AREA lists basic competences required by contractors dealing with hydrocarbons

In light of recent and future legislation likely to encourage the use of natural refrigerants, the European organisation of Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heat Pump Contractors (AREA), has issued a guidance paper outlining the basic competences that contractors should have when dealing with low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants such as hydrocarbons.

According to AREA refrigeration contractors dealing with hydrocarbons should pay particular attention to safety issues and the need to use specific tools when installing and servicing such systems.

Basic competences required

AREA says the following criteria should be respected when dealing with hydrocarbons:

Avoid any contact with sparks or fire
Use ultrasonic welding, Lokring connections or suitable compression fittings
Install compressor protectors: overload, Clickson must be used on all sealed types
Carefully position thermostats in fridges to avoid ignition in case of leaks
All electronic components should be explosion proof
Contractors should know what not to do when handling hydrocarbons
Contractors should know how to intervene in case of fire

AREA’s guide makes reference to the Code of Practice for A2 & A3 flammable refrigerants such as hydrocarbons developed by the British Institute of Refrigeration.

Hydrocarbon properties

The AREA guide rates hydrocarbon properties in the following way:

Low toxicity, rated as very good
Low GWP of 3-5, rated as good
Pressure rated as good
Availability rated as good
Familiarity with HCs rated as good
High flammability, rated as very poor

The Guide singles out R290 as a refrigerant with good energy efficiency.

Hydrocarbon applications

Unlike HFCs, which have a high global warming potential (GWP), hydrocarbons (HCs) are ozone and climate friendly. Hydrocarbons thus represent a viable refrigerant alternative to HFCs when considering the impact refrigerant emissions on the atmosphere. According to AREA the hydrocarbon R600a could be an alternative to HFC R134a and the hydrocarbon R290 could be an alternative to HCFC R22.

Currently hydrocarbons can be found in the following applications:

Domestic refrigeration such as fridges (R600a)
Commercial refrigeration such as bottle coolers (R290)
Heat pumps and air conditioning (growing in numbers)
Some refrigeration and industrial plants

About AREA

Established in 1988 AREA now voices the interests of 21 national members from 19 European countries, representing more than 9,000 companies across Europe (mainly small to medium sized enterprises), employing some 125,000 people.

Previous AREA publications of relevance to hydrocarbon contractors include a portfolio of qualifications and skills needed by those working in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning. The portfolio was established on the basis of the Leonardo Project EYR/02/C/F/NT – 84604 to develop a European industrial standard for craftsmanship in the field of refrigeration.