SMART REFRIGERANT
SELECTION FOR
ICE RINKS
Part I. What you need to know
about refrigerants, regulations,system design, energy efficiency,
costs, and health/safety
Regulations

EnergyEfficiency

Cost

Health &Safety

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The global refrigeration industry is in the midst of a regulatory-driven transition
toward a new generation of environmentally sustainable refrigerant solutions.
This shift has major impacts on all private and community ice rinks, both large
and small, operating in North America.
For rink operators and owners, this white paper (Parts I and II) details key factors
impacting the selection of refrigerants and refrigeration systems in today’schanging environment. Part I covers what you need to know about refrigerant andsystem-design options, including energy efficiency and environmental impacts,
total cost of ownership, and health/safety factors to consider. Part II will take a
deeper look at health and safety considerations, including toxicity, flammability,and high-pressure hazards. These white papers are designed to enable decision
makers to be fully educated to continue successful business operations.

The content of this white paper is the sole responsibility of The Chemours Company.

Smart Refrigerant Selection for Ice Rinks: Part 1

Aging Rinks, Aging Refrigeration Systems
An estimated three quarters of currently operating National Hockey
League (NHL) ice arenas were built in the mid-1990s. In addition tothese larger arenas, there are thousands more private, community,and locally owned rinks across North America. Many of these rinks
are much older and are nearing, if not well past, the expected
usable lifetime of the refrigeration systems that enable ice making.
To keep these facilities up and running, now is the time to plan for
the future of your rink, including considering if, when, and how toretrofit, upgrade, and/or replace your ice-making chiller.

Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) like Opteon™ refrigerants areamong the newest and most environmentally sustainablerefrigerants for ice rinks on the market today offering:• Non-ozone depleting/low global warming potential (GWP)• Long-term regulatory compliance• Optimal balance of performance, safety, and cost for many
applications

Even for rinks constructed more recently, many of the refrigerants
currently used in chillers face an uncertain future with increased
safety and environmental regulations. This includes a ban on
the production and importation of R-22 in the U.S. and Canada
beginning December 31, 2019.

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Smart Refrigerant Selection for Ice Rinks: Part 1

100+ Years of Refrigerants
Timeline of Refrigerant Technologies
1800s–
1920s

1930s

1950s

1990s

Today

Industrial
Chemicals
Methyl Chloride,
Sulfur Dioxide,
Ammonia, etc.

CFCs
(R-12)
Chlorine
Single Bond

HCFCs
(R-22)
Less Chlorine
Single Bond

HFCs
(R-134a)
No Chlorine
Single Bond

HFOs andHFO Blends
No Chlorine;
Double Bond

Toxic
Flammable

High ODP
Highest GWP

Lower ODPHigh GWPNo ODPHigh GWPNo ODP
Low GWP

When chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were first introduced as
refrigerants, they were applauded as “miracle compounds” forreplacing dangerous industrial gases (e.g., sulfur dioxide, ammonia,
methyl chloride, etc.). However, following many decades of use,
more concerns over ozone depletion and, more recently, climatechange have driven the refrigeration industry to innovate a newgeneration of more environmentally sustainable solutions.

Global Warming
Potential (GWP):The potential for agas to trap heat in theatmosphere, resulting
in climate change.

Ozone Depletion
Potential (ODP):
The potential for
substances to reduce
the amount of ozone
in the atmospherethat blocks harmfulradiation from the sun.
OZONELAYE

R

Whether you’re talking about environmentally driven regulations ortechnology, the change in today’s refrigerant landscape is directlytied to two concepts:

Although they are related, ODP and GWP are not synonymous.
ODP defines the potential for substances to reduce the amountof UV-blocking ozone in the atmosphere; whereas, GWP is
the potential for a gas to trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere,resulting in climate change. These concerns have driven both newregulations and technological innovation in recent years.

