50 Examples-Part1-Of Natural Refrigerants Stories in Article 5 Countries

50 EXAMPLES OF
NATURAL REFRIGERANT
STORIES IN
ARTICLE 5 COUNTRIES
!"#$%&"#'"$(
1 )

ClC
PClC PlC )
W A

)

1
)
)
1

A
1 )
CC
*
(%+,
-
PC
1
8

1
A W
A A

A
1
CC
*
8 8 8 8 W

l
C
u
S
M
P
1
!"#$%&'()**#

1 8

ClC PClC PlC

Print this page | Close window

Multilateral Fund approves funding for CO demonstration in Nigeria
R744.com - 2010-08-09
In the 61st meeting of its Executive Committee, the Multilateral Fund for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol approved
Japans request for funding for the preparation of a project that will validate the application of transcritical CO to ice-block makers
in Nigeria.
The project will evaluate the technical and commercial viability of the use of CO
as a refrigerant to replace HCFC-22 in split-type commercial refrigeration
equipment, in particular at low temperatures (freezing).
Project preparation funds of US $30,000 will be used to develop an investment
proposal that when implemented will:
Develop replicable models for use in other similar manufacturing
enterprises
Establish the technical performance and economic feasibility of CO
refrigeration technology for low-temperature applications
Support the development of methodologies and gathering of experience for calculating incremental cost for this particular
technology
The project counterpart enterprise Austin Laz was established in 1982 and is one of the major manufacturers of commercial
refrigeration systems in Nigeria.
Approved project in China in previous meeting
In a previous meeting of the MLF Executive Committee, China received financial support to implement a pilot HCFC phase-out
project titled Cascade refrigeration system with NH /CO instead of R22 proposed by Yantai Moon.
Background and next steps
The Multilateral Fund was established by a decision of the Second Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in 1990 and
began its operation in 1991. Its main objective is to assist developing country parties to the Montreal Protocol whose annual per
capita consumption and production of ozone depleting substances (ODS) is less than 0.3 kg to comply with the control measures
of the Protocol. As of November 2009 the contributions made to the Multilateral Fund by some 49 industrialized countries totalled
over US$ 2.5 billion.
The 62th meeting of Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund is scheduled to take place between 29 November and 3
December 2010, in Montreal, Canada.
2008 R744.com - Managed by Shecco
2
2
2
2
3 2
TM
Gustav Lorentzen 2010: Overview of papers Part 1
R744.com - 2010-04-12
The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has opened its doors for the participants of the 9th Gustav Lorentzen conference.
This first article provides an overview of a selection of technical papers regarding R744 that were presented on day 1 of the event.
The 9th edition of the Gustav Lorentzen conference on Natural Working Fluids has
attracted close to 170 participants from 26 countries. With the conference being
held for the first time in the Southern hemisphere, most of the participants (40%)
are from Australia, about 5% from Asian countries and the rest largely from
European countries.
From the first-day presentations, R744.com provides you with an overview of a
selection of papers regarding R744:
CO - A REFRIGERANT FROM THE PAST WITH PROSPECTS OF BEING ONE
OF THE MAIN REFRIGERANTS IN THE FUTURE, P. NEKS, H. T. WALNUM
AND A. HAFNER, SINTEF
Illustrating how CO technology already now has become an important alternative, Petter Neks of SINTEF addressed the state of
play of R744 in different applications in his keynote presentation. Already developed and commercialised applications for example
include heat pump water heaters, centralised commercial refrigeration systems (supermarkets) and light commercial refrigeration
applications (e.g. beverage coolers, ice cream chest freezers), water chillers for moderate climates etc. Mobile air conditioning on
the other hand, although already developed, is not yet commercialised, while new applications under development include for
example mobile heat pumps, vending machines for combined hot and cold beverages, combined heating and cooling of non-
residential and residential buildings, heat pump dryers etc.
Although components are available in different capacity ranges, production numbers for some of them is still an issue. Another
important barrier for some applications is energy efficiency at high heat sink temperatures. The most important barrier however,
the authors note, may be the scepticism to new technology among both manufacturers and end-users.
Finally the authors provide an overview of developments regarding components for CO during the latest years and areas of
investigation that could improve system efficiency. For example, applying an ejector in a CO transcritical system has the potential
of larger COP improvements due to the higher relative throttling loss. Moreover, although several expander concepts for CO have
been investigated and developed (e.g. piston, rotary vane, scroll and turbo), so far none of them seem to have been
commercialised, an important future task to be investigated for improving efficiency.
AN HFC/HCFC FREE FOOD PROCESSING PLANT: THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF A TWO STAGE
TRANSCRITICAL CO REFRIGERATION PLANT, K. VISSER, KAV Consulting Pty Ltd
With many food processing operations frequently requiring cooling and heating simultaneously as part of the same process, Visser
presented a paper reporting on a two stage transcritical CO refrigeration plant replacing a total of 22 independent cooling and
heating systems. The systems being replaced comprise air cooled single stage HCFC and HFC condensing units for one blast
freezer, one cold store, two chillers, one process chilled water chiller and four reverse cycle AC units, six R134a air to water heat
pumps, three gas fired water heaters and two sets of electric under floor and door heaters for the existing blast freezer and cold
store.
It is estimated that the new transcritical CO plant will reduce the specific electrical energy consumption by 33%, gas consumption
by 60%, global warming emissions including HFC and HCFC fugitive gases by 40% and cooling water consumption by 62,000
litres/annum, i.e. 44%. Operating conditions are +5C SST for office AC and processing area cooling, 5C SST for high stage
and chilling duties and 35 to 40C SST for the booster duties serving the new cold store and blast freezer. The AC compressors
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
also serve as economiser compressors for the main chilling and freezing plant, which therefore runs at high COPs with a virtual
gas cooler CO exit temperature of +5C. The AC and high stage compressors may discharge either to the two stage gas cooler or
to the two water heaters to heat water to 75 to 80C. The gas cooler will allow the discharge pressure to reduce as far as possible
to permit the high stage and AC compressors to run at as high a COP as possible. But when water heating is required either the
AC compressors in the first instance and the high stage compressors may run in transcritical mode to heat water as required.
100kW CO2 WATER HEAT SOURCE HEAT PUMP DEVELOPMENT AND STUDY FOR THE GLOBAL FOOD PROCESSING
INDUSTRIES, HIROKAZU YONEDA, MOTOBUMI (MIKE) ONO, TAKASHI (TOM) TAMURA
Mike Ono of Mayekawa/Mycom presented the newly developed commercial size water heat source CO heat pump. The company
has developed a standardized water heat source CO transcritical heat pump with the worlds largest heating capacity of 100kW.
The heat pump simultaneously provides both hot and cold water with a combined Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 8.0. The
heat pump can supply hot water of temperature between 65C and 90C, while at the same time, it can provide cold water or brine
of temperature between 17C and -10C.
The heat pump has been introduced in a pasta production plant that started operating in June 2008. The reason for installing a
water heat source CO heat pump in this plant was the lack of refrigeration capacity due to an increase in pasta production. The
installation of the heat pump has reduced energy consumption by 51.7% and CO emission by 62.4%. The heat pump will also be
introduced at a meat processing plant and a winery.
COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT UNITARY-TYPE AIR-CONDITIONER USING TRANSCRITICAL R744 DESIGNED FOR ENERGY
EFFICIENT OPERATION IN HOT CLIMATES, S. ELBEL, J.A. MANZIONE, S.J. COLLIER, P. HRNJAK
Hrnjak of Creative Thermal Solutions presented latest research regarding a transcritical R744 compact, lightweight unitary-type air-
conditioner with a nominal capacity of 35 kW for military shelter cooling, designed to achieve high performance at ambient
temperatures of up to 51.7C. High performance prototype components were used to realise the target performance of 35 kW at
the high ambient temperature rating condition (outdoor: 51.7C, indoor: 32.2C - 50%RH). The new 35 kW R744 ECU used an
RTPF evaporator that was originally designed for a 17.5 kW R134a ECU. When used with R744, the same coil delivered 140%
more capacity in comparison to the original R134a system.
Based on manufacturer data, the researchers found that the COP of this new R744 Environmental Control Unit (ECU) is
approximately 30% higher than that of a comparable R134a ECU and approximately 20% higher than that of a comparable R410A
ECU. In addition, the new 35 kW R744 ECU was found to be 60% (cooling per weight ratio) and 40% (cooling per volume ratio)
more compact than comparable R134a technology, while the compactness levels of R744 and R410A technology were found to be
approximately equal. According to Hrnjak, further performance improvements can be achieved by using a refrigerant ejector or
expander to reduce the significant throttling losses that R744 experiences at elevated ambient conditions.
2
2
2
2
2
TM
CAREL supports Carrefour with first CO installation in Turkey
R744.com - 2010-03-04
Carel and the French-based hypermarket chain Carrefour worked together to develop the first subcritical CO installation in
Turkey. The energy-efficient system installed in a supermarket uses a cascade system that supplies the low temperature units with
R744.
The global supplier of solutions for the HVAC&R sector CAREL has been assigned
by Carrefour to manage the first subcritical CO refrigeration system in a
supermarket in Istanbul. The new system that has been chosen to reduce
environmental emissions uses a cascade system that supplies the medium
temperature (MT) refrigeration units and the CO condenser with R404a, and
supplies the low temperature (LT) units with R744. The installation and
commissioning was being carried out by Cozum Sogutma.
CAREL retail sistema has the task of managing the entire refrigeration system.
The complete solution implemented by CAREL includes:
PVPRO supervisor system
pRack electronic controller for the compressor racks
MPXPRO to manage condensation of the CO2 in the LT system; manage all refrigeration units (showcases and cold
rooms)
E2V electronic valves: - expansion valve for superheat control on the units
To further increase the saving of energy, CAREL implemented floating suction pressure for all compressor racks as well as
showcase anti-sweat modulation relay, heat recovery on the compressor rack and a smart/skip defrost function.
CAREL supplies solutions and control systems for the retail market, and is heavily committed to basic and applied research into
energy savings, reduction of environmental impact and innovation in the management of systems. CAREL Turkey, based in Izmir,
provides customers technical support in addition to various types of solutions, both simple and advanced, through the development
of new algorithms directly by the subsidiary.
About CAREL
The manufacturing group employs more than 700 staff in its headquarters in Italy and 11 subsidiaries in Europe, Australia, Asia,
Africa, and the Americas. With a sales network in over 70 countries, the CAREL group is a global supplier of solutions for the
HVAC&R sector, including electronic controllers, humidifiers, and telemaintenance systems for chillers, compressor packs,
showcases, or cold storage rooms.
2
2
2
2
TM
Brazilian premire for CO supermarket refrigeration to save 20% energy
R744.com - 2010-07-02
Brazilian retailer Verdemar has found CO refrigeration to be the best starting point for a more sustainable way of cooling food.
The result is South Americas first store using a CO cascade system that reports 20% energy savings.
In April 2010, the Brazilian supermarket chain Verdemar opened the first store
using CO as a refrigerant in the suburb of Jardim Canada, Nova Lima - in the
State of Minas Gerais, in Brazil. The CO cascade system in the 6,000 m store is
forecasted to slash one fifth off its energy consumption in comparison with other
Verdemar stores with the same cooling capacity using R22. Convinced about the
energy performance of CO , the technological pioneer supermarket chain of South
America is preparing to open more stores in the near future, as well as a CO food
distribution centre later this year.
The new store was constructed with the support of the Brazilian Development
Bank (BNDES). Supermarket owner Alexandre Poni decided for a CO cascade
solution after having traveled to Europe where CO has established itself as a standard solution for cascade systems, and is also
constantly increasing its share for CO -only installations. Ponis initative was meant to not only address environmental issues but
also opt for a solution that would be economically and socially viable.
Patented CO system by Brazilian manufacturer
Used in the Verdemar store is a patented cascade application developed by Brazilian manufacturer Plotter & Racks. The
installation uses CO in the low stage system with direct expansion linked to the island and freezing rooms. Propylene glycol
supplies cold temperatures to the medium temperature cold rooms and display cases. In the high stage system, R134a is used
with a much reduced refrigerant charge, which only acts in the cooling of both propylene glycol and CO condensation.
The potential emissions of the system is approximately 6 times lower compared to other existing technologies in the market that
use synthetic refrigerants, such as R404a. Moreover, CO refrigerant charge is very low due to its high volumetric cooling capacity
that is 5 to 8 times higher than that of R22 or R404A.
In terms of cooling capacity the Verdermar supermarket has a cooling capacity of 200 KW for the MT system (at - 2C with
Propylene Glycol pumped) and a cooling capacity of 36 KW for the LT system (at- 32C direct expansion) with CO .
Innovative Features to reduce Energy Bills
Beyond the ecological benefits, the installed system has other advantages that guarantee less consumption of electric energy:
Heat Recovery: As Jardim Canada is a cold region, the new store offers an extra comfort to the customers: a heated floor. The
heat recovery system provides hot water to the entire store which is circulating through the pipes to also heat the floor. This
system uses the heat rejected from the high-pressure stage to heat the water with a zero energy cost. This process occurs in a
heat exchanger which is installed on the compressors` discharge line. The result is effective heating to warm staff and customers
without an added energy cost.
Condensing temperature reduction system: The patented system ensures that before entering the condenser coil, air first
passes through a panel which flows with water, diminishing the inlet air temperature and, as a result the condensing temperature
as well. With this, the system coefficient of performance is raised significantly, increasing the cooling capacity of the compressors
with lower energy cost.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Condenser fans with direct-current and variable speed: These are more efficient and provide higher stability of the condensing
temperature. As a result, energy consumption is lower and the life expectancy of the compressors is increased.
Electronic expansion valves: They are used in both CO and propylene glycol heat exchangers to provide better stability of the
evaporating temperature in the high-pressure stage, and therefore bigger energy savings.
Electronic controllers: They guarantee safe and efficient operation of the entire system by allowing for local or remote access via
the Internet, which sends notifications of any alarms via SMS. They are also important tools for the thorough, preventive
maintenance of the entire system, thus greatly reducing the risk of operational failure.
Innovative and climate friendly compressors by Bitzer
Already in 2008, Bitzer Brazil, also a major driver in the Verdemar project, opened a CO Technology & Training Center in Sao
Paulo, Brazil, to prove the superiority of CO in relation to traditional chemical fluids. The focus of this centre is to promote
technical improvement, in a simple and objective way, of carbon dioxide applications technology.
The Octagon compressors used in the Verdemar store for the CO subcritical application are designed with an advanced
centrifugal lubrication system by dynamic disc that guarantees excellent lubrication in the moving parts and promotes a longer life
expectancy of the compressor. More information about Bitzers compressor you can find in the attached papers and in the partner
section of Bitzer on R744.com.
Find more detailed technical information in the two papers in the "More on this topic" section.
2
2
2
2
TM
R744: the refrigerant of choice for show cases around the world
R744.com - 2010-12-10
A presentation given by SANDEN at the International Symposium on New Refrigerants last week in Japan provided test results
that showed the superior performance of R744 compared to R1234yf and R134a in terms of energy consumption and Life-Cycle
Climate Performance when used in cooling show cases. The results demonstrate that R744 outperforms the other two refrigerants
not only in cold climates but in all major cities around the world, from Mumbai, Beijing and Hong Kong to Moscow.
A distinguished group of international researchers and engineers gathered last
week in Kobe, Japan, for the International Symposium on New Refrigerants and
Environmental Technology 2010. Organised by the Japan Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Industry Association, the event provided a platform to discuss market
trends and technological perspectives on next-generation refrigerants, including
the natural refrigerant CO .
Examination of low GWP Refrigerants for Cooling Show Cases, SANDEN
Corporation
Currently, there are over 30 million show cases for food stuff installed around the
world. The study carried out by researchers from SANDEN with a 510 liter cooling showcase, examined the Coefficient of
Performance (COP), energy consumption and the Life-Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) of refrigeration circuits using either
R744, R134a or HFC1234yf.
The cooling system of the show case was optimised for each refrigerant (e.g. the diameter of the pipes adjusted), but for the most
part of the components the system was kept as identical as possible (e.g. heat exchanger). The showcases were equipped with a
36 W fluorescent light bulb for the interior light and a 18 W fluorescent light bulb for the display light.
Three different refrigeration circuits were compared, including:
R744 refrigeration circuit encompassing a 1.8cc reciprocating compressor
HFC1234yf refrigeration circuit encompassing a 12cc reciprocating compressor
R134a refrigeration circuit encompassing a 12cc reciprocating compressor
Testing conditions
The energy consumption measurements were based on the energy needed to maintain the temperature inside the show case at
2C under different ambient conditions.
The energy consumption for the different circuits was measured under 5 different climatic conditions, covering different ambient
temperatures and humidity values, representing from cold to hot climates:

