Cfc Alternatives for Refrigeration : More than 2 Years of Field Trials

has adopted a more severe position and will ban CFCs by the end of 1994. In order to face this challenge, Elf Atochem has developed a comprehensive range of CFC alternatives. Today, CFC-12 can easil be replaced by the FORANEQ 134a or the FORANEQ FX56 (retrofit) and R-502 by the FORANE 8 FX70 or the FORANEB FXlO (retrofit). During the last two years, Elf Atochem's new FORANE@ refrigerants have been intensively tested in the field, first, by compressor manufacturers, second, by equipment manufacturers and contractors. FORANEB blends are today recognized by major compressor manufacturers and are requested by major supermarket chains for retrofits. Large number of retrofits have been performed on various systems through a wide range of technology all over the world. This paper puts forwards a selection of representative experiences where Elf Atochem brought technical assistance and follow-up, in order to assess FORANE@ products performance. Upon these experiences, it appears that data and observations reported by contractors indicate that for technicians used to R-12 and R-502, the retrofit handling do not require field assistance from Elf Atochem.