ACR Journal

The RAC Engineer’s Guide to Low GWP Refrigerants 8 Trafford Park, Manchester. In a first for the Co-op, another trial took place at a new convenience store in Derby. This featured an A2L-ready pack running on Opteon XL20 (R454C) with a GWP of 148. The supermarket was looking for the lowest possible GWP alternative to using R404A. Again the A2L did not disappoint and the trial was a success. Independent study An independent study on A2Ls involving Wave Refrigeration was also commissioned by Chemours. This revealed that Opteon XL20 and Opteon XL40 could be superb alternatives to high GWP refrigerants in different climates. Comparisons were made on typical supermarket installations in several climates including the moderate temperatures of Leicester and the hot conditions of Seville, Spain. In both cases the results were impressive. Running costs were lower, there was significantly less impact on the climate and energy costs were also reduced. The study highlighted the fact that Opteon XL refrigerants clearly offered a viable alternative to high GWP gases or natural refrigerant options. While some sectors of the refrigeration industry have been slow to respond, the supermarkets have realised that meeting the high GWP challenge is a priority. Trials and independent studies have taken place which have revealed excellent results in using the A2Ls in large and small store operations. The supermarkets understand that making the switch to low GWP refrigerants is good for business, as customers demand that their goods and services be produced and delivered in more environmentally-friendly and less wasteful ways. Store installations In a trial involving A2Ls and ASDA at a Shell store in Leeds the results were impressive. The system ran on Chemours’ Opteon XL40 (R454A) with a GWP of 238. With XL40 the GWP dropped by 94 per cent when compared with using R404A (GWP 3922). The cooling performance was maintained and there was improved energy efficiency. The results were put to good use in the first live installation of XL40 in a new ASDA store at A2L Refrigerants Mark Hughes, Business Development Manager for refrigerants’ manufacturer Chemours, on how A2L refrigerants are already making their mark with the major supermarkets. The major supermarket chains have shown that the new frontier refrigerants mildly-flammable A2Ls, can play a key role in meeting the demands of the F-Gas Regulations.