Greenfreeze, hydrocarbon based technology, has now become the standard
for domestic refrigeration in Europe, and is rapidly spreading to other
parts of the world, such as China, Australia, Latin America.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Greenfreeze, hydrocarbon based technology, has now become the standard
for domestic refrigeration in Europe, and is rapidly spreading to other
parts of the world, such as China, Australia, Latin America.
Stirling cycle is another promising technology for domestic
refrigeration which may be on the market very soon.
Secondary cooling systems, utilizing ammonia or hydrocarbons as the
primary coolant, and water or glycol as the secondary coolant, are now
available for commercial refrigeration and air conditioning in super
markets and office buildings.
Gas-fired absorption refrigeration using water and lithium bromide is
well developed in Japan. Absorption systems based on zeolite will be
the method of refrigeration in the next generation of German Intercity
trains.
Portable hydrocarbon air-conditioners are now on the market in Europe.
Numerous alternatives are being developed for mobile air-conditioning.
These include the use of hydrocarbons or carbon dioxide as refrigerants
and adsorption systems using zeolite and water.
Evaporative water coolers are one of several alternatives to current
models of refrigerators and air conditioners. In the United States
more than 70 companies manufacture evaporative air conditioners for
residential, automotive, commercial and industrial markets.
Evaporative waters coolers are already being used to freeze blood
plasma. Ammonia in the standard vapour compression system is widely
used as a refrigerant in industrial chiller applications. Absorption
systems using water and ammonia as a refrigerant have been used for
decades.
Air-conditioning technologies based on use of waste heat from on-site
electricity generation have the potential to greatly reduce energy
consumption. This would eliminate CFC use in many large-scale
applications immediately. Energy savings of 20 per cent are often
feasible, while eliminating ODCs altogether.
Solvents
No-clean technology has replaced CFC solvents in much of the
electronics industry. Aqueous cleaning, simple soap and water, use of
fine ice particles and pressurised gases has also displaced CFC use.
Aerosols
Alternative application methods, such as solid stick and roll-on
dispensers, mechanical pump sprays, brushes and pads are among the
wide variety of alternatives in commercial use.
Alternative spray propellants include hydrocarbons, dimethyl ether, and
other compressed gases such as air and CO2. Many developing countries
have switched to, or have always employed propellants such as pentane
and butane in industrial uses.
Even in medical applications progress has been made. In Sweden and the
Netherlands over 60% of asthmatics are using dry powder inhalers.
Foams
Cyclopentane has now become the standard choice for the blowing rigid
polyurethane foams which continue to be the dominant insulation used in
domestic refrigerator-freezers. Alternative foam blowing agents include
water, CO2.
Vacuum insulation panels, which offer superior insulation for appliances
and provide significant energy savings are increasingly being applied.
Fiberglass, rock wool and cellulose can substitute for rigid foam
insulation.
Fire fighting
Alternative extinguishing agents, such as CO2, water, foam and powder
are already widely used. Inergen , a mixture of natural gases like
nitrogen, carbon dioxide and argon, is another halon alternative. Good
fire prevention practices and the use of fire and smoke resistant
materials are significantly reducing the need for halon systems.
