From Russia with love: clearing the path for greater use of ammonia

By Klara Skačanová, Feb 25, 2014, 13:57 3 minute reading

Developing systems based on natural refrigerants, especially ammonia, extending their use nationwide and enhancing training for technicians were among the conclusions and part of the resolutions of two conferences co-organised by the Russian Ministry of Environment at the end of last year 2014 is expected to see significant progress in overcoming regulatory barriers to the use of ammonia and work on technical and educational standards.

Titled “Natural refrigerant ammonia - Chemical and technical security of the Russian Federation”, the first of the two conferences took place in October 2013 in Moscow. The conference was organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation (MNRE), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and Global Environmental Facility (GEF) within the framework of the UNIDO/MNRE/GEF Project on the “Phase Out of HCFCs and Promotion of HFC-Free Energy Efficient Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Systems in the Russian Federation Through Technology Transfer”. It was attended by more than 100 representatives of Russian ministries, trade associations, research institutes, large public and private users of refrigerating systems, Russian and foreign producers of natural refrigerant-based systems.

Russian government working to overcome barriers to ammonia use

A party to the Montreal Protocol, the Russian Federation is expected to reduce their consumption of HCFCs by 90% by 2015. Seeking to leapfrog HFCs that are also likely to be covered by the Montreal Protocol in the near future, extending the use of natural refrigerants and working towards ensuring technical safety, therefore, seems to be the most workable way forward for the country.

Although the existing ammonia regulations in Russia, and lack of any measures regulating the use of HFCs are constraining the proliferation of this efficient natural refrigerant, the government is said to be working to overcome these barriers.

For example, it is expected that the year 2014 will see the adoption of a new standard covering refrigerating equipment and refrigeration agents (a draft interstate standard has been prepared for the EuroAsian Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification - EASC), as well as a new Russian professional standard, educational standard and certification system.

Feeding into this ongoing process, the conference resulted in a resolution, which recommended the following actions:
  • State structures to intensify efforts on development of government programmes related to the use of ammonia and other natural refrigerants;
  • Revise safety, technical and legal regulations to expand the scope of ammonia use;
  • Accelerate harmonisation of the Russian legal framework regulating refrigerant use with the European one;
  • Elaborate standards of qualification and education, a system for certification of technicians, and a Russian version of the F-Gas Regulation.

Support for ammonia technology proliferation echoed by Russia’s biggest event on environmental protection organised by Russia’s Ministry for Environment

Support for the spread of natural refrigerants, including ammonia, and enhanced training of HVAC&R technicians, were part of yet another event resolution, namely that of the IV All-Russian Congress for Environmental Protection (December 2013) organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, the biggest event on environmental protection held in Russia.

The resolution reads:
“With the purpose of protecting the ozone layer and phasing out the ozone-depleting substances covered by the Montreal Protocol and greenhouse fluorinated gases covered by UNFCCC, it is recommended to:
  • Ensure use of natural refrigerants, including ammonia, for transition of the industry to ozone-safe technologies;
  • Improve quality of training for technicians engaged in work with HVAC&R equipment and introduce the certification system.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and event participants will control the implementation of the resolution.

UNIDO/MNRE/GEF Project on HCFC phase out in the Russian Federation

The Project on “Phase Out of HCFCs and Promotion of HFC-Free Energy Efficient Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Systems in the Russian Federation Through Technology Transfer” has been developed by UNIDO upon the initiative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation (MNRE). The Global Environment Facility (GEF) provides financial assistance to implement the project.

The objective of the Project is to implement the international obligations of the Russian Federation under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. To this end, the Project provides for measures on:
  • Building institutional capacity; phase out of HCFC consumption in the foam and HVAC&R equipment sectors;
  • Transfer to Russian enterprises of advanced, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient technologies;
  • Raising public awareness about the need to increase the energy efficiency of current equipment and refusal to use ozone-depleting substances.

MORE INFORMATION

By Klara Skačanová

Feb 25, 2014, 13:57




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