FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Continued from page 41
With his many years of experience in
the foaming sector, Alan Yeates was
contracted by UNIDO to assist in the
phase out of R141b. He relates the steps
towards zero R141b usage.
UNIDO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
The phase out of HCFC-141b, used as the
primary blowing agent in rigid insulation
foam and microcellular integral skin
foam, was prioritised by the project to
maximise ODP reduction. In 2010, the
baseline consumption volume for these
applications was determined to be 1 656
metric tonnes (mt) with an ODP value of
182.2 metric tonnes.
The foam sector is complex;
therefore, to meet the country’s
targeted commitment to the phase-
out programme of all ODS-containing
substances, the majority of the required
phase out was achieved either through
systems house conversion and
downstream modifications, or in the
case of larger consumers, the conversion
to alternative foaming agents. The
revised target date of 1 January 2016,
the firm indication of the government’s
commitment to ban imports of HCFC-141b,
both pure and contained in pre-blended
polyols, has also been established.
To put it across, the plan of action was
agreed between the Department of
Environmental Affairs (DEA) that acts as
the National Ozone Unit in South Africa,
and UNIDO, the implementing agency,
and consisted of four stages, namely:
•
Stage I: Identification of alternative
technologies to replace HCFC-141b;
their availability on the market; and
capability of the local industry to
At CIP: Nic Carpenter and Alan Yeates (right).
suitable for large-scale use, whereas
methyl formate, also highly flammable
LIMITED OPTIONS FOR PRE-BLENDED
packaging, as well as construction
In conclusion, all technologies are and insulation subsectors of the foam
in pure state but safe in blend, bears available from the chemical suppliers manufacturing sector, was provided.
low cost for conversion and is suitable in South Africa, but for most of pre-
By large, the systems house Resikem
for medium to small enterprises. HFA blended system users, the only Benoni underwent the conversion to
245/365, applicable for medium-sized alternatives are methyl formate or HFA facilitate the production of methyl
enterprises, is safe in blend albeit costly 245/365 blends. formate pre-blended polyols systems
and has zero ODP; yet, it has GWP. Lastly,
The objectives of Stage II of the action
and, therefore, received funding for
formic acid, added as third component, plan were also attained. Hence, a needs procuring storage tanks, pumps, and
is suitable for large-scale use but has assessment of the self-blenders and ancillaries needed. Based on the data of
short shelf life. Water-blown systems still systems houses was carried out and the 2010, the overall phase out of 120mt of
remain available for specialised use. financial assistance covering appliances, HCFC-141b has been achieved by Resikem.
develop substitute polyurethane foam
systems to replace currently used
HCFC-141b foam systems.
•
Stage II: A needs assessment of
the self-blenders and systems
blending houses to be determined.
Financial assistance to be provided
for the equipment, enabling the
development of foam systems by
using alternative blowing agent
technologies where needed.
•
Stage III: Process evaluation by means
of small-scale trials to be carried out
by the end users of the alternative
blowing agent foam technologies.
Financial assistance to be provided for
the modification of the process or plant
where needed.
•
Stage IV: Commercialisation and
implementation of chosen foam
technology by the end of 2015.
As a result, a market survey to
determine industry requirements was
completed, and four replacement
technologies, though not all suitable for
all applications, were identified under
Stage I of the action plan. For instance,
cyclopentane, highly flammable and
rather costly in terms of conversion, is
Foaming equipment at Insulated Structures.
COLD LINK AFRICA • January | February 2018
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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