Presentazione del Dott. Stephen Yurek (Presidente AHRI) al XVI Convegno Europeo il 13 giugno 2015 - 3a sessione

1. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
The Global Refrigerant Transition: Good Science,
Good Judgment, Correct Choices
Stephen Yurek
President and CEO
Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute

2. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Working Together
• Three Priorities:

3. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Refrigerants Are Vital
• Vital to health, safety, productivity,
comfort
• Without refrigerants:
– No safe use/transport of medicines,
vaccines
– Cannot ensure productivity
– Cannot ensure availability of fresh
foods
– Cannot keep vulnerable people safe

4. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Research and Regulation Needed
• Including HFCs in Montreal Protocol
closer than ever to reality
– North American, EU, and Indian proposals
• Research is continuing, but narrowing
– Solutions for some applications
• New regulations are being enacted that impact timing
– U.S. EPA Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP)
– F-gas regulation in Europe
• Process to modify safety and building codes to allow use of
flammable refrigerants has begun

5. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Industry Is Not Waiting for Regulators
• We know that we need to transition from high-GWP to lower-
GWP refrigerants
• Industry announced $5 Billion
R&D effort at 2014 White House event
• Education and training is key
part of overall effort
– Numerous alternatives – different characteristics
– Major challenge for installer, maintenance, repair personnel

6. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Research: Low-GWP AREP Phase II
• Phase II Testing is ongoing at twenty three test companies:
– Equipment covered:
• Compressors (12)
• Air conditioning products including AC&HP, RTU, Chillers (14)
• Refrigeration products (5)
– Refrigerant Samples: total/in testing location (60/55)
– Testing: total/in testing or completed/not started (60/40/20)
– Reports: expected/submitted/approved (23/5/2)
• High Ambient Testing Initiative
– Collaborating with White House and DOE to enhance testing at
high-ambient temperatures

7. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Challenges Ahead
• There is no “magic” replacement for high-GWP HFCs
– Choices and tradeoffs must be made
– LCCP and not just GWP should drive decisions
• U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology
– Conducted comprehensive study of over 100,000,000 compounds to
evaluate use as a refrigerant
–
Found only 62worth further consideration after screening for
GWP, toxicity, flammability, stability and critical temperature
• AHRI-led Low-GWP Research Program should help provide a clearer
picture of suitable alternatives for each application

8. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
AHRI Flammable Refrigerants Subcommittee
• To develop a set of well understood application requirements
for the use of 2L refrigerants:
– Survey existing research and identify gaps that need to be filled
and organizations that we can collaborate to complete research
– Develop a roadmap in terms of priority and sequence
– Understand the comparative risk of 2L refrigerants to what we
accept today

9. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Time is Still Needed
• Commercial availability
– Refrigerants
– Components (e.g., compressors, valves, electronics) that are compatible
with new refrigerants
• Research and Production
– Time for equipment manufacturers to design and test equipment with
new refrigerants and components
– Time to retool manufacturing lines to produce new equipment
• Regulatory Approvals
– Approval to use refrigerants in specific applications
– Updates to standards and national and local codes to address the use of
A2L and A3 refrigerants
• Training
– Curricula and certifications need to be developed
– Technicians need to be trained on proper installation, maintenance, and
handling of new technologies and refrigerants

10. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Proper Installation and Maintenance
• In addition to direct emission of the refrigerants, improper
installation and lack of maintenance can result in a
40 percent loss of efficiency

11. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Global Refrigerant Management Initiative
• Launched in September 2014 by AHRI, the Alliance for
Responsible Atmospheric Policy, and ABRAVA (Brazil)
– Participation by refrigerant organizations in Australia, Canada,
China, Colombia, the EU, Japan, Mexico, and S. Korea
• Objectives
– Build awareness
– Develop best practices
– Develop training and certification for technicians on proper
management, servicing, and end-of-life practices

12. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Summary
• We understand and accept the need to
phase-down use of high GWP refrigerants
• We have a good record as an industry
– We must continue to work together to reduce
emissions by making the right choices
• We are working together for the betterment
of the world

13. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Thank you!