hydrocarbons

Scientists back hydrocarbon heat pumps

As the discussion over the revisions to the F-gasoline regulation rumbles on, a group of more than 40 researchers from 24 distinct universities and investigation institutes in Europe have signed a situation paper supporting the use of hydrocarbons as refrigerants in warmth pumps.

The researchers argue that hydrocarbons these as propane and isobutane are just as excellent or greater refrigerants than artificial types. On the other hand, because these fluids are more flammable than the artificial fluids, unique safety safeguards have to be viewed as in the style and design, through services, and in the factories where the warmth pumps are produced.

In fact, many stakeholders have observed that although the technological innovation and current market for hydrocarbon-based air-to-water warmth pumps is pretty perfectly created, the similar is not true for air-to-air warmth pumps, such as splits and VRF units.

Björn Palm is a professor in the division of utilized thermodynamics and refrigeration at the KTH Royal Institute of Technological know-how, and one particular of the signatories of the paper. As mentioned in the document, he thinks a for a longer time transition time period may well be necessary for air-to-air programs.

“This is significantly hard for multi-split devices where the refrigerant rates can be pretty significant,” he states. “I do not see a long term for multi-break up units employing any sort of flammable refrigerant. As a substitute, I count on to see hydronic devices made use of for distributing heating or cooling within a building.”

As for smaller split devices, Palm states it could be attainable to minimize the cost to acceptable limitations.

“There is a exploration venture ongoing here in Stockholm with the intention of demonstrating a split system with less than 150g of propane,” he says. “This involves novel technical remedies for the warmth exchangers, the compressor, and for the expansion product. I also see a risk for other specialized methods, such as speedy-closing valves restricting the releasable demand in circumstance of leakage.

“We are now starting off up an IEA HPT Annex dedicated to safety of flammable refrigerants, and we hope for massive participation from international locations all more than the world. There are lots of tips about how to maximize the security, but they have to have to be investigated and verified ahead of the polices can be tailored.”

In conditions of how to most effective facilitate a transition away from artificial refrigerants, Palm expects exponential expansion in the need for warmth pumps in Europe in the coming years thanks to the embargo on gasoline imports from Russia.

“My knowledge is that the manufacturers have currently understood this enlargement can not be based mostly on the use of synthetic refrigerants,” he says. “But the industry desires assistance in the changeover, and the finest way is to make sure that there is enough governing administration funding for exploration in this space.”

Palm factors to the German government’s €7 million (AUD$11.4 million) grant for producing propane heat pumps to Fraunhofer ISE.

“Another fascinating piece of news indicating the course for the long term is that Rheinmetal received a €770 million (AUD$1,250 million) contract for propane compressors primarily based on technology from the automotive field.

The posture paper has been despatched to users of the European Parliament’s Committee on Surroundings, Public Health and fitness and Food items Protection (ENVI), and to all Swedish EU MPs as an enter in advance of the conclusion on the F-gasoline regulation, which is to be taken by the parliament by the end of March.

Image courtesy of KTH.

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By nigemord@gmail.com / March 30, 2023

Clare Perry Environmental Investigation Agency Europe F-Gas regulation Greg Picker HFCs hydrocarbons Montreal Protocol News refrigerants Refrigerants Australia Slider

The EU phase-down plan – brave or foolhardy?

At the end of February, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Surroundings, Community Overall health and Food items Basic safety (ENVI) agreed to main amendments to the F-gasoline regulation – the EU legislation that controls emissions from fluorinated greenhouse gases.

If the adjustments are confirmed by the European Parliament, it will proficiently see a period-out of HFC refrigerants in some important HVAC&R machines courses just before 2030. As could be expected, this has provoked potent and usually differing responses from stakeholders throughout Europe.

But what is the significance of the revision for individuals of us in the rest of the entire world? We questioned two gurus for their perspectives.

Europe’s large guess

All agree that the timetable is bold, but is it real looking?

According to Refrigerants Australia Executive Director Greg Picker, this is the $64 million question.

“European regulators have clearly signalled that they are trying to push the market to acquire items in a new way,” he suggests. “But no 1 is aware, even the regulators, no matter if or not it is achievable to do this and do it safely and competently.”

Picker factors out that a quantity of European sector associations have flagged what they see as a genuine chance, with possible destructive effects.

“Europe has targets for massive increases in heat pumps, like 30 million a 12 months by the finish of the ten years,” he states. “That’s a huge sum of equipment that’s received to be manufactured, and generated – and including redesign to that obstacle as nicely genuinely tends to make the activity overwhelming.

