REFRIGERANTS
Managing the transition to lower GWP refrigerants
Shaun Evers, managing director of Stonegate Instruments, takes an in-depth look at the industry’s transition towards A2L refrigerants, their green credentials and the potential implications for refrigeration and air conditioning professionals.
T
o meet the EU’s ever more stringent F-Gas Regulations there is a growing requirement for refrigerants with a low global warming potential (GWP). To enable the phasing down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant gases such as R404a and R507a, and support the transition towards more environmentally sustainable alternatives, businesses are increasingly considering A2L refrigerants such as R454A for their air conditioning and refrigeration equipment and processes. It is perhaps little surprise, given that as the European F-Gas Regulations edge closer, the price of refrigerants has continued to rise at a rapid rate. In fact, a 600% increase in the cost of gases such as R404a and R507a was reported in 2018 alone. Meanwhile, wholesalers set record price rises of up to 60% on the same refrigerants in 2017 . With a potential shortage of more popular HFCs anticipated this year, due largely to pre-2018 stockpiles running low, the de-escalation of less environmentally friendly refrigerants could be accelerated. That is all before the second HFC phase-down in 2021, which will further reduce the available quota by 55% vs the baseline – a significant decrease . As the phase down continues across various sectors, and reductions and product bans start to impact the marketplace, it is imperative that businesses begin to plan for the seemingly inevitable adoption of A2L refrigerants – be that for new planned installations, recent additions or existing assets.
F-Gas Regulations and A2L refrigerants
Of course, before the temperature-control industry considers adopting alternative refrigerants, manufacturers and contractors must gain a greater understanding of not only how they will perform, but also seek clearer guidance when it comes to the safe, long-term use of lower GWP gases. While each emerging refrigerant has its merits, such as low GWP and the ability to be used with higher charge sizes, as with the HFCs before them, they also come with strict specification requirements, especially when it comes to the use of refrigerant sensors and mandatory response time and measurement ranges.
For instance, the new F-Gas Regulations place 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 (CO2 e) or more must
ensure that equipment is checked for leaks on a routine basis. For apparatus without gas leak detection systems installed, the period between mandatory gas leak checks lessens. Given the flammable properties of class A2L refrigerants, operators must also ensure the concentration level in a room stays below the lower flammability level (LFL) and, therefore, will not ignite. Safety legislation and standards such as ISO 5149 and EN 378 define requirements to maintain levels below the flammability threshold in case of leakage. By combining the use of low GWP refrigerants with operational improvements such as leak reduction, improving the energy efficiency of equipment and temperature control through the use of state-of-the-art products, further efficiencies can be delivered without compromising the effectiveness of equipment.
For instance, with fresh F-Gas legislation governing both new equipment and service or maintenance applications due to be introduced in 2020, gas leak detection has once again come to the forefront, meaning HVAC and refrigeration professionals need to have the systems in place not only to ensure safety, but also compliance.
A safer solution
There is positive news for today’s refrigerant professionals, however. Much like the legislation that addresses refrigerant usage, the state-of-the-art technology that ensures their safe and efficient use is continuously evolving, meaning refrigeration professionals have the tools they need to meet their obligations for air conditioning and refrigeration systems under the renewed regulations. What’s more, new products have been designed and developed to cover the A2L types of gases in harsher environments, since not everyone is going down the CO2
route.
Inevitably, in the heavily regulated refrigeration sector, there will always be challenges to overcome. The real trial for many, therefore, will be evolving not only the gases they use, but also their equipment and processes to deal with the new challenges.
A suitable partner with long-standing expertise in the industry can not only help businesses to transition towards more sustainable low GWP refrigerants, but also support proper compliance to keep up with the regulatory momentum, minimise risk and improve efficiency of new and existing refrigeration equipment.
www.acr-news.com June 2019 11
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