R22 Legislation If you operate an air conditioning system, refrigeration plant or a water chiller that is more than 5 years old, it may contain refrigerant R22.

R22 refrigerants are widely used throughout process chiller, air conditioning and refrigerant plants, although this legislation affects any company that sustains the need for or has a high requirement for R22 refrigeration. Studies have shown that R22 refrigerants have a detrimental effect on the ozone layer, resulting in excessive UV levels. Due to this, it is possible that R22 refrigerants may contribute to further environmental damage. The extent to which R22 refrigerants contribute to global warming is still the subject of intensive debate, although many affected companies have taken the opportunity to comply with the new regulations earlier than planned. This is being demonstrated at two levels: Firstly, the majority of R22 refrigeration units are at least one third of their way through their foreseeable life. As existing R22 refrigeration systems begin to require modernisation, the majority of companies are choosing to phase these out rather than go to expense of needlessly repairing or maintaining them. Secondly, unlike the R22 refrigerants, each new factory build/extension will now use refrigerants such as R410A, R404A, R407C which have zero ozone depleting potential. These refrigerants are also proven to be more energy efficient than the R22 refrigerant and are therefore a wiser and more popular choice for the companies in question.

What are my company's alternatives to R22? Most companies that are affected by the R22 legislation will have a policy to specify only the following environmentally friendly refrigerants are incorporated in new equipment: R410A, R404A and R407c. The chosen alternative is decided at business unit level and is usually dependant upon the business' requirements towards energy efficiency.

When do the changes have to be completed? Although many companies have undergone or are in the process of exchanging their R22 refrigerants, huge conversions still need to be undertaken to ensure that the 2015 deadline for completely phasing out R22 refrigerants is accomplished.

Controls Over Use of HCFCs From 01/07/1995 - HCFCs will be banned except as solvents, as refrigerants, for the production of rigid insulating foams and integral skin foams in safety applications, in laboratory uses, including research and development, as feedstock in the manufacture of other chemicals and as a carrier gas for sterilisation substances in closed systems. From 01/01/1996 - HCFCs will be banned in the following uses: in equipment produced after 31/12/95 as: refrigerants in non-confined direct evaporation systems; refrigerants in domestic refrigerators and freezers; in motor vehicle, tractor and off road vehicle or trailer air conditioning and inroad public transport air conditioning. From 01/01/1998 - HCFC use will be banned in equipment produced after 31/12/97 for rail public transport air conditioning. From 01/01/2000 - HCFC use will be banned in equipment produced after 31/12/99 for use as refrigerants in public distribution and cold stores and warehouses and as refrigerants for equipment of 150kW and over shaft input. From 01/01/2001 - HCFCs are banned in all other refrigeration and air conditioning equipment produced after 31/12/2000, with the exception of fixed a/c equipment, with a cooling capacity of less than 100kW where use shall be prohibited from 01/01/2004 and of reversible air conditioning / heat pump systems where the use of HCFCs shall be prohibited from 01/01/2004 in all equipment produced after 31/12/2003. From 01/01/2010 - The use of virgin HCFCs shall be prohibited in the maintenance and servicing of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment existing at that date. From 01/01/2015 - The use of recycled HCFCs will be prohibited in the maintenance and servicing of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment existing at that date.

Thermocold Ltd is able to assist you with all aspects of this operation, and offer any necessary advice on any work required. Please contact us for further details 01380 859 248 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Zero ODP ‘Drop In’ Replacements Background As HCFC refrigerants have an ozone depletion potential they fall under the EC regulation 2037/2000. This regulation places a number of limits and controls on the manufacture and use of HCFC refrigerants in all EC member countries, leading up to an eventual EC phase out. For the refrigeration and air conditioning industry the use controls and phase out timetables for HCFC refrigerants are summarised as follows. No new RAC systems can be installed using HCFC's as their cooling fluid since 2001, and barring a few exceptions up to 2004. As these dates have all now passed HCFC's can only be used for the servicing of existing RAC installations. No new HCFC's can be supplied after the end of 2009, but re-cycled HCFCs are allowed to be supplied after this time, currently up to the end of 2014*. HCFC 22 / R22 R22 is a widely used refrigerant that can work at low medium and high temperature applications, because of this wide versatility and other factors it became the most commonly used cooling fluid in the RAC industry. While it would be good if R22 could be replaced with just one new refrigerant, this is simply not possible when looking at all the factors required of an ideal replacement, environmental concerns, energy efficiency, safety, ease of use to name just a few. What is clear is that the refrigerants market will polarise further and there will not just be a need for in kind replacements but a number of lesser known technologies will come into play. This raises a number of questions as to how we proceed up to 2009 and again up to 2014 with the exiting equipment in use on HCFC refrigerants, primarily R22, or blends containing R22. One answer is to look at the lifespan of the equipment and if it is likely to be replaced during the next few years then the problem will take care of itself. If the equipment continues to be used after the end of 2009, is recycled HCFC's an option, can you guarantee that supplies are available if and when you may need them. Zero OPD ‘Drop in’ replacements These products may well be the solution for customers who wish to keep the existing equipment running, on the same oil type and have comparable (but not equal) levels of performance / efficiency, with the minimum of capital investment. The above statement is application dependant.

* All dates mentioned are published under EC 2037/2000 and are subject to change by the commission.