“Some of it will be high-quality to use purely natural refrigerants, these types of as standalone incredibly hot h2o systems. But for other air-to-air-type heating apps, in which you have split techniques and the like, factors get trickier. Is there heading to be sufficiency of supply to help that to take place? No 1 is familiar with. And with every little thing heading on with Russia and the changeover absent from gas, it is a major concern for Europe.

“Fundamentally, no matter whether it is likely to function or not is a guess.”

Picker also believes that though Europe is in a place to make such a guess, that is not the case for other international locations and locations.

“Europe is massive ample to transform the sector, if it is probable to do so,” he says. “A place like Australia isn’t. We represent .5 for every cent of the global market, so no a person is likely to develop products particularly for us.

“What’s far more, even if goods are out there in Europe in this timeframe, there is no undoubtedly about the value or availability listed here. As individuals are searching at propane split process air conditioners there are probably to be transportation issues, schooling and licensing concerns, there are set up difficulties. There could have to be secondary loop systems. So there’s a complete vary of difficulties that we have to see how they engage in out, what the implications will be on cost, power efficiency, safety and what is feasible.

“I’m careful due to the fact we have to recognise that there is a stability below. Certain, we can develop a thing that has possibly a decrease degree of local weather impact, but it has to be at a acceptable price and with security. If there are better points we can do in other sectors that aren’t as expensive, we should possibly do people 1st.

“That is why a state like Australia or New Zealand must have distinct coverage methods than an overall economy like Europe or the US, where by it is a great deal even bigger and can generate the marketplace.”

Picker also flags considerations with the Europe regulator’s seeming choice for a particular refrigerant.

“When you discuss to the European regulator, they say very constructive matters about hydrocarbons. I would contend that it’s not a regulator’s career to select the resolution. It’s one thing to say, ‘This is the functionality we want if it is possible’, but they shouldn’t tell market how to achieve that.

“And it is value pointing out that because the European method is so massive and difficult, that consultation with business about what is feasible takes place quite late in the process. So the European Fee is truly reliant on a little selection of consultants’ reviews. From my viewpoint, that would make it a weaker method, due to the fact the governing administration is not receiving the profit of a complete assortment of tips, and I think that will make it difficult to develop policy.”

One more stage that Picker claims is normally shed in the combine, is that the policies can only be enforced in international locations the place the regional protection codes enable. Some European jurisdictions, for case in point, might not allow for big demand sizes for flammable refrigerants in selected purposes.

But despite the opportunity risks in the method, Picker states that it could be effective for other jurisdictions, this sort of asAustralia.

“We’re in a good situation,” he says, “because if all those technologies are able to be deployed and they are price-effective and protected, then they’ll be profitable in our market way too. If they are not, luckily we won’t have to pay the cost of terrible policy and regulation.

“Europe is boldly foremost,” he states. “We’ll see if they’re brave or foolhardy over the up coming seven or 8 decades.”

Technically feasible and cost-productive

Clare Perry is Local climate Marketing campaign Chief at the Environmental Investigation Company – an intercontinental NGO that investigates and campaigns against environmental criminal offense and abuse – is extra philosophical about the proposed revisions.

“The timeframes have been researched and proposed by the European Commission, and are regarded as technically feasible and price tag-efficient,” she states.

“Moreover, the proposal involves safety valves in situation added time is essential to fully implement bans. Of system, nothing is formally adopted at this phase, and we have to wait for the European Parliament and council to negotiate the closing model.”

Perry details out that the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament a short while ago agreed quite a few measures to make sure compatibility with increased warmth pump deployment beneath the EU’s REPowerEU System. These consist of added time for employing bans, allowing the European Fee adaptability to reply to any unforeseen current market disruptions, and money assistance towards deployment of warmth pumps relying on organic refrigerants and education of installers.

And in accordance to Perry, Europe’s very clear signal to the HVAC&R market is presently remaining heeded.

“In Europe, companies seem to be to be using it seriously,” she claims, “especially in hydronic heat pumps, with some major investments in new factories, these types of as Viessmann in Poland, and Daikin asserting they will start a propane monobloc this year. Based mostly on what is becoming presented at significant trade demonstrates, suppliers are significantly mindful that organic refrigerants are the only practical preference, specially specified the developing worry more than PFAS contamination.”

