Light Commercial Refrigeration - Position Paper 2020 - Refrigeration Club
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Position Paper
Light Commercial Refrigeration
Refrigerants Outlook for United States and Canada
2020
www.embraco.com
Introduction With the Kigali Amendment to GWP of the refrigerants in use
Montreal Protocol, the global without compromising the indirect
community made another important CO2 emissions during the lifetime
step towards preserving our of the equipment. Canada is headed
planet for future generations by in the same direction with recently
reducing CO2 emissions due to published new HFC rules imposing
human activities. The global phase- bans on high-GWP refrigerants for
down of HFCs in the refrigeration specific applications. In Europe
sector represents an important F-gas regulations have imposed
contribution to international climate progressive bans on certain high-
change mitigation efforts. For GWP refrigerants for common
many years, Embraco has been refrigeration applications, as
actively investing in this direction well as a “quota system” limiting
by developing and promoting the available quantities of HFC
hermetic compressors for use with refrigerants on the market. In
low-atmospheric impact refrigerants addition to the natural refrigerants
on all continents. In addition to mentioned before, several
isobutane (R600a) in household alternative synthetic refrigerants
appliances, significant progress has have been developed by the
also been made integrating propane chemical industry and more are
(R290) into light commercial plug- coming. Embraco has performed
in systems as well in the use of extensive tests to assess the
carbon dioxide in the supermarket capacity of these alternatives to
sector. In the US, even though EPA replace high-GWP refrigerants
rules on the subject have been presently in use. The most difficulty
suspended by the US courts for was found in trying to replace
the time being, California and two R404A. This paper will summarize
other states have recently adopted current testing for R404A and
HFC regulations limiting high R134a replacements, with a focus
global warming potential (GWP) reliability and performances as well
substances in air conditioning and as the evolution of related safety
commercial refrigeration. All these legislation.
developments point in a similar
direction: the need to lower the
2Embraco Policy ● Embraco will encourage the ● Embraco will continue to
Statement use of low GWP refrigerants develop products for both
to support global effort to natural and synthetic
mitigate climate change. low-GWP refrigerants that
exceed present and future
● Embraco will continue to
energy efficiency standards
provide solutions to improve
in order to assure the
the energy efficiency of
competitiveness of our
refrigeration equipment with
products and expectations
low-GWP refrigerants.
of our end users.
● Embraco will support the
● Embraco will continue to work
proactive use of natural
with international legislative
refrigerants without
bodies on the safe use of
compromising appliance safety
low-GWP refrigerant options.
or technician training.
3Canada HFC Rules
On October 18, 2017, the Canadian govenment announced amendments to its existing Ozone-depleting Substances
and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations. The changes include a phase-down in bulk HFCs as well as prohibitions
on HFCs in certain types of equipment as shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Canada HFC Rules and Effective Dates
GWP LIMIT DATE
REFRIGERATION – CENTRALIZED SYSTEMS
2200 2020
(MT/LT RACKS)
REFRIGERATION – CONDENSING UNITS 2200 2020
REFRIGERATION – LT STAND-ALONE 1500 2020
REFRIGERATION – MT STAND-ALONE 1400 2020
MOBILE REFRIGERATION 2200 2025
CHILLERS 750 2025
4California HFC Rules
California is driving aggressive regulation at a state level by adopting vacated EPA Rules 20 and 21 and delisting
high-GWP refrigerants with a bill approved in August 2018 (Table 2). Several other states in the US Climate Alliance
(24 states representing 50% of the US population and 57% of the country’s GDP) have either already adopted
(Washington and Vermont) or are expected to adopt similar legislation very soon (New York, Maryland, Connecticut).
Table 2 California Delisted Refrigerants
DELISTED REFRIGERANT APPLICATION EFFECTIVE DATE
Supermarket Systems January 1, 2019
Remote Condensing Units January 1, 2019
R404A*
UNACCEPTABLE
Stand-alone Retail Units Low Temp January 1, 2020
Refrigerated Food Processing and
January 1, 2021
Dispensing Equipment
Stand-alone Retail Units
January 1, 2019
Medium TempEU F-Gas Regulation
The European Union was From January 1, 2020
the pioneer in F-gas phase- - Hermetically sealed systems that
down with the introduction contain HFCs with GWP of 2500
of regulations (517/2014) or more (e.g. R404A, R507A) will
be banned in refrigerators and
limiting the use of
freezers used for storage, display or
refrigerants with high GWP
distribution of products in retail and
values. Current EU deadlines food service (commercial use).
for refrigerant use in new
equipment include: From January 1, 2022
- Hermetically sealed systems
that contains HFCs with GWP of
150 or more (e.g. R134a R407F,
R407C, R410A) will be banned in
refrigerators and freezers used for
storage, display or distribution of
products in retail and food service
(commercial use).
