Main characteristics of ammonia | |
Chemical formula | NH3 |
Liquid density at +20°C | 610 kg/m3 |
Gas density at +20ºC | 0,78kg/m3 |
Relative gas density (with respect to air) | 0,6 |
Triple point | -77,7 ºC |
Evaporating temperature at 1,013 bar | -33,4 ºC |
Ignition temperature (DIN 51794) | + 651 ºC |
Explosive concentration in volume | 15-28% |
Explosive concentration by weight | 114-212,8 g/m3 |
Explosive concentration in p.p.m. | 150000 – 280000 ppm |
Volume increase with change of state | 800 times |
Very soluble in water (litres NH3/litre water) | 1140 a 0ºC |
Causes skin burns |
Required quality of ammonia for use as a refrigerant | |
Purity | 99,98% |
Maximum water content | 150 ppm |
Waste oil | 3 ppm |
Uncondensable | 0,2 ml/g |
NH3 refrigeration installation | |
Yearly “handling” hours (staff working for loading/unloading and other activities): | 3.840h |
Remaining hours per year in “maintenance” regime | 4.920h |
Refrigeration capacity | 1.200 kW |
Rated hourly power absorbed by compressors | 325 kW |
Average annual power absorbed by compressors in handling mode | 230 kW |
Nominal hourly power absorbed by auxiliary equipment (fans, pumps, electrical resistance, etc.) | |
Average hourly power absorbed by auxiliary equipment in handling mode | 38 kW |
Average hourly power absorbed by compressors in maintenance mode (4,920h) | 120 kW |
Average hourly power absorbed by auxiliary equipment in maintenance mode (4,920h) | 22 kW |
Life cycle considered | 15 years |
Current cost of electricity | 0,11€/kWh |
Annual energy price increase | 3% |
Average cost of electricity over 15 years | 0,14€/kWh |
Average interest on money | 5% per year |
Annual maintenance costs of the refrigeration plant | 4% acquisition price |
Life cycle calculation. R717 refrigeration installation – Economic Analysis.
Costs distributed over 15 years | |
Previous studies: €30,000 | 2.000€ |
Complete refrigeration plant € 940,000 with interest | 90.562€ |
Auxiliary installations for the refrigeration plant 180.000€ (electrical, water, compressed air, etc.) | 17.342€ |
Average annual energy costs over the 15 years: 1.631.280 kW-h x 0,14€/kW | 228.379€ |
Cold plant operating costs (1 operator 20% time) | 6.600€ |
Maintenance costs (refrigeration and auxiliary installations) | 3.000€ |
Environmental costs | 2.000€ |
Decommissioning costs (60,000 €/15) | 4.000€ |
Total annual cost | 353.883€ |
Electricity consumption as a percentage of total consumption: 65%. |
As ammonia is a refrigerant that has been used with compression equipment since 1876, a series of standards and regulations have been developed to guarantee the best safety for people, the environment and stored products, and in the European Union the standard recognised by all member states is EN 378 “Refrigeration systems and heat pumps. Safety and environmental requirements”, which is aligned with the international safety standard ISO 5149. EN 378, has incorporated new features such as:
However, each country has its own rules and regulations.
In Europe, the regulations applicable to ammonia refrigeration are mainly regulated by Directive 2014/68/EU on pressure equipment and Directive 2009/29/EC on the limitation of emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Directive 2014/68/EU sets out design, manufacturing, inspection and conformity requirements for pressure equipment, including refrigeration systems using ammonia as a refrigerant. These requirements aim to ensure the safety and integrity of equipment and to prevent accidents.
On the other hand, Directive 2009/29/EC aims to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases, including many of the synthetic refrigerants used in refrigeration systems. This may influence the choice of more environmentally friendly alternative refrigerants, such as ammonia, in refrigeration systems.
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