1. INDO-US WORKSHOP ON HYDROFLUOROCARBONS (HFCs)
Indian Industry Perspective on Alternatives to HCFCs for Air Conditioning Sub-sector
P.K. Mahindra
REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION (RAMA)
18 February 2011, New Delhi 1

2. REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION (RAMA)
AIMS & OBJECTIVES:
To Promote overall growth of Air-conditioning &
Refrigeration Industry in India, keeping in mind the larger economic goals of:
Maximizing investments in India
Maximizing job creation in India
To conduct & facilitate research on Air Conditioning & Refrigeration industry
To partner with Indian & Foreign Associations for Growth of the Industry 2
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

3. Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011
INDUSTRY SIZE
Air Conditioning & US$ (billion)
Commercial Refrigeration:
Air Conditioning Systems 3.2
Commercial Refrigeration 0.5
Servicing
TOTAL 4.0
Domestic Refrigerators:
Total
RAMA members account for over 90% of the industry size for Air Conditioning & Commercial Refrigeration and over 70% of domestic refrigerator market. 3
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

4. AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT
SUB SECTORS
1. Room air conditioners
2. Ducted Systems
3. Chilled water systems
(air & water cooled)
4. VRF air conditioning systems
5. Precision & Telecommunication
6. Rail Coach Air Conditioning 4
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

5. AIR CONDITIONERS SUB SECTORS
GROWTH STORY 5
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

6. Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011
ROOM AIR CONDITIONERS
GROWTH STORY
Production:
2005 : 1.5 m (Actual)
2009 : 3.3 m (Actual)
2013 : 9.9 m (Estimate)
2015 : 17.0 m (Estimate)
Demand Growth (Annual):
2005 ~ 09 : 22% (Actual)
2010 ~ 12: 32% (Estimate)
2013 ~ 15: 31% (Estimate)
Penetration Level (p. capita):
2005 : < 2 (Actual)
2013 : (Estimate)
2015 : (Estimate) 6
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

7. ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS CHARACTERISTICS
PARAMETER
R 22
R-410A
R-407C
R 134A
R 32
R 290
Safety Category as per ASHRAE A1
 A1
A1 
A2L A3
Flammable Limits in
Air (vol.%)
None
14.4
2.1
GWP
1810
2,088
1,774
1,430
675 3
Glide oF 0 
0.2
9.7
Compressor Energy Effic. Ratio (HCFC 22 %)
100%
102 – 105%
95 – 101%
95 – 97%
Yet to be established 
97 – 99%
Capacity (HCFC 22 %)
149 – 155%
98 – 105%
65%
160% 
85%
Heat Transfer
Baseline 
Higher
Lower
Higher 
Same
Pressure Drop
Lower 
Tubing Size
Smaller
Larger
System Performance (HCFC 22 %)
95 – 100%
97 – 98%
95 – 97%  %
Redesign Required
Major
Minor
Major  7
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

8. EVALUATION OF REFRIGERANTS
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
• R-410 is a blend with a small temperature glide (0.2C)
• System Efficiency is lower than that of HCFC-22
• Smaller compressor and heat exchanger due to lower flow rate
• Higher sub cooling (8%)
• Increased manufacturing cost
• Lower critical temperature of R-410A limits its use in higher ambient
• System efficiency 98 ~ 105%; improvement by better design
• Higher thickness and smaller internal size of tubes due to higher system pressures
• Higher vacuum levels during manufacturing, servicing
• Full system evacuation, gas charging required during servicing
Sub sectors : Room Air conditioner, Ducted
systems, small Chiller Systems 8
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

9. EVALUATION OF REFRIGERANTS Sub sector : Large chiller systems
HFC-134a
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
• Single Component refrigerant ; does not have disadvantages of mixtures
• Higher coefficient of performance as compared to R 410A and CO2
• System size is bulky compared to HCFC-22 based systems due to 40% lower refrigeration capacity
• Consumes more materials increased system costs
• GWP concerns
Sub sector : Large chiller systems 9
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

10. EVALUATION OF REFRIGERANTS
PROPANE (R-290)
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
• Low climate impact (GWP:3)
• Good thermodynamic performance compared to HCFC-22, especially in lower ambient
• Comparable pressure and COP to HCFC-22
• Improved pressure ratio LBP, discharge temperature, and volumetric capacity compared to HCFC-22
• Serious Safety concerns in enclosed environments (flammability) ; permissible limit: 2.1% of air volume
• Large investments at production facilities for leak testing, charging, and general safety
• Major redesign of the air conditioning equipments
• Safety during servicing a major concern
Pilot Project under evaluation; commercial
Production and related issues to be resolved 10
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

11. VIABLE OPTIONS FOR AIR CONDITIONING SUB SECTORS
Application
Viable Option
Ductless Room Air Conditioners
Home, small offices
R -410A (HFC)
Ducted System
Institutions, Commercial
R- 410A, R-407C (HFCs)
Telecom Air Conditioner with Precision Air conditioner
Information Technology back offices, Telecom equipment
R- 410A (HFC)
Chiller - Air Cooled
Central Systems
R -410A, HFC-134a (HFCs)
Chiller - Water Cooled
HFC -134a (HFC)
VRFs (Variable Refrigerant Volume)
Rail Coach Air Conditioner
Railways, Metros
Others Marine & Defence
Special purpose 11
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

12. Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011
CONCLUDING REMARKS
HFCs, like R-410A, HFC-32 and HFC-134a are the only Technically proven and Economically viable Alternatives to HCFC-22 for all the Air-Conditioning Applications
R-290 being highly flammable may be applied for very small capacity units with lot of safety precautions: limited application
There are no other technically proven and economically viable options Available for the industry. Some work is reported on low GWP HFOs and HFC mixtures. The time frame of such R & D work is unknown and may have a number of barriers:
Flammability Issues
Toxicity issue especially toxicity of products on dissociation
Availability at comparable prices 12
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

13. CONCLUDING REMARKS (cont.)
The phase-out of HCFCs relies only on the use of technically proven and economically viable solutions ; currently HFCs are the widely used refrigerants to replace HCFCs in most of the developed countries including USA.
Air-Conditioning Sector is very price sensitive and Refrigeration and Air-conditioning (RAC) Industry is to provide cost effective solutions to cater the needs of Industrial and for GDP growth in the country.
The RAC Industry can’t afford frequent changeovers as it involves huge capital investment
The RAC industry has a very challenging task ahead ; to cater the needs of growing demand and decision of capital investments 13
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

14. Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011
WAY FORWARD!
The Indian industry look forward for interacting with the US RAC industry to deliberate about the feasible solutions especially to comply 2013 & 2015 control targets under the given of technically proven, economically viable, environmentally benign refrigerants.
As the changeover requires large capital investments especially in growing markets like India, there is a need to have comprehensive studies and dialogues on technologies likely to be available in a given time horizon at affordable price.
There should be mechanism to fund transition to low GWP refrigerants as and when these are viable 14
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011

15. And the Journey continues for a Sustainable Growth15
Indo-US Workshop on HFCs-18th Feb.2011