Selwyn Wallace describes the uses and value of Engas hydrocarbon refrigerants

1. SelwynWallace
General Information on
Hydrocarbon Refrigerants
Natural
Refrigerants

2. CONTENT
• General Introduction
• HC Refrigerant Safety
• Case studies
• Summary
April, 2016 Engas Australasia Pty Ltd2

3. GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd3
• There are only five natural refrigerants
• Engas manufactures, distributes and specializes in only HC refrigerants
• HC refrigerants are natural, non-toxic and have minimal global warming
potential
• HC refrigerants are more efficient. Lower pressures, higher performance.
• Recognised by the World’s leading industry bodies such as ASHRAE (American
Society Heating Refrigeration Air Conditioning Engineers) and ARA(Australian
Refrigeration Associations).
• They have designated refrigerant numbers such as R290, R600a, R1270, &
R170 etc…
April, 2016

4. HYDROCARBON REFRIGERANT SAFETY
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd4
• The application of flammable HC refrigerants can be done safely as with any
other type of refrigerant
• HC refrigerants are flammable – HCs are used safely throughout the world for
cooking, heating, powering vehicles and as aerosol propellants for hairsprays,
deodorants, whipped cream and cooking sprays etc
• All refrigeration and air conditioning systems using chemical refrigerants
become flammable due to the oil mixing with the refrigerant as it travels
around the system
• Most chemical refrigerants produce toxic by-products and poisonous gases
when they are burnt or over heated
• HC refrigerants do not spontaneously combust on contact with air
April, 2016

5. Three Elements need to coincide
1. There needs to be a release of
hydrocarbons
2. The HC needs to mix with the
correct proportion of air, the
range of flammability being
between 2 and 10%. Outside of
these limits combustion cannot
occur
3. An ignition source exceeding 460
degrees Celsius must be present.
** If one of these three elements is
eliminated, combustion cannot
occur**
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd5 April, 2016

6. FLAMMABILITY
Chemical
Refrigerant
ºC
R22 740 ºC
R12 885 ºC
R134a 647 ºC
R290 475 ºC
R600a 480 ºC
Oil 262 ºC
September, 2015 Engas Australasia Pty Ltd6
• All refrigerants burn
• Lubricant is the first fluid to ignite
• When lubricant burns the temperature produce is in
the region of 2000ºC
• When HC refrigerants burn the by-product is
steam and carbon
• When chemical refrigerants burn (CFC’s,
HCFC’s and HFC’s) the fumes or by-products
given off are highly toxic

7. UNDERSTANDINGTHE FLAMMABLE
TRIANGLE
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd7
• Here we have all the three elements
in place to have the potential for a
fire or ignition
• You MUST have ALLTHREE for any
risk to occur
April, 2016

8. UNDERSTANDINGTHE FLAMMABLE
TRIANGLE continues…
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd8
• Here we have only two of the three elements required to cause fire or ignition
• Remove any one of the three element, an incident CANNOT occur
April, 2016

9. FLAMMABILITY continues…
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd9
• All refrigerants are dangerous and require safety measures
• Although most refrigerants are flammable given the right conditions, some
are more flammable than others
• Toxicity does not give a clear judgement on which substance is lethal
• For example:-
Ammonia is classified as a toxic refrigerant, however its distinctive smell will give an
early warning so that it will not be lethal.
• Although R-22 is considered a safe refrigerant, many have been suffocated
from it due to its lack of odour or smell.
• HCs have been used in plant rooms as fuels for over a century and there are
accepted standards for their use in large quantities.
April, 2016

10. PerformanceCharacteristics
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd10 April, 2016

11. Energy Efficiency Comparison
11 April, 2016 Engas Australasia Pty Ltd

12. General Comparison
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd12 April, 2016

13. ENGAS CASE STUDIES
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd13
• 251 AdelaideTerrace, Perth
• Citibank House, Perth
• Bosch & Siemen’s, China
• Elite Food Company, Perth
• Elite Food Company, BuildingOne
• Lidcombe Ice
April, 2016

14. 251 AdelaideTce
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd14 April, 2016

15. Citibank House
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd15 April, 2016

16. Elite Foods
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd16 April, 2016

17. Elite Foods
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd17 April, 2016

18. Bosch Siemens China
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd18 April, 2016

19. Lidcombe Ice
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd19 April, 2016

20. THE FUTURE OF REFRIGERANTS IN
AUSTRALIA
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd20
• All existing Fluorocarbon Refrigerants will be phased out in some shape or form
• PresidentsObama and Xi reached agreement in principle early Jun 2013 to use the
institution of the Montreal Protocol and its proven methods to phase down the use
of HFC chemical refrigerants by 2030
• G20 group representing 85% of global economic activity includingAustralia signed
an agreement in Sept. 2013 to phase down the use of HFC refrigerants by 2/3 below
present levels by 2030
• The European Union phase down has already started (2014) and HFCs have to be
79% gone by 2030
• In Paris, December 2015 – 195 countries agreed to phase down HFCs and other
chemical refrigerants
April, 2016

21. SUMMARY
Engas Australasia Pty Ltd21
• There are many benefits that do arise from converting old refrigeration and air
conditioning equipment to operate on hydrocarbon refrigerants
• These include savings on both capital and operating costs of the refrigeration and
air conditioning equipment for end users
• Hydrocarbon Refrigerants can be apply correctly and safely just like all other
refrigerants
• So by choosing Natural Refrigerants over Chemical Refrigerants you can gain an
immediate financial benefit.You will also help our children and grandchildren to
have a brighter future.You will contribute to the welfare of many future
generations
April, 2016

22. Thank you
Selwyn Wallace