(PRAHA)
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United Nations Industrial Development Organization
United Nations Environment Programme
PROMOTING LOW-GWP
REFRIGERANTS FOR
AIR-CONDITIONING SECTORS IN
HIGH
AMBIENT COUNTRIES
UNEP-UNIDO Project of promoting low-GWP alternatives for
the A/C industry in high-ambient countries (PRAHA)
Project Components
Building and testing
prototypes
(8 regional mfg + 6 Technology
Providers will build and test
prototypes )
Study on Long-Term
Feasible Technologies
(Two pilot studies under preparation in
Kuwait and Qatar)
Coordinating
phase-out
requirements with
MEPS programs
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Key Project Elements
1.
Assess available technologies
• Building, testing, and comparing prototypes with alternatives
• Examining the technical feasibility of available options
2.
Assess relevant Energy Efficiency (EE) standards and codes
• Link assessing future alternatives with local MEPS
3.
Economic comparison of alternative technologies
• Assess cost implications of suggested alternatives at different
levels i.e. manufacturing, final product, service, etc.
4.
Promoting Technology transfer
• Examine and the issues related to transferring the technology and
facilitate such technology transfer through the HPMP and MLF as
feasible
3
Prototype Testing
of Low-GWP alternatives vs. current HCFC &
HFC systems
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What PRAHA is and is not!
• PRAHA is testing the performance of prototypes working
with alternative refrigerants but not the characteristics of
the alternatives;
• PRAHA compares low-GWP alternatives but will not
recommend one alternative;
• PRAHA tests custom-built prototypes designed for the new
alternatives and not as soft-optimized drop-in.
PRAHA is not a decision making process but is a tool
to assist in the decision making
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PRAHA Partners
AWAL Gulf (Bahrain)
Coolex RIC (Kuwait)
GAMI (UAE)
Petra (KSA)
SKM (UAE)
Zamil (KSA)
Technology
Providers
Regional
Manufacturers
Alessa (KSA)
DuPont
Honeywell
Daikin
Emerson
GMCC
Highly
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Alternative refrigerant selection
Pressure
GWP
Flammability
R-22 or R-410A Eq.
0 to 677
A1 to A3
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Application selection
• Installed bank
• Market trend
• 50 Hz or 60 Hz
• Manufactured by several stakeholders
• Testing facility match
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Categories and Prototypes
60 Hz
Window
(18 MBH)
50 Hz
Decorative
(24 MBH)
Ducted
(36 MBH)
Packaged
(90 MBH)
R32
HFO1
HFO2
HC
R22
HFC base
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Number of Tests
Number of
tests
Base
HFC base
R32
HFO1
HFO2
HC
Total
Window
R22
R407
No
Yes
Yes
No
Decorative Ducted Packaged
R22
R22
R22
R410
R410 R407/R410
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Number of
tests
conditions
Prototype
per
Total
per
Total prototype* Number of
category* prototypes
*
tests
1*
4
2
8
1
4
2
8
2
4
3
12
2
8
3
24
2
8
3
24
2
2
3
6
30
82
* One prototype per category for base units, two prototypes for alternative refrigerants
** Base units test only at high ambient
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Findings sharing matrix
Output
Tech
Provider
OEM
Manufacturer
NOU Country
Other
Stakeholders
Complete test
result/prototype
Yes*
Yes*
No
No
Refrigerant
parameters
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Comparison of results
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
* Test results will only be provided after the final report has been issued.
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Project Timeline
Prototype
Building
• To be
finalized
4Q2014
• Several
already
available
Prototype
Testing
• Projected
1Q2015
• Logistics
being worked
out
Findings
Report
• Draft by
2Q2015
• Final by
3Q2015
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The Future We Want
Performance
Prosperity &
development
Sustainability
Future
Refrigerant
Environment
Cost &
Economics
Safety
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The Research We Want!
1. Developing products for local applications:
• Based on market research for the most installed
2. Developing products for local conditions:
• Based on local design temperatures
3. Developing products for local standards:
• Based on prevailing MEPS in the region
4. Developing products for local practices:
• For proper installation, operation, and service
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Cooperation with AREP Project
• Setting the criteria and the conditions for testing;
• Identifying and assisting in setting the parameters to
be reported.
• AHRI provided it’s Low-GWP AREP Participants
Handbook. Sharing the list of independent reliable
labs known to AHRI;
• Sharing the results and the outputs for possible
comparison.
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PRAHA Key Messages

Selection of alternatives should be sustainable i.e. leapfrogging
high/higher GWP alternatives to avoid double phase-out that
may arise

Selection of alternatives needs to be linked to national
initiatives on equipment MEPS as well as any related Energy
Efficiency codes

Future Refrigerants likely to have flammability characteristics,
hence relevant norms/standards need to be in place (such work
requires long-term efforts)

Think outside the box i.e. promoting non-conventional
technologies (Absorption, Geo-Thermal, DC solutions, etc.)
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Lessons learned & conclusions to-date
• Wide acceptability of the project at all levels;
• Commitment of local manufacturers to the
project in spite of the rush to meet the changing
MEPS conditions;
• Commitment of international technology
providers to the project;
• Availability of components for T3 conditions;
• Shipping challenges of new flammable, or mildly
flammable, refrigerants to the region;
• Patents?
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