Ambient temperature Humidity
Condition A 5C 60%RH
Condition B 15C 60%RH
Condition C 24C 60%RH
Condition D 32C 60%RH
Condition E 40C 75%RH
Factors such as the circuit pressure, the compressor's volumetric efficiency, the electro motor for powering the compressor,
efficient heat-insulation etc. that influence the system's performance were kept as identical as possible between the three systems,
2
in order to measure the performance of the refrigerant only.
R744 in show cases demonstrated high COP and low energy consumption
Under these conditions, R744 clearly outperformed the two other refrigerants in ambient temperatures up to 32C and matched
their performance in ambient temperatures up to 40C.
For ambient temperatures of 5, 15, 24, 32C, R744 demonstrated the highest system COP. The lower the temperature, the more
significantly R744 performed better than the other refrigerants. HFC1234yf showed on average a 2% lower performance than
R134a and was at 24C ambient temperature even 5% less performing.
The measurement of energy consumption showed similar results. Again, R744 outperformed R134a and HFC1234yf in ambient
temperatures of 5, 15, 24, and 32C, consuming less energy than the other two refrigerants up to 40C ambient temperature. The
use of HFC1234yf caused on average a 2% higher energy consumption than R134a.
From Mumbai to Moscow, R744 show cases minimise annual energy consumption
SANDEN's research team took these test results and put them into the context of the average annual temperature of major cities
around the world. Based on the system COP data calculated in their test series explained above, the researchers estimated the
energy consumption per day for the systems under consideration in different major cities around the world. For each city, they took
the average temperature per month, the average highest temperature per month and the average lowest temperature per month
and used this data to calculate an average annual temperature.
As expected, the comparison showed that in regions with low temperatures, R744 systems consumed less energy than R134a or
HFC1234yf systems. However, the comparison also showed a lower overall energy consumption of R744 systems in regions with
high ambient temperatures. This is due to the fact that the systems use significantly less energy when temperatures come down
during night time for example, and therefore counterweight the higher energy consumption during the day in high ambient
temperatures.
Thus, the energy consumption (kWh/year) for R744 was found to be lower than R134a or HFC1234yf when applied to show cases
in all representative cities around the world, representing cold, moderate and warm climates, including Mumbai, Beijing, Hong
Kong, New York, Montreal and Moscow to name a few.
"For POS (Point of Sales) applications, SANDENis determined to contribute to the protection of the environment by supplying
equipment, with CO working fluid, as the ultimate commercial & environmental solution. Our test results for POS applications
confirms that the CO system is the most effective device in view of energy saving and life time cost", a SANDEN representative
told R744.com.
R744 minimises emissions from cooling showcases
The researchers further used the energy consumption test results for comparing the LCCP of R744, R134a and HFC1234yf in
cooling show cases around the world and found that R744 clearly minimises carbon emissions.
Looking at performance throughout the year, SANDENs research team concludes that R744 is a good choice as next generation
refrigerant for cooling show cases.
"We strongly recommend that government should implement the incentives to the POS applications based on lifetime cost and
LCCP", added the SANDEN representative.
2
2
TM
New CO refrigeration system for the Philippines
R744.com - 2009-11-18
Leading HVAC&R supplier Dunham-Bush International has partnered up with M&M Solutions and Solid to launch its CO2
refrigeration operations and solar-powered air conditioning in Manila. The move sets a milestone for natural refrigerants in the
Philippines.
Dunham Bush, a global leader in technological solutions for refrigeration, heating
and other industrial applications, will enter the Philippine market with CO (R744)
refrigeration systems. This was announced by William Guido, International Sales
and Services spokesman, at the Philippine Green Solutions Seminar and Expo of
HVAC/R technology on 13 November. The R744 systems will be supplied by its
partner M&M one of two companies that have established a first alliance with
Dunham-Bush. DBI will be the exclusive distributor working of the cooling solutions
in the Philippine market.
The US group decided to take this step to exploit growing opportunities for
environmentally-friendly solutions and attract prospective customers, Guido stated.
CO was chosen to reduce the ammonia charge and for reducing operation costs. Dunham-Bush acknowledged CO as a superior
alternative for reducing installation and maintenance costs. The move is seen as part of the firms global campaign to promote its
line of eco friendly refrigeration systems for cold storage, blast freezing and food processing.
Philippines lucrative market for green energy solutions
Dunham Bushs move is spurred on by the upward trend by Philippine banks who are exhibiting an increasing willingness to
invest in green energy solutions. "We believe the Philippine market will find great potential in our solutions Guido Williams
reiterated, adding that [the] time is right for building and infrastructure owners and developers to consider long-term investments
that will permanently reduce their operating expenses in power requirements.
2
2
2 2
TM
CO Technology at the Olympic Games
R744.com - 2008-08-12
Despite the missed opportunities for some Olympic sponsors to demonstrate clear environmental leadership by directly switching
from HCFCs to natural refrigerants, several suppliers have issued a clear commitment to CO2 Technology in vending machines
and refrigerators.
Coca-Cola, Haier and Sanyo are among the 2008 Beijing Olympics sponsors,
technology partners and suppliers showing clear environmental leadership in the
course towards complete phase out of the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) as
refrigerant which, although non-ozone depleting, incorporates a high global
warming potential (GWP).
Companies showcasing leadership
Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company has lived up to its pledges to use natural refrigerants to
power more than 5,600 coolers and vending machines in Olympic venues.
[Coca-Cola has] determined that the best alternative to use is CO2. Our future shall be HFC free reiterated Neville Isdell,
Chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company earlier this year, before restating the companys commitment to purchasing and
deploying 100,000 CO2 coolers by the end of 2010.
The Coca Cola Company was one of the three initiators of the Refrigerants, Naturally! initiative, launched in 2004, an industry
alliance committed to developing commercially viable HFC-free refrigeration technology. It previously placed more than 2,000 CO2
beverage coolers at all 12 World Cup football venues in Germany in 2006 and over 1,000 CO2 beverage machines at the 2006
Winter Olympics in Turin.
Haier
Haier, the worlds fourth largest white goods manufacturer, supplies all stadiums and gyms of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
with refrigerators using the natural refrigerant CO2. All refrigerators provided in stadiums and gyms by Haier, the official home
appliances sponsor of the Beijing Olympics, use CO2 as a refrigerant, making this years Olympic Games the largest event ever to
use environmentally friendly refrigerators. The 5,353 R744-based units will make up nearly half of the 13,236 installed CFC-free
units available to athletes, journalists, and visitors.
The CO2 units are part of a complete line of green products covering 31 categories of Haier products that have been installed at
over 30 venues in the Chinese capital and the co-host cities. In total, the Chinese manufacturer supplied more than 60,000
environmentally friendly and energy-efficient products, including HFC-free solar-based air-conditioners, washing machines and
solar water heaters to the games.
In 2005, Haier signed the contract with the Olympic Games Organizing Committee to become the first official home appliances
supplier in the history of the Olympic Games.
Sanyo
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) recently developed in cooperation with the Coca-Cola Company a new generation, non-
fluorocarbon type cassette unit that employs a natural refrigerant (CO2) compressor, and includes an efficient Energy Management
System, for beverage coolers. The CO2 cassettes are used in Coca-Cola's drink coolers at all Olympic venues, helping the
company to fulfill its promise made in September last year to install only cooling equipment that does not use HFCs.
2
According to Sanyos calculations, during operation the cassettes will reduce energy use by 16% through a Rotary 2-stage
compressor technology that is able to disperse the increased pressure while keeping the compressor at low levels of vibration and
noise. Integrated into the Energy Management System owned by Coca-Cola, the cassette will further improve energy efficiency by
up to 35%. On top of that the CO2 unit can easily replace HFC-134a units as it matches the size and interfaces of cassettes using
fluorocarbon.
SANYO is committed to preventing global warming and tackling environmental issues by openly employing its propriety
technologies in creative ways, based on its Brand Vision Think GAIA.
More pressure on sponsors needed for 2012 HFC-free London Olympics
Today we observe a situation where the same supplier supplies two distinct technologies of different environmental performance to
different customers (Olympics sponsors). This was the case for Haier, who has provided Coca-Cola with HFC-free coolers, but
has also provided a large fleet of commercial coolers using HFCs for other sponsors. How can we change this? By leveraging
Corporate Social Responsibility and green image of sponsors, to ensure that all sponsors request environmental friendly
technologies such as HFC-free cooling technology from their suppliers.
Corporate Social Responsibility and green image significantly leverage the choice of technology by sponsors. Environmental
performance becomes even more of a pressing issue for sponsors as NGOs and other bodies such as the UN conduct reports and
evaluations. Additional pressure coming from official Olympic Games organizers could also prove valuable. As Greenpeace
recommended, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) should, as part of the sponsors bidding criteria, set mandatory
standards that prohibit or limit sponsors from using substances that are toxic, polluting, or contribute to climate change and make
sure they are enforced by host cities. The IOC should also require sponsors to disclose the environmental information of the
products and services they provide for the Olympics for public scrutiny. Such combined pressure on sponsors stemming from the
general public, NGOs and the IOC would eventually propagate upstream to sponsors suppliers and in the case of refrigeration
hopefully result in 2012 HFC-free London Olympics.
TM
UPDATE: Woolworths pilots R744 refrigeration in South Africa
R744.com - 2009-12-22
As the first South African retailer to reduce its carbon footprint, Woolworths has pioneered a CO supermarket refrigeration system
with the intention to make it a standard in all stores. First measurements indicate clear energy savings. NEW: Read how the
system developer pondered on what would be a suitable installation for South Africa.
One of the country's leading food retail groups is expanding the use of CO in
commercial refrigeration. A new system recently installed at Woolworths Grey Owl
store in Midrand, South Africa, will now serve as a blueprint for other stores to
follow throughout the country. The step was hailed in South African trade media as
a retailers first step to reduce its carbon footprint, and contribute its share to South
Africas attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. South Africa is a signatory to
both the Kyoto Protocol and the Montreal Protocol.
The highly complex CO installation took three years to be completed. Other
retailers, including Marks & Spencer, congratulated Woolworths on the quality of
both the design and the completed installation, highlighting also the knowledge
transfer to South African engineers as a major achievement.
R744 system uses less energy
The system, besides eliminating the problem of ozone depletion, has shown highly promising results regarding energy
consumption:
Early indications are that our new refrigeration system also uses less energy. Very few refrigeration systems in the world can offer
these benefits. Our customers expect us to be a responsible retailer and we work extremely hard to meet this expectation in every
aspect of our business, said Alex Kuzma, Engineering Manager for Woolworths. This solution looks very good to us, and we are
very happy with the results that we are seeing and I am very excited to get the second one off the ground. We are just trying to
identify another site and we will look at putting number two in, he added speaking on 702 talk radio the day before the Woolworths
store opened.
The main challenges related to the CO direct expansion medium temperature system used was obtaining medium temperature
compressors utilising low compression ratio compressors to make the installation viable. Floating condensing was also
incorporated, which implies good electricity consumption saving, while the CO charge was significantly reduced.
The CO journey: from Australia to Germany, the UK and South Africa
The refrigeration engineers at Commercial Refrigeration Services (CRS) that developed the CO system started their journey in
Australia, where they were invited to visit the countrys first CO transcritical refrigeration system. There, they acquired further
knowledge through attending a conference on CO as well as visiting another 3 cascade CO installations.
After almost a year, CRS travelled to Chillventa in Germany to assess the availability of CO products. However, it was not until
they visited the UK that they were impressed with how much CO technology had developed in the course of time. CRS visited the
first test site of UK based retailer Marks & Spencers (M&S) that is now used as a training base for technicians. They further visited
the first CO on-line store of M&S, as well as their store in White City, which are based on CO direct expansion low temperature,
CO pump re-circulation for the medium temperature and 404A for the high temperature.
Upon their return to South Africa, CRS installed a small pilot plant at their Johannesburg factory that has been well documented
and is operating extremely efficiently, while it allows their technicians to get familiarised with the use of CO .
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2 2
2
2
2 2
2
2
Eventually, the company decided to use for the Woolworths store a CO direct expansion medium temperature system, as it had
extensive experience of utilising electronic expansion valves and sophisticated pack controllers and close relationships with
Danfoss and Bitzer.
2
TM
R744 helps 3 supermarket in South Africa reduce its carbon footprint
R744.com - 2010-10-21
Building on the success story of CO refrigeration in two South African Pick n Pay stores, the chain has decided to reduce its
energy consumption by 25% and continue the roll -out of natural refrigerants-only systems in its Hurlingham store. The system
features dual purpose ice thermal storage for refrigeration and air conditioning.
The success stories of Rand Park Ridge (Guateng) and The Strand (Western
Cape) stores drove Pick 'n Pay along with their designers, Bentel Associates
International (BAI), to launch another green alternative retail in Hurlingham. It will
use CO and Ammonia ice thermal storage for cold room and cabinet refrigeration,
as well as air conditioning that has a GWP (Global Warming Potential) of 1 and an
ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) of zero. This new store goes in line with Pick 'n
Pay's values as an active company that promotes sustainable living
Bentel Associates International (BIA) has been implementing innovative
architectural designs and store planning for Pick 'n Pay for over 39 years. Both BAI
and Pick 'n Pay recognized that the higher costs of 'greening' a building are
outweighed by the savings that come with energy efficiency. BAI has incorporated several green elements into the supermarket
and overall complex design by utilising appropriate 'green' design elements, materials and systems that significantly reduce the
stores carbon footprint.
Pick 'n Pay's green criteria for the new store are:
About 40% less energy than a comparable conventionally designed store due to the use of high performance refrigeration
Use of renewable energy sources to help light, warm and cool the site
100 kilowatts of photovoltaic capacity that will generate between 8-20% of the store's power when in operation
Rainwater harvesting system to be used as irrigation for the largely indigenous landscaping and back up for the air
conditioning system.
Up to ! of Energy Costs Savings
The new CO system will use 25% less energy than the one it replaced, confirms Thomas Knopp, Pick 'n Pay supermarket
manager. The only downside is the higher manufacturing cost perceived as an obstacle preventing green refrigeration from going
to market. However, Knopp insists on the opportunity that a subcritical CO system affords for waste heat recovery, using waste
heat from the refrigeration to heat the store premises or its water supply, for example. Not only does this reduce the supermarket's
carbon footprint, it also reduces its energy consumption.
Despite the fact that supermarkets consume huge amounts of energy, still too many of these outlets rely on standard synthetic
refrigerants such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) says Thomas Knopp, Pick 'n Pay supermarket
manager.
rd
2
2
2
2
TM
Makro South Africa chooses CO and Ammonia for its new stores
R744.com - 2010-11-24
Citing the efficiencies of CO and ammonia based refrigeration, Doug Jones, Financial Director of Makro SA, announced the
development of the Makro Polokwane, a 15,000sqm store slated for opening in the latter half of 2011, which will employ an
advanced CO and ammonia refrigeration plant.
Makro Polokwane will be the 15th Makro store in South Africa and like its recent
peers, will employ efficient refrigeration solutions, utilising a CO and ammonia
refrigeration plant instead of ozone-depleting refrigerant gasses.
"While this increases our installation costs, it is an investment in the environment
and the gasses used are 100% natural with zero ozone-depleting and global
warming potential," says Mr. Jones. Regarding the choice of natural refrigerants,
he added, The chain purchased the most efficient refrigeration solutions possible.
CO the refrigerant of choice for South African stores
In addition to the Makro Polokwane store, new Makro stores at Vaal (Vanderbijlpark) and Silver Lakes have utilized advanced
refrigeration solutions.
Makro Vaal will use CO and ammonia in its refrigeration plant instead of ozone-depleting refrigerant gasses. This will not only
consume just half of the energy required by traditional refrigeration processes, but will also use sophisticated technology to reclaim
all heat generated by the refrigeration units to heat hot water geysers.
Refrigeration specialists Dave Spence and Mike Holt are working on Makro Vaals refrigeration plant. Holt says, Makro has
chosen CO and ammonia even though the total installation is 21% more expensive when compared to a traditional installation.
The refrigeration gasses used are 100% natural and have a zero ozone-depleting (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP)
rating.
Whats more, says Holt, gasses like R134A have a coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.16. Makro Vaals CO and ammonia
refrigerants have a COP of 2.48. This means well get more energy out of these gasses.
Refrigeration plant to also provide heat
Hot water for the stores washrooms and the canteen kitchen is produced without the use of electricity. Heat from the refrigeration
plant is reclaimed and used to heat water, saving the store another 15 kW of electricity.
The stores trading floor will also be heated via hot water that is warmed by heat reclaimed from the refrigeration system. This will
have an electricity savings of 385 kW.
For Makro Silver Lakes, by using Danfoss electronic expansion valves throughout the system they were able to achieve extra
efficiency by incorporating a floating condensing control. Due to noise restrictions all the condensers are speed controlled and
selected at a maximum of 660rpm and based on an ambient of 36 degrees.
The overall refrigeration efficiency has been increased by approximately 25% when compared with the normal refrigeration system
using standard expansion valves.
Among the suppliers for the Makro Silver Lakes store were Danfoss (electronic control system) and Bitzer (compressors).
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
TM
Industry visits Australia's first CO -only supermarket
R744.com - 2008-02-22
A site visit to the countrys first transcritical refrigeration system has reassured industry experts about the efficiency of CO in hot
climates. The event also revealed a keen interest from leading food retailers to use CO in new installations.
Its no exaggeration to describe the Angle Vale transcritical CO system as a
revolutionary improvement in supermarket refrigeration in Australia, Brent
Hoare from the Natural Refrigerants Transition Board (NRTB) commented after
the site visit to Australias first CO -only system. Organized by the NRTB, more
than 60 participants from all over Australia gathered on 20 February at the
North Adelaide suburb of Angle Vale to take a closer look at the cutting-edge
installation and discuss further steps. Close attention was paid to the operation
of the system, and to distinguishing design aspects, such as the compact and
streamlined characteristics of the plant, small pipework sizes, sophisticated
controls and the yet simple design (see photo gallery).
The site visit, organized to show the viability of CO Technology during worst-
case summer conditions, proved a success, as participants could check
themselves how the systems is operating efficiently under Australias current temperatures of up to 40C. This makes transcritical
CO systems, thoroughly tested in cool climates in Europe, have therefore made a first decisive step towards a wide-spread use in
hot climates. After two months operation, modelling of the Angle Vale systems performance indicates that it will use less electricity
than conventional R-404 direct expansion systems. To demonstrate the data, the NRTB will start data recording soon to report on
the system's performance over the next two years.
CO sparks high interest from retail food industry
The NRTB site visit attracted a broad and senior level of industry representatives, as leading retail groups, such as Coles and
Woolworths, who showed a keen interest in the new technology. Participants largely praised the independent Drakes supermarket
for its courage to choose a CO -only installation without any back-up system, seeing the installation as a major step towards a
transformation of the refrigeration industry. Many were convinced that once cost issues have been addressed, local supplier
networks installed, and the long-term efficiency determined there would be no looking back. The NRTB estimates that in one
years time the replacement of old systems with the easy-to-install CO systems will become a much more compelling case for the
industry.
Leading retail groups, including Australias largest food retailer Woolworths, had already announced to use CO cascade systems
in new green supermarkets. (see attached article).
Australia moves towards sustainable refrigeration
At present, Australias government is considering ways to incorporate refrigerants in the countrys Emission Trading Scheme
currently under development. If emission permits are required to import hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), this would raise the costs of
conventional systems, favouring the use of CO . In addition, policy makers have proposed an Eco-Labelling scheme for all large
installations to make greenhouse gas emissions from commercial refrigeration equipment more visible. R744.com will be
reporting on this issue as it evolves.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
TM
Next Australian supermarket chain goes CO
R744.com - 2008-08-14
Retail group Coles has installed a CO cascade system in its newest store to serve as a blueprint for future projects. The wave of
Australian supermarkets using the natural refrigerant is set to become more powerful still, industry experts now predict.
Coles new Ropes Crossing store, to be opened in September, will eliminate up to
700 tonnes from the stores annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the
CO -ammonia cascade system alone. As one of the first in Australia to use only
natural refrigerants for food cooling, the Ropes Crossing store is the 5th
Environmental Concept Store Coles uses as flagships for future environmental
initiatives. The retailer has already announced that it will rely on cascade
refrigeration systems in its roll -out of green stores.
The retail group thus follows the example of Australias largest supermarket chain
Woolworths. Based on its positive experience with CO in its first green
supermarket in Sydney last September, Woolworths decided for another cascade
system in its latest store in Melbourne, opened this May. The retailer has committed itself to use this installation as a blueprint for
new supermarkets to be all designed environmentally-friendly: Dont expect to see grass on the roof or wind turbines at this
supermarket. The environmental innovations are more than just skin deep and tackle the main contributors to carbon emissions in
store air conditioning and refrigeration, Michael Luscome, CEO of Woolworths, said on the occasion of the Melbourne store
opening.
A new course for the industry
The catalytic effect on industry has been profound, Brent Hoare from the Green Cooling Council commented on Coles installation
of the CO cascade system and the general industry trends towards sustainable refrigeration currently noticeable in Australia. The
Green Cooling Council, having assisted Coles in completing the R744 installation, is now sure that the recent commitments by
retail chains have led to a renewed focus by many refrigeration suppliers to constantly improve their systems to comply with
retailers demands.
The need to train technicians on how to handle CO Technology poses an additional challenge to the industry. To drive the
acceptance of natural refrigeration systems among servicing staff, the Ropes Crossing store will therefore serve as a much-
needed training ground for a new wave of refrigeration technicians. Experience gained with the CO /NH installation will be
integrated in an industry training course soon to be offered by TAFE Australias largest training provider.
Consumer pressure for ethical shopping
The importance of corporate sustainability in the retail sector has steadily increased following recent studies that have discovered
consumers are more and more demanding retailers and manufacturers to invest in environmental projects. 61% of U.S. consumers
deem it important that retailers have sustainability programmes in place, according to a Food Marketing Institute report. Another
survey in the EU found that seven out of ten Europeans buy ethically at least some of the time, with 25% actively considering two
ore more ethical factors when deciding for a supermarket.
Following this growing consumer demand, green stores using sustainable refrigeration, such as the Ropes Crossing, are therefore
likely to become prevalent in the near future not only in Australia.
About Coles
Coles is a full service supermarket operating over 740 stores throughout Australia and employing more than 92,000 people. Since
2
2
2
2
2
2
2 3
1985 the retailer has cut energy consumption from refrigeration by 30%.
TM
Next green store with CO opens in Australia
R744.com - 2009-04-16
After Australia's first transcritical system showed the way in the Angle Vale Drakes Supermarket, a new Foodland IGA store has
now opened in Adelaide, Australia. The store, acclaimed to be one of the nations greenest ones, features CO refrigeration as
one of its environmental attributes.
The Fairview Park Foodland IGA store has been designed to be one of the
greenest in Australia, as it includes a range of initiatives that aim to reduce its
environmental impact. What is more, the store located in Adelaide's north-eastern
suburbs, constitutes a rethink on the traditional supermarket in the sense that
central to its design was customer convenience.
We truly believe this supermarket will redefine Australian supermarkets in the
future, said General Manager Mike Rutherford.
The environmental features of the store include:
top of the range CO refrigeration
enclosed refrigeration units for better temperature control and energy efficiency
use of natural light
low energy sensor and timer lighting
use of sustainable materials
cardboard takeaway cartons rather than plastic
stormwater reuse
plastic bag free checkouts
About Foodland IGA Australia
Foodland stores are local, independently operated, family owned supermarkets. The majority of the $750 million spent in Foodland
stores every year stays in the local economy.
IGA (Independent Grocers Alliance) was founded in America in 1926 and represents an alliance between wholesalers, retailers
and manufacturers. IGA was brought to Australia in 1988 when 10 stores initially became members of IGA.
IGA and Foodlands share
2
2
2
TM
Brazilian manufacturer launches R744 plug-in refrigerator
R744.com - 2009-12-15
Shortly after Coca-Cola announced its commitment to R744 technology, a leading Brazilian manufacturer of plug-in commercial
refrigeration equipment has announced the launch of an R744 cooler that reduces harmful emissions to the atmosphere by 97%.
The new 400-litre cooler by Metalfrio Solutions uses natural refrigerant CO (R744)
and ensures optimal cooling performance with pulldown time (time required to cool
a load of drinks) decreased by 45%. According to the company, the new product
reduces direct emissions to the atmosphere by 97%.
The cooler has been tested for the past months in Brazil as well as abroad, with
units for example having being installed in the U.S. Senate. The company now
plans to deliver the first batch of R744 coolers to its customers in 2010.
About Metalfrio Solutions
Metalfrio Solutions is market leader in the plug-in commercial refrigeration equipment segment in Latin America and Brazil, where
the brand is present in 90.5% of shops. With manufacturing plants in Brazil, Russia, Turkey and Mexico, as well as distribution
centers in the U.S. and Denmark, the companys production capacity exceeds one million units per year.
2
TM
JumpStart project for next-generation MAC technology in developing countries
R744.com - 2010-03-09
The EU funded HCFC Phaseout and Mobile Air Conditioning UNEP project aims at raising awareness in developing countries
about sustainable HCFC-free technologies available, such as R744, and of means to facilitate their take-up in a range of
applications, including mobile air conditioning.
The overall objective of the project is to contribute towards reducing emissions of
ozone depleting substances (HCFCs) and greenhouse gases (HCFCs and HFCs)
by encouraging best practices and energy efficient technologies that have zero
ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low global warming potential (GWP).
Funded by the European Commission Thematic Programme for Environment and
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, including Energy (ENRTP) and
being implemented under joint management with the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), the project consists of two main components that will run over
2010. The first component concerns the overall HCFC phase-out in developing
countries while the second will focus on next generation Mobile Air Conditioning
(MAC) technology in China and India.
Scale 1: HCFC phase-out
The first scale of the project is a JumpStart" project to encourage developing countries to expedite their compliance with the
HCFC phase-out obligations and to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives to HCFCs.
The specific objective of this component of the project is to build capacity for a smooth and efficient phase-out of HCFCs in
developing countries to comply with the deadlines set by the Montreal Protocol. It will facilitate information sharing on HCFCs and
their alternatives and encourage the adoption of non ozone depleting, low or zero GWP and energy efficient technologies and
alternatives, such as R744. The project also aims at raising awareness in areas such as funding available to support transition
from HCFCs, management of HCFC banks, and actions to combat illegal trade in these chemicals.
Scale 2: Reducing car emissions in China and India's MAC sector
The second scale of the project provides support for next generation MAC technology, with the aim of reducing emissions in China
and India's mobile air conditioning (MAC) sector.
This part of the project will raise awareness on sustainable MAC technology focusing on new and near market MAC technologies
that leads to lower direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced local pollution. It will also cover the issue of
responsible servicing practices of current technologies.
Project outputs
Expected outputs of the project include:
Targeted surveys on barriers to adoption of alternatives to HCFCs
Case studies on HCFC replacement
Creation of web fora for HCFC stakeholders
Two HCFC-related workshops and two workshops on MAC
Through these actions, the project will indicate means to facilitate the take-up of technologies that do not deplete the ozone layer
while at the same time have minimal contribution to global warming. This will enable developing countries to leapfrog high-GWP
HFCs (currently popular alternatives for HCFCs) and move directly to sustainable refrigeration technologies, such as R744.
TM
R744 - up to 40% less emissions in hot climates
R744.com - 2007-04-17
R744 Technology outperforms current Mobile Air Conditioning systems in terms of costs, energy efficiency, safety, and
environmental performance, according to the latest study by the leading research institute SINTEF.
Realistic estimations and tests for Asian and European climates show that
R744 Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) not only leads to fuel savings of up to
28% in hot climates when compared to current HFC-134a cooling systems,
but also offers additional future reduction potential due to its rapidly evolving
system improvements.
These are only two main findings by Petter Neksa and Armin Hafner, senior
scientists at SINTEF, who compiled test results from leading companies
(Visteon, Behr, ixetic etc.) and own research data to prove the global use of
R744 being the most efficient and long term viable option for the automotive
industry.
Based on the Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) with reference to the
New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) comparing MAC systems' total
contribution to global warming in a "cradle to grave" approach, the study
highlights several benefits of R744 MAC concerning environmental performance, costs and future potential.
Environment
Recent tests have shown that an average vehicle in Bombay, India, when equipped with an HFC-134a MAC, emits 10 metric tons
of Green House Gases CO equivalents during its lifetime. A vehicle equipped with R744 MAC can reduce these total GHG
emissions by 40%. The same tests in Shanghai, China, have pointed even to a GHG reduction of at least 50% (from 4.5 metric
tons). These results come along with fuel savings of 28% and 25% respectively.
Tests in Europe confirmed the Asian results with fuel savings for a vehicle operating in Athens, Greece, ranging up to 26%, and in
Frankfurt, Germany, up to 21%. Overall, a R744 MAC system would reduce the GHG emissions by 50% in Southern Europe and
by 70% in Northern regions.
Armin Hafner, Research Scientist at SINTEFs Energy Research division, summarizes: R744 is an environmentally safe option
worldwide. As an example, using R744 MAC in only 1 million cars in New Delhi, India, could already save 58,000 m3 of petrol and
300,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases (GHG) each year."
Costs & Comfort
One of the last hurdles for a global introduction of R744 MAC should no longer be a major concern, as the cost of completely new
R744 systems can be easily recovered by fuel savings and superior performance. As an example, initial costs for implementing
R744 MAC are estimated to be less than ! 30. This cost is offset by annual savings of 50 ! (58 liter of saved petrol; New Delhi
conditions), SINTEF concludes. Moreover, the refrigerant cost is only about 50!cents per kilo and the servicing of R744 systems
will be more cost-efficient since recovery of the low global warming refrigerant is unnecessary making sophisticated refrigerant
handling equipment oblivious.
A future use of R744 systems operating both in heating and cooling mode will further reduce costs while at the same time
providing additional comfort and safety for the driver.
Flexibility & Future potential
2
Due to its potential to use the R744 cooling circuit in reverse also for heating the car, R744 MAC systems offer highest flexibility
regarding future developments of heat pumping units. Additional systems improvements (i.e. ejectors or expanders) are expected,
with most of the global component and MAC system manufacturers having already invested in the use of of CO Technology and
being ready for serial production.
Background
SINTEF - the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research at the Norwegian Institute of Technology - is the largest
independent research organisation in Scandinavia. Its research team on natural refrigerants took part in the "rediscovery" of CO
as a natural refrigerant in the late 80's. Nowadays, its work focuses on developing of CO technology for vehicle cooling systems,
commercial refrigeration, and heat pumps.
2
2
2
TM
Visteon presents R744 system in China
R744.com - 2006-12-07
The leading automotive supplier Visteon showcased its key innovations for the Chinese market in October. Among the core
products: the new R744 Climate System.
At its Shanghai technology show, Visteon presented some of the latest
technologies in electronics, climate control and interiors customized for the
Chinese automobile market. A major highlight was the presentation of the
newly launched R744 Climate System.
This innovative heating and air conditioning system replaces todays
refrigerant HFC-134a with the natural working fluid carbon dioxide (R744).
Due to its outstandingly low global warming impact, the new system is in line
with European regulations banning potent greenhouse gases in Mobile Air
Conditioning from 2011 on. Visteons technology show, held from 9-20
October, attracted more than 600 visitors, including major carmakers like
General Motors, Volkswagen, Ford, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi or
Suzuki. Technical seminars provided information on product specifications and latest developments.
Background Visteon is a leading global automotive supplier of climate control products for vehicle manufacturers. It has more
than 170 facilities in 26 countries. Alvaro de Oa
TM
New Chinese CO heat pump standard
R744.com - 2011-07-14
On 1 June 2011 a new Chinese CO heat pump standard was formally implemented. Standard GB/T26181-2010 is for hermetic
motor-compressors for household and similar use heat pump water heaters using CO refrigerant, and is expected to accelerate
the introduction of new products to the Chinese market.
The CO heat pump standard delineates requirements for compressor cooling
capacity, the coefficient of performance (COP), and noise levels. Based on the
characteristics and features of products in the Chinese market, the standard is
more than a copy of the Japanese benchmark.

