The Dawn of a New Refrigeration Era

ISI COPERTINA 2018 BISS:COPERTINA 7/07 8-10-2018 9:48 Pagina 1

Official journal of Centro Studi Galileo (CSG) and European Energy Centre (EEC) international special issue 2018-19 refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps and renewables

THE DAWN OF A NEW REFRIGERATION ERA

THE KIGALI AMENDMENT FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ITALIAN MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Dir. resp. E. Buoni - Via Alessandria, 26 -Tel. + 39 0142 453684 - 15033 Casale Monferrato - ITALY sommario inglese 2018:mod 2002 8-10-2018 12:24 Pagina 2

Contents Forewords 3 Publishing Manager: Enrico Buoni Climate change The Environmental Challenge of Our Time 6 [email protected] Marco Buoni - President of AREA,Technical Director of CSG, Secretary General of ATF Copy Editor: The impact of the refrigeration sector on climate change - Flammable refrigerants 9 M.C. Guaschino Didier Coulomb – Director of International Institute of Refrigeration - IIR Editor: Low-GWP Refrigerants for High Ambient Temperature Climates: Design Analysis and Risk Assessment 12 Centro Studi Galileo Ayman Eltalouny - Coordinator International Partnerships, OzonAction programme UN Environment (UNEP) via Alessandria, 26 Ole Reinholdt Nielsen, Refrigeration and Aerosols Unit Chief, United Nations Industrial Development 15033 Casale Monferrato Organization (UNIDO) Bassam Elassaad, RTOC member Consultant to UNEP/UNIDO High-Ambient Project Phone +39 0142 452403 Enhanced and Localized Life-Cycle Climate Performance (EL-LCCP) Metric for Air Conditioners 16 Advertisement: Stephen O. Andersen, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD); James Wolf, Global Phone +39 0142 453684 Policy Associate; Yunho Hwang and Jiazhen Ling, University of Maryland (UMD); and Marco Gonzalez, www.centrogalileo.it Montreal Protocol Technology and Economics Assessment Panel (TEAP) website of CSG activity Research status on the flammable characteristics of combustible refrigerants 19 www.associazioneATF.org Zijian Lv, Zhaoyang, Biao Feng, Rui Zhai - School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, China website of the Italian Association On behalf of Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR) of Refrigeration Technicians Analysis of best practice training of refrigeration service personnel in China 23 www.EUenergycentre.org Xu Chen – Authorized Principal for Shenzen Qianhai Bingbing Education Investment Development, China website of EEC activity Selection of Refrigerants and Future Trend 25 Noboru Kagawa - Professor, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Member of International Institute of Refrigeration, President of Japan Society of Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (JSRAE) The Latest Trends in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in Japan (Regulation and Market Trend) 30 Tetsuji Okada – The Japan Refrigeration and Air conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA) Energy Efficiency Trends in Data Centers 34 Sanjib Seal - Senior Solution Manager, India Swegon BlueBox, Mumbai. On behalf of ISHRAE Early Planning Will Prevent Poor Performance 40 Stephen R.Yurek – President & CEO, AHRI Workshop on Flammable Refrigerant Charge Limits in a Low-GWP World – Can/should they be Higher? 43 Ahmad Abu-Heiba, Viral Patel, Van Baxter, Omar Abdelaziz, Ahmed Elatar - ASHRAE The Path to Low-GWP and Energy Efficient Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 48 Challenges and Opportunities in Developing Countries: lessons learnt from The Gambia Bafoday Sanyang – National Ozone Unit The Gambia How Can Refrigeration Impact Positively the 17 SDGs in Africa? 50 Madi Sakande – Expert Trainer CSG

About the picture on the cover: Towards the Establishment of a National System of Certification in the Cold Sector 52 Youssef Hammami, Coordinator of the National Ozone Unit (NOU) Tunisia – The sun: our source of energy, is also a major threat due to the Ozone The Potential of Solar Cooling for Social Housing Buildings in Mexico 54 hole and Climate Change Paul Kohlenbach, Uli Jakob - SOLEM Consulting – Ozone protection: the sky contains The New F-Gas Regulation Challenges RACHP Business on Multiple Fronts 58 our Earth’s ozone shield Per Jonasson, Director of the Swedish Refrigeration & Heat Pump Association - Past President of AREA – Climate Change: the Global Glacier retreat due to global warming is a 7 Lessons Learned from the EU F-Gas Regulation 61 global threat Andrea Voigt – European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) – Energy Efficiency and Renewable The Green Gas Research Project: Challenges and Opportunities for Low GWP Refrigerants Application 66 Energy: glaciers and water are a in the Commercial Refrigeration Sector primary source of energy for our F. Barile, M. Masoero, C. Silvi - Department of Energy “Galileo Ferraris”, Politecnico of Torino hydroelectric plants Training on Flammable Refrigerants 70 Cover photo: Colors of Jökulsarlon, Elia Locardi Kelvin Kelly – Training Director Business Edge Transforming the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry in Australia 73 Greg Picker – Executive Director of Refrigerants Australia Progress in Enabling larger HC Charge Sizes for RAC&HP Systems 75 D. Colbourne1, K. O. Suen2, D. Oppelt1, V. Kanakakumar1, K Skacanova3, D. Belluomini3, P. Munzinger4 FREE COPY 1c/o HEAT GmbH, Germany 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London Autorizzazione del Tribunale di Casale M. 3Shecco, Belgium 4Proklima International, Climate Change, Environment, Infrastructure Division, GIZ, Germany n. 123 del 13.6.1977 - Spedizione in a. p. - 70% - Filiale di Alessandria - ITALY. The SuperSmart Project: Removing Non-Technological Barriers to the Diffusion of Innovative Solutions 79 This magazine has been produced with - The Importance of Training and Dissemination in the Food Retail Sector paper E.C.F. (Elementary clorine Free) Antonio Rossetti, Silvia Minetto, Sergio Marinetti - Construction Technologies Institute, CNR Padova, Italy pag FOREWORDS 2018:mod 2002 8-10-2018 18:08 Pagina 1

FOREWORDS

Italy strongly believes that climate change is a global challenge and thus needs a global response. Strong scientific evidence presented in many recent reports points to the acceleration of climate change and this leads to the unprecedented urgency to implement global efforts to halt and reverse climate change in all regions. The forthcoming publication of the IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C is likely to present new evidence on the negative impacts of climate change on human societies and natural systems, including impacts on health, livelihood, food, water as well as human security. After the historic success in Paris in 2015, this December in Katowice we all will be called to confirm our commitment to the fight against climate change by adopting a common and comprehensive set of rules (“rulebook”) applicable to all Parties that will finally operationalize the Agreement. We will do our utmost to craft a robust and balance outcome at COP24 to help us to achieve the purpose and the long-term goals set in Paris. Since leaders announced their pledges in Paris during COP21, Italy and the rest of EU Member States have accelerated domestic action to deliver on the Paris Agreement long-term goals, while continuing to successfully decouple economic growth from GHG emissions. Italy acknowledges particular attention to the international cooperation aimed at strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change by both reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. Specific attention is devoted to the least developed and most vulnerable countries where our priority is to enhance the capacity to respond to climate change. This is why we are undertaking continuous efforts to scale-up our international climate finance to support mitigation and adaptation actions, to facilitate access to climate finance, to provide capacity building and technology transfer to help meet the Paris agreement obligations and achieve its long- term goals. In the provision of public financial resources, we have worked and continue to work to strike a fair balance between mitigation and adaptation support. Special focus is on Africa, with Sahel at upfront, and the small islands in the Pacific and in the Caribbean. We will soon open, in partnership with FAO and UNDP, the African Centre for Climate and Sustainable Development in Rome and we are considering similar initiative for the other regions. We are also working in the context of numerous bilateral agreement to support the implementation of the NDC’s in these areas. Concerning energy efficiency in refrigeration and air conditioning, Italy will accelerate its way to ratify the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol in time for its entry into force on 1th January 2019. In line with its international obligations, the Ministry for the Environment will continue to ensure the contribution of Italy to the Multilateral Fund for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF), the global financial mechanism that supports developing countries in complying with the reduction targets by means of projects including industrial conversion, technical assistance, training and capacity building. To this aim, within the MLF rules which allows to allocate up to 20% of the yearly obligatory contribution for bilateral cooperation, Italy is also supporting a number of developing countries’ national plans to eliminate ozone- depleting substances with the aim to avoid conversion to HFCs and “leapfrog” directly to more climate-friendly alternatives, including Argentina, China, Iran, Brazil, Mexico, Ghana and Nigeria. Stimulated by the requirements of the EU F-Gas Regulation, the expertise and technological knowhow developed by Italian institutions and industry - including small and medium enterprises - in a number of relevant sectors is in fact globally acknowledged. We are convinced that these bilateral initiatives can facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technologies to developing countries that are in need of them through international public procurements carried out by UN Agencies. In addition to that, our Government has recently seen approved under the Multilateral Fund a number of enabling activities to fast start the implementation of the Kigali Amendment in some partner countries that, notwithstanding the difficulties, are taking big steps towards a “green” refrigeration and cooling chain. I refer, in particular, to the Maldives, Tunisia, Lesotho and Rwanda, a country we shall all congratulate for having led so strongly the commitment of African countries in Kigali to reduce HFCs. Finally, Italy is fully committed to work for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Kigali Amendment and to support, under the Bilateral and International Agreements, the Least Developed Countries. At stake is the future of the next generations, we are ready to do our part.

Sergio Costa, Italian Minister for the Environment, Land and Sea Protection pag FOREWORDS 2018:mod 2002 8-10-2018 18:08 Pagina 2

On 16 September 2018, countries around the globe celebrated World Ozone Day, the annual commemorative day established by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of the work being done under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Protocol is a landmark treaty that protects human life and the environment from harmful levels of ultraviolet rays from the Sun. This year’s celebration was organized under the theme “Keep Cool and Carry On.” This slogan is apt not just because it celebrates the tremendous work done so far, and the world community’s continuing efforts to protect both the ozone layer and climate. It is also the term “keep cool” which can be understood both in the figurative sense – “stay focused” – as well as a literal sense – “keep the temperature at an appropriate level” in a world that is experiencing rapidly increasing global mean average temperatures. It is in this latter sense that the slogan gives recognition to the pivotal role of the refrigeration and air conditioning sector. It is both for preserving our comfort, health and well-being, and for helping us find sustainable, long-term solutions that grow the economy and at the same time protect our common home, the Earth. In 2015, there were an estimated three billion refrigeration and air conditioning systems operating worldwide. Each year some 270 million newly manufactured units are added to that stock. This is clearly a sector that has a global reach and a global impact. Starting from 1987 and continuing until today, the Montreal Protocol has been a major factor influencing the evolution of the technology behind all of this cooling and refrigeration equipment. Thanks to the tireless work of governments, industry, academia and civil society, we have successfully transitioned away from chlorofluorocarbons worldwide, nearly phased out hydrochlorofluorocarbons in developed countries, and are in middle of doing so in developing countries. Now, with the entry in force of the Kigali Amendment on 1 January 2019, we are embarking on a parallel effort to phase down hydrofluorocarbons. All of this could only happen with the support and active participation of the millions of servicing technicians, installers, engineers, end users, manufacturers and associations worldwide that comprise this vital sector. Each of those individuals – those “Citizens of Cool” – have played a role in the Montreal Protocol’s success up until now. They need to “carry on” their excellent work to realize the United Nations Member States’ vision for the Montreal Protocol. They are the motive force that makes technology progress possible through learning new skills, applying best practices, innovating and commercializing new products, and making sound technology and policy decisions. As an Implementing Agency of the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund, UN Environment Programme through the OzonAction Branch is proudly assisting 147 developing countries to make informed decisions about these technology transitions, with a particular focus on the refrigeration and air conditioning servicing sector. Given this global mandate, our work can only be provided through partnerships with other like-minded organisations and expert institutions. OzonAction is honored to join again with Centro Studi Galileo, the International Institute of Refrigeration, the Italian Refrigeration Association and the European Energy Centre to share key developments in refrigeration and air conditioning technology through this edition of the International Special Issue. The innovations, research findings and new ideas expressed in these pages will help developing countries better understand this new refrigeration and air conditioning era that is dawning thanks to a large degree to the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment.

Elizabeth Mrema, Director, Law Division, UN Environment Programme

2 pag FOREWORDS 2018:mod 2002 8-10-2018 18:08 Pagina 3

The Kigali amendment enters into force on January 1st, 2019. It is now necessary to implement this agreement in all the countries as quickly and efficiently as possible. Even in developing countries that have more time to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), new strategies for the production and consumption of refrigerants are needed now to avoid very difficult and costly conversions later. It is desirable to: – Replace as of now hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), whose phase out is already scheduled, by refrigerants with low greenhouse effect. This may require changes to the phase-out schedules, focusing first on sectors where these refrigerants with low greenhouse effect can be quickly implemented. – Seize the opportunity the replacement of these refrigerants represents, to improve the energy efficiency of facilities and more generally, of entire systems (building insulation, energy recovery, intelligent temperature control, ...). The IIR estimates that indirect emissions related to the production of the energy necessary to run cooling systems (including air conditioning), represent approximately 2.61 gigatons of CO2 equivalent, or 63% of total emissions from the refrigeration sector. The European project SuperSmart, in which the IIR is partnering and which is presented in this issue, is an illustration of this main issue. All projections show a considerable increase in refrigeration requirements in developing countries, especially for air conditioning and food and health applications. This increase will continue throughout the century for demographic and development reasons: the energy policy of each country must take this into account. – Implement all the necessary measures to install systems using refrigerants with low greenhouse effect safely, such as regulations on the design of facilities and the training and certification of operators. The flammability, toxicity and high pressures of alternative refrigerants should be addressed in a responsible and reasonable manner. Regulations, standards and building codes must be adapted as soon as possible to both guarantee the same safety level and take the evolution of technologies into account. Attracting and training technicians on all these technologies is important: some materials are presented here, others are available (Real Alternatives for Life in Europe…). – Improve the containment of refrigerants and their recovery at the end of current facilities’ operational lives. – Increase the dissemination of information on existing technologies as well as research, development, demonstrations on effective, energy-efficient systems, adapted to alternative refrigerants and alternative refrigeration technologies. Finally, it is worth remembering that refrigeration has also beneficial effects for the environment, by limiting post-harvest losses or installing heat pumps that are a renewable energy, and that it is, in any case, necessary for human health. The articles selected in this issue present these various challenges in more detail and give some examples of what shall and can be done, in all continents, both in developed and developing countries: solutions exist even if the challenges are huge. I hope that they will inspire you to build the best solutions for you and for the planet. Through its scientific conferences, publications and international network of experts, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is involved in these initiatives aimed at limiting global warming and promoting sustainable development. The IIR provides science-based, objective, practical and up to date information and expertise on the possible or future technologies and their possible uses in all the fields of refrigeration, including air conditioning, heat pumps and cryogenics. We are at your disposal for any assistance.

Didier Coulomb, Director General of the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIF-IIR) imp EDIT INGLESE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:44 Pagina 6

Climate Change The Environmental Challenge of OurTime

MARCO BUONI

President of AREA,Technical Director of CSG, Secretary General of ATF

The Executive Director of the United replace them with more environmen- Refrigeration era and the efforts of Nations Environment, Erik Solheim, tally-friendly alternatives. Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and told the press at a high-level event This is probably the first substantial Heat Pumps Industry will be recog- hosted during the United Nations global breakthrough agreed upon to nized as an example for other sectors General Assembly in New York: change the fate of our world, which is to follow. “Providing air conditioning is wellbe- affected inevitably by climate change. Parties to the Montreal Protocol struck ing, it is health, but we need to do it in It marks the beginning of a new a landmark legally binding deal to a much more energy efficient way.The technology is there to be explored and I am absolutely confident that if we as politicians give the direction, the private sector and market will find the technical solutions for this to happen. They are on the way; they just need to go all the way.” Mr Solheim acknowledges that the Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heat Pumps Sector is at the forefront of technological advances and recognizes that we are willing and able to help. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol will come into force on the 1st January 2019 after the threshold for the agreement was met on 17 November 2017, when it was ratified by 20 parties. Since this date, the Montreal Protocol has been ratified by a total of 55 parties. Mr Solheim announced in a recent tweet: “This has been a historic week in our battle against climate change. Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia and the European Union have ratified the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol. 53 countries have ratified this important commitment to saving the planet.” As a consequence, more Excerpt from “The Indu” Interview with Erik Solheim: At the moment, yes, I’m afraid it is. The data shows that even if all the commitments under the Paris Agreement are met than 170 countries will phase down — including those from the United States before President Trump announced he was and reduce the use of high Global pulling out — then we’re still headed for a temperature rise of 2.9 to 3.4 °C this centu- Warming Substances (HFCs) by more ry. That’s too far above the minimum goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 °C. than 80% over the next 30 years and

6 imp EDIT INGLESE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:44 Pagina 7

reduce the emissions of powerful sufficient to bridge this gap; especially in Africa, for the conserva- greenhouse gases in a move that • The Kigali Amendment to the tion and preservation of food and to could prevent up to 0.5 degrees Montreal Protocol can also help min- reduce food wastage. Millions of new Celsius of global warming by the end imize climate impacts. technicians will consequently approach of this century, while continuing to pro- Our sector has therefore been given and join our sector, working with us to tect the ozone layer. Another battle an unexpected responsibility and support our mission. that has been won by our sector (and opportunity to act as an inspiration, Additionally, billions of people will be which in some parts of the world is still leading the fight against the largest able to access air conditioning to ongoing) is the move to substances problem of our time, climate change. improve the quality of their lifestyles. In which are harmless to the environ- The Head of UN Environment has countries with high ambient tempera- ment: this encompasses Natural declared that “climate change is as tures, air conditioning will act as a vital Refrigerants in many important appli- much an opportunity as it is a prob- utility for conducting a normal life. As a cations and less harmful synthetic lem. There are no excuses for inac- consequence of air conditioning tech- substances such as Low GWP HFCs tion.” This interview was made to “The nology becoming more widely avail- (namely HFOs) in applications where Hindu”, one of the most important able, new cities are growing in impor- they cannot be abandoned complete- newspapers in India, a country which tance and wealth: in the Middle East, ly, for safety and practical reasons. will have an important impact on the Thailand, India, Africa, China and UN Environment is committed to con- world’s future economy and energy tropical areas, economies will expand tinue fighting the effects of climate sources. thanks to our technology. change and states: The Refrigeration, Air conditioning Thousands of years ago mankind • The Paris agreement pledges only a and Heat Pumps sector therefore has moved north due to the heat available third of what is needed to avoid the a once in a lifetime opportunity to from fossil fuels and the most affluent worst impacts of climate change; prove that it can support and lead Nations that developed were those • Adopting new technologies in key efforts to create a better world. with colder climates. Nowadays, sectors, at an investment of under Our sector is expanding rapidly advancements in renewable energy US$100/tonne, could reduce emis- because millions of people over the technologies means that countries sions by up to 36 gigatonnes per next few years will come to access the with much warmer climates can more year by 2030, which is more than benefits of a well-working cold chain, easily produce energy from the sun

7 imp EDIT INGLESE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:44 Pagina 8

through photovoltaics and solar thermal, as well as wind. In many ways, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technologies have played a vital role to help poorer regions to become richer. This means that we are not only providing a service to the environment, we are also helping to improve the lifestyle of billions of people. We should be very proud of our mission.

Thanks to RAC we will hope to achieve several of the UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals)

Highlighted in blue are those within which the RACHP sector could play resources for sustainable develop- Centro Studi Galileo, Associazione an important role: ment Tecnici del Freddo, European Energy 17 Sustainable Development Goals Goal 15 Protect, restore and pro- Centre, AREA together with the Goal 1 End poverty in all its forms mote sustainable use of terrestrial United Nations Environment, IIR and everywhere ecosystems, sustainably manage EPEE will discuss these topics and Goal 2 End hunger, achieve food forests, combat desertification, and the link between Refrigeration, Air security and improved nutrition and halt and reverse land degradation Conditioning and Heat Pumps with the promote sustainable agriculture and halt biodiversity loss SDGs during the RAC Refrigeration Goal 3 Ensure healthy lives and Goal 16 Promote peaceful and inclu- Week, which will run from the 6th to the promote well-being for all at all ages sive societies for sustainable devel- 12th June 2019 in the form of two inter- Goal 4 Ensure inclusive and equi- opment, provide access to justice for national conferences: table quality education and promote all and build effective, accountable European HVACR week lifelong learning opportunities for all and inclusive institutions at all levels The Latest Technology in RAC Goal 5 Achieve gender equality and Goal 17 Strengthen the means of Industry at the Polytechnic University empower all women and girls implementation and revitalize the of Milan, 6th-7th June 2019 Goal 6 Ensure availability and sus- global partnership for sustainable Eureka 2019 at the College of Europe tainable management of water and development in Bruges, 11th-12th June 2019 G sanitation for all Goal 7 Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Goal 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all Goal 9 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation Goal 10 Reduce inequality within and among countries Goal 11 Make cities and human set- tlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Goal 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts* Goal 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine

8 imp COULOMB 2018:mod 2002 8-10-2018 16:36 Pagina 9

Informatory Notes on Refrigeration Technologies The impact of the refrigeration sector on climate change Flammable refrigerants

DIDIER COULOMB Director General of the International Institute of Refrigeration - IIR

INTRODUCTION The sector is expected to grow in the th 35 Informatory Note on decades to come, particularly in devel- In this issue, we decided to include the Refrigeration Technologies / oping countries, where demand for summaries for policymakers of two IIR November 2017 refrigeration is rising sharply. This recent Informatory Notes (Ins), which growth must be sustainable, with limit- seem particularly relevant for the polit- The impact of the ed impact on the environment, and ical and technical decisions that all refrigeration sector on Earth’s climate in particular. national authorities should take. climate change According to IIR estimates, 7.8% of The whole documents are available global greenhouse gases (GHG) free of charge on the IIR website Summary for stakeholders emissions are attributed to the refrig- 1 (www.iifiir.org) in English and French eration sector, or 4.14 GtCO2eq . versions. These emissions can be divided into The impact of the refrigeration sector Refrigeration plays an essential and two groups: direct emissions and indi- on climate change: some key figures growing role in the global economy, rect emissions. are presented, taking into account the with significant contributions made in latest peer-reviewed references. The food, health, thermal comfort and main consequence should be the coor- environmental protection areas. DIRECT EMISSIONS dination of the energy policy on whole The refrigeration sector includes all systems (a building, a district, a vehi- refrigeration systems (as well as cryo- Direct emissions of refrigerants occur cle…) and the policy on refrigerants. genic systems), air conditioning and during maintenance operations or Flammable refrigerants: most alterna- heat pump systems. The total number when a refrigeration appliance has tive refrigerants with low Global of these systems in operation world- reached the end of its lifespan, but Warming Potential (GWP) are flam- wide is roughly 3 billion. they can also be caused by leaks dur- mable, either natural refrigerants or HFCs and HFOs. Risks can be and shall be managed. Adapting regulations and standards, controls and trainings of technicians is a key issue for the success of the phase down of HFCs and this note addresses these issues. Other IIR Informatory Notes on refrigerants were recently published and referred to in this summary: they form a consistent set of documents easy to read and giving a global picture of technical and regulation issues related to refrigerants. We hope that these documents, as well as other IIR publications and activities, will be useful decision-making tools.

9 imp COULOMB 2018:mod 2002 8-10-2018 16:37 Pagina 10

ing operation. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) are the refrigerants which contribute the most to global warming, as evidenced by their high Global Warming Potential (GWP), up to 15,000 times higher than that of an equal mass of carbon dioxide (CO2). Direct emissions are equal to 1.53 1 GtCO2eq , or 37% of the total GHG emissions of the refrigeration sector. The implementation of the Kigali Amendment - whose aim is to progressively reduce the production and consumption of HFCs - could result in the total of these emissions falling to 0.7 GtCO2eq by 2050.This drop would represent a 44% to 51% decline in cumulative HFC emissions over the Indirect emissions are equal to 2.61 sions would have an impact on a 1 2015-2050 period. GtCO2eq , or 63% of the total GHG longer term. The objective of the Paris Agreement is emissions of the refrigeration sector. to “keep the increase of global average The first way to reduce these emis- temperature to well below 2 °C above sions is by lowering the energy con- RECOMMENDATIONS pre-industrial levels”. In this context, it is sumption of refrigeration systems. important to underline the fact that the While the potential to improve energy With a view to reducing direct emis- Kigali Amendment would prevent a efficiency in refrigeration technologies sions, the IIR encourages govern- potential increase of average tem- is ultimately limited by the laws of ther- ments and the different actors in the peratures between 0.1 °C and 0.3 °C modynamics as well as cost-related sector to cooperate to make the Kigali by 2100 (not the frequently referenced constraints, it remains very important. Agreement a success. The IIR also figure of 0.5 °C). Solutions to limit energy losses can recommends that HCFC and HFC Today, there are many alternatives to still be implemented, such as energy refrigerants, which have a high impact high-GWP refrigerants with compara- recovery systems or better insulation. on global warming, are replaced with ble or superior energy efficiencies that Another significant potential is in the refrigerants that have a low impact on can help reduce direct emissions. rational use of air conditioning and global warming as soon as possible. Examples include ammonia, CO2, smart control strategies, e.g. selecting Efforts are also needed in contain- hydrocarbons and HFOs. It should be comfortable temperatures that are not ment and recovery, particularly for taken into account, however, that too low in summer, while avoiding refrigerants with a significant impact these alternative refrigerants may unnecessarily cooling empty rooms. on global warming or presenting safe- present certain disadvantages such Indirect emissions depend mostly on ty risks (flammability, toxicity). as safety hazards (flammability, toxici- the primary source of energy used (fos- The reduction of indirect emissions, ty), environmental risks (decomposi- sil, nuclear or renewable). However, this whose impact on the climate is tion products), high workings pres- choice is more linked to national ener- stronger than that of direct emissions, sures, or higher cost. Such disadvan- gy policies than it is to the refrigeration is essential. Governments must tages and risks should be considered, sector. Electricity production from fossil encourage the use of renewable ener- from the design of refrigeration facili- fuels must be reduced. gy and promote energy efficiency at all ties, to the training and certification of The nature of the gases emitted levels of the economy, as well as edu- operators. means that the reduction of direct cational programs on the rational use emissions and that of indirect emis- of energy. It remains essential to con- sions will have somewhat different continue research and development of INDIRECT EMISSIONS sequences for climate change. alternative refrigerants and alternative Contrary to HFCs and HCFCs, which refrigeration methods to achieve high Indirect emissions are a by-product of have an atmospheric lifetime of some energy efficiency and cost effective- the production of energy required to twenty years, CO2 has a lifetime of sev- ness of these novel technologies. drive refrigeration systems. Three eral centuries, and plays a role in many Thanks to its various scientific confer- greenhouse gases are generated by climate mechanisms. Consequently, ences, publications and international energy production: CO2 (90% of indirect reducing the direct emissions (HFCs network of experts, the IIR will play a emissions), CH4 (9%), and N2O (1%). and HCFCs) will have a substantial leading role in these initiatives to limit positive effect on the short and medi- global warming and promote sustain- 1In 2014; IIR estimate um term while regulating CO2 emis- able development.

