Since 2005, production and supplies of CTC have seen a sharp decline. With supplies falling well below the demand, prices have risen. Procurement of CTC is becoming increasingly difficult and it is imperative to identify suitable alternatives rapidly. A host of alternative options may exist for every application, and the best one needs to be identified. The German Agency for Technical Coopration (GTZ), an international co-operation enterprise for sustainable development, lends assistance to Indian industries in this regard.

Evaluation of requirements: In consultation with affected industries, GTZ evaluates the requirements of processes in which CTC is currently used. High emphasis is placed on dialogue with users to ensure that technical and economical dimensions of the processes involved are well understood.

Substitute identification: The identification of suitable substitutes is in full swing. For most industry segments, one or more alternative products have already been found. In many cases, GTZ can learn from existing experiences of industries using alternative products for the benefit of all.

Substitute testing: In order to address critical parameters such as performance, cost, and health and safety risks, GTZ conducts testing of substitute products, either in the laboratory or in the industry. The aim is to provide relevant information that industries can rely upon.

Sharing of results: Information on substitute products and processes is made available free of charge to industries. In addition to publications, GTZ holds technical seminars for the industries concerned and engages in capacity building wherever required.

Solvent alternatives: GTZ has identified a range of solvents available on the Indian market. Their cost, properties, industrial applications and health hazards were researched and compiled in the booklet Solvent Alternatives. Contact: National CTC Phase-out Plan, GTZ Proklima Country Office, A-33 Gulmohar Park, New Delhi 110 049, India. Tel: +91 (11) 2661 1021.

Source: www.ctc-phaseout.org

As support to save the ozone and address the need of CFCs after 1 August 2008, the Northern Indian Railways will reclaim CFC and use the reclaimed CFC for servicing the air-conditioners of the railway coaches. The Indian Railways at present consume around 80 tonnes CFC-12 annually for maintenance. To meet CFC phase-out targets, it must employ good servicing practices, including recovery, recycling and reuse of reclaimed refrigerant during maintenance of AC coaches.

Indian Railways is making proactive efforts to phase-out CFCs by converting the under-slung units from CFC-12 to HFC-134a. A number of units have already been successfully converted thus by different railway units. The activity is co-ordinated and monitored by Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO).

Source: www.nccopp.info

Training constitutes one of the main activities under the National CFC Consumption Phase-out Plan (NCCoPP). Training is offered to Refrigeration and Air-conditioning technicians in all the major states in India. Training focuses on: mobile air-conditioning servicing; retrofitting for large commercial appliances using open-type compressors; retrofitting for domestic and small commercial appliances; and recovery and recycling of CFC refrigerants.

Good practice in handling CFCs is the primary focus. In addition, technicians are also trained in non-CFC technologies to ensure customer satisfaction, on which their survival depends. Safety aspects are also an issue, especially with regard to use of hydrocarbons.

NCCoPP operates through a network of training cells. The training cells are managed through Quest Consulting and Training, which leads the training initiatives in India and coordinates all training programmes. Industry partners such as Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Ltd., Whirlpool and Kirloskar Copeland Ltd. also participate in the programme and provide their resources to train refrigeration servicing enterprise technicians in addition to training their own service networks and franchisees. The training institutions are given initial support, through training-of-trainers workshops and equipment, to reinforce their capacity and infrastructure.

The number of training cells will reduce over the projects lifetime. For example, in the South, a very high coverage of the sector has already been achieved under the HIDECOR project and hence, the training cells in these areas and the number of training programmes in this region will gradually reduce.


Source: www.nccopp.info

Under NCCoPP, up to March 2008, 6,988 technicians had been trained. During the coming season, more technicians will benefit from the training programmes.

INFRAS has announced the launch of an Excellence Award Scheme for trainer of the year to honour outstanding performance of trainers under NCCoPP. Training Cell organizers and industry partners are encouraged to submit their voluntary nominations, which are then scrutinized by a jury. Under this scheme, one excellence and six outstanding awards were announced for 2008. The winners received a Certificate of Excellence & cash award of Rs 10,000 or Rs 5,000, respectively.

Source: www.nccopp.info