Refrigerants and their impact in the environment. Use of the solar energy as the source of energy

Abstract From household refrigerator to cooling chambers and passing by air conditioners of all types, refrigerants are widely used in both industrial and domestic equipments. These fluids, which are henceforth being banned due in particular to their environmental toxicity, are expected to be replaced. Replacing them is a difficult task considering that the only solutions currently available are the so-called “natural” refrigerants, such as ammonia, hydrocarbons and CO2. The disadvantages of these products are mainly toxicity (NH3), flammability (HC) and high pressures (CO2). However, with minimal skills and compliance with safety rules, they do not eventually prove to be more dangerous than other fluids. Our endeavour in this project is intended as a contribution to the protection of our environment. The motive being to produce cold for freezing foodstuffs, preservation of pharmaceuticals and space cooling. We aim in particular at the control of clean (white) rooms. Considering the climate situation in our country, this cold production will be supported by the use of solar energy as a power source, in order to ensure the autonomy of these areas in arid and semi arid regions. An alternative that seems promised to a bright future.