10 imp COULOMB 2018:mod 2002 8-10-2018 16:37 Pagina 11

• Countries tend to have generic flam- safety standards flammable sub- 36th Informatory Note on mable gas regulations that govern stances, it is recommended that Refrigeration Technologies / the use and application of any flam- closer working relationships are January 2018 mable substance. Many adopt safety needed between standards groups standards that prescribe how flam- to help resolve aspects on all sides, Flammable refrigerants mable refrigerant may (or may not) including consistency between the be applied. A number of countries IEC 60079-series and the RACHP Summary for policymakers have national building regulations, safety standards. which limit the use of flammable • Experience and also research on the refrigerants. It is critical for countries safe application of flammable refrig- With the phase-out of ozone depleting to assess their national rules and erants remains relatively limited. substances, there has been growing regulation and ensure they do not There is a significant need for further interest in the application of flammable unnecessarily inhibit the application research activities investigating the refrigerants. of suitable refrigerants. numerous aspects associated with Following the Kigali Amendment under • On-going research and development flammability risk. All interested stake- the Montreal Protocol concerning the related to the safe application of holders are encouraged to consider phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons, flammable refrigerants will likely contributing to this objective. low GWP refrigerants will have to be broadly applied. The majority of these refrigerants will be flammable. The RACHP industry, especially within non-Article 5 countries (which are subject to more rapid HFC phase- down schedules), must prepare to handle flammable refrigerants to a greater extent than they have done until now. • There are a variety of technical, regulatory and infrastructural considera- tions that have to be addressed by a variety of stakeholders. It requires forethought of the entire lifetime of RACHP equipment and the obligations of the personnel involved. • Flammable refrigerants possess a variety of characteristics that affect the likelihood that they are ignited and the type and severity of consequences in the event of ignition. It is appropriate to take these into con- generate more robust and broadly This IIR Informatory Note on flamma- sideration when designing RACHP applicable rules for the application ble refrigerants will join the other notes equipment and also when carrying of flammable refrigerants. Stakehol- recently published by the IIR to com- out risk assessments. ders, including those from industry, plete its refrigerants series: counterfeit • The number and types of rules and government and academia should refrigerants (23rd Note); containment regulations applicable to flammable involve themselves in the process to of refrigerants (24th Note); refrigerant substances in general and flamma- help minimise potentially undesir- charge reduction (25th Note); overview ble refrigerants in particular is able outcomes. of regulations restricting HFC use diverse, both within countries and • Some RACHP sector safety stan- (26th Note); alternative refrigerants internationally. It is a complex situa- dards currently pose restrictions to and their possible applications (31st tion that necessitates a broad some flammable refrigerants for Note). understanding of the topic. some applications and these barri- These Informatory Notes form a con- Appreciation of this information is ers need to be addressed to enable sistent set of documents with the aim required across many stakeholders, a wider and potentially more cost- of promoting refrigerants with a low including design engineers, produc- effective choice of technical options. environmental impact that use energy tion staff, installation engineers, Since these RACHP sector safety efficiently and in a safe manner. For service and maintenance techni- standards often comprise require- the actors in the refrigeration sector, cians and those involved with ments for flammable refrigerants that they are also an essential decision- decommissioning and dismantling are inconsistent with the historical making tool. of RACHP equipment. requirements within the generic G

11 imp PRAHA:mod 2002 8-10-2018 16:22 Pagina 12

Low-GWP Refrigerants for High AmbientTemperature Climates Design Analysis and Risk Assessment

AYMAN ELTALOUNY1, OLE REINHOLDT NIELSEN2, BASSAM ELASSAAD3

United Nations Environment Network Meeting 1Regional Montreal Protocol Coordinator International Partnerships, OzonAction programme, United North Africa and Middle East Nations Environment (UNEP) 2Unit Chief, Refrigeration and Aerosols Unit, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 3RTOC member Consultant to UNEP/UNIDO High-Ambient Project

FORWARD design with those refrigerants. developed are the HC-290 technology This article details the goals and the which is mostly led by China, the HFC- The main result of PRAHA, the project challenges of this stage and how 32 technology which is led by Japan, to evaluate low-GWP refrigerants in PRAHA-II is advancing the dialogue and the emerging HFO technology air conditioning applications at high on not only refrigerant selection, but which the chemical companies in the ambient temperatures, is that it went the search for energy efficiency to US are still developing. beyond the level of being an individual meet the Kigali Amendment goals and The capacity building efforts of project with specific planned out- aspirations. PRAHA-II opened up for participants comes and outputs and turned to be a from countries other than the original PROCESS at different levels, i.e., gov- Gulf Cooperation countries and Iraq. ernmental, local industry, institutional PRAHA-II GOALS PRAHA-II encompassed the partici- as well as international technology pants of the sister testing project providers. A number of activities and The project has two major compo- EGYPRA which is part of the Egypt projects are currently being implement- nents and three goals: building the HPMP and which includes eight ed to address alternatives for high local industry design capability to Egyptian OEMs. EGYPRA tested ambient conditions and they were all meet or exceed the baseline designs more refrigerants in more prototypes, triggered by the PRAHA process which of the presently used technologies, and at more temperatures than started in 2012, and they are following, and developing a comprehensive risk PRAHA. EGYPRA detailed results will more or less, a similar approach. assessment model for high ambient be published during the third quarter UN Environment and UNIDO ap- countries’ conditions with the help of of 2018, but mainly confirm the con- proached the Multilateral Fund seek- international associations with experi- clusion of the other research projects ing support for stage-II of PRAHA ence in this field. that there are viable alternatives to which is designed to address the feasi- PRAHA-II had three main goals: 1) to HCFC-22 and R-410A that are capa- ble priority areas identified in PRAHA-I. build the capacity of the local industry ble of delivering equivalent or better The Executive Committee of the in designing and testing products performance and/or energy efficiency Multilateral Fund of Montreal Protocol using efficient low-GWP flammable than the baseline refrigerants. The approved, in its 76th meeting May refrigerants; 2) to evaluate and opti- other participants of the capacity 2016, stage-II of the project which is mize the prototype built for PRAHA-I; building efforts came from Tunisia, now called PRAHA-II. and 3) To build a risk assessment Vietnam, and Pakistan. This main objective of the project is to model for the high ambient tempera- PRAHA-II organized two workshops: maintain the momentum generated by ture countries. one in Japan and one in China. The PRAHA-I and advance the technical workshop in Japan took place in capacities of stakeholders to enable December 2016 and included attend- the adoption and use of low-GWP CAPACITY BUILDING ing the Japan Refrigeration and Air sustainable technologies for high Conditioning Industry Association ambient temperature countries by The first goal of building capacity (JRAIA) International Symposium on supporting the decision-making looked at the sources of the new tech- “New Refrigerants and Environmental process related to the acceptance and nologies that are being proposed to technology” which was held in Kobe. promotion of low-GWP refrigerants replace both HCFCs and high-GWP The main purpose of the trip was a and advancing the technological HFCs. It is evident that the three tech- one-day workshop in Tokyo by JRAIA capabilities of the local industry to nologies that are developed or being on the risk assessment conducted by

12 imp PRAHA:mod 2002 8-10-2018 16:22 Pagina 13

PRAHA also participated at the “Sustainable Technologies for Stationa- ry Air Conditioning Workshop” organized by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

EVALUATING AND OPTIMIZING PROTOTYPES

The ultimate objective of this part of the project is to evaluate the design limitation of PRAHA-I prototypes, optimize the designs based on best practices and using a Modelling program, evaluate optimized prototypes and new refrigerants not evaluated during PRAHA-I, and finally, analyzing the impact of leak-charge effect on the performance of high-glide alterative Workshop at JARN in Tokyo – Japan on risk assessment of A2L flammable refrigerants. refrigerants. This effort aligns with the need for developing safe solutions for JRAIA, Japan’s safety guidelines, and PRAHA also facilitated those stake- alternative lower GWP refrigerant basic requirements for design with holders who were attending the solutions for the HVAC&R industry. A2L refrigerants which include HFC- ASHRAE conference in Las Vegas in The evaluation and optimization 32.The trip also included plant tours to January 2017 to attend a course of efforts include several activities: see firsthand the safety procedures refrigerants and organized a session to • Conduct first order evaluation of unit that are implemented in manufactur- present the results of the three high by reviewing the test data to identify ing products using A2L refrigerants. ambient research programs which also improvement opportunity and the The trip to China took place in April include the Air Conditioning, Heating, causes of poor performance; 2017 and included a workshop in and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) • Optimize some of units with specific Ningbo, a visit to a production line, and “Alternative Refrigerant Evaluation refrigerants using a modeling a visit to China Refrigeration Expo Program” (AREP), and Oka Ridge approach; which was held in Shanghai for that National Laboratory (ORNL) “Alterna- • Building these units per the optimiza- year. The workshop in Ningbo, tive Refrigerant Evaluation for High- tion; “Designing and Risk Assessment with Ambient-Temperature Environments: • Testing the built units with charge R-290 Refrigerant” was organized in R-22 and R-410A Alternatives for Mini- optimization performed at 35°C for collaboration with the China Split Air Conditioners” as well as each unit, then test the units at 35°C Household Electrical Appliances EGYPRA preliminary testing results. and 46°C using the optimum charge; Association (CHEAA) and focused on HC-290 benefits and risk assessment. The International workshop was also supported by UNDP, GIZ and China Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association (CRAA) and included filed visits to showcase the use of HC-290 by different Chinese industries. At the China Refrigeration Expo, PRAHA presented the experience from PRAHA-I at an event entitled Ozone2Climate Roundtable and included updates on alternative technologies, global refrigerants substitution trends, and solutions to the cold chain and logistics. PRAHA shared its knowledge of the challenges in phasing-out HCFCs in high ambient temperature countries as assessed by the project coordinators and as experienced by the local industry. Participants from PRAHA and EGYPRA visiting the Jiaxing institute during the study tour to China.

13 imp PRAHA:mod 2002 8-10-2018 16:22 Pagina 14

region. The concept is to work closely with local institutes & experts in high ambient temperature countries, in collaboration with international associations and institutes to build a special risk assessment model that suits the local needs and operating conditions. The process will be conducted through the following elements: I. Developing comprehensive terms of reference for building the local risk assessment model; Meeting with local experts from Kuwait and Egypt on the risk assessment model. II. Analyzing the needs of local institutes to implement the risk assess- • To test the performance in case of a Refrigerants in high ambient coun- ment model including the technical leak, a portion of the refrigerant will tries. This innovative demonstration capacities of personnel and labora- be branched out from the system project is helping countries that expe- tories; vapor line (the amount is TBD), then rience sustained high average outside III. Examining the risk assessment mo- the same amount of new refrigerant temperatures to evaluate whether del and validate its applicability at blend will be charged back to the commercially-available alternatives levels of manufacturing, installa- system (or the amount that matches and technologies are effective solutions, operation and servicing. the previous sub-cooling). The per- tions for their climate zones, and if not, Each of the above elements will be led formance will be measured and the what solutions are needed. by local research institutes in consul- refrigerant from the system should As a background, JRAIA developed a tation and cooperation with interna- be recovered to a separate tank for comprehensive risk assessment tional associations that will be partner- composition analysis; model for A2L refrigerants, while the ing on this project. • A portion of refrigerant will be branched out from the system liquid line (the amount is TBD), then same The initial plan is summarized by the diagram below: amount of new refrigerant blend will be charged back to the system (or the amount that matches the previous sub-cooling). The performance is measured and the refrigerant from the system will be recovered to a separate tank for composition analysis. PRAHA believes that these activities will enable the original prototype designers in understanding how to further optimize their units to enhance Chinese industry associations and In this regard, PRAHA-II held an the energy efficiency performance institutes built their own local risk International Roundtable meeting on using the low-GWP alternative refrig- assessment model for the use of A3 Risk Assessment Model for the use erants. refrigerants in unitary air-conditioning of low-GWP Refrigerants in High applications. Simultaneously, AHRI in Ambient Temperature Countries in cooperation with ASHRAE and other Kuwait in October 2017 to review the RISK ASSESSMENT MODEL US-based institutes have been con- work done by international associa- ducting their own risk assessment tions and research organizations cov- The objective of empowering local insti- research on both A2L and A3 refriger- ering A2L and A3 refrigerants. tutes to play a key role in assessing the ants. There has been not so far any Methodology and results of research local technological needs related to the documented risk assessment work done was presented including the promotion of low-GWP alternatives related to operations at high ambient risk assessment work done by through the development of a compre- temperature conditions done on a JRAIA, AHRI, Underwriters laborato- hensive risk assessment model, local or regional basis in the high ry (UL), and ASHRAE as well local PRAHA-II will enable these local insti- ambient temperature countries of institutes. Materials of the roundtable tutes to build a model that is applicable West Asia. meeting can be accessed through: for high ambient temperature countries. This component of PRAHA-II includes http://www.ozonactionmeetings.org/int UN Environment’s OzonAction, in designing, developing, and examining ernational-roundtable-meeting-risk- cooperation with UNIDO, is currently a risk assessment model suitable for assessment-model-use-low-gwp- leading the way to build the first Risk operation at high ambient temperature refrigerants-high-ambient-3. Assessment Model for Flammable conditions, in particular for the GCC The elements of the proposed risk

14 imp PRAHA:mod 2002 8-10-2018 16:22 Pagina 15

assessment model for high ambient Flammable Refrigerants is a lengthy ing the prototypes for testing in part one temperature countries include the ini- process that starts by data collection as well as the optimization efforts of tial proposal for the outline of the Risk moving to analyzing and build risk part two. Assessment Mode, the role of local scenarios and concluding by steps At the Open Ended Working Group research institutes and the contribu- and actions for safe practices at differ- (OEWG-40) in July 2018, Parties tion of industry to the risk assessment ent levels of interaction with applica- asked the Energy Efficiency Task Force process, and a roadmap for govern- tions that operate with flammable to provide in their updated report for the ments’ actions in facilitating this refrigerants. Meeting of the Parties (MOP) in research. Ecuador in Nov 2018, an update of the The conference also discussed the research projects, and in particular role and technical backstopping HOW IS THE KIGALI AMENDMENT PRAHA, and how the results are required from UN and international AFFECTING PRAHA PROCESS reflecting in the search for viable and partners in this respect. sustainable alternatives, especially for Through cooperation with the Japan The Kigali amendment for the phase- high ambient countries. Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning down on HFC refrigerants is already This is a further proof of the legacy Industry Association (JRAIA), assess- enshrined in the PRAHA-II project and the good outcome that PRAHA ing the risks associated with the use of through the concentration on low-GWP has left and continues to contribute to lower flammability (A2L) refrigerants refrigerants and the emphasis on ener- the Montreal Protocol, the research will be studied, with a special focus on gy efficiency (EE). PRAHA made ener- efforts, and the industry in general. logistics, i.e. installation, operation, gy efficiency the major basis for build- G servicing and decommissioning of applications. The model is based on a scientifically-validated methodology developed by JRAIA and its local partners that combines field data analysis and simulation of hazards related to flammable refrigerants. To start building the model, UN Environment convened a special expert’s meeting in August 2018 in Cairo to discuss, review, and comment on the data collection methodology designed. The meeting was attended by selected experts from the air-conditioning servicing and firefighting sectors, and including participation of two members from the Montreal Protocol Refrigeration Technical Options Committee and members of the Halons Technical Options Committee, 6 INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL ISSUES as well as research institutes experts, SINCE 2006 servicing sector expert and National Ozone Officers from Egypt and UNEP – IIR – CSG Kuwait. JRAIA experts joined the meeting through web-conferencing during the two days. The meeting built clarity and better understanding about the model suggested by JRIAA before the next step, when the participation of the group will be expanded to include other regional research institutes. UN Environment and UNIDO are also working to build another parallel model for HAT countries addressing flammable (A3) refrigerants in cooperation with China, given that country’s expertise and knowledge about R-290 (i.e. hydrocarbon) refrigerants. The Risk Assessment Model for

15 imp ANDERSEN:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:00 Pagina 16

Enhanced and Localized Life-Cycle Climate Performance (EL-LCCP) Metric for Air Conditioners

STEPHEN O. ANDERSEN1, JAMES WOLF2,YUNHO HWANG3, JIAZHEN LING3, MARCO GONZALEZ4

1Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD) 2Global Policy Associate 3Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE), University of Maryland (UMD) 4Montreal Protocol Technology and Economics Assessment Panel (TEAP)(*)

ABSTRACT NEW METRIC VISION with poor ventilation, and placed in direct sunlight; and 7) realistic assump- The Kigali Amendment to the With no barriers of data, computation, tions about matching air conditioner Montreal Protocol on Substances that or programming, Enhanced and (AC) capacity to cooling load and serv- Deplete the Ozone Layer phases Localized Life-Cycle Climate Perfor- icing to maintain efficiency over the life- down the production and consumption mance (EL-LCCP), as shown in Figure time of the installation. of hydrofluorocarbon greenhouse 1, will ultimately account for: 1) local cli- gases that were once necessary to mate conditions, including high temper- rapidly phase out ozone depleting ature and humidity; 2) local seasonal EL-LCCP RESOLVES THREE substances but are no longer needed and time-of-day carbon intensity of CHALLENGES OF ESTIMATING because alternatives have been and electricity sources, including backup REAL WORLD AC CARBON will continue to be commercialized. electricity generation; 3) electricity FOOTPRINT The Kigali Amendment complements transmission and distribution losses, the emission controls of the United including through the application of any 1) ACs Operate in Far Hotter Nations Framework Convention on voltage stabilizers; 4) energy embodied Conditions Than Indicated by Climate Change Kyoto Protocol and in water used for power plant cooling; 5) Weather Data and Test contributes to satisfying the “nationally black and brown carbon power plant Procedures determined contributions” to reduce emissions; 6) more realistic assump- Local weather data is collected world- greenhouse gas emissions pledged tions about the actual temperature of wide using standardized monitoring under the 2016 Paris Climate AC condensers, which are predomi- stations sited above lawn and soil in Agreement. In 2016, International nately located in urban heat islands, locations that avoid the effects of build- Institute of Refrigeration proposed often stacked and clustered, arranged ings and pavement (WMO, 2008). The using Life-Cycle Climate Performance metric for air-conditioning systems while summing up carbon-equivalent direct refrigerant emissions, indirect power plant greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon-equivalent embodied emissions. This paper describes an Enhanced and Localized Life- Cycle Climate Performance metric developed by a team of international experts to reflect real life air conditioning system operations.

(*) The authors are grateful for the substantial contributions of other members of the Carbon Metrics Team, including: Suely Carvalho, Didier Coulomb, Hilde Dhont, Michel Farah, Gabrielle Dreyfus, Alex Hillbrand, Jinxing Hu, Nancy Sherman, Mike Thompson, Viraj Vithoontien, Figure 1. Enhanced and localized LCCP of AC. Stephen Yurek, and Zhong Zhifeng.

16 imp ANDERSEN:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:00 Pagina 17

problem is that ambient temperatures in urban heat islands where ACs often operate are hotter than the temperatures measured in the isolated weather stations. Also, AC condensers that dis- burse heat removed from buildings by the AC are often stacked and clustered, located in direct sun, and/or with poor air circulation, so hot air discharged from one condenser heats another. The urban heat island effect results from human activities, including modification of land surfaces and generation of heat through energy usage (US EPA, 2018). On a hot, sunny day, dry exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, can be 27 ~ 50°C (50 ~ 90°F) hotter than air temperature measured at the closest stan- Figure 2. Extra carbon emissions due to various losses. dardized weather stations (Berdahl and Bretz, 1997).The annual mean air temperature of a city with a population ture (e.g. Togo 87%, Haiti 55%, Similar impacts of limited water supply of one million or more can be 1 ~ 3°C Republic of Congo 44%, Iraq 33%, and high cooling water temperatures (2 ~ 6°F) warmer than its surroundings and Honduras 31%) (The World Bank, are reported for coal and nuclear (Oke, 1997). The energy impact of 2017). The portion of electricity taken power plants in France, Germany, and stacked and clustered condensers illegally from the grid is not included in Switzerland (Montel News, 2018). depends on the equipment design the carbon intensity measurement of (cooling air intake and exhaust), spatial electricity for AC. 3) The Carbon Intensity of configuration, air exchange (including At high ambient temperatures, when Electricity is Miscalculated at from wind and thermo-siphoning), and AC cooling load is peaking, the carbon Average Rather Than Hour-by- the amount of cumulative heat generat- intensity of electricity increases Hour Marginal Values of the ed by the condensers (Bruelisauer et because: 1) power plants are pushed Electricity Generation al., 2014; Choi et al., 2005). beyond their most efficient output; 2) In most hot climates, peak annual moth-balled and stand-by power energy consumption occurs as a con- 2) The Carbon Intensity of plants that have much higher fuel use sequence of air conditioning on the Electricity (CO2-eq carbon/kWh) and GHG emissions are brought on hottest days during the hours between as Delivered to AC Equipment is line; 3) water- and air-cooled thermal mid-day and evening. Purchasing Far Higher at High Ambient power plants are less efficient and inefficient ACs contributes to the need Temperatures and Coincident require more electricity for fans and for new power plant capacity and pay- Peak Energy Loads pumps, and gas turbines become less ing for new power plants can be more AC carbon footprint is properly calcu- efficient as the density of air decreas- expensive to electricity rate payers lated at the point of use to take into es (Sieber, 2013; Durmayaz and than the purchase of super-efficient consideration transmission and distri- Sogut, 2006; Kimmell and Veil, 2009); ACs, especially considering that bution (T&D) losses of the grid or sub- and 4) electricity transmission and dis- super-efficient ACs have far lower grid where the equipment is installed. tribution is less efficient at high tem- operating costs. (Smith and Hittinger, The calculation should also include peratures when grid line capacity is 2018). energy losses from any voltage stabi- pushed and transformers require pow- Improving the energy efficiency of lizing device at the point of use, which ered cooling. Another problem facing ACs reduces electricity consumption can add 5% electric loss. Electricity thermal power generation is the while the AC is operating, including power transmission and distribution decreasing volume of available water during peak hours. As demand for AC losses are temperature dependent for condenser cooling, particularly dur- grows, improving equipment’s energy and significant (Bartos et al., 2016), ing hot-weather droughts. For exam- efficiency at a large market scale can with a current global average loss of ple, the 2018 Nordic region heat reduce the need to build new power about 8%. Losses range from 1% or waves increased sea water tempera- plants (IEA 2018; Shaw et al., 2015). A less for countries with small and/or tures such that some nuclear reactors shift of investment from new power modern grids (e.g. Singapore 0%, had to reduce power output or shut plants to higher energy efficiency Iceland 2%, Germany 4%, Bahrain down altogether, which made neces- saves money, reduces air pollution, and 5%, and China 6%) to as high as 87% sary the import of electricity from con- fights climate change (IEA, 2014). for large countries with dispersed, tinental Europe at higher cost and car- One of the most important features of obsolete grids and/or old infrastruc- bon intensity (ClimateWire, 2018). the EL-LCCP metric is that it calculates

17 imp ANDERSEN:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:00 Pagina 18

hour-by-hour carbon footprint based on the carbon intensity of the electricity as delivered that would be avoided with higher AC energy efficiency. Typically, the least fuel-efficient plants would be throttled down, not the clean renewable sources like solar and wind that must be consumed as generated or the hydroelectric that can be re-scheduled if reservoir capacity is available. EL-LCCP identified a worst-case scenario summarized in Figure 2, with an extra 2% decrease in power plant efficiency, 0.5% greater transmission and distribution losses; 5% loss from the voltage stabilizer; leading to a 48% carbon emission increase as compared to standard scenario.

CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

This paper describes the EL-LCCP metric, which estimates that the carbon footprint of ACs can be up to about 50% or higher than convention- Latest conference on new technology in RAC al estimates that overlook typical real- Next UN Environment, IIR, CSG Conference will be on 6-7 June 2019 world operating conditions such as transmission and distribution losses, Berdahl, Paul and Sarah Bretz. 1997. Preliminary Kimmell, T.A. and Veil, J.A. 2009. Impact of drought heat island and stacking and cluster- survey of the solar reflectance of cool roofing mate- on US steam electric power plant cooling water ing of condensers. rials. Energy and Buildings, 25:149-158. intakes and related water resource management The policy implications include: Bruelisauer, Marcel, Forrest Meggers, Esmail issues. DOE/NETL-2009/1364. United States Montel News. 2018. From Finland to Switzerland – • Higher energy efficiency is more ef- Saber, Cheng Li and Hansjürg Leibundgut. 2014. Stuck in a stack—Temperature measurements of firms cut output amid heatwave (27 July): fective at protecting climate than has the microclimate around split type condensing units https://www.montelnews.com/en/story/from-finland- been previously calculated because in a high-rise building in Singapore, Energy and to-switzerland—firms-curb-output-amid-heat/921390. for every kWh saved through energy Buildings, 71:28-37. Kimmell, T.A. and Veil, J.A. 2009. Impact of drought Choi, Seok-Ho, Kwan-Soo Lee, Byung-Soon Kim. on US steam electric power plant cooling water efficiency, much more than a kWh of 2005. Effects of Stacked Condensers in a High-Rise intakes and related water resource management electricity in generation is avoided. Apartment Building, Energy, 30(7): 968-981. issues. DOE/NETL-2009/1364. United States • The combined cost of a super-effi- ClimateWire. 2018. NUCLEAR: Prices spike as Oke, Tim R. 1997. Urban Climates and Global Environmental Change. In: Thompson, R.D. and A. cient AC and the added power plant Norwegian utilities cope with warm water. 2. August: https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2018/08/02/sto Perry (eds.) Applied Climatology: Principles & capacity necessary its operation dur- ries/1060091905. Practices. New York, NY: Routledge. pp. 273-287. ing peak circumstances can be far Durmayaz, Ahmet and Oguz Salim Sogut. 2006. Shah N., Max Wei, Virginie Letschert, Amol less than the combined cost of an Influence of cooling water temperature on the effi- Phadke. 2015. Benefits of Leapfrogging to ciency of a pressurized-water reactor nuclear-power Superefficiency and Low Global Warming Potential inefficient AC and a greater power plant. International Journal of Energy Research, Refrigerants in Room Air Conditioning, Ernest plant investment; and 30:799-810. Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, LBNL-1003671. • Solar and wind energy can have an EC (European Commission). 2017. EU countries trigger entry into force of Kigali Amendment to Montreal Sieber, Jeannette. 2013. Impacts of, and adaptation even greater economic advantage Protocol. https://ec.europa.eu/clima/news/eu-coun- options to, extreme weather events and climate over fossil fuel electricity generation tries-trigger-entry-force-kigali-amendment-montreal- change concerning thermal power plants. Climatic when located near the places where protocol_en. Change, 121(1), 55-66. Smith, C. N., and Hittinger, E. 2018. Using marginal the energy is used. IEA (International Energy Agency), 2018. The Future of Cooling: Opportunities for energy-efficient emission factors to improve estimates of emission G air conditioning. https://webstore.iea.org/the-future- benefits from appliance efficiency upgrades. Energy of-cooling. Efficiency, 1-16. IEA, 2014. Capturing the Multiple Benefits of Energy The World Bank, Electric power transmission and dis- REFERENCES Efficiency.http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublic tribution losses (% of output), 2017, Retrieved from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.LOSS.Z.S. Bartos, Matthew, Mikhail Chester, Nathan Johnson, ations/publication/Multiple_Benefits_of_Energy Brandon Gorman, Daniel Eisenberg, Igor Linkov, _Efficiency.pdf. The World Meteorological Organization, Guide to and Matthew Bates. 2016. Impacts of Rising Air IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration), 2016. Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Temperatures on Electric Transmission Ampacity Guideline for Life Cycle Climate Performance. Observation, CIMO_Guide-7th_Edition, 2008. and Peak Electricity Load in the United States. http://www.iifiir.org/userfiles/file/about_iir/working_p US EPA. 2018. Learn About Heat Islands, retrieved Environmental Research Letters, Volume 11, arties/WP_LCCP/08/Booklet-LCCP-Guideline- from https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/learn-about- Number 11, 114008. V1.2-JAN2016.pdf. heat-islands.

18 imp HU CAR cina:mod 2002 8-10-2018 12:49 Pagina 19

Research Status on the Flammable Characteristics of Combustible Refrigerants

ZIJIAN LV, ZHAO YANG, BIAO FENG, RUI ZHAI

Refrigeration and Heat-Pump Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy, MOE, School of Mechanical Engineering, MOE, School of Mechanical Engineering,Tianjin University, China Tianjin University. On behalf of the Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR)

ABSTRACT in1987, which has a forward-looking in tion working fluid with zero ODP and safeguard the ozone layer [1]. low GWP. As researches shown in The natural refrigerant (HCs, ammo- Now HFCs, such as R410 are chosen recent years, the natural refrigerant nia, etc), HFCs with low GWP (R161, as the alternative for R22 as well as (HCs, ammonia, etc), HFCs with low R152a, etc), HFOs (R1234yf, other HCFCs. HFCs have no harm to GWP (R161, R152a, etc), HFOs R1234ze, etc) and HFEs (RE170, the ozone layer, but the global warm- (R1234yf, R1234ze, etc) and HFEs etc), which are environment friendly ing potential is very high and even (RE170, etc), which are environment and also have outstanding thermody- higher than R22. Hence, the new envi- friendly and also have outstanding namic properties, have been consid- ronment problem about global warm- thermodynamic properties, have been ered as the potential candidate for ing makes HFCs facing elimination in considered as the potential candidate next generation refrigerants. However, the long term use [2]. Therefore, the for next generation refrigerants and most of the new generation refriger- Paris agreement was adopted at the will be widely applied in prospect. ants are flammability and explosive- Paris climate change conference on For example, the HCs refrigerant, ness. So it is very significance to study December 12, 2015 and signed in R290, which has better heater transfer the combustion characteristic and NewYork on April 22, 2016, which is to in heat exchanger, lower compressor flame-retarding mechanism of the set an agreement to response the discharge temperature[3] and lower flammable refrigerants. This paper global climate change after 2020, aim- refrigerant charge[4], has been con- introduced several experimental ing to control the rise of the global sidered as the candidate for chillers method and facility about basic flam- average temperature under 2°C in this and room air conditioners. And R600a mable characteristics, and summa- century. Then, the European Union has been applied in heat pump water rized the influence of the flame retar- enacted the F-gas Regulation and the heater and refrigerator. As the substi- dants of flammable gas. And the mix- EPA (Environmental Protection tution for R134a, HFO1234yf may be ture of flammable refrigerants and Agency) extended the provisions of the best choice for mobile air condi- extinguishing agents could be a com- section 608 of the Clean Air Act. And, tioner and vending. The HFCs with promise between the high GWP and in 2016, nearly 200 countries around ultra-low GWP, such as R161and flammability. the world signed Kigali Amendment R152a, will be used in the developing Keywords: Refrigerant, Substitute, and it will enter into force on January countries as a transitional selection for Flammability, Flame-retarding mecha- 1, 2019, which clearly pointed out the a long time. nism. timetable of HFCs phase out for each However, most of the new generation country. So it is very urgent and impor- refrigerants are flammability and tant to reduce greenhouse gas emis- explosiveness. And if a leakage 1. INTRODUCTION sions and mitigate greenhouse effect occurs in the refrigeration and heat for all over the world. pump system, there will be serious According to the report that the ozone Accompany with elimination and consequences. Thus, it is imperative hole in South and North Pole is begin- phasing out of the HCFCs and HFCs to research the flammable character- ning to recover, the achievement is with nonzero ODP and high GWP, istics of refrigerant to evaluate and attribute to the limit and elimination respectively, the organizations of gov- reduce the risk of fire. And the lower use of HCFC refrigerant.The Montreal ernment, academic and manufacturer flammability limit (LFL), upper flamma- Protocol on substances that deplete will face major challenges, which will bility limit (UFL), flame propagation the ozone layer has decided to phase have a promoting and guiding effect to velocity and explosion pressure are out R22 and other HCFCs early the development of the new genera- basic flammable characteristics to

19 imp HU CAR cina:mod 2002 8-10-2018 12:49 Pagina 20

evaluate the intensity of combustion. But beyond that, flame-retarding Figure 1. mechanism of different refrigerants General view of the testing method of gaseous flammability. also should be studied.

