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Eco-friendly Status of Domestic Refrigerators Available in Bangladesh

M Nur-A-Alam
Department of Farm Power and Machinery Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh- 2202

M R Ali
Department of Farm Power and Machinery Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh- 2202

M A Rahman
Department of Farm Power and Machinery Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh- 2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was conducted to investigate the status of domestic refrigerators available in Bangladesh. At present more than 50 refrigerator brands are available in Bangladesh. Almost all of the brands are Chinese using aluminum compressors and low quality refrigerants. These are cheaper than any well-known refrigerator brand. The common complains of the consumers were delayed ice formulation and noise. R12, R22, R134a, R600 and R600a were commonly used as refrigerants in Bangladesh which required 24, 34, 48, 72 and 96 minutes respectively to make ice. Their refilling costs and noise level were 1350, 500, 1350, 1000, 2200 Tk/L and 80, 81, 72, 82, 96 db respectively. R12 and R22 formed hard ice within 24 and 34 minutes respectively but R134a, R600, R600a could not form ice so quickly. The noise level, refilling cost and complains of R600 and R600a were high from both consumers and repairers. Noise level also varied upon compressor. Repairers feel comfort to refill R12, R22 and R134a instead of R600 and R600a, though R12, R22 are banned in many countries according to the declaration of Montreal Protocol and Kyoto protocol. Conventional refrigerators could not be run by R600a, the most eco-friendly refrigerant as because it makes huge noise. So repairers refill the conventional refrigerators with R12, R22 and R134a. R134a is better than R600/R600a and tends to be eco-friendly refrigerant.

Keywords: Refrigerator, Refrigerants, Eco-friendly refrigerants, Power consumption, Noise level

Location: Department of Farm Power and Machinery Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

To investigate the status of domestic refrigerators available in Bangladesh to save the environment from global warming and ensure a better atmosphere for our next generation. The study was conducted based on refrigerants used, power consumption and noise level.

Methodology:

A qualitative research design was employed incorporating interviews, participant interaction, field observations, and document review. This approach was applied in this study to examine status of refrigerator, power consumption, refrigerant and their management practices in Bangladesh. This research design was selected to examine the ecofriendly level of the refrigerators, the management practices of the refrigerants in repairer available in Bangladesh and determination of gaps in policy. The ultimate goal was to recommend an eco-friendly refrigerant and management strategies to improve the sustainability of environment. Consumers’ sites were visited to identify their problems to use it and try to find out the reason of using a particular refrigerator brand. Dealer sites and manufacturers were visited to identify their problems, noise level and type of refrigerants that they use. Institutional and academic knowledge of repairers were also focused and their problems were identified. Six districts named Dhaka, Mymensingh, Bogra, Rangpur, Natore and Rajshahi were selected to find out the problems due to using of improper refrigerants in domestic refrigerator. 257 consumers’, 19 repairers’, 30 dealers’ site and 3 manufacturers’ sites were visited with questionnaire. The noise level was measured by noise meter and the ice formation time was recorded by stop watch. The literature review provided critical background information to orient the research and identified previous research findings of different refrigerants used in refrigerators available in Bangladesh. Data was analyzed and interpreted to make recommendations for sustainable refrigerant for the refrigerators.

Source of Information: Eco-friendly Agril. J. 7(03): 32-36, 2014 (March); ISSN 1999-7957

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

R12, R22, R134a, R600 and R600a are the most available refrigerants for domestic refrigerator. R600 and R600a are the eco-friendly refrigerant having zero ODP and GWP (1300). On the other hand, R134a has zero ODP and higher GWP. The complain level of R134a is less than R600 and R600a. Noise level is another parameter to select an ecofriendly refrigerator. The refrigerators having aluminum compressor make more noise compared to copper compressor. Power consumption generally varies from 114W to 130W. A poor country like Bangladesh, replacing old fridges is very costly. With the recovery system, a trained technician can recover and recycle better grade refrigerant in the system. The refrigerator companies should provide after-sale service with trained technicians. The government should formulate a policy and monitoring system to control the use of refrigerants which are harmful for environment.

Knowledge Management: Journal