The Changing State of Refrigerants Gary Parker Refrigerants Product Manager
The Changing State of Refrigerants Acronyms you may want to know CARB California Air Resources Board GWP Global Warming Potential HC HydroCarbon (R290, R600) HCFC HydroChloroFluoroCarbon (R22) HFC Hydrofluorocarbon (R404a, R407, R410a) HFO HydroFluoroOlefin (R448a, R1234yf) SLCP Short Lived Climate Pollutants SNAP - Significant New Alternatives Program
The Changing State of Refrigerants Regulatory Changes International 2010 The EU Banned the use of Virgin HCFC s 2015 The EU Banned the use of Reclaimed HCFC s 2015 The EU Limited Domestic Appl. to <150 GWP 2016 A Global Agreement was signed to begin HFC phase down On 1-1-2020 The EU will Limit Refrigeration to <2500 GWP On 1-1-2021 A Global Ban on R134a in Automotive AC On 1-1-2022 The EU will Limit Refrigeration to <150 GWP and Stationary AC to < 750 GWP By 1-1-2030 The EU is seeking a 67% cut in HFC s
The Changing State of Refrigerants
The Changing State of Refrigerants Regulation Changes United States 1990 they Announced ODP Product Phase Out. 1996 they Banned CFC. 2010 they Banned R22 in new AC systems. 2015 EPA Announced removal of SNAP approval on High GWP HFC s. 2016 US Signed the Kigali HFC Phasedown. 2017 Fed Court Ruled the EPA did not have authority to remove SNAP approval. 2018 New EPA 608 Regulation.
The Changing State of Refrigerants
The Changing State of Refrigerants
The Changing State of Refrigerants Regulation Changes California (CARB) 2010 Established the Refrigerant Manager Program. 2012 200-lb+ systems were Added to the Program. 2014 50-lb+ systems were Added to the Program. 2015 SLCP Regulations were Proposed. 2020 Proposed Ban on Very High GWP HFC s. 2021 Proposed Limit in AC equipment > 750 GWP.
The Changing State of Refrigerants
The Changing State of Refrigerants Status of the HCFC ( R22) Phase out Production and Import Cap 2018 8.8M lbs Estimated demand ~25M lbs 2019 4.4M lbs Estimated demand ~20M lbs 2020 Phase out complete R22 Reclaim Estimate 5 to 7M lbs/yr Shortfall to be filled by Retrofit Equipment replacement
The Changing State of Refrigerants
The Changing State of Refrigerants Low Temperature R22 Alternatives
The Changing State of Refrigerants Low Temperature R22 Survivors
The Changing State of Refrigerants HT/AC R22 Alternatives
The Changing State of Refrigerants HT/AC R22 Survivors
The Changing State of Refrigerants Lubricant Choice and the Effect on Performance Proper Oil Return is critical for any Refrigeration or AC System. Miscibility between the refrigerant and the oil is essential. Some refrigerants claim to be no-oil-change solutions. In most cases, they have a very narrow application window and lower capacity. With a non-miscible combination oil logging can occur, which impacts compressor life and performance. Have you ever added oil? It is now widely agreed that only percentage of POE is required to ensure proper oil return. System design and operating temperature will play a key role in determining that %. Additives are now being marketed (Super Change) that improve miscibility, limited to basic close coupled systems..