2. STUDIES ON COMBUSTIBLE REFRIGERANTS

In this section, the experimental method and facility of basic flammable characteristics will be introduced, and some studies have been summarized. The flammability limit could be tested by the method given in the Chinese National standard GB/T 12474 [5] and ISO 10156, which introduce a method to test for explosion limits of combustible gases in air of normal temperature and pressure. The main reaction vessel is a long glass tube. Besides, the international standard ASTM E681: Method for concentration limits of flammability of chemicals and ASHRAE standard 34 [6]: Designation and safety classification of Refrigerants suggest another method to research the explosion characteristics of flammable gases Table 1. using a 12L spherical glass flasks at Physical and environmental data of some refrigerants. the atmospheric environment, as Critical parameters Std 34 Atomspheric GWP, shown in Figure 1. Number NBP,K safety ODP life (yr) 100yr However, the two reaction vessels: TC,K PC,Kpa group long glass tube and spherical glass HC-290 369 4251 231 A3 0.041 0 ~20 flask, cannot hold high pressure, and HC-600a 407 3629 260 A3 0.016 0 ~20 before igniting the flammable gas, the HFC-161 375 5091 235 – 0.18 0 12 relief valve should be switched on. For a comprehensive evaluation of the HFC-152a 386 4516 249 A2 1.5 0 133 explosion risk, the explosion pressure DME 400 5336 248 A3 0.015 0 1 and explosion index of the flammable HFO-1234yf 367 3382 243 A2L 0.029 0 <1 gas also should be measured. HFO-1234ze(E) 382 3640 254 – 0.045 0 <1 And the test chamber is a stainless HFO-1234ze(Z) 426 3970 282 – – 0 <1 steel spherical vessel, which can hold HCFO1233zd(E) 439 – 301 A1 0.071 0 1.34 higher pressure and test the explosion properties in varies initial pressure and different oxygen-enriched atmos- explosion characteristics under stan- R1234yf and R1234ze, in a 12L spher- phere. dard atmospheric conditions by using ical glass ball at the temperature varies By using the above experimental a 20L stainless steel spherical vessel. from 5 to 100 ℃ and the humidity method, many scholars, institutions or And several researches have shown varies from 0 to 90%. Furthermore, manufacturers have researched on that test method, shape of combustion Kondo [10] also measured the flam- the characteristics of flammable gas chamber and the type of ignition all mability limits of R1234yf, R32 and as follows. Wu et al. researched on the have an influence on the flammability methane at the pressure from one flammability characteristics of several of refrigerant. In addition, the flamma- atmosphere to 2500kpa in a 5L stain- binary blends of 1-Chloro-1, 1-difluo- ble characteristics of those compound less-steel spherical vessel. roethane and extinguishing agents are also affected by temperature, Additionally Zhang and Yang [11] car- using the 12L spherical glass flasks. humidity and pressure. ried out a series of experiment to Honeywell and DuPont have used the For example, Kondo et al. [9] meas- investigated the explosion pressure ASTM E681 apparatus to measure ured the flammable limits in air for sev- and rate of pressure rise of R290 at the flammable limit of R1234yf [7]. eral compounds classified as 2L varies initial pressure by using a 20L Chen et al.[8] measured the ethylene refrigerants such as R32, R143a, ball explosion experimental device.

20 imp HU CAR cina:mod 2002 8-10-2018 12:49 Pagina 21

Figure 2. Flammable limits of R227ea and R134a to R1234yf [16]

3. FLAME-RETARDING R245fa on R290, R152a, DME and was shrank to some extent. In 2018, MECHANISM R600a were studied. The result shows Feng et al.[16] has studied the sup- that the flame-retarding effect of pression effects of flammability of Many manufacturers have adopted R245fa on HCs was worse, and was a R1234yf by flame retardants, R134a mixed refrigerant solutions in response little better on HFCs, but both worse and R227ea, obtained the critical sup- to the wave of elimination of refrigerant. than that of R134a, R125 and R227ea. pression ratios of the two mixtures, The binary blends or ternary blends of They[13] also studied the flammable and also compared and analyzed the flammable refrigerants and nonflam- limits of blends: R245fa/R142b, flame colors and flame propagation mable refrigerants is a compromise R134a/R142 and R227ea/R142b, and velocity characteristics of R1234yf proposal to solve the current dilemma, found that the flame images of before and after the addition flame which can make the new refrigerant get R245fa/R142b, R227ea/R142b and retardants. And some results are lower GWP and less flammability. R134a/R142b are quite different from showed in Figure 2. Chemours has developed a new refrig- that of R600a/R142b in color and For the flame-retard agents such as erant named XP10 (R513A) as the shape. As the potential new generation R125, R134a, R227ea, and R245fa, substitution of R134a, the main compo- refrigerants, R161 has the suitable ther- the value b (defined as the ratio of the nents are R1234yf and R134a and the modynamic properties with low GWP. number of F atom to H atom in the mol- GWP of the binary mixtures is 573. And our lab laboratory [14] also has ecule) greatly affect the flame-inhibiting Arkema’s alternative to R134a is tested the flame suppression effects of effect. In general, the greater the b R516a, a ternary blend of R1234yf, R227ea, R13I1, and R1234ze to R161. value is, the better the flame retarding R134a and R152a. R516a may be the effect. And according to the b value, the long term replacement to R134a with 3.2 HFOs and its flame retardants rankings of flame-inhibiting effects the- the very-low GWP (<150). The HFO refrigerants, such as oretically is R227ea > R125 > R134a > Our laboratory has researched the R1234ze(E) and R1234yf, are regard- R245fa. Although the flame retarding inhibitory effect of flame retardants on ed as the competitive candidates of effect of R245fa is not better than the some refrigerants (such as HC, HFC refrigerants. The fundamental flamma- other three, its GWP is the lowest. and HFO) in prevision works. Some ble characteristics of R1234ze (E) and refrigerants’ physical and environmen- R1234yf, as well as their blends, have tal data is shown in Tab.1. Here, a been researched in the follow two arti- 4. CONCLUSIONS review about our laboratory’s works cles. Yang et al. [15] found that there conducted on the inhibitory effect of was no flame observed under the Some studies about the basic flamma- flame retardants is performed. experimental volumetric concentration ble characteristics and the influence of range of 6%~24% for R1234ze (E) in the flame retardants of flammable gas 3.1 HCs, HFCs and its flame the dry air. While the test is under the are summarized in this study. Added retardants high humidity condition, R1234ze (E) the extinguishing agents in the flamma- Wu et al.[12] performed a series of was ignited. As for the binary blends, ble refrigerants may be a compromise experiments to evaluating the security R1234ze(E)/R161 and R1234ze(E)/ between the high GWP and flammabil- of binary mixture with the addition of R152a, with the increase of concentra- ity. For the future works, the addition of the flame-retardant R245fa. And the tion ratio of R1234ze (E) to R152a (or extinguishing agents to the oil may be flame-retarding characteristics of R161), the flammability limit range a new method to suppress the com-

21 imp HU CAR cina:mod 2002 8-10-2018 12:49 Pagina 22

About us ) t i . o e l i l

bustion of the flammable gas. And the a g o

extinguishing agents added in the oil r t

could be liquid or solid, which has little n e c

effect on the property of refrigerants. . w w

Acknowledgments w t i

This work has been supported by the s i

National Natural Science Foundation v s l of China (Grant No.51476111 and i a t

51741607), Key Program of Natural e d

Science Foundation of Tianjin City r o f

(Grant No.16JCZDJC33900), Tianjin ( talent development special support program for high-level innovation and entrepreneurship team. G REFERENCES [1] Corberán J M, Segurado J, Colbourne D, et al. Review of standards for the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants in A/C, heat pump and refrigeration equipment[J]. International Journal of refrigeration, 2008, 31(4): 748-756. [2] Teng T P, Mo H E, Lin H, et al. Retrofit assessment of window air conditioner[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2012, 32: 100-107. [3] Cheng S,Wang S, Liu Z.Cycle performance of alternative refrigerants for domestic air-conditioning system based on a small finned tube heat exchanger[J]. Applied thermal engineering, 2014, 64(1-2): 83-92. [4] Padalkar A S, Mali K V, Devotta S. Simulated and experimental performance of split packaged air conditioner using refrigerant HC-290 as a substitute for HCFC-22[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2014, 62(1): 277-284. [5] The National Standard, P.R.C., Testing Method of the Explosion Limit of the Flammable Gas in the Air, GB/T 12474-90. [6] ANSI/ASHRAE 34-2010, Designation and safety classification of refrigerants, 2010 [7] Spatz M, Minor B. HFO-1234yf: a low GWP refrigerant for MAC. Review of Automotive Air Conditioning; 2008 January 29-30; Tokyo, Japan. [8] Chen C F, Shu C M, Wu H C, et al. Ethylene gas explosion analysis under oxygen-enriched atmos- pheres in a 20-liter spherical vessel[J]. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 2017, 49: 519-524. [9] Kondo S, Takizawa K, Tokuhashi K. Effects of temperature and humidity on the flammability limits of several 2L refrigerants[J]. Journal of Fluorine Chemistry, 2012, 144: 130-136. [10] Kondo S, Takahashi A, Takizawa K, et al. On the pressure dependence of flammability limits of CH2= CFCF3, CH2F2 and methane[J]. Fire Safety Journal, 2011, 46(5): 289-293. [11] Zhang W, Theoretical and experimental research on the flammability hazards of an air conditioner system using refrigerant R290 and R32[D]. Tian jin university, 2015. [12] Yang Z, Wu X, Peng J. Theoretical and experimental investigation on the flame-retarding characteristic of R245fa[J]. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 2013, 44: 613-619. [13] Wu X,Yang Z, Tian T, et al. Experimental research on the flammability characteristics of several binary blends consisting of 1-Chloro-1, 1-difluoroethane and extinguishing agents[J]. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2014, 92(6): 680-686. [14] Yang Z, Wu X, Tian T. Flammability of Trans-1, 3, 3, 3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene and its binary blends[J]. Energy, 2015, 91: 386-392. [15] Yang Z, Wu X, Wang X, et al. Research on the flammable characteristics of fluoroethane (R161) and its binary blends[J]. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2015, 56: 235-245. [16] Feng B, Yang Z, Zhai R. Experimental study on the influence of the flame retardants on the flammability of R1234yf[J]. Energy, 2018, 143: 212-218.

22 imp CINA Xu Chen:mod 2002 8-10-2018 18:14 Pagina 23

Analysis of Best PracticeTraining of Refrigeration Service Personnel in China

XU CHEN

Xu Chen (middle) received the Certificate at Authorized Principal for Shenzen Qianhai Bingbing Education Investment Centro Studi Galileo from Marino Bassi Development, China (right), Embraco and Stefano Sarti (left), CSG expert trainer.

ABSTRACT China’s refrigeration service sector. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING According to incomplete statistics, China have more than one million China’s room air conditioner mainte- 2.1 Establishment of training center refrigeration employees, in the past, nance enterprises in about 110,000, China has set up the training center for due to weak awareness of environ- More than 10,000 refrigeration and air refrigeration and maintenance good mental protection and irregular opera- conditioning maintenance enterprises practice training since 2014. The aim is tion, the random discharge of refriger- for industrial commercial, millions of to provide the refrigeration teachers ants often occurred, causing environ- people are employed in refrigeration and technicians training and publicity in mental pollution and destruction of the industry. ozone layer protection and ODS refrig- ozone layer. In recent years, with the The refrigerant Leakage caused by erant recovery, enhance the awareness strong promotion of UN environment random discharge of refrigerant and of environmental protection for refriger- and the Chinese government, China non-standard operation during main- ating personnel. As of May 2018, China has carried out the good practice train- tenance of refrigeration equipment by has established 25 training centers in ing project for refrigeration industry, maintenance personnel often occurs, 13 provinces and 4 municipalities the aim is to carry out training and it brings certain negative effects to the directly under the central government, it publicity activities for refrigeration environment. includes 2 national training centers. practitioners to protect the ozone layer, standardize the operation and responsible use of refrigerants, and TRAINING CENTERS promote green and environment friendly refrigerants, through standardized operation training, enhance the environmental protection awareness and practical operation skills of the vast number of refrigeration practitioners. This project has achieved very good economic and social benefits, it has been highly praised and recognized by the vast number of practitioners at the same time. Key words: Refrigeration and air conditioning, good practice training, environmental protection.

1. BACKGROUND NATIONAL China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of HCFCs and HFCs REGIONAL LEVEL substances, accelerated HCFCs phase-out poses great challenges to

23 imp CINA Xu Chen:mod 2002 8-10-2018 18:14 Pagina 24

More than 500 teachers have been trained, and more than 7000 practitioners have been trained in refrigeration. Refrigeration good practice training are welcomed by practitioners, while stan- dardizing training, they also improved their technical level and environmental knowledge, it has achieved very good social benefits.

2.2 Compilation of training materials The compilation of training materials is an important part of training, in order to ensure the quality and effectiveness, engineers and other experts are invited 4. SUMMARY the national training center combines to form a group of experts to revise the regional training centers to develop rel- standards, and to seek opinions and China is the world’s largest producer evant teaching materials. According to suggestions in the industry to further and user of refrigerants and refrigera- the characteristics of good practice of improve the national skills standards. tion equipment, with more than one refrigeration maintenance, combined million refrigeration maintenance with the actual situation in China, and workers. consulted extensively the suggestions 3.TRAINING INTERNATIONAL At this stage, people do not know of Refrigeration Association and refrig- COOPERATION enough about environmental protec- eration technicians, the preliminary tion in refrigeration maintenance. In training materials and videos were In order to enhance the technical abili- order to carry out environmental pro- compiled, contents include copper tube ty of refrigeration and maintenance tection work in the field of refrigeration processing, welding, refrigerant recov- teachers and technicians, with the sup- and maintenance and accelerate the ery, air conditioning standard installa- port of the State Environmental elimination of HCFCs refrigerants, the tion, etc, the teaching materials are Protection Department, China has sent Chinese government is actively carry- shared with the training centers to a number of refrigeration teachers and ing out HCFCs substitution work, and ensure the unity of training quality and technicians to Europe and other devel- at the same time nationwide collection effect. oped countries for refrigeration opera- of refrigeration and maintenance good At the same time, the national training tion training and exchange. The operation training center, aimed at center organizes experts to carry out trainees learned advanced environ- strengthening the refrigeration and the construction of the examination mental protection concepts and good maintenance practitioners’ awareness question bank, which includes ozone operation standards in developed of environmental protection and layer protection, refrigerant recovery, countries through training abroad, the upgrading skills. good operation and so on, it further trainees’ awareness of ODS refriger- At the same time, the training center is enhances the importance of ozone ants and the importance of good oper- actively promoting the elimination of layer protection in training. ating practices are greatly enhanced, HCFCs and preparing training materi- they have a deeper understanding of als to train after-sales personnel. In 2.3 Update of national skills the importance and urgency of environ- the area of refrigerant substitution, standards mental protection in the field of refriger- China has been committed to the pro- China’s Ministry of human resources ation and maintenance. motion and application of 0 ODP and and social security department is also At the same time, in order to promote low GWP refrigerants, and has suc- actively promoting the evaluation crite- the professional ability of refrigeration cessfully carried out many demonstra- ria of national skilled talents, it includes training teachers, strengthening tion projects. However, we should not refrigeration installers, refrigerers and exchanges between teachers and neglect the shortage of after-sales central air conditioning operators. technicians of refrigeration and mainte- refrigeration training capacity and the Under the national talent strategy, nance in neighboring developing coun- upgrading of new refrigerant applica- future refrigeration maintenance tech- tries, help them improve the training tion skills. nicians not only need to master profes- level and skills of refrigeration mainte- At present and in the future, China’s sional skills, but also should have a nance. China has also conducted spe- refrigeration maintenance training will deep understanding of environmental cial training in R290 combustible refrig- learn the advanced technologies and protection knowledge, master refriger- erant air conditioning products with concepts of developed countries, and ant recycling operation and other envi- Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and join hands with developing countries in ronmental protection skills. Under the other countries. Discuss the technology ODS refrigerant substitution to contin- leadership of the Ministry of National of HCFCs refrigerant replacement and ue efforts to effectively implement People’s Society, refrigeration associa- exchange knowledge and skills with ODS substances. tions, University teachers, enterprise each other. G

24 imp KAGAWA selection:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:48 Pagina 25

Selection of Refrigerants and Future Trend

NOBORU KAGAWA

President, Japan Society of Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (JSRAE) Professor, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, National Defense Academy of Japan Executive Committee Member and Managing Committee Member, International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR)

1. INTRODUCTION and cycle performances. Considering In order to suppress the emission of them, the future trend of refrigerants the fluorocarbon refrigerants in a huge Refrigeration and air conditioning sys- and measures will be suggested. number of refrigeration and air condi- tems are used in various fields, and tioning systems, it is necessary to take the amount of energy used by the sys- effective measures in a wide range of tems corresponds to 7% (CO2 equiva- 2. SELECTION OF NEW fields. From the estimated amount of lent) of the whole energy in Japan. REFRIGERANTS supplied refrigerants and its flow in the However, the circumstances sur- Japanese market (Figure 11,2)), it rounding refrigerants and thermal Since the adoption of the Montreal shows that a large amount of refriger- insulating materials used in the refrig- Protocol on Substances that Deplete ants has been supplied and kept in the eration and air conditioning systems the Ozone Layer in 1987, the conven- market. The stocked amount in the dramatically changed. Referring to the tional CFC and HCFC refrigerants market corresponds to about 11 times reduction schedule of the HFC pro- have been replaced with the HFC of the annual volume. The volume is duction volume by the Kigali refrigerants that contain no chlorine obtained by adding the charged Amendment to the Montreal Protocol atom. The released amount of the amount in the newly manufactured adopted in 2016, the Japanese gov- HFC refrigerants filled in the refrigera- machines to that required at their ernment tries to reduce the volume to tion and air-conditioning systems to installation and supplied for mainte- 85% of a standard value by 2036. The the atmosphere are remarkably nance. standard volume is 70,000,000 CO2-t increasing in Japan: 3.0 million CO2- Simply after the introduction of the corresponding to an average of the ton in 2000, 8.8 million in 2005, 20.3 new refrigerants, it might take more annual quantity in 2011-2013. million in 2010, and 35.4 million in than ten years by the replacement of With this Kigali Amendment, it is nec- 2015. However, as a result of adopting the conventional refrigerants is com- essary to change the conventional flu- the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 to prevent pleted. It is clear that not only early orocarbon refrigerants to new refriger- global warming, the HFC refrigerants developments of the new refrigerants ants with less environmental load. are classified as substances subject to and their systems but also establish- Besides the refrigerants, it is required emission reduction. ments of refrigerant management sys- to modify the refrigeration and air con- To reduce the emission of the refriger- tem are required. The latter must take ditioning systems and the thermal ants with high GWP, the Fluorocarbons a central role including strict refriger- insulating materials to satisfy the envi- Recovery and Destruction Law of ant leakage countermeasures, refrig- ronmental requests. However, the Japan (promulgated in 2001) has been erant recovery system with a high developed new refrigerants have limit- revised, and the Act on Rational Use recovery rate, and more recycled ed cycle performances equivalent to and Proper Management of Fluorocar- refrigerant usage. From the limited dif- the conventional refrigerants. bons was effective on April 1, 2015. ference between the flow figures of In this report, selection of the new The regulation law is to control a huge 2008 and 2016 in Figure 1, it is clear refrigerants and the developing situa- number of the systems including that the tackling should be continued tions of their systems in Japan will be household air conditioners (approx. until the stocked refrigerants are most- introduced. In addition, difficulties of 100 million units). It is followed by auto- ly replaced with the new refrigerants the refrigerant selection with both of mobile air conditioners (75 million), because of the difficulties of the refrig- low global warming potential (GWP) commercial air conditioners (10.5 mil- erant management. It is strongly desir- and high safety are described based lion including 1 million for building), and able to build a recycle/reuse system at on their thermophysical properties small freezer-refrigerators (7.6 million). an early stage not only in Japan but

25 imp KAGAWA selection:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:48 Pagina 26

also in each country and region. Table 1. Target year and GWP of designated products Table 1 shows the target fiscal year and the GWP target value for each product category presented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (MITI). In addition, representatives of the currently used refrigerants and new candidate refrigerants are shown in the table. According to Table 1, the target for the commercial air conditioners for buildings is not set yet. Depending on the product classification, some HFC refrigerants regulated by the Kigali Amendment, hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants and natural refrigerants, e.g. isobutane (R 600a), ammonia (R 717), CO2 (R 744), must be used as the new refrigerants. Their lower/higher flammability becomes a big issue to use. Under such circumstances, it is desir- *1: the capital letter corresponds to toxicity (A, B) and the digit to flammability (1,2,2L,3). *2: Excluding rated compressor output of 1.5 kW or less. able to develop a new refrigerant suit- *3: For newly shipped for freezing refrigerated warehouse of 50,000 m3 or more. able for each system. However, it is *4: Excluding floor-mounted type. *5: For passenger cars excluding those with a capacity of 11 or more. required to have a normal boiling point *6: For spray foam for house building materials. suitable for operating temperature. *7: Excepting non-flammable applications. And also, many requirements on the refrigerant performance should be sat- Table 2. Component materials of the candidate refrigerant mixtures isfied3), e.g. all of GWP, flammability, and toxicity should be as low as possible, chemical stability such as material compatibility is excellent, cycle efficiency (coefficient of performance) keeps good. Many research and development are being conducted on the candidate refrigerants filled in commercial air conditioning systems including for buildings (VRF/VRV), in medium-size refrigeration and freezing systems, in stand-alone and condensing units. At the present time, however, there is no new candidate refrigerant with a single substance among the fluorocarbon refrigerants. Therefore, the research and development are conducted mainly on refrigerant mixtures with some components of low-GWP refrigerants. Recently, some Japanese companies brought out systems for medium-size refrigeration and freezing systems with refrigerant mixtures, e.g. R 407H (R 32/ 125/134a), R 448A (R 32/125/134a/ 1234yf/1234ze(E)), R 463A (R 32/125/ 134a/744/1234yf). In order to predict the reduction effect ous report4). The leakage amounts in from the air conditioning systems of by the regulation, the relationship 2012 and 20 years after replacing the both large and room air conditioners, between the refrigeration amount refrigerants were calculated from leak- and the refrigerated display cases stocked in the market and the leakage age factors published by Japanese were dominant, even though after the amount were estimated in the previ- government. The leakage amounts target years.

26 imp KAGAWA selection:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:48 Pagina 27

Figure 1. Flow of refrigerants for refrigeration and A/C

(a) 20081) (b) 20162) Numbers mean refrigerant amounts (ton), Numbers Commercial refrigeration and A/C only (not including in parentheses mean ratio to net refrigerant amounts household and automobile) (= domestic refrigerant production + import – export

Though the natural refrigerants such 2L, 2, 3: no, lower burning velocity, glide can not be ignored: it is more as carbon dioxide and ammonia have lower, higher)). than 1 K, it is classified as a non- been developed mainly for the medi- Figure 2(a) shows the relationship azeotropic refrigerant mixture, not a um to large-size refrigeration and between the normal boiling point and pseudo-azeotrpic one. For non- freezing systems, and for the refriger- the molar mass of the refrigerant can- azeotropic refrigerant mixtures, it is ated display cases, their product didates. The molar mass increases necessary to redesign cycles and ele- prices rise due to development of new with the normal boiling point. The ment parts. In addition, in the case of components and installation of safety trends differ between the A3 and other a large temperature glide, heat trans- devices. Therefore, subsidies by the refrigerant groups. It should be noted fer performance in heat exchanger is government are necessary for dis- that a pressure loss tends to increase generally degraded as compared with semination of systems using these as the molar mass increases. single refrigerant. The mixing ratio is natural refrigerants. In Japan, the sub- Therefore, it will be required to take easily changed in constituent ele- sidies started from 2005. The budget care about decreasing cycle perform- ments in which the refrigerant is has increased each year and the fiscal ance by the pressure loss when retained. The mixing ratio changes in year 2018 budget achieves to 6.5 bil- designing the system with long tube the cycle circulation and the changing lion yen (sixty million dollars). In the except for the A3 refrigerants. Fig. 2(b) causes lowering the cycle perform- case of that the safety must be con- shows the relationship between the ance. cerned mainly, developments of sys- normal boiling point and GWP. In the Therefore, as a trend on the selection tems with new fluorocarbon refriger- plotting range of the boiling point, of the new refrigerants, it is conceiv- ants are also desired instead of there is no low GWP refrigerant able to explore the development of the ammonia. except for the A3 (HC) and A2L refrig- following refrigerant mixtures or use of However, the new refrigerant candi- erants. the higher flammable natural refriger- dates, particularly with the fluorocar- For a refrigerant mixture whose tem- ants. bon refrigerants, have not yet been perature difference in the normal boil- Mix.1: Refrigerant mixtures with higher determined.Table 2 shows basic prop- ing points of the component sub- flammable natural refrigerants (A3) erties of the component substances of stances remarkably differs, a tempera- such as propane, butane, isobutane, the refrigerant mixtures currently ture glide (temperature gradient) propene. being considered as the new refriger- under an isobar will occur in the two- Mix.2: Refrigerant mixtures obtained ants3). The capital letter of safety code phase region. The temperature glides by mixing natural refrigerant (A3) such corresponds to toxicity (A, B: lower, at the normal boiling point are shown as propane with HFO refrigerant (A2L) higher) and the digit to flammability (1, in Figure 2(c). When the temperature such as R 1234yf.

27 imp KAGAWA selection:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:48 Pagina 28

Figure 2. Fundamental characteristics of refrigerants

(b) 20162) (a) Normal boiling point and molar mass (b) Normal boiling point and GWP (c) Normal boiling point and temperature glide

Mix.3: Refrigerant mixtures with refrig- Figure 3. Refrigerant recovery from specific products at disposal5) erant of Mix.1 or Mix.2. obtained by mixing HFC refrigerant (A1, A2L) such as R 32, R 134a. Although Mix.1 can reduce GWP, it is required to take care about flammability. Besides, though the flammability is lowered for Mix.2, the temperature glide becomes large. When the molecular mass is large, the influence of the pressure loss may increase. Also, Mix.3 is depending on the combination and the mixing ratio, the temperature glide and the flammability can be reduced but the GWP increases. When safety becomes one of important issues to design, a refrigerant mixture using HFC refrigerant of Mix.3 is also expected.

3. REFRIGERANT MANAGING Figure 4. Recycle and destruction amounts of fluorocarbons5) Under many but limited options are expected for the new refrigerants, it is necessary to develop refrigerants suitable for each application satisfying the Kigali Amendment. As described above, it is expected that some candidate refrigerants will include HFC refrigerants regulated by the amendment. Therefore, it should be considered to build a refrigerant management system and to use the existing HFC refrigerants as precious resources for a long time1,3). According to the refrigerant management system, there are many items to be developed such as measures against the refrigerant leakage from systems, new piping and cou- pling methods, refrigerant recovery system with the highest possible tem of the recovered refrigerants. and new technologies will be really recovery rate, and fair recycling sys- Most of them are under development required.

28 imp KAGAWA selection:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:48 Pagina 29

Figure 5. Availability of logbook data

(a) Case 1: Frequency of leakage and malfunction6) (b) Case 2: Frequency of refrigerant charging at maintenance2)

According to a survey by the MITI, and amount of the HFC refrigerants tends performance and system performance Ministry of the Environment of Japan to increase: CFC:HCFC : HFC = 35 : should be improved. On the other (MOE), it was found that leakage dur- 733 : 197 ton in 2016, became 30 : 868 hand, efficient usage of these systems ing use was relatively large due to : 350 ton in 2017. with sufficient maintenance will be insufficient maintenance and aged By utilizing logbook of refrigerant also required. To realize ideal solution deterioration of refrigeration and air management system, useful informa- for this problem, the yellow areas in conditioning systems. Currently, along tion can be obtained, e.g. a trend of Figure 1 which correspond rations of with the application of the fluorocar- elapsed years of system use and the recovery and recycling of refrigerants, bon emission control law, five terms number of leaks/failures of systems. should be increased, and the black has been implemented in Japan. Japan Refrigerants and Environment arrows must be decreased. • Reduction of new production volume Conservation Organization takes care Global warming is a global problem. by replacement and recycling of fluo- of it systematically. As shown in Figure Therefore, international efforts are rocarbons 52,6), it is possible to know when sys- necessary. The greenhouse gas emis- • Promotion of refrigerant replacement tem with high leakage/failure frequen- sions from the refrigeration and air • Proper management of commercial cy was installed, and what kind of conditioning systems in the whole systems refrigerant is used. By managing the world are equivalent to 7.8% of the • Fulfillment of proper charging, recov- inspection history of the systems, it is total. Japanese technologies and poli- ering obligation. possible to identify the location of the cies are relatively going ahead in this • Optimization of recycling and destru- failure, and to analyze the cause of field and will play an important role ction processes. that. As the result, the amount of leak- internationally. We should try to dis- Trends of recovery volume from the age during use can be reduced. seminate the technologies to World. specific products and recovery one at G disposal are shown in Figure 35). REFERENCES 1) Noboru Kagawa, New Refrigerants for Currently, the recovery of the fluoro- 4. PROPOSALS Refrigeration and Air-conditioning: Current Situation carbon refrigerants used for commer- and Future Aspect based on Thermophysical Properties, Reito, 731-739, JSRAE (2013.11) (in cial refrigeration and air conditioning It is estimated that the atmospheric Japanese). systems is obliged to be recovered at temperature will increase by 0.1 to 0.3 2) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, the time of disposal, but the recovery K by 2100 due to the emission of the www.meti.go.jp/meti_lib/report/H29FY/000205.pdf rate is sluggish at about 30% from HFC refrigerants7).Therefore, it is pos- (2018-5) 3) Noboru Kagawa, New refrigerants and refrigerant 2003 to 2011. After 2011 the rate sible to prevent the temperature incre- management for refrigeration and air conditioning- slightly increased and reached 39% in ment by the volume reduction of the Current situation in Japan and future aspect-, 2016. Further efforts are required to HFC refrigerants. However, in addition Industria&formazione, International special issue 2014-2015, pp.15-19 (2014.10) achieve the Japanese target value of to suppressing the emission of the flu- 4) Noboru Kagawa, Refrigerants and New Systems 70%. The actual results of recycle and orocarbon refrigerants including HFC, Developments in Japan, Industria&formazione, destruction amounts of the fluorocar- it is also important to reduce basic International special issue 2016-2017, pp.33-36 (2016.10) bon refrigerants are shown in Figure units of using energy and indirect 5) Ministry of the Environment of Japan, https://www 4. The destruction amount is almost effects of total equivalent warming env.go.jp/press/y0615-06/mat03.pdf (2017.9) flat: CFC:HCFC:HFC=194:2464:2161 impact, TEWI7). Therefore, selection of 6) Japan Refrigerants and Environment Conservation Organization, https://www.jreco.jp/public/assets/file/ ton in 2016, were 153:2363:2268 ton the optimum refrigerant for each sys- guide_05.pdf (2017-10) in 2017. The ratio of the HFC refriger- tem is important so as to reduce the 7) IIR, The impact of the refrigeration sector on cli- ants is increasing. The recycling environmental burden: coefficient of mate change, IIR Informatory Note (2017.11)

29 imp THE LATEST okada:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:44 Pagina 30

The LatestTrends in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in Japan Regulation and MarketTrend

TETSUJI OKADA

President of The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA)

1. INTRODUCTION refrigerant, which is the targeted 2. MARKET TRENDS refrigerant of this time, cannot be It is already well-known, it was agreed said to be an ozone-depleting sub- 1) Japanese market as “Kigali amendment” under the par- stance and it can be said that it is First of all, I would like to mention ticipation of 197 countries at the 28th slightly shifted from the main point of Japanese domestic market. MOP held in Kigali, the capital of the original treaty, but in the general Table 1 shows the domestic sales Africa’s Rwanda in November 2016, international discussion, the Montreal volume of each device in 2017 (cal- “Stepwise reduction of HFC (hydroflu- Protocol as the reduction of ozone- endar year). orocarbon) refrigerants” has been depleting substances is steadily pro- Overall, in all products, figures close advanced worldwide. gressing, there was also a meaning to 100% are seen compared with the In Japan, regulation of HCFC refriger- to apply this reduction scheme. previous year, although various ant, which is already covered in 1996, In this article, I will explain how to changes in the market economic envi- has been started, and new products deal with “Kigali amendment” in ronment are pointed out, the refrigera- using HCFC refrigerant are no longer Japan, and will mainly discuss issues tion air conditioning equipment is available. Strictly speaking, HFC and the future. almost stable. The right column also lists the refrigerant used in each equipment. Table 1. Although the specific explanation will Market situation in Japan and Alternative Refrigerants. be described later, the introduction of refrigerants with a smaller GWP (global warming potential) is pro- gressing for each device.

