2_Title Slide

Hydrofluorocarbon Phase Down: What to

Expect Over the Next 15 Years

February 22, 2022

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST
Poll Question

What is your role?

A. Building owner or facility manager

B. Equipment manufacturing

C. Research

D. Government
Moderators

Dr. Marcus Bianchi

Senior Research Engineer / National Renewable Energy Lab

Dr. Ryan Meyer

Research Engineer / National Renewable Energy Lab
3
Agenda

1 BBA Space Conditioning Team Updates

Dr. Michael Deru, National Renewable Energy Lab

2
Understanding and Navigating HFC Regulations for
Building Owners

3 Steve Kujak, Trane Technologies

The Next Transition is Underway

4 Q&A
BBA Space Conditioning (SC) Team: Updates

Dr. Marcus Bianchi Dr. Michael Deru Dr. Ryan Meyer Kelsea Dombrovski
Senior Research Engineer Group Manager, Research Engineer Project Controller
Technical Team Lead Communities and Urban
Science

Contact us: bba.spaceconditioning@nrel.gov

SC Team: Recent Accomplishments

• Expert Presentation by Dr. Michael Deru for the Better Buildings

Sustainable Corrections Infrastructure Partnership (January 2022)
SC Team: Forthcoming

Healthy Buildings Guide for Small Businesses

Healthy Buildings Guide:
• How can small business owners and property managers Small Businesses
ensure healthy air in their spaces?
Space Conditioning Resources
HVAC Resource Map

HVACResourceMap.net
Space Conditioning Resources
Decarbonizing HVAC and Water Heating in Commercial Buildings

• This resource can be used as a starting

point when conducting the technical,
economic, and feasibility assessment for
converting to all-electric heating solutions.

• The attractiveness of facility electrification

will vary substantially by region, climate,
utility rates, existing systems, and other
factors.

https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/resources/decarbonizing-hvac-and-water-heating-commercial-buildings
Poll Question

What is your familiarity with the required refrigerant phase down?

A. Brand new to me

B. I know a little

C. I know quite a bit

D. I have a plan for the phase down

Technical Presentations

Dr. Michael Deru, National Renewable Energy Lab

Understanding and Navigating HFC Regulations for Building Owners
Understanding and Navigating
HFC Regulations for Building
Owners
Michael Deru
Better Buildings
February 22, 2022
HFC
Regulations
Overview

NREL | 15
 Global phasedown of HFCs is expected to avoid 0.45°C warming by 2100
Why HFCs
Matter

World Meteorological Organization. 2018. Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project—Report No. 58 NREL | 16
 Packaged HVAC (RTUs, split systems, VRF, etc.)
HVAC
Refrigerants Refrigerant Safety Group 20-year GWP 100-year GWP
R22 A1 5280 1760
R410a A1 4,260 1,924
Alternate Refs.
R32 A2L 2,430 677
R454b A2L 1,675 466
R466a A1 733

Chillers

Refrigerant Safety Group 20-year GWP 100-year GWP

R22 A1 5280 1760
R134a A1 3,710 1,300
Alternate Refs.
R513A A1 1,633 572
R1233zd A1 1 <1
R1234ze A2L 1 <1 NREL | 17
Natural
Refrigerants
Safety
Refrigerant Group Uses Notes
Air-to-water heat
R744, CO2 A1 pumps, refrigeration High pressure system
Refrigerators, stand
R290, Propane A3 alone cases, small A/C Very efficient, limited to 150 g
Large refrigeration and Very efficient, limited
R717, Ammonia B2L chillers applications

NREL | 18
 Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Clean Air
Act (1970)

Section 608

EPA CAA Section 608 fact sheet NREL | 19

Clean Air
Act (1970)

Section 612

Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP)

• Identify and evaluate refrigerant alternatives
• SNAP 20 and 21 set in December 2016 then repealed in March 2018

NREL | 20
 U.S. Climate Alliance
State HFC • 25 states, 55% of the population
Regulations • 10 states have finalized
HFC rules

NREL | 21
Source: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/christina-theodoridi/states-keep-steady-course-hfc-regulations
CA HFC
Rules

• 40% reduction of HFC emissions below 2013 levels by 2030

• Commercial refrigeration new and retrofit projects GWP < 150 in 2019 to
2021 depending on system type
• New residential and commercial HVAC GWP < 750 starting in 2024
• New chillers GWP < 150 starting in 2024
• Prohibited refrigerants under these rules (shortened list):
– 404A, 407B, 507A
– 410A, 134A
• Maintenance and record keeping requirements for system charges > 50lb