• Ozone depletion potential (ODP)• Global warming potential (GWP)

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Smart Refrigerant Selection for Ice Rinks: Part 1

Regulations

Complex Rules:
A Shifting Global Regulatory LandscapeThe refrigerant and equipment regulations impacting rink operators
vary by country, region, and even by state or municipality. Here’s anoverview of what you need to know.
R-22 Phaseout
The U.S. and Canada, along with much of the developed world, arein the final years of the Montreal Protocol-initiated R-22 phaseout.
Having eliminated R-22 refrigerant in new equipment for sometime, the supply of R-22 for service is now being limited—witha total ban on the production and importation of R-22 beginning
December 31, 2019.
Kigali Amendment
In an effort to align global regulations to the Montreal Protocol, theKigali Amendment was agreed to in October 2016. This agreement
provides a framework for both developed and developing countries
to phase down the use of high GWP HFCs globally. As of November
2017, 20 countries had ratified the amendment, which means
it will go into effect on January 1, 2019. Upon ratification of theamendment, participating countries committed to a tiered HFC
reduction from an established baseline, on a CO2 equivalent, orGWP, basis.

HCFC Regulations: R-22 Is Going Away
2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

6252

22

18

13

94

R-22 million pounds

After December 31, 2019, theentire HVACR industry will be totallydependent on reclaimed R-22 forservicing any systems still in operation.

4Smart Refrigerant Selection for Ice Rinks: Part 1

EnergyEfficiency

Energy Efficiency:
Impact on Costs and the Environment

It comes as no surprise to rink operators that running a large
chiller to maintain a high-quality ice pad requires a lot of electricity.
System design and refrigerant choice are critical because they
not only directly impact the electric bill, but they also contributeto environmental carbon emissions from power generation. In thelong run, energy use represents a large percentage of a chiller’s
operational cost; therefore, selecting an energy-efficient refrigerant
and an efficient system design is most desirable.

Greater energy
efficiency
LEADS TO
Reduced long-termowner operator
costs

New generations of traditional system designs have incorporated
many energy-efficient features that allow use of low GWP
refrigerants, such as HFOs, while at the same time improving
energy performance. These energy savings during simple gas
conversions (retrofits) with chiller barrel replacements or minor
service-style changes including oil, filter, and gaskets are due to anumber of factors including improved thermodynamic propertiesof the new refrigerants as well as a “tune-up,” or recommissioning
effect, on the chiller.
Finally, when thinking about the carbon footprint of the ice plant,
it does not make sense to choose a refrigerant with a very low
GWP value if the energy efficiency of the system is not good. For
example, CO2-based systems, when operating in a trans-criticalmode during warmer outdoor temperatures above ~70° F, havepoor energy performance, which results in increased energy
consumption/costs and carbon emissions.

Reduced carbon
emissions frompower generation

5Smart Refrigerant Selection for Ice Rinks: Part 1

Financial Considerations:
Counting the Costs

For many systems, the TCO is strongly impacted by energy,
followed by capital and maintenance, with the cost of therefrigerant itself representing a very small percentage of the total.
Therefore, selection of a a sustainable refrigerant should trend
towards choosing an energy-efficient system design that minimizes
operating and maintenance costs, mitigates safety hazards, andcan be supported by the existing workforce of skilled technicians.

MaintenanceTotal Cost of Ownership for
Typical Rink Refrigeration System over 20 Years

CapitalWhen considering a new system, or major modification to an
existing ice plant, many rink owners are strongly influenced by
the capital cost of the chiller system itself. Over the lifetime ofperhaps 20 to 30 years, the total cost of ownership (TCO) should
also take into account energy costs, service and maintenance costs(including service refrigerant), and even specialized training costs.
In some areas, regulations require trained operators to be on site
during operation with highly toxic refrigerants like ammonia(R-717)—this could become a significant cost as well.

EnergyCost

Reference: Typical cost based on data in “Comparative Study of Refrigerant Systems
for Ice Rinks,” CanmetENERGY, July 2013.

6Smart Refrigerant Selection for Ice Rinks: Part 1

Health &Safety

Health and Safety:
Important Considerations

The safety of rink workers—and the large number of customers,
players, and guests who visit rinks each day—is of paramountconcern to every owner/operator. Part II of this white paper
series will delve into the detailed safety information that must be
considered when selecting a refrigerant and chiller system. As anowner/operator, you should consider the short (acute)- and long(chronic)- term toxicity properties of potential refrigerants as wellas their flammability potential, asphyxiation risks, and highpressure hazards.