From January 1, 2020
- Stationary refrigeration equipment
that contains, or that relies upon for
its functioning, HFCs with GWP of
2500 or more (except equipment
intended for application design
to cool products to temperatures
below -50°C) will be banned.
6Alternative Refrigerants for Commercial Refrigeration Embraco is working on products that should allow the industry to have to wait until current safety for the light commercial convert their products portfolio standards and codes (under refrigeration segment that comply into low-GWP alternatives in the development) have been updated. with present and future F-gas future. For the time being, only Every appliance producer has a regulations, focusing mainly on hydrocarbons can be considered choice to make: go natural within products that meet final target a future-proof solution in self- the present charge limitations or limit (
Final Target Limit Hydrocarbons
PROPANE (R290) OTHER HYDROCARBONS:
ISOBUTANE (R600a)
Embraco offers a full product line At a global level, the new IEC R600a - isobutane - represents
of HC compressors that conform standard (IEC60335-2-89), published a valid alternative solution
to the final limits set by current in June 2019 allows up to 500 g for small appliances. It offers
F-gas regulations. R290 is already (17.7 oz) of propane charge and benefits in terms of efficiency
widely used in several commercial 1.2 kg (2.64 lb) of A2L class but has significant limitations in
applications and most of existing refrigerants for self-contained terms of cooling capacity. Due to
light commercial applications commercial applications such its low specific cooling capacity,
can be converted to use those as ice makers, with specific it requires bigger compressor
refrigerants. In the case of larger additional mitigation measures displacement compared to other
applications, due to the general to maintain the same risk level as refrigerants and consequently,
charge limit of 5.3 oz., multi- per the 150 g limit. a larger and heavier compressor
circuit configuration is a feasible In most of the world, this frame. Isobutane’s properties
option and already applied in new standard can already be can also limit the evaporating
some systems. An important step applied (e.g., Brazil) but in the temperature range.
will be modifying safety standards US and Europe it still must Embraco’s catalog features a
to allow wider use of A3 class be firstly adopted by region/ full range of products utilizing
refrigerants. Present EPA SNAP country as part of existing isobutane for LBP and HBP
listings allow for 5.3 oz (150 g) safety standards and codes. applications, including small
of R290 or R600a charge for Though activity is in progress, the chest freezers, bottle coolers and
hermetically sealed applications conclusion is still unclear. wine coolers.
in light commercial refrigeration.
8Next Generation HFCs
R404A ALTERNATIVES
In the long term, the industry up to 22R. Tables 4 and 5 list some One important step toward allowing
under the AHRI’s AREP (Alternative long-term alternatives to R404A wider use of A2L class refrigerants
Refrigerant Evaluation Program) that Embraco is testing for the light is the safety standards updates (the
has tested a series of new mixtures commercial segment. It is important same applies to A3 safety class
with GWP of less than 150. All these for the refrigeration industry to avoid mentioned before).
candidates are slightly flammable refrigerant proliferation. Hopefully
and belong to the A2/A2L market forces will help speed the
classification with temperature glide adoption of a global standard.
Table 4 Alternative Blends Physical Data
R 404A R455A R454C
TYPE HFC blend HFC blend HFC blend
SAFETY CLASS A1 A2L A2L
BOILING TEMP @ 1atm -53°F -51°F -49°F
CRITICAL TEMP 162°F 181°F 180°F
BUBBLE-DEW @14.5 PSIA 1.4R 22.3R 14.7R
Table 5 Embraco Evaluation Summary
R 404A R455A R454C
GWP 3920 146 146
CAPACITY Ref Same Lower
EFFICIENCY Ref Better Better
RELIABILITY Ref NA NA
LUBRICANT POE POE POE
MOTOR TEMP Ref Higher Higher
DISCHARGE TEMP Ref Higher Higher
(*) due to safety requirements for electrical components, UD under development, NA not available
9Next Generation HFCs
R134a ALTERNATIVES
R1234yf is a valid alternative for commercial systems because of
R134a appliances, so Embraco its low specific cooling capacity.
offers some compressor models Its use would require a completely
with this refrigerant in its catalog. new product line that, at this
R1234ze is not considered a valid stage, does not seem to be a
alternative to R134a for light solution for this market segment.
