[This is part of a multi-part series on Refrigeration. Click here to read the first article.]
Now that we’ve reviewed the history of refrigerants, let’s look at the upcoming 4th generation of refrigerants.
Two major events set the stage for Gen 4 refrigerants. First was the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which was a global agreement to phase down HFCs. It was signed by some countries in 2016, and the United States ratified it in 2022. Secondly, the AIM Act was passed by U.S. Congress in 2020. AIM set a plan to phase down production and consumption of HFCs (R134a) by 85% from historic baseline levels by 2036. As HFCs are phased out, flammable refrigerants like R290 and R600 are the best viable options left.
The future is flammable, but what will that look like, exactly?
In previous refrigerant changeovers, the US government set a hard date for the switch. The AIM Act is taking a different approach by gradual limiting of the supply of the HFCs over a period of time. In theory, this should be less disruptive. Here are a few things we see coming with this change:
- Gen 3 (HFC) refrigerants will become increasingly scarce and expensive as the phase-out continues. Product support for Gen 3 components will also decrease over time.
- R290 and R600 will become more available and comparatively less expensive.
- R290 refrigeration systems will be more compact, perform better and be less expensive.
- Design emphasis and system optimization will be key.
- Industry leaders will key toward the future, seize the momentum, and reap the benefits. Meanwhile, others will play catch-up.
Companies like InSource with experience in designing and manufacturing refrigeration systems can help. Our staff can help you make the switch to the new refrigerants and optimize performance using R-290 and R-600A refrigerants. We can also help obtain agency approvals.
If your company needs some support and expertise with flammable refrigerants, send an email to fred.manz@insource.tech.
[Click here to read the next article in this series.]