2) The world market for air conditioners Figure 1 shows the sales trends of the air conditioning equipment (home use and business use) in the world market. In terms of the number of units, except for North America, household use is dominant, but on an absolute scale, Chinese market size cannot bear close to others. From the view- point of the growth market, regions such as Asia (other than China) and the Middle East are steadily growing and are expected to be promising markets in future with Africa and South America.

30 imp THE LATEST okada:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:44 Pagina 31

Figure 1. World Market Situation of Air Conditioners.

3. LEGISLATION IN JAPAN Figure 2. Timeline of Legislation in Japan. In response to two large global level regulations, the following laws and regulations are enforced in Japan. Following the global regulations, the development to corresponding domestic laws and regulations has been done.

1) Revised Ozone Layer Protection Act: It was established in 1988 mainly for the purpose of properly enforcing the Montreal Protocol on substances destroying the ozone layer for the Vienna Convention and its concrete promotion in the country. Following the current Kigali amendment, the bill to revise this law was decided by the Cabinet in March 2018 and approved at the ordinary Diet session in August. necessary for stepping down sup- “designated product” set in Japan to In Japan, for the stepwise reduction of posed in 2029, and since 2018 we reduce concrete HFC. It is obligatory. HFC decided by Kigali amendment, have started a new research project as shown in Figure 3, in the current with the support of NEDO. 2) Act on Rational Use and Proper outlook, we plan to comply with the Table 2 means that the weighted aver- Management (Revised Fgas Act): steady reduction step towards step age GWP value of products shipped to For the purpose of protecting the down in 2025. However, we have also the market by the target fiscal year is ozone layer and preventing global learned that further consideration is less than the target GWP, which is the warming, for the purpose of suppress-

31 imp THE LATEST okada:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:44 Pagina 32

Figure 3. HFC phase down latest status in Japan under Kigali Amendment.

ing emission of chlorofluorocarbons Table 2. into the atmosphere which brings seri- Designated Products in Revised “OLP” Act. ous effects on global warming, etc. the “Freon Recovery and Destruction Law” which was enforced until then was revised in 2016. The outline is shown in Figure 4. This law has been finely regulated from the manufacture of refrigerants, equipment manufacturers to use refrigerants, users (admin- istrator) to use them, contractors for maintenance and inspection, collection and destruction.

3) High Pressure Gas Safety Law: In order to prevent disasters caused by high pressure gas, the High Pressure Gas Safety Act regulates the manufacture, storage, sale, import, movement, consumption, disposal 4. RESPONSE AS JRAIA refrigerant is not a non-combustible etc. of high pressure gas, as well as refrigerant candidate so far but is a lit- voluntary activities relating to high 1) Basic policy tle more flammable refrigerant. pressure gas by private companies In order to comply with the global per- As JRAIA, we mention “S + 3E” as a and the High Pressure Gas Safety spective and the domestic regulations fundamental policy for refrigerant con- Institute. It is a law aimed at promoting as described above, it is necessary to version, and this concept has not public activities and ensuring public change the refrigerant currently used changed since the past. This is the safety in Japan. The refrigerants used to refrigerant with smaller GWP. idea shown below as Fig. 5. in the refrigerant circuit of the refriger- Although the candidate refrigerant is Safety: Use low-toxicity, low-burning ation and the air-conditioning equip- different according to each character- refrigerant. ment are also regulated not only from istic of the equipment, in the present Environment Performance: Use a the pressure but also from the view- situation it has been recognized that refrigerant that does not destroy the point of flammability and toxicity most of the conventional alternative ozone layer and has a low global

32 imp THE LATEST okada:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:44 Pagina 33

warming potential. Figure 4. Energy Efficiency: Use energy effi- The Outline of Act on Rational Use and Proper Management. cient refrigerant. Economic Feasibility: Use a refrigerant that can realize reasonable cost and low running cost. We believe that it is important to select the refrigerant to be used for various equipment under the idea that it is basic to choose the refrigerant by bal- ancing the three E while taking safety as the top priority.

2) Risk Assessment As mentioned in the previous section, it is now known that most of the refrigerants, which are regarded as alternative candidates, have flammability some- how. For this reason, investigations on flammability which have hardly been noticed with conventional non-flamma- Figure 5. ble refrigerants are important and indis- Fundamental Policy of JRAIA. pensable conditions. JRAIA has been promoting risk assessment of A2L (mildly flammable refrigerants) since 2011 in cooperation with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association. This project evaluated the risk of using A2L (three types of R32, R1234yf, R1234zd (E)) refrigerants for each refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, including countermeasures for safely using these refrigerants. We completed all the work in 2016 and issued the JRA standards and guidelines (GL) . Another important point is deregulation of the High Pressure Gas Safety Law mentioned in paragraph 4-3). This is In addition, Guideline GL-20 issued on related to the entire industry. In some because the above-mentioned A2L the basis of the risk assessment imple- equipment, the optimum refrigerant for refrigerant is classified into “other” in mented by JRAIA “Appropriate meas- specific conversion has not yet been which the high twisting gas is classified ures to prevent combustion when identified and it is no exaggeration to according to the conventional high- refrigerant gas in refrigerant equipment say that not only equipment manufac- pressure gas safety act, so the proce- using specified inert gas leaks”. turers but also future activities includ- dure of applying to the municipality etc. ing refrigerant manufacturers will is indispensable when using the refrig- affect the fate of the industry. From erant. As a result, it became an imped- 5. CONCLUSION 2018 onwards, technological develop- iment to popularization. (3-5 Legal ment related to mid- and long-term refrigerate tones) For this reason, after As described above, the major chal- research and development and intro- confirming the security guarantee lenges currently faced by the refrigera- duction and various measures based on the results of the risk assess- tion and air conditioning industry are become necessary and important. For ment conducted by JRAIA, the High refrigerant conversion and energy effi- the development of the industry, Pressure Gas Safety Act was deregu- ciency improvement (energy conserva- JRAIA aims to seriously address lated in November 2016 and the same tion) for the prevention of global warm- these issues and to promote steady as before in response, the soil for the ing. In particular, the response to the activities aimed at curbing global introduction of A2L refrigerant has “Kigali amendment” mentioned above warming. been settled. is recognized that it is a major issue G

33 imp ENERGY EFF india:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:39 Pagina 34

Energy Efficiency Trends in Data Centers

SANJIB SEAL Senior Solution Manager, Swegon BlueBox, Navi Mumbai, India On behalf of the Indian Society of Heating Refrigeration Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE)

INTRODUCTION and use 80 million megawatt hour of The rest of the heat is generated by IT energy annually. equipment (30%), PDU (5%), UPS A data center is a facility used to As per a study, at the current growth (18%), lighting (1%) and switchgear/ house computer systems and associ- rate and without improvements in generator (1%). ated components such as telecommu- energy efficiency, data center will pro- nications and storage systems. All our duce 360 megatons CO2 by 2020. REDUCING COOLING ENERGY online activity is delivered through data centers and the more we send HOW HEAT IS GENERATED There are various ways to reduce emails, watch online video, use social IN A DATA CENTER power consumption for cooling/ventila- media like Facebook, conduct busi- tion to less than 30% . ness online, use Cloud, Big Data, At an average, 45% of the heat gener- • Increasing server room tempareture Internet of Things and BYOD, the ated in a data center is to meet the cool- • Increasing cooling equipment effi- more data centers grow. ing demand: the chiller consumes 33%, ciency Data centers are responsible for about humidifier 3% and Computer Room Air • Reducing cooling distribution 2% of global carbon emissions today Conditioning (CRAC) unit 9%.

Source: BSRIA Cooling Technologies Report 2015

Figure 1: Developments in the Data Center Market

34 imp ENERGY EFF india:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:39 Pagina 35

Table 1: ASHRAE recommended and allowable environmental MECHANICAL COOLING PROCESSES specifications for IT equipment • Perimeter cooling (room oriented): A mechanical cooling system (or a mix of mechanical cooling and free cooling) is based on the combination of a cooling generator (positioned outside the IT area) and several termi- nal units (positioned in the IT area). CRAC units are located at the perimeter of the room and use underfloor air distribuion or ducting. • In-row cooling (row oriented): In-row cooling units are located adjacent to the server rack. The cooling coil with

Figure 3: Perimeter cooling

Right Temperature ature is 18 °C to 27 °C; the humidity in a Data Center level is recommended as 41.9 °F (5.5 °C) dew point to 60% RH and an allow- The traditional view is that CRAC return able range of between 20-80% RH. air temperature should be 18 °C-20 °C. New technologies do not use paper in Data Center Cooling System servers anymore. Hence tempareture Efficiency Figure 4: In-row cooling can be increase further. ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9- There are primarily two types of cool- 2015 has published the recommend- ing in a DC: supply fans is located adjacentent to ed and allowable environmental 1. Mechanical cooling the server rack. The number of units specifications for IT equipment (Table 2. Free cooling will depend on the server load densi- 1), with a view to achieving energy Mechanical cooling and free cooling ty and load distribution. The cool air savings. can be further classified as shown in travel path is minimum. The recommended server inlet temper- Figure 2. A chilled water system is more energy

Figure 2: Classification of mechanical and free cooling

35 imp ENERGY EFF india:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:39 Pagina 36

Figure 5: Hot and cold aisle containments

efficient compared to a direct expan- CONTAINMENT COOLING recomended ASHRAE guidlines, sion system, particularly in large data (AISLE ORIENTED) thereby saving energy and getting centers. higher cooling capacity. A typical Some of the advanced technologies Containment means to physically sep- uncontained system uses 7 °C water that can be used in data centers to arate hot and cold sides. in the cooling coil, resulting in 10 °C achieve higher energy efficiency are Hot aisle/cold aisle data center design outlet, wheras in a contained system listed below. involves lining up server racks in alter- 18 °C water can be used. Compared 1. Inverter scroll compressor with DC nating rows with cold air intakes facing to a conventional DC, this improves motor one way and hot air exhausts facing energy efficiency by 25% to 40%. 2. Integrated Inverter screw compres- the other. The rows composed of rack 2. Isolation ensures uniform supply air sor fronts are called cold aisles. Typically, temperature at server inlet, elimina- 3. Fan with EC motor cold aisles face the air conditioner out- tion hot spots. 4. Primary variable pump with multi- put path. The rows the heated exhaust 3. Economizer hour will increase due to sensor logic pours into are called hot aisles. In this higher room temperature. process, typically more air is circulated In HAC, the return air temperature can REFRIGERANT than required. Air mixing and short cir- be much higher (exceeding 35°C). cuiting lead to low supply temperature This maximises the efficiency of cool- Globally HFCs – R410A & R134a – are and low ∆T. ing units. When HAC is used with the most common refrigerant used in Containment systems started out as perimeter cooling, it is not focused on CRAC/chiller. But HFC use will be limit- physical barriers that simply separated cooling; hot air ducting leads to higher ed in future due to their high GWP. To the hot and cold aisles with vinyl plas- pressure losses; overhead space is meet the forthcoming changes in regu- tic sheeting or Plexiglas covers. Today, required for ducts; and retrofitting is lations, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), also vendors offer plenums and other com- difficult. known as unsaturated hydrocarbons, mercial options that combine contain- When HAC is used with in-row cool- are considered to be the most viable ment with VFDs to prevent cold air and ing, it is more efficient and no ducts platforms, with R1234ze, R1234yf, hot air from mixing. are required. But it is not focused on R1233zd as the main isomers consid- Both of them suit either perimeter cooling. ered to have similar applications in the cooling or inirow cooling. Both HAC & In CAC, the amount of recirculation/hot cooling industry. Currently some chiller CAC have their own advantages: spots is virtually zero. This guarantees OEMs have started using R1234Ze for 1. In a contained configuration, the the correct cold air temperature to the screw chillers and R1233Zd for cen- cooling system can be set to higher servers with the help of constant supply trifugal chillers. supply temperature within the sensor logic. When CAC is used with

Figure 6: Chilled water and air temperatures in uncontained vs. contained systems

36 imp ENERGY EFF india:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:39 Pagina 37

Figure 7: Air side economizer

Figure 8: Indirect free cooling

perimeter cooling, there is higher cool- ISO 14644-1 class B. This requires temperature down indirectly through ing load compared to HAC; it meets that: heat exchnagers. ASHRAE requiremnts; raised floor is 1. Room air should be continuously fil- needed; and it is more retrofitting-ori- tered with MERV 8/G4/F5. ADIABATIC FREE COOLING ented. When CAC is used with in-row 2. Air entering must conform to MERV cooling, there is maximum cooling load, 13 / F7. Another indirect cooling, which is a higher efficiency and it is more retro- Gaseous contamination should be variation on air-side free cooling, is fitting-oriented within ISA 71.04: 2013 with seventy that in which the air is brought to some level of GI Mild. sort of a chamber and used along with DIRECT FREE COOLING In this case, filters reduce the air flow, water evaporation to cool the air. This expend energy to pull the air through suits, in particular, medium/large co- In this process, outdoor cold air is them, and require cleaning and location data centers. directly blown throght filters in the data replacement, which requires labour. These two solutions combine a lot of center to control the indoor tempera- Humidity also has to be controlled. advantages of direct free cooling with ture. Fresh air is continuosly introduced The best locations for free cooling are complete flow separation.The efficien- indoors. generally lower-humidity areas. High cy decreases a bit compared to a The Air Side Economizer concept suits, humidity requires dehumidification, direct free cooling solution, but it in particular, large enterprise data cen- which requires mechanical refrigera- allows a very strict control on the ters. tion, which is what basically we are indoor air condition. Here temperature/humidity control, fil- trying to reduce with free cooling. Cool outside air is drawn through a tration, ventilation and 100% back up heat recovery unit and immediately cooling are needed. INDIRECT AIR FREE COOLING exhausted, while internal air is drawn Direct free cooling has its constraints. from the room and circulated through The quality of outdoor air used for ven- In this process, outside cold air is used the heat recovery unit before being re- tilation, pressurization and cooling to cool down the recirculated air in the introduced to the room. remains a source of contaminants. data center without introducing fresh The outside air’s cool thermal energy Even clean air requires filtering. air and maintainig the indoor space is thus transferred to the internal air A data center must be kept clean to isolated. The outside air brings the via the heat recovery unit without the

37 imp ENERGY EFF india:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:39 Pagina 38

Figure 9: Chiller cooling, hybrid free cooling and total free cooling

two streams directly mixing. tem. The free cooling system acts in INDIRECT WATER FREE COOLING As the internal air never mixes with combination with the mechanical cool- WITH WATER SIDE ECONOMIZER outside air, there is a reduced possi- ing system to ensure full coverage of bility of the internal atmosphere being the heat load. Water side free cooling, where a cool- compromised by external pollutants, The solution is partially cooled in the ing medium such as water or glycol so this is an ideal strategy for critical free cooling coils by external air; the circulates directly through cooling tow- environments. remaining refrigeration capacity ers or dry coolers rather than the needed is produced by the chiller chillers or compressors. It suits in par- AIR COOLED CHILLER section that works in reduced capac- ticular medium/large data centers, and FREE COOLING ity mode. This gives an immediate is useful when no contamination is energy saving that, as the ambient allowed. A complete back up cooling In this process, when the ambient temperature falls, becomes increas- system is generally needed due to the temperature is higher than the tem- ingly substantial. intrinsic inefficiency of free cooling. perature of the water and glycol solu- Below a certain external air tempera- tion returning from the system, all the ture, the unit operates only in free-cool- WASTE HEAT REUSE refrigeration capacity is generated by ing mode: cooling of the glycol solution the compressors. The free cooling sec- takes place only in the water coils, Wasted heat is recirculated to heat the tion and relevant fans remain inactive while the compressors and fans of the office space and is mixed with outside and therefore the operation of the unit chiller section remain switched off. air in the penthouse to meet the tem- is that of a classic compression chiller. For even harsher external air temper- perature set point and warm the air Free cooling starts automatically when atures, part of the free cooling fans will before it enters the data center. the external air temperature is lower be switched off gradually to avoid run- Waste heat can be used in different than the temperature of the water and ning the risk of cooling the glycol solu- ways. glycol solution returning from the sys- tion too much. • Chiller cold water is used in DC cool-

Figure 10: Waste heat reuse

38 imp ENERGY EFF india:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:39 Pagina 39

ing and by-product hot water is used Table 2: ASHRAE liquid cooling guidelines to meet the cafeteria or building hot water demand. • Waste heat from the server can be stored directly for hot water demand. Practically heat reuse-Energy Reuse Effectiveness (ERE) gives more saving then improving the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).

Liquid Cooling

Traditional air cooled data centers use chiller and air conditioning systems to gain lower temperature in order to maintain the chip temperature on the motherboard. To resolve the conflict between efficiency and performance in the data center, liquid cooled solutions are starting to be seen more often in modern new data centers. There are three types of liquid cooling systems available:

Figure 12: Total liquid cooling

• Indirect Liquid Cooling – Air is pas- fluids have dielectric properties. 2. Shortens lifetime of DC equipment. sed through servers and then Electronics can be submerged in the 3. Lack of standards – different tem- through a rear door or in-row air fluid (not moving parts). In this process peratures and pressures, different water heat exchanger. heat is transported by circulation. requirement of clean water. • Direct Liquid Cooling – Liquid is The advantages of liquid cooling are: taken direct to some components. 1. Low energy used for cooling (liquid CONCLUSION CPU board is air cooled but air is pump). cooled by heat exchangers and fans 2. Efficient cooling – CPU runs faster. Data centers are amongst the most in the adjacent racks. 3. Higher liquid temperature than going energy consuming facilities with rapid- • Total Liquid Cooling – All compo- via air, hence higher free cooling ly growing and updated technologies. nents are cooled directly by liquid. hour and possibility of heat reuse. With increased awareness and by Air side losses are minimized. In this There are some limitations of liquid employing a few of the recommended process there will be no fan and no cooling also: modifications listed in this article along outside air. 1. Corrosion and bacteria in hot water with the existing approaches can save Liquid mineral oil or 3M Novec is gen- – filters, devices to take away air, energy. erally used in this process. Both the chemicals, black. G

39 imp AHRI:mod 2002 8-10-2018 14:03 Pagina 40

Early Planning Will Prevent Poor Performance

STEPHEN R.YUREK

President & CEO of the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)

There is a saying in the U.S. military along with the current state of of people around world that we simply (which apparently is a big fan of alliter- research and a discussion of installa- cannot do without them. It is not just a ation): Prior Planning Prevents Poor tion and maintenance challenges like- question of comfort – in fact, a 2012 Performance. As nations prepare to ly to accompany the coming move to study by researchers at the implement the Kigali Amendment to low-GWP refrigerants in particular. Massachusetts Institute of Technology the Montreal Protocol, which estab- This is an interesting and volatile time found that between 1960 and 2004, lishes a global schedule for the phas- for our industry, as governments all there were about 3,000 fewer heating down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) across the globe are taking steps to related deaths in the United States refrigerants, that saying comes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to than there would have been if the use mind, because it illustrates how our address climate impacts. As of this writ- of air conditioning remained as it was industry has operated throughout this ing, sufficient nations have ratified the in the 1950s. In other words, air con- entire process. amendment to place it into force. ditioning does not just keep people Long before it was the policy of the Although the United States voted at the cool and comfortable; it is actually a U.S. government, long before the suc- Conference of the Parties to approve life-saving technology. A similar case cess of the Kigali Amendment, our the treaty, it has not yet been submitted could easily be made for refrigeration industry was advocating for a global by President Trump to the United technology and the way it keeps food phase down of HFC refrigerants, get- States Senate for ratification. AHRI and medicines fresh and safe. ting out front on an issue we knew and a coalition of partner organizations All this is why it is so important that we would soon be at the forefront of glob- are working diligently to convince the understand where we are today and al environmental efforts. At the same Trump Administration to do so. what we need to do to ensure that we time, we began researching alterna- A word here about that: It is relatively can continue to provide these safety tive refrigerants to ensure their avail- rare, at least in the United States, for and comfort technologies to the ability when (as we were sure would industry and environmental advocacy world’s citizens while limiting the occur) HFCs began to be replaced groups to band together to advocate impact on the environment. with lower-global warming potential for government regulation, particularly With the understanding, stated earlier, (GWP) alternatives. Prior planning for something that is not currently reg- that prior planning prevents poor per- means there will be no poor perform- ulated. For while we share many of the formance, the HVACR industry in the ance, not in our industry. same goals, we often differ about how United States began preparing for The plan of each nation and region to effectively (both technically and Kigali long before it became a reality – with respect to the coming refrigerant economically) achieve them. In this 5 years before, to be exact. In 2011, changeover (in the case of Article 5 case, industry and the environmental even as organizations such as AHRI countries, two separate changeovers) community have been singing from the began trying to persuade the U.S. gov- must be undertaken with a full under- same sheet of music for nearly a ernment to advocate a global phase standing of the breadth of issues, decade, and are working closely down plan, our industry launched the safety and otherwise. Understanding together to achieve this important goal. Low-GWP Alternative Refrigerants availability timelines for new equip- Why is it important that we get this Evaluation Program (Low-GWP ment and refrigerants, along with their right? Well, safety is one reason, and AREP). As with the highly successful characteristics, will be key, as will the a very important one, but so are health program of a similar name, this requirements of updated building and welfare. It is no exaggeration to research program’s purpose is to codes in those nations or regions. state that refrigerants are so important identify alternatives to those refriger- This paper will cover those topics, to the health, comfort, and well-being ants subject to being phased down.

40 imp AHRI:mod 2002 8-10-2018 14:03 Pagina 41

how they perform in specific situations Figure 1 and under different stress factors. The results will be shared with the committees currently working on updates to national building codes. The results also will be shared abroad. Figure 2 illustrates the various refrigerants that have been tested, along with their GWP and their flammability characteristics. As you can see, clus- ters of the lowest-GWP potential alternatives are classified as at least mildly flammable. The United States has already met the first reduction step (10 percent by 2019), so the next major milestone will be in 2024, which our industry plans to meet, with or without U.S. ratification of Kigali. So, by that time, the new That program is in its third phase, Refrigerants have unique operating refrigerants need to be approved for whereby promising alternative refrig- characteristics, which make them suit- widespread use. They will have to be erants are being field-tested to deter- able for some applications, while less widely available and components that mine their safety suitability in various suitable for others. Some refrigerants, can use those refrigerants will need to applications. for example, operate at pressures be developed. Then, manufacturers The research that AHRI has undertak- unsuitable for certain equipment, need time to design and test new en so far, with the cooperation of the while others are incompatible with equipment followed by time to design U.S. Department of Energy, the state lubricants that might be used in equip- and develop new manufacturing lines. of California, and ASHRAE, has ment. Some are incompatible with Finally, we will need to properly train proved what we already knew – that certain metals or alloys used in some those who will install and maintain the there are no magic replacements for equipment, while still others might equipment that uses these refriger- the current high GWP options. When have flammability levels incompatible ants. It will be a lengthy, but neces- we began the Low-GWP AREP pro- with equipment installed in close quar- sary process. gram, the National Institute of ters or in close proximity to people or This new reality of multiple refrigerants Standards and Technology, which is combustible products. and refrigerants that are flammable or part of the U.S. Department of Our research identified several prom- operate at high pressure will impact Commerce, conducted a comprehen- ising alternative refrigerants that while our industry in varied – and important sive study of more than a million com- low-GWP are also currently classified – ways. For equipment distributors, pounds to evaluate their potential as as either mildly flammable or flamma- the move to multiple refrigerants will refrigerants. Taking into account four ble. While there are different classifi- result in more parts to stock and important characteristics: GWP, toxic- cations of flammable, it is important to inventory and the need for greater ity, flammability, stability, and critical remember that flammable is flamma- knowledge with respect to new tech- temperature, the NIST researchers ble – thus field testing in various con- nologies and which refrigerant will found only 62 out of those million wor- ditions is essential. If these alterna- work with which product or system. thy of further consideration. tives are to be approved for wide- For contractors, the move will entail a After two rounds of research, there is spread use, current flammability rules greater knowledge base for techni- no obvious successor that possesses in the U.S. and in other places will cians, who will have to develop profi- all, or even most, of the positive char- need to be re-examined. In the United ciency in handling several different acteristics of the current dominant States, the current limit for flammable refrigerants, all of which operate under class of refrigerants that would be refrigerants in a system is 150 grams, unique pressures and have discrete appropriate for most air conditioning but a typical U.S. residential unit uses handling characteristics. and refrigeration products. As I stated about 4,000 grams. Safety codes, So, what does our industry need to do earlier, choosing a refrigerant for a therefore, will need to be revised if to prepare for this new reality? We will specific application cannot be based some of the flammable (mildly or oth- need to come together as an industry on just one factor – it involves identify- erwise) refrigerants that otherwise to develop a plan for educating, training and deciding which trade-offs — in possess the positive characteristics ing and communicating. This is true safety, energy efficiency, availability, we’re looking for can be used. not just in the United States, but cost, and GWP – one can live with. The latest phase of our research pro- around the world. Only when all of those aspects are gram, illustrated in Figure 1, is testing Proper installation and maintenance is fully explored is an informed decision the most promising alternatives in var- not a trivial issue. Equipment that is possible. ious field applications to determine improperly installed or poorly main-

41 imp AHRI:mod 2002 8-10-2018 14:03 Pagina 42

the challenges we face in this area, Figure 2 develop and disseminate best practices, and develop training and certification for technicians. This initiative, coupled with the UN-based Refrigerant Driving License (RDL) program, can be instrumental in preparing technician workforces around the world for the new reality. Working together, we can ensure a seamless transition to multiple refrigerants, ensuring the continued comfort, safety, and productivity of our customers. In summary, we are in a much different situation than we were when the HCFC to HFC transition began. In that transition, we had readily available, non-ozone depleting refrigerants that were non-toxic and non-flammable. However, today we are still developing potential refrigerants and have even expanded consideration to refrig- tained can result in up to a 40 percent research — we can ensure that exist- erants that were disqualified in the loss in efficiency. What that means is, ing technicians are properly educated past because of their flammability. countries can institute the strictest and trained, that new technicians are There is much work that remains to be regulations regarding system efficien- taught about the intricacies of various completed, but we are heartened by cy, and nearly half of it can be undone refrigerants in the classroom and in our progress and proud of the work before the first BTU is saved because their field work, and that all of them that has been done thus far – on a of poor installation. So, it is a very seri- have access to appropriate informa- global basis. We also are proud of our ous issue. tion in the field to ensure proper equip- industry’s foresight in this enormous In the U.S., AHRI will lead a collabora- ment installation and maintenance. undertaking. We are moving forward - tive effort among our industry partners We are prepared through the new for the benefit of our industry AND the to ensure we are prepared. Leveraging Global Refrigerant Management environment. And that is something our resources and skills – as well as the Initiative to do the same international- we can all be proud of. valuable information gleaned from our ly. The idea is to build awareness of G

The Presidents of the XVII EU Conference UNEP-IIR-CSG from Leading Global Associations and Institutions “United in the Transition”.

