INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

By John Ackermann

The statistics have been compiled from custom clearance documentation and survey responses from some of the importers and exporters. The actual tonnages imported could be higher and attributed to discrepancies in custom tariff headings, particularly for refrigerant blends containing HFCs.

The revision of tariff headings to improve the reliability of compiled statistics is ongoing and of particular importance in the monitoring of controlled substances. Although there is no restriction or quota system for the import or export of HFCs, an import permit is required for all imports of pure HFCs or blends containing HFCs.

Following the phase out of CFCs( R11, R12 and R502) and the phasing out of HCFCs( like R22, R123, R141b and R402b) now in progress, HFCs like R134a, R404A, R410A were introduced as an alternative to ozone depleting refrigerants and for those applications for which natural refrigerants, HFOs or hydrocarbons( all with a zero ozone depletion potential [ ODP ]) could not be used in the short to medium term because of lack of technology or experience.

Regretfully, most HFCs have a high global warming potential( GWP) – refer to Table A. It is estimated that HFCs account for about 1 % of global emissions of greenhouse gases( GHG). If the use of HFCs continues to increase at the present rate, the emissions of HFCs could account for a 0.5 ° C rise in global temperatures.

At COP 21 held in Paris in December 2015, the parties partially agreed to reduce the emissions of ALL GHGs to mitigate an increase in global temperatures of < 2 ° C by 2100. If HFCs, as only one portion of all GHG emissions, account for 0.5 ° C, it will require drastic intervention by users of HFCs to meet the target of less than 2 ° C. The signatories of the Montreal Protocol recognise this demanding challenge and

Table A. there is a strong lobby to include HFCs as a controlled substance in the protocol.

In South Africa, HFCs are widely used as a refrigerant in HVAC & R systems, in the manufacture of extruded polystyrene, as an aerosol propellant in the manufacture of polyurethane foam, and as a component of fire suppression gases. To remain ahead of any possible restrictions imposed by the Montreal Protocol on the usage of HFCs or a global slowdown in production, the DEA published the HFC Inventory Draft Report Phase 1 2015 / 2016. Steps to be taken for phase two of the inventory report were outlined at the refrigeration stakeholders meeting held at the DEA in Pretoria on 3 March.

An announcement of the collection of data for the HFC inventory report appeared in a Government Gazette in January 2016. Sectors in the fire security industry had misinterpreted the announcement as a pending restriction to be applied on the importation of HFCs in the near future. Neil Hughes, CEO of the Fire and Security Techniques appealed to the meeting to exempt the use of HFCs in fire suppression from any import restrictions. His presentation to the meeting detailed global usage. Emission of HFCs in fire suppression contributes less than 0.03 % of the global release of GHGs. The bulk of the suppression gas is an inert gas with a very small percentage of HFC.

“ Should the DEA agree to exclude the fire suppression industry from the declaration of GHGs as priority air pollutants, we would like to request a formal letter that we can provide to end users indicating the HFC systems that they have installed are not to be phased out in the near future,” said Hughes.“ An addendum or note could perhaps be added to the particular Gazette to indicate the exclusion?”

The DEA chairman of the meeting, Obed Baloyi, gave the assurance that there was no pending restrictions to be place on the importation or usage of HFCs in South Africa in the near or medium term.

Greg Picker of Refrigerants Australia addressed the meeting on lessons learnt by managing HCFCs and HFCs in Australia.“ A professional workforce subject to licensing is a prerequisite of an effective refrigerant management plan. The plan needs to control the usage of refrigerants from import to end of life i. e from cradle to grave. At first it appears impossible but can be achieved by an industry working together collaboratively. A good relationship between government and industry is essential,” he said.

Picker strongly advised against the use of disposable cylinders.“ Disposable refrigerant cylinders are one-way packaging, and they increase emissions and landfill.” He was of the view that no country appeared to have the right mix in mitigating the environmental impact of refrigerants. Lessons can be learnt from the successes and failures of other countries.

James Mogale, deputy director for curriculum development and support for TVET colleges in the Department of Higher Education and Training, presented the status quo of training programmes aligned to HVAC & R in those colleges.

Mogale’ s presentation was followed with lively debate and a call for industry role players to play an active part in training.

The well-attended meeting ended on a positive note with strong indications that the proposals and recommendations would materialise. CLA

At the HCFC stakeholder meeting in Pretoria, from left: Gregory Picker( Refrigerants Australia), Ron Buissinne( group financial director, A-Gas), Johnny Scott( managing director, A-Gas), and Michael Labacher( sales manager, A-Gas).