Cold Link Africa January/February 2018 | Page 44

FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Defy appliances in East London and
procured a machine that will blend polyol
• Commercialisation and introduction
users where large volume chemical
Aerothane Applications in Cape Town
with cyclopentane according to the
of alternative foam technologies, with
dispensing was required and which
were both successfully converted to
stipulated polyol formulation.
some use of residual chemical stock,
could not be corrected by the chemical
cyclopentane technology. Thus, UNIDO’ s
Lastly, funding for storage tanks and
completed by November 2015; and
reformulation. In these instances, the
financial assistance to Defy covered the
ancillaries were allocated for Rigifoam
• Import ban imposed on HCFC-141b,
solution was to provide the foaming
procurement of eligible components
Benoni, a self-blender and manufacturer
both pure and contained in pre-
equipment that is capable of delivering
of the conversion, such as the foaming
of rigid polyurethane block foam, flexible
blended polyols, effective from
the required mass. The extended work
machines, storage tanks, as well as
faced laminated board, and polyurethane
1 January 2016.
programme was introduced to deal
preparation of specifications, tender
systems. As a result, the enterprise
with such matters. As a result, the high-
documents, and the cyclopentane
succeeded in the implementation of the
Nevertheless, in continuation of success
pressure foam dispensing machines
transition engineering project, among
conversion of HCFC-141b to methyl formate
and to evaluate and follow up on changes
were provided to replace the existing
others. In the case of Aerothane, the
and other flammable blowing agents.
to the technology, plant, and equipment
low-output, low-pressure machinery.
complete conversion included a number
Based on the small-scale trials, Stage III
introduced during the initial phase-out
Beneficiaries of this programme were
of additions and modifications to the
of the action plan has outlined some valid
programme, the extended work plan
Colcab Cape Town, Insulated Structures
existing factory and equipment, namely
issues. Problems related to the corrosion of
for 2016 was further developed and
in Kya Sands, and Concord Refrigeration
installation of the fire doors and the roller
components of the high-pressure foaming
implemented.
in Natal.
shutter door, fire walling and ventilation, relocation of gas sensor and switch gear, and so on. Furthermore, the conversion
machines, emerging from the use of methyl formate-blown foam systems, have been encountered by numerous end users. A
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME EXTENDED
In general, the phase out of HCFC- 141b has been achieved within the targeted time frame and with little
of Defy and Aerothane has resulted in
corrective action to replace the affected
To conclude, it is worth mentioning
disruption to the industry; hence, ensuring
phase out of 353.0mt or 38.9 ODP tonnes
components, such as polyol pumps,
some observations derived from the
both short-term phase out, as well as
of HCFC-141b, starting the HCFC-free
injector nozzles, and flow meters, has been
implementation of this project. Thus,
long-term sustainability of the industry.
production for both enterprises.
taken. Hence, machine modifications and
on the one hand, the change of
The implementation of the phase-out
CIP Industries Strydom Park, a moulded
the conversion to methyl formate have
the blowing agents, in most cases,
plan created opportunities to improve
packaging manufacturer of insulated
been completed at Vela Building Solutions,
was achieved without much trouble;
productivity and quality.“ Moreover, on
boxes for the pharmaceutical industry, is
Zero Appliances, Dalucon Building Panels,
bearing testimony to the capability
top of the overall cost-effectiveness of
another beneficiary of this HPMP. Aiming
Kwikspace, Staycold, National Luna, and
of the systems houses to reformulate
the conversion of the entire foam sector
to phase out the use of HCFC-141b in its
Box On Line.
systems technology to meet market
in South Africa, the work programme has
production and, therefore, replace it with
Finally, as seen from the aforesaid, the
requirements.
resulted in no job losses, with new work
cyclopentane, the enterprise received
objectives of Stage IV of the action plan
On the other hand, particular
opportunities now being created,” said
funding to support the conversion and
were achieved in a timely manner, that is:
difficulty was experienced by the end
Yeates.
CLA

44 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za COLD LINK AFRICA • January | February 2018