42 imp ASHRAE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:38 Pagina 43

Workshop on Flammable Refrigerant Charge Limits in a Low-GWP World Can/should they be Higher?(a) 123

1 2 3 On behalf of AHMAD ABU-HEIBA , VIRAL PATEL , VAN BAXTER , ASHRAE OMAR ABDELAZIZ4, AHMED ELATAR5 4 5

Published in July 2018 ASHRAE Journal At Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. 1 Associate Member ASHRAE, research and development Associate 2 Research and development Associate 3 Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, research and development Staff 4 Member ASHRAE, research and development staff 5 Associate Member ASHRAE, postdoctoral research Associate ABSTRACT bons (HFCs) like R410A and R134a took a collaboration to advance are used for many HVAC&R applica- research to facilitate wider use of flam- A workshop was held to discuss differ- tions but have relatively high global mable refrigerants. ent aspects of the application of flam- warming potentials (GWP). In October Oak Ridge National Laboratory mable refrigerants in refrigeration and 2016, the Kigali Amendment to the (ORNL) initiated a project under this air conditioning equipment. The partici- Montréal Protocol was adopted to collaboration to examine the current pants included stakeholders from phase-down the use of HFCs in devel- limits and identify reasonable adjust- industry, regulatory bodies, and the sci- oped countries to be reduced to 15% ments as appropriate. On October 24, entific community. The goal was to of the average consumption for 2011- 2016 ORNL held a workshop to solicit solicit feedback on the critical scientific, 2013 by 2036 [1]. Proposed lower input from stakeholders to help guide regulatory and practical issues for safe GWP alternatives to HFCs fall in sev- the project. Attendance at the work- employment of flammable refrigerants eral categories: hydrocarbons (R290), shop was by invitation only. Invitees in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning inorganics (R717, R744), hydrofluo- were selected based on consultation and refrigeration equipment.This paper roolefins (HFO) or blends of low-GWP with members of the AHRTI Flam- reports on the outcome of the work- HFCs and HFOs. Many of these alter- mable Refrigerants Subcommittee and shop and presents review of relevant natives are flammable, listed as A2L, the Association of Home Appliance past studies when available.The report- B2L, A2, or A3 in ASHRAE 34 [2].This Manufacturers (AHAM.) ed outcome may serve well as a guide presents new challenges to the usage ASHRAE hosted the workshop in to further research needed as adoption of these refrigerants centered around Atlanta. Forty invited stakeholders par- of flammable refrigerants increases. the personal safety and the deflagra- ticipated in the workshop, joining tion risks associated with using flam- seven ORNL and DOE staff. These mable material. Safety standards included experts from HVAC&R and 1. INTRODUCTION include charge limits for flammable appliance original equipment manu- refrigerants to ensure safety in case of facturers (OEMs), refrigerant manufac- Environmental protection goals are leakage. These limits were based on turers, standards/codes development becoming progressively stricter to numerical analyses of refrigerant leak- organizations, industry and profession- reduce negative global environmental age into confined spaces as well as al organizations, and representatives impacts of refrigerants. Hydrofluorocar- risk analyses of associated ignition from the United States Environmental events. Despite the large number of Protection Agency (EPA). (a) This manuscript has been authored by UT- studies that investigated the usage of The workshop objective was two-fold: Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05- flammable refrigerant, there remains 1) engage the stakeholders in discus- 00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the research gaps that need to be covered sions to elicit input regarding gaps in publisher, by accepting the article for publication, as basis for the development of the rel- R&D related to safe application of acknowledges that the United States Government evant standards. In 2016, the Air flammable refrigerants, safety stan- retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, Conditioning, Heating and Refrige- dard information/updates needed, crit- world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others ration Institute (AHRI), the American ical factors to include in computational to do so, for United States Government purposes. Society of Heating, Refrigerating and fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses phas- The Department of Energy will provide public Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), es of the project, and primary practical access to these results of federally sponsored the California Energy Commission issues to consider in the analyses; research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe- (CEC) and the United States and 2) identify a few primary case public-access-plan). Department of Energy (DOE) under- studies or scenarios for investigation.

43 imp ASHRAE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:38 Pagina 44

2. WORKSHOP PROCESS prioritize the most relevant case stud- 3.1 Severity of refrigerant ies to be pursued for further analysis. combustion event The workshop program began with a discussion of current and planned revi- Currently, the criterion of safe installa- sions relevant to safety standards par- 3. WORKSHOP RESULTS tion is based solely on the maximum ticularly Annex GG of the International predicted concentration of refrigerant Electrotechnical Commission standard The breakout sessions generated a in air in case of a leak. The rationale is IEC 60335-2-40 [3], discussion of pre- total of 71 unique topics for considera- that if the maximum concentration vious work related to flammable refrig- tion in the project analyses and/or does not exceed the lower flammabili- erant charge size evaluation and cur- future efforts. During the final session, ty limit (LFL), the refrigerant-air mix- rent R&D efforts, and the intended 4 unique case study priorities were ture will not ignite. However, in a leak analysis approach. Four breakout ses- identified. event, there will inevitably be locations sions followed for detailed discussion The following tables document the where the local concentration exceeds of relevant topics. Ideas and sugges- highest voted ideas proposed along LFL. The mass of refrigerant present tions generated during the breakouts with the number of votes each one within the combustibility limits and how were assigned priorities via vote by received. The tables are followed by long this mass persists directly affects the participants. After the breakouts, a discussion of the top priority initiatives the probability of an ignition event. If final session was held to discuss and from each breakout. this flammable mass ignites, several factors affect the severity of the event. Table 1. Ideas and suggestions from breakout session 1a Heat release and the rate of heat (What are the relevant R&D gaps?) release are indications of the magni- tude of the resulting potential damage. Idea/suggestion Votes In addition to providing a prediction of Severity of refrigerant combustion event 17 whether maximum refrigerant concen- Characterization and probability of leaks 16 tration will exceed LFL, leakage mod- Minimum leak rate of worst-case scenario for each type of els should also provide an estimate of 14 equipment how much flammable mass is present Available ignition energy of common electric components 11 and its presence time. Modeling Necessity of validating of CFD results 11 efforts should also consider deflagra- tion models to characterize the heat release, the rate of heat release and Table 2. Ideas and suggestions from breakout session 1b the pressure rise that will result from (Do we have enough information in the safety standard?) an ignition event. ASHRAE project Idea/suggestion Votes 1806-TRP is aimed at understanding Certification requirements of technicians 18 the severity of events where flammable refrigerants are ignited under dif- Developing training modules and standards for servicing 17 ferent scenarios for various HVAC&R flammable refrigerants equipment products(b). Combustion of flammable UL, ASHRAE and AHRI standards timeline vs building code 11 refrigerant upon a leakage event has timeline been investigated in a few studies (c.f., Split system exclusion from hydrocarbon use 10 Zhang, et al. [4] and Jabbour and Clodic [5]) but remains largely under- Table 3. Ideas and Suggestions from breakout session 2a (What are the most characterized. The severity of a possi- important factors to consider in the CFD analyses phase of the project?) ble ignition event may be a suitable criterion but “severity” itself should be Idea/suggestion Votes defined consistently whether it is pres- Release locations 12 sure rise, amount of smoke, heat Boundary conditions 12 release or any other relevant quantity Variable vs. constant leak rate 10 or combination of relevant quantities. Liquid vs. vapor leak 9 3.2 Characterization and probability of leaks Table 4. Ideas and Suggestions from breakout session 2b (What are the practical issues that we need to study?) The location, size, and orientation of a Idea/suggestion Votes refrigerant leak will affect its spatial dispersion pattern. One or more of Leak rate assumptions 13 these variables could be the deciding Effectiveness of detection and circulation 11 factor of whether the leak results in an (ducted and ductless) (b) At the time of writing this paper, the project Utility closet 10 research report had not been published yet.

44 imp ASHRAE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:38 Pagina 45

unsafe event or not. Statistical data on data/information about minimum leak who service HVAC units with refriger- the frequency of occurrence of leaks is rates due to catastrophic failures of ants having non-zero ODP, but not for scarce. Sometimes this data must be each type of equipment is needed to flammable refrigerants. Certification synthesized from different sources or reliably assess the associated risks. requirements need to be revised to assumptions need to be made. This ensure that technicians who work on data is critical input to risk assessment 3.4 Available ignition energy equipment that employ flammable models, therefore, reliable statistical of different common electric refrigerants are aware of the associat- field data on refrigerant leaks needs to components ed risks. be compiled to provide inputs that are truly representative of real life scenar- Sparks from electric components of 3.7 Develop training modules and ios. Past studies have used different HVAC&R systems or appliances could standards for servicing flammable sources for refrigerant leak frequency be ignition sources. For example, it is refrigerants equipment data. Goetzler, et al. [6], Goetzler, et not uncommon for sparks to occur al. [7] and Lewandowski [8] used pro- when an appliance is plugged into a The increased risk of ignition during prietary data supplied by three major wall outlet. Other examples of electric servicing results from the introduction heat pump manufacturers. A survey components that may produce sparks of risk associated with human error and tool needs to be built to collect this include switches, relays, and loose abundance of sources of ignition. data from service contractors and wires. Recent AHRI Project [11] identi- Wrong use of tools, disregarding warn- manufacturers. fied 15 ignition sources in residential ing signs and not replacing safeguards applications. The viability of each of are few examples. Best practices for 3.3 Minimum leak rate of these sources igniting R1234yf or servicing flammable refrigerant equip- worst-case-scenario for each type R1234ze was experimentally tested. ment need to be developed. Recently, of equipment similar studies are needed for commer- the American Association of Home cial and industrial applications. Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) The size of a leak source, pressure developed guidance for safe servicing and temperature of the refrigerant 3.5 Necessity of validating of appliances with flammable refriger- determine the rate of discharge of the of CFD results ants Manufacturers [12] that could be refrigerant from the equipment into its a basis to develop training modules. surrounding space. Leak sources vary Most risk assessment models rely on There is also a flammable refrigerant in size from the most common pinholes CFD simulation of a refrigerant leakage technician training program that was and cracks to the less common larger into a confined space to quantify the developed by the Refrigeration line or component ruptures. Ruptures presence, the location, and sometimes Service Engineers Society (RSES) are less likely to occur but result in the presence time of flammable vol- that can provide a basis for developing much more severe consequences. ume. CFD is a powerful tool to charac- updated training modules. The Pressure and temperature of the refrig- terize dispersion of gases into a space. ASHRAE research project 1807-RP(C) erant charge determine the phase of However, CFD results are directly influ- will also provide valuable input to any the leaking refrigerant; liquid, vapor, or enced by the setup of the model; vari- training development process. With two-phase. This affects the rate of dis- ables such as what turbulence model is several programs currently under charge of the refrigerant from the leak- employed and the specified boundary development, it may be better if they age source. Different refrigerant disper- conditions. Other factors are even hard- unified their approach. sion studies have used different leak er to accurately account for such as ini- rates. In some instances, leak rates tial air motion inside the space and infil- 3.8 UL, ASHRAE and AHRI were modeled based on assumed tration. CFD models employed in risk standards timeline vs. Uniform leakage source size and operating con- assessment models must be calibrated Building Code timeline ditions. Colbourne and Liu [9] devel- experimentally to ensure validity of the oped a physics-based model to predict results. Validation not only verifies the Several standards that are relevant to the leakage flow rate of R290 following accuracy of the results, but also pro- the use of flammable refrigerants in an instantaneous occurrence of a leak vides insight to what CFD model set up HVAC equipment are presently under for a system in off-mode. In other yields best results. revision.The most relevant ones are UL instances, leak rate was chosen and 60335-2 -24 [13] and -40 [14], IEC assumed to remain constant. Kataoka, 3.6 Certification requirements 60335-2 -24 [15] and - 40 [3], ASHRAE et al. [10] chose the leak rate based on of technicians 15 and the International Building Code a 4-minute leakage time which was (IBC) [16]. The most recent UL 60335- adopted in the IEC-60335-2-40. There Risk of ignition is greater during equip- 2-24 and UL 60335-2-40 were pub- is no universally accepted model or ment servicing than during normal lished in 2017. The updated IEC estimation procedure for leak rates for operation.This is due to inclusion of the 60335-2-24 and IEC 60335-2-40 are different equipment types at different additional risk factor of probability of scheduled to be published in early operating conditions. Reliable human error. Currently in the US, 2018. The next edition of ASHRAE (c) The final report had not been published at the Section 608 of the Clean Air Act man- Standard 15 is due to be finalized in time of writing this paper. dates the certification of technicians January 2018. The International

45 imp ASHRAE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:38 Pagina 46

Building Code (IBC) has a three-year 3.12 Variable or constant leak rate nario. The analyses need to provide development cycle, the most immedi- information for refrigerant sensor loca- ate of which starts in 2018.This means In real life scenarios, the discharge tions to best ensure reliable early indi- that the revised IEC, ASHRAE, and UL rate of leaked refrigerant decays with cation of refrigerant leakage events. standards will not be adopted in the time as pressure inside the system IBC until 2021 at earliest. This is prob- depletes. The size of the leakage 3.15 Utility Closet lematic for the industry since the phase source, pressure and temperature of out schedule of HCFC-22 enforces no the refrigerant in the system and the Equipment location inside utility clos- production or import in 2020. amount of charge affect the pressure ets is agreed to be a worst-case sce- decay rate, and hence, the flow rate of nario due to the typically low ventila- 3.9 Split system exclusion from the leaking refrigerant. Most prior tion rate and the confined nature of hydrocarbons studies have assumed constant leak such closets. It is expected that refrig- rate to represent the worst-case sce- erant concentration in such a space Split systems require on-site welding nario. A new joint AHRTI- ORNL proj- would exceed LFL rather quickly. and usually the connecting lines ect (AHRTI 9012), was initiated in late Special attention should be paid to the between indoor and outdoor sections 2017, with the objective to character- utility closet scenario when developing have many joint, increasing the proba- ize leaks from different equipment charge limits. bility of refrigerant leakage during under different operating conditions. installation. Split system-focused analy- This project is expected to be com- 3.16 Case Studies sis should be done to investigate if the pleted in late 2018. risks with split systems are manage- The top priority CFD case studies able. Until then, some attendees sug- 3.13 Leak rate assumption identified are presented below in gested that flammable refrigerants votes-ascending order. should be excluded from use in split Refrigerant leak rate depends on the systems. dimension and overall shape of the 3.16.1 Case 1: Residential split heat leakage source, pressure and temper- pump air handler unit in utility closet (2 3.10 Release location ature of the refrigerant in the system, Votes) and the mass of refrigerant charge. This would be a parametric study of the Leak location has a major effect on the The latter two factors continuously effect of leak rate, velocity, location and refrigerant dispersion pattern. Release change until leakage stops. Different size of leak hole on the maximum height is a well-investigated parameter studies assumed different leak rates. refrigerant concentration inside the in both numerical and experimental Some determine leak rates based on closet. The study should also consider flammable refrigerant dispersion stud- a fixed leak time of four minutes different mitigation strategies and iden- ies. On the other hand, the effect of (based on the time required for 150g tify effective ones. Seasonal effects on leak orientation on the dispersion is of CO2, which has similar molecular the intra unit charge residence (air han- under-investigated. Most, if not all, weight to R290, to leak through a cap- dler versus outdoor unit) should also be studies assume a downward leakage illary tube as defined in IEC-60335-2- considered. Different leak scenarios to since it was considered the most con- 24). Other studies have measured be modeled were suggested: leakage servative scenario based on results leak rates; some closely matching the with the presence of a furnace (hot sur- presented in Kataoka, Yoshizawa and 4-minute assumption and some not. face), leakage with the presence of Hirakawa [10]. More investigative work Since the rate of leaking refrigerant water heater with a standing flame, should be conducted to validate the release directly affects the dispersion leakage inside versus outside the air universality of this assumption. of the refrigerant, leak rate assump- handler. This case will only be included tions need to be representative of real- in the scope of the current ORNL proj- 3.11 Boundary Conditions: istic leakage scenarios. ect if time/resources permit. 3.16.2 Case 2: m1, m2 and m3 (5 Boundary conditions are important in 3.14 Effectiveness of detection Votes) determining the evolution of leaked and circulation The current relevant standards define refrigerant distribution.Walls and furni- three incremental charge limits (m1, ture are examples of boundaries that The location of refrigerant leak detec- m2, or m3) based on the room volume redirect the flow. Room air velocity tion sensors and leak circulation pat- and the lower flammability limit (LFL) of field and ambient temperature are terns are sensitive to the leak nature, the refrigerant in question. They then other examples of boundary condi- location and boundary conditions. define requirements based on where tions that affect the dispersion pattern Generally, in any leakage event, if the the actual charge falls in relation to of the leaked refrigerant. However, measurement point is moved close these incremental limits.The premise is most studies have assumed quiescent enough to the leakage source, the con- that if requirements are followed, the room air and empty space. Boundary centration will inevitably exceed LFL. maximum concentration of refrigerant conditions should be accurately con- Determination of optimal leak detection the room will not exceed LFL in case of sidered in the CFD simulations of locations is dependent on an accurate refrigerant leakage. Models of scenar- refrigerant leakage scenarios. estimation of the gas dispersion sce- ios that meet the requirements of the

46 imp ASHRAE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:38 Pagina 47

relevant standard need to be devel- INTERVIEW TO ASHRAE PRESIDENT 2017-2018 oped to validate or invalidate the under- lying premise of the standard. BJARNE WILKENS OLESEN 3.16.3 Case 3: Leak profiles in various The AREA President International Affairs, Marco Buoni, had the opportunity of applications of RTU, mini split and VRF interviewing the President of ASHRAE, Bjarne Wilkens Olesen, during the last units (10 Votes) ASHRAE Winter Meeting and AHR Expo. This would be a CFD campaign to Professor Olesen, from Denmark, is the first non- identify the spatial concentration pro- native English-speaking President and only the files for different leakage scenarios: second who is not from North America. point source vs. distributed source, high Important topics discussed included energy efficiency, vs. low velocity, high mass vs. low cooperation with international organizations such as mass, liquid vs. two-phase vs. vapor, United Nation Environment, climate change and the rupture of compressor (high electrical future phase-down of high GWP refrigerants. discharge), constant vs. variable leak The three questions put to the President of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air rate, existence of mitigation vs not. conditioning engineers were: 3.16.4 Case 4: Room that meets mini- 1. You have announced the goals of your presidency mum floor area requirements for m2 as follows: to expand the ASHRAE Community, (13 Votes) extend technological horizons; and increase value Reasonable obstructions would be to members. What do you think are the best meth- added to the modeled space to repre- ods to achieve these goals? sent a more realistic space. Leakage of 2. How important is training in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning for ASHRAE? mass charge equal to m2 would be 3. The US government withdrew from the Paris agreement and gives less importance to modeled at different leak rates and with the subject of climate change. What is ASHRAE’s position on this topic, which is cer- different refrigerants. Results would be tainly important for your members? analyzed to investigate if a function See below the video footage of the interview at the link: could be created that describes the bit.ly/Interview_ASHRAE concentration as a function of refrigerant, charge mass and leak rate. Assessment of HFC-32 and HFC-32/134a (30/70 wt. reflect the perspectives of scientific %) in Split System Residential Heat Pumps,” 4. CONCLUSION community, equipment manufacturers Prepared for Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute by Arthur D. Little, Inc. and regulating bodies. The outcomes [8] Lewandowski, T., A., 2012, “AHRI Project No. Given the current emphasis on mini- presented in this paper may serve well 8004: Risk Assessment of Residential Heat Pump mizing usage of high-GWP refriger- as a guide for further investigation and Systems Using 2L Flammable Refrigerants,” Prepared for Air-Conditioning, Heating and ants in HVAC&R equipment and other future projects that aim at increasing Refrigeration Institute by Gradient Corp. appliances, increased use of lower- adoption of flammable refrigerants in [9] Colbourne, D., and Liu, Z. X., “R290 leakage mass GWP alternatives, most of which are HVAC&R equipment. flow rate from a refrigerating system,” Proc. 10th IIR- Gustav Lorentz on Natural Working Fluids (GL2012), flammable to some degree, appears G IIF-IIR. quite likely. Standards regulating flam- REFERENCES [10] Kataoka, O., Yoshizawa, M., and Hirakawa, T., mable refrigerant charge limits have [1] UNEP, 2016, “The Kigali Amendment to the “Allowable charge calculation method for flammable Montreal Protocol: HFC Phase-down,” United Nations refrigerants,” Proc. International Refrigeration and Air existed for a relatively long time. Work Environment Program OzonAction Fact Sheet, Conditioning Conference. needs to be done to ensure that http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1365924O/un [11] Kim, D. K. and Sunderland, P. B, “AHRI Project ep-fact-sheet-kigali-amendment-to-mp.pdf. No. 8017: Investigation of Energy Produced by charge guidelines are based on scien- [2] ASHRAE, 2016, “ASHRAE 34-2016 - Designation Potential Ignition Sources in Residential Application,” tific basis that accounts for imperfec- and Classification of Refrigerants,” American Society Prepared for Air-Conditioning, Heating and tions and variability of real life applica- of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Institute by University of Maryland Engineers. College Park tions. Reasonable safe charge limits [3] IEC, 2016, “IEC 60335-2-40:2016 Household and [12] Manufacturers, A. A. o. H. A., 2017, “Safe are only one criteria among many that similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-40: Servicing of Household Appliances with Flammable must be determined to facilitate safe Particular requirements for electrical heat pumps, air- Refrigerants: Recommended Practices,” American conditioners and dehumidifiers,” International Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. use of flammable refrigerants. Training Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva, Switzerland. [13] UL, 2017, “UL 60335-2-24:2017 Household and modules for service workers and certi- [4] Zhang, W., Yang, Z., Li, J., Ren, C.-x., Lv, D., similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-24: fication requirements are critical to Wang, J., Zhang, X., and Wu, W., 2013, “Research on Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, the flammability hazards of an air conditioner using Ice-Cream Appliances and Ice-Makers,” Underwriters reduce the human error risk factor. refrigerant R-290,” International Journal of Laboratories. Regulations for labeling, transporta- Refrigeration, 36(5), pp. 1483-1494. [14] UL, 2017, “UL 60335-2-40:2017 Household and [5] Jabbour, T., and Clodic, D., “Tests of flammable similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-40: tion and storage need to be developed refrigerant leaks in ventilated and unventilated Particular requirements for electrical heat pumps, air- specifically for equipment that use rooms,” Proc. IIF-IIR Conf. Natural Working Fluids, conditioners and dehumidifiers,” Underwriters flammable refrigerant. This requires Guangzhou, China, pp. 329-337. Laboratories. [6] Goetzler, B., Guernsey, M., and Weber, C., 2013, [15] IEC, 2016, “IEC 60335-2-24:2016 Household coordination among all stakeholders “AHRI Project No. 8005: Risk Assessment of Class and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-40: across the value chain. Professional 2L Refrigerants in Chiller Systems,” Prepared for Air- Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, societies and national laboratories Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute by ice-cream appliances and ice makers,” International Navigant Consulting, Inc. Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva, Switzerland. facilitate this coordination. [7] Goetzler, W., Bendixen, L., and Bartholomew, P., [16] Council, I. C., 2015, “2015 IBC,” International Finally, the outcomes of the workshop 1998, “AHRI MCLR Project No. 665-52402: Risk Code Council.

47 imp GAMBIA:mod 2002 8-10-2018 18:17 Pagina 48

The Path to Low-GWP and Energy Efficient Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Challenges and Opportunities in Developing Countries: Lessons Learnt fromThe Gambia

BAFODAY SANYANG

National Ozone Unit, the Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Natural Resources,The Gambia

Welcome to the maiden edition of the This training initiative was very signifi- women constitute 51% of the total Gambia’s experience on the road to cant and relevant in establishing a population. It is categorized as a Low- Low-GWP and Energy Efficient refrig- market for the use of hydrocarbons. It Volume-ODS Country and, historical- eration. It is meant to share and intro- is worth mentioning that this project ly, ODS and specifically HCFC con- duce readers to the lessons that can has been designed prior to the Kigali sumption has occurred almost entirely be drawn to establishing a solid foun- Agreement, and its implementation in the refrigeration-servicing sector dation to the use of Hydrocarbon was in-line with ExCom decision and has been almost exclusively refrigerants in the country. Before (UNEP: OzL.Pro/ExCom/77/76) 2016. HCFC-22. However, The Gambian going further, we would like to The Gambia (Smiling Coast of Africa) market has started (since 2016) to acknowledge all our partners but most in West Africa occupies an area of offer new energy efficient Air-condi- especially UNIDO Montreal Protocol 11,365 sq km. It is bordered to the tions marketed as reducing 70% of Division and Centro Studi Galileo North, South and East by Senegal and energy consumption, but the use of (CSG) of Italy for the capacity building has an 80km coast on the Atlantic HFC 407 and 410 with high GWP and (training) initiatives for the refrigeration Ocean to the West. The country has is likely that their use will be high. This technicians in the safe handling of an estimated population of 1.9 million and the growing use of ODS in refrig- hydrocarbon refrigerants, CO2 man- with an annual growth rate of 3.1%; eration and cold storage also poses agement and good service practices. (2013 Population & Housing Census) the threat of reversing the potential

Training of Trainers by Mr. Gianfranco Cattabriga, CSG at GTTI, The Gambia

48 imp GAMBIA:mod 2002 8-10-2018 18:17 Pagina 49

gains on mitigation of climate change. layer and ultimately improving produc- project implementation there was no As a result the Gambia initiated to tivity of the fisheries sector. strong international commitment that adopt and use alternative low-ODS, Subsequently, the Gambia Refrige- set targets on phasing out HFC, hence low GWP with interim focus to estab- ration and Air-conditioning Support promoting the use of Hydrocarbons. lishing and testing the mechanisms for Service (GRACSS) was established to Thus, this project have paved the way technology transfer. The project was a address comprehensive energy and to the safe use of adequate alternative medium size project funded by GEF refrigeration solutions. The overall refrigerants that will be used more and with co-financing from the government intent of the support service is to more as the HCFC phase-out proof the Gambia through: GEF 5 Focal reduce use and provide timely inputs gresses worldwide. Area Strategy for climate change miti- on new industrial refrigeration and air- The activities being implemented with- gation, “to support developing countries conditioning technologies as they in this project also include, training of and economies in transition toward a become available, thereby reducing customs officers stationed at border low-carbon development path”, namely the effects of climate change and less- entry points and other law enforce- with objective 2 “Promote market trans- ening the costs associated with refrig- ment agents; follow-up on the enforce- formation for energy efficiency in indus- eration and air-conditioning usage. ment of HCFC licensing and quota try and the building sector”. The incentives to promote behavioural systems; purchase and distribution of The implementing partners were change was derived from three main UNIDO, National Environment Agency conditions: i) the adoption of policy, (NEA), Gambia Technical Training legal, and regulatory measures (such Institute (GTTI), Centro Studi Galileo as a quota on imports of HCFC equip- (CSG) and Shecco. ment and tax incentives to the pur- The project uses a synergistic combi- chase of alternative refrigerants and nation of technical assistance on poli- equipment); ii) the conscience of the cy and regulation, capacity building added values (environmental, social and awareness raising. It also sup- and financial) of using low GWP and ports the design and implementation high-energy efficient equipment, and of incentives to promote the adoption of decreasing gas leakages; and iii) of energy efficiency measures; and the existence of financial incentives to innovative technical assistance deliv- attract the change. ery mechanisms. Thus, the Policy and However, the capacities to bring about refrigerant identifiers in key border regulatory support, local energy change required: i) adaptation and entry points of the country; training of provider mechanism, and awareness demonstration of technologies and refrigeration technicians in the safe and capacity building initiatives has approaches to serve as models, handling of hydrocarbon refrigerants put in place market for the future enable learning and to prove the value and good service practices; purchase selection and adoption of low-GWP of the alternative; and ii) the end-users of equipment for the training centre alternatives that operate more effi- knowledge on how to safely use flam- and delivery of awareness workshops; ciently and use chemicals with lower mable gas equipment so as to avoid strengthening the refrigeration and air- GWP, while minimizing the use of accidents and a negative image of the conditioning Associations which have chemicals damaging to the ozone technology. At the beginning of the been pivotal in completing the training programmes for service technicians, as well as their certification. The project’s training and awareness raising activities has improved educa- tional opportunities for women in The Gambia and is anticipated to have a positive impact on those working with the businesses that participated in the project. The project also took gender mainstreaming into consideration when prioritizing the range of services to be provided by the Support Service and when assessing training needs. However, some challenges have been identified, namely regarding the low availability of HC in the country (except R-600a in refrigerators) and the uncertainty of the adoption by the government of the measures recommended such as tax rebate. Step-down training for RAC Association Technicians at GTTI G

49 imp SAKANDE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:50 Pagina 50

How Can Refrigeration Impact Positively on the 17 SDGs in Africa?

MADI SAKANDÉ

Madi Sakandé (right) at the Inter-Regional Expert trainer of Centro Studi Galileo Thematic & Network Meeting for NOUs in Paris Jan 2018.

In large parts of Africa, farmers and very important reason for the large refrigeration and storage facilities, the vendors are forced to look on while post-harvest waste. World Economic Forum Africa 2016 food rots away before it reaches the launched a new public-private sector consumer. The wastage of fruit and BILLIONS FOR REFRIGERATION initiative to invest USD 2 billion in cold vegetables post-harvest is estimated at IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA storage in Sub-Saharan Africa over 40-50% and in some cases as much as the next ten years. 80% in Africa. The shortage of good In order to combat the large amount of The aim of the initiative is to reach 15 storage facilities and technology is a food waste that results from lack of million farmers in the next decade,

50 imp SAKANDE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:50 Pagina 51

ing middle classes, but especially among companies already working in the region. To take advantage of these opportunities, we have to get down here and look at what is happening. Doing business in Africa requires local presence and networks. You cannot gain this understanding by sitting at your desk somewhere in Europe. All these elements convince New Cold System to open the store in Ouagadougou and to propose to the local market three sizes of cold rooms for commercial use. Of course, these products are available in store for fast delivery according to African habitude, meaning by “pay what

which is expected to have an effect on the food supplied to up to 100 million people. This is where opportunities lie for all HVAC –R sector.

REFRIGERATION FACILITIES TO START IN VILLAGES

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the food wasted in Sub-Saharan Africa would be able to feed up to 300 million people. One of the Italian companies that has taken advantage of the opportunities opened up by the new initiative is New Cold System s.r.l, which has just opened a store in Ouagadougou Madi Sakandé and Luca Rollino in Tunisia with the local expert technicians during the (Burkina Faso – West Africa).The com- training and certification sessions in 2018.

can be used for everything from the storage of vegetables, fruits, meats, fishes,… to medicine.

