With the process of removing polluting refrigerants, the air conditioning and refrigeration sector is tasked with
adapting to refrigerants that will replace the old-fashioned ones.
by Gildardo Yáñez*
This question has recently circulated among those of us in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. It is well known that in the systems there are refrigerant leaks, either when giving a service in which the refrigerant is not recovered, due to bad practices when making the installations, vibration, etc. One reality is that synthetic refrigerants are greenhouse gases (GHGs), and that they are also short-lived climate pollutants. These pollutants are substances such as methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants that, although relatively short in life in the atmosphere, have a significant impact on it.
HFCs are potent GHGs, with an atmospheric life of up to 15 years. Atmospheric measurements show that HFC volumes represent less than 1%, however, their presence increases at an estimated rate of between 10% and 15% annually. The reason for the increase is because we are using them as alternative refrigerants to replace refrigerants classified as ozone-depleting substances such as: Chlorofluorocarbons CFCs and HCFCs. Substances currently phased out or in the process of being phased out under the mandate of the Montreal Protocol.
Significant growth in HFC use in developing countries is also to be expected due to population growth, rapid urbanization, electrification and changes in consumption patterns. Increased use of refrigerants will also result in increased emissions from energy consumption and greenhouse gases. If no action is taken, HFCs are estimated to account for 19.9% of total CO2 equivalent emissions by 2050.
At the COP21 Conference of the Parties, an event that took place in Paris France in December 2015, and which was attended by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to discuss actions that reduce air pollution in the world. He highlighted the report on the gradual reduction of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. It was agreed that HFCs will have to reduce their production and use by 30 to 50% in the next 10 years, especially in maintenance and service applications, so other alternative refrigerants will have to be used in systems that require it.
On the first of January 2015, the European Union began its process of eliminating HFC refrigerants with the implementation of the regulation "F-Gas 517/2014" which establishes the 10-year calendar. This consists of ceasing to use the synthetic HFC refrigerants of High Global Warming Potential (GWP). This "F-Gas" calendar is accompanied by an inspection to locate leaks as mandatory. Additionally, refrigerants are subject to the payment of a tax that applies when the refrigerant is going to be used for the service of systems, this is known as the "leakage tax".
Elimination Schedule "F-Gas 517/2014"
Refrigerants with a PCG ≥ 2500
Prohibited use in new equipment:
Domestic refrigerators and freezers: 1/01/2015
Affected refrigerants: R-134a R-404A R-507 or R-507A
Refrigerators and freezers for commercial use (hermetically sealed) and fixed refrigeration equipment: 1/01/2020
Affected refrigerants: R-507, R-404A, R-428A, R-434A, R-422, R-422D
Refrigerants with a PCG ≥ 2500
Prohibited use in new equipment:
Refrigeration plants for commercial use of ≥ 11.37 TR from 01/01/2022
Affected refrigerants: R-407A, R-407F, R-134a, R-442A,
Exception: Cascade plants where refrigerants with PCG <1500 R-134a, R-449A, R-448A can be used for the primary circuit
Service and maintenance:
Equipment with 40 tons of CO2EQ: 1/01/2020
In the case of using recycled or regenerated refrigerants for equipment with 40 tons of CO2EQ: 1/01/2030
PCG refrigerants ≥ 750 cannot be used from 01/01/2025
Splits/Splits with a load <3 kg and with PCG ≥ 750
Affected refrigerants: R-410A, R-407C
In July 2016 the U.S. also joined the process to stop using High Global Warming Potential HFCs. This phase-out schedule is based on the application of use of the refrigerant in a given system, unlike the European one that refers to the GWP of refrigerants. In the U.S. there are several Regulations or Standards that prevent the use of the new refrigerants A2L1 and A32 from being immediate. It has been necessary to modify several of them in order to free up their use, since four very important steps are required to be taken.
