MOP31 Rome, Italy

Refrigerant conversion activities
including energy efficiency in JapanThe Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Industry Association
Tetsuji Okada
Nov. 5. 2019

© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

Contents：

1. Market trend
2. Issues in Refrigerant Conversion
3. Regulations and Legislations in Japan
4. HFC Reduction in Japan
5. Risk Assessment of A3 Refrigerant
6. Next-Generation Refrigerants
7. Energy Efficiency Improvement
8. JRAIA’s Efforts to Accelerate of Lower GWP Refrigerant© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

1. Market Trend1) Market Volume in each product sector in Japan

Product Category

Number of Unitsin(x 1,000)

Y/Y Ratio(%)

Refrigerant

Record high!!
R410A ⇒ R32

Residential A/Cs

9,814.6

108.4

Commercial A/Cs

879.7

106.4

Recordhigh!!
(only Small-size;41%)

Residential H/P water heaters

480.6

107.6

CO2, (R32)(almost 100%)

Gas engine-driven A/Cs

28.7

100.0

R410A

Water chilling units

14.5

105.1

R410A, R134A

Air to air heat exchangers

111.2

100.0

NA

Commercial ref. cabinets

283.693.9

R404A ⇒ R410A, CO2

Condensing units

87.2

93.3

R404A⇒R410A, CO2Refrigeration units

28.7

99.5

R404A ⇒ NH3, (+CO2)
R410A(almost 100%)

R410A ⇒ R32© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

1. Market Trend

2) World market trend of Residential & Commercial A/Cs
Global sales in 2018 : 111.24 M-unitsxx%: Share of Residential A/Cs with A2Lyy%: Share of Commercial A/Cs with A2L

23%

20%
Nearly
100%

8%

41%

(2017)

30%
52%

6%
4%
© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

1. Market Trend3) Refrigerant transition status
Number of Units

Y/Y Ratio

Residential A/Cs

9,814.6

108.4

Commercial A/Cs

879.7

106.4

Residential H/P water heaters

480.6

107.6

Gas engine-driven A/Cs

28.7

100.0

R410A

Water chilling units

14.5

105.1

R410A, R134A

Air to air heat exchangers

111.2

100.0

NA

Commercial ref. cabinets

283.6

93.9

R404A ⇒ R410A, CO2

Condensing units

87.2

93.3

R404A⇒R410A, CO2

Refrigeration units

28.7

99.5

R404A ⇒ NH3, (+CO2)
R410A

Product Categoryin(x 1,000)(%)

Refrigerant
R410A ⇒ R32(almost 100%)

R410A ⇒ R32(only Small-size; 41%)

CO2, (R32)(almost 100%)© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

1. Market Trend3) Refrigerant transition status

Product Category
Residential A/Cs

Number of Units

Y/Y Ratio

9,814.6
VRF:

108.4

in

(x 1,000)(%)

No Alternative106.4
yetTurbo Chiller:
879.7
R245fa⇒R1233zd
Residential H/P water heaters
480.6
107.6
R134a⇒R1234ze(E)Commercial A/Cs

Gas engine-driven A/Cs28.7

Water chilling units

Air cooling Type:
14.5
105.1

Air to air heat exchangers

111.2

Commercial ref. cabinets
Condensing units
Refrigeration units

100.0

 R32Refrigerant
R410A ⇒ R32(almost 100%)

R410A ⇒ R32(only Small-size; 41%)

CO2, (R32)(almost 100%)
R410A
R410A, R134A

100.0

NA

93.9

R404A ⇒ R410A, CO2

87.2

93.3

R404A⇒R410A, CO2

28.7

99.5

R404A ⇒ NH3, (+CO2)
R410A

 R404A⇒R410A
283.6⇒
R448A, 449A
 CO2(Cascade)© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

2. Issues in Refrigerant Conversion

S+3Es

Key Concept for Refrigerants Conversion

Regulatory compliance

S:Safety• Low Toxicity• Low Flammability

High Pressure Gas
Safety Act

E: Environment• Zero ODP• Lower GWP

Ozone Layer Protect Act.
F-gas Act in Japan• High Seasonal Efficiency• Similar performanceat high load cooling

Energy Saving Act( Top Runner Program)

Performance

E: Energy

Efficiency

E: EconomicFeasibility• Low Capital Cost
• Low Operating Cost

© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

2. Issues in Refrigerant Conversion

S+3Es

Key Concept
for Refrigerants Conversion
Proper Risk
Assessment

Regulatory compliance

S:Safety• Low Toxicity• Low Flammability

High Pressure Gas
Safety Act

E: Environment• Zero ODP• Lower GWP

Ozone Layer Protect Act.
F-gas Act in Japan• High Seasonal Efficiency• Similar performanceat high load cooling

Energy Saving Act( Top Runner Program)

Performance

E: Energy

Efficiency

E: Economic

Feasibility• Low Capital Cost
• Low Operating Cost

TechnologyDevelopment© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

3. Regulations and Legislations in Japan1) Overview of Legislation in Japan
Legislation on refrigerants“Ozone Layer Protection Act” (1988) revised in 2018