California makes up one-eighth of U.S. HFC emissions NREL | 22

 American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, 2020
AIM Act, • HFC phase down of production and consumption (85% by 2036)
Dec 27, • Maximize reclamation and minimize releases from equipment
• Restrictions by sector to facilitate the transitions
2020 • Does not impact existing systems
HFC
Phase
Down

NREL | 23
 Name Exchange Value (GWP)
AIM Act HFC–134 1100
HFC–134a 1430 Key refrigerant blends
HFCs HFC–143 353 R404a – R125/143a/134a (44/52/4)
HFC–245fa 1030 R410a – R32/125 (50/50)
HFC–365mfc 794 R454b – R32/1234yf (68.9/31.1)
HFC–227ea 3220 R466a – R32/R125/R13I1
HFC–236cb 1340 (49/11.5/39.5)
HFC–236ea 1370
HFC–236fa 9810
HFC–245ca 693
HFC–43–10mee 1640
HFC–32 675
HFC–125 3500
HFC–143a 4470
HFC–41 92
HFC–152 53
HFC–152a 124
HFC–23 14800 NREL | 24
Reclaimed Refrigerants

Source: EPA Reclamation Workshop, 4/26/2021

Additional Information
• EPA certifications and regulations
– https://www.epa.gov/section608
– https://www.epa.gov/snap
– https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction
• California SNAP
– https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/california-significant-new-
alternatives-policy-snap
• Quick review of refrigerant alternatives
– https://www.hvacknowitall.com/blogs/blog/563404-alternative-refrigerants-for-
hvac-industry#.YPcCNudMGMo
• Summary of refrigerant alternatives from Europe
– https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/f-gas/alternatives_en

NREL | 26
Technical Presentations

Steve Kujak, Trane Technologies

The Next Transition is Underway
 The Future of Refrigerants

Steve Kujak
Director
Next Generation Refrigerant Research
28

Distinguish Lecturer Series

Version 02122022
Agenda - Outline

• Brief History of Refrigerant

• Sustainable Refrigerant Selection & Challenges
• Review of Lower GWP Refrigerant Options For Various HFCs
• Summary & What Refrigerant Actions Should or Can I Take Now?

R1234yf
A2L GWP <1

30
Background – Articles on Regulatory, Basics & Flammability

ASHRAE Journal
May 2017

ASHRAE Journal ASHRAE Journal

May 2018 Nov 2022

31
Brief History of HVAC&R Refrigerants

Ozone Global
Depletion Warming

Thomas Midgley Albert Henne

1st Generation 2nd Generation 3rd Generation 4th Generation

“What Ever Worked” “Safety and Stability” “Ozone Protection” “Global Warming”

1830’s – 1930’s 1930’s – 1990’s 1990’s – 2030 2010 - 2050

• Limited applications • Innovation enabled Preserved 2nd gen. • Fewer choices

mainly industrial exponential societal innovations, safety, • Safety and design
• “Poor safety & cost” improvements stability and efficiency challenges

• NH3 • NH3 • NH3 • NH3

• CO2 • CFCs and HCFCs • HCFCs & HFCs • Low GWP HFCs & HFOs
• Various Hydrocarbons o R11 o R22 o R1233zd(E)
• H 2O o R12 o R123 o R1234yf & R1234ze(E)
• Sulfur Dioxide o R22 o R134a o HFC/HFO blends
• Methyl Chloride (R40) o R502 o R410A • Renewed “Natural” interest
o R404A o CO2
o Many Blends o Hydrocarbons

Societal Demands for Lower Climate Impacts of Refrigerants Continues to Drive Innovations
Sustainable Refrigerant Selection
& Challenges

33
Refrigerant Replacement Challenge
Today Primary Challenge
Balancing Key Factors for;
•Direct Refrigerant GWP
Safety •Efficiency (Indirect GWP)
•Safety
Low
De Minimis Emissions
ODP (leaks)

•Transition Costs
•Intellectual Property
Lowest Minimal
Indirect GWP Environmental
(efficiency) Impacts

•Product Sustainability
(TFA)
Lowest
Direct GWP

Last Transition Challenge

Challenge: Selecting Refrigerants with Best Balance (Sustainability)

