Reducing refrigerant leakage now has international impact

The current ‘hot topic’, ironically enough, for the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), is the growing sensitivity from its members and the wider industry regarding reducing the environmental impact of medium and large scale refrigeration systems. Historically, owners of commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment have not considered leakage to be an issue worthy of major investment, as most systems continue to function (albeit less efficiently) even when subject to leakage.

Commercial cooling systems use about 16% of the UK’s electricity and are responsible for around 10% of green house gas emissions. The leakage of refrigerant gases from equipment also contributes significantly to this. However, European Regulation has been introduced on F-Gases (the most common refrigerants) that place a legal obligation on the equipment users to check and record leakage and to reduce it where technically and economically feasible.

IOR’s initiative ‘Real Zero’, is a set of technical guidance and tools back up with a recommended site survey methodology that can help operators ensure they are doing everything they can to reduce potential and actual sources of refrigerant leakage. The initiative has helped to significantly change practices for the site operators who took part in the initial research, and as a result there has been considerable reduction in leakage related to their equipment. The carbon savings realised across the trial sites equated to nearly 8,000 tonnes of CO2 (e) per annum which represents a massive 43% reduction in annual leakage.

“There we really two elements to this KTP project,” says Miriam Rodway, IOR Secretary, “the first part was focused on gathering together the underlying research, case studies, guidance notes etc and the second part was very much about embedding this knowledge into the industry.” The IOR training scheme, which instructs equipment owners, service and maintenance managers and contracting companies, has now been set up, designed to advise and educate the industry on reducing refrigerant leakage further. A series of one day workshops that take place throughout the year, build on knowledge gained through self study and culminate in series of online assessments, which are now being integrated into to national qualifications such as NVQs. “In addition we are developing an e-learning project to expand into Europe. We will be translating the REAL Zero material into 5 different languages and are rapidly moving from work-book type assessment into a complete e-learning solution,” comments Miriam.

Raising the profile of such a controversial issue as refrigerant leakage and its impact on the environment has been one of the major hurdles for KTP Associate David Cowan. “Previously, information on refrigerant leakage has been very difficult to come by because organisations were looking at their own problems on an individual basis, often not realising how it related to the rest of the industry. We are now working with major organisations that are willing to not only share information on what has worked well with us but also disseminate it to the industry as a whole.”

London South Bank University refrigerant experts, Professor Graeme Maidment and Dr Issa Chaer have been working alongside David and Miriam on this project, using their experience in refrigeration system design and environmental assessment to drive the project forward. “The IOR has seen Real Zero as a process rather than a one off initiative. The industry is making massive steps in recognising the financial, practical and environmental benefits of refrigerant containment. This KTP has lead to improved knowledge and education for the IOR and RAC Industry in general and is resulting in large scale reductions in carbon emissions. The material developed is now being disseminated internationally.” Dr Issa Chaer, David’s academic supervisor says “The national and international impact of this project has been amazing. This project has once again proved that LSBU is a leading knowledge and innovation HUB for delivering on applied refrigeration research.”