Studies rising from the ISH trade fair at this time getting put in Nurnberg, Germany, suggest that additional than 35 distinct providers showcased diverse varieties and capacities of warmth pumps that count on organic refrigerants for heating, cooling and domestic scorching drinking water.

“These contain properly-identified organizations these as Bosch, Daikin, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, Mitsubishi, Viessmann, Vaillant, Nibe, Wolf, Midea and Clivet,” claims Perry.

As for how the changes in Europe could affect other jurisdictions, Perry says that will depend on the closing final result of the negotiation.

“But it really should help to promote the world wide market for clean, local climate-helpful and potential-proof cooling,” she states. “We would hope that it would develop momentum for accelerating the world wide phase-down of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.”

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By nigemord@gmail.com / March 16, 2023

ARC Australian Refrigeration Council Beijer Ref Acadamy CO2 Featured Glenn Evans hydrocarbon fuel hydrocarbons News

ARC working to increase uptake of Green Scheme

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is advertising and marketing its Environmentally friendly Scheme Accreditation as an important instrument to assist the industry in transitioning to very low-GWP refrigerants and a zero emissions long run.

“The Environmentally friendly Scheme is becoming the benchmark for marketplace and professionals while becoming formally recognised by various point out governments as a usually means of demonstrating competence in the low-GWP refrigerant space,” suggests the ARC.

ARC CEO Glenn Evans claims desire for accreditation to use minimal-GWP refrigerants is escalating, and this is critical in supporting the adoption of new technologies.

“Forward-contemplating professionals and firms are lining up to qualify for Eco-friendly Scheme Accreditation,” he states.

“Apprentices are now generating it component of their skills and skillset as they start their occupations, many thanks to the scholarships furnished by the Kirby Apprentice Fund.

“Kirby supports apprentices in undertaking CO₂ teaching classes operate at the Sydney Beijer Ref Academy in collaboration with Outstanding Instruction Centre (STC).

“The Beijer Ref Academy and STC present accredited courses for air conditioning and refrigeration professionals at any phase of their occupations to upskill in CO₂ refrigeration programs to comply with latest basic safety legislation.”

Evans states an crucial advantage is that federal government OH&S departments in some states now accept Inexperienced Scheme Accreditation as a way to demonstrate OH&S competence.

“Achieving governing administration OH&S recognition is all element of ARC serving to specialists and enterprises transition to a low-GWP climate manage marketplace and ultimately a zero emissions long run,” he states.

“ARC Environmentally friendly Plan Accreditation offers a pathway for RAC professionals to upskill, and facilitates the use of new and emerging refrigerants and technologies into the marketplace.

“It is the only countrywide accreditation out there for experts to exhibit they are capable to perform with hydrocarbons, CO₂ (R744) and ammonia.

“It is AQF skills-based and not only focuses on security, but also gives marketplace and individuals with self esteem that the marketplace regular of high techniques and professionalism will not be challenged.”

Image courtesy of Beijer Ref Academy.

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By nigemord@gmail.com / December 7, 2022

Featured global warming HFCs hydrocarbons IIASA International Electrotechnical Commission International Energy Agency Kigali Amendment News Pallav Purohit PNAS propane R32 R410A Slider split-system air conditioners

Propane AC could help avoid global temperature rises

A report printed at the Proceedings of the Countrywide Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has highlighted the emissions that could be prevented by switching to propane as a refrigerant in break up-process air conditioners. The research team estimates that such a transition could avoid a .09°C raise in world-wide temperature by the close of the century.

World wide possibility

The report notes that split ACs are at this time the most applied equipment for space cooling throughout the world, and that in 2016, room cooling accounted for all-around 10 for every cent of world wide electrical energy need. Primarily based on recent trends, need from air conditioners is envisioned to triple by 2050 and the inventory of ACs would boost from about .9 billion in 2017 to above 3.7 billion in 2050.

Most of these units have HFCs, which are getting phased down globally.

“The stage-down of refrigerants with large world warming likely (GWP) prescribed by the Kigali Modification to the Montreal Protocol has triggered a main hard work to come across fewer harmful different refrigerants,” states Pallav Purohit, guide researcher on the task and senior exploration scholar in the Air pollution Management Exploration Group of the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Ecosystem Software.

“R32 is at this time the most widespread refrigerant to substitute R410A in break up ACs,” claims Purohit. “The GWP of R32 is about 1 3rd that of R410A, but however considerably increased than that of a rising number of non-fluorinated choices like propane with a GWP of <1, which have recently become commercially available for split ACs.