It is likely that with further market development more stringent standards will follow
in the future.

Product performance requirements

The following performance criteria are included in the standard:
Cooling capacity no less than 95% of nominal values
Coefficient of performance - no less than 95% of nominal values
Power input - should not exceed 110% of nominal value
Operating current - should not exceed 110% of nominal value
Testing methods
Noise levels should comply with state laws and regulations, standards
Vibration levels
Moisture content
Packaging - compressor shell surface coating should be uniform
Transport and storage
Standard development

The standard has been developed in anticipation of the launch of CO heat pump water heaters in 2012. Currently, no CO heat
pump water heaters are sold in China, whilst the compressor for such heaters is still under development, but industry stakeholders
believe the new standard will accelerate the launch of new products.

The drafting of the standard involved many companies, such as Xiian Qingan, Shanghai Hitachi, Guangdong Meizhi, Guangdon
Vanward, Daikin Xian, Shanghai Mitsubishi Electric & Shangling Air conditioner and Electric Appliance and Panasonic Wanbao
Compressor from Guangzhou.

Background

2009 saw the foundation of the China Heat Pump Water Heater Union, by the Chinese Energy Conservation Association,
International Copper Association of China, and ten major air-to water (ATW) heat pump water heater manufacturers. The
association was founded in response to the rapid rise in heat pump water heater sales in China, with sales reaching 250,000 units
in 2008.

Whilst fluorinated refrigerants remain the most common refrigerant used, companies like SinoCredo and Midea have recently
begun to develop CO compressors and heat pump systems.

Lastly, whilst there are no national incentives for heat pump water heaters in China, the local government of Ningbo, a city on the
2
2
2
2
2 2
2
Zhejiang Province introduced a 20% rebate for heat pump water heater projects.

TM
Eco Cute at the conquest of Hokkaido and China
R744.com - 2010-12-23
The Japanese power companies campaigns to promote CO electric heat pump water heaters are taking off. Eco Cute gains
ground in Japans most northern part Hokkaido and moves further into the Chinese market.
The initiatives to promote Eco Cute are manifold in Japan. Eco Cute have been
included in the Japanese Top Runner Programme of technologies with the highest
energy efficiency and their purchase has been subsidised since 2002, one year
after their commercial launch. These subsidies will however stop next year, as the
Japanese government is reviewing its expenses.
Indeed, looking at the sales figures Eco Cute seems well able to hold their own:
from 2001 till October 2009 a total of 2.0 million units have been sold, with annual
sales of 500,000 units in 2008 and the target for 2020 being 10 million units.
Instead of further supporting a technology that is already so well established, the
Japanese government wants now to rather invest in the development of next-
generation heat pump systems and more advanced devices.
Power companies push Eco Cute
The subsidies might subside but the Japanese utilities keep pushing Eco Cute. From September to October 2010, for example,
Hokkaidos power company organised together with several heat pump manufacturers a campaign in Japans northern main island.
They encountered great interest by the population and registered a 72% increase in official price enquiries compared to last year,
demonstrating that Eco Cute is becoming a well accepted technology also in colder regions.
The T!hoku power company in the northern part of Japans main island Honsh" also reported in October 2010 that Eco Cute have
passed the threshold of 150,000 units in its area. The merits of Eco Cute in energy efficiency and performance have clearly been
broadly accepted and all major heat pump manufacturers in Japan also offer special models for colder climates.
In Chubu, the central region of the main island Honsh", the local power company aims to promote the shift to all -electric home
appliances and in this vein offers consumers between September and December 2010 a bonus of 30,000 (~ #270) when
switching from another heat pump model to Eco Cute.
Eco Cute for barber shops and beauty salons
Also, the areas for application of Eco Cute are constantly expanding. The Shikoku power company on the smallest of Japans four
main islands, for example, has developed a small -scale commercial Eco Cute destined for deployment in barber shops, beauty
salons or two family houses which have hot water needs exceeding the capacity of domestic heat pump water heaters, yet too
small for a commercial model. These new small -scale commercial CO heat pump water heaters have been on sale since this
summer and are available with either 740l or 920l capacity.
Other manufacturers put their efforts in designing Eco Cute with improved performance while at the same time making them more
compact and less spacious. Itomic, for example, has developed a 75 kW commercial CO heat pump that delivers 2.5 times the
performance of a regular 30 kW heat pump but only occupies 1.2 times its space. It is on sale since November this year.
Eco Cute advancing in the Chinese market
In China, domestic hot water supply and winter heating account for 30% - 60% of energy consumption in urban households. In an
effort to reduce energy use and protect the environment, the trend goes to new technologies such as solar water heaters, heat
pump water heaters, gas water heaters or electric water heaters and also Eco Cute. Universities and research centres work on
2
2
2
CO trans-critical technology and thanks to their research results a number of Chinese companies were able to launch trans-
critical CO heat pump products.
Currently, there are three Chinese compressor manufacturers for CO trans-critical systems: Shanghai Hitachi, Xi'an Qing'an and
Guangdong Meizhi. However, a real uptake of Eco Cute in the Chinese market is expected for 2011, when Chinese companies are
ready to move into industrial -scale production of Eco Cute. Japanese companies such as Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric and
Daikin have also indicated that they would offer their Eco Cute models on the Chinese market. As production numbers increase,
prices are expected to fall rapidly as they did in Japan, where the prices of Eco Cute in 2008 are only half of what they had been
at market launch in 2001.
2
2
2
TM
Innovative Pakistan solar water heating project with CO as working fluid
R744.com - 2011-07-05
A project to provide an alternate energy system in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, will see the development of an ecologically friendly
hybrid solar water heating system that uses CO as the working fluid. The project is a joint collaboration between the Pakistan-US
Science and Technology Programme (USAID) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.
To reduce the use of firewood and electricity in providing heating and hot water in
the Gilgit-Baltistan region, researchers are developing a solar collector technology
that uses CO as the working fluid. The aim of the project is to demonstrate that
solar energy can be used in conjunction with CO in a safe, efficient, cheap and
environmentally benign system.

