REFRIGERANTS
Eliminating the silent killer
Demand is growing for gas detection equipment, with organisations looking to improve the efficiency of their cold store systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) stores, not to mention the need to consider safeguarding their staff. Shaun Evers, managing director of Stonegate Instruments, discusses how technology is playing a pivotal role in reducing both refrigerant gas leaks and the costly associated effects.
C
old storage, refrigeration and HVAC units are vital for maintaining the required temperatures in many industries. If operated and maintained correctly,
they extend longevity, ensure quality and freshness and, in doing so, they prevent wastage and the potential for health risks, not to mention limiting the effects on the environment should a gas leak occur. The old adage that prevention is better than cure is true in many circumstances; however, sometimes it is impossible to predict when something is about to go wrong. Refrigerant gas, for example, has no colour or odour and, in the majority of cases, escapes before anyone realises there is a problem.
Understanding the safety and environmental con- cerns
Identifying a leak as quickly as possible has always been a challenge but is absolutely vital for two key reasons: the environmental effect of leakages and the potential life- threatening effects to staff who come into contact with these gases.
For staff who are exposed to such gases it can be exceptionally dangerous. Detrimental conditions range from irritation of the throat, eyes and skin to frostbite, chemical burns and even lung or brain damage. With regards to the environmental impact there are two problem areas: the direct impact is the leakage of refrigerant gases into the atmosphere which causes ozone depletion and contributes to global warming; the indirect
24 August 2020
impact is the energy consumed by refrigeration and HVAC systems. This raises CO2 emissions and contributes to global warming.
It’s actually been suggested that one kilogram of the refrigerant R410a has a similar greenhouse impact as two tonnes of CO2. This is the equivalent of running your car for approximately six months (or 10,000 miles). These health, safety and environmental concerns have led to the implementation of new regulations in the UK for relevant industries. By putting emissions and sustainable operations high on the agenda, regulators can also control the safety aspect. Earlier this year the new F-Gas regulations came into force. These regulations place a ban on any refrigerant with a GWP (Global Warming Potential) of more than 2,500 and will prevent businesses from topping up their systems that use some hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant gases such as R404a and R507a, with new fluid.
With these new F-Gas regulations there is also now a greater emphasis on carrying out regular gas leak checks on refrigeration systems. Operators of stationary refrigeration equipment, air conditioning, heat pumps and refrigeration units of refrigerated trucks and trailers that contain F-gases in quantities of 5 tonnes CO2 equivalent (CO2e), or more, must ensure that equipment is routinely checked for leaks. For apparatus without gas leak detection systems installed, the period between mandatory gas leak checks obviously lessens.
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