Flammability Greatest Challenge for this Transition – Not in All Cases 34
ASHRAE Standard 34
Safety Classification of Refrigerants
• Toxicity
Burning
Velocity
 A or B Based > or = to 400 ppm
(cm/s) Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) Dividing Line
 Class A, most refrigerants, like R134a
BV>10  Class B, R123 and ammonia are examples
• Flammability
 Class 1, Non-flame propagating most refrigerants used
today, like R123, R134a, R404A, R410A, etc., called
BV≤10
nonflammable
 Class 2L, Lower Flammable Class 2’s <10 cm/sec burning
velocity, most new HFO’s, R32, R1234yf
BV=0
 Class 2, more flammable, R152a
 Class 3, explosive, like propane (R290), Isobutane (R600a)

Flammability is a Continuum without Specific Limits

“Flammables are Flammable” 35
Closer Look – Flammability of Refrigerants vs GWP

Flammable Refrigerants Required For Some Applications

to Achieve a Low GWP Refrigerant Future 36
 Refrigerant GWP Requirements – Impact of GWP Cap and Phase Down

~2000 GWP - Baseline

90% 90

80%
70%
Today ~1200 GWP
60% 60
% of baseline

50%
40%
USEPA ~600 GWP
30% 30
Rule
20% 20 ~300 GWP
2023 15
10%
0 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034 2036 2038 2040 2042 2044 2046 2048

Interim Adoption/Retrofit of Alternatives Likely & Required for Smooth Transition

Final Goal Requires Average to be <300 GWP to Allow for Growth
37
Review of Lower GWP Refrigerant
Option for Various HFCs

38
 Toolbox of <10 GWP Next Generation Refrigerants

R1234yf R1233zd(E)
A2L GWP <1 A1 GWP 1

R1336mzz(E)
R1224yd(Z)
R1234ze(E) R514A A1 GWP <6
A1 GWP 1
A2L GWP <1 Azeotropic B1 GWP<2

R1132a R1123 R13I1

Along with
A2 GWP <1 A2L GWP <1 A1 GWP <1 Carbon Dioxide (R744) – A1
Ammonia (R717) – B2L
Hydrocarbons (R290, R600, R600a) – A3

6 New Molecules/9 Older Molecules - HFOs, HCFOs, HCOs, IFC, CO2, NH3, HCs
Many of Which are Flammable
39
Efficiency of <10 GWP Refrigerants in the Toolbox

Many of these are Blended to Optimize Properties

Efficiencies of New Refrigerants Generally Similar to or Better than Current HFCs 40
Closer Look – Viable Lower & Ultra Low GWP Alternatives

Flammable Refrigerants Required For Some Applications to Achieve

a Low GWP Refrigerant Future 41
 Low Pressure Alternatives
R123 and R245fa Replacements
Alternatives Attributes
• Most Low GWP (<10)
• Non-flammable
• Good efficiency
• Near design compatible
alternatives available
• Near R123 and R245fa capacities
• All with no glide
• Issues: none
R-123 a

R1233zd(E), R514A and R1224yd(Z) – Good Choices Nonflammable, GWP <2, High Efficiency
All These Candidates Considered “Long Term Solutions”
R514A & R1233zd(E) Products Available in Market Place. R1224yd(Z) Emerging 42
 KW/ton

0.5
0.52
0.54
0.56
0.58
0.6

2012 Q1
2012 Q3
2013 Q1
2013 Q3
2014 Q1
2014 Q3
2014 Q4
2015 Q1
2015 Q2
2015 Q3
2015 Q4
Introduction of R-1233zd(E)

2016 Q1
2016 Q2
2016 Q3
2016 Q4
2017 Q1
2017 Q1
2017 Q2
2017 Q3
2017 Q3
Introduction of R-514A

2017 Q4
2018 Q1
2018 Q1
2018 Q2
2018 Q3
2018 Q3
2018 Q4
2019 Q1
2019 Q1
2019 Q2
2019 Q3
2019 Q3
2019 Q4
2020 Q1
Efficiency Impacts – Large Centrifugal WC Chillers

