Fluorinated gases

Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are man-made gases that can stay in the atmosphere for centuries and contribute to a global greenhouse effect. There are four types: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).

Types of F-gases

The most common F-gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which contain hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon. They are used in a multitude of applications including commercial refrigeration, industrial refrigeration, air-conditioning systems, heat pump equipment, and as blowing agents for foams, fire extinguishants, aerosol propellants, and solvents.

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are the compounds consisting of fluorine and carbon. They are widely used in the electronics, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in refrigeration when combined with other gases. PFCs were commonly used as fire extinguishants in the past and are still found in older fire protection systems. They are also a by-product of the aluminium smelting process.

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is used primarily as an insulation gas. It can be found in high-voltage switchgear and is used in the production of magnesium.

HFCs were developed in the 1990s to substitute substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). As these substances were found to deplete the ozone layer, the Montreal Protocol lays down provisions for them to be phased-out globally. PFCs and SF6 were already in use prior to the Montreal Protocol.

Impact of F-gases

F-gases are ozone-friendly, very energy efficient, and safe for users and the public due to their low levels of toxicity and flammability. However, most F-gases have a relatively high global warming potential (GWP). If released, HFCs stay in the atmosphere for decades and both PFCs and SF6 can stay in the atmosphere for millennia.

Regulation of F-gases

International level

Although the Montreal Protocol regulates the phasing out of HCFCs, there is currently no international agreement on the regulation of HFCs. Efforts are ongoing to develop a global approach for the control of HFCs. Most recently, this has taken the form of a declaration of support for a global phase-down on as part of the outcomes of the "Rio+20" United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.[1]

US-level

In the United States, the regulation of F-gases falls under the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency's overall attempts to combat greenhouse gases.[2] The United States has put forward a joint proposal with Mexico and the Federated States of Micronesia for a phase-down of HFCs by 2030.

EU-level regulation

In order to combat the potential global warming effects of F-gases, and as part of the EU's Kyoto protocol commitments, in 2006 the European Union passed two pieces of legislation controlling their use: the F-gas Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 and the Mobile Air Conditioning Directive Directive 2006/40/EC. The F-gas Regulation adopts an approach based on containment and recovery of F-gases as well as imposing obligations on reporting, training and labeling on those using F-gases.

On 26 September 2011, the Commission issued a report on the application, effects and adequacy of the Regulation, drawing from the results of an analytical study it commissioned from German environmental research institute, Öko-Recherche. A further study, conducted by the Armines Centre energétique et procédés and by Energy Research Innovation Engineering (ERIE) found that emissions reductions of up to 60% can be achieved by improving containment measures and accelerating the changeover from high GWP refrigerants to ones with lower GWP.[3]

On 7 November 2012, the European Commission published the proposal to revise the F-gas Regulation. In December 2013, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU agreed the text of the revised regulation, which shall be applied from 1 January 2015.

See also

Greenhouse gas
Montreal Protocol
Refrigerant

References

  1. ↑ http://www.uncsd2012.org/content/documents/727The%20Future%20We%20Want%2019%20June%201230pm.pdf#page=39
  2. ↑ "F-gases Emissions | Climate Change | US EPA". Epa.gov. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  3. ↑ http://www.epeeglobal.org/epeedocs/internet/docs/ERIE__Armines_study_-_Executive_Summary_-_October_2011_5889.pdf
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