LOCAL CONTACTS ARE VITAL

For 15 years, i has worked with cold rooms for the storage of food in Italy. Because of good experiences in the European market, New Cold System wants to expand in Africa, starting by Burkina Faso where I am coming from. pany has developed and supplied a In Africa, the first thing businesses you are touching”. We strongly believe digitally controlled cold room that can need to do is to establish contact with that the refrigeration can solve lot of run 100% with solar energy. potential local partners who will be global issues we are facing now. From The development of cold stores has to able to help them enter the market. the energy saving to climate change, start at village level where small and Always the locals have the best knowl- from employment to migration, from medium-sized farmers can supply edge of local conditions and the hungry to food auto-sufficiency… their product. Burkina Faso is seeing important contacts. Most of 17 Sustainable Development food waste of up to 70% because the As you may know, many African mar- Goals could be reached sharing the food starts to rot in transit before it kets are growing and there is an refrigeration technologies around the even reaches the markets. The com- increasing awareness of the need for world. pany’s cold rooms are scalable and quality products both among the grow- G

51 imp ANPE Hammmi:mod 2002 8-10-2018 12:33 Pagina 52

Towards the Establishment of a National System of Certification in the Cold Sector

YOUSSEF HAMMAMI

CSG expert trainer Prof. Luca Rollino (center) with Coordinator of the National Ozone Unit,Tunisia the Tunisian NOU Mr. Youssef Hammami (right). Chef de service, Agence Nationale de Protection de l’Environnement (ANPE)

1. INTRODUCTION UNIDO, began in 2015 with the estab- or regeneration of refrigerant gases. lishment of a national system of certi- In this context, the National Ozone Tunisia is a Party to the Montreal fication of natural persons and service Unit has targeted six (06) vocational Protocol on Substances that Deplete companies operating in the refrigera- training centers under the Ministry of Ozone Layer since 1989. Tunisia, like tion and air conditioning sector. The Vocational Training and Employment other countries in the Protocol, has main objectives of this system are: in the cold sector, well distributed in developed an action plan with the • Gradually reduce the use of refriger- the Tunisian territory to begin the pro- assistance of UNIDO for the manage- ant gases according to the schedules cedures of training. establishment of ment of ozone-depleting substances required by the Montreal Protocol: this system.These centers are located and the phase-out of HCFCs (HPMP) HCFCs: HCFC-22 on the map of Tunisia as follows: by the end of 2029. This plan was HFCs: HFC-134A, HFC-404A, The project to establish a certification approved and funded by the Executive HFC-410A… system is a component of the Committee of the Multilateral Fund of • Adopt good practices during the in- Montreal Protocol MLF-funded plan the Montreal Protocol at its 72nd stallation, maintenance, servicing and for the elimination and management of meeting in 2014. decommissioning of equipment con- HCFCs (HPMP). Five training centers The baseline for Tunisian consumption taining refrigerants, have been equipped with training of HCFCs is 712 TM, this quantity is • Continuous monitoring of equipment materials and instruments, including imported in its entirety and is used in containing refrigerants (periodic con- recovery machines, electronic refriger- various sectors, including the service trol of leaks, etc.), ant gas leak detectors and education- sector of refrigeration and air condi- • Promote the recovery, recycling and / al refrigeration and air-conditioning tioning. The trend in the annual evolution of HCFCs import and consumption is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. In addition to these ozone-depleting Trend of the evolution of import and consumption of HCFCs in Tunisia. substances, are Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have powerful Global Warming Potential (GWP) and are also used in the refrigeration and air- conditioning service sectors. Tunisia has recorded during the last decade a continuous increase of these substances (more than 400 %). The main HFCs used are HFC-134A, HFC- 404A, HFC-410A and HFC-407C. The trend in the annual evolution of HFC import and consumption is shown in Figure 2. In order to cope with the considerable increases in the use of these substances, the National Ozone Unit of Tunisia, in close collaboration with

52 imp ANPE Hammmi:mod 2002 8-10-2018 12:33 Pagina 53

Work in progress for drafting the Certification System in Tunisia: round tables, training and certification sessions took place over 3 years in Tunisi, Djerba, Nabeul, Tabarka and Kairouan. In the pictures the Tunisian NOU (Youssef Hammami), CSG trainers (Luca Rollino & Madi Sakandé) & International Affairs (Silvia Romanò) and UNIDO (Andrés Celave).

work of the introduction of certification Figure 2. in Tunisia, including the presentation of Trend of the evolution of import and consumption HFCs in Tunisia. a regulatory framework in force. The result of the training and certification sessions conducted by the CGS in Tunisia is summarized as follows:

Table 1. Distribution of Certified Trainers by Training Center. Number Training centers of certified trainers CFSBA-Ibn Sina (Tunis) 9 CFSE-Djerba 12 systems with a total cost of around • Experience of the training and certifi- CSFM-Nabeul 12 $230 thousand. UNIDO entrusted the cation sessions conducted by Centro CSFMH-Tabarka 8 Italian training bureau “Centro Studi Studi Galileo (CSG - Italy), CFA-Sfax 5 Galileo (CSG)”, renowned internation- • Experiences from other similar coun- CSFE-Kairouan 14 ally for the training and certification of tries (Albania, Romania). Total number of certified trainers of these centers. The National Ozone Unit has jointly 60 organized with UNIDO and Centro trainers 2. STEPS TAKEN FOR THE Studi Galileo two (02) round tables on ESTABLISHMENT OF this topic. The first table was organized • Total number of certified trainers: 60 CERTIFICATION SYSTEM on 6 and 7 November 2017, and was The distribution of certified trainers per IN TUNISIA dedicated to the definition of the certifi- center is shown in the table below: cation system. The second round table • Training Office: Centro Studi Galileo, The concept adopted for this project is was organized on 24 April 2018 follow- • Certification body: Veritas (Italy), cer- based on the following aspects: ing the completion of training and certi- tification according to the European • Consultation with stakeholders (ser- fication procedures for all trainers from regulation 303/2008, vice companies, academics, national the six (6) vocational training centers • Category of certification: cat I, and international experts, etc.), mentioned above by CSG, as well as • Validity of certification: 10 years. • European Regulation F-Gas, the presentation of the results of the G

53 imp MEXICO Jacob:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:52 Pagina 54

The Potential of Solar Cooling for Social Housing Buildings in Mexico

PAUL KOHLENBACH, ULI JAKOB

SOLEM Consulting, Berlin, Germany

ABSTRACT voltaic-driven, for residential social b) Hermosillo (extremely hot and dry) housing in different building types and c) Monterrey (hot-dry, semiarid) This paper is a summarised version climatic zones in Mexico. d) Cancún (extremely hot-humid) of a study undertaken for the German Investigated building types and corre- Solar thermal cooling technologies Corporation for International Coope- sponding floor spaces are: single fam- have been investigated for two differ- ration GmbH (Deutsche Gesellschaft ily house (40 m2), row house (70 m2), ent kinds of collectors (non-concen- für Internationale Zusammenarbeit multi-family house (320 m2) and hous- trating and concentrating). Also, three GmbH, GIZ). The study was pub- ing estate (19.500 m2). different kinds of thermal absorption lished in 2017. Each building type has been investi- chiller (single stage, double stage, The scope of the study was to identify gated for four different locations and double effect) have been investigated. the potential of solar cooling technolo- climatic zones, namely: Further, two different electricity tariffs gies, both solar thermal and photo- a) Mexicali (extremely hot and dry) (the current and a future tariff) have

Table 1. Building types investigated.

54 imp MEXICO Jacob:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:52 Pagina 55

Figure 1. Overview of cities and climatic zones for which solar cooling has been investigated [3]

been assumed. For the housing estate two separate options have been inves- Figure 2. tigated: with and without a central Investigated solar cooling technologies for single family, row and chilled water network. multi family house. Levelised Cost of Cooling Energy (LCCE), payback period and energy savings per year compared to a reference scenario have been calculated for each case as part of the compara- tive analysis. It was found that for the current electricity tariff none of the solar cooling options is economically viable for single family, row and multi family houses. Photovoltaic cooling has significant economic advantages if applied in the housing estate. However, the difference in photovoltaic cooling with and without a chilled water network for a housing estate is negligi- ble regarding the payback period. If the Figure 3. future electricity tariff is applied then Investigated solar cooling technologies for housing estate. payback period and LCCE for solar thermal cooling are greater for all buildings and all locations, compared to photovoltaic cooling. Photovoltaic cooling in single family and row houses is only viable in Cancún. Photovoltaic cooling in multi family houses is viable at all locations. Photovoltaic cooling in housing estates has a significant advantage at all locations. Keywords: Solar cooling, solar air- conditioning, social housing, Mexico, levelized cost of cooling, LCCE, payback period, energy savings.

55 imp MEXICO Jacob:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:52 Pagina 56

Figure 4. Payback period – Solar thermal cooling.

Tariff “Base” Tariff “Excedente”

The payback period exceeds 20 years for all scenarios.

Figure 5. Payback period – photovoltaic cooling.

Tariff “Base” Tariff “Excedente”

1. INTRODUCTION 2. METHODOLOGY cooling alternatives for Mexico is carried out with respect to the following Mexico is estimated to have a popula- The study investigates whether solar parameters: tion of approximately 150 million by cooling in social housing in Mexico • Levelized Cost of Cooling (LCCE) the year 2050 (approximately 123 mil- can be implemented successfully, • Payback period lion in 2016). Currently, due to popula- both from an economic and energetic • Annual Energy savings tion growth and increasing urbaniza- point of view, and whether it can con- These three parameters are evaluated tion, around half a million new social tribute to achieving the governmental in comparison to a reference scenario housing units are being built each year climate protection goals. A distinction consisting of conventional split units in urban or suburban areas. It is the is made between two different tech- for building air-conditioning. Mexican government’s goal to reduce nologies for solar cooling and four dif- Further, the parameters have been the energy consumption of these ferent building types. evaluated for two different Mexican newly built social housing apartments The building types investigated are electricity tariffs, the current one compared to the existing building stan- given in detail in Table 1. (labelled “Base”) and a future one dard. This shall be done in the context These building types are being inves- (labelled “Excedente”). For a list of fur- of sustainable urban development in tigated for four cities in Mexico, repre- ther assumptions and further method- order to be able to reach Mexico’s cli- senting the four main climatic zones ology click this link. mate protection goals in the housing as shown in Figure 1. For the building types single family, sector. The economic comparison of solar row and multi family house the solar

56 imp MEXICO Jacob:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:52 Pagina 57

4.1 Current conditions (electricity tariff “Base”) • Single-family and row house: None of the solar cooling options feasible • Multi family house: Payback period 17 to 20 years for photovoltaic cooling. Solar thermal cooling not feasible. • Housing estate: Payback period between 8 and 14 years for photovoltaic cooling. Solar thermal cooling not feasible. Solar thermal cooling has a higher payback period and higher cooling costs in all cases and at all locations compared to the photovoltaic version.

4.2 Future conditions (electricity tariff “Excedente”) • Single-family and row house: Payback period between 7 and 10 years for Photovoltaic cooling in Cancún. Solar thermal cooling not feasible. • Multi family house: Payback period between 5 and 8 years for photovoltaic cooling. Solar thermal cooling not feasible. • Housing estate: Payback period between 5 and 14 years for solar thermal cooling. Payback period between 3 and 4 years for photovoltaic cooling. Again, solar thermal cooling has a higher payback period and higher cooling costs in all cases and at all locations compared to the photovoltaic version.

Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge the following contributions to the report: Mr. Andreas Gruner and Dr. Marian Rzepka, both from German Corpora- tion for International Cooperation GmbH (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationa- le Zusammenarbeit GmbH, GIZ) for their valuable comments and proof- reading of the study. G REFERENCES [1]https://www.jraia.or.jp/english/World_AC_Demand cooling technologies investigated are The results for LCCE and annual .pdf. Last accessed 14th August 2018. shown in Figure 2. energy savings can be found here. [2] http://www.green-cooling-initiative.org/country- For the building type housing estate, data/#!appliances-in-use/unitary-air-condition- the solar cooling technologies investi- 4. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ing/absolute. Last accessed 14th August 2018. [3] http://task53.iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/53/media/ gated are shown in Figure 3. events/meeting-09/workshop/09-jakob_results-from- In this paper the potential of solar feasibility-studies-of-solar-cooling-systems-in-mexico- 3. RESULTS cooling for social housing buildings in and-the-arab-region.pdf. Last accessed 07.09.2018 [4|https://library.e.abb.com/public/885ca21b9ce11ab Mexico is investigated. The following 5c1257be8005534fc/Mexico.pdf. Last accessed The results of the simulation calcula- recommendations can be derived for 07.08.2017 tions for the two different technologies the use of air-conditioning technolo- [5] SEMARNAT/CONAVI (2012). Supported NAMA for Sustainable Housing in Mexico – Mitigation for solar cooling and four different gies in social housing in Mexico. Actions and Financing Packages. Mexico City 2012. building types are presented for the The following conclusions can be [6] Internal communication. GIZ “2017-06-21 Pre- payback period below. drawn from the results of the study: sentacion San Marcos NAMA Facilities.pdf”

57 imp THE NEW FGAS jonasson:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:09 Pagina 58

The new F-gas Regulation Challenges RACHP Business on Multiple Fronts

PER JONASSON

Director of the Swedish Refrigeration & Heat Pump Association Past President of AREA

The new F-gas regulation No sponding to 50 EUR per ton CO2 equiv- Wholesalers are claimed to keep their 517/2014 has now been in force for alents. Therefore, there is no reason to quotas for existing customers hinder- almost four years. expect any future stabilisation in price, ing start-up companies from getting That it should have a great impact on on the contrary. hold of requested volumes. the whole RACHP business, all from And finally, volumes of reclaimed manufacturers via contractors to end Shortage of supply more common refrigerants are still at a very low level users was obvious to everybody not yet supporting the RACHP busi- knowing our industry. In early 2017 In 2017 Honeywell, one of the world’s ness. first signs of this could be seen in largest manufacturer of refrigerants, All this causes a very unsecure situa- increasing prices on especially high announced their stop on sales of tion for all actors within our industry GWP refrigerants. R404A. After that, others have fol- not knowing if a specific refrigerant is Now, in late 2018 consequences are lowed. All over Europe manufacturers, available when needed. shown all from major price increase contractors and end users testify of and shortage on refrigerants via problems in getting hold on F-gas. Uncertainty in choice of refrigerant uncertainty in refrigerant availability This occur not only for R404A, but and lack of service technicians to non- also other HFC’s such as R410A, Risk for shortage combined with all professional service activities. R134a. Even new refrigerants like new refrigerants released on the mar- Right now, the RACHP business is R452A are said being difficult to pur- ket causes an uncertainty in what challenged on multiple fronts. chase from time to time. refrigerants to choose for the future.

F-gas prices booming in 2017

From showing almost no price increase during 2015 and 2016, prices on mainly high GWP refrigerants started to increase first quarter of 2017. The price increase accelerated rapidly, and was for some refrigerants (R404A and R507A) above 1000% in the end of the year. The trend during 2018 is that price increase for refrigerants with highest GWP to some extend are levelling out while refrigerants with lower GWP such as R134a and R410A continue to increase at a high level. At the end of 2017 the average price on F-gases corresponded to approx. 20 Diagram: Development of purchase price for various refrigerants at service EUR per ton CO2 equivalents. company level, indexed to 2014 price level (100%) The expectation by the European Source: European Commission and Öko-Recherche Commission is however a price corre-

58 imp THE NEW FGAS jonasson:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:09 Pagina 59

The overall process driven by the phase down strategy set by the European Commission put heavy pressure on mainly contractors and their customers. All knowing that in 2030 annual refrigerant consumption must correspond to 21% (or an average value of approx. 470 CO2 equivalents on each kilogram placed on the market) of what was consumed in 2015. But all customers are individuals with their own specific situation. There is therefore no “golden rule” in how to solve their future refrigeration situation. This is especially difficult when having an existing plant charged with high or medium high GWP refrigerant. When evaluating this situation, typical questions that should be addressed Diagram: Phase-down ladder showing both reduction in percentage (right) are: and in estimated “average GWP” per kilogram refrigerant (left) • What type of refrigerant and size of Source: www.alltomfgas.se, Swe Refrigeration & Heat Pump Association charge does the system have? High GWP and/or refrigerant charge makes it more problematic. • Is the RAC system critical for the business? High or low financial risks if the refrigeration system stops? • Age and condition of the system? New, tight and in good condition is of course better than the opposite. • How is the financial situation of the end user? Able to do a “total remake” or just need to “stay alive” saving money for future investment. With all these questions sorted out it should be easier to set a plan on how to walk away from high GWP refrigerants can be formed. A general recommendation is however Diagram: Bi-annual survey done to Swedish RACHP contractors asking to focus on very low, or zero GWP how difficult they have in recruiting right competences to their companies. refrigerants as the long-term solution. This one showing the situation for RACHP service technicians. Preferably based on natural refriger- Source:Industrifakta AB and Swe Refrigeration & Heat Pump Association ants if possible.

Lack of resources Swedish RACHP association make a and managers. survey among its members asking If our business shall manage to meet Finding and recruiting service techni- how easy or hard it is for them to the requirements by the European cians, skilled enough to deal with the recruit new employees. The trend is Commission these problems have to transformation from old HFC refriger- alarming – since 2012 to date the be solved. ants to new HFOs or naturals is the number of “very hard to find techni- biggest challenge of them all. cian” replies have increased from Non-professional service activities Already now most European countries approx. 35% to 92% at last survey. Of - inappropriate topping are struggling in getting hold of techni- all interviewed companies NONE said cians. The situation could be illustrat- it was easy in finding new technicians. Quite early after the implementation of ed by the diagram below showing the Same pattern is shown for other types 517/2014 we could see an increased situation for Sweden. Twice a year the of labour groups such as engineers sale, mainly over the internet, of alter-

59 imp THE NEW FGAS jonasson:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:09 Pagina 60

native refrigerants for the mobile industry. It was “cleaver” businessmen WORLD REFRIGERATION DAY promoting the environmentally friendly refrigerant “hydrocarbon” make-your- World Refrigeration Day Announced as June 26th: to raise own-kit to private car owners. What awareness of how refrigeration, air-conditioning, and they didn’t mention was that this gas is heat-pumps (RACHP) technology improves modern life the same one used in caravans for and promote the significant contribution to the wellbeing of cooking and heating. In other words, human society of today’s RACHP industry. Industry trade deadly dangerous if handled in the associations and professional bodies from around the wrong way. world are united in establishing June 26th as World Furthermore - except of initiating a Refrigeration Day which will be celebrated all over the criminal act, as uncertified persons globe as an annual event. Associations and societies from USA, India, Pakistan, are not allowed to work with refrigera- Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and across Europe have all tion systems, they also put both the indicted their support for the establishment of the World Refrigeration Day. Marco car owner and the “coming after” pro- Buoni, recently elected as the President of the European contractors’ association fessional service company in great AREA, said: “AREA supports the establishment of World Refrigeration Day on 26th danger. June. Such a celebration is an acknowledgment of the role for our society played Recently a new area has been affect- by refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps whether related to health, food or ed of this inappropriate topping – comfort. RACHP contractors represented by AREA are proud to contribute to namely the A/C industry and R410A. achieving such noble purposes” (source: GineersNow) R410A contains of R32 and R125 in a 50/50 mixture. As R125 has a rather high GWP-value of 3500 it’s getting AREA APP IN 14 LANGUAGES difficult to get hold of. Therefore, we have been informed of companies top- AREA has developed the refrigeration and air ping up systems with pure R32. conditioning sector’s first calculation app to aid Investigations from f.x. UK shows that compliance with EN378 and F Gas require- this leads to distinct shortened life ments for field engineers. Developed by engi- time for the system, in some cases neers for engineers. down to 6-24 months remaining life Originally published in English, the app has time after topping. been updated and - thanks to the outstanding Another consequence is of course work of AREA members - it is now available in that the more R32 that’s filled in the 14 languages: Croatian, Czech, Dutch, system, the more flammable do the English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, charge get. Of course, a major risk for Polish, Portuguese, Slovakian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. This app is free and the “coming after” technician as the is available for IOS and Android. system still is marked with R410A. Finally, by charging the system with pure R32, the service company doing AREA WARNS: STOP INSTALLING R-404A & R-507A! so overrides all existing regulations, directives and rules. All from CE mark- Leading associations from all sectors have joined together to implore contractors to ing via PED to ATEX. They conduct a stop installing high GWP refrigerants R404A and R507A. European contractor and criminal act they will have to answer manufacturers’ groups AREA, EPEE, EFCTC and ASERCOM warn that failure to for in case of an incident. take immediate action will threaten the survival of many refrigeration and air conditioning contractors’ businesses*. The HFC phase-down from the F-Gas Regulation So, is the F-gas regulation 517/2014 creates massive cuts in the available quantities of HFCs in the EU. Immediate a bad thing? action needs towards refrigerants with high global warming potential needs to be taken.This directly impacts on the short survival of many RACHP contractors’ busi- Definitely not! nesses. AREA, EPEE, EFCTC and ASERCOM have joined forces to produce a Yes, there are many challenges for the clear and simple brochure explaining to RACHP contractors why they need to stop RACHP industry to tackle. installing R-404A and R-507A and what alternatives are available. Joint industry But it’s worth it because the F-gas reg- brochure alerting RACHP contractors on the need to stop installing R-404A and R- ulation 517/2014 is a good decision. 507A to stay in business in the context of the HFC phase-down resulting from the • It’s good for the end user getting a F-Gas Regulation. Act now! check out the brochure here: http://bit.ly/AREA-STOP sustainable and environmentally friendly system. • It’s good for the contractor being able It is now up to all parties of our indus- you are already behind. It’s time to get to contribute to the same. try to realize there is only one way to on the train. Sooner than you know it is • And it’s good for the environment go – walk away from high GWP refrig- to far away to catch. itself. erants. And if you have not started yet, Don’t wait – Act now! G

60 imp 7 lessons EPEE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:52 Pagina 61

7 Lessons Learned from the EU F-Gas Regulation

ANDREA VOIGT

Director General of the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE)

Three years after the entry into force of keep in mind that one size does not fit 1.The basics: Leak tightness the EU F-Gas Regulation all, and so rules aimed at reducing (containment) and skills (EU)517/2014, EPEE, the voice of HFC emissions have to be adapted to (competence) should be the the refrigeration, air-conditioning and the specificities of each market. basis of any measure targeting heat-pump industry in Europe, takes a Developed and developing markets the reduction of F-Gas step back to provide an overview of have different characteristics and need emissions lessons learned from the European tailor-made measures, considering experience for countries that have many different factors including size of Before the EU F-Gas Regulation started investigating adequate political market, type of market (low volume entered into force in 2015, Europe had measures to achieve the Kigali consuming, relying on imports, manu- put in place its predecessor, the 2006 Amendment. facturing base, etc.) and its players. EU F-Gas Regulation1, which already The EU HFC phase-down, which is focussed on leak tightness (via contain- In light of the Kigali Amendment on part of the EU F-Gas Regulation, is ment measures) and skills of installers the global phase-down of HFCs, based on a robust and mandatory and service technicians (via certifica- which will enter into force on 1st mechanism with clearly identified obli- tion schemes). Experience shows that January 2019, countries have started gations for the concerned market play- these measures result in multiple ben- investigating adequate political meas- ers. Having said this, it must always be efits next to the reduction of direct ures to achieve the HFC consumption remembered that the behaviour of the refrigerant emissions, such as: reduction steps as set out in the various involved stakeholders is gov- • Energy Efficiency: Ensuring the cor- Amendment. In parallel, energy effi- erned by a combination of regulation rect refrigerant charge (i.e. avoiding ciency has become a top priority to and market forces. In other words: if any losses) is a key condition for the cater for globally growing needs of proactive action on the phase-down energy efficient operation of a sys- HVACR equipment while ensuring its requirements is too slow, compliance tem, meaning that indirect emissions sustainability, given that the largest will be forced by refrigerant shortages related to energy use will decrease as share of emissions by HVACR equip- and price increases. well; ment is related to energy use (indirect This is what happened in the EU and • Cost Effectiveness: Leak tight equi- emissions) rather than to the refriger- what could have been avoided if more pment means reducing cost. First, ant itself (direct emissions). EPEE, the upfront action had been taken – bear- because no additional refrigerant will voice of the refrigeration, air-conditioning in mind that this does not only be needed to top up leaky systems, ing and heat-pump industry in Europe, relate to the behaviour of market play- second because it will save energy has produced an overview of lessons ers but also to the regulatory context and third because in the longer-term learned from the European experience (e.g. the readiness of building codes, system repair and break down costs with the EU F-Gas Regulation, for see also lesson #5). including consequential damage will countries which are currently consider- The following “lessons learned” address be avoided. ing different options to achieve the this phenomenon, pointing to concrete • Safety: Leak tight equipment is key Kigali HFC phase-down steps. measures to facilitate smooth and non- for safe operation, which is even Countries looking at the European disruptive HFC consumption reduction more important when flammable example should, however, always steps and, what is even more important, gases are used. emission reductions – which are the ulti- 1. Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on mate objective of the EU F-Gas How to achieve containment? certain fluorinated greenhouse gases. Regulation and the Kigali Amendment. Leak tightness is the result of a com-

61 imp 7 lessons EPEE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:52 Pagina 62

bination of factors including design, quality of manufacturing and quality of installation and maintenance. Further- more, to support leak tightness, the 2006 and 2015 EU F-Gas Regulation introduced the following main requirements: • Regular leak checks and installation of leak detection equipment for larger systems; • Training and certification of under- takings and its employees handling F-Gases; • Labelling of equipment containing F- Gases. In practice, we can see that the principle of better containment and competence works very well and remains one of the cornerstones of efforts to reduce Diagram: Necessary withdrawal of refrigerant quantities divided into fields of application HFC emissions – as was already Source: EPEE - Gapometer Study demonstrated by the 2006 EU F-Gas Regulation. Any country wanting to put in place should never jeopardize the safe and not necessarily members of national measures addressing HFC emissions energy efficient operation of HVACR trade associations. For others, F-Gases should therefore start with contain- equipment over its lifetime. may simply not be their business focus, ment as a basis – without contain- To ensure this is the case, close coop- etc. Therefore, numerous stakeholders ment, a phase-down mechanism can- eration between governments and were not fully aware of the obligations not work. Strengthened containment stakeholders across the entire value (particularly of the phase-down) of the rules directly lead to a reduction not chain as mentioned above, is crucial EU F-Gas Regulation being in effect only of consumption but more impor- to ensure a full understanding of the since 2015. This led to delayed market tantly of emissions into the atmos- market and to avoid unintended con- activities – for example, high GWP phere. They are key elements to sequences. refrigerants such as R-404A and R- ensure that the migration to lower GWP In the EU, several preparatory studies 507A continued to be used, although gases happens in an orderly way, con- were carried out before deciding on several lower GWP alternatives were sidering the trade-offs faced by manu- the 2015 EU F-Gas Regulation. For already available – and consequently to facturers when choosing a new gas: example, EPEE commissioned a com- significant refrigerant shortages, safety, energy efficiency, GWP and cost prehensive study to SKM Enviros (Ray extreme price increases and a growing of the fluids and systems. Gluckman)2 providing a detailed risk for illegal trade. analysis of the HVACR market seg- That is why considerable effort must ments including key factors such as be put into communication to ensure 2. Data and Communication: refrigerants used, lifetime of equip- that all relevant stakeholders are Governments should reach out ment, typical leakage rates, charge aware of the new provisions, how to the entire supply chain to sizes, expected penetration rates of these will impact them, and why they ensure successful design and alternative solutions etc. According to should anticipate compliance. Not only implementation of regulation this study, the phase down steps as governments, but each actor in the designed were challenging, but feasi- value chain can play a role in ensuring Heating, cooling and refrigeration are ble. However, to work smoothly, it that the news reaches all those stake- indispensable for a comfortable and would have required a good under- holders concerned. safe life in today’s society and F-Gases standing and timely action by all stake- For example, following the entry into are a crucial element of such equip- holders, which, in practice, has not force of the EU F-Gas Regulation, ment. Therefore, it is important that gov- been the case in all sectors. EPEE started the “Gapometer” proj- ernments reach out to the entire value Once a new regulation is in force, ect, which defines a route towards chain from ‘end-users’ of F-Gases such communication remains of key impor- implementation of the phase-down as supermarkets, hospitals, hotels, etc. tance to ensure that all stakeholders and identifies the biggest risks of gaps through to manufacturers of HVACR are well-informed and understand the between requirements and reality. equipment, service technicians and new requirements. In the EU, not all When undertaking a market survey as installers. Any political measure taken stakeholders are well connected – for part of the Gapometer project, we instance, certain stakeholders are found that action to stop using high 2. Phase Down of HFC Consumption in the EU – Assessment of Implications for the RAC Sector, small family owned companies across GWP refrigerants so far has been far FINAL REPORT, SKM Enviros 2012. the 28 EU Member States which are too slow in the EU to achieve a

62 imp 7 lessons EPEE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:52 Pagina 63

smooth implementation of the phase- down as designed. Consequently, EPEE joined forces with three other leading associations in the HVACR sector – AREA, ASERCOM and EFCTC – to call upon European installers to stop using high GWP refrigerants (particularly R-404A, R- 507A) in the equipment they install. The associations are reaching out to installers with a brochure that has been translated in all the official languages of the European Union. However, it takes time to spread the message – more time than expected. Therefore, regulations must be realistic in anticipating such sort of delays.

