SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION
The potential and properties of propane
Kevin Sizer, sales director of Pastorfrigor GB examines the use of propane in refrigerated cabinets.
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n March 2014, the European Parliament passed, by an overwhelming majority, a piece of legislation that has brought significant changes to our industry. This was the 2014 EU F-Gas Regulation. The recent Kigali agreement reinforces this change, however Europe will continue with the current, more stringent F-Gas legislation.
The F-Gas Regulation was a landmark ruling that has affected us at all stages, from manufacture to installation and use. From 01 January 2015, the phase down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and bans on use of the refrigerants in certain sectors of new equipment, began.
So is R290 a viable alternative? The R290 refrigerant as a replacement for some HFCs is simply a highly-refined blend of propane, an abundant, non-toxic, and naturally-occurring compound which has properties similar to popular, man-made refrigerants. The substance has long been used as a refrigerant in industrial and commercial applications, whether R290 is a viable alternative to HFCs was a question that received much debate. Numerous studies, including one
36 October 2017
published in the International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology showed R290 and HFCs have very similar thermodynamic properties, meaning that they absorb and transfer heat in much the same way. A white paper, based on the actual production experience of a major compressor company names R290 as the best alternative to traditional refrigerants. Another major concern was whether existing commercial refrigerators could be redesigned to safely and efficiently use R290 without increasing the cost of the equipment to the consumer and without requiring an unreasonable amount of time and cost to make the necessary adjustments. That question was at the centre of a study published in a 2013 Volume of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, which found that hydrocarbons are the “most suitable long- term alternatives in refrigeration…” and that “natural refrigerants, especially hydrocarbons and their mixtures are miscible with both mineral oil…” and “fully compatible with all materials traditionally used in refrigeration systems.” Those findings affirm that R290 can be used safely with current refrigeration technology without the need for costly overhauls.
As it happens, R290 refrigerant isn’t just an environmentally-sound replacement to HFCs, its use also results in energy savings. Several studies have confirmed this, including a study finding a 28.5% increase in efficiency for domestic refrigeration.
A study published in 2014 supported these findings, showing that a freezer with R290 was 28% more energy efficient than it was using R134a, and a report issued by the European Initiative for Natural Refrigerants, states that certain hydrocarbon chillers were 27% more energy efficient than the same units using R134a refrigerant.
Most confuse propane, the domestic cooking gas commonly used in barbeques, with propane the refrigerant. They are not the same compound, the former being a class 4 fire hazard. Anyone who’s used a match to start a gas barbeque understands that inherent risk.
Misunderstandings like these may very well be feeding into the misperception of R290. The fact that propane is combustible and is widely used as a fuel has raised concerns of whether it’s safe to use as a refrigerant. Many have wondered if leaks in the system could pose an explosion
www.acr-news.com
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