A joint technical project combining the work of professors at the University of North
Dakota and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), the project
received $164,115 (!113,321) from USAID and $76,566 (!52, 870) from the
Pakistan HEC.

Hybrid system specifications

The multimode hybrid solar water heater is designed to work in sub-zero temperatures. CO was selected as the working fluid as it
has a low-freezing point compared to water. CO only forms dry ice at -78C and when heated to its critical point of 31.1C
demonstrates dramatic thermo-physical changes in the presence of small thermal variations which can lead to strong convection
flow. In addition to this CO it is low cost and non-toxic.

The hybrid system will combine a direct expansion heat pump with an evacuated solar collector, ensuring continuous operation
and a reliable heat supply despite unstable solar irradiation during the winters.

The low temperature thermal requirement of the heat pump makes it a good match for the low temperature heat from the solar
collectors. In the summer the convective flow of the supercritical collector fluid will be achieved via heating of the CO through
solar radiation and cooling of the CO via heat transfer to a water tank.

The research project is due to be completed in November 2012.

Projects outcomes

Whilst the project has initially been developed for Gilgit-Baltistan, the technology will be transferrable to other areas where the
ambient temperature falls below 0C, and it is hoped that once the demonstration project is up and running a commercial project
can be launched onto the market.

It is expected that the project will have the following benefits:
Identification of operational parameters to achieve high system performance
Optimisation of collector design and heat pump operation
Creation of employment opportunities
Reduction of deforestation in the region as fewer people need to burn wood for water heating
Avoidance of indirect CO emissions from electricity generation
Whilst it was recently reported that Pakistani manufacturers were unwilling to build the project prototype, due to the small scale
and complex nature of the project, CCIT has now managed to secure a manufacturer for the tube-sheet-type collector at its own
workshop.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

Background

Gilgit-Baltistan is the northernmost political area in Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan, China and Kashmir. Home to the worlds
highest mountain ranges, the climate in region ranges from very hot during the day, to very cold at night, when temperatures can
drop to -20C. Gilgit-Baltistan in considered one of the most solar-adverse places in Pakistan, and up until now, the wind-chill and
freezing temperatures have precluded the use solar water heating systems.

The joint Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperation Program began in 2003 with the aim of establishing a framework for
cooperation between the science and education communities of both countries. The Hybrid Solar Water Heating System Using
CO as Working Fluid project was selected for funding under Phase 4 of the cooperation programme, announced in September
2010.
2
TM
Bitzer Brazil opens first CO training centre of the Americas
R744.com - 2009-02-10
Bitzer Brazil has inaugurated the first CO Technology & Training Centre for North and South America. Installed in Bitzers plant in
Sao Paulo, the centre will provide training covering safety, design, installation, commissioning, servicing and maintenance.
Moreover, it will allow for hands-on energy efficiency comparisons between different systems.
Bitzer Brazils experienced engineers have developed a five-day training course
concerning the use of CO as a refrigerant in commercial and industrial systems.
Practical and theoretical classes will be provided at what is the first CO training
centre in both North and South America based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Bitzer
Australia has also contributed to the development of the CO course by providing
valuable learning material, refrigeration equipment and technical information.
The resulting course, provided in Portuguese, Spanish and English, and intended
for students, technicians, engineers, designers and installers, includes five
modules, namely:
CO Fundamentals

Systems Safety with CO Applications

CO Refrigeration Systems

CO Refrigeration Components

Commissioning, Servicing and Maintenance Procedures
Moreover, equipment installed at the training centre will allow energy efficiency comparisons to be carried out between a CO
subcritical system (CO /R404A) and direct expansion conventional systems using R404A and R22.
Equipment installed at the CO Training & Technology Center
The refrigeration racks: The three refrigeration racks with similar cooling capacities installed at the training centre use CO in the
subcritical condition (CO /R404A), R404A only and R22. All installations feature the most modern semi-hermetic compressors of
Bitzers Octagon series in parallel application, used on medium and low evaporation temperature.
The cold rooms: Two out of the three cold rooms are operating at medium temperature (cooling and walk-in cooler) and one at
low temperature. In each cold room the evaporators of the three respective racks (CO , R404A and R22) are installed. In addition,
two low temperature islands, linked only to the CO rack, are installed. In order to conduct energy efficiency comparisons, the
equipment operates at just one rack at a time, which means that while one rack is operating the other two remain turned off.
The electronic controllers: All electronic controllers were donated by Italian manufacturer Carel. All conditions for the operation
of the refrigeration equipment are controlled and monitored by the pCO electronic controllers that are fitted in each rack.
Moreover, Carels PlantVisorPRO supervision system, which comes with a high level of precision and reliability, controls the entire
refrigeration plant.
Transcritcal CO and CO /R717 cascade racks to be installed at the centre
After the centres first design stage was completed end of 2008, two more refrigeration racks will be installed at a second phase,
one using CO in the transcritical condition and the other using CO and ammonia (R717) in the subcritical condition. In addition, a
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2 2
2 2
water chiller with the natural hydrocarbon refrigerant propylene (R1270) will be used as the centers air conditioner, also ensuring a
constant temperature of the condensing water used in the racks with water-cooled condensers. Bitzer Brazil expects the
installation of the additional equipment to commence at the end of 2009.
TM
Philippines ten year grant project to replace inefficient
chillers
2011-07-15 - hydrocarbons21.com 0 tweet
Hydrocarbons success story at Montreal
Protocol Meeting in Thailand, 18 Nov 2010
Philippines CDM project to replace 375
inefficient chillers, 08 Jun 2010
Philippines to make sure that car aircon are
ozone-friendly, 16 Mar 2011
US: soon an end to HFC134a in motor
vehicles?, 31 Mar 2011
Some 375 inefficient chillers will be
replaced under the 'Philippines Chillers
Energy Efficiency Project'
A 10 year grant project of the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) starting this year
in the Philippines, will provide financial incentives to accelerate the replacement of some 375 inefficient
chillers with non-CFC based models, such as hydrocarbon based ones. Early July 2011, the country's
Environment Secretary outlined the benefits of the project and called on industries to shift to new
energy-efficient chillers.
To accelerate the conversion to new technologies,
chiller owners will be able to choose from two
financial incentive options under the project when
replacing their old inefficient chillers with new
non-CFC-based energy efficient chillers:
Up-front subsidy of 15% of the cost
of the new chiller on condition that the
chiller owner must agree to relinquish
future carbon finance revenues under the
programme.
Benefit from 75-80% of the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM)
revenues that will be obtained from
selling carbon emission reductions (CERs)
under the project. The remaining 20-25%
of the CDM revenues must be surrendered
and will be used to cover the cost of
administration, financial management,
reporting, marketing and other CDM
related costs.
A chiller is defined as an industrial- and
commercial-grade refrigerating system used in
cooling applications for buildings, raw materials,
chemicals, medical equipment and industrial
equipment.
Eligible new chillers under the programme would
need to encompass refrigerants with low or non-
ozone depleting potential including natural refrigerants like hydrocarbons (propane and isobutene) and
ammonia, water and air, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC123), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC-134a).
Cutting energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions
It is hoped that the project will cut energy bills and greenhouse gases emitted in the atmosphere by as
much as 560,000 tons in the next 10 years.
related articles
Given todays technologies which are not only energy efficient but are also using non-CFC alternative
refrigerants, we can assure the private sector that replacing their old chillers with new ones makes
good business sense, said Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje on 3 July
2011.
The different components of the US$47.9 million (!34.2m) project
The provision of financial incentives is the first of four components of the Philippine Chillers Energy
Efficiency Project (PCEEP), the other three being:
Measurement, monitoring and verification: The program is required to measure and monitor
data related to the power-output function of the inefficient chiller to be replaced, the electrical
consumption of the new chiller, as well as the cooling output. For this purpose, a database will
have to be established that will keep track of all the data generated from the individual
replacement activities and to be used to generate the reports that would support the Certified
Emission Reduction (CER) claims under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
Performance standards and technical assistance aimed at enhancing the knowledge and
building capacity of project participants, including chiller owners, government regulators, chiller
manufacturers/ suppliers/contractors.
Project management.
Background
The Philippines ratified the Montreal Protocol in March 1991 and committed to gradually reduce and
eventually eliminate the use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
According to Paje, over the last 10 years, or starting in 1999, the Philippines has made great progress
in phasing out the use of CFCs as refrigerants in the household and mobile air conditioning systems.
Then in 2010, [the Phillipines] have totally banned the entry of CFCs, commonly known as Freon, into
the country, in accordance with our commitment to the Montreal Protocol. The DENR chief said,
however, that the chiller subsector continues to rely heavily on CFCs, which besides being ozone-
depleting require more energy to run them and thereby put unnecessary burden on the countrys
energy supply.
2009 shecco. All Rights Reserved
Natural refrigeration in the Middle East
Project to further the uptake of
hydrocarbons in India and beyond, 9 Jun
2011
Low GWP technologies on display in
Maldives, 1 May 2011
UNEP seeks stakeholder input to chiller
workshop, 7 Jan 2011
UPDATED: Guidelines for the safe use of
hydrocarbon refrigerants, 17 Sep 2010
Growing consideration of sustainable
refrigeration options in the Middle East
Over the past decade there has been a visible shift towards more sustainable refrigeration options in the
Middle East. Hydrocarbon refrigeration is being considered more and more as a result of its energy
efficiency and climate and ozone friendliness.
According to marketing manager Koma Middle
East, Marc Doublichevitche, greater consideration
is being given to environmentally sound
refrigeration technologies across the Middle East.
Martin Laws, marketing manager for Williams
Refrigeration says there is a clearly visible move
towards natural refrigerants, such as
hydrocarbons.

Hydrocarbon refrigerants are seen as attractive
because of their efficiency and energy saving
potential, whilst flammability concerns have been
largely overcome with safety devices such as
hermetic sealing of systems.

The rapid economic development in countries like
Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates
and continued population growth means there is
an ever-increasing demand for refrigerators and
high-capacity food processing and distribution
centres. Natural refrigerants like hydrocarbons
present a viable option to meet the regions
growing needs.

Middle East attracts key hydrocarbon actors

In recognition of the positive approach to
sustainability in the region, Carrier has launched
the Distinguished Sustainability Lecture Series at
the Higher Colleges of Technology, in the United
Arab Emirates. Whilst the company believes
propane based air conditioning systems for the
Middle East need further research, the important
point is that sustainability has taken root.

Other companies that do already supply hydrocarbon compressors to the Middle East include Danfoss
and Tecumesh.

Factors affecting refrigerator choice in the Middle East

In addition to refrigerant choice, other environmental considerations include energy efficiency and
saving.
related articles

The recent trend in refrigeration design is working with suppliers to develop more energy-efficient
components, for example low energy fans and compressors, says Mr Laws.

No market is able to ignore energy saving concepts any longer, confirmed Bjrn Dewes, area manager
for MIWE.

Other factors include:
Looks: In the Middle East looks are an important consideration in refrigerator choice. Clients are
looking for aesthetic cabinets to showcase items, such as wine for example.
Price: According to Mohammad Zaatar of Nice Two Kitchens and Refrigeration LLC price is one
of the essential elements taken into consideration when Middle Eastern consumers choose a
product.
Flexibility: For increasingly congested kitchens, Mr Laws of Williams refrigeration says space
saving is always seen as a priority.
Background

Throughout the Middle East there are already examples of natural refrigeration. International food and
beverage company Kraft has an ammonia-chilled production plant in Bahrain that supplies food retailers
through out the Middle East. Del Monte has an indirect ammonia refrigeration system in Dubai, whilst
Saudi Arabian food retailer Panda installed a state-of-the art distribution centre in Riyadh.

MIWE is a German provider of specialist, baking equipment, including ovens, bakery refrigeration
systems and automatic equipment. A family company started in 1919, MIWE now supplies its equipment
across the globe.

Williams Refrigeration Dubai was established in 2003 and supplies commercial refrigeration solutions
manufactured in China and the UK, to the Middle Eastern market.