3. Governance:The phase-down Diagram: Price development of R404A and R134a at gas producer and principle works but requires service company level, indexed to 2014 price level (100%) excellent governance Source: European Commission and Öko-Recherche

The EU chose a quota based HFC- phase-down as the main mechanism be thoroughly explained to stake- exports of equipment to protect the to achieve the desired HFC consump- holders to avoid a false feeling of competitiveness of manufacturers of tion reductions, where quota is allocat- security. The EU HFC phase-down pre-charged equipment. ed to producers and importers of bulk allows some flexibility for the market • Enforcement: As for any legislation, HFCs (‘top-down’ approach). to react, but this flexibility must not enforcement is key for success. In The situation in other regions of the be understood as an excuse for non- terms of the EU HFC phase-down world is different in the sense that the action. Second, the technicalities of mechanism, a lack of enforcement Kigali Amendment – which was not in quota allocation, authorisations, etc. would completely undermine the place when the EU F-Gas Regulation need dedicated explanation and phase-down principle and with it the entered into force – already sets out guidelines to avoid any misunder- goals of the F-Gas Regulation. With the consumption reduction steps that standings or unclarities and to growing pressure due to the huge need to be achieved in the countries ensure that quota is not wasted. cuts of HFC consumption in the con- that have ratified it. The focus in these • Flexibility: The European Commis- text of the EU HFC phase-down, lat- countries is therefore on the measures sion expected the HFC phase-down est evidence shows that illegal to be put in place to achieve these to trigger a move towards lower GWP imports of high GWP refrigerant R- goals rather than on the decision about refrigerants by increasing the pres- 404A are increasingly becoming a the reduction steps as such. However, sure on high GWP gases. However, threat for the successful implemen- even if the Kigali Amendment sets out experience shows (see example of tation of the phase-down. It is there- the HFC consumption reduction steps lesson #2) that some built-in flexibility fore of key importance that stake- and even if those may only kick-in in allowing legislators and stakeholders holders only buy refrigerants from the medium / long-term, it is crucial to adapt to market situations and reliable sources and that govern- that countries plan ahead and intro- avoid unintended consequences ments put in place adequate market duce adequate measures early (with an impact on safety, energy effi- surveillance and penalty schemes. enough in time to be ready when the ciency, etc.) could be beneficial to • Anticipation: As said, the situation reduction steps will occur and ensure ensure a successful HFC consump- in Europe at the time of the negotia- an orderly transition. tion reduction. tion of the EU F-Gas Regulation was If opting for a top-down quota-based • Design: The EU F-Gas Regulation is different in the sense that the Kigali phase-down mechanism, as is the based on a top-down mechanism Amendment did not exist back then, case of the EU, there are some expe- where quota is allocated to produc- i.e. the shape of the EU HFC con- riences that are worth sharing: ers and importers of bulk HFCs. It is sumption reduction still had to be • Communication: as explained in worth mentioning in this context that decided as well as the measures to lesson #2, the importance of exten- HFCs are not only imported and achieve it. Today, the Kigali sive communication cannot be exported as bulk but also in pre- Amendment sets out the steps of the stressed enough. First, the principle charged equipment. Countries with desired consumption reduction for and the mechanism of progressively local manufactures are recommend- countries that ratify it, which is why reducing CO2-equivalents need to ed to address those imports and these countries can focus on the

63 imp 7 lessons EPEE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:52 Pagina 64

required political measures to achieve 5. Anticipation: Building codes these goals. Nevertheless, to avoid and standards need to be ready critical situations, shortages, etc. it is for and aligned with national highly recommended for countries to legislation put in place measures early enough to anticipate the required consump- As explained, the EU F-Gas Regulation tion reduction steps. That is if meas- puts forward measures to reduce the ures only kick in at the time when the use of HFCs with a higher GWP and first reduction step is required, it will to promote the use of lower GWP be too late for the market to adapt and alternatives. However, the lower the ensure an orderly, safe and energy GWP of a refrigerant, the more likely it efficient transition. will be flammable. Having said this, it needs to be In practice this means that in some remembered that the EU quota based, market sectors lower GWP alterna- top-down HFC phase-down mecha- tives exist but cannot be used in nism is only one of many different equipment as building codes do not methods to achieve HFC consumption allow for it because they are flamma- reductions. ble. Indeed, building codes are As an example, Japan has adopted a enshrined in national, regional and different, bottom-up, modulated ap- sometimes even local rules, often proach where the phase-down steps related to fire safety. If a building code result from sector-based restrictions. prohibits the use of flammable refrig- Governments need to evaluate what erants, then it is simply not allowed to sort of approach is best suited to their use them. respective countries, taking into Buildings codes can be barrier to the account their countries’ and markets’ implementation of HFC consumption specific characteristics. reduction steps. They must therefore be revised in time to be ready for new legislation. 4. Alignment:When combining It is also worth mentioning safety different measures, they need to standards in this context as these are be aligned and their respective important references and are often role clearly communicated to the used as practical guidance, a code of market good practice or, if it is a harmonized While opinions are diverging as to standard, as a possible method to Alongside the EU HFC phase-down whether GWP limits (‘sectoral’ bans) demonstrate compliance with legisla- and the measures on containment are necessary in addition to the tion. and competence as explained in the phase-down and when they should Even if they are not binding – as beginning of this paper, the EU F-Gas kick in, there are two important take- opposed to building codes and regu- Regulation imposes certain conditions aways from the EU experience: if lations – an understanding of safety on the placing on the market of specif- GWP limits are applied on top of a standards is highly recommended. ic products and equipment using fluo- quota based phase-down mechanism, National and international standardi- rinated greenhouse gases. firstly, these must be co-ordinated to zation committees are currently These conditions are also known as allow market players to manage the working on adapting relevant stan- ‘sectoral’ bans, meaning that certain transition in a practical and cost-effec- dards to the increased use of flamma- GWP thresholds apply for specific tive manner, and secondly, it needs to ble refrigerants taking into account, product categories. For example, as of be made very clear to stakeholders among others, various research pro- 2020, HFCs with a GWP above 2500 that the phase-down mechanism will grams worldwide to scientifically will be banned in stationary refrigera- force the market to move. assess the conditions for the safe use tion equipment. However, if market players do not of flammable refrigerants. The European Commission introduced make these changes in due time, several of such GWP limits in an unintended consequences such as attempt to set signposts in support of refrigerant shortages and massive 6. Resources: Recovery, recycling, the phase-down. Some of these GWP price increases can be expected. In reclaim and reuse of gases are limits kick in after the HFC consumption other words: ‘sectoral’ bans cannot be crucial elements to achieve HFC reduction steps as required by the EU used as an excuse for market players consumption and emission HFC phase-down. For example, the to hold back on necessary action reductions GWP limit of 2500 will apply as of whilst they wait for the bans to kick in. 2020 whereas a major reduction step Once again, communication is crucial The EU F-Gas Regulation increased occurred already in 2018. for success. the opportunities for recovery and

64 imp 7 lessons EPEE:mod 2002 8-10-2018 15:52 Pagina 65

reuse of gas. Indeed, recycled and of emissions is due to the energy use Conclusion reclaimed gases can make an impor- of equipment. tant contribution to achieving the These emissions are also known as There is no doubt that the HVACR phase-down as they are not covered indirect emissions and represent far industry has a lot to offer to ensure a by the quota system and considered more than three quarters of overall comfortable and safe life in today’s as valuable resources helping to emissions of HVACR equipment. society in a long-term sustainable reduce the pressure on the market. While the EU F-Gas Regulation is manner. Recovery, recycling, reclaim and strictly related to reducing direct HFC It has been innovating and will contin- reuse should be part of any legislation emissions, there are several policy ue to do so, making considerable aiming to reduce the consumption and measures in place in the EU that are investments to respond to the growing emission of HFCs. dedicated to reducing the energy use needs of tomorrow and to provide con- The experience in the EU shows that of HVACR equipment, or, in other sumers with products that are top of due to the HFC phase-down, there is words, increasing its energy efficiency, the line, energy efficient and sustain- increased interest in using recycled such as able. Legislation can be an important and reclaimed gases. In addition, • Ecodesign: Sets minimum energy driver to scale up these develop- according to the F-Gas Regulation efficiency requirements for products, ments, but it is crucial that it takes venting refrigerants into the atmos- also known as MEPS (Minimum into account market realities to be phere is explicitly prohibited and sub- Energy Performance Standards). If truly successful. ject to penalties. At the end of lifetime MEPS are not reached, products In this sense, it should be stressed of equipment or when retrofitting are not allowed to be placed on the that the ultimate objective of the EU existing installations, the refrigerant EU market. This measure is intend- F-Gas Regulation is to reduce emis- must be recovered for re-use or ed to create a “push” effect where sions of HFCs with the HFC phase- destruction. manufacturers are “pushed” to bring down being one of its main measures To effectively reuse HFCs, an ade- to market energy efficient products. to reduce their consumption. quate infrastructure is required allow- • Energy labelling: Showcases the However, there are complimentary ing to recycle and reclaim refrigerants. energy efficiency of a product by tools to reduce emissions that can be Moreover, waste legislation needs to means of a scale (A to G, green to extremely effective. Policy makers allow for the transport of used refriger- red) and is meant to inform and should always keep this in mind when ants across borders in case individual motivate consumers to buy the designing policy measures to reduce countries do not have adequate most energy efficient product. This F-Gas emissions and give a high pri- reclaim facilities. measure is intended to create a ority to these complimentary meas- Careful monitoring of reclaimed prod- “pull” effect, where consumers are ures that directly target emissions, uct is required, particularly of imports, “pulled” towards energy efficient such as leak tightness (“containment to ensure that virgin product is not products. measures”), recovery, recycling and being placed into cylinders labelled • Energy Performance of Buildings reclaim of refrigerants as well as the “reclaimed”. (EPBD): Puts the emphasis on the reduction of charge sizes. Buying from reputable suppliers will buildings and systems and aims to That being said and as pointed out in minimise this risk. Finally, there are accelerate the cost-effective reno- the previous chapter, the overwhelm- very little data available about the vation of existing buildings, the ing share of emissions from HVACR quantities of recycled refrigerants. deployment of smart technologies equipment are those related to the Better data would allow for better as well as technical buildings sys- energy used to operate the systems. adaptation to the requirements of the tems / building automation with the That is why additional, dedicated market. vision of a decarbonised building measures to increase energy efficien- stock by 2050. cy are so important. Legislation dedicated to reducing These can target products and build- 7. Indirect emissions: Energy direct HFC emissions and legislation ings as shown in the examples in the efficiency should not be dedicated to increasing energy effi- previous chapter and can go much fur- compromised by F-Gas rules and ciency (i.e. reducing indirect emis- ther than this. should be addressed in sions) should be well-aligned and There is low hanging fruit such as reg- dedicated legislation mutually consistent. ular service and maintenance of For example, when designing the equipment, but also systematic moni- This point is only indirectly related to HFC phase down, the need for refrig- toring of systems’ operation, building lessons learned from the EU F-Gas erants that allow for higher energy automation and control, smart sys- Regulation. efficiency should be considered to tems with demand response allowing It is mentioned nevertheless in this ensure smooth implementation. for a better and more efficient integra- paper because despite all efforts to If this is not the case, regulations on tion of renewables energies into the move towards lower GWP refrigerants F-Gases could even turn out to be wider system, and much more which and, by doing so, reducing direct emis- counter-productive in terms of overall would go beyond the scope of these sions from HVACR equipment, it is a greenhouse gas emissions. ‘lessons learned’ paper. well-known fact that the largest share G

65 imp MASOERO:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:30 Pagina 66

The Green Gas Research Project Challenges and Opportunities for Low GWP Refrigerants Application in the Commercial Refrigeration Sector

F. BARILE, M. MASOERO, C. SILVI

Marco Masoero, Vice-President Department of Energy “Galileo Ferraris”, Politecnico of Torino of the Association of Italian Refrigeration Technicians ATF

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION AND EUROPEAN index. Already since January 1st 2018 REGULATION ON F-GASES we have experienced a significant The medium-term substitution of fluo- reduction in the amount of HFC avail- rinated fluids in commercial refrigera- The refrigeration industry is facing the able in the EU market. In addition to the tion equipment with low GWP refriger- challenging phase of transition from substantial reduction in the use of HFC ants poses a significant technological synthetic, high-GWP refrigerant fluids in 2018 and 2021, the F-Gas and industrial challenge to manufac- to a new generation of more environ- Regulations prohibit since 2020 the turers. mental-friendly and often natural use of HFC with GWP ≥2500 in refrig- The Green Gas project, funded by refrigerants. Three companies of the eration equipment of new construction. Regione Piemonte under the Energy industrial district of Casale Monferrato Limitation apply as well to the mainte- and Clean Technology Innovation pro- in North-West Italy - Cold Car, Sanden nance and repairing of refrigeration gram, involves three industrial part- Vendo and Heegen - have teamed with plants with charge equal or exceeding ners from the Casale Monferrato Centro Studi Galileo, the development 40 t of CO2 equivalent (approximately industrial district, covering distinct- agency LAMORO, and the Department 10 kg of R-404A / R-507A). Since 2022, products: beverage dispensers, dis- of Energy of Politecnico di Torino in the the HFCs with GWP ≥150 will be play cabinets and refrigerated trans- three-year research project GREEN banned in all centralized multipack port. GAS. The project, funded by Regione commercial refrigeration plants of out- The initial phase of the project con- Piemonte within the 2014-2020 FESR put ≥40 kW, except for some cascade sists of a thorough analysis of the program, aims at investigating the tech- cycle systems and for stand-alone characteristics of the present produc- nical challenges and technological commercial refrigerators and freezers. tion and of the most promising low innovation opportunities for the different The introduction in the refrigeration GWP refrigerants for each applica- ranges of products in which the com- market of new substances will bring tion, in an optimal cost-benefit per- panies are specialized: refrigerated about not only procurement problems, spective. transportation for Cold Car, beverage but also issues related to equipment The re-design of the main compo- vending machines for Sanden Vendo, maintenance and efficiency. Such nents required by the new fluids will and display cabinets for Heegen. issues will have to be evaluated, case- then be addressed, taking into The EU Regulation 517/2014 of the by-case, with reference to the specific account the normative constraints European Parliament and of the characteristics of the substitute fluids. (with particulate attention to flamma- Council of 16 April 2014 have the pri- This evolving scenario requires a sig- bility and other safety issues), the mary goal of limiting the production and nificant adaptation and innovation energy efficiency targets set by the marketing in Europe of specific green- effort for the companies operating in manufacturer and the life cycle of house gases. Such substances, in fact, the refrigeration sector. each product. will be substantially banned by 2030, In the final phase of the project, exper- following a mechanism of progressive imental tests on the re-disegned prod- reduction of the quantities available in THE GREEN GAS PROJECT ucts will be carried out to verify the life- the EU. The phase-down process is cycle performance in terms of primary based on system of quotas indicating The GREEN GAS project contributes energy saved and greenhouse gas the amount of CO2 equivalent intro- to the plan of rationalization and emission reduction. duced in the atmosphere; the calcula- reduction in the use of HFC in the tion of the CO2 equivalent makes use of refrigeration industry, according to the the GWP (Global Warming Potential) EU and national dispositions. Such

66 imp MASOERO:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:30 Pagina 67

plan also aims at promoting, in the shortest time span, the creation of an industrial chain of recovery, recycling and regeneration of the used up refrigerants, and the substitution with low- GWP and natural refrigerants, following the model already applied in the past decades for the elimination of the ozone-depleting substances. The research project will last 36 months, ending in December 2020. The project proposal sprung from companies involved in the initiative denomi- nated “Casale Monferrato Capital of Refrigeration – Green Cold”, promoted by the Municipality of Casale Monferrato, by the Development Agency LAMORO, and by Centro Studi Galileo. The area of Casale Monferrato is particularly well suited for such an initiative: it is in this area that the first custom-made European refrigerator was built and that the production of refrigerated cells at the industrial scale was initially developed in Italy. Still now, a high concentration of diversi- fied industrial activities are present in an area of only 10 square km, including Casale Monferrato and a few surrounding municipalities. The following three companies are involved in the project: • Sanden Vendo Europe is as multina- tional company, market leader in Europe in the automatic vending sector, offering a wide range of vending equipment for hot and cold bev- erages, snacks and ice-cream, but also related products such as sophisticated payment systems and premium coolers. • Cold Car is a leader company in the production of refrigerated and isothermal bodies for the transportation of refrigerated food, which has developed over several decades a specific experience in the passive dynamics behavior, safety, and envi- as in new products, specifically refrigeration of perishable goods. ronmental compatibility. designed for the newest technologies. • Heegen is a company that, since 15 The entire industrial supply chain of years, designs, produces and mar- General objectives and workplan the sector is involved: kets refrigerated display cabinets. of the project • Manufacturers of primary compo- The scientific supervision of the proj- nents, such as compressors, heat ect is attributed to the Department of Starting from the alternative solutions exchangers and refrigerant fluids; Energy (DENERG) of Politecnico di available in the market, the GREEN • Assemblers and manufacturers of Torino. Within the project, DENERG GAS project has initially evaluated the equipment and systems; provides know-how on the design and possibility to apply new refrigerants, • Refrigerated transport. experimental characterization of the complying with the environmental and The work plan is organized in the fol- performance of refrigeration equip- energy efficiency constraints set by lowing phases: ment and systems, from the point of the regulations and by the market 1) Modification of the existing appli- view of energy efficiency, thermo-fluid demands, both in existing equipment ances by mere substitution of the

67 imp MASOERO:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:30 Pagina 68

refrigerants with new fluids compliant gy consumption reduction. Aim of this systems employing the optimized with the EU regulations, results are phase is to identify the components components identified in phase 2), evaluated taking into account the fol- that require re-design and to define considering the following aspects: lowing aspects: the guidelines for the integration of • Construction costs; • Economics, i.e. the variation of oper- these components in the components • Energy efficiency and product quality; ating costs following the substitution; or systems identified in phase 1). With • Market appeal of the “green” products; • Energy, i.e. the potential benefits in particular reference to natural refriger- • Environmental impact. terms of enhanced performance; ants or fluids mixtures, the re-design In this phase, LCA (Life Cycle As- • Environment, i.e. the reduced envi- of specific components of the refriger- sessment) techniques will be ap-plied ronmental impact of the modified ation appliances should consider the in the design approach, both at the sin- equipment. transport, density, pressure, enthalpy, gle component and system level - an 2) Design and optimization of specific and flammability properties of the new aspect that is particularly relevant con- components, customized for the use refrigerants. sidering the relatively short operating of low-GWP refrigerants and for ener- 3) Construction of new refrigeration life of commercial refrigeration equipment. This will lead to a more comprehensive “Cradle-to-grave” design process, in which the equipment is conceived by taking into account not only its performance during operation, but also the energy/environmental costs of construction and of the final disposal or recovery of the materials after phasing out. The problem of recovery or disposal concerns all the materials employed, in particular the refrigerant fluid itself (with the contained lubricant oil) and the materials used for insulating the equipment bodies, while metals and glass are more easily recovered and re-used.

First phase of the study: choice of the refrigerant fluids

The choice of a refrigerant fluid is based on the combined evaluation of different factors, some linked to the nature of the substance, other on the interaction between refrigerant and equipment, other on technical-economic aspects. Environmental impact (tropospheric ozone depletion and global warming), toxicity, flammability and corrosive- ness (the property on which the com- Nomenclature of Tables 1-3 Notes on Tables 1-3 patibility between refrigerant and the Volumetric efficiency ηvol The data in Tables 1-3 were calculated materials used for the equipment η Isentropic efficiency is assuming the following hypotheses: mostly on depends) are the critical T Normal Boiling Point Nb • = 1 characteristics to take into account in T Evaporation Temperature ηvol ev the selection of the refrigerant. • ηis = 0.7÷0.8 Tcond Condensation Temperature • No superheating in the evaporator Furthermore, the refrigerant should Tcr Critical Temperature T Compressor discharge Temperature • No subcooling in the condenser exhibit thermodynamic properties suit- out able to guarantee adequate efficiency Pcr Critical pressure The evaporation and condensation levels of the equipment. β Compressor ratio temperatures assumed in the h4 Enthalpy at evaporator inlet Other factors to consider in the selec- calculations are: h1 Enthalpy at evaporator outlet tion are the commercial availability of • T = -10°C e T = 40°C (Tables 1 and 3) h2 Enthalpy at compressor outlet ev cond the fluid, its market cost, and the cost • Tev = -40°C e Tcond = 45°C (Table 2) ∆hev Net refrigerating effect of the associated equipment / system COP Coefficient of Performance technologies. While some refrigerants

68 imp MASOERO:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:30 Pagina 69

may be substituted by new ones without any intervention (i.e., “drop-in” solution), other fluids require a more or less substantial modification on the system, ranging from simple changes on the system or on its individual components (i.e., “retrofit” of existing equipment), up to a radical re-design of the system and therefore a complete replacement of its components. In the first phase of the project, for each of the three companies, a study was conducted aimed to identify the most suitable replacement refrigerants for their applications, starting from the simplest drop-in solutions. The three tables below summarize, for each company, the candidate fluids examined as potential substitutes with their properties; the substance highlighted is the one considered as the most suitable refrigerant. Both SandenVendo and Heegen have Presentation of the project “Green Gas” with the partners. decided to pursue the natural refrigerant path, selecting R290 as the best EXPECTED RESULTS AND nologies are already available, but process fluid. Cold Car, on the contrary, CONCLUSIONS they have not been comprehensively also considering the less stringent con- examined and tested so far in the mar- straints imposed by the EU regulations The main expected result of the proj- ket applications of interest for the part- for refrigerated transportation and the ect is to achieve a comprehensive and ner companies. higher refrigerant charge values permit- organic framework of the available The so-called “fourth generation” ted, has opted for a mixture of synthetic and applicable technologies, compati- refrigerant fluids (i.e., the HFO, which fluids (HFO-HFC), namely R452A, a ble with the new, environmental- follow the CFC, HCFC and the HFC drop-in replacement for R507. friendly refrigerants. Most of the tech- presently undergoing phasing-out) and their mixtures have reached the European market just recently and are largely unavailable in the rest of the World. The system components (compressors, evaporators, condensers, expansion valves, piping, safety devices, etc.) suitable for the new refrigerants mostly exist, and are tested by the system manufacturers as they become available in the market. It is expected that a reduction of prices will be achieved, as the demand for such components and for new refrigerants will reach the critical size, so that the re-modulation of the supply and manufacturing chain will become economical for mass production. This evolution will allow the partner projects to assemble the individual components and to develop, test and manufacture the prototypes of the new products for the stationary and mobile refrigeration sectors, yielding the competitive advantage that has always allowed them to be competitive in the Meeting of the consortium “Casale Capitale del Freddo” with the refrigeration manufac- international market. turers of the Piedmont region. G

69 imp TRAINING Kelly:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:24 Pagina 70

Training on Flammable Refrigerants

KELVIN KELLY

Kelvin Kelly (right) in Bahrain for 2 training Training Director of Business Edge and certification sessions for local expert trainers.

With the impact on the HFC quotas have a maximum burn velocity of commonly used flammable refriger- beginning to impact across Europe less than or equal to 10cm/s ants can be seen in table 2. there is now a real need to change to • Class 2 lower flammability limit of • Saturation temperature (boiling low GWP Refrigerants. In the main, more than 0.1 kg/m3 and heat of point) at atmospheric pressure these low GWP Refrigerants are of combustion of less than 19kJ/kg • Practical limit, the limit that if exceed- greater benefit for the environment but • Class 3 highly flammable as defined ed is deemed unsafe for occupants at a price. This being the increased by a lower flammability limit of less and might lead to asphyxiation health and safety risk, in particular than or equal to 0.10 kg/m3 and a • LFL (lower flammability limit) this is flammability. heat of combustion greater than also known as LEL (lower explosion Even though the F gas regulations do equal to 19kJ/kg limit) this is the minimum quantity not require technicians to be specifi- Within the Air Conditioning Industry, mixed in air required to create a cally assessed in the safe handling of we are seeing more and more manu- flammable mixture these flammable refrigerants, there is facturers moving to R32 (A2L, lower • UFL (upper flammability limit) this is growing impetus to encourage techni- flammability). Within the refrigeration also known as UEL (upper explosion cians to upskill voluntarily. This sector the options available are slight- limit) this is the maximum quantity encouragement is coming from a vari- ly more varied, however a large per- mixed in air required to create a ety of sources including Industry bod- centage of these are the A2L Hydro flammable mixture ies, manufacturers and end users. Fluoro Olifins. • Density in air at 21 °C The course will cover all A2L, A2 and Characteristics of some of the more • MIE Minimum ignition energy in mJ A3 refrigerants and will include information on the different classes of Table 1: Refrigerant Safety Groups flammability, the risks and hazards of Class A: Non Toxic Class B: High Toxicity these refrigerants and the require- Class 3: High Flammability A3 B3 ments of site specific risk assess- Class 2: Lower Flammability A2/A2L B2/B2L ments. The attendees will have to gain an understanding of the charge limits Class 1: High Flammability A1 B1 for different systems in a variety of locations. This element will not only Table 2 cover flammables but will also look at Refrigerant Class Sat Temp PL LFL UFL Density MIE toxicity. R600a A3 -11.7 0.011 0.043 0.203 2.5 0.25 Traditionally the industry has used A3 R290 A3 -42.1 0.008 0.038 0.192 1.84 0.25 refrigerants, the more recent develop- R1270 A3 -47.7 0.008 0.046 0.253 1.75 0.28 ments are utilising refrigerants with a R170 A3 -88.6 0.0086 0.038 0.253 1.25 0.26 lower flammability (see table 1). Flammability classifications are further R152a A2 -25 0.027 0.130 0.563 2.75 0.38 defined as follows: R32 A2L -52.6 0.061 0.307 0.680 2.15 30-100 • Class 1 no flame propagation when R1234yf A2L -26 0.058 0.289 0.573 5.0 5k-10k tested in air R1234ze A2L -19 0.061 0.303 0.443 5.0 61k-64k • Class 2L have a lower flammability of R454A A2L -48.3 0.056 0.226 0.425 2.83 300-1k greater than 3.5%, a heat of combustion less than 19000 kJ/kg and R454C A2L -37.8 0.059 0.293 0.569 3.78 300-1k

70 imp TRAINING Kelly:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:24 Pagina 71

Obviously replacing a refrigerant with a high GWP with one with a low GWP Figure 1 is a very good idea with regard to COOLING CAPACITIES / VOLUME direct global warming, however, the indirect effect needs to be considered as well. Therefore, the efficiencies and cooling capacities of refrigerants need to be compared to get an accurate evaluation of the characteristics of the refrigerants. Examples of the data for consideration can be seen below. (Figure 1 and 2). One of the most important subjects to be covered during the training course is to ensure that all attendees have a though understanding of the charge limitations and additional control measures required under EN 378. The technician will be given a variety of scenarios utilising A2L and A3 Figure 2 refrigerants and be asked to calculate COOLING CAPACITIES / MASS the charge limits by ascertaining the access category (A, B or C) and then the location classification (I, II or III). From this information they should be able to undertake the required steps to enable them to work out the maximum charge allowable. (See figure 3) From this data the candidate will then be able to ascertain whether or not the required equipment is suitable for the application or alternative provisions to ensure safety are required. These provisions could include ventilation/extract systems and/or permanent leak detection. The practical assessment will focus what subtle differences there are between handling a flammable and Recovery of flammable refrigerants The technician would need to ensure non-flammable refrigerant. will be covered to make sure that the that prior to the application of an Oxy- The requirement within the UK is that attendees understand the health and fuel brazing torch that a flammable anyone enrolling on the new “Flam- safety implications and are able to mixture cannot be present. This can mables Qualification” would need to select suitable recovery machines. be achieved by carrying out the follow- hold a current and valid F Gas certifi- There are many machines on the mar- ing process: cate, therefore many of the practical ket, however, the technicians may not • Evacuate the systems to a pressure activities can be omitted from the syl- be equipped with a new recovery unit below the boiling point of the lowest labus as they will already have proven and will therefore need to recognise if ambient temperature competency in these criteria. their equipment is suitable or not. • Agitate the oil in the compressor (use Practical areas that will be covered as Attendees will need to show compe- the oil pump, crankcase heater etc) they differ significantly from the tency with regard to setting up a suit- • Purge with inert gas (place flamma- requirements of the F Gas assess- able working environment to ensure ble gas detector near outlet of purge) ment will include carrying out a loca- that a flammable mixture cannot be • Repeat as necessary tion specific risk assessment to allow present during typical service and Upon completion of the training and them to identify hazards that could maintenance conditions. (see figure 4) assessment the candidate will be affect safe working practices during Given that the system would have pre- issued with a certificate of compe- the installation, commissioning, serv- viously been charged with a flamma- tence with regard to the safe handling icing and de-commissioning of refrig- ble refrigerant, any requirement to of A2, A2L and A3 refrigerants which eration, air conditioning and heat carry out “hot works” would obviously will be valid for 5 years. pump systems. impose the greatest risk. It is hoped that approximately 45,000

71 imp TRAINING Kelly:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:24 Pagina 72

Figure 3

Figure 4 THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REFRIGERANT’S HANDLING CERTIFICATION IN BAHRAIN FLAMMABLE GAS Train the Trainers and Assessors Workshop under the National Certification Program of RECOVERY “Bahrain Environmental Refrigerant Management”-Training and certification sessions under the EU F Gas regu- • The area must well ventilated lation have taken place at • No source of ignition within 3m the end of April in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 22 • Forced air ventilation is Teachers and Assessors recommended from multiple nationalities • A flammable gas leak detector and different languages must be used working in this small island in the middle of the Arabian Gulf have undertaken 5 days’ workshop organised by Centro Studi Galileo. The partners of the project were also the United Nations Environment, the Bahrain Supreme Council for Environment, the Bahrain Society of Engineers and Bahrain Excellent Center in Ministry of Education. On this occasion the assessment followed the Italian certification scheme. It was applied in a way to follow the proposed constituted Bahraini law on management of the refrigerant, which will be known as “Bahrain Environmental Refrigerant Management License - Bahrain ERML”. CSG and Business Edge have supported the Bahrain stakeholders by implementing the activities below; • Provided an updated curriculum for the various training modules they currently offer on refrigeration and air conditioning (and, in addition, suggest new modules if deemed necessary); F Gas approved technicians within the • Conducted an assessment of the centre’s training equipment (by visiting) and provide UK will undertake the training and cer- technical specifications of equipment that should be purchased to allow the centre to tification. implement the updated training modules on refrigeration and air conditioning; This will be done on a voluntary basis • Organise train-the-trainer sessions for the trainers in the centre. as mentioned before, there is no legal CSG and Business Edge have undertaken the design of a national certification pro- requirement for technicians to prove gramme to ensure that only qualified technicians are handling and servicing equipment competency on the handling of flam- and fluids and that these technicians are informed and updated regarding the applicable national ODS regulation. The program designed will certify technicians who have been mable refrigerants, it is however con- trained and passed a preliminary test under the training programme, as well as other sidered, best practice. technicians who can pass a written and practical test that is designed for that purpose. G

72 imp AUSTRALIA greg picker:mod 2002 8-10-2018 12:29 Pagina 73

Transforming the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry in Australia

GREG PICKER

Executive Director of Refrigerants Australia

The refrigeration and air conditioning Domestic policy proceeded down the story, is that the timing, slope and (RAC) industry has a profound impact same path and in the review of the approach taken to the phase down of in Australia: according to Cold Hard Ozone Protection and Synthetic HFCs in Australia is far different than Facts 3 (CHF3 - a forthcoming report Greenhouse Gas Management Act, in Europe. As the figure below prepared for the Australian Govern- which commenced in 2014 and con- demonstrates the approach taken in ment) in 2016 it represented 2.3% of cluded in 2016, an HFC phasedown Australia is for the phasedown to be Australia’s GDP and 10.9% of emerged as the most viable and univer- gradual – a small reduction every two Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. sally supported measure. Legislation years rather than a few stark major As a result of sensible Australian and the accompany regulations were reductions. The aim is to turn the tap Government policy strongly supported passed by the Australian Parliament in tighter regularly and so the pressure to by and developed with industry 2017 and the phasedown has now change is both constant and meas- engagement there is a long tradition of commenced. ured. The Kigali Amendment and responding proactively in managing, It is worth observing, however, that EU’s slope, on the other hand, and reducing, the use and emissions while the Kigali Amendment describes includes only a few significant drops of both ODS and HFC refrigerants, as the broad trajectory of the HFC phase- that result in industry shocks. well as reducing related energy use. down there are a range of choices that Australia’s industry already started The current policy approach is well governments make about implement- phasing down high GWP HFCs prior suited to continuing this trajectory, ing a phasedown and these can have a to the legislation coming into force. although there remains a need to dramatic impact on industry. Australia’s This factor helped allow Australia’s enhance activity on improving opera- approach is designed to be different phase down to commence at 80% of tions of equipment to reduce both than other developed economies, par- what was allowed under Kigali. For refrigerant emissions and unneces- ticularly the European Union. example, split system air conditioners sarily high energy use. The reason Australian industry can be with R32 (resulting in a reduction in In Australia, the phaseout of ODS was confident that we will have a different CO2 equivalent terms of 75% below both quicker and steeper than required under the Montreal Protocol and this tradition has continued as the focus has shifted to managing HFCs. In 2004, the Australian Government extended requirements on ODS refrigerants to HFCs including: mandatory reporting for imports in bulk and in pre-charged equipment, requirements on the technicians, and a prohibition on venting/requiring recovery of refrigerants. Australian industry publicly supported an HFC phasedown from 2007 onwards, and in 2010 an internationally agreed phasedown became Australian Government policy.

