Responsible Refrigeration
BARNEY RICHARDSON
By Barney Richardson
Barney Richardson is the director of South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association ( SARACCA ) and sits on various other boards within the HVAC industry , including the South African Qualifications and Certifications Committee for Gas ( SAQCC ) Gas .
USING LOW TO MEDIUM GWP REFRIGERANTS
Refrigeration equipment and air-conditioning units using low to medium global warming potential ( GWP ) refrigerants , such as R290 which is a propane or R600a , an iso-butane and HFC-32 a methylene fluoride refrigerant are becoming more common .
The refrigeration and air conditioning market in South Africa is changing and this is globally driven in response to ozone depletion and climate change with global warming due in part to HCFC and HFC refrigerant leakages .
There is also the demand for greater energy efficiency in equipment . Service practitioners and installers need to have the new and necessary skills for the safe handling of all refrigerants , particularly flammable refrigerants .
It is very important for service practitioners and installers to have updated skills in the handling the new alternative refrigerants that are coming into the marketplace . Good servicing practices are recognised as the best approach to doing the job right . This is particularly needed for domestic and small commercial refrigeration where Hydrocarbon refrigerants are
already being used .
SARACCA is a member , representing South Africa , of U-3ARC . ( Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning ) This is an association promoting refrigeration standards and skills throughout Africa . They have sent to me a handbook for Good Servicing Practices for Flammable Refrigerants , produced by the United Nations Environment Programme . The aim of this guidebook is to provide Refrigeration and Air Conditioning practitioners with the up-to-date skills and key safety classifications required for flammable refrigerants .
While South Africa does not have room air conditioners using flammable refrigerants as yet , there are many domestic and small commercial refrigerators and beverage coolers using these refrigerants . It is important safety guidance for the installation
Creative Commons | Wikimedia and servicing of refrigeration appliances and equipment designed to use flammable refrigerants such as R290 and R600a .
All flammable refrigerants must be handled with caution , precautions and in accordance with national regulations , the manufacturers ’ user and operation manuals and safety standards . The manufacturers ’ refrigerant charge limits must always be considered and be complied with when servicing a unit .
Important terminology to be aware of are the lower flammability limit ( LFL ). This is the minimum concentration a substance , in this case refrigerant , that is capable of propagating a flame through a mixture of the substance and air under specified test conditions .
The upper flammability limit ( UFL ) is the maximum concentration of the refrigerant that is capable of propagating a flame . ASHRAE term is the refrigerant concentration
Graphic 1 : The fire triangle .
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I October 2021 39