The world needs natural refrigeration

The smaller the Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP), the less refrigerant warms the earth and destroys the ozone layer. Alexey Polyakov, General Manager of Air To MC2, discusses the importance of energy-efficient refrigeration systems in mitigating refrigeration’s environmental impact. 

What analytical tools assess and reduce the impact of refrigeration technologies? 

Research on industry innovation technologies includes top scientific papers on dew-point regenerative indirect evaporative cooling, ANSYS engineering simulation for product design, CFD modelling for airflow and heat transfer engineering, AI and machine learning for large data,  numerical modelling, experimental evaluation, and energy and exergy analysis, all part of a comprehensive research and development tool arsenal. LCA (life cycle assessment),  EIA (environmental impact assessment), and carbon footprint analysis are widely used to examine the environmental impact of thermodynamic processes, such as HVACR systems. 

How can energy-efficient refrigeration systems help in mitigating the environmental impact of refrigeration?

Water is a natural refrigerant, while traditional HVAC uses chemical refrigerants. Dew-point evaporative cooling eliminates compressors and refrigerants, while natural refrigerants like CO2, propane, and ammonia have restrictions compared to water. 

HVACR is a key component of green building and sustainable development, focusing on energy savings and water conservation. Traditional power production emits greenhouse gas emissions and consumes water. Alternative air heat pumps,  heat recuperation, and dew-point water cooling can reduce resource consumption, carbon emissions, and costs. The demand for innovation in sustainable development, climate change, and green building is growing, requiring renewables and improving existing technologies for affordability and health benefits. 

How do the different types of refrigerants used in HVAC  systems impact global warming and ozone depletion, and what measures are taken to mitigate these effects?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)  introduced the Global Warming Potential (GWP) 35 years ago to compare greenhouse gas effects on Earth’s warming.  Traditional HVAC refrigerants are high-GWP gases, trapping more heat than the benchmark level of CO2. Ozone Depletion  Potential (ODP) reflects ozone depletion caused by a refrigerant compared to CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane  CCl3F). 

The smaller the GWP and ODP, the less refrigerant warms the earth and destroys the ozone layer. 

How do you view alternative refrigerants that areologies shaping up in refrigeration systems? 

The natural air conditioning was re-invented 50 years ago with discovery of dew-point indirect regenerative air cooling, called Maisotsenko Cycle, M-Cycle. This is the point. While passive air cooling without electricity like Badgir in Persia or Malqaf in Egypt was implemented about 3,000 years ago, i.e. anno Domini (AD) or before Christ (BC) that includes windcatchers, or cooling towers, is a simple direct evaporative air cooling method with a limited temperature difference and added moisture to the product air. Advanced indirect evaporative cooling includes dry and wet channels, wet bulb limit, and dry product air. The ultimate tech is dew-point regenerative indirect evaporative air cooling inspired by nature, resulting in significant energy,  water, carbon emissions, and cost savings. 

The next stage of refrigerant evolution is from low GWP to zero GWP, with water being an absolute zero-GWP refrigerant. Dew-point indirect regenerative water evaporative cooling can reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions, and capex and opex costs. 

Wrong interpretation. 5X greener AC was a target of The Global Cooling Challenge in 2019. Two winners – Gree and Daikin proposed hybrid prototype – a combination of traditional vapor compression and evaporative cooling. Now Air To MC2 with Maisotsenko Cycle cooling technology designed and video of testing for 10X greener air cooling unit using Maisotsenko Cycle, M-Cycle. simple design and maintenance technology in dew-point indirect evaporative cooling can be 3D-printed and distributed via DIY chains as plug-and-play or PIY (Print It Yourself) units. 

What policies and regulations promote sustainable refrigeration practices and reduce the sector’s carbon  footprint? 

Sustainable innovation management involves three levels of stakeholders: country leadership, government regulations,  and consumers. Government incentives drive corporations and businesses to partner with deep-tech startups and research centres. Consumers and end-users drive demand for eco-,  budget-, and health-friendly technologies in green building and HVAC industries. Brown buildings and traditional air conditioners are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions,  affecting human and technology-related aspects of climate change. 

I mean any International Technology EVENT –  Challenge (or Prize, Competition, Contest, Award) is a  three-level way to manage change. Entrepreneurs, innovators,  

startups, research centres, and academia are creating and providing new ideas and solutions on the first level. The second level is businesses and corporations supporting research, development, and innovation activity within their own ESG and UN SDG policies and strategies. On the 3rd level,  the government stimulates, supports, and enables innovations through funding, tax incentives, regulation, and legislation. 

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are leading towards sustainable cooling. Egypt and the UAE were hosting COP27 and COP28 in 2022 and 2023. COP28  President, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chair of ADNOC – Emirate’s oil giant company, urged over 60 participating countries to sign the  Global Cooling Pledge, committing to reduce the cooling sector’s climate impact by 2050.

Further, Qatar introduced innovative cooling technology during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including 150 hybrid air conditioning units for fan zones and 5,000 custom-made jet nozzle diffusers for stadium distribution. Saudi Arabia’s technology legacy for the 2034 World Cup could include Dew-point indirect evaporative air cooling for stadiums, pedestrian streets, public open-air zones, and transport infrastructure, similar to Qatar’s large-scale cooling system.

Under Strategic Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to replace the most inefficient traditional air conditioners from the dinosaur era.

How effective are regulations in promoting the adoption of greener alternatives?

The global HVAC market already includes 4 per cent water evaporative air conditioning as an alternative to the HFC refrigerant market. Dew-point indirect evaporative super-coolers make up a small share. R&D in this field is promising, with prototypes ready for low-rate initial production, making it close to commercialisation.

Please evaluate the benefits and challenges of green refrigerants in existing refrigeration systems.

Natural refrigerants like CO2, ammonia, and propane are highly toxic and flammable, while water is the real natural refrigerant with zero GWP. Dew-point indirect water evaporative air and refrigeration cooling have been developed for 50 years and successfully implemented in many countries.