Here we go again.
And here we go again! The revised EU Fluorinated Gas regulation introduces bans and quotas on HFCs as well as changes in supply and leak test regimes. This will force industry to move away from high global warming potential (GWP) HFCs with a speed and uncertainty we have not seen in previous phase out scenarios.
Bans and restrictionsThe service bans and restrictions on the use of some HFCs in new systems are quite clear. From 2020 we will not be able to use HFCs with a GWP greater than 2500 to service systems over 40 tonnes CO2 equivalent. This equates, for example, to a system charged with 10.2 kg R404A. We will be able to use recycled R404A until 2030 – if we can get it. There will soon be bans on using HFCs in many new systems, dependent on GWP, as show in the table below. | The concept of CO2 equivalent The revised F Gas regulation uses CO2 equivalent to determine bans and leak test regimes. The CO2 equivalent of a system is simply the GWP of the refrigerant multiplied by the weight (mass) of refrigerant in the system. Consequently the revised regulation has a greater impact on high GWP refrigerants. |
Year |
Max GWP |
System type |
2015 |
150 |
Domestic fridges and freezers |
2020 |
2500 |
Commercial fridges and freezers |
2022 |
150 |
Commercial fridges and freezers |
2020 |
Value |
Most HFC stationary equipment |
2022 |
Central plant for commercial use (retail, food services) > 40 kW Exception - cascade high stage, GWP > 1500 |
|
2020 |
Moveable room AC |
|
2025 |
Single split < 3kg |
The quota system
Year |
Phase down % |
Average GWP |
2015 |
100% |
2300 |
2016-17 |
93% |
2139 |
2018-20 |
63% |
1449 |
2021-23 |
45% |
1035 |
2024-26 |
31% |
713 |
2027-30 |
24% |
552 |
2030 |
21% |
483 |
The impact of the phase down may be greater than shown if, as expected, the requirement for refrigeration and air conditioning increases within Europe.
So the effect of the quota system will be to phase out high and medium GWP refrigerants, but it will be market driven and not simple to predict in terms of timescale and availability. In the UK we will be affected by HFC demand in the rest of Europe, making the situation even less predictable.
Phase out and alternatives
Some of the replacements, such as the R407 series (GWP approximately 2000), are actually better refrigerants, but their life is probably limited to a few years by the quota system. The longer term replacements are probably HFO blends, of which there is a proliferation as the chemical companies brew their own blends.
Other changes
- The supply of HFCs is now restricted to companies which are registered. This means they have to employ certificated engineers and have appropriate equipment;
- Non hermetic systems which are pre charged with HFC (e.g. split AC) can only be installed by a registered company;
- The leak test regime is now based on the CO2 equivalent of the HFC charge in a system. The effect of this is more frequent leak testing of high GWP refrigerants (such as R404A), and less frequent testing for low GWP systems.
In conclusion
For more information:
Cool Concerns Ltd, www.coolconcerns.co.uk, +44 (0)1684 290333.