Refrigerant as RHVAC Components and Current Environmental Issues

The depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, and energy and material efficiency are the
main themes in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning today. The role of refrigerant in this case is
very influential. And, as we all know; the refrigeration and air conditioning sector is still developing and
innovating, especially in responding to environmental issues.

Let's look back at the time when the development of RHVAC first began. Not as complicated as
today, the early history of refrigeration was closely related to human efforts to preserve food, at least
until the invention of mechanical refrigeration. Nowadays, refrigeration mechanics are much better than
in the past, various types of compressors and refrigeration cycles have been used. It can be said that
mechanical refrigeration was first introduced by William Cullen, a Scot national, who in 1755 made ice
by evaporating ether at low pressure. In 1810 Sir John Lesley for the first time succeeded in making ice
with a machine that uses a similar principle. The milestone in the development of refrigeration was in
1834 when Jacob Perkins, an American, obtained patent number 6662 from England for a vapor
compression engine – which is currently widely used in refrigeration systems.

Then came the moment when James Harrison, a Scot who immigrated to Australia in 1837,
invented a refrigeration machine in the early 1850s, and Alexander Twinning produced a tonne of ice
per day in 1856 in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1851, Dr. John Gorrie of Florida obtained the first American patent
for an ice machine that uses compressed air as a refrigerant.

Increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration system covers a very broad scope, thus encouraging
the emergence of studies and innovations at a more specific level. Within the scope of refrigeration
components, namely compressors, evaporators, condensers, and expansion valves (with various types
and sizes) are the main components that are more familiar to hear. In addition, there are piping,
injectors, oil separators, defroster, economizer, and many others which are important studies in
increasing system efficiency. Within the system scope, various innovations in the type of refrigeration
system and its control system have undergone many developments.

Of course, in the use of this refrigeration system. The role of refrigerant is very necessary as a
medium for the cooling system. And, this role is very influential in the environmental issues mentioned
earlier.

A refrigerant (a refrigerant or refrigerant) is a substance or mixture, usually a liquid, used in a

heat pump and refrigeration cycle. Many working fluids have been used for this purpose, for example
Fluorocarbons, especially chlorofluorocarbons which were often used in the 20th century, however,
have been phased out due to the ozone-depleting effect they cause, but sometimes we still encounter
them. Other common refrigerants used in various applications include ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and
non-halogenated hydrocarbons such as propane.

Chloro Fluoro Carbon (CFC) as a chemical refrigerant is a type of emission that can cause
damage to the ozone layer (the earth's protective layer from ultraviolet rays). CFCs are also called
freons. The depletion of the ozone layer is caused by the amount of freon that is released into the air
and reacts with the ozone layer.

Freon or CFC is the cause of global warming which is the cause of many changes in the
environment, ranging from the increase in the earth's temperature to the melting of polar ice caps.
 In the context of health, the first consequence of the dangers of this freon is chlorofluorocarbon
(CFC) poisoning. The symptoms are swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, severe sore throat, loss of
vision, burning of the eyes, nose, lips and tongue, burns of the esophagus, vomiting blood, blood in the
stool, severe abdominal pain, abnormal heart rhythm and blood circulation.

The second result is heart problems. Excessive use of AC freon can cause serious side effects on
the heart. Cooling freon is potentially toxic to the heart and can cause heart attacks, high blood pressure
and normal heart rhythms to sink into the bloodstream.

The final and most fatal result is death. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) has reported deaths caused by abnormal heart rhythms and cooling suffocation in
confined spaces, suggesting that they had sniffing death syndrome. This syndrome occurs when the
victim experiences an inhalant suddenly, causing the release of adrenaline which stops the heart.

In this regard, many efforts have been made by various parties. The Montreal Protocol, which
was then followed by the Kyoto Protocol, has created many agendas related to addressing these main
themes, which of course has made the refrigeration sector more dynamic.

In the case of refrigerants, the production and use of refrigerants that cause ozone depletion
and global warming have already been stopped, and some are scheduled to be phased out. There was a
shift from refrigerant HCFCs to HFCs to stop the contribution of refrigeration to the depletion of the
ozone layer. In order to stop the contribution of refrigeration to global warming, the next shift is from
HFCs to natural refrigerants, including hydrocarbon refrigerants.

Indonesia also does not want to be outdone, Pertamina Indonesia produces a refrigerant under
the name Musi Cool (MC), this refrigerant is claimed to be environmentally friendly. This is part of
Pertamina's commitment to produce environmentally friendly products. Test results show that MC is
proven to be able to reduce electricity consumption by 15 to 20 percent. compared to the use of CFCs
(Chlorofluorocarbons). Musi Cool's products, divided into MC-12, MC-22, and MC-134, are classified as
Non ODS (Non Ozone Deploting Substance), safe and energy efficient. the new MC is used for office
equipment, vehicles, housing, and refinery operations within Pertamina UP III itself. MC can be used for
air conditioners (window/split), car air conditioners, refrigerators, and water dispensers without the
need to replace components when switching from the previous refrigerant type (CFC).