Koma is a refrigeration company that specializes in pastry and bakery item conservation. With over 70
years experience in preservation and conditioning technologies, Koma is a global company with
installations worldwide.
Cooling India: hydrocarbons for supermarkets and at
high ambients
Project to further the uptake of
hydrocarbons in India and beyond, 09 Jun
2011
Coming soon: reciprocating and screw
compressors from Frascold, 20 Apr 2011
UPDATE: ATMOsphere 2010: hydrocarbons in
the spotlight- Part 2, 06 Oct 2010
Hydrocarbon chillers up to $4 billion market
potential worldwide, 22 Oct 2010
Hydrocarbon blends as HFC replacements,
05 Mar 2010
R290 split systems and chillers for China,
Interview with Nick Cox, Earthcare, 10 Nov
2010
Series of Franscold R290 compressors for
Waitrose chiller
The latest issue of Cooling India, Indias premier magazine on the cooling industry, includes
contributions on alternative refrigerants such as hydrocarbons, suited to Indias high ambient
temperature conditions, as well as on lessons learnt and progress made with rolling out hydrocarbon
cooling systems throughout the retail estate of Waitrose in the UK.
Alternative Refrigerants for High Ambient
Temperature Conditions, N. Cox, Earthcare
Products
Moving away from using HCFC R22 in line with its
Montreal Protocol commitments, India has many
reasons not to widely adopt HFC refrigerants with
high Global Warming Potential, the most
important being that there are many other more
efficient refrigerants, even for Indias higher
ambient temperatures.
by using hydrocarbon refrigerants, it is
possible to attain higher critical temperatures to
those achieved by R22. The hydrocarbon R290,
for instance, has a critical temperature of 97C
and R432A (80.0% R1270/20.0% E170) has a
critical temperature of 99.37C whilst matching
the capacity characteristics of R22 even at higher
ambients, writes Nicholas Cox.
In his article, Cox provides an introduction to
several alternative refrigerants, including
hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends, that are
well suited to high ambient conditions:
Blends of hydrocarbons R290/R600a, for
example, have been used extensively as
an alternative to CFC R12 and HFC R134A
and conversions of car air conditioners.
The 52%/48% R290/R600a blend
designated R436B by ASHRAE is well
suited to high ambient applications.
Dimethyl ether (RE170, DME), which has
been extensively adopted as the
replacement for R12 and R134a in
propellant applications, makes a better
related articles
refrigerant than R290/R600a blends as it has no temperature glide and does not separate during
leakage. R510A, a RE170/R600a (88.0/12.0) blend has been shown to have superior
performance in some R134a replacement applications such as water coolers, and has been
proposed for MAC applications.
The greatest success of hydrocarbons has been the use of R600a (isobutane) in domestic
refrigerators, while the author assesses that R600 (butane) should prove a commercially
attractive refrigerant for chiller manufacturers.
The author concludes that for high ambient applications, the optimum replacement for HCFC R22 is
R432A, and for HFC134a it is R510A. However, further research is required to identify the optimum
replacement for the HCFC R123, which is well suited to high ambient temperature applications due to
its very high critical temperature of 183.7 C. Used in conventional vapour compression systems, HCFC
R123 (NBP 27.0 C) could simply be replaced with isopentane (NBP 27.7 C). In centrifugal compressor
applications, however, the molecular mass is more important in determining capacity and lower
molecular mass can only partially be compensated for with higher vapour pressure.
Frascolds Propane Compressors at the heart of Waitrose Hydrocarbon Cooling system
UK food retailer Waitrose makes use of integral refrigerated cases on the retail floor, running on the
hydrocarbon propene (R1270), using chilled water/glycol as the condensing medium. This is supplied by
roof-top-mounted Geoclima chillers based on Frascold compressors running on R290 (propane).
The Geoclima chillers use a combination of Liquid Pressure Amplification (LPA) technology with a
floating head pressure, high efficiency aluminium coils and traditional glycol-based free cooling to
significantly increase operating efficiency. The roof-top-mounted chillers provide a supply of chilled
water or glycol mixture at between 10C and 18C, with a typical return temperature 6C higher,
ensuring optimum performance and efficiency of both integral cases and chiller. Typically, at ambient
temperature below 16C, compressors are switched off and the chillers run in free-cooling mode,
providing significant energy savings.
The Frascold compressors at the heart of the propane chiller were selected by UK specialist Klima-Therm
following evaluation trials with machines from a number of manufacturers. Some winning features
included the resilience of the compressor to liquid return and the availability of a variable speed option
that further improves efficiency and compressor control. As a result, Frascolds semi -hermetics are now
the default choice for use in Geoclimas Waitrose chillers.
The compressor manufacturer has also modified the position of the pressure transducer, which is now
mounted on the body of the compressor itself rather than positioned remotely, reducing pipe work and
connections and further improving safety and reducing the potential for leaks. Waitrose reports zero
leakage in the trial supermarket set up monitoring the performance of the system.
Overall, the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants improves the energy efficiency of individual systems by
between 10 and 20%, with further gains of around 10% delivered as a result of heat recovery and
store-wide integration. When added to the 100% containment of refrigerant, the CO emissions
reduction in stores to date is running at around 32%.
The retailer will be installing the new refrigeration solution in all new stores and major refurbishments
of existing stores, while it is also now being introduced to the new smaller format Waitrose convenience
stores. The aim is to convert all Waitrose UK stores by 2020, with about 55 hydrocarbon-based systems
due this year.
About Cooling India
Launched in 2005, Cooling India is Indias premier magazine on the cooling industry dedicated to air
conditioning, refrigeration and building automation with a large reach across India and overseas. It is
published by Chary Publications, one of the oldest publishing houses in India dedicated to the energy
sector and now diversified into publishing magazines on HVACR, lighting and medical equipment. For
2
more information about subscriptions contact nafisa@charypublications.in .
Contact Information
If you would like to contact Earthcare Products for any enquiries, you may send a request to
Nicholas Cox directly.
If you would like to contact Frascold for any enquiries, you may send a request to Luciana Beretta
directly.
Australian case study: minimising emissions in 3 Aldi
stores thanks to R290
Hydrocarbon Technology put at the forefront
of the RAC Cooling Industry Awards, 01 Oct
2010
EIA: Which UK retailers score high in green
refrigeration , 01 Feb 2010
Download the AIRAH case study: East coast
chill factor
The 3 Aldi Australia stores with R290 are
located in Victoria, New South Wales and
Queensland.
The Natural Refrigerants Special Technical Group of the Australian institute for Refrigeration Air-
conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has published a case study on three Aldi supermarkets in Australia
that are minimising greenhouse gas emissions by using R290 hydrocarbon chest freezers in their retail
frozen food departments.
Located in Victoria, New South Wales and
Queensland respectively, the three supermarkets
feature between 22 to 24 chest freezers units,
that each houses a self-contained R290 hermetic
compressor by Danfoss with variable speed drive.
Besides the units that are optimised for freezer
duty, the stores also incorporate two dual-
temperature units that can run on either chiller
or freezer duty.
Technical information
The case study lists the following technical
information:
Refrigerant: R290 hydrocarbon
Approximate refrigerant charge: 110g
per unit
Compressor: Danfoss hermetic variable
speed
Condenser: No-fin tube type with EC fan
de-super heater
Design temperature: -18C to -23C
standard or 0C to +20C for dual
temperature
Net contents per unit: 881 litres
Nominal power consumption: 450W
per unit
Refrigeration plant capacity: 0.5kW per
unit or approx 11kW per store
Savings of about 17 tonnes of GHG emissions per year
The case study compares the R290 chest freezers solution to a R404a two-stage system as well as a
CO /R134a cascade, to find that by using the R290, greenhouse gas emissions savings of
approximately 17 tonnes per year can be realised.
related articles
more on this topic
2
Indirect emissions: The energy efficiency of the R290 system has been found to be equivalent
to that of a two-stage R404a system, particularly for locations in Australias southern states,
where the extra heat emission in the store air conditioning is more than offset by the reduced
heating requirements in winter. The R290 system uses slightly more energy than CO /R134a
cascade system, with the latter therefore encompassing slightly lower indirect emissions than
R290 that are however offset by higher direct emissions due to refrigerant leakage.
Direct emissions: When refrigerant leakage and refrigerant recovery losses (refrigerant that is
not recovered at the end of the equipment life) are taken into account, R290 is assessed to save
approximately 17 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year compared to a R404a two- stage
system when a 5% annual leakage rate is assumed for the latter. Assuming a 3% annual
leakage rate for R404a case, greenhouse gas emissions savings are still in the order of 12
tonnes per year.
2
PepsiCo Turkey reports 30% energy savings with HC
coolers
Hydrocarbon coolers debuted at US most
popular sports event - 04/02/10
PepsiCo uses hydrocarbons in 5,000 vending
machines - 31/03/09
In a presentation given at a UN regional meeting in Istanbul last week, PepsiCo explained its 3 strategic
initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its cooling equipment, including the use of
hydrocarbon refrigerants. Since 2009, Turkey has been the first country using hydrocarbons for all new
Pepsi coolers put on the market.
The United Nations Regional Ozone Networks for
South Asia and for Europe & Central Asia met
jointly in Istanbul, Turkey to promote inter-
regional cooperation between South-Asian,
Central Asian, Caucasus and Balkan countries.
The meeting allowed Ozone Officers from more
than 30 countries to exchange their experience in
phasing-out the use of ozone-depleting
substances (ODS) such as CFCs and HCFCs
widely used in refrigeration equipment.
Mr. Soykan Dirik, the Marketing Equipment
Manager from the European Division of Pepsico
Turkey delivered the companys vision about how
to achieve energy savings in bottle coolers by
using the environmentally friendly refrigerant
R600a.
PepsiCo Turkey first switching to hydrocarbons for all new coolers
Since 2009, PepsiCo Turkey has been the first country using hydrocarbons for all new coolers put on the
market. The transition was possible after PepsiCo briefed its suppliers that the company strategically
supports hydrocarbons. The change was all the more desired due to the companys concerns about its
coolers electricity costs that needed to be reduced.
In Turkey, local suppliers were able to develop the appropriate equipment to meet the market needs.
This, combined with the Pepsi in-house technical infrastructure to support hydrocarbons made the
project a success. PepsiCo completed the project by adding an energy saving controller to reduce
energy consumption by a further 20%.
To date, Pepsi is particularly satisfied with the following features of the hydrocarbon coolers:
R600a operates at lower pressure than HFCs and take less charge. Due to the refrigerant charge
reduction Pepsi reports a total of 292 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduction per
year.
The hydrocarbon compressor is smaller and more efficient
related articles
The coefficient of performance for R600a is higher than the most commonly-used f-gas R134a.
Pepsi reports up to 30% of energy savings in this context.
Pepsis 3 Strategic Initiatives
PepsiCo has committed to prioritise environmental sustainability as a prerequisite for its cooling
equipment, encompassing 3 strategic initiatives:
1. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) free foam: Pepsi has eliminated chemical substances HFCs as a
foaming agent from all its factories worldwide.
2. Reduction of energy consumption: energy efficiency is achieved by using refrigeration
equipment models, which are compliant with high energy standards. Pepsi also chooses its
strategic suppliers of equipment on the basis of the latest environmentally-friendly technology
that they are using.
3. Using refrigerants with low climate impact: PepsiCo is also widely implementing the use of
alternative refrigerants to reduce the warming impact from chemical refrigerants leaking out of
the equipment. PepsiCo started its field trials with hydrocarbons in 2006 and the experience is
now expanding to its global operations.
Reducing the environmental impact of PepsiCo coolers is paramount because the carbon footprint of all
Pepsi coolers and vending machines is 3 times bigger than all the Pepsi plants combined.
Hydrocarbons across the world: a success story
Greenpeace Cool Technologies
In its Cool Technology paper, Greenpeace outlines the myriad successes of HFC-free alternatives in
various sectors of industrial heating and cooling appliances. With over 400 million hydrocarbon fridges
sold in the world, hydrocarbon domestic air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration appliances are
also proving to be a potential success story.
The paper, regularly updated offers a wide
variety of environmentally superior and
technologically proven HCFC and HFC-free
alternatives, including hydrocarbons. From
Earthcare Products to Carrier, Husky, Waitrose,
Sainsburys, Bosch, Johnson Controls, the paper
offers user-friendly data that pinpoints the
technology used and resulting energy savings.
It is now widely recognised that hydrocarbons are
an optimal replacement for HCFC-22 installations.
Below is a short selection of the many
applications that currently run on hydrocarbons
across all five continents.
Greenfreeze from India to the US
Developed in 1982 by Greenpeace, Greenfreeze refrigerators are now being produced in Mexico, Russia,
Sweden, New Zealand, the USA (by 2010) Germany, Cuba, China, Argentina, South Korea, Japan,
Demark, India and Italy and account for 35% - 40% of the global fleet production (100 million domestic
refrigerators and freezers a year). Typically the products use cyclopentane for the foam and isobutane
for the refrigerant. The charge of 30 to 60 grams varies according to the size of the refrigerators, which
come in all sizes. The technology now dominates the market in Europe, Japan and China.
In March 2009, Bosch marked the first entry of Greenfreeze technology in Northern America by
marketing Greenfreeze refrigerators in Mexico. This North American market penetration will be further
widened as in October 2008, General Electric announced that it had formally requested the approval of
the US Environmental Protection Agency, under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program,
to produce hydrocarbon domestic refrigerators for the US market as of 2010.
Hydrocarbon domestic air-conditioning
Italian manufacturer De'Longhi has been selling its propane cooled portable air conditioners (Pinguino
ECO) on the European market since 1985. Companies such as UK Elstar Company and Australian
Benson Air Conditioning have also been producing a variety of hydrocarbon based split-air
conditioners for both home and office use. According to the Australian manufacturer, the hydrocarbon
units perform with 15-20% better energy efficiency than the companys comparable previous R22
more on this topic
range.
In 2009, Chinese Gree Electric Appliances developed and successfully tested a highly efficient
hydrocarbon air-conditioner, with COP of 3.6, energy efficiency 15% better than corresponding HCFC-22
unit, and total hydrocarbon charge less than 300 grams.
High efficiency in commercial refrigeration
With 275,000 hydrocarbon ice-cream coolers on the market, Unilevers coolers have a 9% energy
saving compared to their HFC counterparts while using approximately 100 grams of hydrocarbons.
PepsiCo is currently testing new vending machines using natural refrigerants, hydrocarbons as well as
CO2. By 2009 PepsiCo had deployed 5,831 testing units, the majority of which use hydrocarbons. The
units are deployed primarily in Europe, China and Japan.
Waitrose Supermarket has announced the development of a propane based refrigeration technology,
which is expected to reduce the companys carbon footprint by 20% to be introduced in 2010. The
company states that this technology is a breakthrough for the supermarket industry.
Johnson Controls is producing a line of medium sized air-cooled hydrocarbon chillers with frequency-
controlled screw compressor and V-coil condenser. The capacity range is from 80 kW to 560 kW.
Dutch Ecozone and Australian Energy Resources Group have many years experience working in
developing countries, and both have conducted numerous conversions from HCFC-22 to hydrocarbons in
a wide variety of settings with different size chillers that demonstrate that as long as routine safety
standards are maintained, and work is performed by trained technicians, hydrocarbons are cost effective
and efficient substitutes for HCFC-22.
China: increase of low energy, low carbon refrigerator
technology by 30% in 6 years
Chinese industry widely uses R600a &
researches on R290, 2 July 2009
ATMOsphere Report 2010 on Natural
Refrigerants available for free download
China's refrigerator production increases steadily, accounting already for one third of global production.
Advancements have been achieved over the last years mainly in enhancing energy efficiency and
substituting high GWP refrigerants with R600a.
According to the China Household Electrical
Appliances Association, China accounts currently
for one third of the global refrigerator production.
The Chinese refrigerator manufacturers are now
intensifying efforts in low carbon, environmentally
friendly production and carbon emissions
reductions throughout their value chain, from the
sourcing of resources to the shipping out of
goods.
The US and Japan are market leaders in low
carbon technologies, but in the period 1999-2005
Chinese manufacturers have increased the energy
efficiency of their refrigerators by over 28% and
are approaching global top technology levels.
In the first half of 2010, Chinese refrigerator
production has increased by 28% as compared to
2009 to reach 29 million units. Exports have
increased by 26% to reach 9.3 million units.
The majority of Chinese refrigerator manufacturers has introduced low carbon production technologies.
Furthermore, ozone depleting and high GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants have largely been
replaced with environmentally friendly hydrocarbon refrigerant R600a.
In 2009, the China Household Electrical Appliances Association had stated that over 90% of domestic
refrigerators in China meanwhile run on hydrocarbons and that the price of R600a is steadily declining.
related articles
Southern African company converts entire production
line to HCs
Download the project fact sheet
Under what is the first project in the Southern African region to demonstrate the viability of
hydrocarbon technology, a local manufacturer of refrigeration equipment is converting its entire
production line from fluorinated to hydrocarbon refrigerants. In addition to resulting in energy savings,
the project will cut direct emissions by up to 29,000 tonnes CO e per year.
Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH in association with
the National Ozone Unit of Swaziland and local
manufacturer of refrigeration equipment Palfridge
is currently implementing a pilot project that
provides technical assistance and financial
support that will enable Palfridge to convert its
manufacturing lines in Swaziland from the use of
unsustainable fluorinated refrigerant gases to
hydrocarbon refrigerants. This is the first
demonstration of hydrocarbon technology in the
Southern African region showcasing a viable and
sustainable alternative to replace fluorinated
refrigerants and is expected to encourage other
companies in the region to follow suit.
It is estimated that the conversion to hydrocarbons will cut direct emissions by up to 29,000 tonnes
CO equivalent per year. Additional climate benefits as well as energy savings will accrue from the
improved energy efficiency of the appliances.
Details of the project
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety,
the !1,400,000 project sets out to convert the entire production of domestic and commercial
refrigeration appliances of the manufacturer Palfridge in Swaziland to hydrocarbon refrigerants.
It addresses issues concerning the safe use of flammable refrigerants through providing:
State-of-the-art safety devices
Intensive training and appropriate education of the entire Palfridge staff, including
engineers, technicians, workers)
Assistance with the safe design of the new models
Support for the development of appropriate information and training materials for
marketing the equipment at the point-of-sale and for service technicians which would be
servicing the equipment in later years
2
more on this topic
2
Africas first Ozone Village showcases HC production
machine
Nigeria announced the construction of Africas first Ozone Technology Village that will serve as a
technology development and training center. Locally fabricated ozone friendly machines, including a
hydrocarbon refrigerant production machine, have been developed as part of the project. A closer co-
operation between the countrys Ozone and Climate Change Units was further announced.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr.
Safiya Muhammad, the Nigerian Federal Minister
of Environment John Odey announced at the
opening of the ODS (Ozone Depleting
Substances) Officers Network (ODSONET) Joint
meeting, held in Abuja, Nigeria that its
Government was building Africas first Ozone
Technology Village in the Nigerian State of Ogun.
Representatives of 39 African countries gathered
in Abuja to discuss the imminent deadline of 1 January 2010, when consumption of CFCs and halons will
no longer be possible.
Hydrocarbon refrigerant production machine
According to Odey, the Ozone village will serve as a technology development and training center, while
as part of the project, a set of locally manufactured ozone friendly machines has already been
developed, including a box of foaming machines, CFC recovery and recycling machine and hydrocarbon
refrigerant production machine. HCFCs have a high potential of global warming. Unlike for the CFCs
where the phase out plans were only meant to address the ozone depleting potential, we now want to
also consider the value added to the mitigation of the climate change. In phase out the HCFC we will
also be counting how much global warming potential we will help reduce says Rajendra Shende, Head
of Paris-based UNEP OzonAction Branch.
This initiative will be presented to the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol in order to consider the
hydrocarbon production machine as a pilot demonstration project under the HCFC programme.
Nigerias Ozone and Climate Change Units to work closely
Odey further announced that the Nigerias National Ozone Unit and Climate Change Unit would work
together to enable the country to derive the dual benefit of protecting the ozone layer and reducing the
impact of climate change. Hence, in a symbolic move, they joined hands to stamp the Seal the Deal
petition, as part of the UN global campaign that calls for a fair, balanced and effective climate
agreement in Copenhagen in December this year. Nigeria has been an active participant in the crusade
against ODS and we would pursue close cooperation between climate and ozone office. This would be
our important resolve during this meeting. While setting our sails to sealing the hole, we have historic
opportunity to seal the deal at Copenhagen.
Mauritius government support for hydrocarbons
At the launch of the ozone layer campaign in Mauritius, the small island which is particularly vulnerable
to climate change, the government signaled its support for the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants in
domestic refrigeration appliances by handing over two sets of hydrocarbon equipment to local tertiary
education institutes.
The Minister of Environment and National
Development of Mauritius, Lormus Bundhoo,
launched this week the ozone layer campaign for
students at a state secondary school, where he
further announced that a wider National
Environment Literacy Programme (NELP) was at
the preparation stage. Mauritius is particularly
concerned with environmental issues and as such
it is a member of the Alliance of Small Island
States (AOSIS), a coalition of small island and low-lying coastal countries that share similar
development challenges and concerns about the environment, especially their vulnerability to the
adverse effects of global climate change.
At the event, Minister Bundhoo recalled that the objective of the Ozone layer sensitisation campaign is
to foster new values, attitudes and ethical awareness in young children as regards the protection of the
environment so that they are able to rethink and change patterns of action.
Support for hydrocarbons
Driven by these concerns, the Ministry of Environment and National Development Unit is promoting the
use of hydrocarbon refrigerants in domestic refrigerators, as they are both ozone and climate friendly.
To this end, it handed over two sets of hydrocarbon equipments to two local entities offering tertiary
education, namely the Industrial and Vocational Training Board and the Superior Technology Institute
(Institut Suprieur de Technologie).
About the institutes
The Industrial and Vocational Training Board (IVTB) was set up in 1988 to promote vocational education
and training with the purposes of supplying a properly trained workforce for the industrial, services and
domestic sectors. As from 1998 the IVTB has also started running selected tertiary level programmes.
The Institut Suprieur de Technologie (IST) is a Polytechnic managed by the Technical School
Management Trust Fund (TSMTF) and provides tertiary level education.
Hydrocarbon technologies showcased at UNEP
Maldives conference, Part 2
Hydrocarbon technologies showcased at
UNEP conference, Maldives May 2011, Part
1, 18 May 2011
Transitioning from HCFCs to low GWP
refrigerants: how to overcome the barriers,
17 May 2011
Low GWP technologies on display in
Maldives, 16 May 2011
UNEP invites HC experts to Iran and Serbia
events, 6 Apr 2011
Mayekawa adds new hydrocarbon screw
compressor series, 14 APR 2011
Mayekawa compressor donated to
Maldives government
On the 8-9 May 2011, the Maldives hosted an Industry Roundtable Meeting on Zero and Low Global
Warming (GWP) HCFC alternatives, where companies discussed challenges and recent advances in the
market for HCFC alternatives. Presentations were made on natural refrigerant use in industrial
refrigeration, on servicing and safety of R290 air conditioning, and on a hydrocarbon pilot project in
Africa.
The Industry Roundtable was organized as a
platform for business representatives to exchange
information on climate friendly alternatives to
Ozone Depleting Compounds (ODS), and
showcase the latest hydrocarbon technology in air
conditioning and refrigeration.

