www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I November 2024 9
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THE JOURNEY TO A BETTER WORLD :
A REFRIGERATION PERSPECTIVE
The Dreosti Memorial Lecture presented by Andy Pearson , edited by Eamonn Ryan
This is an abbreviated version of the lecture delivered by SAIRAC centres in Johannesburg , Durban , Port Elizabeth and Cape Town . Due to its importance and length , the entire lecture will be run in four parts in the succeeding issues of RACA Journal .
INTRODUCTION Engineers have always balanced optimism with realism . They recognise the flaws in current systems but remain hopeful about their ability to drive progress . Over the past three decades , the refrigeration industry has actively pursued innovations to address environmental concerns associated with traditional systems . Despite notable advances , issues like climate change , energy security , political instability , resource depletion , and population growth continue to challenge the sector . This raises critical questions : " Have we done enough ?" and , " What more needs to be done ?"
Reflecting on four decades of technological and political developments , it is clear that significant investments in research and development have been made . Yet , progress often seems incremental rather than transformative . Innovations frequently involve substituting one refrigerant for another rather than rethinking the cooling process . While new technologies have emerged , they often address only parts of the cooling process and fall short of their promises .
MAIN CHALLENGES IN REFRIGERATION SYSTEM DESIGN Over the past thirty years , the refrigeration sector has faced three main challenges :
• Environmental impact : Addressing the ozone depletion and global warming potential of refrigerants has been a major focus , regulated by agreements such as the Montreal and Kyoto Protocols .
• Performance efficiency : Energy efficiency impacts both operational costs and environmental emissions . High energy costs drive the need for more efficient systems , but
initial investments can be daunting .
• Safety and reliability : Compliance with national and international safety regulations is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure system reliability .
All images by © Raca Journal
The journey to a better world : a refrigeration perspective .
International agreements often progress slowly . The phase-out of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons ( CFCs ) will stretch over 40 years , ending in 2030 with a complete ban on substances like R-22 . Energy efficiency improvements are similarly affected by fluctuating energy prices and the upfront costs of new technologies . Safety measures , while essential , can be hard to justify financially despite their importance .
ACHIEVEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS Key achievements include the Montreal Protocol , adopted in 1987 , which is hailed as one of the most successful international treaties . Initially focused on CFCs , the Protocol has been amended to address hydrochlorofluorocarbons ( HCFCs ) and hydrofluorocarbons ( HFCs ) through the Kigali Amendment of 2016 . This amendment extends the Protocol ’ s scope to include high global warming potential substances , adapting its successful model to address climate change .
The transition in refrigerants has occurred in three phases :
• From CFCs to HCFCs : This shift aimed to reduce ozone depletion potential but was only a partial solution .
• From HCFCs to HFCs : HFCs like R-134a were introduced as chlorine-free alternatives . However , their high global warming potential exposed limitations in the Kyoto Protocol ’ s regulations .
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I November 2024 9