Renewing or making your storage more sustainable? Pay attention to this

Arable farmers looking to renovate or make their storage sheds or refrigeration systems more sustainable quickly discover that the choices have become more complex. Besides technology and efficiency, safety, legislation, and energy supply now also play a major role.

After ban on refrigerant R22 Countless installations had to be converted or replaced. We have now made several steps forward. The refrigerants that were chosen as alternatives at the time, such as R507 and R404A, are no longer permitted in new construction. "The revised version of the European F-Gas Regulation and the associated quota system are increasingly restricting the use of refrigerants with a high climate impact (high GWP)," says Erik Hoogendoorn of Equans Refrigeration & Heating Solutions. "The pressure to make sustainable choices has therefore increased."

Stricter fire safety rules
"The transition to low-GWP refrigerants increases the use of flammable substances," says Hoogendoorn. "The lower the GWP, the greater the risk of flammability." Propane is increasingly used as an alternative to synthetic refrigerants: an excellent but explosive gas. Ammonia is less flammable but has different safety requirements. CO₂ doesn't burn, but it can be asphyxiating in the event of a leak and requires a specialized system design due to factors such as the high pressure and higher power connection. "As a result, arable farmers have to handle their refrigeration equipment differently or are limited by fire safety regulations or their location."

Regulations are constantly evolving
Both visible and invisible factors influence the arable farmer's choices. Hoogendoorn: "One of those invisible factors is safety regulations. They're constantly evolving." An overview:

• The PGS13 guideline for the use of ammonia has been revised. This has changed the requirements for the immediate environment and therefore for the user. The requirements for the design and installation of the storage or refrigeration system, as well as for its management and maintenance, are more stringent. 
• A new practical guideline is being developed for CO₂ (NPR 7601) and flammable refrigerants (NPR 7600).
• The European standard EN 378, the foundation for refrigeration technology, is being revised. This has implications for leak detection, filling limits, and the handling of refrigerants.

Consequences for your storage facility
In addition to technical issues, various business factors determine the choice of a new storage system or refrigerant. First, the product. Potatoes require a different storage environment than onions or grass seed. Equally important is the storage time. Short-term storage requires a different system than long-term storage. Furthermore, the season of use plays a role. A system that operates primarily in the summer must also be able to operate efficiently at high outdoor temperatures.

"From a fire safety perspective, location is another factor," says Hoogendoorn. "Is the system indoors or outdoors? And how far is it from ignition sources? The energy supply also plays a role. What is your current grid connection size, and is expansion possible? Finally, we can consider the heat requirements and opportunities to utilize residual heat, for example, for workspaces or processes."

The 3 main options for refrigerants
Three natural refrigerants remains most relevant for arable farmers who want to renew or make their storage more sustainable. "Ammonia has already proven itself at several agricultural enterprises. It is suitable for larger installations and longer storage periods. It also offers good fire safety if the installation is located outdoors."  

CO₂ has the advantage of being non-flammable, but it does require a substantial electrical connection. Moreover, it operates transcritically: efficient in winter, less so in summer. Propane is efficient, but flammable and therefore more limited in its application. Moreover, propane requires additional safety requirements and careful installation.

Making choices together
"The time when we, as installers, would 'just' propose the best technical solution is over," says Hoogendoorn. "The choice of a storage system now depends on the cultivation plan, use, location, and future plans. Do you want Company Expanding? Is the next generation stepping in? Or is the time horizon shorter? Safety, regulations, and the available energy supply all play a role. By working closely with the entrepreneur, we arrive at the best solution.

View all solutions from Equans Refrigeration & Heating Solutions at refrigeration.nl