Technical
BITZER
REFRIGERANT REPORT:
PART 1
By Bitzer
Stratospheric ozone depletion as well as atmospheric greenhouse effect due
to refrigerant emissions have led to drastic changes in the refrigeration and air
conditioning technology since the beginning of the 1990s.
This is especially true for the area of commercial
refrigeration and air conditioning systems with their
wide range of applications.
REFRIGERANT DEVELOPMENT AND
LEGAL SITUATION
In former years, the main refrigerants used for these
systems were ozone depleting types, namely R12, R22 and
R502; for special applications R114, R12B1, R13B1, R13 and
R503 were used. The use of these substances is no longer
allowed in industrialised countries, but the use of R22 has
been extended through transitional periods.
The so-called ‘Kigali Amendment’ was adopted in 2016
under the Montreal Protocol, in which a step-by-step
reduction of HFCs (‘HFC phase-down’) was agreed upon,
effective from 2019.
The following report deals with potential measures of a
short- to medium-term change towards technologies with
reduced environmental impact in medium and large size
commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Furthermore, the experiences so far and the resulting
consequences for plant technology are discussed.
SUBSTITUTES FOR R22 IN AIR CONDITIONING
AND HEAT PUMPS
As the HCFC refrigerant R22 (ODP = 0.05) is accepted only
as a transitional solution, a number of chlorine-free (ODP =
0) alternatives have been developed and tested extensively.
They are being used for a large range of applications.
Experience shows, however, that none of these
substitutes can replace the refrigerant R22 in all respects.
Amongst others there are differences in the volumetric
refrigerating capacity, restrictions in possible applications,
special requirements in system design and considerably
differing pressure levels. According to the specific operating
conditions, various alternatives may be considered. Apart
www.hvacronline.co.za RACA Journal I August 2020 47