The replacements have no ozone depletion potential and work without major modifications to the existing RAC installation. It is fair to say that ‘drop in' is a very wide and often misused term, the new refrigerant should not be dropped on top of the old, no mixing of different refrigerants is in any way implied. Because R22 has such a wide and diverse range of applications it makes sense to check with your refrigerant supplier before embarking on a large scale project of refrigerant replacement, help and advice and possible case histories may well make the job a lot easier for all involved. We are offering two different products for each potential application, The RS blends are manufactured by Refrigerant Solutions Ltd and the ISCEON MO blends are manufactured by Du-Pont. The products are not identical and have different technical and commercial benefits. For further information, www.refsols.com or www.refrigerants.dupont.com A list of currently available zero ODP replacement refrigerants from A-Gas (UK) Ltd are as follows. RS 44 (R424A) ISCEON MO 59 / R417A Both of these products are to replace R22, primarily in direct expansion AC applications (both capillary and TEV systems) Will work in medium and low temp systems but there are other products to consider as well, preliminary information required first. RS 45 ISCEON MO 29 (R422D) Both of these products are to replace R22, primarily in water chillers. Will work in other applications but needs some preliminary information first. RS 52 (R428A) ISCEON MO 79 (R422A) Both of these products are to replace R502, or HCFC blends used for this application like R408A and R402A. May be suitable as a low temp R22 replacement. Similar performance to R404A and R507 RS 24 (R426A) ISCEON MO 49 / R413A Both of these products are to replace R12, although most of this work is now done in the UK, it can replace HCFC blends like R409A and R401A. Information in this note is for initial reference purposes, as a general guide for A-Gas / RPL + customers. 6 / 1 / 2006

BRA Fact Finder Number 14 R22 and HCFC Phase-Out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Regulation Warning

This European Regulation has been in force for some time but has tended to become forgotten as the industry has focussed on the new F-Gas regulations. There is some critical timing associated with the ODS regulation and it is important that all those involved with the distribution and use of HCFCs including R-22 are fully aware of the issues and take action now.

Background

Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 on (ODS) Ozone Depleting Substances came into force on 1st October 2000. This regulation has a number of impacts on the RAC industry: HCFCs have been banned in most new equipment since 1st January 2001 and all new equipment since 1st January 2004. Strengthened requirements were introduced around handling and prevention of leakage of HCFCs similar to those in the new F-Gas regulations that cover HFCs

Scope

The remaining parts of the regulation deal with the banning of use of HCFCs in the EU. The key points are:

• It will be illegal to use virgin HCFCs after 31st December 2009 for the maintenance and servicing of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. • As the regulation deals with a ban on use of virgin HCFCs there will be no possibility to stockpile these products. • A complete ban on use of all HCFCs including reclaimed/recycled product will be in place by 1st January 2015. Some of the HCFCs and blends covered by this legislation in addition to R22 are: R123, R124, R141b, R142b, R401A/B/C, R402A/B, R403A/B, R406A, R408A, R409A/B, R411B. In some cases these may also be known by the manufacturer’s trade name.

Industry action

Ensure that all those handling and using HCFCs are aware of the Ozone Depleting Substance regulations, that they are still relevant and what impact they will have as the ban on HCFCs approaches. Ensure that all those handling and using HCFCs have plans in place and are taking

action to be compliant with the regulations as the date of the HCFC ban gets ever closer.

Guidance and updated advice

A guidance document was published at: www.dti.gov.uk/files/file29101.pdf

This document provides a wide range of information on the regulation and what steps should be taken by all users of HCFCs. There is specific guidance on the steps to be taken by equipment owners around the ban on ODS. Unfortunately it has not been updated since it’s publication in 2000 and is somewhat out of date. Given below is an updated summary of the key steps that users in conjunction with their contractors should follow: • • •

Establish which HCFC refrigerants are being used and in what equipment Make plans as to the impact of the phase out of ODS on this equipment Take actions from the options below

. 1. Replace existing equipment with a new system. 2. Keep existing equipment operational with an alternative non ozone depleting refrigerant. a. There are a range of readily available retrofit refrigerants for direct replacement. Please consult your suppliers. b. HFC Retrofit options e.g. R134a, R404A, R407C, R507 but will require change to synthetic oil. c. Other refrigerants with component changes. (note: it is not possible to retrofit existing systems with CO2, Ammonia, Hydrocarbons and 410A) 3. In conjunction with 1) and 2) above, recover R-22 for recycling to use in remaining systems. 4. A planned mix of all the above options. 5. Do nothing. This is a very risky option. Remember – it is illegal to stockpile virgin HCFCs for use after 1st Jan 2010. Those doing nothing will be dependant on obtaining supplies of reclaimed/recycled R-22. It is recommended that consultation be made with suppliers of reclaimed/recycled R-22 to ascertain that the required quantity and quality of material will be available.

ACT NOW AS TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Wholesalers and distributors will begin running down stocks of R-22 and particularly HCFC blends during 2009.

Other sources of information

FETA/BRA is part of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB). ACRIB has produced a flyer that can be downloaded from: www.acrib.org.uk/web_images/documents/legislation_updates/ODSPhaseoutguide.pdf October 2007

British Refrigeration Association 2 Waltham Court, Milley Lane, Hare Hatch, Reading, Berks RG10 9TH Tel: 0118 940 3416 Fax: 0118 940 6258 Email: [email protected]

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