Mayekawa donates compressor unit to
Maldives government

Mayekawa, a Japanese company that specialises
in freezing technology, donated a compressor
unit to the government of the Maldives during the
Industry Roundtable. The compressor will be
installed in a new government green building.

Jan Boone, Executive Director of Mayekawa, said
of the donation, Mayekawa decided to donate a
compressor unit of approximately 150 KW to
support the Maldives in their carbon neutral
ambition - one of the first [such ambitions] in the
world.

During the Mayekawa presentation Mr Boone
underlined the companys aim to demonstrate
operational equipment using each of the Natural
Five refrigerants: ammonia (NH ), carbon
dioxide (CO ), hydrocarbons (HC), water (H 0),
and air.

According to Mr Boone, Mayekawa natural
refrigerant applications achieve the following
reductions in CO emissions when compared to
conventional systems:
30% for NH
62% for CO
14% for HCs
64% for H 0
54% for air
related articles
3
2 2
2
3
2
2
The Mayekawa presentation was delivered during the session Opportunities of Climate and Energy
Efficiency co-benefits of HCFC phase-out in Industrial Refrigeration. Mr Boone's presentation was
entitled Sustainable Industrial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems.

R-290 Air-Conditioning proved safe

GIZ, one of the organizers of the Ozone2Climate Road Show Industry Roundtable and a strong
proponent of green cooling technology, gave a presentation on the Servicing and Safety of R290 Air
Conditioning. According to the presentation the safety of R290 (propane) air conditioning units has
been largely proven, and units are now widely available with the GS, CE and VDE certifications.

What is needed is to train personnel in best practices for servicing such HC appliances. In particular
personnel need to be given appropriate tools and testing equipment, and receive training in the
significant differences in thermodynamic properties of HCs in comparison to CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs.

GIZ suggest that countries develop legislation relating to the issuing of training certificates for HC
refrigerant engineers, and that these refrigerants only be handled by certified companies and personnel.

Hydrocarbon pilot project in Africa

GIZ has created the Proklima project to assist countries to implement and disseminate sustainable
ozone and climate friendly technology in the fields of refrigeration, foam blowing equipment, firefighting
equipment, and agriculture. The project cooperates with around 40 countries in Africa, Asia Pacific and
Latin America.

A pilot project on converting blowing agents in manufacturing to hydrocarbon gases was launched In
Swaziland in conjunction with UNEP, the UNDP and the Environmental Authority of Swaziland.

To address the many challenges associated with this conversion, Proklima has encouraged team building
exercises and informal workshops to motivate local staff, and instructed local trainers in the safe use of
HC refrigerants, and identified the need to develop an eye-catching and innovative marketing strategy
to overcome the 15% cost premium associated with the use of HC refrigerants.

Background

The previous Industry Roundtable was held alongside the Twenty-Second Meeting of the Parties to the
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in November 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.

