FGas Regulation Revision Industry Impact Seamus Kerr BE

FGas Regulation Revision : Industry Impact Seamus Kerr BE, MEng. Sc, MIEI, MIRI seamus@rslireland. com www. instituteofrefrigerationireland. ie

Market feedback and challenges – Price of refrigerants – Supply of product – Alternative Refrigerants – HFC Phase Down – Training, Equipment and safety

Market feedback and challenges

Market feedback and challenges 115 MTonnes CO 2 equivalent

GWP AREA : Fgas Guide

Market feedback

Supply and demand • Quota – No refrigerant manufacturing or blending in Ireland – Very little Irish held quota – >90% of refrigerant into Ireland based on UK/other quota – Both Germany and Spanish associations have issued warnings about shortages.

Supply and demand example • British Refrigeration Association PURR report – Putting into Use Replacement Refrigerants – Estimate 11000 tonnes R 404 A installed in UK – 43 M CO 2 tonnes equivalent in R 404 A alone – R 410 A, R 22, R 134 a. . . – Germany, France, Poland, England + 24

Supply and Demand Example 115 MTonnes CO 2 equivalent UK R 404 A installed estimate

GWP and Phase down • • • • R 23 = 14800 R 508 B = 13396 (R 508 A) R 404 A = 3922 (R 507, R 422 D, R 422 A) R 407 A = 2107 (R 407 F = 1705) R 410 A = 2088 R 442 A = 1888 R 134 A = 1430 R 449 A = 1397 R 448 A = 1273 R 452 B = 675 R 32 = 675 R 1234 yf = 4, AC 5 = <100 CO 2 = 1 NH 3 = 0 R 600 a, R 1270 and R 290 = 0 2500 750 150

Low Temperature Applications -70 o • R 23 = 14800 • R 508 B = 13396 (R 508 A) • Current available HFO alternatives : None • Quota holders not wasting quota on R 508 • Future alternative : – Ethane R 170 – Ethylene R 1150 • Hydrocarbons, extremely flammable – – – New system required Very few systems readily available Atex Regulations Engineering support limited Walk in room, no alternative currently

R 404 A and R 507 (R 22) Alternatives • • • (Restricted supply chain, shortages already) R 404 A = 3922 (R 507, R 422 D, R 422 A) R 407 A = 2107 (R 407 F = 1705) R 410 A = 2088 (not suitable for retrofit) R 442 A = 1888 R 134 A = 1430 (not suitable for retrofit) R 449 A = 1397 75% quota material R 448 A = 1273 R 452 B = 675 (not suitable for retrofit) R 32 = 675

R 404 A and R 507 (R 22) Alternatives • • • R 404 A = 3922 (R 507, R 422 D, R 422 A) R 407 A = 2107 (R 407 F = 1705) R 410 A = 2088 (not suitable for retrofit) R 442 A = 1888 R 134 A = 1430 (not suitable for retrofit) R 449 A = 1397 R 448 A = 1273 (Patented product, supplies limited) R 452 B = 675 (not suitable for retrofit) R 32 = 675 (not suitable for retrofit) • Supplies not guaranteed • Prices will rise • Alternative Lower GWP Refrigerant properties are different – TX valve changes/adjustments – Higher discharge temperatures

R 410 A Alternatives • R 410 A = 2088 • R 452 B = 675. A 2 L aimed at new equipment • R 32 = 675 : A 2 L for new equipment • • • Supplies not guaranteed Product most likely to become unavailable (SK) Most likely first applications needing equipment change. Prices will rise Currently no lower GWP retrofit available

Alternative long term refrigerants – HFO • R 1234 yf (ze, zd etc. ) – Ammonia NH 3, R 717 – CO 2, R 714 – HC (R 290 A, R 600, R 1270) – A 2 L Low GWP refrigerants – Others

Alternative long term refrigerants – HFO • • R 1234 yf (ze, zd etc. ) Expensive production process Unknown long term environmental impact R 134 a replacement - HFO blends • Expensive production process • Unknown long term environmental impact • Not readily available on market yet

Alternative long term refrigerants – CO 2, R 714 • • • Most popular replacement refrigerant so far 10 yrs experience in Ireland in small % of contractors Increasing number of contractors “trying it” Very very high pressures Poor energy performance (reports of 8 to 14% higher energy usage) Most solutions aimed at the supermarket sector Smaller solutions coming Complete equipment change Big investment in training needed Lack of training/experience is dangerous

Alternative long term refrigerants – NH 3, R 717, Ammonia • • • 80+ yrs experience in Ireland in small % of contractors Increasing number of contractors “considering it” Standard pressures Good energy performance Toxic Most new solutions aimed packaged chiller market Smaller solutions coming (equipment available) Complete equipment change Low level of training required

Alternative long term refrigerants – Propane, R 290 • • 40 yrs experience in Ireland in small % of contractors Increasing number of contractors “trying it” Standard pressures Good energy performance Very flammable Most solutions aimed at very small applications Bigger solutions coming (equipment available) Complete equipment change

Alternative long term refrigerants – A 2 L (Low GWP refrigerants) • • Very little experience in Ireland (first plant arriving this summer) Increasing number of contractors “trying it” Standard pressures Good energy performance Mildly flammable? Most solutions aimed at split air conditioning (<750 GWP) Complete equipment change

Excerpt from my presentation in April 2012 • • Main Challenges – Refrigeration Industry ready? • Skills • Equipment • Training/Certification – Industry ready? • Investment • Safety • Timing Main Challenges – Time scale – Technology – Supply

Future ? • Supply shortages • Massive prices increases • Skill shortages • Technology lag • Training lag • Phase down will be too severe and will have negative economic impact

Thank you. seamus@rslireland. com