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V. A NEW VISION FOR AMMONIA REFRIGERATION

Ammonia offers many advantages as a refrigerant. It has no ill effects on atmospheric ozone, does not contribute to the greenhouse effect, and its LCCP is highly favorable. Because ammonia also has favorable thermodynamic properties, ammonia refrigeration systems are more efficient than most traditional and newer refrigerants. Finally, ammonia refrigeration has a strong safety record, one that is comparable to other refrigeration systems in use today.

Certainly the growing environmental concerns relating to halocarbon refrigerants has sparked a renewed interest in ammonia refrigeration. However, demand has been most notable in the Northern European market where regulations are more accommodating.⁶⁴

Ammonia has found its greatest application as a refrigerant in industrial settings, primarily in the food processing and food distribution sectors. It is also used in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Ammonia refrigeration has been the refrigeration of choice for dairy-related products, ice making, and cold storage.⁶⁵ Ammonia air conditioning applications are found in government office buildings, museums, airports, colleges and hospitals. Enhancing the efficiency of power generation facilities represents a new application for ammonia refrigeration. With regulations properly tailored to ammonia refrigeration systems, the application of ammonia refrigeration systems will become more widespread.

To realize ammonia's full potential as a refrigerant, certain regulations will require a more tailored application to ammonia refrigeration systems. In particular, application of the PSM and RMP regimes must be refined and tailored to avoid the burdens and barriers imposed on existing and new ammonia refrigeration systems. Local regulations can also achieve their health and safety goals with more informed applications that do not restrict the broader use of ammonia refrigeration systems.