R290 demonstration project in China passes phase 1
review
Multilateral Fund supports low-GWP
technologies in developing countries , 26 Apr
2010
In 2008, total production of room air
conditioners in China exceeded 75 miilion
units
An MLF funded project in China for the conversion of a compressor production line to R290 has
successfully passed a first technical evaluation. The project aims to enhance the global availability of
R290 compressors, considered as one of the main barriers to the large scale manufacturing of
hydrocarbon air conditioners.
Officials from the National Environmental
Protection Department in China and technical
experts reviewed the project progress in
November 2010, reports the February 2011 issue
of JARN (Japan Air Conditioning, Heating &
refrigeration News). The project passed the phase
1 review, which included inspection of the
production line equipment at Guangdong Meizhi
Co and the assessment of technical and financial
data.
Converting a 1.8m annual capacity
compressor production line to R290
The demonstration project for conversion of a
compressor production line with an annual
capacity of 1,830,000 units at Guangdong Meizhi
Co to R290 (propane) refrigerant was approved
at the 61st meeting (July 2010) of the Executive
Committee to the Multilateral Fund (MLF) for the
implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
The compressor production line is set to undergo significant modification and optimisation, due to the
change of working pressure and temperature and additional explosion-proof requirements. The structure
of the compressor will undergo a re-design to minimise the vapour volume containing R290. In
addition, new equipment will be introduced for lubricant handling, safety control and enhanced
ventilation and performance testing with R290.
Besides the redesign and testing, the project also encompasses the training of personnel.
Towards a breakthrough in the availability of hydrocarbon technology
In parallel to the compressor production line conversion at Guangdong Meizhi a second project titled
Demonstration sub-project for conversion from HCFC-22 to propane at Midea Room Air-Conditioner
Manufacture Company is set to convert a production line of 200,000 split room air conditioning units to
R290.
related articles
According to the description of the projects, it is expected that these will represent a major
breakthrough in the availability of hydrocarbon refrigeration technology and lead to a broader
application of propane in the refrigeration sector.
Project completion is scheduled for the end of 2012.
Hydrocarbons success story at Montreal Protocol
Meeting in Thailand
Exclusive interview with Gree at United
Nations meeting in Bangkok, 15 Nov 2010
ATMOsphere Report 2010 on Natural
Refrigerants available for free download, 11
Oct 2010
Hydrocarbons growing fast in Asian markets,
9 April 2010
Anthony Whyte's presentation at the
Montreal Protocol Meeting in Thailand
APL Asia is determined to introduce hydrocarbons in Thailand by converting and servicing industrial air
conditioning systems from HCFC 22 to hydrocarbons. The company gave a presentation at the Montreal
Protocol Meeting in Thailand this week, where hydrocarbons21.com was present.
Hydrocarbons in industrial air conditioning
systems gain momentum thanks to users in
Thailand who benefit from energy savings thanks
to an operator who converts industrial air
conditioning systems from R22 and R12 to
hydrocarbon 22a and 12a.
Started in 2005, APL Asia had difficulties gaining
customers at its kick-off: back then, electricity
prices were low and the hydrocarbon technology
was poorly understood. Three years ago, growth
started simultaneously in Thailand, Malaysia,
Singapore and Philippines where the company
operates. While at the beginning the companys
growth was due to the energy gains that users
could achieve, APL Asia now states that
conversions are taking place because customers
are also motivated by protecting the
environment. Hydrocarbons do not deplete the
ozone layer and have a negligible effect on global
warming.
The service provider initially had difficulties
penetrating the market: end-users feared the
hydrocarbon flammability in case of accident and
equipment manufacturers were fearing that
hydrocarbons would damage their products and their brand in case of a technical failure.
Confidence-building in hydrocarbons technology
APL Asia kept its confidence in the product, though. As part of its services to its customers, the
business undertakes a thorough analysis of the customers needs and potential elements that could
threat the safe system operation. As the use of hydrocarbons becomes more popular, we have to learn
to use them correctly, and safely. As the number of contractors installing hydrocarbons increases we
have to educate and train on correct and safe use. Mr. Anthony Whyte, Managing Director of APL Asia
stated.
Confidence in hydrocarbon technology has led the operator to offer payment of his services based on
related articles
the energy efficiency gains that the user makes as soon as the system starts running - a shared
savings contract as he calls it. On average, companies that retrofit industrial air conditioning systems
from HCFC 22 to hydrocarbons gain up to 20% in energy efficiency.
Hints for improvement
APL Asia uses the UK hydrocarbon safety standards as a guideline for the servicing and maintenance of
the hydrocarbon air conditioners it installs. Under the impulse of the Montreal Protocol, the operator
suggests a harmonisation of safety standards that apply to hydrocarbons in order to facilitate the
market penetration: servicing personnel will become more and more familiar with a single set of
standards and hence the product will be used more safely. The Asian company also puts a label on all
devices it retrofits to warn about the presence of a flammable refrigerant and gives instructions on how
to safely repair and what to do in case of an accident.
While the operator finds that the development of the Chinese Gree hydrocarbon domestic air conditioner
is very promising for the future, he insisted that industry needs proper guidance about what to do with
the servicing of existing systems: how to retrofit, which technologies to use and how to undertake
recovery or reclamation of the chemical refrigerant that the system contains.
Anthony Whyte stressed the growth potential for hydrocarbons in Asian countries: air conditioners in
Thailand work all day long, all year long : the cooling needs in this country can be adequately met
thanks to hydrocarbon technology. To date, the company has replaced over 30 tonnes of R22 with
hydrocarbon refrigerant in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, and the trend is going upwards.
Exclusive interview with Gree at United Nations
meeting in Bangkok
R290 split systems and chillers for China,
Interview with Nick Cox, Earthcare, 10 Nov
2010
Hydrocarbon chillers up to $4 billion market
potential worldwide, 22 Oct 2010
A call for China to switch directly to natural
refrigerants, 31 Aug 2009
Hydrocarbons success story at Montreal
Protocol Meeting in Thailand, 18 Nov 2010
Stephanie Zheng, spokesperson (Oversea
Sales Deparment) of Gree
Parties to the ozone Treaty discuss this week in Thailand amendments to the Montreal Protocol.
Discussions focus on alternatives to HCFCs in order to guide developing countries on how to comply
with the forthcoming global ban on ozone depleting substances (ODS). hydrocarbons21.com interviewed
the Chinese manufacturer Gree about its plans to market hydrocarbon air conditioners in the world
markets.
From 8-12 November, 195 countries meet in
Bangkok, Thailand to discuss further action under
the Montreal Protocol so that they all achieve a
successful transition from ODS to energy efficient
alternatives with low or zero global warming
potential in order to maximize the climate
benefits that the ozone treaty can bring
about.146 developing countries will be drafting
national HCFC phase-out management plans for
the next two years, where they need to include
alternatives with strong energy credentials, zero
ozone depleting potential and the lowest global
warming potential possible.
The Chinese manufacturer Gree in cooperation
with GTZ Proklima and funded by the German
Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation
and Nuclear Safety within the framework of the
International Climate Initiative has deployed a
demonstration project for hydrocarbon air
conditioning that it presented at the 22nd
Meeting of the Parties in Bangkok. The Gree
contribution was essential for national
delegations to understand this state-of-the-art
technology and the extent to which it can help
many countries meeting their objectives to ban
HCFCs.
hydrocarbons21.com interviewed the
spokesperson (Oversea Sales Deparment) of Gree
present at the event.
hydrocarbons21.com: For those readers who are not familiar with the Gree-GTZ Proklima
project, how could you describe it in a few words?
Stephanie Zheng: The development of the Gree hydrocarbon air conditioning is a demonstration
project for the conversion of a production line for residential air-conditioners (split units) from HCFC-22
related articles
to HC-290. GTZ-Proklima provided technical assistance to make this happen.
hydrocarbons21.com: What are the main features of this product?
Stephanie Zheng: If I had to summarize this new product in four points, the Gree R290 uses
hydrocarbon technology with zero effect on the ozone layer and a negligible effect on global warming.
In addition, the Gree 290 achieves a lower refrigerant charge and greater energy efficiency in
comparison with an R22 air conditioner and other available HFC alternatives in the market. Last but not
least, in order to satisfy high safety standards, a special leak detection alarm system has been put in
place, allowing the user to handle a leakage in an efficient and simple way.
hydrocarbons21.com: What makes this project so special?
Stephanie Zheng: The Gree hydrocarbon split air conditioner is the first R290 production line which
will be approved by TV SD in the world. We believe it to be the most suitable technology to reduce
by almost 99% the direct global warming emissions from all the air conditioning systems worldwide.
hydrocarbons21.com: The mere fact of using hydrocarbons in an air conditioning system is it
enough to achieve less indirect carbon emissions?
Stephanie Zheng: Gree has developed a special compressor for the R290 air conditioner. This
compressor has reached a coefficient of performance of up to 3.4 which is higher than that of other
companies R290 compressors. In comparison with an R22 system, the Gree 290 achieves 10-15% less
energy consumption.
hydrocarbons21.com : Have you cleared all the hydrocarbon safety tests successfully?
Stephanie Zheng: The Gree product fulfills all the safety standards that are in place. We have passed
all tests that have granted the product VDE and GS certification. When families buy toys for their
children, they also bear GS certification, which is deemed to be satisfactory for the childs safety. Why
shouldnt the same apply for the Gree 290 air conditioner?
We are expecting the TUV certification to be announced soon, too.
hydrocarbons21.com : So, what could go wrong with the Gree 290?
Stephanie Zheng: Nothing could go wrong, that is why Gree is doing it! All standards that are in place
have been met and we are confident about our product. If the air-conditioner is installed and operated
and serviced according to the manufacturers instructions and complies with the safety standards in
place, there is no risk associated to this particular product (compared to any other air-conditioner in the
field)Let me remind your readers how wrong we were when back in the 90s we did not trust the
Greenfreeze technology for hydrocarbon fridges. It has proven to be a major technological success
alongside with an environmental one.
And one also needs to remember that safety guides on hydrocarbon technology have been put in place
by GTZ Proklima and TV SD to provide users with state-of-the-art advice on how to handle
flammable refrigerants.
hydrocarbons21.com : Can your product live up to the market expectations?
Stephanie Zheng: Definitely. We will enter in the production phase of units with 9000 BTU and 12000
BTU. We are also currently testing the possibility to minimize the hydrocarbon refrigerant charge for
larger units with 18000 BTU. Finally, in order to meet all types of demand, Gree will launch the
production of hydrocarbon dehumidifiers and portable air conditioners in March 2011.
hydrocarbons21.com : What are your marketing plans?
Stephanie Zheng: The production of the Gree R290 will be completed by the end of 2010 and will be
marketed from 2011 onwards. We expect to sell 100.000 units annually.
hydrocarbons21.com : Looking back at the development of the project, what were the
biggest challenges to overcome?
Stephanie Zheng: Restrictive hydrocarbon safety regulations have been an issue. In China, the
government has opened up to dialogue with stakeholders on this topic and this has made the
development of the project possible. We really hope that other countries will follow this path.
Of course, developing countries that need to ban HCFC systems can rely on hydrocarbon air
conditioning systems to meet their objectives in the most efficient way.
R290 split systems and chillers for China, Interview
with Nick Cox, Earthcare
ATMOsphere 2010: hydrocarbons in the
spotlight- Part 3, 7 Oct 2010
Hydrocarbon blends as HFC replacements, 5
Mar 2010
More about Earthcare
Nicholas Cox, Managing Director of
Earthcare in China
Earthcare Products Limited recently completed a project for delivering R290 wall and cassette split
systems as well as air-cooled water chillers to a Chinese R&D centre. hydrocarbons21.com talked to
Managing Director Nicholas Cox about the project, the new inverter technology used and general
refrigeration trends in China.
hydrocarbons21.com: You have recently
returned from China, where you have
successfully delivered several HVAC units
using R290. What type of units were these
and what were they intended for?
Cox: We supplied the following units:
2 x 3.5Kw Wall split systems
8 x 3.5Kw Cassette split systems
3 x 5.5Kw Cassette split systems
3 x 12.5Kw air cooled water chillers
2 x 38Kw air cooled water chillers
They are currently being installed in a high tech
R&D centre for a global PLC company. They were
assembled in China using R290 compatible
components sourced by Earthcare.
hydrocarbons21.com: Will the hydrocarbon
units cater for the total heating and cooling
needs of the facility? If not, are there
further deliveries foreseen in the near
future for the facility?
Cox: This represents the total air conditioning
and process cooling requirements for the current
project but we foresee repeat business
opportunities as the facility expands and develops.
hydrocarbons21.com: The R290 chillers you delivered make use of inverter technology, a
new development for chillers using hydrocarbons. What are the expected benefits of this
technology in terms of energy efficiency, system cost and payback period for the R290
chillers?
Cox: R290 Mini Chillers using Inverter technology allow us to compete head to head with HFC VRF
systems but we have the huge benefit that our energy savings remain constant whereas the efficiency
of VRF systems decline with refrigerant leakage. If we were able to achieve the same economies of
related articles
more on this topic
scale then we could provide R290 Mini Chillers, fan coils and plastic water pipe for the same price as
VRF systems and associated refrigeration pipework.
hydrocarbons21.com: What other technical novelties do the systems encompass? Did you
consider the use of microchannel heat exchangers for example or is this something for your
future plans?
Cox: We were able to achieve low refrigerant charges without microchannel heat exchangers. Our split
systems used only 440 to 600 grams of refrigerant and our chillers 1.2 KGs per circuit. However we do
plan to adopt microchannel technology for our larger chillers.
hydrocarbons21.com: Have there been any major difficulties you have encountered so far in
the context of this project?
Cox: As ever the problems involved product certification, low volume production and extended delivery
dates. Chinese CCC certification is similar to our CE marking. Importing into China caused some issues,
particularly for the flammable refrigerant.
hydrocarbons21.com: Were there any aspects that were handled more smoothly in China
when compared to similar projects carried out for example in Europe? What lessons can be
learnt from your experience in China?
Cox: The whole process was remarkably similar to when we first introduced the technology in the UK 15
years ago. Its a case of identifying the smaller entrepreneurial players rather than the mass producers.
hydrocarbons21.com: On this project, you are working together with a certified local installer
in China. Was it a difficult task to identify an installer equipped with the necessary know-
how and tools for carrying out a project with hydrocarbon and therefore flammable
refrigerants?
Cox: The installer was nominated by the client and was very keen to work with us as they see a huge
growth potential providing a similar service to the growing international PLC community which is still
expanding in China despite the recession in other global regions.
hydrocarbons21.com: Was Earthcare involved in the training of the installer?
Cox: Yes, the installer already had all of the necessary basic skills so it was simply a case of carefully
explaining the additional safety requirements. Although there was something of a language barrier at
the technician level, all the professional engineers seem to have very good technical English.
hydrocarbons21.com: This project is a perfect example confirming the timely opportunity to
leapfrog climate burdening HFC refrigerants in developing countries and the availability of
cutting-edge non-fluorocarbon technologies to replace them.
Cox: Yes, and this could lead to genuine carbon trading opportunities rather than scam ones
created by increasing ozone deleting chemical manufacture. We are actively looking for a project that
could displace at least 30,000 kg of R22 or R410A. This could generate about 1/3m in carbon credits.
However, we do not yet understand the actual practical, physical steps that we need to take -
particularly the administrative ones - to get a carbon credit project underway in China. I am currently
investigating this in greater detail.
hydrocarbons21.com: Does China in particular have to come a long way to get there in so far
as hydrocarbon technology is involved? Have you seen progress in the last years and what
further needs to be done to accelerate the process of diffusing natural refrigerants in the
country?
Cox: China is currently 15 years behind in commercial (i.e. non domestic) hydrocarbon technology, but
it wont take them 15 years to catch up! The Chinese market offers considerable scope for the export of
consultancy services to refrigeration and air conditioning manufacturers seeking to cut their production
costs, improve the energy efficiency of their products, and add value to their products by incorporating
environmentally friendly features.
hydrocarbons21.com: How does the project fit to overall commitments to phase down
chemicals that harm the ozone layer or cause global warming?
Cox: Outside of the EU, Earthcare has worked in Korea, Panama, and now China. There is no excuse
for any global company to say that they still need ozone depleting or global warming refrigerants on
the contrary, we can now demonstrate a very clear correlation between the total environmental warming
impact (as a result of refrigerant and energy used), and the cost to the business it represents
(expressed as a Net Present Value of its capital and running costs). The better equipment is for the
environment, the better it is for the purchasers long term profits.
hydrocarbons21.com: Are there any more deliveries of hydrocarbon units by Earthcare in the
pipeline for other facilities worldwide?
Cox: We have recently been specified for a very exciting new build project including 4 x 800kW water
cooled plant room R290 chillers with COPs in excess of 5! Further details will be released in due course.
Contact Information
If you would like to contact Earthcare Products for any enquiries, you may send a request to
Nicholas Cox directly.
Jamaica: realising energy savings from AC while
protecting the climate
Hoteliers in the Caribbean advised to switch
to hydrocarbons
Greenpeace 2010: Natural Refrigerants are
perfectly apt to replace HFCs
Read the presentation: Hydrocarbon
Refrigerants the Jamaican Experience
In the search for measures to reduce electricity consumption associated with the air conditioning units
in the University of West Indies, Jamaica, several units have been converted to hydrocarbon refrigerant,
realising enhancement in efficiency of 15% to 20%. Hotels in the region have also been advised to
switch to the natural refrigerant.
Several air conditioning units, including window,
mini-split and central air-conditioning units at the
Mona Campus of the University of West Indies in
Jamaica have been converted from HCFC22 to
propane (Duracool 22a).
Savings from conversion at the University of
West Indies
Econergy Engineering Services in cooperation
with Rexham Engineering assessed that by
converting a total of 646 units totaling about
1,413 tons of cooling capacity located in different
faculties and administration buildings to propane,
savings of 350,039kWh annually would be
realised. This is equivalent to total annual
savings of 8,272,117 Jamaican dollars (about
96,000 USD).
In addition, the hydrocarbon units require less
maintenance and repair. These two factors
combined results in very significant cost benefits
to the university.
Other hydrocarbon conversion examples in
Jamaica
Other conversions include the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica converting a 140 ton chiller, the
distribution company Lascelles DeMercado converting all 40 of their mini split and central units and the
University of Technology Refrigeration Lab converting all their demonstration models to hydrocarbons.
Energy savings in Jamaican hotels
Results from a energy audits conducted by energy efficiency experts on hotels in Jamaica have revealed
that hotels can realise 25-30% of energy savings by putting in place measures such as retrofitting their
air conditioners with hydrocarbon refrigerant. The audits were conducted in cooperation with the
Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) as part of a regional project supported by the Inter-American
related articles
more on this topic
Development Bank's Greenpyme program. With air conditioning accounting for about 64% of energy
used by small hotels hoteliers may expect energy savings in terms of a payback period from 0.5 to 1.0
year for retrofits with hydrocarbons, and an average of 2.0 years for new hydrocarbon equipment.
Hoteliers in the Caribbean advised to switch to
hydrocarbons
Read also: Tips and Rules for Handling
Hydrocarbons safely
Read also: Belize prepares for HFC phase-
out
Results from a first round of energy audits conducted by energy efficiency experts on hotels in the
Bahamas and Jamaica reveal that hotels can realise 25-30% of energy savings by putting in place
measures such as retrofitting their air conditioners with hydrocarbon refrigerant.
The audits were conducted in cooperation with
the Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) as part of a
regional project supported by the Inter-American
Development Bank's Greenpyme program. The
program is funded by the IDB Inter-American
Investment Corporation (IIC) and headed by
Carlos Serrano who was recently in the Bahamas
for a workshop with participating hoteliers.
Payback period of up to 1 year for HC
retrofits and 2 years for new HC equipment
In the workshop, the presenters listed typical
energy conservation measures and outlined
specific steps which could be undertaken to
realise a 'payback' period for putting the
improvements in place. With air conditioning
accounting for about 64% of energy used by
small hotels, one of the recommendations
concerned this type of equipment. More specifically, the energy specialists recommend retrofitting air
conditioners as well as refrigeration equipment with hydrocarbon refrigerant. For the case of new
equipment the experts also recommend installing new systems manufactured to use hydrocarbon
refrigerants. By doing so while making sure that all safety concerns are addressed, including employing
technicians qualified to work with hydrocarbons, hoteliers may expect energy savings in terms of a
payback period from 0.5 to 1.0 year for retrofits, and an average of 2.0 years for new equipment.
According to the experts, additional benefits from the use of hydrocarbons include:
Less maintenance
Extended equipment life
Environmentally friendly refrigerant, with no ozone depletion and negligible global warming
potential
Other typical energy conservation measures for which payback periods were estimated included:
Inefficient lights replacement: Payback period from 0.3 to 2 years, with an average of 1.1 year
Install power factor correction units: Payback period from 0.8 to 2.5 years, with an average of
1.5 year
Install timer on swimming pool pump motor: Payback period from 0.5 to 1.5 year, with an
related articles
average of 0.8 year.
Install water to refrigerant heat exchanger on cooling systems: Payback period from 0.8 to 2
years, with an average of 1.2 year
Install diesel generators heat exchangers to heat water (cogeneration): Payback period from 0.8
to 3 years, with an average of 2.5 year
Install solar water heaters: Payback period from 1.5 to 5.5 years, with an average of 4 years
Install high energy efficiency ratio (EER) cooling systems: Payback period from
Looking ahead: more audit results expected
"BHA is awaiting the results of 18 additional hotel audits throughout the country which were conducted
last year and this January and February as part of a program BHA has supported which is being
undertaken by the Government of the Bahamas in cooperation with the IDB. It is believed that the
results will mirror those of the ones just completed and will provide additional information on how
energy is used and efficiencies can be realised by hotels in different size and location categories" said
BHA Executive Vice President Frank Comito.
Bangkok Meeting: Strong Voices for Natural
Refrigerants
Technology using hydrocarbons is a highly interesting but also still poorly understood option to replace
HCFCs in developing countries, reactions at an international Montreal Protocol meeting in Bangkok
showed. A comprehensive report now updates on projects and organizations promoting natural
refrigerants at this key event.
Until recently, the voice of the fluorocarbon
industry has been heard much more loudly and
forcefully within the Montreal process than the
voice of those calling for genuinely sustainable
solutions. As a result, many of the parties and
participants are simply unaware of the potential
of natural refrigerants, and the tangible results
being achieved on the ground, Brent Hoare from
the Green Cooling Council outlined reactions
among participants of the 28th Working Group meeting of Montreal Protocol Parties held in Bangkok on
7-11 July.
The quote, taken from a summary report about major side events and presentations in Bangkok
focusing on natural refrigerants, thus insists that still more communication is needed to convince
decision makers in developing countries of the substantial benefits that using hydrocarbons (HC) and
other natural refrigerants in next-generation refrigeration will hold for them. Like the Green Cooling
Council, a record number of non-governmental organizations, including Greenpeace and the
Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), gathered in Bangkok to also warn participants that switching
from ozone-depleting substances to high global warming HFCs could counteract already achieved
progress in climate protection. Presenting real-life examples of energy-efficient HC installations was
therefore the best way to avoid a prolonged use of fluorocarbons justified by its proponents on the
basis of higher energy efficiency claims.
Hydrocarbons: up to 20% energy savings
To prove that HC-based air conditioning and refrigeration is already working successfully in stationary
and mobile applications, the Green Cooling Council presented facts about latest developments in
Australia. Hydrocarbons are gaining momentum as an ideal solution for small domestic and commercial
split system air conditioning, where up to 20% of electricity can be saved. The market for HCs is
beginning to grow with new actors joining the market. However, the Green Cooling Council urged all
major suppliers to reinforce their efforts and follow early adopters addressing rapidly rising greenhouse
gas emissions.
Over 18 million car users use hydrocarbon refrigerant in their air conditioning system. At the end of
2002, the number of motor vehicles using hydrocarbon refrigerant had reached 5 million across the USA
and Australia. Other mobile applications could include trucks and buses, transport refrigeration, off-road
farming equipment and mining equipment.
Montreal process: Priority given to minimum-impact alternatives
The NGOs call for truly sustainable cooling options was supported by a major paper* acknowledging
the significant contribution of the Montreal Protocol originally meant to phase out ozone-depleting
substances (ODS) to a worldwide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The publication was
followed by Montreal Decision XIX/6 which encouraged all countries to promote the selection of
alternatives to HCFCs that minimize environmental impacts, in particular impacts on climate. As a
consequence, the Multi Lateral Fund (MLF) the body funding particular projects to phase out ODS -
must now give priority to projects and programmes focusing on alternatives that minimise other
impacts on the environment including on the climate, taking into account global warming potential,
energy use and other relevant factors. These developments have put back the spotlight on projects
involving natural refrigerants.
**Guus J. M. Velders, et. al., The importance of the Montreal Protocol in protecting climate, 104 PROCEEDINGS OF THE
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 4814 (2007). http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0610328104v1
Worlds first OEM chooses HC refrigerant for vehicles
Mobile Air Conditioning: Hydrocarbons vs.
HFC1234yf, 22 Dec 2009
More about HyChill on our partners section
First OEM chooses hydrocarbons in its off-
road vehicle production line
After 4 years of safe use, the Australian car manufacturer of the OKA brand has gone public to
announce that its series of special purpose on/off road vehicles is the first in the world to use HyChill
hydrocarbon refrigerants in the air conditioning system. The move is expected to trigger a more
objective reassessment of refrigerant choices for vehicle air conditioning.
HyChill is the first hydrocarbon refrigerant brand
in the world to be used by a vehicle OEM in the
production of vehicles. The Australian
manufacturer of the OKA brand has been
developing hydrocarbon-based systems for all
their new vehicles for four years already.
However, HyChill and OKA decided to only go
public about this until they had years of safe use
under their belt in an OEM context already, as
this limits the options opponents of hydrocarbons
have in their likely attempts to discredit or
downplay this achievement.
A breakthrough for hydrocarbon refrigerants
in the automotive air conditioning
This announcement is a huge breakthrough for
hydrocarbon refrigerants in the automotive air
conditioning sector, says John Clark, a Director
of HyChill Australia. The announcement by
HyChill and OKA demonstrates that awareness
and acknowledgement of the real-world evidence
that hydrocarbons are both safe and superior in
vehicle air conditioning is approaching critical
mass.
Increased performance, thorough testing
Compared to fluorinated gas alternatives, the vastly increased chilling performance of HyChill Minus
30EC refrigerant has many advantages for a commercial vehicle manufacturerusing HyChill Minus 30
EC, we can gain performance points without having to increase evaporator or compressor size, says
Andy Granger, Reymer Pty Ltds Head of Marketing and Business Development, the manufacturer of
OKA trucks and buses.
In addition to the use of hydrocarbons in the OKA brand of four wheel drive vehicles, the entire line of
European-built AVIA trucks, distributed by Reymer Pty Ltd, will shortly go on sale and will also be
equipped with HyChill hydrocarbon refrigerants.
related articles
more on this topic
Triggering a more objective reassessment of refrigerant choices for vehicles
The 4 years of experience with hydrocarbon vehicle air conditioning in vehicle production line adds to
20 years of experience with the safe use of hydrocarbons in the automotive service market and is hoped
to initiate a more objective reassessment of refrigerant choices for vehicle air conditioning.
The suitability of hydrocarbons in OEM car air conditioning has been overlooked. However, this
announcement is expected to trigger a fresh approach from vehicle manufacturers and policy makers,
with the most innovative manufacturers adopting hydrocarbon refrigerants that can deliver more
efficient and more environmentally sustainable air conditioning systems.
A parallel to Greenpeaces Greenfreeze revolution
Peer-reviewed published research has already verified 20 years of safe use of hydrocarbons in the
automotive service market. This announcement by the OKA Australia is a welcome and necessary
progression that makes these facts even harder to ignore, says Clark.
I would not be at all surprised if this development marked the beginning of the overthrow of this
formerly monopolised market, in a similar way that Greenpeaces Greenfreeze revolution did many
years ago, he adds, referring to Greenpeace going into business selling Greenfreeze hydrocarbon-
based fridges in the 90s, before hydrocarbons were widely adopted as the industry standard in
household refrigerators.
Contact Information
If you would like to contact HyChill for any enquiries, you may send a request to Ross Bradshaw
directly.
SolarChill - hydrocarbons for a world without
electricity
SolarChill leaflet
SolarChill brochure
Cooling with Solar Power - Danfoss brochure
BD35K compressor
SolarChill - future-proof vaccine and food
cooling
The HFC-free vaccine cooler and refrigerator is climate friendly, battery free, reliable, and affordable to
bridge health and development gaps in remote areas with no electricity. It could help more than 2.5
billion people to store urgently needed vaccines and food. However, delays in certification and lacking
financial commitment have blocked its trail of success.
Every year, vaccines worth millions of dollars
deteriorate due to inadequate cooling
technologies applied in remote areas with no
access to electricity. The use of kerosene, gas
and lead batteries for medicine and food cooling
has brought about constant problems as the
cooling chain is interrupted at random due to a
break down of batteries or a lack of supply of gas
and kerosene, as well as a conflict with
maintaining the required temperatures for
vaccine cooling. Moreover, they often catch on
fire while also contributing to global warming.
SolarChill, a vaccine cooler using isobutane
(R600a) as a refrigerant, and cyclopentane as the
blown insulation foam, could change the way
vaccine and food cooling in areas with inadequate
electrical supply can be done in a reliable, safe
and cost-efficient way. The technology has been
successfully tested over an 18 month period, in
Senegal, Indonesia and Cuba. At an ambient
temperature of 32C, the prototype maintained
the required temperatures of 2-8C under normal
use, as well as a hold over temperature of 10 to
15C for more than six days without any solar energy.
Under normal conditions powered by a 2 x 80W photo-voltaic panel, and capable of storing energy in
ice-packs through the use of a direct current compressor, SolarChill is outperforming any solar-vaccine
cooling technology on the market today, while also being safer, cleaner and more reliable.
Progress slowed down
However, to use the units where one could serve a population of 50,000 people for preserving
vaccines - they first have to comply with a set of performance standards defined by the World Health
Organisation (WHO). Submitted for approval some years ago, and although the certification remains
only a formality, the WHO has not issued any certification within the last two years, preventing official
UN-related bodies, such as UNICEF, from buying and using SolarChill. As a result, project initiator
more on this topic
Greenpeace has to buy units for demonstration projects in Africa at higher market prices from
Vestfrost, the Danish manufacturer and project partner supplying the units.
Once accredited by the WHO, SolarChill can be made freely available to the world and will be publicly
owned. At an expected commercialisation price between $1,500 and $2,000 (including solar panels),
SolarChill would be 50 to 60% cheaper than currently available solar refrigerators meeting the WHO
specifications.
Next steps: SolarChill Type B & Joint global efforts
Building on the reliable performance of the SolarChill vaccine cooler, the concept has been extended to
also cover small domestic and commercial refrigerators. Type B is an upright model featuring the same
characteristics as the basic model for health care purposes, without requiring an official certification by
the WHO. It promises even more potential for billions of households with no access to electricity. Being
operational with both AC / DC, it provides absolute flexibility to use wind, hydropower, bio-gas or grid
energy.
Greenpeace and all other project partners have now agreed to gather again for a joint meeting in April
to discuss further financing and development of SolarChill type B together with representatives from
UNEP. Wolfgang Lohbeck, initiator of Greenfreeze, the HFC-free hydrocarbon domestic refrigerator
that served as an inspiration for SolarChill, confirmed to hydrocarbons21.com that the project is
sparking high interest in African countries. End of February, a SolarChill unit was handed over to
Kenyas Minister of Health, Prof. Peter Anyang Nyongo, who suggested to use it in Massai Land near
Nairobi.
Background: SolarChill history & partners
When, in 1999, the World Health Organisation (WHO) wanted to prescribe HFCs as the technical
standard to be used for all future vaccine coolers, the environmental group Greenpeace joined forces
with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to initiate the SolarChill project and
demonstrate that HFC-free technology could work reliably and efficiently also under difficult climatic
conditions and in remote areas without any access to electricity. The seven project partners currently
active include Greenpeace, the Danish Technological Institute, GTZ Proklima, WHO, UNICEF, and the
Program for Appropriate Technology in Healthcare (PATH). Vestfrost developed and produced the chest
freezer prototypes, while Danish manufacturer Danfoss contributed the direct current hydrocarbon
compressors.
Improving SolarChill for temperatures over 45C
Read previous article: SolarChill -
hydrocarbons for a world without electricity
Read previous article: Southern African
company converts entire production line to
HCs
Read the project fact sheet
The hydrocarbon based SolarChill refrigeration system is currently being further developed to become
suitable for use in temperatures over 45C. The project funded by the German government will allow
for hygienic food and cold drinks storage in shops and at home as well as contribute to improved health
services, while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A project aiming to contributing to improved
health services of rural populations and offering
capacities for hygienic food and cold drinks
storage in shops and at home is currently being
implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fr
Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH in
association with the National Ozone Unit of
Swaziland and local manufacturer of refrigeration
equipment Palfridge.
The projects main purpose is to complete the
technical development of the existing prototypes
in order to make SolarChill, the refrigeration
system that operates on and stores solar energy
directly in the form of ice using hydrocarbons
refrigerant, suitable for use in temperatures over
45C, a common condition in the hot seasons of
many tropical and subtropical countries.
Compared to currently used technology, every
operational SolarChill unit avoids direct
refrigerant emissions of about 0.2 tonnes CO
per unit during lifetime usage and indirect
emissions of 0.5 tonnes CO e per unit annually.
Rationale for the project
Initially developed to provide medical stations in rural areas away from the electricity grid with reliable
cold storage to keep vaccines fresh, SolarChill was further developed in a next step: an upright
refrigerator model that could be used for general refrigeration needs in rural health stations or even for
commercial or private purposes was designed.
However, results from field testing found the prototype to perform well at temperatures of up to 30C,
while further development would be needed to make it perform well at temperatures over 45C, which
can be commonly encountered in tropical and subtropical countries.
With funding for further enhancing the prototype having ran out, the GTZ project has come at the right
time to fill the gap and enable the concept materialise.
related articles
more on this topic 2
2
Prototype development
In order to make SolarChill suitable for use in temperatures over 45C, Palfridge, a manufacturer of
refrigeration appliances located in Swaziland, was commissioned with the improvement and field testing
in several sub-Saharan African countries of the following prototypes:
SolarChill vaccine cooler: this is the original SolarChill vaccine cooler for rural health services
SolarChill chest freezer: this includes modifications of the original SolarChill in the form of a
chest freezer
Upright double door refrigerator: The upright double door refrigerator can also be used in
households and for commercial purposes
Support for providing the models at a competitive price
To ensure wide deployment of the technology, the project aims to provide SolarChill models at a
competitive price and a model for a production line which can be replicated in other developing
countries. In that view, the project encompasses support for the set-up of a production line at Palfridge
to provide initial manufacturing capacity and to study the economics of the production and marketing of
this technology.
Background
The name SolarChill stands for an environmentally friendly refrigeration concept developed under a
partnership between Greenpeace International, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH (Programme Proklima), Danish
Technological Institute (DTI), United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization
(WHO), Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), Danfoss, and Vestfrost over the past
10 years. The original idea was to provide medical stations in rural areas away from the electricity grid
with reliable cold storage to keep vaccines fresh.
UPDATED: High grade pure HC plant underway in
Thailand
A production plant that will supply hydrocarbons for use as refrigerants, aerosol propellants and foam
blowing agents is currently underway in Thailand. Having already received support from several
governmental agencies, the project is now open to investors who seek active share in a project that will
enable the establishment of hydrocarbon technology in Asia. UPDATE: The proposed hydrocarbon
processing plant has received approval from Thailands Board of Investment (BOI).
Responding to the rising need of using
refrigerants that have no impact on the Ozone
layer and at the same time minimal contribution
to global warming, a project for the development
of a high grade pure hydrocarbon production
plant is underway in Thailand.
The project
Under the project, CEERD Co., Ltd. and EEEC Co., Ltd. will set up a hydrocarbon plant that will be
operated by Asian Green Fluids Co., Ltd. Initially the plant will be able to deliver 6.000 metric tons per
year (~18 metric tons per day) by processing liquefied petroleum gas.
We are in a transitional period where dramatic choices have to be made for the sake of the planets
future. Hydrocarbons, we believe, are one of these choices as it is our duty to respect and maintain
what has been given to us by nature, says Paul Lefvre, EEEC Project Manager.
Concretely, the plant, expected to be located at the eastern seaboard of Thailand, will manufacture and
supply Asian countries with the following environmentally friendly high-grade pure hydrocarbon products
(99.5% in volume) used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants or foam blowing agents:
Propane
N-Butane
Iso-Butane
Pentane
Project Status
Government Agencies, suppliers and potential off takers have provided support to the project. For
example, the project has received substantial support notably from Thailands Ministry of Energy,
Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Industry and also Thailands national oil company (PTT).
After lengthy planning, the Asian Green Fluids Company (AGF Co., Ltd), has finally received approval
from Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) (www.boi.go.th) for the construction of the plant. Through
the provision of support services, endorsement from the BOI will help to reduce the risks associated
with the investment.
According to Dr Lefever, Director of the Centre for Energy Environment Resources development in
Thailand, The interest being shown by investors will ensure the project is constructed within the
expected timeframe, with work expected to commence on the site in the upcoming months. With total
estimated investment of nearly $35m US dollars, or over 1bn Baht, this is a significant project for the
industry that recognises the need to move beyond current reliance on ozone depleting and powerful
global warming fluorocarbon refrigerant gases.
The full-feasibility study and engineering design for the project have been finalized and the
Management Team is working on securing the estimated investment needed of $22,000,000.
About the project partners
CEERD Co., Ltd. (Centre for Energy Environment Research and Development) with over 25 years of
experience in the Energy and Environment field has been in charge of carrying out the economic,
engineering and technical design of the project. (www.ceerd.co.th)
EEEC Co., Ltd. (Energy Economy Environment Consultants) is an Energy Service Company (ESCO)
committed to sustainable development through consultancy, training and services. EEEC is in charge of
promoting and securing the investment required. (www.eeec.co.th)
Both companies are associated to develop this project, as well as other environmentally sustainable
projects, such as the production of Activated Carbon from coconut/oil palm shells.
Hydrocarbons gain favour in Africa
UNEP Maldives conference - Part 3, 20 May
2011
UNEP Maldives conference, Part 2, 19 May
2011
Swaziland presents SolarChill at Montreal
Protocol talks, 18 Jun 2010
In the footsteps of an African hydrocarbon
manufacturer, 10 May 2010
Southern African company converts entire
production line to HCs, 29 Oct 2009
Dr Sacko, Montreal Protocol Mali
representative says hydrocarbons a
promising technology for Africa
With African countries embarking on ambitious plans to phase out HCFCs, hydrocarbons are gradually
gaining favour as a viable refrigerant alternative. Following the June 2011 UNEP meeting of North and
West African Montreal Protocol coordinators, the Mali representative highlights the potential for
hydrocarbons, whilst a hydrocarbon instructors training workshop is launched in Benin.
On 27-30 June 2011 a thematic workshop on
compliance with CFC phase out and preparation
of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) Phase out
Management Plans (HPMP) in French speaking
North and West Africa took place in the capital
city of Mali at the initiative of the UNEP Ozone
Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP).