- Regulation on production and consumption of CFC and HCFC (abbr. OLP Act)- Maximum allowance of refrigerant consumption similar to Kigali amendment“Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons” (revised in 2015, 2019)- Regulation on emission of HFC/HCFC/CFC refrigerants (abbr. Fgas Act)
- Target GWP and year for each product group“High Pressure Gas Safety Act” (revised in 2016)- Regulation on safety of flammable (toxic) gas- Method of safe use of products and refrigerants- A2L refrigerants are included as “particular inert gas”
“Global Warming Countermeasure Plan” (Cabinet Decision in 2016)- Regulation on emission of energy origin CO2Legislation on
Energy Efficiency“Act on the Rational Use of Energy(Saving Energy Act)” (revised every 3-5 yr)- Top Runner Program in 32 product categories© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

3. Regulations and Legislations in Japan2) Timeline
1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

 Montreal Protocol
 UNFCCC2015

2020Dubai Pathway  .
 .
Kigali Amendment  .

 Vienna Convention

Global2010

 Kyoto Protocol（COP3)

Paris Agreement(COP21) .

 Ozone Layer Protection Law
Global Warming Countermeasure Plan■ HCFC produce regulation starts
Revised Fgas Act Ⅰ ■(2016)
Amendment
 EoL Automotive Recycle Act HFC introduction
Revised “OLP” Act ■Japan
Saving Energy Act (1979) Home Appliance Recycle Act Amendment(2018)
 Freon Recovery &Destruction Act
Revised Fgas Act Ⅱ ■ Revised Saving Energy Act(2019) 1st Top Runner Target
 2nd Top Runner Target
Next Step on going© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

3. Regulations and Legislations in Japan

3) Regulation of refrigerant by "designated products"
Regulated by “Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons”

Target GWP

Target year

Room A/C (Mini-Split)

750

2018

Commercial A/C (Split)

750

2020

Mobile A/C

150

2023

Condensing unit andrefrigerating unit

1500

2025

Cold storage warehouses

100

2019

Urethane foam

100

2020

Dust blowers

10

2019

Designated Products（Weighted Average GWP）

© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

3. Regulations and Legislations in Japan

3) Regulation of refrigerant by "designated products"
Regulated by “Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons”

Designated Products

Target GWP（Weighted Average GWP）

Target year

750 single type)>>2018
Room A/C (Mini-Split)
Commercial A/C Large size(onlyGWP:750, 2023
Commercial A/C (Split)

750

2020

Mobile A/C150

2023

1500

2025

100

2019

Condensing unit andrefrigerating unit
Cold storage warehouses
Urethane foam
Dust blowers

Centrifugal (Turbo) Refrigerators>> GWP:100, 2025

Next Target :2020
・VRF
RACHP sectors
Refrigerators
10 ・Commercial2019
・Refrigerants for Service100© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

4. HFC Reduction in Japan1) Effects of regulations(2017 vs. 2012)2012 HFC Production/Consumption（57.77M-CO2・t）
others 11%
RAC 31%

Car Aircon
13%2017 HFC Production/Consumption（47.53M-CO2・t）
others 12%
Car Aircon
16%

RAC 16%
PAC 6%

GHP 2%

GHP 3%
VRF 26%

PAC 9%

Cond.Unit 14%

VRF 20%Cond.Unit
21%© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

4. HFC Reduction in Japan
2) Countermeasure for VRF

Related Regulations & Std

Stakeholder

1. High Pressure Safety Act
2. JRA Std. For Products(JRA 4070)
3. JRA Guideline ( JRA GL16)

Manufacturer（JRAIA)
User・・・・・・

VRF

Contractor

Constructor
Installer

Contents of Safety Countermeasure
1. Refrigerant Amount Limitation
2. Air Circulating Device
3. Mechanical Ventilation Device
4. Shut-off Valve

SubConstructor

with Detector-Alarm System© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

5. Risk Assessment of A3 Refrigerant
1) Direction and Schedule■ Direction

・In the trend of deregulation of A3 refrigerants,
JRAIA will propose air-conditioner be secured.
・Based on RAC's risk assessment method and results for A2L refrigerant , JRAIA also
conducts risk assessment for A3 refrigerant and recommended measures to ensure
safety from the evaluated result.
collaborates with universities and research institutions to compare the hazards to■・JRAIA
Schedule
the refrigerantand A3 refrigerants.
・Firstyear;ofA3A2L
refrigerantrisk assessment
・Second year ; Estimation method and make plan for risk reduction
・ Last year; Making practical measures and verifying by risk assessment
2016/92017/92018/9/12

Kobe Symposium

Risk assessment
Hazard estimation(NEDO Project)

2019/9JRAIA

1st report
Risk assessment

Risk reduction
Plan for estimation

Measures verify
Hazard estimation© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

5. Risk Assessment of A3 refrigerant2) RA step for A3 refrigerant

Establishment for safety specification of A3 refrigerant
Step
1: Evaluated product2: Risk assessment