Table 6 Alternative Blends Physical Data
R 134a R1234yf R1234ze (E)
TYPE HFC HFC HFC
SAFETY CLASS A1 A2L A2L
BOILING TEMP @ 1atm -15°F -22°F -2.15°F
CRITICAL TEMP 214°F 203°F 230°F
BUBBLE-DEW @14.5 PSIA 0R 0R 0R
Table 7 Embraco Evaluation Summary
R 134a R1234yf R1234ze (E)
GWP 1430 Below 1 Below 1
CAPACITY Ref Slightly lower Much Lower
EFFICIENCY Ref Lower Lower
RELIABILITY Ref Same NA
LUBRICANT POE POE NA
MOTOR TEMP Ref Same NA
DISCHARGE TEMP Ref Same NA
(*) due to safety requirements for electrical components, UD under development, NA not available
10HFC Transitional Solutions
R404A REPLACEMENT
To ease the transition to They are all in safety class A1
refrigerants that comply with (non-toxic, non-flammable) and
target final GWP limits, the are all characterized by
chemical industry offers several considerably higher temperature
alternatives to existing high-GWP glide than R404A. Tables 8 and 9
HFC refrigerant blends. The most outline Embraco’s evaluation of
notable intermediate refrigerant the main physical proprieties of
candidates are HFC blends like these blends.
R448A, R449A and R452A.
Table 8 Alternative Blends Physical Data
R 404A R448A R449A R452A
TYPE HFC blend HFC blend HFC blend HFC blend
SAFETY CLASS A1 A1 A1 A1
BOILING TEMP @ 1atm -53°F -49°F -51°F -53°F
CRITICAL TEMP 162°F 183°F 180 °F 167°F
BUBBLE-DEW @14.5 PSIA 1.4R 11.3R 11R 6.8R
Table 9 Embraco Evaluation Summary
R 404A R448A R449A R452A
GWP 3920 1386 1397 2140
CAPACITY Ref Better Better Same
EFFICIENCY Ref Better Better Same
RELIABILITY Ref Lower Lower Same
LUBRICANT POE POE POE POE
MOTOR TEMP Ref Higher Higher Same
DISCHARGE TEMP Ref Higher Higher Same
11HFC Transitional Solutions
Both R448A and R449A were If an application is using an Embraco R452A presented the same or
approved as an alternative R404A compressor outside of lower thermal profile when
refrigerant to R404A for the NE/ this above mentioned restricted compared with R404A. R452A
NT/NJ compressor series (ECN envelope, please contact Technical can be considered as an
R449A 2018 and ECN R448A Support for further instructions on alternative for the Embraco
2019), but with a more restricted how to adjust the thermal level of R404A product line (ECN
operating envelope than R404A the compressor eg.by reducing R452A 2016) with same
due to the higher internal return gas temperature. operating envelope of R404A,
thermal level of the compressor. but because of EPA SNAP
The restricted envelope for listings, its use in the US is
R448A/R449A is presented in limited to remote systems and
Figure 1. refrigerated transport.
Tc
150
Operation Condition
140
Transient Condition
130
Tc Condensing Temperature °F
120
Te Evaporating Temperature °F
110
100
90
80
Te
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Fig.1 Restricted R448A/R449A Envelope (max. return 68°F)
In addition, customers always and relative system design during the transition period just
have the option of converting adjustment. by changing compressor models
systems from R404A to R134a In addition, customers always and relative system design
during the transition period just have the option of converting adjustment.
by changing compressor models systems from R404A to R134a
12HFC Transitional Solutions
R134a REPLACEMENT
Both proposed alternative blends GWP replacement refrigerant for
mentioned below (R450A and R134a systems (see ECN R513A
R513A) can be considered at this R450A 2017 and ECN CR/2966/
stage as an acceptable lower en–18/10).