“While analysing the consistency of Kigali ambitions with the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal, we have realised that propane-based residential air conditioners (ACs) are being manufactured in India and in China with cooling capacities up to 7kW. In 2020, the actual globally installed base was over one million units, mainly in India and China.

“Therefore, in this study, we show that a switch to propane as an energy-efficient and commercially available low-GWP alternative in split ACs, could avoid 0.09°C (0.06–0.12°C) increase in global temperature by the end of the century. This is significantly more than the 0.03°C (0.02–0.05°C) avoided warming from a complete switch to R32 in split ACs.”

Focus on direct emissions

The study focussed on the environmental impact of direct emissions (refrigerant leakage).

But Purohit says that in terms of indirect emissions (energy use), split ACs using propane perform similarly to those using R32, and are more efficient than currently widespread appliances using R410A and R22.

He points to another study by an International Energy Agency (IEA)-sponsored program that found domestic unitary air conditioners using propane refrigerant have a lower life-cycle climate performance (LCCP) than comparable units running with R410A, R32, and other alternatives in 11 cities around the world.

The research team has previously published a study that takes into account both direct and indirect emissions. This indicated that if technical energy efficiency improvements are fully implemented, the resulting electricity savings could exceed 20 per cent of future global electricity consumption.

“The combined effect of HFC phase-down, energy efficiency improvement of the stationary cooling technologies, and future changes in the electricity generation fuel mix would prevent 411–631Gt CO₂ of GHG emissions between 2018 and 2100, thereby making a significant contribution towards keeping the global temperature rise below 2°C,” says Purohit.

Barriers to uptake

Although there have now been many calls for greater uptake of hydrocarbons in split systems, the major manufacturers are yet to show signs of moving. Purohit believes this is largely due to safety standards regarding the use of flammable refrigerants.

“Therefore, countries are encouraged to support the adaptation according to technological improvements of these safety standards to allow larger charge sizes while including guidance on safe application,” he says.

He highlights the recent decision by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to approve an international standard on safety requirements for electric heat pumps, air conditioners and dehumidifiers for domestic use.

“This new standard allows for higher charge limits for hydrocarbons such as propane (R290) and other flammable refrigerants in domestic technology,” says Purohit, “which in turn means potentially massive reductions in the emission of climate-damaging refrigerant gases.”

The study considers the capacity of split ACs (<7kW) that will require less than the higher load of flammable refrigerants allowed by the IEC.

To read the report, click here.

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By nigemord@gmail.com / August 25, 2022

Asbjørn Vonsild Clare Perry Environmental Investigation Agency flammable refrigerants hydrocarbons International Electrotechnical Commission Legislation Updates News residential air conditioning Slider

Hydrocarbons the future for residential AC?

Sector stakeholders have applauded a revised Worldwide Electrotechnical Fee (IEC) basic safety typical that will allow bigger prices of flammable refrigerants in family appliances such as air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. In unique, it could open up the way for greater use of hydrocarbons in household air conditioning.

Conventional IEC 60335-2-40 offers with the protection of electrical warmth pumps, together with air conditioners, sanitary incredibly hot drinking water heat pumps, and dehumidifiers incorporating motor-compressors and hydronic supporter coil models. The standard has been the issue of substantially consideration, as it is noticed as a key enabler for greater uptake of very low-GWP flammable refrigerants these kinds of as hydrocarbons.

The new version of the normal will allow the use of greater expenses if extra mitigation actions these types of as refrigerant sensors and circulation followers are in spot. It also introduces a new approach for calculating most cost by getting into consideration style and design characteristics that will stop the escape of refrigerant.

Beneath the revised standard, a common break up-program air conditioner could now keep up to 988g of R290 (propane).

“The new version of IEC 60335-2-40 will enable R290 to be applied in several AC and heat-pump techniques which were earlier blocked from using this refrigerant by the outdated edition,” suggests Asbjørn Vonsild, the convenor of the IEC operating team.

“This will permit a thousand-fold reduction in immediate weather emissions in comparison with devices employing R410A.”

Propane has a GWP of 3, as opposed to R410A’s GWP of 2,088, and R32’s GWP of 675.

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), which has extended campaigned for greater uptake of hydrocarbons as an different to artificial refrigerants, has hailed the revised common as a significant stage to local weather-welcoming cooling.

