DuPont, a science-based products and services company and a leading global supplier of refrigerants, provides its ISCEON range for quick and efficient retrofit in all kinds of cooling and air-conditioning systems. In this interview, José Pedro García, Refrigerants Technical Manager, DuPont Fluorochemicals Iberia, explains the advantages of this alternative solution. 

According to the EU Regulation 2037/2000, the market availability of R-22 needs to be reduced to zero by 2010. What are the implications for operators of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment?

First and foremost, we need to clarify that the ban firstly applies to virgin R-22. Thus, this refrigerant can no longer be marketed by refrigerant suppliers or distributors. Virgin R-22 can’t either be used for the maintenance and servicing of existing installations. Moreover, the EU Regulation 2037/2000 has recently been superseded by the new EU regulation 1005/2009. This became effective since 01.01.2010, and engages many significant changes for the refrigerant and air conditioning sector in terms of its use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and the mixtures containing HCFCs.

Several changes relate, for example, to the use of recycled HCFCs. The new regulation sets greater restrictions on the use of recycled HCFCs than the EU Regulation 2037/2000 had previously done before. For instance, as of 01.01.2010, only those companies that recycle HCFCs themselves will actually be able to use recycled HCFCs.

To avoid errors, we plead users to contact the Environment Ministry or regional governments to check the implications of the new Regulation.

What alternative refrigerants are there?

Because recycled R-22 is not only likely to become limited in terms of supply, but also very expensive, DuPont is able to provide a range of tailored and efficient solutions based on its portfolio of ISCEON 9-series refrigerants. These can be used for the conversion of all kinds of cooling and air-conditioning systems, from commercial cooling to chilled water units, industrial cooling and split system air conditioning units. In addition to ISCEON, the “natural” refrigerants such as ammonia, CO₂ and hydrocarbons also have a great potential to them, which would, however, require the installation of new equipment.

What needs to be considered when choosing an alternative refrigerant?

It varies from case to case. In other words, the system condition, the intended application and where it will be used: if the system is still relatively new, then a conversion will often be the preferred method. Whatever the case, the service contractor should have prior experience of conversions – and DuPont is also able to provide both guidelines and advice.

One option is to use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which don’t contribute to ozone-depletion, yet they do to global warming. Is this still an alternative?

Investment in a new system using alternative refrigerants can often involve increased safety precautions and correspondingly high investment costs. In contrast, HFC-based solutions offer a very good price/performance ratio, although the leak-tightness of the overall system should be assessed. A further, important criterion is the energy consumption, which, after all, also plays a role in the global warming; HFC systems are in most cases the most energy-efficient solution.

What changes need to be made to existing refrigeration or air-conditioning systems in order to use HFCs?

In most cases there should be only minor changes, but this will depend on the system type. Frequently, the only required change is to switch the seal.

What about when using natural refrigerants such as ammonia, CO2 and hydrocarbons?

In most cases existing R-22 systems cannot be converted to work with these refrigerants.

What happens with the R-22 or other HCFCs already being used within the system? How long is one still allowed to use them?

Should a system be converted, the R-22 is removed and, depending on its purity, processed for use as a reclaim (possible until the end of 2014). Other HCFCs and blends such as R123, R124, R401, R402, R403, R408 and R409 will most likely not be reclaimed due to their low levels of availability.

How long do you think it will be before the ban of the replacement refrigerants with a high global warming potential (GWP)?

To date, the regulators have refrained from setting deadlines for the use of HFCs in stationary applications. System installers and operators can also help minimize their environmental burden by further increasing the leak-tightness of the systems, and ensuring that set service intervals are strictly adhered to. DuPont is working on new solutions with a lower GWP, which will offer the same recognized and favourable attributes of HFCs. They are likely to be introduced in the next few years.

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