Current use of HFCs and HCFCs. Trends, alternatives and ... · For small equipment with low...

Current use of HFCs and HCFCs.

Trends, alternatives and climate impact

InternationalInstitute ofRefrigeration

YEREVAN, Armenia, May 18-19, 2009

Didier COULOMB, Director of the IIR, [email protected]

Institut International du Froid (IIF) - www.iifiir.org

- health

- the environment

2 major challenges in the 21st century:

� Needs in terms of health (ageing populations, food safety…)

will increase.� 850 Million people undernourished (FAO)

� 30% post-harvest losses


� 1 600 deaths/year in the USA due to pathogens, at least partly associated

with poor temperature control

� 1/3rd more inhabitants in the world in 2050, more urban and older.(health

products, hospitals… )

� Environmental issues will increasingly need to be

addressed: Montreal Protocol (CFCs, HCFCs), and above all

the Kyoto Protocol and the post-Kyoto era (energy

efficiency, phase down of greenhouse gases such as HFCs).

Refrigeration is necessary for life

� Food sector (quantity and quality of food)

� Health sector (health products, surgery, imaging, air

conditioning)

� Energy applications (Liquefied Natural Gas, Liquefied


� Energy applications (Liquefied Natural Gas, Liquefied

hydrogen, Thermonuclear fusion,… )

� Environmental applications (biodiversity thanks to the

cryopreservation of genetic resources, liquefaction of

CO2 for underground storage)

� Applications in heating (heat pumps), electronic

components, computer technology, biotechnology, space

technology, public works…

Various applications -> various solutions

� More than 90% : vapour-compression systems,

using refrigerants.

This figure will not change in the near future.

� All refrigerants are not adapted to all applications:


� All refrigerants are not adapted to all applications:

Pressure issues, safety issues, corrosion issues;

energy efficiency issues but generally, we have

several options.

Impact on the ozone layer (1)

� The impact of refrigerating plants on ozone

depletion is due to emissions of chlorinated

refrigerants (CFCs and HCFCs)

�equipment leaks


�poor maintenance

The Antarctica ozone hole

Impact on the ozone layer (2)Family of

refrigerantsMain refrigerants ODP

CFCs

CFC-11

CFC-12

Others

1

1

0.4 -> 1.0

HCFCsHCFC-22

Others

0.05

0.020 -> 0.070


HFCs

HFC-134a

HFC-404A

HFC-407C

HFC-410A

Others

0

Natural

refrigerants

R-717 (Ammonia)

R-744 (Carbon dioxide)

Hydrocarbons

Others

0

Montreal Protocol

Montreal

Protocol

Industrialized

countries

Developing

countries

CFCsPhased-out

since 1996

Phase-out

by 2010


since 1996 by 2010

HCFCsPhase-out

by 2020 (1) (2)Phase-out

by 2030 (1)

(1) Decision taken at MOP-19 in Montreal (September 2007)

(2) Several countries have adopted more stringent regulations

regarding HCFC phase-out: EU countries, US, Japan, etc.

Impact on global warming (1)

� The global-warming impact of refrigerating plants is

the following:

�About 20% of this impact is due to direct emissions of

fluorocarbons (CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs),

�About 80% of this impact results from indirect CO2


�About 80% of this impact results from indirect CO2

emissions originating in the production of the energy used

by the refrigeration plants

Efforts implemented focus on:

Reduction of direct emissions thanks to better containment

of refrigerants, development of alternative refrigerants.

Reduction of energy consumption thanks to increasing

energy efficiency of refrigerating plants

Impact on global warming (2)Family of

refrigerantsMain refrigerants GWP

CFCs

CFC-11

CFC-12

Others

4 750

10 890

6 000 -> 15 000

HCFCsHCFC-22

Others

1 810

70 -> 2 400


Others 70 -> 2 400

HFCs

HFC-134a

HFC-404A

HFC-410A

Others

1 430

3 900

2 100

4 -> 15 000

(HFO-1234yf)

Natural

refrigerants

R-717 (Ammonia)

R-744 (Carbon dioxide)

Hydrocarbons

Water

< 1

1

20

0

� And a lot of blends among HCFCs,

among HCFCs and HFCs,

among HFCs

all of them with a GWP between 900 and 15 000.

� If we consider the most commonly used HCFCs and

HFCs, without any other consideration, the

replacement of HCFCs by HFCs has a negligible or


replacement of HCFCs by HFCs has a negligible or

negative effect on global warming. We should avoid it.

Fortunately, with new equipment, leakage is reduced and

energy efficiency is better.

The final result should be slightly better, but not enough.

-> We need to implement new measures.

