Adoption of Natural Refrigerants in South Asian Countries

Dr. Anshu Kumar

International Trainer

Actors influencing adoption of natural refrigerants

• Scientist

• Government

• Industry

• NGO

• UNEP, UNDP, UNDIO, World Bank

Present Scenario of developing countries

• Government policies

• Changeover

• Expensive Tools and Equipment

• Training

• Associations of the relevant field

Barrier • Project activities must be excluded from Govt. rules

• Awareness and media campaigning

• Duty exemption on new Tools and Equipment helping to save ozone layer

• More Training budgets

• Associations must owe the responsibility

• Licensing System

Solutions

Adaptation by Industry

• Godrej - India shifted to HC Blend for refrigerators in year 2000. Rest of the industry slowly and slowly shifted to R600a. (supported by INFRAS, Switzerland and GTZ, Germany). Few are on R134a

• Sri Lanka Singer Refrigerators (some models) changed to R600a at their own as industry was comfortable with R600a related safety.

• Bangladesh planned to switch over to HC600a refrigerators (Walton - USDOS bilateral project thru UNDP)

• Pakistan yet planning to change

• Visible coolers shifting the refrigerant to CO2 in India.

• Chest freezers have been shifted to R600a.

• Godrej – India changed the production of HCFC air-conditioners to R290. (GIZ-Proklima initiative)

• Bangladesh is planning to change HCFC based air-conditioners with R290.

Adaptation by Industry

R600a

R600a

R290

CO2

NH3

HCs

CO2

Cyclo –

pentane

NH3

R290

CO2

India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan – Production Sector Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives – Buyer Countries

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India HC-290 AC Project

Split and Window type Optimization of the model: Reduction of refrigerant charge

Optimization of capillary length Enlargement of condenser area but

reduction of tube diameter Energy efficient compressor

Performance improved significantly, with EER = 3.7

These models comply with EN378 for the following conditions:

• Floor Area: 14 m2; Unit installation height: 2.3 m

• Higher capacity (5000W) design is the challenge

Opportunities: • Avoid using HFCs with high GWPs (future of

HFCs in the global scenario is uncertain, with Kyoto Protocol and Montreal Protocol)

• Performance of HC-290 is comparable to the best (without inverter) in the global market

Challenges: •Complying with the existing international standards and to develop higher capacities •Design and develop safe HC-290 systems •Safety features include audible alarm and ODU isolation valves •Minimimise refrigerant charge using mini or micro channel HXs •Custom designed compressors for HC-290 with lower oil charge and refrigerant hold-up

Courtesy : Dr. Devotta

Associations

• Few associations across South Asia on Natural Refrigerants.

• In India Association of Ammonia Refrigeration (AAR) was formed in 2012 with an aim to promote safe use of ammonia as refrigerant through education, training, information and standards. AAR is National organization registered in Pune, Maharashtra, India with 16 corporate and 200+ individual members. They have provided training to 2000+ individuals

• Need of the hour to have more similar kind of associations on Natural Refrigerants.

Role of Agencies

• Technology transfer

• Financial Assistance

• International Expertise provision

• Training

• Industrial visits