REFRIGERANTS the challenge. The use of R744 (CO2 ) in large
supermarkets continues and R717 (Ammonia) is gradually replacing old R22 equipment in the industrial sector, but neither of these refrigerants can provide the answer for all cooling equipment used in their respective sectors. We are starting to see the emergence of
equipment from a number of suppliers using the low GWP A2L refrigerants such as R-454A, R454C and R455A, two of which have a GWP below 150 and the third can be used in non-commercial applications and multipack systems up to 40KW after 2022. All three offer energy efficiency and life time cost gains compared to R744. Condensing units running on these A2L refrigerants are now available from an increasing number of manufacturers and each are claiming improved energy efficiency. In the air conditioning sector, we have seen R32 with a GWP of 675, rapidly become the refrigerant of choice instead of R-410A (GWP 2088) in small split systems and equipment manufacturers are now extending the use of R-32 into larger systems and smaller VRF systems where EN 378 will allow.
R454B with a GWP of 466 is being used
in some smaller chillers from a number of manufacturers instead of R410A and in preference to R452B with a GWP of 698. R466A with a GWP of 733 is still being evaluated by manufacturers but is not commercially available yet. In larger medium pressure chillers R1234ze
and R513A are currently the lower GWP refrigerants of choice and Honeywell have recently launched R515B (GWP 293) a non- flammable alternative with low environmental impact in applications where long term solutions (such as R1234ze) could not be implemented for regulatory reasons. It is not a retrofit option for R134a as its capacity is much less. Low pressure chillers seem to be making a comeback and are using R1233zd a very low GWP A1 refrigerant.
The phase down steps every three years create the need to use the lowest GWP possible in new equipment.
This affects different types of equipment
at different speeds depending upon the complexity of change required in equipment design and performance. The current F-Gas legislation review, to assess its effectiveness
and explore further measures, may bring some changes for the future which could affect the higher GWP products. Right now, the most effective control
that can bring about change is to enforce compliance of current legislation in terms of illegal imports, compliance with leak check regimes, correct practices, training and qualifications. In the UK we will be able to make changes
of our own to suit our own market, but it is expected that any changes to the EU legislation will not be until 2022 or 2023 and are likely to be followed by the UK. The use of A2L refrigerants is growing and becoming much more common place with more and more equipment coming to market. The need for good practice and risk assessment is understood by those using these products.
A full list of low GWP refrigerant options will be available from refrigerant suppliers such as Climalife. Today, R32 (GWP 675), R454A (GWP 239), R-454C (GWP 148), R455A (GWP 148) R1234yf and R1234ze are no longer the new kids on the block and their use is becoming the new normal.
SBS
www.acr-news.com
October 2020 21
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