Reductions in refrigerant emissions (1)� The ODP-weighted production of CFCs + HCFCs has

decreased by 98% between 1988 and 2005


AFEAS-UNEP

Reductions in refrigerant emissions (2)� The GWP-weighted production of CFCs + HCFCs +

HFCs has decreased by 90% between 1988 and 2005


AFEAS-UNEP

Past reductions in leakage

� Case of Europe: even before the application of the

F-gas regulation, the leakage rate which was about

30 % in the 80s, is now (on the average), 20 years


after, about 5-10 %

(annual emissions/banks)

Past increase of energy efficiency

� Examples:

� COP in commercial refrigeration (for a temperature lift of 30°C):

� 1960: about 2.5

� 1990: about 3.3

� 2007: about 4


� Energy consumption of new refrigerators

• 3-4 times less in 2005 than in 1973

�Heat pumps

Challenges

� Refrigerant containment

� Refrigerant charge reduction

� Alternative refrigerants


� Alternative refrigerants

� Reduction in energy consumption

� Other sustainable refrigeration technologies

Solutions application by application

Applications

1. Domestic Refrigeration

2. Commercial Refrigeration

3. Industrial Refrigeration

4. Transport Refrigeration


4. Transport Refrigeration

5. Air Conditioning

Chillers

6. Mobile Air Conditioning

Domestic refrigeration (1)(refrigerated and frozen products)

� Current situation: essentially HFCs (HFC 134a) = 2/3rds

and HCs (HC600a mainly) = 1/3rd for new production

� Low leakage

� Main issue: recovery (including CFC12)

Reminder:


Reminder:

� About 1 300 million units installed worldwide

9 100 tonnes HFC 134a/year in new units

2 300 tonnes HC/year in new units

GWP

CFC 12 10 850

HFC 134a 1 430

HC 600a 20

Domestic refrigeration (2)

� Challenges:

- Recovery of old refrigerants (CFC12) then HFC 134a

- Authorization of HCs (currently under consideration in

the US) for new units


the US) for new units

HFC 134a and HCs: same energy efficiency

no real technical problem

Long term issue (unit life more than 20 years)

but new policy easy to implement

Commercial refrigeration (1)(Cold storage, supermarkets, vending machines...:

refrigerated and frozen products)

� Current situation:

� Very different types of equipment:

- Stand-alone equipement;

- Condensing units, side by side

- Centralized systems with direct systems

- Centralized systems with indirect systems


- Centralized systems with indirect systems

� Lack of precise statistics, but:

- important leakage (15%-35%), the highest rates being in

Article 5 countries and in large installations (due to poor

maintenance and length of pipes)

- a lot of different situations regarding the types of equipment

and the refrigerant uses

Main issues: maintenance for less leakage and better

energy efficiency; refrigerants retrofit; new plants

Commercial refrigeration (2)

� About 480 000 supermarkets worldwide over 500 m2

Refrigerant emissions (2003) (tonnes)

Article 5 countries Non article 5 countries total

CFC 43 000 2 000 45 000


CFCs: mainly CFC 12 and blends with HCFCs (GWP 5 000 -> 9 000)

HCFCs: mainly HCFC 22 (GWP: 1 810) and blends 22-HFCs (GWP 2 400 -> 3 200)

HFCs: HFC 134a and blends (1 430-3 900)

CFC 43 000 2 000 45 000

HCFC 50 000 30 000 80 000

HFC 600 10 000 10 600

Commercial refrigeration (3)

� Other options already developed:

� HCs and CO2 in stand-alone equipment (similar energy

efficiency; already tested and used in most types of

equipment)

Today: mainly HFC134a; some HFC blends (R404A)


� Condensing unit systems: today mainly HCFC 22; same issue

� Centralized systems: today, mainly HCFC 22; also HFCs

(R404A, HFC 134a) of same or higher GWP; but ammonia

already largely used and known (including Eastern Europe)

Also CO2, HCs, indirect systems with ice-slurries.

--> many options with similar energy efficiency

Commercial refrigeration (4)(Conclusion)

� Commercial refrigeration:

a major sector for mitigating global warming

� Better maintenance


� Retrofit issue: mainly with HFCs (life of equipment: 10-25 years)

� New systems: encourage ammonia (large systems; safety

regulations), CO2, HCs, ice slurries…

Industrial refrigeration (1)(Food and drink processing,

pharmaceutical industry, chemical plants, cold storage, liquefaction of gases…)

� Current situation:

� Really various and generally big plants (350 million m3 cold


storage worldwide… )

� Important leakage (10-20%)

� Use of CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, ammonia and in a few cases, CO2.

� Includes global systems with heat pumps, heat recovery.

Industrial refrigeration (2)

Refrigerant emissions (estimation 2006, tonnes/year)

CFCs 17 000

HCFCs 32 000

HFCs 3 500


CFCs: mainly CFC 12 + R 502 (blend)

old equipment, with important leakage (20% or more)

retrofit by HCFCs and HFCs (134a) (similar GWP)

HCFCs: mainly HCFC 22

HFCs: HFC 134a and blends (no benefit and even worse than HCFCs

regarding GWP, energy efficiency, costs)

Industrial refrigeration (3)

� Other options already developed:

� Ammonia; the best for large systems. But needs safety;

� CO2 for freezers (sometimes with cascades with HFC blends)

� Secondary fluids


� In some industrial processes, HFCs crurrently have no equivalent

(chemical reactions)

� For heat pumps, absorption heat pumps or vapour compression

heat pumps: CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs; ammonia for medium and

large capacities; HCs in niches

Industrial refrigeration (4)(Conclusion)

� An important sector but various cases:

