Only Jesus FERROELECTRIC-POLARPOLYMERS Can Save You Now!

The refrigerator is an everyday commodity and it is hard to imagine a kitchen without one; yet they have always been infamous for their potential to have a harmful impact on people and the environment (The Open University, 2009).

Whilst it is true that we have come a long way from the days when ammonia was used as a refrigerant (eNotes.com, 2009), but nevertheless refrigerators are still a threat. The FFU23X from Hotpoint is no different; it impacts the environment on two fronts: the materials it’s made from and the energy used for its operation.

The FFU23X uses a type of ‘Freon’ as its refrigerant (Cullen, 2009); specifically R-134a (Vera, 2007). This substance, if released can cause damage to people and to the Ozone layer, it must be disposed of properly by professionals (Smith, 2003) (The Open University, 2009).
In order for Hotpoint to improve the impact that the FFU23X has on the environment they could think about planning how they manage sources of supply in a strategic manner, in order to reduce the total cost of the material and services that are associated with these harmful materials (Anderson, 2007) (Lovejoy, 2001).

Hotpoint should plan to control and minimize the risk posed by the materials involved in production (Nguyen, 2009). The FFU23X already uses more environmentally friendly blowing foam materials than most conventional refrigerators which use Rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams (Yoshimura, 1996) - estimated that approximately 75-80 per cent is used in refrigerator-freezers (Greenpeace, 2008). Cyclopentane has proven to be the optimal replacement for CFCs; in fact tests have found it to be more efficient also (Appliance Magazine, 2006). However this freezer substitute isn’t all gravy; Cyclopentane does not dissolve in water and if tipped into a sink it presents a fire and explosion risk - all waste needs to be retained in a suitable non-chlorinated solvents container for disposal (Chemical Safety Database, 2005). Protective equipment is required and employees must wear safety glasses and disposable gloves. As you can see, there is an awful lot that can be done to reduce the associated risk surrounding materials such as Cyclopentane; preventative measures are imperative.

Due to the operating principal of refrigerators, they are required to be functioning 24/7, this consequently has a major impact on its energy consumption. The FFU23X is estimated to use 2700 KW hours annually (oksolar, 2008). The FFU23X has an EU rating of “B”, with “A + + ” being the best. This number is calculated according to the consumption and the compartments' volume of the appliance; it is an index, it is not calculated in kWh (The EU, 2009) (White Goods, 2008 ).

To improve upon the environmental impact Hotpoint could increase independence of functional requirements (Nguyen, 2009) by adding more functional options. If they were to add automatic moisture control to the FFU23X which would eliminate the need for an "anti-sweat" heater; models with an anti-sweat heater will consume 5% to 10% more energy than models without this feature (Energy Savers, 2009).
This method would reduce energy consumption, but this reduction is almost negligible in comparison to the following approach. This is essentially the KISS approach (Nguyen, 2009).

Hotpoint should consider a new eco-friendly technology on the horizon; courtesy of ferroelectric polarpolymers. Instead of relying on Freon, a process which can only be performed with energy-intensive compressors and heating coils, refrigerators will rely on something called magnetic field refrigeration. In magnetic field refrigeration, electricity is introduced to a polarpolymer, causing the usually disordered molecules of the polarpolymer to become highly ordered. As this happens, heat is dispersed and the material grows cold. When the electricity is switched off this process reverses itself (Flatley, 2008) (Penn State, 2008).

It has been calculated that this new technology will require an estimated 0.1kWh per DAY! (Groovy Green, 2005). That means in a year the fridge freezer of the future less than 2% of the kWh consumption from the FFU23X.

This new system would not require any of the conventional refrigerant chemicals used today; there is also less to go wrong with regards to mechanics; as an electronic switch has far less to go wrong than an electronic motor! You would have Easier maintenance and you would minimise errors.
This is technology is in its infancy but nevertheless it is out there. And although you are radically changing this product DRAMATICALLY, but if Hotpoint were to change their design principals and embrace this new technology, along with Greenpeace (who are working on new insulation for freezers) could almost eliminate all of the environmental effect that the FFU23X posses.

So are Ferroelectric – polarpolymers the future for eco-friendly fridge-freezers? There is every possibility; it would be rather cool if they were!

References

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