3: Measures

4: In market(Regulation）

Terms・Setting of evaluated product and usage condition・Making the risk scenario
・Manufacturing, Transportation, Install, Use, repair, disposal◎ Basic items of risk estimation
・ Installation case (leaky space model setting)・ Refrigerant leak rate and leak speed
・ Ignition source existence probability ←Identification the ignition source
・ Flammable cloud ← CFD, simplified calculation
・Equipment measures: Air circulation and ventilation fan, shutoff valve, alarm・ Document correspondence: Instruction manual, warning display
・ Regulatory compliance: regulations, industrial association manual・Regulatory compliance: regulations, industrial association manual・Document correspondence: Instruction manual, warning label
・Maintenance of work procedures manual・Improvement of working accuracy in education and training© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

6. Next-Generation Refrigerants

Development of Assessment Techniques for Next-Generation Refrigerantwith Low GWP Values(NEDO’s Support)
Project summaryDevice： Mid-to-small size Refrigeration &Air-Conditioning
Refrigerants ： “next-generation” low-GWP refrigerante.g) HC, HFO and HFO mixture
Objective ：・Establish the standard technique for the safety and risk
assessment of low-GWP refrigerant and equipment
・Form the common basis for the development of equipment

Project term

2018 FY ～ 2022 FY（5 years）

Budget2018FY 250 M-Yen(2 million USD)

R & D Contents① Data acquisition and evaluation for basic characteristic of next-generation
refrigerants
・ Evaluation test for basic characteristic of next-generation refrigerants
・ Data acquisition and Assessment for test in practical environment② Development of Safety & Risk Assessment methods fornext-generation refrigerants
・Establish of Safety & Risk Assessment for flammability

Industryopinionexchange

Disseminate
information(Internationally)

UniversityResearch Institute© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

7. Energy Efficiency Improvement
1) Top Runner Program and Results

Trend of Periodical Power
Consumption <Residential ACs>

Overview of Top Runner Program
Labelling
EnergyEfficiency

Product A+
Standard value issame as Product A

Product B+
ProductC+

Periodical Power
Consumption(kWh)Morethan50%

TRP Standard Value
Product A

Product D+

Product B・・・

Product C
Product D・・・
Reference Year

30.7%
ReductionLess than50%

Weight average(EE)should be morethan standard value.
Target Year
(3-10yr later)

32 items: 2017
Home appliances,Cars, Officeappliances etc.

1st Target

2nd Target

In case of Domestic ACs,Target values were settwice.(2004, 2010)© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

7. Energy Efficiency Improvement

2) Trend of Energy Efficiency and PriceJapan CPI for Room ACs(1990=100), APF and Number of units
100

1090

980

870

760

650

540

430

320

21001990

1st Target
No of Units
1995

CPIAPF
2000

12nd Target
20052010

201502020© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

8. JRAIA's efforts to accelerate introduction of lower GWP refrigerants
1) Collaboration to UNEP/UNIDO: PRAHA-II Project

2016 : The HFC-32 study tour: provided participants with a background on designing andworking with A2L refrigerants. Included plants visits, the risk assessment
workshop, as well as attending the JRAIA International Symposium on “NewRefrigerants and Environmental Technology”.- Tokyo, Shizuoka, Shiga, Kobe
2017: International Roundtable Meeting on Risk Assessment Model for use of lo-GWP
Refrigerants in High Ambient Temperature Countries – Kuwait
2018: Special Expert Meeting: Risk Assessment Model for the Use of Lower-GWP
Refrigerants in High Ambient Temperature Countries – Cairo
2019: Workshop to support Praha-II members for the development of risk assessment
model for air-conditioning applications of A2L refrigerants at high ambient
temperature countries - Tokyo© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

8. JRAIA's efforts to accelerate introduction of lower GWP refrigerants
2) ASEAN

2018: Workshop on risk assessment and safety measures for RACHPusing flammable refrigerants (Workshop supported by NEDO) toward
conversion to lower GWPs in ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia,Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan).
Ozone officers and members of Industry Association discussed regulations,policies, and urgent challenges for refrigerant conversion and alternativerefrigerants in each country. - Kobe, Japan
2019: Workshop on HFC phasedown for RACHP to meet Kigali Amendment
in each countries) (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnamand Japan)- Bangkok, Thailand

2018 Tokyo

2019 Bangkok© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

Summary
1. The global environment countermeasures (policy, productpolicy, etc.) in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector inJapan were introduced.
2. In considering future refrigerant conversion, it is necessary toconsider the balance of various factors. In particular, verificationof the safety of flammable refrigerants is very important.
3. Optimization is required for many parameters,including energy efficiency. (In terms of policy andproducts)
4. Regarding HFC reduction, not only individual productdiscussions but also efforts across the refrigeration and airconditioning sectors are required© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

HVAC&R 2020
Date: 3-6 March, 2020
Place: Makuhari Messe, Chiba, JapanFor further detail: https://www.jraia.or.jp/hvacr/en/index.html© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.

Thank you for your kind attention!!

© 2019 JRAIA The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.