As the dust settles on R22, ACR News asks A-Gas md Ken Logan what gases we may be relying upon in the future.
NO-ONE can say there wasn't enough warnings or insufficient advice given prior to the ban on the use of virgin HCFCs. Just a few weeks into the ban, it is perhaps too soon to tell whether that advice has been heeded or whether some of the more dire prophecies of equipment redundancies were unfounded.

'Many refrigerant users slipped into 2010 with relative ease,' says A-Gas md Ken Logan. 'Manufacturers and suppliers worked hard to ensure the message got through and whilst there's no doubt some users have slipped through the net, assistance is still available so that end-users find the right solution for their application, whether it is replacing equipment, switching to reclaimed or retrofitting to a non ODP refrigerant.'
Time will tell what problems will surface with the availability or lack of recovered and reclaimed R22 but in the meantime the industry is focusing on the next milestone - the 2015 deadline for the complete phase-out of these popular refrigerants.

Current options
It is therefore a good time to look ahead and take an overview of where next for refrigerants but what exactly are the options facing users now?
'Currently 2015 is the next major mark for users of HCFCs which will see the end of allowable supply in the EC,' said Ken Logan. 'There are two options facing end users; investing in new plant or using replacement refrigerants. The news that the UK is out of recession, may inject renewed confidence and encourage investment in new more energy efficient plant, particularly if existing kit has come of age and maintenance bills look set to increase.
'The second option is to source alternatives and migrate towards the many HFCs which are practical retrofit options to existing applications. Here energy efficiency and the lowest possible GWP are key factors in maximising the return and longevity of conversions.'
The car industry is already exploring alternatives as automotive emissions are significant contributors to green house gases. From 2011, the EC will phase out refrigerants with a GWP of more than 150 in new build automotive air conditioning. This will include 134a which although it poses no danger to the ozone layer, if it escapes into the atmosphere it is a greenhouse gas with a fairly high global warming potential of 1410.

Natural refrigerants
'There is pressure to move away from HFCs altogether steered by environmental groups as well as no doubt commercial interests in possible alternative technology,' says Ken Logan.

'Their phase-out is unlikely until suitable alternatives are available. Phase-down of use is being mooted, but this is more likely to trigger a move to lower GWP refrigerants when these are viable alternatives to enable air conditioning systems and refrigeration plant to function effectively and efficiently.'

Even so, many industries are planning ahead and looking at various replacements, the so-called 'natural' refrigerants such as hydrocarbons (propane, iso-butane), CO2, water and air. 'Ammonia also falls into this category and thanks to its properties is a unique refrigerant. In recent years it has enjoyed a resurgence especially in systems that are designed to minimise the charge of ammonia.'
One way of doing this is by using secondary refrigerants such as potassium formate or glycols.

Low-temperature refrigerant
One of the most interesting developments is the use of CO2 as a low-temperature refrigerant in a cascade system or as a secondary refrigerant. CO2 has a GWP of 1, is non-flammable and considered non-toxic (depending on concentration levels) in contrast to other natural refrigerants - hydrocarbons (flammable) and ammonia (flammable and toxic).

'Many natural refrigerants are relatively inexpensive, and in the right applications very efficient,' Ken Logan points out. Other benefits reported include lower operating costs, lower leakage related costs and lower maintenance.

Along with an increased demand for reclaimed refrigerants, both HCFC and HFCs, Ken Logan reports that A-Gas is seeing sales of CO2 increase steadily: 'The high operating pressures of CO2 also provide an opportunity for system size and weight reduction. Retailers have already signalled their intentions by moving towards using CO2 as low temperature refrigerant in supermarkets and as a low temperature stage of large industrial freezing and cold storage systems.'

Future developments
Ken Logan expects further improvements on the GWP front and mentions talk of the fourth generation of refrigerants - the HFOs and other non-flammable blends.

'There is no one solution. A refrigerant offering zero ODP, low GWP, non-toxic and non-flammable properties, low cost and easily available that could be used universally for refrigeration and air conditioning applications would be ideal though,' says Logan, with a glint in his eye.

'Natural refrigerants may be the ultimate goal but achieving that will require an integrated approach from the top down. In the meantime the industry needs to respond to the needs of its customers and balance their requirements for high performance and reliability with environmental considerations.'

A-Gas (UK)
0127 537 6600