Events and Exhibitions
Although the Amendment is aimed at the phase-down of HFCs
with a high GWP, the MOP has recognised the opportunity
to enhance and maintain the development of a sustainable
supply of energy that will add to public health and global energy
security. It also recognises the large returns made in a short space
of time by role players in technologies that are HFC free and high
in energy efficiency.
At the 31st meeting of the MOP, the Technology and
Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) was asked to report on
new developments with respect to best practices, accessibility
and cost of energy-efficient technologies in refrigeration, air
conditioning and heat pumps regards the implementation of the
Kigali Amendment.
“Low GWP alternatives require adjustments and redesign. The
alternatives may require a high investment cost but have the same
or lower operational cost. UNIDO have funded successful projects
LEARNING FROM INDUSTRY
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Austria placed a ban on disposables in 2007. The
pricing of refrigerants In Austria peaked in 2018
and has levelled off. It is difficult to address illegal
imports as evidence is not very good and borders with
neighbouring countries are not well controlled.
Honeywell have developed and tested a range of HFOs
as building blocks towards low global warming and
energy efficient air conditioning, chillers, solvents,
foaming agents and commercial refrigeration. Many
case studies have been done in Europe. R448a have
been tested in supermarket installations in Europe and
has shown an improved energy efficiency of 5 to 10%
versus R404A.
Woolworths South Africa installed the first sub-
critical system in October 2009. This was part of the
stores 2020 goals of a good business journey towards
improving energy efficiency and reducing their carbon
footprint. The systems are reliable and simple and
have proven to work well in high ambient conditions.
Presently, Woolworths have over 90 stores that operate
on CO 2 trans-critical.
To raise awareness of low carbon emission
refrigeration, Association of Refrigeration and
Businessmen (SOSIAD) in Turkey, conducted a
number of pilot projects, that have resulted in a 48%
saving in energy between R448A and R22 systems.
References:
1. Maria Puriner a representative from the Austria Environmental
Agency
2. Evonne Liyai-Malefo, Honeywell
3. Alex Kuzma, Woolworths
4. Kivanc Aslantas, SOSIAD Association, Turkey
www.hvacronline.co.za
aimed at alternatives in Brazil, Gambia, Jordan, China, Chile and
the Philippines. The outcomes of these projects are available for
guidance to South Africa,” she said.
She also added that equipment manufacturers have been quick
to respond to the Amendment and regional regulations as seen
with the rapid phase-down of HFCs in the European Union (EU),
with manufacturers recognising that sustainable cooling services
need to be accessible and affordable. To mitigate climate change
and global warming, industry needs to promote energy efficiency
in parallel with low GWP refrigerants.
WALKING THE TALK
Based on personal expertise, Hannes Steyn, director at GEA Africa
promoted the use of ammonia (NH₃), in water chilling and comfort
cooling applications. “There are several favourable properties
of ammonia systems, for example low power consumption,
robustness and reliability, low cost of ammonia and being
environmentally friendly, has favoured it for large industrial
applications.” Because of the increased cost of electricity and the
higher cost of fossil fuels for boilers more ammonia plant operators
have added recovery for steam generation or heating of water.
Compliance with regulations and health and safety standards
has in recent years been given more attention by plant operators.
By comparing life cycle costs between industrial applications and
air conditioning, there were some concerns about ammonia not
being too well suited for air conditioning because of long periods
as air conditioning systems run at part load.
“Safety is an issue because of the ASHRAE B2L safety
classification for refrigerants which becomes more of a concern
with a lack of understanding and training. The UK have strict
safety laws and yet there are ammonia installations in high density
areas and even in hospitals. The safety risks can be minimised
by compact package units with low charges of ammonia and
hermetic compressors. Ammonia for HVAC is battling to gain
traction in Southern Africa and is limited to the multi-nationals
who are concerned about the environment,” Steyn said.
To possibly solve the issues, Steyn suggested that training in
the design of ammonia chillers and “tax incentives will definitely
kick start NH₃ into HVAC”.
Ilana Koegelenberg, deputy manager market development,
shecco, stated that globally, the acceptance of natural
refrigerants is on the increase. “In 2008 there were 140
installations of trans-critical CO 2 systems. Ten years later,
there are 20 000 and by September 2019 there were 30 000
installations globally. Trans-critical CO 2 applications have
mainly been in supermarket stores with a small growth in
the industrial sector. In ammonia, there has been significant
growth in low charge installations being driven by regulatory
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RACA Journal I March 2020
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