Number
236-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Building and construction work
Electricity, steam, gas water supply and sewage treatment
Manufacture of rubber products
Manufacture of plastics products, including compounding and conversion
Other
Function
Refrigerants
Process
Other
Product category
Heat transfer fluids
other
Application
Cooling systems
Abstract
Two Danish companies have started a production of medium to large cooling units (50-400 kW) that utilize simple hydrocarbons as refrigerants instead of hydrofluorocarbons. The two companies make about 150 units per year, mostly for the domestic market but exports to other countries have started.
Substituted substances
Hydrofluorocarbon gases
CAS No. EC No. Index No.
Chemical group
Hydrofluorocarbon gases
Other adverse effects
Strong greenhouse gases
Alternative Substances
Propane
CAS No. 74-98-6 EC No. 200-827-9 Index No. 601-003-00-5
Chemical group
Hydrocarbon, aliphatic, saturated
Classification: hazard statements
H220 Extremely flammable gas
Isobutane
CAS No. 75-28-5 EC No. 200-857-2 Index No. 601-004-00-0
Chemical group
Hydrocarbon, branched, saturated
Classification: hazard statements
H220 Extremely flammable gas
Reliability of information
Evidence of assessment: there is evidence of an official (positive) assessment of the substitution
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
ecotoxicity
physical hazards
Hazard Assessment
Substances to be substituted: HFC refrigerants are Green House gasses with global warming potential (GWP) values between 50 and13,000) they contribute significantly to the obstruction of the ozone layer. Alternative substances: Natural refrigerants are short chain hydrocarbons (GWP-values < 20). Propane is a flammable gas.
Description of Substitution
Chillers with hydrocarbons. Two Danish companies have started the production of hydrocarbon chillers in the medium to larger range (50– 400 kW). The two competing companies make about 150 units per year, and most of the units are installed in Denmark, but exports to e.g., Norway, UK and Germany have started. The energy efficiency is better than that of HFC systems (about 10 %) and the price is about 20 % higher compared to HFC systems. In Denmark and Norway, the price is the same as for HFC systems due to the tax on HFC refrigerant. The payback time for countries without tax is typically one to two years. A number of hydrocarbon chillers are nowused to cool the new University Hospital in Aarhus (Skejby) DK, and in addition, two high-temperature heat pumps produce hot water at 80°C using hydrocarbon as working fluid.
Case/substitution evaluation
Chillers using compressible hydrocarbon gases are becoming more prevalent on the market. Although using flammable gasses (H221), the technology has proven to be significantly safe as well as having much less impact on global warming and not being ozone depleting. Natural refrigerants have proven to be safe, cleaner and use less energy than their HFC counterparts.
State of implementation
In use
Availability ofAlternative
On the market
Producer/Provider
www.sabroe.com www.bundgaard-koleteknik.dk
Type of information supplier
Authority
Producer / distributor
Contact
Danish Environmental Protection Agency www.mst.dk
Type of publication and availability
Official documents. Free download as pdf.
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021