Refrigerating appliances Ice and Ice Cream Makers 2015-2019 UL: Underwriters Laboratories ISO: International Organization for Standardization Source: Rajan Rajendran - Emerson complete under revision
U.S. Model codes International Mechanical Code & Uniform Mechanical Code both has the same function: provide safety regulations for the use of HVAC & Refrigeration systems Most states adopt IMC UMC used in western part of U.S. draws many of its regulatory requirements from ASHRAE Standard 15 International Residential Code requires that all equipment must be UL-listed equipment used in residences shall meet requirements developed and codified in UL standards Codes are on 3 years cycle
AHRTI Flammable Refrigerant Research A collaborated research program is supported by AHRI ($1 million) ASHRAE ($1.3 million) California Air Resource Board ($0.3 million) US Department of Energy ($3 million) The objective is to produce publicly available technical results to support code and standard activities related to the use of flammable refrigerants. Facilitate a timely completion of relevant standard revision. AHRTI&ASHRAE Research to support the 15 revision Summer 2017: draft ASHRAE 15 completed for PPR End of 2017: publication of the updated ASHRAE 15 including 2L refrigerants Jan 2018: 2021 IMC: change proposals are due
AHRI Flammable Refrigerants Subcommittee (FRS) The program is administered and coordinated by AHRTI FRS. The FRS had surveyed relevant codes and standards committees and organizations on: the main knowledge gaps for the use of 2L flammable refrigerants any standing issues and gaps that require additional research current and past research activities on flammable refrigerants Seven high priority projects and one long term project were identified.
Identified and developed high priority projects AHRTI Conducting: AHRTI-9007: Benchmarking Risk by Real Life Leaks and Ignitions Testing AHRTI-9008: Investigation of Hot surface Ignition Temperature (HSIT) for A2L Refrigerants AHRTI-9009: Leak Detection of A2L Refrigerants in HVACR Equipment ASHRAE conducting: ASHRAE-1806: Flammable Refrigerants Post-Ignition Simulation and Risk Assessment Update ASHRAE-1807:Guidelines for Flammable Refrigerant Handling, Transporting, Storing and Equipment Servicing, Installation and Dismantling ASHRAE-1808: Servicing and Installing Equipment using Flammable Refrigerants: Assessment of Field-made Mechanical Joints DOE funding: ORNL: Investigate the proper basis for setting charge limits of A2L, A2, and A3 for various types of products NIST: Modeling tools for low-gwp refrigerant blends flammability
AHRTI Project 9007 Benchmarking Risk by Real Life Leaks and Ignitions Testing The objective of this project is to conduct A2L and A3 refrigerant leak and ignition testing under realistic conditions understand the risk relative to the A1 refrigerants while considering ambient conditions and refrigerant lubricants. The findings are to provide input to the next ASHRAE 15, IEC 60335 cycles and followon revisions to building codes benchmark/validate risk determine the type of (or need for) hazard mitigation strategies
AHRTI Project 9007 Task 1. testing under a controlled environment A model room will be built with a standard ISO 9705 size of 3.6m x 2.4m x 2.4m Various leak rates, heights, oil concentrations, room conditions will be used. Task 2 testing under a whole room scale Residential AC: split AC in hallway application Commercial AC: rooftop unit and PTAC Refrigeration: self-contained reach-in and walk-in coolers Current testing is focused on A2Ls. Testing for A3s is scheduled in mid-2017.
AHRTI Project 9007 Testing Example Task 2 Motel room wit PTAC unit Room Size: 13 x 16 x 8, Approx. 1.8 kg charge (R32 and R452B)
Current Status All high priority projects have been initiated. Completion expected by the end of 2017 Thank you for your attention! Xudong Wang xwang@ahrinet.org