R410A

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

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