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Six speakers, covering the viewpoints of end users, standardisation bodies, suppliers, training companies and policy makers, highlighted the realities and myths concerning hydrocarbon refrigerants, at a dedicated session at the 62^th AHR Expo in Orlando. The speakers remarked an increased interest of US end users in this technology expected to receive governmental approval within the next year. 

About 50+ participants, including hydrocarbons21.com, attended the “Hydrocarbon Refrigerants - An Introduction and Experiences” educational session hosted yesterday at the 62^th AHR Expo in Orlando by the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES). The session highlighted the potential for introducing hydrocarbon refrigerants in certain applications pending EPA SNAP approval, while at the back of the room a Ben & Jerry's Hydrocarbon Ice Cream Cabinet (HC) was visible.

Setting the scene: an overview of hydrocarbons

Jane Gartshore, from Cool Concerns Ltd, a UK company working closely with Ben & Jerry's, provided the audience with basic information regarding different hydrocarbon refrigerants available. Isobutane (R600a) is used already in millions of fridges across Europe, while propane R290, and propene R1270 are mostly used in the commercial sector. She highlighted the potential of using hydrocarbons in domestic applications (300m Greenfreeze refrigerators in the EU), as well as commercial applications such as plug in systems (display cabinets, bottle coolers, ice makers), as a secondary refrigerant for chillers (with CO₂), small split AC systems and Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) applications (a stenching agent is used for MAC applications).

The speaker stressed the environmental and energy efficiency attributes of hydrocarbons and maintained that their flammability is an issue that can be addressed through introducing refrigerant charge size limitations, minimising the risk of ignition (employing changes to electrical components) and training.

Standards are key

The speaker stressed the importance of standards in ensuring a safe framework for the industry. She then outlined the essence of standard EN 378 for refrigeration systems and heat pumps, which places a practical limit for refrigeration (charge sizes restricted) absolute maximum charges and requires training as well as the elimination of electrical ignition sources. She also referred to standard EN60335 for household and similar electric appliances as well as the Codes of Practice for A2 and A3 refrigerant classes by the UK Institute of Refrigeration (IoR).

So how do we get hydrocarbons to America?

Gartshore noted the real change in the last 4-5 years in America with regards to the end users’ interest in hydrocarbons. She identified the desire from end users, availability of refrigerant grade, components, trained engineers, recovery machines and standards as the key issues to address. She finally emphasised the positive experience in Europe, where hydrocarbons have led to 10 to 20% efficiency gains.

Examples of Market Penetration

Gartshore referred to several examples of hydrocarbon deployment:

• End Users: As of end 2009, Unilever had a global roll-out of 400,000 hydrocarbon cabinets, with the number expected to reach 500,000 at the end of 2010. The end user has also put in place a training package for service providers.

• Retailer: Waitrose, the top 5 UK retailer, is employing 100% hydrocarbon technology to all new and refitted supermarkets. It is using hydrocarbons in different applications like display cabinets (water cooled), cold room units (water cooled), hydrocarbon split ACs (max individual charge 4 KG) and water chilled HC chillers. Results so far indicate an annual carbon reduction from 300 tonnes to 3 kg associated with leakage (3KG is leakage only). The technology is simple to install and encompasses reduced service costs. In terms of energy efficiency, it is still too early to determine efficiency performance when compared to HFCs.

• Supplier: Carter supplies integral cabinets (air cooled and water cooled). Its water cooled cabinets feature 250g of R1270 per circuit, sealed electrics, improved access for servicing, and a water cooled plate heat exchanger. Another supplier, RDA (Environmental Engineering Limited, UK), has developed hydrocarbon Recovery Equipment.

• Refrigerant supplier: BOC (member of Linde), a major supplier of hydrocarbons, is currently employing a sales policy whereby it only provides hydrocarbon refrigerants to companies whose engineers have been trained and assessed in handling hydrocarbon technology. The BOC training programme, carried out by Cool Concerns in the UK, has been very successful and has so far seen the training of 5,000 engineers.

Underwriters Laboratory standards and SNAP update

Randy Haseman from Underwriters Laboratory (UL = CE Marking equivalent) discussed the different UL standards covering hydrocarbons, namely UL 471 for Commercial Refrigerators and UL 250 for domestic fields with a charge limit up to 50g. Haseman maintained that the UL has observed international uptake of hydrocarbons, while the US is now starting to look into this.

Dave Godwin of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided the audience with an update on the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. Currently, the SNAP process for approving hydrocarbon refrigerants is at 90 day OMB (Office of Management & Budget) review. As a next step a proposed rule will be published that will be open for comments. A final rule is expected at the end of 2010/early 2011.

Preparing for the opening of a new market

Andres Lacassie from Danfoss once again stressed the cost competitiveness of hydrocarbons, which result in 10-20% energy efficiency gains. With a vast experience in hydrocarbons, the speaker expressed the company’s readiness to support the American market.

Last but not least, Peter Gosselin, Ben & Jerry’s chief engineer, reiterated the company’s positive experience with hydrocarbons ice cream cabinets and the potential for 100,000+ units in the US alone, once SNAP approval for hydrocarbons has opened the market. Already in 2008, Ben & Jerry's introduced 50 hydrocarbon cabinets mainly in the Boston and Washington DC areas.