Figure 1. U.S. Approval Process
Standard 15 is currently under review and approval by ASHRAE members to include the use of R-290, R-441A and R-32 refrigerants in air conditioning equipment, heat pumps and refrigeration equipment. (Mention note ACR Latin America). UL laboratories have already published the Safety Standards:
- UL-484 - Room Air Conditioning
- UL-60335-2-40 - Electrical Requirements for Domestic Air Conditioning, Heat Pump and Dehumidifiers
- UL-1995 - Heating and cooling equipment
These specify the characteristics that the air conditioning equipment or heat pump must meet in order for it to operate with the aforementioned refrigerants. For refrigeration applications, UL laboratories have also already published the Safety Standards, which are:
- UL 250 Domestic Refrigerators
- UL 60335-2-24 Ice cream machines, ice cycators
- UL 399 Water bottle coolers
- UL 427 Self-contained refrigeration units
- UL 471 Commercial Refrigerators
- UL 541 Vending Machine Refrigerators
- UL 563 Ice Makers
When Standard 15 is approved, it is submitted to the approval process of use of the ICC (International Code Council), and the IPAMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) to integrate them into the state, municipal and local Regulations or Building Codes so that the use of refrigerants A2L and A3 is generalized. This cycle of reviews and approvals culminates in 2021.
U.S. Elimination Schedule
HFC refrigerants that begin their removal process on July 20, 2016 for application in refrigeration systems.
R-404A, R-407B, R-421B, R-422A, R-422C, R-422D, R-428A, R-434A, R-507 or R-507A for application in supermarkets:
1. Cannot be used on retrofit equipment starting on July 20, 2016
2. Cannot be used in new installations starting on January 1, 2017
R-404A, R-407B, R-421B, R-422A, R-422C, R-422D, R-428A, R-434A, R-507 or R-507A for application in condensing units:
1. Cannot be used on retrofit equipment starting on July 20, 2016
2. Cannot be used in new installations starting on January 1, 2018
R-134a for application on self-contained equipment:
1. Cannot be used on new equipment whose compressor is less than 2,200 btu ́s/hour other than a flooded evaporator on January 1, 2019
to. Cannot be used on new equipment whose compressor is greater than or equal to 2,200 btu ́s/hour on January 1, 2020
b. Cannot be used in new evaporator equipment flooded on January 1, 2020
R-404A, R-407B, R-421B, R-422A, R-422C, R-422D, R-428A, R-434A, R-507 or R-507A for application in self-contained equipment:
1. Cannot be used on retrofit equipment starting on July 20, 2016
2. Cannot be used on new equipment whose compressor is less than 2,200 btu ́s/hour other than a flooded evaporator on January 1, 2019
3. Cannot be used on new equipment whose compressor is greater than or equal to 2,200 btu ́s/hour on January 1, 2020
4. Cannot be used on new evaporator equipment flooded on January 1, 2020
5. Cannot be used in new low temperature installations starting on January 1, 2020
Note: Does not include refrigerants for air conditioning applications.
New low GWP refrigerants and natural refrigerants have characteristics that synthetic refrigerants do not3. However, in the new generation of refrigerants the smaller the PCG, the refrigerants increase their flammability. Others are more toxic such as ammonia, or have a very high working pressure such as carbon dioxide.
Currently in the first world countries the use of HCFC refrigerants is being eliminated and now the elimination of high GWP HFC refrigerants is beginning. In emerging or developing economies you have the opportunity to choose whether to migrate to alternative high-GWP HFC refrigerants or migrate directly to the new technology of synthetic refrigerants and natural low-GWG refrigerants, we choose.
Footnote:
1 A2L Slightly flammable refrigerant
2 A3 Flammable Refrigerant
3 Synthetic refrigerants were invented in 1930
References
Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants – HFC Initiative http://newsroom.unfccc.int/
EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency - Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP)
http://www.epa.gov/snap/refrigeration-and-air-conditioning
European Commission Climate Action
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/f-gas/index_en.htm
Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy
http://www.alliancepolicy.org/
* Gildardo Yañez is an expert in refrigeration issues. You can contact him through his website: www.gildardoyanez.com email his email: [email protected]
