REFRIGERANTS
reductions in 2021 and 2024 may affect them. Both can be replaced by R-448A or R-449A (depending on the age and type of installation). R-404A/R-507/R-434A/R-428A flooded systems – Flooded systems vary in design and can be gravity fed, pump circulation, and low- pressure receivers (LPR), most are bespoke to a specific application. Therefore, each application needs to be looked at individually. Many are old R-22 systems that are over 30 years old where the only options are to replace with new equipment usually using Ammonia or rely on availability of reclaimed refrigerant. We are aware of a couple of systems that have been successfully converted including an LPR, but there is little or no data available other than they are working.
R-422D & R-434A – With GWPs >2500, R-422D and R-434A were used to convert R-22 Dx systems. If the equipment is not being replaced, the easiest retrofit would be to use either R-438A or R-453A, similar products which were also used to replace R-22. Both allow the same oil type to continue to be used. Another option would be to consider R-448A or R-449A, both would require a full POE oil
change and the system pressure rating would need to be checked.
R-134a – R-134a has a relatively low GWP compared to other refrigerants and isn’t banned, but R-513A is now widely approved in new equipment, has less than 50% of the GWP of R-134a and is easy to retrofit with a very close match on COP and capacity. R-450A can also be considered a retrofit option if a system has enough spare capacity.
R-410A –R-410A is not affected by the current legislation for existing equipment, however at 2088 GWP could come under pressure from quota reductions. R-32 is not a retrofit option.
New to market is R-470A (RS-53), it has an A1 classification with a GWP around 50% less than R-410A and has a similar cooling capacity and pressures to R-410A but without compressor approvals. There are other products in
development, such as HDR-147 from Honeywell but at this time we do not have any further information on technical data or availability.
Reclaimed Refrigerant Reclaimed refrigerants continue to play an
important part in keeping systems with a high GWP operating and will continue to do so for many years. However, they are a finite source, that isn’t available in limitless quantities, as they require existing systems to be retrofitted or replaced.
Looking forward
These are unusual times for all of us. We have the next F-Gas phase down step looming, encouraging us to shift to products that have lower environmental implications as well as maximising the energy efficiency of our cooling systems. But with the recent lockdown, we all seem to be much more aware of these environmental goals that go hand in hand with our daily lives. So we have to consider our options. Do we invest now in new equipment with very Low GWP such as the A2L Refrigerants? There are some good replacement options available, or do we consider retrofitting? The real answer is a mixture of both options, refrigerant suppliers such as Climalife understand these decisions and can give you helpful advice on which is the best route to take for your business and your applications.
Elitech
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