NIST’s study, entitled “Limited options for low-global warming potential [GWP] refrigerants,” focused on residential and small-commercial single-package and split air conditioning systems, but the authors said their conclusions also generally apply to room air conditioning units and other refrigeration and heat-pump systems currently using common, ozone-depleting refrigerants such as R-410A or R-22, which are still used in some developing countries today. “The takeaway is there is no perfect, easy replacement for current refrigerants,” NIST chemical engineer Mark McLinden said.

Emerson hosted an AHR version of its E360 series at the E360 Regulatory Breakfast Tuesday morning in Las Vegas. Dr. Rajan Rajendran, vice president – System Innovation Center and sustainability, led off the presentations by a panel of Emerson experts by discussing refrigerant regulations and alternatives.

The Kigali amendment is subject to ratification in the U.S. and will formally take effect when 20 member parties to the Montreal Protocol ratify or accept the amendment, which could take up to two years.

Starting in 2024, the three HFC refrigerants will be deemed “unacceptable” in new liquid chillers under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.

Acknowledging the success of the Montreal Protocol in phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), AHRI has long supported including HFCs in a global phasedown plan under the treaty.