Optimising refrigerant management is an important consideration in industrial refrigeration systems for sustainability managers looking to decarbonise their operations because refrigerants have a significant impact on the system's energy efficiency and carbon emissions.
Refrigerants are chemicals that are used in the refrigeration cycle to absorb and release heat. However, many common refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), have a high global warming potential (GWP), which means that they contribute significantly to climate change. Therefore, reducing the use of high-GWP refrigerants and improving refrigerant management practices can have a significant impact on the system's carbon footprint.
Optimising refrigerant management can involve several strategies, including:
Selecting low-GWP refrigerants: Choosing refrigerants with a lower GWP, such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) or natural refrigerants like ammonia or carbon dioxide, can significantly reduce the system's carbon emissions.
Reducing refrigerant leaks: Refrigerant leaks are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing leak detection and repair programs, and regularly maintaining and inspecting the refrigeration system can help to minimise leaks. If a refrigeration system does not have the correct refrigerant, ie a undercharged refrigeration system, efficiency can be reduced by as much as 50%.
Proper refrigerant handling and disposal: Properly handling and disposing of refrigerants can help to minimise their impact on the environment. This can include recovering and recycling refrigerants when possible, and ensuring that any refrigerants that are disposed of are done so in an environmentally responsible manner.
Implementing refrigerant monitoring and reporting: Monitoring refrigerant usage and emissions can help to identify opportunities for further optimisation and track progress towards decarbonisation goals.
By optimising refrigerant management practices, industrial refrigeration systems can reduce their carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency, and improve their overall sustainability. Furthermore, optimising refrigerant management can also help to reduce operating costs, improve system reliability, and minimise the risks associated with using high-GWP refrigerants. It is possible using sensors that refrigerant leaks can be identified very early in addition to leak detection systems which can be less sensitive.