Page 19 - Climate Control News Nov 2019

Compressors, Condensers & Evaporators
Safe handling of components for flammable refrigerants
THE ASSOCIATION OF European Refriger- ation Component Manufacturers (Asercom) has published safe handling guidelines for the use of flammables in compression refrigera- tion circuits.
The association said the handling of compo- nents for flammable refrigerants “involves nu- merous risks” but their use is important to com- ply with the F-Gas Regulation.
“The purpose of this guide is to provide com- mon interpretation of the demands to and appli- cation of components in vapour compression systems which use flammable refrigerants with- in the frames of the HVACR standards in the EU,” Asercom said.
“As flammable refrigerants play a big role in the phasedown of refrigerants related emis- sions this guide will facilitate the design of low GWP systems.
A fresh future
“Specifically, the guidelines are for the safe handling of components used in com- pression refrigeration circuits with flamma- ble refrigerants.”
Asercom president Wolfgang Zaremski said although safety regulations document how sys- tems must be built, installed and maintained, the component manufacturers in Asercom have noticed a high degree of uncertainty among re- frigeration and air conditioning specialists when dealing with flammable refrigerants.
“Flammable refrigerants have been used in millions of household applications for decades. The filling quantity in household appliances is limited to 150 g per system. Industry and the associated service sectors are now faced with a new challenge: the increased use of flammable refrigerants means that larger fill quantities are required, which, if handled incorrectly,
LRT/VCT REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT has future-proofed its business by upgrading its cold storage facility.
An ammonia compressor package was installed at the fresh produce storage facility by Sutton Re- frigeration with equipment provided by Actrol.
BITZER designed the refrigeration system with full commissioning from BITZER after sales support company, Green Point.
The BITZER ACP Ammonia compressor unit is connected to a Plate Heat exchange package chilling glycol to be circulated through the chill- er units. This simple design minimised refriger- ant charge while using BITZER’s latest develop- ments in Ammonia Compressor Packages (ACP).
Asercom has noticed a high degree of uncertainty among installers when dealing with flammable refrigerants.
pose a significantly higher risk potential.” The guidelines outline specific conditions un- der which flammable refrigerants can be used and points out that the installer must always un- dertake a comprehensive risk assessment of the
installation.
This means that he must design the installa-
tion in accordance with the safety requirements described in the application-specific safety regu- lations. Asercom also provides instructions on specifying the requirements for handling com- ponents for flammable refrigerants.
“It is therefore advisable to prepare early for the changeover to flammable refrigerants. Ap- propriate training and the resulting skills are crucial for safe handling,” Asercom said.
The organisation has also issued a warning to stop using R-404A/R-507A in new equipment.
Visit asercom.org
PROJECT AT A GLANCE
400 kW Refrigeration capacity @ -8sst/35sct
ACP-8551K-2V 2 compressors powered by 2x75kW motors and Low charge Ammonia/Glycol heat exchange package equipment was used for the project
LEFT: The project has led to increased efficiencies and greater reliability.
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS
NOVEMBER 2019
19