“After urging governments and field to address this difficulty for quite a few many years, EIA is delighted to see this essential milestone achieved on the pathway to internet-zero and clean up sustainable cooling,” says EIA Climate Campaign Leader Clare Perry.

The EIA has also flagged fears all around artificial possibilities to HFCs that, whilst obtaining a low GWP, may possibly deliver damaging substances when they break down.

“The world is phasing out local weather-harming hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) less than the Kigali Modification to the Montreal Protocol and we urgently need to have to adopt potential-proof, price-helpful alternatives such as propane so as not tumble into the trap of buying into one more F-gasoline business ‘solution’ these types of as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), which are laden with environmental and human health and fitness problems,” states Perry.

“With this new common, we hope the European Parliament and EU member states to recognise that HFCs are no lengthier necessary for a big portion of the air-con and warmth pump marketplace and to improve the not too long ago proposed EU F-Gas Regulation accordingly.”

The typical is envisioned to be posted on June 24. Soon after that, it ought to be adopted into regional and nationwide protection requirements and constructing codes to take comprehensive influence.

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By nigemord@gmail.com / May 4, 2022

Cold Hard Facts Featured HFC phase-down hydrocarbons News R1234yf R134a R32 R410A refrigerant bank refrigerants

Refrigerant report underlines need for further efforts

The most current Chilly Difficult Details report, just unveiled, confirms that Australia has now extremely very likely handed “peak bank” in conditions of both whole volume of refrigerant and its GWP benefit. But it also highlights segments of the refrigerant current market that could call for far more consideration, and the need to have for ongoing exertion to limit emissions.

Considering the fact that 2007, the Chilly Hard Details series of stories have been the HVAC&R industry’s go-to publication for measuring the magnitude and impression of the sector. The large takeaway from the most latest report is that Australia has possibly passed “peak bank”. In other words, our overall amount of refrigerant is now beginning to shrink, and with it, the related emissions. This will be found by lots of as constructive information, and proof that Australia’s HFC section-down is doing the job. It is also a end result of worldwide attempts to curtail emissions, and the subsequent transition to new refrigerants and a lot more successful equipment styles.

Seeking at unique segments of the sector, a different spotlight is the ongoing quick transition away from R410A to R32 in air conditioners. For the first time, R32 overtook R410A in pre-billed tools imports, and the R410A share of the bank stopped escalating. Even though this is most noteworthy in the split procedure segment, the report notes that R32 is also being employed in much larger applications, which include break up ducted methods and chillers with prices up to 100kg. The reduced GWP of R32, and scaled-down cost measurements, have helped lower Australia’s in general financial institution.

Hydrocarbons are signalled as yet another development refrigerant, specifically in purposes with demand dimensions beneath 150g these as refrigerated screen cupboards and portable air conditioners. In the circumstance of the latter, as of July 1, 2021, 83 for every cent of portable air conditioners registered with GEMS contained hydrocarbons.

But the transition to purely natural or alternate reduced-GWP artificial refrigerants is not taking place as swiftly in other sectors. The report notes that in spite of a concerted transfer by key grocery store chains to deploy trans-essential CO₂ units, need for R404A continues to be powerful, with extra than 850 tonnes used for service and new products – steady with the earlier five several years.

Presented its large GWP of 3,922, there is worry that R404A is nonetheless so heavily employed. Some have prompt far more targeted government measures are required to lessen this “stubborn” refrigerant.

Another challenge for Australia has been the reliance on R134A in cell air conditioning, when other components of the entire world have already transitioned to the decrease-GWP HFO refrigerant R1234yf. The report notes that R1234yf is last but not least starting to surface, however nevertheless in comparatively small quantities. Of the 917,000 new automobiles imported into Australia in 2020, fewer than 15 for each cent had been estimated to include R1234yf. Once more, this phase is a prospective candidate for more immediate federal government motion.

All round, the report notes that the financial institution has develop into far more various as a extensive assortment of different refrigerants emerge.

There is also a notice of warning, that whilst Australia has likely passed peak bank, there is still a good deal of operate to do. The report points to a new CSIRO review indicating that HFC emissions have been expanding at 5 per cent per annum since 2005.

“With an present refrigerant bank in put in tools that has a full international warming likely of somewhere around 100 million tonnes (Mt) CO₂e,” reads the report, “efforts at improved containment and helpful restoration of refrigerants will be essential to continue to push down the full environmental impact of RAC solutions in Australia.”

To go through Chilly Tough Facts 2021, click on in this article.

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By nigemord@gmail.com / February 23, 2022