R134a

A.G. Coombs issues advice on commercial HVAC refrigerants


A.G. Coombs has developed an update on its information about refrigerant use for industrial HVAC units.

“As the planet grapples with rising temperatures brought on by the emission of greenhouse gases, refrigerants are underneath renewed scrutiny,” A.G. Coombs states. “Common refrigerants are categorized as greenhouse gases, which can be hundreds or even a thousand moments even worse from a global warming possible (GWP) compared to the equal volume of normal refrigerants this sort of as carbon dioxide (CO2).”

The Advisory Take note is specific, furnishing details on the HFC stage-down and Montreal Protocol, the point out of the existing refrigerant sector, HFC possibilities, refrigerant traits, and an evaluation of what the phase-down signifies for industrial HVAC methods.

Considering that the period-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the most prevalent form of refrigerant obtainable in the market place these days are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

“The big issue with HFCs occur from their world wide warming prospective,” the be aware advises. “GWP is a bodily assets of greenhouse gases, which indicates the propensity of the gas to entice atmospheric warmth.”

The observe goes on to clarify the HFC section-down is a gradual reduction in the maximum quantity of HFCs permitted to be imported into Australia.

“The composition of the Australian governing administration HFC phase-down is geared in the direction of restricting the importation of HFC gases, with a see of encouraging marketplace forces to identify the most effective resolution,” the observe says. “As these kinds of, it is helpful to notice the industry to see what adjustments, developments and innovations are taking location.”

So, what does this imply for business HVAC units?

“With the stage-down of HFC refrigerants, there will be diminished source, and this is probable to consequence in raising price tag of the fuel over time,” states A.G. Coombs. “This has been observed with an growing price tag of R134a more than the previous five decades.”

The note advises maintaining an exact asset timetable of all incorporating HFC refrigerants, speaking with mechanical upkeep companies to recognize any HFC plant working inefficiently, making ready a refrigerant administration strategy, examining chiller plant alternative techniques, and thought of units that can offer both of those cooling and heating at the exact same time to leverage charge efficiencies.

“It must be observed that the Kigali agreement is a phase-down and not a stage-out, meaning there are no HFC production bans as there had been with hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) these types of as R22,” the observe suggests. “However, it is nonetheless critical to take into consideration the choice of the refrigerants in any new and alternative plant.”

To study the A.G. Coombs Advisory Observe, simply click here.



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A.G. Coombs issues advice on commercial HVAC refrigerants


A.G. Coombs has developed an update on its suggestions about refrigerant use for commercial HVAC devices.

“As the environment grapples with climbing temperatures prompted by the emission of greenhouse gases, refrigerants are less than renewed scrutiny,” A.G. Coombs claims. “Common refrigerants are labeled as greenhouse gases, which can be hundreds or even a thousand occasions worse from a worldwide warming likely (GWP) vs . the equal quantity of organic refrigerants such as carbon dioxide (CO2).”

The Advisory Be aware is in depth, providing information on the HFC section-down and Montreal Protocol, the condition of the present-day refrigerant marketplace, HFC options, refrigerant traits, and an evaluation of what the section-down usually means for industrial HVAC programs.

Considering the fact that the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the most common type of refrigerant accessible in the market today are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

“The important trouble with HFCs crop up from their worldwide warming opportunity,” the be aware advises. “GWP is a physical residence of greenhouse gases, which signifies the propensity of the fuel to entice atmospheric warmth.”

The note goes on to reveal the HFC section-down is a gradual reduction in the optimum volume of HFCs permitted to be imported into Australia.

“The framework of the Australian authorities HFC stage-down is geared towards restricting the importation of HFC gases, with a watch of encouraging marketplace forces to ascertain the best remedy,” the be aware says. “As this sort of, it is helpful to notice the sector to see what variations, developments and innovations are using place.”

So, what does this suggest for commercial HVAC techniques?

