Heatcraft has provided customers with tips for R22 replacement options as well as a quick selection guide that covers application, installation type and performance issues.
During his roadshow presentation, Heatcraft’s national channel manager, Tony Queenin, clearly stated that no two refrigerants behave in the same way.
“As a result there will be performance issues,” he says adding that the term ‘drop-in’ is loosely used.
“All replacement retrofits still require consideration from changing filter driers and seals to changing oil and recovering the original refrigerant.”
All retrofits are blends based on two or more of the four basic HFCs - R32, R125, R134a and R143a.
“If you are disappointed by a particular retrofit, odds are similar products will not fare much better. Be sure to resolve any existing system problems before carrying out a refrigerant retrofit,” Queenin explains.
“All retrofit blends should be charged as liquid. High glide blends boil and condense at varying temperatures for a given pressure.
“High glide blends are not recommended for flooded evaporator retrofits.”
Queenin says HFCs do not expand elastomers the same way as R22 which can create ‘induced’ leaks.
As a minimum, he says to replace all Schrader valve caps/cores and other critical seals before the retrofit.
Most R22 replacement blends are primarily HFCs that use POE oils, and immiscible with mineral oil (MO) or alkylbenzene (AB).
“Some blends such as R438A can work with MO, however, the addition of POE oil to the system may be necessary to help circulate the MO with the HFC refrigerant,” he says.
“Retrofits with similar mass flow rates typically do not require TXV replacement but adjustments are required and an assessment of other system components is recommended.”
Heatcraft stock a number of R22 replacement refrigerants. For example R407F which has a GWP of 1555 is available and recommended for refrigeration applications (low to medium temperatures).
Heatcraft says it is suitable for a number of installation types including: small systems (with a compressor change); large systems as part planned retrofit; supermarket freezer cases, display cases, coolers, transport refrigeration and ice machines.
Depending on the application there is a minor efficiency drop and it also has a lower discharge temperature than R22.
Another refrigerant in stock that is suitable as an R22 replacement is R407C, which is recommended for air conditioning (medium to high temperatures).
Heatcraft says it is suitable for a number of installation types and is the best capacity and efficiency match to R22.
Finally, R438A ISCEON (M099) can be used for refrigeration and air conditioning applications but the actual performance depends on system design and operating conditions.
But in most systems cooling capacity and energy efficiency is very similar to R22.
It is suitable for small systems, DX systems, DX chillers.However, it is not recommended for use in centrifugal compressor systems or for chillers with flooded evaporators.
As part of the roadshow, Heatcraft provided a tour of its innovation centre which combines local and international expertise to showcase an extensive product portfolio including prototypes, working models and energy efficient solutions.
Products on display included:
Kirby MXW EC condenser with microchannel coil technology
Kirby NRG Air cooled condenser with microchannel coil technology
Kirby KN Heavy duty commercial industrial unit cooler
Kirby WRC with EC fans and EBM Papst Axitop fans (coming soon)
Kirby Centurion condensing unit with variable speed drive
Kirby eCompact Co2 cascade unit (prototype)
Kirby customised Co2 eco freeze compressor racks
Kirby Titan condensing unit with variable speed drive
Kirby Fridgebox series IV microchannel outdoor condensing unit
Lennox Ecolean air to water liquid chiller
Lennox Neosys air to water liquid chiller
Lennox Baltic rooftop packaged unit
Plus a range of Lennox residential heating and cooling solutions