1. Foundation to HCFC R22 Phase Out

The EC Ozone Regulation (EC/2037/2000) gives the administrative system to EU Member States to meet their commitments under the Montreal Protocol, which was the worldwide understanding drawn up to stop the harm to the ozone layer. The most hurtful ozone-exhausting substances (e.g. CFCs like R12) were prohibited in the 1990s. New gear utilizing less destructive “transitional” HCFC refrigerants like R22 was prohibited in 2001 (or 2004 for little air conditioning and cooling frameworks). Up until the point that the finish of 2009 it is as yet legitimate to utilize virgin HCFCs to benefit and keep up existing refrigeration and ventilating (RAC) gear. Be that as it may, under the Ozone Regulation such utilize will soon be restricted in EC Member States. See Information Sheet RAC 3 for subtle elements of the lawful commitments. The two key eliminate dates are:

From first January 2010 it will be unlawful to utilize virgin HCFCs to benefit RAC gear. Note, this boycott applies regardless of the possibility that HCFC was bought before the boycott date. It is illicit to store and utilize any provisions of virgin HCFCs after the finish of 2009.

From first January 2015 it will be illicit to utilize reused or recovered HCFCs to benefit RAC gear. It ought to be noticed that provisions of reused or recovered HCFCs might be extremely restricted

what’s more, extremely costly. See Section 5 beneath for more points of interest. The fast approaching prohibition on the utilization of virgin HCFC gasses speaks to an undeniable business danger to any organization which utilizes refrigerants like R22 or R408A in their procedures or air conditioning and cooling frameworks. R22 stays a standout amongst the most usually utilized refrigerants in the UK such a large number of associations will be influenced by the boycott. Divisions at most serious hazard incorporate the sustenance and drink industry, petro-chemicals, pharmaceuticals, well being, accommodation, fund and information handling. Run of the mill applications can fluctuate generally, yet cases incorporate refrigeration frameworks in grocery stores, impact chillers, cool stores and process coolers and many sorts of building ventilation. A considerable lot of these applications are completely basic to the proceeded with operation of their proprietor’s business.

It ought to be noticed that the bans depicted above allude to the “utilization” of HCFCs. This particularly implies use for overhauling and support. It will stay legitimate to keep utilizing RAC hardware containing HCFCs past the eliminate dates giving they don’t require support that includes putting any HCFCs once again into a framework. Given that most refrigeration frameworks hole to a specific degree, every single current client of HCFC frameworks must build up an arrangement to deal with their operations without virgin gas after December 2009. Doing nothing is not a manageable alternative. Given the genuine ramifications and potential costs, organizations ought to take after a key approach. This is presented in Section 2. The present EC Ozone Regulation has been under survey amid 2009. Another Regulation has been concurred by EC Member States and is because of come into compel on 1 January 2010. The new Regulation somewhat changes the standards for proceeding with utilization of HCFCs in RAC frameworks – see Section 6 for additional subtle elements.

2. HCFC Phase-Out Strategy

The six point design beneath gives a model to an effective eliminate technique: Evaluate the Risk – Identify all frameworks containing HCFCs and gauge their related business chance. Organize – recognize the most business-basic frameworks and address these first. Be that as it may, don’t disregard all alternate frameworks, these must likewise be overseen. Decide the Phase-out Solution – on a plant-by-plant premise, distinguish the most fitting stage out arrangement. These are probably going to can be categorized as one of three principle alternatives: Replace, Convert or Leave As-Is. These are depicted in more detail in Section 3. Each plant must be surveyed against various choice criteria to distinguish the ideal arrangement. These incorporate framework sort, age, condition, accessibility and vitality proficiency (see Section 4 for subtle elements). Arranging and Budgeting – build up a Phase-out Plan, with eliminated usage of the Phase Arrangements. Contingent upon the extent of your operation, it is probably not going to be conceivable or attractive to convey out every one of the activities without a moment’s delay. This should be done in relationship with your refrigeration contractual worker, so as to guarantee their own particular responsibility. Execution – do the arrangement, with checking and general audit. Overseen Use of Recycled HCFCs – because of the brief timeframe before the finish of 2009, it is likely that numerous HCFC frameworks will even now be in operation after the utilization of virgin HCFC gasses is restricted. Clients of these frameworks ought to deal with their own supplies of reused HCFC gas or secure a supply of recovered HCFC gas (see Section 4). At the point when frameworks are either supplanted or changed over, the recuperated gas will be expected to benefit any frameworks as yet utilizing HCFCs. Likewise, the proceeded with utilization of frameworks containing HCFCs will be liable to controls like those of the EC F gas Regulation (normal release testing, incite repair by qualified faculty and record-keeping) – see Section 6.

