REFRIGERANTS
A2Ls: a pathway to the future
A-Gas operations director Robert Parker explains how A2Ls or mildly fl ammables are making their mark as alternative refrigerants.
W
e are only weeks away from the next set of F-Gas bans. Refrigerants with a GWP of more than 2500 can
no longer be installed in stationary systems (except below -50°C). A service ban will also come into eff ect on refrigerants with a GWP of more than 2500 where the charge size is greater than 40 tonnes of CO2
– that’s only
10kgs of R404A. Both of these measures will have a major infl uence on the refrigeration and air conditioning industry in the months and years ahead.
Much progress has been made this year
and the sale of virgin R404A has largely been confi ned to the pages of refrigeration history. Evidence suggests that a signifi cant amount of retrofi tting is taking place and the use of reclaimed gases is also emerging as a viable alternative for contractors and end users looking for breathing space. HFOs, R448A and R449A, are now in common use and can be
22 December 2019
considered mainstream refrigerants in today’s industry, and R32 continues to make the headlines Our industry should be praised for its achievements in meeting the low GWP challenge. There’s been a huge reduction in the amount of high GWP refrigerant being used and innovation by refrigerant suppliers and engineers has ensured that the impact of the stepdowns on the customer has been cushioned. R404A look-a-likes are now making their mark and if the F-Gas Regulations are to be met with confi dence we should all aspire to position them as mainstream in the years ahead. At A-Gas we believe that A2Ls – or mildly fl ammables – are workable alternatives on the road to a kinder, more environmentally- friendly future for our industry. The fact that the A2L R32 (GWP 650) has become a preferred choice in air conditioning split systems has shown that they can be a
success. There’s been a huge shift away from R410A
(GWP 2000 plus) as contractors have opted for
R32 in
large numbers. R404A has a GWP as high as 3922. An A2L
alternative like R455A has a GWP as low as 148 and is also suitable for low, medium and high temperature applications. For instance, R1234ze, used in water chillers, has a GWP of only seven. These are ready-made A2L alternatives available to help installers move away from high GWP gases today. A2Ls require a diff erent approach by the
contractor. Refrigerant recovery machines can only be used which are specifi cally designed to handle mildly fl ammable refrigerants. A standard HFC recovery machine and standard
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