“With the section-down of HFC refrigerants, there will be lessened provide, and this is most likely to consequence in growing price tag of the gas around time,” states A.G. Coombs. “This has been observed with an raising cost of R134a more than the previous 5 a long time.”

The be aware advises maintaining an exact asset schedule of all incorporating HFC refrigerants, talking with mechanical servicing providers to detect any HFC plant functioning inefficiently, getting ready a refrigerant administration approach, reviewing chiller plant substitute approaches, and thing to consider of systems that can provide both of those cooling and heating at the exact time to leverage price efficiencies.

“It must be famous that the Kigali settlement is a period-down and not a period-out, which means there are no HFC production bans as there had been with hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) these as R22,” the observe states. “However, it is however significant to take into consideration the range of the refrigerants in any new and alternative plant.”

To study the A.G. Coombs Advisory Be aware, simply click listed here.



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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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Does R134a alternative hold promise for Australia?


US refrigerant producer Koura has introduced R456A, an alternate to R134a for automotive aftermarket programs.

R456A has a world warming potential of 626 – about fifty percent that of R134a. According to Koura, trials have demonstrated R456A to be compatible with present R134a automotive air conditioning devices when preserving “high-good quality, effective performance”.

The development will come as Europe will take the next action in its HFC phase-down. Offered the increased pressure on quotas – now down to 45 for every cent of baseline – the new refrigerant could be an interesting different to R134a.

Accordingly, Koura is doing work to get EU (CE) and Uk certification for the new refrigerant, and is partaking with distributors to convey R456A to market place in just the British isles and EU.

Refrigerants Australia Govt Director Greg Picker suggests that R456A will mainly be of fascination to the provider sector.

“This clearly isn’t made for new vehicles,” Picker states, “because it would not meet up with the specifications for new cars in Europe, which say gases have to have a GWP of a lot less than 150. This is about managing the fleet of current motor vehicles when they appear in for company, where by they are putting in precious quota tonnes just to retain automobile air conditioners doing the job. This is a way to extend those tonnes.”

In Europe, R134a has been banned for new cars and trucks specified its GWP of 1,430 producers have mainly switched to systems employing R1234yf.

“The edge of R1234yf as a replacement for R134a in new automobiles is that other than staying mildly flammable, it is pretty identical to R134a in conditions of its attributes,” says Picker. “The temperature selection it works by using for its steadiness, its oil, the form of method … it did not require key adjustments in techniques, so it’s been genuinely prosperous.

“The trouble is you simply cannot adhere R1234yf in air conditioning programs in motor vehicles that weren’t intended for them for the reason that of security troubles.”

At initially look, the new refrigerant would look to have some interest for Australia, wherever new autos are still remaining marketed with R134a, and where this refrigerant is just one of the largest areas of the country’s full refrigerant bank. According to the most latest Cold Hard Information report, it built up 31.6 per cent of the full financial institution in 2019.

Picker says that correct now, tension on import quotas in Australia is not as acute as in Europe, largely simply because of the fast transition in the break up market from R410A to the reduce-GWP R32, but in the foreseeable future, these kinds of an option may possibly arrive into participate in.

“Europe improved about in 2018 – that is four a long time back now – to not acquiring vehicles with R134a methods,” says Picker. “Most of our automobiles even now have R134a units.

“So the longer-term use of this gas is far additional likely right here than in Europe. Slower uptake in this article, but a considerably far more spectacular probably use and tail. In Europe, 10 a long time from now they will not be using this gasoline specified how we’re nonetheless importing cars with R134a we could be, and by then it will make any difference.”

Picker suggests that the larger game is tightening Australia’s guidelines for mobile air conditioning units.

“Car air conditioners have a large amount of gasoline in them in phrases of proportion of in which the financial institution is,” suggests Picker. “It’s a leaky application, and there are decreased-GWP solutions that are obtainable that are not getting employed.

“That’s the kicker – we’re staying slow. We always say we’re early adopters, but not here.”



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