By Jim Parsnow
Environmental Systems Marketing
Carrier Corporation
Solutions to improve the quality of life and sustain the environment often belong to the corporations who have the technology, resources and global reach. A good example of such a solution is the application of refrigerant HFC-134a for refrigeration chillers. As the industry phases out chlorine based refrigerants that destroy the ozone, choices for the future are limited. Basically the industry is left with about six compounds that could be used for fluorocarbon refrigerants. Of these six, HFC-134a is the only compound that is being applied to equipment in singular compound form. The remaining five compounds will be mixed to form zeotropes and azeotrope blends.1
kW/Ton Vs. Year Centrifugal Chillers |
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HFC-134a is a highly efficient thermodynamic refrigerant in application. Current centrifugal chillers using HFC-134a are 21% more efficient than chillers sold just six years ago and 35% more efficient than the chillers installed during the 1970's and 1980's.
These chiller efficiency gains can be attributed to the new technology that has been applied to provide solutions. This applied technology will continue to improve the efficiency of refrigeration equipment for the future. The improved efficiency will have a great environmental affect on climate change as we replace older equipment and lower the consumption of power generated from fossil fuel burning plants. Carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide generated by burning these fuels account for over 55% of the emitted greenhouse gases.
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The smaller size and ability to design chillers
in a bolt together modular form means the equipment has less impact on the building
environment when replacing existing equipment. Knocking holes in buildings, digging
up parking lots and disposal of the scrap can be eliminated when you can fit the
equipment through the standard entrances. The oil used in the chiller is a waste
material which is reduced by use of HFC-134a. HFC-134a lacking the chlorine element
does not use mineral oils in the system as CFCs and HCFCs do. The oil used is synthetic
and has superior properties to the older oils. Where a CFC or HCFC chiller design
would require the oil to be changed yearly and dispose the oil as waste, the HFC-134a
chiller may run for four to five years before a scheduled oil change. New technology
being applied to HFC-134a may eliminate the need for any oils in future equipment,
as designs may use the refrigerant (HFC-134a) as the lubricant.4
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Is HFC-134a a perfect refrigerant? There are no perfect refrigerants but HFC-134a
is definitely an "ideal" refrigerant in application. As we continue to
apply technology, HFC-134a will be the refrigerant of choice for chillers.
Jim Parsnow is Director Of Environmental Marketing for Carrier Corporation and
can be contacted at 315-433-4376 or by e-mail: jim.parsnow@carrier.utc.com
References:
1. Alternative Refrigerant Choices: Limited But Promising -- J.R. Parsnow, 11/97
2. ASME Pressure Vessel Code Overview, Carrier Catalog Number 819-054
3. Carrier Press Release, Baltimore, June 12, Carrier Positive Pressure Chillers
Attain 0.1 Percent Leak Rate
4. May, 1996 ASHRAE Journal -- New Bearing Has HVAC Implications
5. ASHRAE 15-1994: Safety Code For Mechanical Refrigeration -- available from ASHRAE
6. Lancet Medical Journal Epidemic of Liver Disease Caused by Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
23; August, 1997 issue
7. 3M Health Care Announces Use of HFC-134a In Meter Dose Respiratory Devices UNEP
IE 	 Ozone Action Newsletter
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