Hydrocarbons represent great promise for
Africa

In an interview following the UNEP Meeting with
the Journal du Mali, Dr Modibo Sacko,
Coordinator for Montreal Protocol implementation
in Mali spoke very highly of the potential for
hydrocarbon refrigeration in Africa, and in
particular, of the efficiencies achieved when using
hydrocarbon refrigerants. Referring to
hydrocarbons as a new technology with no
harmful ozone of climatic effects, according to Dr
Sacko a cost-efficiency study has shown energy
savings of 40% for hydrocarbon refrigeration.
Hydrocarbons, he says, lead to cost savings, in
addition to speeding up the cooling process. In Dr
Sackos view, hydrocarbons represent an
environmentally sound technology with benefits
for the consumer.

African hydrocarbon training workshops

On 15 June 2011 teaching workshops for
instructors for air conditioning conversion
technician training were inaugurated in the
African country of Benin. The aim of the teaching
workshops is to reduce the use of HCFCs by 10%
in 2015, 30% in 2020, and 67,7% in 2025 and
100% in 2030.

According to Jeremy Bazye, UNEP OzonAction
regional coordinator these workshops will enable participants to gain essential tools and information for
the safe handling of hydrocarbon refrigerants. More specifically, the workshops will provide training on
the safe storage and transportation of hydrocarbons, the necessary changes to be made before air
related articles
conditioning systems are switched to hydrocarbons, refrigerant recovery, and air conditioning charge
procedures for hydrocarbons.

Workshop participants came from Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Comoros, the Democratic Republic
of Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia.

African Hydrocarbon projects

Other African projects involving hydrocarbons include a pilot project in Swaziland to convert blowing
agents in manufacturing to hydrocarbon gases. This was the first demonstration of hydrocarbon
technology in Southern Africa, and in addition to cutting direct F-gas emissions by up to 29,000 tons of
CO equivalent, strengthened local manufacturer Palfridges market position.

African Anglophone Ozone Officers meeting

Prior to the Francophone Mali workshop a four-day meeting of the Anglophone countries took place in
the Seychelles, bringing together representatives from 23 African countries, to discuss opportunities for
enhancing South-South cooperation and technology options for avoiding the use of HCFCs. Reviewing
progress on fulfilling their obligations under the Protocol, the meeting highlighted the major milestones
already accomplished by many African nations.

Collective action by African countries to address the ozone layer depletion when they have contributed
the least in causing that problem is iconic, said Rajendra Shende, Head of UNEPs OzonAction
Programme.

Background

The OzonAction Porgramme provides capacity-building services to empower National Ozone units
(NOUs) and includes training, regional networking and an information clearing-house. To provide direct
assistance to countries, a Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) was launched with regional CAP
teams part of each of the UNEP regional Offices. The Africa CAP teams provide assistance to the two
main networks of Ozone officers from Anglophone Africa and Francophone Africa.

Under the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund nearly $175 million (!123 million) will be provided to
countries across Africa for 1200 projects. However, this is only 10% of the funds received by all
developing countries.
2
Grenada technicians receive training in hydrocarbon
technology
IOR assigns gold medal for research in
hydrocarbon refrigeration, 25 Feb 2011
UL issues white paper on hydrocarbon
refrigerants, 2 Feb 2011
UK: narrowing the natural refrigerant
training gap, 25 Nov 2010
Grenada technicians receive training in
hydrocarbon technology
The National Ozone Unit of Grenada has launched a series of training workshops to prepare for the
phase out of HCFCs. The first in the series workshop was dedicated to natural refrigerant technology,
whereby technicians got hands on experience in retrofitting HCFC refrigerators and mobile air condition
systems with hydrocarbons.
On 12 March 2011, The National Ozone Unit
(NOU) in the Energy Division of the Ministry of
Finance in Grenada conducted its first in a series
of training workshops for 2011 on Natural
Refrigerant Technology, at the Grenada National
Stadium.
The training session was part of Grenadas global
effort to rid the planet of Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS) and to introduce alternatives
with low Global Warming Potential (GWP), as
underlined by Project Officer in the NOU, Mr.
Leslie Smith at the opening of the event.
About the natural refrigerant training
session
Sixteen local technicians, representing various
institutions and companies were trained in the
application of hydrocarbons, ammonia, and
carbon dioxide as refrigerants for the
refrigeration and air-conditioning sector in
Grenada.
Conducted by Mr. Michael Mitchell and Mr. Henry
Frederick, two senior local technicians certified by the NOU, the workshop included both theoretical and
practical components.
In his presentation, Mr. Fredrick pointed out that many experts have considered hydrocarbon
refrigerants as the refrigerant of the future because of its low Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and high
energy efficiency. In Europe over the last ten years, hydrocarbon refrigerants have been used
extensively in domestic refrigeration units.
During the workshop, technicians also gained hands-on experience in:
Retrofitting HCFC domestic refrigerators and mobile air condition (MAC) systems to hydrocarbon
technology.
Safe handling and storage of hydrocarbons
related articles
Charging appliances with hydrocarbon refrigerant
About the training workshops:
The NOU training sessions are an integral component of Grenadas HCFC Phase out Management Plan
(HPMP) that is expected to be launched in April 2011. Under this plan, Grenada is required to phase out
35% of its consumption of HCFC refrigerants by the year 2020.
Mr. Smith urged participants to make full use of this training opportunity as it will provide them with
the latest information on technologies available and offer a competitive advantage for the HVAC&R
industry in Grenada, as new and emerging technologies are introduced on the market.
UNEP launches guides for developing countries
recognising HC potential
Call for input: UNEP survey on barriers of
hydrocarbons uptake
UNEP seeks stakeholder input to chiller
workshop
Download the HCFC Policy and Legislative
Options guide
Download the 'Alternatives to HCFCs in the
refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector'
guide
UNEP launched policy and technical guides designed to help governments and industries in developing
countries make informed and timely decisions about the technologies and policies needed to replace or
avoid HCFCs and attain both ozone layer recovery and climate protection benefits. Among other issues,
the guides offer case studies and technical guidance pertaining to hydrocarbon refrigerants.
Three guides on legislative options, refrigeration
& air conditioning options and foams form part of
a tool-box launched by UNEP and the European
Commission at a media briefing yesterday in
Brussels, Belgium. They are available as e-books
that are accessible online through the website of
UNEP and include:
HCFC Policy and Legislative Options -
A Guide for Developing Countries:
The dual gains for the ozone layer and
climate system will be realised only if
countries choose the right path, which
may not be the business as usual
technology option and which may require
additional consideration by those making
the decision. This document offers
National Ozone Units guidance on how to
use policy and legislation as tools to
quickly seize the opportunity to protect
the ozone layer and the climate system
Alternatives to HCFCs in the
refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Sector: Targeting national Ozone Units as
its main audience, but also technicians as
the secondary audience, this guide reflects
the fact that there are a lot of technology
developments taking place right now it
is a developing scene. It aims to avoid the
need of future installations of HCFC equipment, which could be right now the cheapest solution in
developing countries, to increase retrofits when possible, and encourage the uptake of new
HCFC-free technologies.
Guidance on the Process for Selecting Alternatives to HCFCs in Foams: This guide
assesses the drivers, priorities and new factors to be considered by the foam sector.
Encompassing a guide on how to select technologies, it offers a review of options, their
strengths and weaknesses.
related articles
more on this topic
Hydrocarbons are good refrigerants
Hydrocarbons are good refrigerants with zero ODP and negligible GWP, reads the technical guide
Alternatives to HCFCs in the refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector. It provides an overview of
different hydrocarbons and includes information on the design of hydrocarbon systems.
The guide also draws upon case studies where hydrocarbons have been used. For example, the case of
Fruit Storage with hydrocarbon chillers at Nickle farm in UK is presented, whereby a hydrocarbon
chiller was selected to minimise the direct global warming impact from the refrigerant. By using an
indirect system, the primary refrigerant charge could be minimized (each circuit contained 5.5 kg). with
chillers placed outside the building the risks are reduced.
Informed and timely decisions with the guide
The timing of [the publications] is important because the freeze of production and consumption of
HCFCs is in 2 years time, when at the same time the consumption in developing countries and their
economies are booming, explained Rajendra Shende, Chief, OzonAction, UNEP Division of Technology,
Industry and Economics. The guides will enable challenging targets to be met mainly by the servicing
sector in these countries, as most countries are not HCFC producers.
Belize prepares for HFC phase-out
During the next three days, the National Ozone Unit Belize is organising a trainers workshop in
hydrocarbon technology for technicians in the local refrigeration and air conditioning sector. The
workshop aims to prepare the trainers of tomorrow in a technology that will not be addressed by future
legislation.
As experts are not recommending that countries
make the full transition from HCFCs to
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) such as R134a, R404
or R410a since these gases have a very high
global warming potential and will be addressed in
the years to come, the Ozone Unit of Belize is
conducting a 3-day trainers workshop in
hydrocarbon refrigeration technology.
The country has, therefore, recognised the merits of and is taking action in leapfrogging HFC technology
and directly moving from HCFCs to future-proof natural refrigerants.
Preparing the future trainers in hydrocarbon refrigerants
The workshop aims to train participants on the use, handling and safety of hydrocarbon refrigerants in
refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Lead trainer and hydrocarbon expert Daniel Colbourne, from the United Kingdom, will diffuse his
knowledge to senior technicians from across Belize as well as the Caribbean region, including Grenada,
Guyana, Suriname, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kits & Nevis, and the Bahamas.
Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be certified as trainers in hydrocarbon refrigerants,
whom will assist the Department of the Environment to train other local technicians in the sector in
future training workshops.

50 Examples-Part1-Of Natural Refrigerants Stories in Article 5 Countries

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

50 Examples-Part1-Of Natural Refrigerants Stories in Article 5 Countries

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

50 EXAMPLES OF

Print this page | Close window

Anda mungkin juga menyukai