3. Eliminate Solutions

Subsequent to recognizing all frameworks utilizing HCFC refrigerants, every one ought to be surveyed against choice criteria and doled out one of three fundamental Phase-out Solutions. These are:

3.1. Supplant

Some old frameworks, incorporating those that are in poor condition, wasteful or not meeting their current (or figure) cooling load, ought to be supplanted with new frameworks utilizing a non-ODS refrigerant. These can incorporate HFCs (however these must conform to the EC F gas Regulations) or a “characteristic” refrigerant like hydrocarbons, smelling salts or carbon dioxide. This choice can have various essential advantages, in particular the chance to altogether enhance vitality productivity. It might likewise be conceivable to lessen the charge of refrigerant, either by utilizing new “basic charge” frameworks or by utilizing auxiliary coolants. Substitution is however liable to be the most costly choice in advance cost terms (around 10 times more than a transformation).

3.2. Change over

For some sorts of RAC framework, which are in great request, it will be conceivable to prescribe a Convert Arrangement. This covers a scope of activities, from a moderately basic “retrofill” operation (utilizing one of the “administration” or, then again “drop-in” HFC refrigerants that are perfect with the framework’s current mineral oil) to a more far reaching adjustment to a standard HFC refrigerant (which will require another sort of oil at any rate, what’s more, may require extra compressor and additionally warm exchanger limit). There are various “drop-in” gasses offered by the principle refrigerant providers (HFC 417A, HFC 422A, HFC 422D are a portion of the primary ones). They are however all blends, with segment gasses which bubble at somewhat unique temperatures and weights – a wonder known as “skim”. This is regular with a considerable lot of the other HFC refrigerants (which are broadly utilized as a part of direct development frameworks) what’s more, the industry has gotten comfortable with this property. There is not, be that as it may, a perceived “retrofill” answer for overflowed or pump-course frameworks. In the event that you have an overflowed HCFC framework, at that point you should approach your refrigeration contactor or a free specialist at the earliest opportunity.

3.3. Leave As-Is

This is not a “do nothing” choice. It is just appropriate if: (an) an ensured supply of reused HCFC is guaranteed; or

(b) the framework speaks to no business-basic hazard. Case (a) might be suitable in the event that it is not down to earth to either Replace or Convert the framework. This might be genuine if, say for an extensive petro-substance plant, close downs just happen at regular intervals and the refrigeration framework must be continued running meanwhile. This is however a hazardous choice, since spills are unusual both in recurrence and scale. Case (b) might be suitable for say little split air on and cooling frameworks in non-basic workplaces. These frameworks are regularly exceptionally solid and may keep on operating without inconvenience for a long time. They would then be able to be supplanted generally rapidly and economically with new frameworks utilizing a non-ODS refrigerant.

4. Choice Criteria

The choice to either Replace, Convert or Leave a HCFC plant ought to be founded on various criteria. There is no programmed choice calculation and an adjusted appraisal must be made of each

foundation for each plant. These criteria will include: Framework Type – does the framework utilize “coordinate extension” or an “overwhelmed” evaporator? Coordinate development (or, on the other hand DX) frameworks might be reasonable for change to a HFC substitution gas, however overwhelmed frameworks require facilitate thought. This is an imperative refinement and requires an appraisal by an experienced refrigeration or air con and cooling engineer. Age – refrigeration and air con and cooling plant more than 20 years of age are probably going to be moving toward the finish of their common life and ought to presumably be supplanted. Frameworks under 10 years ought to presumably be retrofilled. The greater part of HCFC frameworks will be between 10 to 20 years of age and these ought to be surveyed further. As a further guide, if a framework has already been changed over from R12 or R502 to R22, at that point this ought to likewise be supplanted and not changed over a moment time. Condition – if a framework has been all around kept up and is in great condition, this would have a tendency to be more appropriate for a Convert arrangement. Records of refrigerant spillage are critical markers to the probable achievement of a “retrofill” operation. Meeting Current Requirements – because of the quick rate of progress in numerous businesses, numerous refrigeration frameworks are never again working inside their unique outline particular. This is probably going to encroach on working execution, unwavering quality and vitality proficiency. The HCFC Phase Out presents a chance to Replace the framework (or adjust it) to meet the current and gauge application prerequisites.