2020 Q1
2020 Q2
No Efficiency Impacts – Continued Improvement
Phaseout of R-123

Non-Flammable Options – Early Adoption Possible

2020 Q3
2020 Q3
2020 Q4
2021 Q1
2021 Q1
2021 Q2
43
Medium Pressure Alternatives
R134a Replacements
Alternatives Attributes
• Flammability
o GWP 300-600 nonflammable
o GWP <150 flammable
• Good to ok efficiency
• Near design compatible alternatives
available
o Near R134a capacity (R513A & R516A)
o R1234ze(E) = -25% capacity
• All with no glide (azeotropes)
• Issues: Lower superheat than R134a
R513A & R515B (nonflammable) and R1234ze(E) Good Choices
R513A Products Available In Market Place (USA) – ZE, 515B, YF in EU
44
High Pressure Alternatives
R404A Replacements
Alternatives Attributes
• Flammability
oR452A, R448A, R449A, R407’s (Nonflams)
oR454A, R454C, R455A leading flams
oR600a, R290, leading hydrocarbons
• Efficiency - equal or greater
• Design compatible alternatives available
oR452A widespread use in Transport
• Issues: High glide, high CDT, <150 GWP
lower capacity, all flammable
• No low glide blends for low temperature
refrigeration flooded evaporator chillers
R448A, R449A, R452A Good Interim Candidates (Nonflammables)
Innovation Still Needed and Underway <150 GWP Possible – Tradeoffs
All Options Have Glide – Some Applications Struggling (Flooded Evaps & Ice Makers 45
High Pressure Alternatives
R410A Replacements
Alternatives Attributes
• Flammability
oR32, R452B, R454B & C are all 2L
oR466A first nonflammable <750 GWP
• Efficiency - equal or greater
• Near design compatible alternatives available
oR466A (Nonflammable), R32, R454B, R452B
• Many with glide
oMost R410A like with low glide (0 to <2K)
oR454C is R407C like (5 to 6K)
• Issues: No <300 GWP “R410A Like” Candidates
• Issues: <300 GWP “R404A Like”, but with high glide/CDT
R-454B & R-32 Primary “Interim” GWP Phasedown Refrigerants
Innovation Still Needed and Underway to Achieve <300 for All Products 46
Summary

47
Summary
The Transition is Underway – Lower GWP Refrigerant Options Available & Expanding
Smooth Transition Likely: Phasedown Successfully Underway in Other Countries (EU & Japan)
Lower GWP Fluorocarbon Refrigerant Technology Available to Achieve HFC Goals
o Non-Flammable Lower GWP and Ultra Low GWP (<10) Refrigerant Products Available and In Use Today
o Interim Lower GWP (<750 to <1500) Refrigerants Adoptions Required to Facilitate Transitions
o Widespread Use of Flammable Refrigerants Required to Achieve Final Phasedown Goals
 Remember – Flammables are Flammable No Matter the ASHRAE Classification (Class 2L, 2 and 3)
 Standards and Building Codes will be ready by 2024 to support the transition
o Flammable Lower GWP and Ultra low GWP Refrigerants Products Available and in Use Today
 Small Portable Appliances, Cars, Refrigerators and Freezers That Only Require Small Refrigerants Charges
 Larger Charge Products using Flammables Available Once Standards and Codes Implemented

Use of Natural Refrigerant Expanding

o Ammonia (R717) continues in US. Carbon dioxide (R744) trials accelerating/maturing in specific applications
Hydrocarbons common in small portable appliances
Expect more product fragmentation by refrigerant. A single refrigerant may not be used from
small to large capacity products
Reaching final GWP goals (>85%↓) requires more refrigerant technology innovation 48
 What Refrigerant Actions Should of Can I Take Now?
Low GWP refrigerant innovation is an on-going balance of known science and proven
technologies. There are some long term ultra low GWP solutions available today.
Finding the safest, best balance that enables the LOWEST emissions, the HIGHEST efficiency
and the LOWEST life-cycle costs is key.
 Take a balanced approach during regulatory uncertainty (lower GWP refrigerant & efficiency)
 Maintaining existing installed equipment is also key (leak tightness and efficiency) to reduce GHG impacts
Low GWP alternatives available today, only non-flammable options allow easy adoption
 Long term solution, e.g. GWPs <10” alternatives, R-514A, R-1233zd(E), are available today (larger applied water-cooled
chiller products >200 tons)
 Lower GWP interim solutions for >100 ton applied R-134a containing products, R-513A, are available today. Long term
solutions (<150 GWP) will be flammable and available by 2024 to 2026 (building code updates)
 Lower GWP interim solutions for R-404A refrigeration applications, R-448A & R-449A, are available today. Retrofitting
possible and underway. Long term solutions (<150 GWP) will be flammable, availability timing same as above.
 Lower GWP interim solutions for Unitary and residential applications (R-410A replacements), R-32 & R-454B,
(flammable, building code updates). Interim solutions (<750 to 460 GWP). Innovation required to achieve final 85%
reduction goals, expect another transition in 2030’s if lower GWP technology is available.

Understand The Facts… Evaluate Your Options… Plan & Prepare For Tomorrow
 Men Continue to Argue…
Nature Acts

Sunrise over the Mississippi River at my House – Brownsville, MN – July 2020

Question & Answer
 Thank you!

bba.spaceconditioning@nrel.gov