The refrigerant transition: An essential guide for installers and service techs

While the industrial refrigeration landscape initially appears free from issues related to low global warming potential refrigerants, we believe there is still potential for innovation in this sector. Due to its excellent efficiency and the relatively straightforward pump circulation technology, Ammonia is the preferred refrigerant for industrial refrigeration. Anticipations are high for its expanding usage in other sectors, driven by the growing demand for sustainable refrigerants.
Yet, there are scenarios in which ammonia encounters limitations in acceptance, primarily because of its toxic nature. Concerns related to location, among other factors, may result in requests to impose restrictions on the quantity of ammonia that systems can be charged with.
Subsequently, the quest for an alternative solution arises, aiming to minimize efficiency loss best possible. This is where technologies for limiting the circulation rate, dry expansion or related solutions come into play. Implementing ammonia as the primary refrigerant paired with CO2 as the coolant yields remarkably impressive performance metrics, particularly in contrast to brine systems. In varying climate zones, transcritical CO2 systems may emerge as a viable alternative. Hence, the excitement in this segment persists.

Commercial Refrigeration (CR) and Food Retail (FR) applications are diverse regarding systems types and refrigerants used. They includes cold rooms, glass door merchandizers, and display and islands cabinets, either in centralized or plug-ins—hermetic or autonomous cooling circuits with condensing units.

Hermetically sealed applications are suited for using low-GWP refrigerants, which are safe due to their low charge amounts. Many of these systems already use hydrocarbons like R600a and R290. The EU phasedown has required GWP values below 150 since 2016.

Condensing units have a refrigerant charge that is typically between 5 and 20 kg. Safety in regard to flammability is imperative as many of these systems can be accessed by the public.

High-GWP refrigerants like R404A have been used for many years, but new alternative, A1-classified HFCs have a GWP of less than 60% of R404A. Nevertheless, the impact of higher compressor discharge temperatures on the operating envelope and the impact of refrigerant glide on cooling performance present new challenges. We believe that the market will move to lower GWP solutions like CO2, R290 (Hydrocarbons), or HFO blends.