Table 10 Alternative Blends Physical Data
R134a R450A R513A
TYPE HFC HFC blend HFC blend
SAFETY CLASS A1 A1 A1
BOILING TEMP @ 1atm -15°F -11°F -20°F
CRITICAL TEMP 214°F 223°F 208°F
BUBBLE-DEW @14.5 PSIA 0R 0,9R 1.4R
Table 11 Embraco Evaluation Summary
R134a R450A R513A
GWP 1430 547 573
CAPACITY Ref Lower Same
EFFICIENCY Ref Same Same
RELIABILITY Ref Same Same
LUBRICANT POE POE POE
MOTOR TEMP Ref Same Same
DISCHARGE TEMP Ref Same Same
13Warning Warning Statement About Use
of Flammable Refrigerants (A2L,
A3) with Embraco Compressors,
approved for A1 Safety Class
Refrigerants (R134a, R404A, etc.)
Embraco is currently producing
hermetic compressors for use
with A3 and A2L refrigerants to
replace high-GWP HFCs. However,
it is important to note that:
1. 4.
Embraco compressors designed Embraco offers a full portfolio of
and approved for non-flammable compressor models for R290, the
refrigerants (A1 class), cannot be refrigerant considered the best
used with any type of flammable option for both systems with a 5.3
refrigerants, including both A3 oz (150g) charge limit as well as
and A2L class refrigerants. those where new charge limits are
already in force.
2.
Until new charge limits are adopted 5.
under the relevant standards, Embraco declines any responsibility
present regulations allow the use for compressors used without
of up to 5.3 oz (150 g) of A3 safety approved refrigerants, and warns
class flammable refrigerant per that potential reliability issues,
refrigeration circuit. such as motor overheating and
electrical component malfunction,
3
could occur with the use of
Given the above-mentioned charge
unauthorized refrigerants.
limitations and considering that
all flammable refrigerants require
the same design, manufacturing,
and maintenance precautions, we
strongly recommend the use of an
HC solutions wherever technically
possible.
14Performance It is important to consider that system operating conditions; a
Evaluation refrigerants with significant mid-point approach should be
glide have to be treated used. How to define mid-point
differently than in the past. A temperature is illustrated Figure
dew point pressure approach 2 below.
cannot be used to define actual
Fig.2 Mid-point Temperature Chart and Formulas
15Conclusions Hydrocarbons (isobutane-R600a R513A and R450A are approved
and propane-R290) represent as alternatives to R134a for use
the best long-term solution for during the transition period in
both low and medium pressure specific Embraco R134a series
light commercial self-contained (see ECN R513A R450A 2017
applications. Expected safety and ECN CR/2966/en/18/10).
legislation changes will remove R1234yf is also an acceptable
some of the existing roadblocks alternative for R134a also for
related to charge limits for the long term, but due to its
flammable refrigerants. flammability, can be used only
As for the transition period, R448A with specifically designed models.
and R449A mixtures can be used
on specific Embraco R404A
series with restricted envelope
(see ECN R448A 2019 and ECN
R449A 2018). R452A can also be
considered as an alternative (see
ECN R452A 2016) but only for
transport and remote applications
in the US.
CURRENT TEMPORARY FINAL
REFRIGERANT SOLUTION SOLUTION
R404A R452A** R290*
■ Embraco Approved Refrigerant
R507 R407C R455A
■ Under Approval Process
R448A*** R454C
■ Not Approved
R449A*** R744
R134a* R744
* different displacement
**only remote and transport
***with restricted envelope
R134a R134a R1234yf
R513A R600a*
R450A R290*
R744
16General Trends
Light Commercial
Segment from
Embraco’s Prospective
LIGHT COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION
WATT 150 - 5000
REGION/YEAR TODAY 2022 2025
AMERICA
EUROPE
HC JAPAN
CHINA
REST OF THE WORLD
AMERICA
EUROPE
HIGH GWP JAPAN
HFC’s CHINA
REST OF THE WORLD
AMERICA
EUROPE
LOW GWP JAPAN
HFC’s CHINA
REST OF THE WORLD
AMERICA
EUROPE
CO2 JAPAN
CHINA
REST OF THE WORLD
■ MAIN REFRIGERANT
■ REGULAR USE
■ NICHE USE
■ NO CLEAR
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