7Smart Refrigerant Selection for Ice Rinks: Part 1

Is It Time to Upgrade Your Rink’s Chiller?
Based on the evolving refrigerant
regulatory landscape, change isnecessary. Whether it’s now or later, aretrofit or a new system, for an existing
facility or new construction—change iscritical to ensure refrigerant availability,compliance, and business continuity.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but a holistic approach torefrigerant selection will ensure the best decision for your rink andyour bottom line.

Existing Systems
While regulations may not require an immediate change foryour chiller system, if it is still running on HCFC-22 and leaks,
the depleting supply of R-22 could make the repair more
expensive than it’s worth. Eventually, a repair may not even be
possible, depending on the availability and remaining inventoryof reclaimed gas supplies.
When deciding to retrofit or remodel, here are some factors
to consider:• Cost and future availability of installed refrigerant• System age and reliability• System design (flooded, DX, etc.) and conversion costs(time, labor, and components)• Replacement refrigerant performance (capacity andenergy efficiency)• Safety, health, and environmental properties ofreplacement refrigerant (see Part II)• Compliance with current and future regulations• Availability of skilled mechanical contractors/operators• Timeline/window for system changes• Government, energy, or other available financial incentives

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Smart Refrigerant Selection for Ice Rinks: Part 1

Is It Time to Replace Your Rink’s Chiller?
New System
Whether replacing an aging ice rink chiller or installing
one for a brand new rink, there are additional considerations:• Initial capital and installation costs• Ongoing maintenance costs

Fortunately, technology has advanced in the 20 or more years
since the original chiller equipment was installed in most existing
ice rinks. A number of leading OEMs now produce chillers based onsafe, low GWP HFO refrigerants, such as Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A)
or XP10 (R-513A). HFOs have competitive energy performanceand have been selected for many new ice plant installations.

• Availability of skilled mechanical contractors/operators• System types and designs (turnkey versus build-upsystem, etc.)• Compatibility with existing infrastructure (machinerooms, brine, etc.)• Safety, health, and environmental properties ofreplacement refrigerant (see Part II)• Costs for code and regulatory compliance (on sitetrained/certified operators, etc.)• Refrigerant performance (capacity and energy efficiency)• Impact of potential leak on surrounding communities,businesses, etc.
• Compliance with current and future regulations• Government, energy, or other available financial
incentives

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Smart Refrigerant Selection for Ice Rinks: Part 1

Looking Ahead: The Future of Ice Rink Chillers
In the 100 years since modern refrigeration systems madetheir debut, the technology has significantly evolved. The arrayof options makes decision-making complex and leaves some
professionals wondering whether it’s worth making a switch whenanother technology may be around the corner.
HFOs Offer Long-Term Solution
HFO refrigerants, such as Opteon™, have been in commercial use
for nearly a decade and are a well-established and thoroughly
researched category of replacement refrigerants. This technology
was specifically developed to address the environmental limitationsof former refrigerants and provide a long-term solution that doesn’tsacrifice safety and health performance.

With low GWP and zero ODP, HFOs like Opteon™ refrigerants
are among the most environmentally sustainable refrigerants
on the market. While they may not be the right solution forevery application or system, HFOs are excellent choices for
ice rinks looking to achieve long-term compliance with an
optimal balance of performance, safety, and cost. As leadersin the refrigeration industry for nearly 100 years, Chemours
and our OEM and mechanical partners are here to answer all
your questions and help you navigate through this transition.
Please reach out to us through your local Chemours contact
or at opteon.com.

HFOs also have properties very similar to the refrigerants they’rereplacing, making it simple for the limited supply of skilledcontractors to adapt to these low GWP refrigerants and install,
operate, and service them efficiently and safely in both existing
chillers and new systems.

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The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. Chemours makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and assumes
no liability in connection with any use of this information. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe on any patents or trademarks.
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