Elastomers Seals and Leaks Myth There is a belief that introducing POE oil into a system causes a breakdown of seal material causing leaks Fact When an HVACR system is charged the rubber elastomers seals absorb refrigerant and swell. When you remove the HCFC refrigerant the elastomers will shrink to near their original size. When you re-charge the system with an HFC, the absence of Chlorine, reduces the absorption rate and the seal will not swell at the same rate. The retrofit process must include replacing all elastomers and o-ring 16
Elastomers Seals and Leaks Schrader Cores and Caps Open Drive Shaft Seals 17
Elastomers Seals and Leaks Solenoids Pre 2000 Evaporator Pressure Regulator Heat Reclaim Valve Solenoid Valve 18
Refrigerant Blend Characteristics All Blended (R400 Series) Refrigerants have some measure of glide. Glide is the temperature range in which evaporations or condensing occurs. PT Charts reference both Bubble and Dew points Dew is used to measure Superheat Bubble used to measure Subcooling
Refrigerant Blend Characteristics - Superheat To determine superheat, use the Dew point value. Procedure: Use gauges to determine the pressure at the coil outlet. Use a thermometer to get the temperature at the same point. Get the Dew temperature from the Dew column. Superheat = Actual Temperature Dew Temperature. Example: Find the superheat on an R407C system when the pressure at the evaporator outlet reads 80 psig and your surface thermometer reads 60 F. 80 psig yields ~ 50.7 F (Dew point) Degree of Superheat = 60 F - 50.7 F = 9.3 F
Refrigerant Blend Characteristics - Subcooling To determine subcooling, use the Bubble point Value. Procedure: Use gauges to determine the pressure at the coil outlet. Use a thermometer to get the temperature at the same point. Use the Bubble column temperature. Subcooling = Actual Temperature Bubble Temperature. Example: Find the subcooling on a system using R407C when the liquid line temperature reads 110 F and the liquid line pressure is 300 psig. 300 psig yields ~ 120.4 F Bubble point Degree of Subcooling = 120.4 F - 110 F = 10.4 F
Refrigerant Blend Characteristics - Evaporator Looking at the Evaporator at 80 lbs Liquid would enter the Evaporator at Bubble Point 39.9F A combination of liquid and Vapor would exist until it reached the Dew Point of 50.7F Your actual Evaporator Temp will be near the Average 45.3 Always use the Average value for temperature controlled set points, and equipment selections. 39.9f 50.7f 45.3f
Refrigerant Blend Characteristics - Condenser Looking at the Condenser at 300 lbs Vapor would enter the Cond. at Dew Point 128.4 F A combination of liquid and Vapor would exist until it reached the Bubble Point of 120.4F Your actual Coil temp will be near of the average 124.4F Always use the Average value for temperature controlled set points, and equipment selection.
Next Generation Low GWP Alternatives
Next Generation Low GWP Alternatives
Next Generation Low GWP Alternatives
Next Generation Low GWP Alternatives
How to mitigate higher Discharge Pressure
How to mitigate higher Discharge Pressure
How Much and How Soon? Retrofit Strategies Nationally there are still Thousands of Super Markets, and commercial temp systems running on HCFC s (R22, R402, R408). The available supply of HCFC service gas, is not only expensive but very limited. Scheduled Retrofits are the most economical, but Retrofits on the fly are becoming more and more prevalent. The availability of Parts, Labor, Refrigerant and Capital are all going to factor into the timing. Even the most proactive companies are looking at 5 years+ to retrofit or replace legacy HCFC Systems. The Legislative pressure on High-GWP-HFC s is adding significant demand to the entire retrofit arena. 30
Retrofit Strategies What Strategy to Employ End Users Balancing facility operation and capital expense are key. Utilizing the existing HCFC inventory as an asset is important. Banking or Storing recovered gas for service support. Not ideal for HCFC blends but still possible. Cashing in recovered R22 to offset retrofit expense. Adding store surveys to your PM schedule could save time when a retrofit is warranted. Establishing a scope of work for the various installed foot prints. Partner with contractors that are properly equipped to handle on-the-fly projects. Don t overlook the Refrigerant Recovery plan. 31
Retrofit Strategies What Strategy to Employ Contractors Ensure that your front-line personnel are familiar with the new regulations and products. Keep your client informed about the declining refrigerant supplies. HCFC Blends are nearing extinction. Provide a systematic conversion plan, including. Utilization of recovered gas for service support. Using the value of R22 to offset retrofit expense. There will be a tipping point on R22 value. Do informal surveys so you can react quickly when the retrofit call comes. Encourage the conversion to POE oil now. 32
Thank you! For More information go to: www.rsd.net/refrigerant Suite Or Call 1-800-245-8007 ex 00405