“Operators should see the phase-out of CFC, which begins as of 2010, as a chance to convert to natural refrigerants such as ammonia, carbon dioxide or hydrocarbons”, says Monika Witt, Chairperson of eurammon, the European Initiative for Natural Refrigerants. On the occasion of the upcoming abandonment of CFCs, users and planners of refrigeration facilities can contact eurammon via e-mail (HCFC-phaseout@eurammon.com) for answers to questions concerning planning, authorization and operation of equipment with natural refrigerants.
Even though initial investments in equipment using natural refrigerants may be higher, viewed over the entire life cycle of such facilities, the costs are lower than systems that use synthetic refrigerants. The reason is that due to their high energy efficiency – ammonia is considered to be one of the most efficient refrigerants of all – such refrigeration solutions need little current and pay for themselves after only a few years. In addition, investments in natural refrigerants will be safe in the future, because in contrast to CFCs, they will not be subject to regulation or even bans. In regard to climate protection, natural refrigerants have no competition. They do not significantly contribute to global warming and thus protect the ozone layer.
Alternatives that use natural refrigerants already exist for many applications. For low temperatures, carbon dioxide is frequently a good choice, while ammonia is especially suited for industrial processes over –35 °C. Propane is often used in the chemical industry and increasingly in supermarkets. It is particularly good for temperatures over –40 °C. In addition, there are also mixtures such as Azeotrop R723, which is comprised of ammonia and dimethyl ether. It enables, for example, the use of air-cooled condensers even in higher temperature areas.
During the course of the next years, politics and the general public will exercise even more pressure on the refrigeration industry to develop safe refrigerants that emit the least possible greenhouse gases. After this, only very minimal amounts of CFCs will be allowed, and with clearly defined leak rates. In addition, the industry will develop hybrid solutions from CFCs and natural refrigerants, e.g. for applications in normal temperature ranges.
eurammon is a European initiative with private as well as industrial and institutional members; their common interest is a commitment to the increased use of natural refrigerants.
As a competence center for the application of natural refrigerants in refrigeration technology, the initiative sees its tasks as offering a platform for information and exchange as well as increasing familiarity with and acceptance of such resources. The initiative’s goal is to promote these agents in the interest of a healthy environment and thus to push further development of sustainable management in refrigeration technology.
