In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cooling technologies based on natural refrigerants with negligible or insignificant effect on the environment and climate have experienced a renaissance in recent years. A variety of highly efficient applications has been developed and has now reached a technical level that makes their use economically viable. Nevertheless, natural refrigerants require careful handling. This guidance document provides a legislative overview for natural refrigerants, technical guidelines, as well as selected practical recommendations. It focusses on safety concerns originating from flammability, toxicity or high working pressures.
The textbook presents the experiences and techniques of industrial refrigeration and transfers them to commercial refrigeration applications. The general conditions and legal requirements for the use of natural refrigerants, as well as the economic efficiency of the refrigeration systems are also considered and necessary additional knowledge for handling them is imparted. Tables, pictures and plant diagrams are used to show examples of practical implementation.
The textbook presents the experiences and techniques of industrial refrigeration and transfers them to commercial refrigeration applications. The general conditions and legal requirements for the use of natural refrigerants, as well as the economic efficiency of the refrigeration systems are also considered and necessary additional knowledge for handling them is imparted. Tables, pictures and plant diagrams are used to show examples of practical implementation.
As the HVACR industry continues to move forward and innovate, the refrigerants that were once so commonplace are now being phased out. Replacing them are more energy efficient, environmentally friendlier refrigerants, known as Low GWP refrigerants. Many of these new refrigerants are classified by ASHRAE as A2L, or slightly flammable. The industry is also seeing expanded use of some hydrocarbon (A3) refrigerants, such as propane and isobutane. Students and technicians will require additional training for the safe handling and transportation of these refrigerants. The Low GWP refrigerant program manual covers: Refrigerant safety Introduction to Low GWP refrigerants Refrigerant properties and characteristics The refrigeration cycle Working with refrigerant blends Proper installation and service guidelines Flammable refrigerant considerations Explanation of the associated codes and standards for A2L refrigerants
This book describes fluorocarbons gases’ preparation process, properties, applications and their evolution over time. The impact of fluorocarbons on the ozone layer and global and the development to mitigate those effects have been specially emphasized. The first major industrial fluorinated compound was developed in the 1920’s, to replace ammonia and sulfur dioxide refrigerants, at the General Motors Frigidaire Division by Thomas Midgley, Jr. and Albert Leon Henne. They developed a family of fluorocarbons trademarked Freon® for auto air conditioning units revolutionizing the auto industry. Other applications were developed over time including fire extinguishers, propellants, blowing agents, cleaners, anesthesia, artificial blood and others impacting every facet of life. In spite of being in broad global use for nearly a century, fluorocarbon gases have gone through great evolution during the last few decades. In the 1980s it was discovered chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases are harmful to the ozone layer, mainly because of their chlorine content. Chlorine was released in the upper atmosphere when chlorofluorocarbon molecules were broken down by the high energy cosmic radiation. CFCs were progressively banned following the Montreal Protocol of 1987. CFCs were replaced by fluorinated gases containing either less chlorine (hydrofluoro-chlorocarbons, or HCFCs), which are much less damaging (about 90% less) to the ozone layer or with fluorinated gases containing no chlorine, i.e. hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs. HFC have no impact on the ozone layer but impact global warming detrimentally. HFCs are usable without need for changes to the existing refrigeration or air conditioning installations. More recently hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), which have little or no negative impact on global warming, have been developed to replace or reduce the use of HFCs. HFOs are used as single compounds or in blends. Research and development continues to develop and replace the HCFCs and HFCs completely with environmentally friendly products. Concise Handbook of Fluorocarbon Gases presents a reference and text for the commercial fluorocarbon gases which have great many application in a wide range of industries such as refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as consumer products.
This paper gives information and guidance on the safety and environmental requirements that are associated with the use of new refrigerants to replace CFCs and HCFCs in building air-conditioning systems. It also alerts designers, owners and operators to the requirements of the revised British Standard on refrigeration safety, BS 4434:1995, and to their statutory duties under UK health and safety legislation.
