Introduction

Ammonia (NH₃) has already been used as refrigerant R717 for more than a century in industrial and large-scale refrigeration systems.

• When operated as intended, safety-relevant emissions do not occur on ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Ammonia does not have any ozone depletion potential, no direct greenhouse effect, the efficiency is at least as good as with synthetic refrigerants, it is unrivalled in terms of cost and therefore an ideal alternative to synthetic refrigerants.

However, compared to common industrial systems, industrial ammonia refrigeration systems require a completely different system technology. In the majority of cases, the compressor has an "open design" and the motor is a separate component. These and other measures increase the expenditure for ammonia refrigerant systems, especially for systems with low or medium capacity.

This Technical Information focuses on the criteria and measures relevant to application technology when using Bitzer compressors with R717 for installation in commercial and industrial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems according to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Due to the flammability, toxicity and high discharge gas temperatures, special safety regulations limiting the general use are applicable to the planning, construction and operation of such systems. The required risk assessment of the system must be prepared by the system manufacturer. However, the hazard assessment for installation, operation and maintenance of the system is the responsibility of the end user.