Refrigerant choices of the future will be reduced according to a leading Australian engineer consulting firm.

Managing Director of Minus40 , Michael Bellstedt stated that future refrigerant choices will be reduced to Hydrofluoro-Olefin (HFOs), carbon dioxide, ammonia and hydrocarbons. He also pointed out the fact that Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are being phased down at a time where refrigeration needs are increasing.

Bellstedt outlined the costs and affects on businesses that future refrigerant choices will have, ranging from improved training for technicians to annual energy costs and technology.

He stated that systems will need to be designed for minimum charges and technicians will need improved training to install them and that technology requires a holistic financial model focus. He also stated that issues such as redundancy, longevity, reliability and serviceability need to be seriously considered.

Bellstedt demonstrated annual costs and cost difference between refrigerants using financial modelling graphs. He also stated that low GWP replacements will be more toxic, flammable or both and that carbon pricing will return in the future.

More information on Bellstedt’s findings can be found here.

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