Norbulk has become the first reefer ship manager to undergo successful conversion of all refrigeration and reefer plants on its cargo ship to run on environmentally-acceptable R407F.
Following the January 2015 F-Gas regulation that bans the use of R22 refrigerant on all European-flagged vessels, ship owners wanting to operate under a European flag or reflag their vessels in Europe must convert their HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ) and refrigeration systems to run on less environmentally damaging refrigerants that do not contain Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
The conversion, which was carried out by Oceanic Technical Solutions converted all refrigeration and reefer plants onboard a Norbulk managed refrigerated cargo ship to run on refrigerant R407F. This is believed to be the shipping industry’s first ever marine refrigerant conversion to the aforementioned refrigerant.
Prior to January 2015, operators were still able to purchase recycled R22, but the ozone-depleting gas and other HCFCs are now completely outlawed across Europe. However, the new R407F refrigerant has very similar attributes, such as closely matching the cooling capacity, oil carrying properties and operating parameters of R22 but without damaging the environment.
Although the gas is not commonly used in the maritime industry, R407F has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1800, far lower than the legislative cut-off point of 2500. All replacements are blends made up of several different components. R407F is a blend of R32, R125 and R134a refrigerants.
R407F is also seen as a suitable replacement other refrigerants with a GWP above 2500 that will be affected by new F-Gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 due to enter into force in 2020. While it won’t be illegal to have systems that run on these gases, servicing them and topping them up with virgin refrigerant will be.
Based on the success of the conversion, Oceanic Technical Solutions is now evaluating the refrigeration plant onboard other Norbulk vessels for conversion later this year.
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