� Better maintenance

� Retrofit issue: mainly with HFCs


� New systems: ammonia for large systems;

Others: case by case approach

Transport refrigeration (1)(Marine, rail, road, containers…)

Current situation:

� Mostly vapour-compression systems essentially with

CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs

- Very few with ammonia, CO2,


- Very few with ammonia, CO2,

- Very few sorption systems

- Few systems using CO2 or nitrogen as solid or liquid (refrigerant lost at the end)

� Important leakage (10-40%) but small amounts overall

(few vehicles: about 1 million)

� Shorter life cycles (tough constraints) thus more rapid

moves to new equipment

Transport refrigeration (2)Refrigerant

emissions

(tonnes/2003)

Marine Containers Road Rail Total

CFCs 15 15 1 000 30 1060

HCFC 22 3 100 40 1 000 5 4 145

HFCs 415 555 3 780 15 4 765


Total FCs 3 530 610 5 780 50 9 970

- HFCs are HFC 134a (mainly), blends (R404A,… ), HFC 23 with similar or

higher GWP than HCFCs

- However, other refrigerants often encounter issues of safety

(flammability, toxicity), or of cost. Technical developments and tests are

still necessary

Transport refrigeration (3)(Conclusion)

� The impact on global warming is less important

� HFCs often are still currently the best solution

(tough constraints)


(tough constraints)

� Efforts must be concentrated in reducing leakage

(maintenance… )

� Technological developments to be implemented

Stationary air-conditioning (1)

Current situation:

� Various types of equipment:

- Small self-contained air conditioners (for heating or cooling

small spaces through walls, windows… )

- Non-ducted split residential and commercial air conditioners

- Ducted split residential air conditioners


- Ducted commercial split and packaged air conditioners chillers

(see « chillers »)

� Important leakage (15-20%)

� Mainly HCFC 22 for the 4 first applications (95%) replacements in

article 5 countries progressively by HFC blends (higher GWP)

but possibilities for CO2 and hydrocarbons

� Skyrocketting market (+50% in 5 years especially in Article 5

countries)

Stationary air conditioning (2)Refrigerant emissions (2005) (tonnes/year)

Article 5 countries Non Article 5 countries

HCFC 22 55 000

(110 000 in 2015)

110 000

HFC ____ 7 000


Shifting to HCs or CO2 requires investments: for safety reasons for HCs,

for effciency reasons for CO2. HCs will be limited to low charge levels

(flammability); CO2 also needs further technological developments.

HCs and CO2 can rarely be used for retrofits (safety… )

Life of equipment: 15-20 years in non Article 5 countries.

� For small equipment with low refrigerant charge,

HCs can be an option for new equipment.

� Replacement of HCFCs in other uses by HFCs would

have a negative effect on the climate but it cannot be

Stationary air conditioning (3)(Conclusion)


have a negative effect on the climate but it cannot be

avoided.

� Further technological developments will be developed

in the future in non Article 5 countries, that should be

transferred to Article 5 countries.

� Reducing leakage is necessary.

Chillers (1)(air conditioning for large buildings and

process cooling in industries)

� Vapour-compression and absorption chillers (proof of

energy efficiency except if waste heat sources… ).

� Low leakage (about or less than 10 % in HCFC and


HFC installations).

� Refrigerants used in vapour-compression systems:

CFCs, HCFC 22, HCFC 123 (very low GWP), HFC 134a,

blends.

� Few with ammonia, hydrocarbons

Chillers (2)

Refrigerant emissions (2003) (tonnes/year)


CFCs 8 000 6 600

HCFCs 4 000 7 400


Conclusion

Even if HFC emissions are increasing, overall emissions (tonnes/year)

are decreasing, both in Article 5 and non Article 5 countries.

Replacement of HCFC 22 by HFC 134a is interesting, and the same of

course applies to ammonia or HCs.

HFCs 1 000 4 100

Vehicle air conditioning (1)(Cars, trucks, buses, railcars)

� Old vehicles: mainly CFC 12

� New vehicles: mainly HFC 134a

Due to EU new regulation, CO2 and HFO 1234yf will be the


2

competitors in the near future (2010) on the European and

American markets

� Countries will adapt to this new situation

Vehicle air conditioning (2)

Refrigerant emissions (2003) (tonnes/year)


CFCs 7 900 16 200


HCFCs 2 000 5 000

HFCs 11 600 47 600

Conclusion� Reduction of leakage, better containment, reduction of the charge of refrigerants: for all gases

� Needs training, certification (ex. F-gas regulation)

� Global costs: HCs similar to HCFCs

NH3 better in large systems

…

� Global energy solutions (housing, transport)

� Recovery of CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs

� Concentrate efforts on new plants and equipment in:


� Domestic refrigeration (HCs)

� Commercial refrigeration (various solutions)

� Stationary air conditioning (global building policy)

� Vehicle air conditioning (see the developments in Europe and the USA)

� Retrofit: mainly with HCFCs and HFCs, even if negative impact on the climate

� A lot of new technological developments in the near future on refrigerants, equipment, not in

kind technologies

� Updated information

� IIR membership: see www.iifiir.org

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