73 imp AUSTRALIA greg picker:mod 2002 8-10-2018 12:29 Pagina 74

R410a as a result of having both a lower GWP and a smaller charge size) commenced in 2014 and this year topped 50% of the small split market. Given that the small split market represents about 30% of Australia’s refrigerant bank this change will have dramatic impacts. This transformation is projected to spread to other market sectors and to impact on Australia’s industry markedly. According to CHF3, the use of refrigerants and related equipment is projected to continue to grow strongly over the coming decades. The top section of Energy notes that efficiency of air con- ity between technical and delivered effi- Figure 2 describes the bank of refriger- ditioning equipment at point of sale has ciency. Further, regular maintenance ants in actual tonnes. However, the been significantly improved, with a 60% underpins the continued achievement second part of Figure 2, which increase over the last two decades of promised performance levels. describes the bank in CO2-e terms, alone. The challenge this represents, Data on this topic is sparse, but sug- reveals that Australia has reached the as stated in the recent (March 2016) gests that the opportunities available moment when the bank is the greatest Regulatory Impact Statement on air at post point of sale issues of installa- and from here it will steadily decline. conditioners, is that further improve- tion and maintenance offers significant This observation has a significant ment is difficult. The low hanging fruit potential. In looking at heat pumps (a corollary: it also means that direct has been plucked already and further very similar technology), the US emissions of refrigerants have also gains will be smaller and more expen- Department of Energy concluded that peaked and from this period onward sive.1 While policymakers would be improper installation led to an energy they will show a steady and significant correct in looking at the RAC industry to penalty of 40%. Industry advice is that decline over time. find more emission reductions, point of about 20% of equipment is poorly An analysis of Australia’s emissions sale does not necessarily offer an eco- installed. Further, ensuring correct profile from the RAC industry, as nomically viable solution for Australia installation and maintenance clearly shown in the figure below and is true and those countries that have minimum reduces the likelihood and extent of around the world, details that the indi- energy performance requirements, at refrigerant leaks. The potential benefit rect emissions from energy use are least not at significant scale. from government intervention in significantly greater than those direct The delivered energy efficiency of air ensuring that the right equipment is emissions from refrigerants. As a conditioning and refrigeration, however, chosen for the job, it is installed and result of this truism, there has been is not analogous to other sectors. The maintained well is massive. and continues to be a focus on energy efficiency delivered for most white- Australia and much of the world has efficiency. goods/sectors is what is promised at done an effective job in reducing emis- In the latest research underpinning point of sale: in other words, the techni- sions of ODS, HFCs and the amount new requirements for energy efficiency cal and delivered energy efficiency are of energy needed to drive the equip- of air conditioning, the Australian equal.The difference for most refrigera- ment that relies on them. With a con- Department of the Environment and tion and air conditioning equipment is tinued focus we can continue to pro- 1There is likely more potential reductions in that appropriate sizing and proficient vide cooling the world needs while refrigeration and large building chillers – particu- installation is critical for delivery of the using less resources and reducing our larly in large HVAC systems - and these opportu- promised efficiency. greenhouse footprint. nities are also being pursued. There is potentially a significant dispar- G

74 imp PROGRESS Colburne:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:17 Pagina 75

Progress in Enabling Larger HC Charge Sizes for RAC&HP Systems

D. COLBOURNE1, K. O. SUEN2, D. OPPELT1, V. KANAKAKUMAR1, K. SKACANOVA3, D. BELLUOMINI3, P. MUNZINGER4

1Senior Technical Expert c/o HEAT GmbH, Seilerbahnweg 14, 61462 Königstein, Germany 2Senior Lecturer Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, UK 3Shecco, Rue Royale 15, 1000 Brussels, Belgium 4Proklima International, Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Division, GIZ, Germany

1. INTRODUCTION should invoke more confidence in and what the implications are to extending the application of HCs and extending the range of equipment that Current regional and international possible harmonisation across all HCs could be used in. safety standards for refrigeration sys- RAC&HP safety standards. tems contain specific requirements for Extensive work has been carried out application of hydrocarbons (HCs) to to understand the various characteris- 2. CURRENT RAC&HP SAFETY address the flammability hazard. tics associated with the design and STANDARDS These tend to primarily address refrig- construction of RAC&HP equipment erant charge limits and avoidance of that can mitigate flammability risk. The recent UNEP TEAP report3 pro- potential sources of ignition. This article provides an overall view of vides a thorough description of current Amongst the various standards, the current requirements within safety standards’ requirements. Whilst almost requirements and criteria vary widely standards applicable to HCs and what all sectors/equipment/applications are leading to an often inconsistent per- their implications are. catered for in terms of rules for safe use ception of “safe” application, thus lead- A summary of the investigations cur- of HCs, some are not handled well, ing to potential obstructions on the rently underway under the GIZ C4 and e.g., MACS, coldstores, transport wider application of HCs, especially EU LIFE FRONT projects is refrigeration and certain types of AC. for air conditioners of “comfort” appli- described, to help illustrate some of Charge limits create the most signifi- cations, as termed in some standards. the improvements in understanding of cant restrictions for refrigeration sys- There are activities underway at the physical processes associated tems using HC. These restrictive limits European and International level, with the leakage and dispersion of have the effect of constraining the avail- including the GIZ Cool Contributions HCs from RAC&HP systems and able cooling capacity (for a single cir- fighting Climate Change project (C4)1 equipment, and how they fit into the cuit) and a given temperature level and and the EU LIFE FRONT project2, to overall context of flammability risk. ultimately the potential efficiency of the investigate the validity of current Finally this work helps to highlight the system. requirements and their background direction and expressions that the pro- Figure 1 indicates the systems/appli- assumptions; they aim to develop a posed revised charge limits may have cations that currently suffer from more robust set of requirements that in future RAC&HP safety standards “obstructive” safety standards. Apart from the need to expand the 1. https://www.giz.de/expertise/downloads/giz2016-en-global-cool-contributions.pdf applicable range of these refrigerants, 2. LIFE FRONT is a demonstration project funded under the LIFE programme of the European Union where application of equipment lies on (Climate Change Mitigation 2016 priority area). It aims to remove the barriers posed by standards for the boundary of what charge sizes flammable refrigerants in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) applications. In doing permit, there is a further implication so, the project serves also to increase the availability of suitable alternative in those areas, by improving system design to address flammability risks to encourage the use of climate-friendly alternatives to related to energy efficiency. fluorinated gases, in particular of hydrocarbons. The project started its activities in June 2017 and For a given type of system, as and involves six partners from four European countries, namely Austria (AHT), Belgium (shecco and when minimum efficiency levels ECOS), Germany (HEAT International and AIT Deutschland) and Sweden (NIBE). Project leader shec- increase or a higher efficiency label is co is a market accelerator favouring the uptake of natural refrigerants worldwide and ECOS has a long experience in drafting and developing environmental standards. During the project lifetime the desired, such a rise generally demands Standards Action Group “FRONT” is created, as an internal discussion platform for experts in the more refrigerant (for a given system HVAC&R sector such as system manufacturers, researchers and policymakers. design); this has an amplifying effect 3. http://conf.montreal-protocol.org/meeting/oewg/oewg-39/presession/Background-Documents/TEAP- on cost. Conversely, charge limits XXVIII_4-TF-Report-May%202017.doc “encourage” development of sub-opti-

75 imp PROGRESS Colburne:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:17 Pagina 76

Figure 1: Summary of applications which are or are not obstructed with safety standards; green indicates cases where almost all standard equipment can be used in most applications; amber indicates cases where some types of equipment can be used in most applications but not in others; red indicates where the majority of equipment is almost entirely prohibited from the majority of applications – all due to limits on refrigerant charge sizes for a given room size.

Table 1: Charge limits for HCs according to safety standards for RAC&HP systems4 is only a limit on the absolute charge. In principle almost any type of system or application could safely use HCs, provided it is designed and installed intelligently. After all, there are numerous installations that safely employ many kilograms and even tonnes of flammable gases, such as domestic bulk liquified petroleum gas (LPG) installations. Indeed, throughout the applicable EU safety legislation that addresses hazards of flammable substances – specifically ATEX (equipment) and ATEX (workplace) directives – there is no mention of limits to the quantity of material that can be utilised. So the question arises, why are HC refrigerants restricted so vigorously? It has been argued that such limits mal designs. A summary of the charge limit for a given room size. In some are commercially-driven (as opposed limits are provided in Table 1. The situations the allowable charge is lim- to being based on safety) by compa- maximum charge size represents the ited according to room area and unit nies keen to promote their own refrig- upper limit or ceiling, for any given installation height, for others it is erant products, i.e., as an attempt to infinitely-sized occupied space, based on room volume, whilst for remove the competing products. It is whereas the allowable charge is the systems located solely outside there likely that the reality of the situation is a combination of such commercial 4 GIZ Proklima, 2018. International safety standards in air conditioning, refrigeration & heat pump. interests and the fear of inexperi- Eschborn, Germany. enced stakeholders.

76 imp PROGRESS Colburne:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:17 Pagina 77

3. REVISING RAC&HP SAFETY STANDARDS FOR HCs

There are various activities underway to revise RAC&HP standards to help address the restrictive charge limits, including various working groups (WGs) under certain standards committees both at European level and internationally. These include: – CEN TC 182 WG6 for the revision of EN 378 and is dealing with all flammable refrigerants – IEC SC 61C WG4 for the revision of IEC 60335-2-89 and is addressing all flammables for commercial refrigeration appliances – IEC SC61D WG16 for the revision of IEC 60335-2-40 covering A2 and A3 refrigerants for air conditioners – ISO TC 86 SC1 WG1 which is revising ISO 5149, including for all flammable refrigerants The main problem is that the progress within WGs tends to be slow; this is Figure 2: A sample correlation between maximum floor concentration and partly due to the inherent inertia with- maximum enclosure exiting concentration across a range of different in the standards development process enclosure dimensions, opening sizes and locations and internal circulating and the time required to mull over and fan being on or off. understand new proposals, but also

Figure 3: Overview of main proposed risk-mitigating methods for HCs.

due to the tactics of the entities oppos- There are several elements to this – Characterising concentrations of ing wider use of HCs. work: refrigerant exiting various RACHP For instance, WG “experts” may refuse – Characterising and defining refriger- equipment housings and enclosures to accept new proposals or insist on ant leak holes sizes, where sec- of different configurations. It has adoption of extremely pessimistic tions of leaking piping and compo- been found that maximum floor con- assumptions that are way beyond rea- nents are measured to determine centrations have a strong depend- sonable experience – this can apply to the hole size, alongside other ency on this housing exiting concen- all topics, not only to charge size. In equipment characteristics (such as tration and can thus be used to iden- order to help overcome these hurdles, location, positioning, design con- tify appropriate charge limits (see more extensive experimental, compu- siderations for the system). This is Fig. 2, for example). tational and field data is useful along- providing empirical data on leak – Measuring developed concentra- side deeper analysis. Both GIZ C4 and holes so that expected real leak tions within rooms to help under- EU LIFE FRONT projects are address- mass flow rates can be calculated stand the effect of numerous vari- ing these demands. for later use. ables, with the intention of deriving

77 imp PROGRESS Colburne:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:17 Pagina 78

Figure 4: Some example allowable charge size calculations for R290 from the new methods.

more suitable correlations between – Improved housing design for refriger- either individually or in combination, charge size, room characteristics ant-containing parts so that the exit- manufacturers and system designers and equipment design. ing concentration into the surround- can pick and choose the most cost- – Computational studies on similar sit- ings is reduced; effective approach for their system uations and additionally those – Equip the system with sufficiently types. involving variables that are not easy high airflow rate so that any leak will to handle with experiments so that be effectively diluted to below the flammable volumes and persistence LFL; 4. FINAL REMARKS arising from those cases can also be – Limit the mass of refrigerant that can examined. be leaked into a given space by either To date, many of the proposals have Through these extensive research active or passive means; been discussed within the aforemen- activities, a variety of new measures – Prove size and duration of flammable tioned WGs, along with extensive have been proposed to assist with the mixtures are limited under normal background work that has led up to extension of RAC&HP charge limits. and/or fault conditions by testing mul- them. Several key approaches have been tiple scenarios; The work is still ongoing and there developed and Figure 3 summarises – Use of leak detection methods, such remain a number of refinements and the main elements currently under dis- as using certain system parameters clarifications to be made on some of cussion (in addition to the currently or ultrasonics to activate mitigation the concepts. Independent verifica- existing). measures mentioned above. tion of the methods by other partici- These measures reflect the philoso- Figure 4 gives some examples of the pants should also be carried out to phy of explosion prevention as various allowable charges based on help provide a high level of confi- addressed under the ATEX directives. the methods developed so far, where dence in the proposed requirements They can be adopted individually or in it is assumed that the maximum and associated measures. combination into revised RACHP safe- charge is fixed at 1.5 kg R290. It can It is hoped that the various European ty standards: be seen that the allowable charge and international standards committees – Improve system tightness to reduce could be increased to several times and working groups can accept the pro- the likelihood and size (mass flow) of that of the current limits (e.g., ISO posals and the relevant national com- leakage, whereby more refrigerant 5149, EN 378, etc.). By thoroughly mittees will support them when they are can be used without increasing flam- examining and understanding the issued for comment and voting. mability hazard; effects of applying various options, G

78 imp SUPERSMART:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:12 Pagina 79

The SuperSmart Project: Removing Non-Technological Barriers to the Diffusion of Innovative Solutions The Importance ofTraining and Dissemination in the Food Retail Sector

ANTONIO ROSSETTI, SILVIA MINETTO, SERGIO MARINETTI

Construction Technologies Institute, National Research Council, Padova, Italy

In the last years, the increasing Europe (updated March 2018) [Shecco Awareness barrier demand for low environmental impact Sprl, 2018], the diffusion of energy effi- The availability of new and consolidat- in the food retail sector has pushed cient and natural-refrigerant based ed technologies gives many possible HVAC&R engineers, designers and solutions is still under expectations, choices to the supermarket stakehold- manufacturers towards the develop- especially in some areas, such as ers. However, they are not always ment of more energy efficient tech- South Europe. While in the beginning aware of the different opportunities nologies, increasingly based on natu- the disuniformity was mainly to be given by more complex and innovative ral refrigerants. ascribed to the so called CO2-equator, solutions and how they can fit their Despite the growing maturity and now that the technological limit has sites. The awareness barrier is also availability, improved reliability and been successfully removed by differ- related to the unconsciousness of more competitive cost, the diffusion of ent proven technologies (parallel com- benefits on the profitability of the busi- these new technologies has still to pression, two-phase ejectors, cas- ness that are gained by adopting effi- overcome the resistance of the so cade systems, …) the reason is then cient technologies. called non-technological barriers to to be ascribed also to non-technologi- become fully spread solutions all over cal barriers. These barriers slow down Knowledge barrier Europe. the natural evolution and improvement As far as new technologies come to The high technology readiness level of the new technologies proposed by the market, people involved in the and specific merits such as efficiency, the market. This hindrance leads to a choice and utilization of efficient heat- reliability and low environmental missed knowledge of the behaviour for ing and cooling solutions in supermar- impact, are in fact not sufficient to the specific solution, which is gained kets often need to update their knowl- assure the success of a new solutions. only through the field experience. edge on how to design, build, operate, Indeed, their diffusion is negatively For the food retail sector, five major service new systems. System com- influenced by non-technological ele- categories of non-technological barri- plexity is definitively increasing and ments such as the lack of knowledge ers have been identified. interdisciplinary approach is required in and awareness or by social, organiz- tional or political factors. The European project SuperSmart1 has been conceived in order to address these barriers and to promote their removal.

NON-TECHNOLOGICAL BARRIERS

Although many steps towards low carbon solutions in commercial refrigeration have been taken in the last years with respect to CO2 solutions with 14000 transcritical units counted in Figure 1. Food retail store energy systems stakeholders. 1. Project website: http://www.supersmart-supermarket.info/

79 imp SUPERSMART:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:12 Pagina 80

order to fully understand the integration of subsystems and implication of specific choices on the final energy bill.

Social barrier Prejudice towards changes negatively affects the adoption of new technologies under multiple aspects and it obstacles planning procedures and collaboration necessary to implement energy efficient solutions. Short planning times for new sites and limited time slots for refurbishments might force to stay on old, proven solutions.

Organisational barrier All steps required to plan, build and run a single food retail store involve a complex network of stakeholders. The individual interest of each of them might be in contrast with the others; this approach limits the achievement of the common, shared objective, which is the adoption of low environmental impact solutions.

Legislative barrier Although major parts of supermarket systems and subsystems are actually affected by relevant EU regulation in terms of environmental sustainability, there is no legislation approaching food retail stores as a whole. There is no strong legislative incentive towards energy efficient supermarkets as a whole and neither against inefficient ones, except for some national regula- Figure 2. Rating the barriers for energy-efficient cooling & heating in your tions. Standards can determine sus- European food retail business / in that of your European customers and tainability; however, the impact on partners, from weak barrier (1) to strong barrier (5). costs and competitiveness must be accurately addressed. Results were grouped dividing the tangible issues from the majority of the European market in five areas, taking respondents. EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT into account the climate conditions, In Figure 2 the perceived importance OF THE NON-TECHNOLOGICAL which are mostly affecting the of each non-technological barrier is BARRIERS HVAC&R systems’ energy consump- reported by mean of the most frequent tion and the adopted technology both response (Mode) for each geographi- In order to obtain an objective map of for HVAC&R systems and building cal area. the perceived impact of the non-tech- construction, as well as commercial The results reported in Figure 2 show nological barriers in the food retail sec- areas for system manufacturers and a clear fracture from the Central-North tor, a survey was carried out as the suppliers. to the Southern part of Europe. While first step of the SuperSmart project, The survey allowed proving that the in the Northern area the strength of directed towards all the stakeholders average level of experience in energy the non-technological barriers is per- involved in the different phases of the efficiency and low carbon technolo- ceived as marginal, the central and heating, cooling and refrigeration sys- gies is generally high: 70% of respon- southern part of Europe agree in rat- tem life in food retail stores. These dents apply heat recovery, 60% utilise ing 3-4 over a maximum of 5 the dif- include all the group related to plan- renewable energy sources and 81% ferent barriers. ning, designing, installing, operating, use CO2 as refrigerant. Despite this, The questionnaire allowed to identify maintaining and refurbishing the sys- the survey highlighted that non-tech- the actions considered more useful to tems (see Figure 1). nological barriers are perceived as remove or reduce the impact of these

80 imp SUPERSMART:mod 2002 8-10-2018 13:12 Pagina 81

barriers, as well as the perceived diffi- culty expected in removing these barriers. According to the survey’s results, the legislative barrier is the most difficult to remove, together with the social one, while awareness and knowledge barriers are regarded as the easiest to eliminate. REAL ALTERNATIVES 4 LIFE TO HOLD EVENTS The lack of awareness of financial ON THE USE OF LOW GWP ALTERNATIVE supports to implement energy efficien- REFRIGERANTS ACROSS EUROPE cy measures is viewed as the most important aspect in the awareness The EU project, REAL Alternatives 4 LIFE, will organise a programme of barrier. The lack of experienced train- Study Days and Train the Trainer events during the second half of 2018 and ers is considered the knowledge barri- into 2019 to reinforce the practical training associated with the use of low er with the highest impact amongst GWP alternative refrigerants, aimed at standardising and ensuring a high the others in the same category. level of training on low GWP alternative refrigerants. To be held in the proj- Considering the social barrier, the fear ect partners countries Germany (IKKE), Italy (ATF), Poland (Prozon) and of not having enough trained techni- Belgium (UCLL), the topics will focus on flammables and carbon dioxide, cians is viewed as the worst type of with the number of participants varying from 8-12 per event. Participants of social barrier, especially in South this programme will include training providers from Croatia, Czech Europe. The organisational barrier is Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Spain and Turkey. At the Study Days, knowl- perceived as an obstacle mainly by edge and expertise will be shared on how low GWP alternative refrigerants components and system suppliers, all training courses are carried out. This will aim to prepare the trainers for the over Europe. Finally, in analysing the new training courses that will be offered in their national markets based on legislative barrier, the judgments the REAL Alternatives materials.The events will be organised as a half-day towards the F-Gas Regulation and the of theoretical training and a half-day of practical demonstration on test Energy Performance of Buildings equipment. The day will be concluded by a written assessment to validate Directive (EPBD) are collected. the training and for which participants will receive a certificate. For more As a general result, the importance of information on the Study Days and Train the Trainer events sign up to disseminating energy efficient tech- receive updates at www.realalternatives4life.eu. nologies availability and train food retail sector stakeholders, mainly maintenance and servicing operator, was highlighted. Detailed explanations of non-technological barriers, complete results of the survey, as well as the questionnaire used, can be found in the open access full paper: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2017.11.022 ]

GOALS ACHIEVED BY SUPERSMART IN TRAINING AND DISSEMINATION out and more than 40 articles pub- REFERENCES During the first 2 years, over 3 years lished by SuperSmart team and exter- Shecco SPRL, Accelerate Australia & NZ Autumn lifespan, SuperSmart has been active nal sources. 2018 Volume 3, Issue #9 Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament in organising dissemination events and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending and public workshops at major Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of European trade fairs, congresses and Aknowledgements buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (EPBD) events, reaching more than 400 stake- SuperSmart is funded by the EU under Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European holders. SuperSmart partners have the H2020 Innovation Framework Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on trained around 150 people at 20 free Programme, project 696076. fluorinated greenhouse gases and repealing Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 (F-gas) G of charge dedicated training in 4 Minetto S., Marinetti S., Rossetti A., Saglia P., European Countries. Detailed training Masson N, 2018, Non-technological barriers to the material (7 reports) is available for free diffusion of energy-efficient HVAC&R solutions in the food retail sector, International Journal of download at the project website. 17 Refrigeration Volume 86, Pages 422-434, newsletters have been sent out sent https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2017.11.022

81 embraco.com

PREMIUM FULLMOTION FMF LINE-UP Intelligent technology compressor

EFFICIENCY Highest EER on R290 for commercial applications on variable speed

FAST COOLING Targets temperature reached faster, ensuring better foods preservation

LOWER NOISE & LESS VIBRATIONS Consistent noise level reduction compared to the other models in commercial applications

WIDE VOLTAGE RANGE Guarantee for the equipment to run even with voltage fluctuation INCREASED DEMAND IN EUROPE FOR SANDEN’S FIRST-EVER COMPACT

CO2 CONDENSING UNITS

SANDEN has been commercializing one of the most

innovative CO2 condensing units for small refrigeration applications. These high performances, yet compact size condensing modules are unique in the market.

Not only of a small footprint, Sanden condensing units do address the needs for both medium and low-temperatures. Sanden offers solutions for OEM partnership where Sanden's retail equipment is installed in different types of business modules, upon their needs. Sanden not only delivers excellence in projects with a limited investment, but also extended service, support and training.

HIGH PERFORMANCE GUARANTEED FOR SMALL STUNNING ENERGY-SAVINGS VERSUS HFC STORES & COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION EU F-gas regulation for HFC phase down will be effective soon. What is more surprising for this solution is how quiet these units operate. Refrigerant leakages are the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions

The noise-restrained operation is ideal and a worth considering for remote of the retail industry and CO2 is the only 100% nontoxic and installations in urban areas. nonflammable refrigerant that helps to curb energy-consumption and The Sanden condensing units are light-weighted and more performative carbon footprint. compared to the same footprint of products. Considering evaporating 100% CO2 condensing units are therefore to become one of the key temperature at -5°C with ambient at +32°C, COP is 1,7. growth-drivers of a true sustainable and long-term refrigeration offer. The exclusive aluminium micro-channel gas cooler technology is Sanden Environment Solutions has been integrated into SandenVendo in developed by Sanden in Japan, gaining in compactness, lowering the April 2018, consolidating its position as the number 1 vending-machine weight and increasing the cooling performance. Sanden's cooling technology grants substantial reduction of refrigerant in amount used for manufacturer, strengthening its comprehensive portfolio of innovative the same cooling capacity. products. This new step drives Sanden to the European leadership of environmental-friendly solutions.

For further information, please contact : www.sandenvendo.com/cdu | [email protected] Creard R-407H: Best in CLASS

GWP and price: A+! Time to send R-404A and R-507 to the backbenches.

In its A1 safety class, Creard R-407H is the perfect refrigerant for you. Compared to traditional refrigerants like R-404A and R-507, you can VISIT US AT save up to 62% in carbon dioxide equivalent - at higher ef ciency! That is good news for you and for the environment. You can reliably nd Nuremberg, 16.-18.10.2018 Hall 4A, stand 111 DAIKIN Chemical Europe‘s refrigerant at your distributor of choice.

Tel.: +49 211 · 179225-0 daikinchem.de/refrigerants

R-407H

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND ENERGY COSTS, NATURALLY

Carrier Commercial Refrigeration is a leading supplier of high-efﬁ ciency refrigeration systems and services. We are committed to improving refrigeration through sustainable products and processes.

Up to 40%* of energy savings

40 – 480 kW MT capacity

® Latest innovation, CO2OLtec Evo refrigeration system uses the natural refrigerant CO2 in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for food retailers. It features several innovative and unique Carrier patents, including the modulating vapour ejector and pump assisted cycle enabling energy savings of up to 40%* compared to traditional solutions.

* Comparison vs. traditional solutions. Energy savings for rack only, based on annual energy consumption. 3 3 Projection based on 94 m MT cabinets, 38 m LT cabinets, 228 m MT cold room, 55 m LT cold room. Temperature proﬁ le: Mild Climate = Berlin (10° C avg.); HybridCO2OL = CO2 LT + R134a MT

www.carrier-refrigeration.com Opt for better

Opteon™ low GWP products are the smart choice for a big change.

It’s time to choose the optimal balance of performance, sustainability, safety, and cost efficiency. Opteon™ refrigerants are better for your business and better for the environment. opteon.com

©2018 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Opteon™ and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.

CHMFP17008_Opt4Better_Trees_Ad_A4_Italy.indd 1 10/4/18 10:46 AM SOLUTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL REFRIGERATION. .

THE GREEN EVOLUTION.

R 290 • HEAT R 744 EXCHANGERS • CONDENSING UNITS RIVACOLD • PACKAGED F-GAS SYSTEMS READY • PACK SYSTEMS • INTEGRATED PRODUCTS SYSTEMS

MASTERING COLD

RIVACOLD srl Via Sicilia, 7 - Fraz. Montecchio - 61022 Vallefoglia (PU) - Italy - Tel. +39 0721 919911 - www.rivacold.com - [email protected] A LEGEND IN PROGRESS A CENTURY OF INNOVATION

A Story of Excellence that lasts 100 years A Family Passion for Innovation and Creativity A Desire for Quality and Highest Standards The Mission of Market Growth and of Being a Reference for the market sector

DORIN Transcritical Compressors are the result of a technology research initiated on 1991. After almost 30 years of experience, and with 35.000+ compressors running on the market, CD SERIES represent the real Milestone for the present refrigeration market.

CD500 Range satisﬁes perfectly the needs of energy savings and eﬃciency for Your Transcritical Systems CD500 could reach Volume Displacements up to 98.58 m3/H in BT and Motor Nominal Power up to 80Hp.

O FFI C I N E M A R IO DOR I N S I N CE 1 9 1 8

www.dorinchina.com | [email protected]

COME AND MEET US! MCE 2018 | 13-16 Marzo 2018, Rho (IT)

ORBIT FIT ORBIT+

COMBINE SMARTLY. APPLY EFFICIENTLY.

The new ORBIT+ and ORBIT FIT series take compressor performance to a new level, enabling users to meet the strictest energy effi ciency standards. ORBIT+ with line start permanent magnet motor boosts scroll chiller and heat pump system effi ciency. The economiser operation of ORBIT FIT (Flexible Injection Technology) enlarges the application envelope and increases capacity as well as effi ciency. All ORBIT series can be used with BITZER Advanced Header Technology (BAHT) in numerous tandem and trio combinations. The technology guarantees proper compressor lubrication and reduces costs, increasing overall system economy. All series are suitable for A1 refrigerants like R410A, as well as R454B, R452B and R32 of type A2L. Learn more at www.bitzer.de

A.PGS.1804_G-ORBIT_FIT_+_Tandem_basic.EN_210x297+5.indd 1 03.05.18 14:08 retro 20180 ISI:Layout 1 8-10-2018 10:27 Pagina 1

18th EUROPEAN CONFERENCE 6 - 7 June 2019 | Politecnico di Milano Technological Innovations in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning with particular reference to the energy and environmental optimization, new refrigerants, new international regulations, new plants and the cold chain

Speakers and Presidents invited include Leading Global Experts from: United Nations Environment (UNEP) UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) European Commission DG Clima International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR-IIF) European RAC Associations (AREA) Association Française du Froid (AFF) AHRI - ASERCOM - ASHRAE - EPEE Politecnico of Milano,Torino Universities of Ancona, Genova, Padova The George Washington University (USA) Heriot-Watt University, Glasgow Caledonian University Imperial College of London, Edinburgh Napier University University of East London,The University of London Universities of Palermo, Perugia, Roma, and all the AC&R European Associations

Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci, 32 - Milano (Italy)