Overview of CFC replacement issues for household refrigeration

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5903540

Vineyard, E A ^[1]; Roke, L ^[2]; Hallett, F ^[3]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Fisher and Paykel, Auckland (New Zealand)
3. Frigidaire, Washington, DC (United States)

In 1974, the famous ozone depletion theory of Rowland and Molina claimed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) diffuse into the stratosphere where they are broken down by photolysis to release chlorine atoms that catalytically destroy ozone. Although the understanding of the science is still imperfect, there is little doubt that CFCs play a major role in the Antarctic ozone hole phenomenon and the decline in ozone observed in the rest of the world. Another issue that has become increasingly important is the potential of CFCs to change the earth's temperature and to modify the climate. While the main impact in global warming is made by increased concentrations of carbon dioxide, CFCs and other trace gases also contribute to this effect. In an effort to respond to the global environmental threat, a CFC protocol was adopted during a diplomatic conference in Montreal. This document, known as the Montreal Protocol, was ratified in 1988 and put into effect on January 1, 1989. In accordance with Article 6 of the Montreal Protocol, the countries that signed the agreement shall periodically assess the control measures provided for in the Protocol. As part of that assessment process, household refrigeration was investigated to determine the status of CFC-12 replacements. The conclusion was that much progress has been made towards finding a suitable replacement. Compressors designed for HFC-134a have efficiencies comparable to those for CFC-12 and acceptable reliability tests have been obtained with ester lubricants. In addition, other replacements such as R-152a and refrigerant mixtures exist, but will require more study. Cycle options, such as the Stirling cycle, may be viable, but are further out in the future. The impact of new refrigerants is expected to result in elimination of CFC-12 consumption in developed countries by 1997 and in developing countries by 2005.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5903540
• Report Number(s): CONF-911256-4; ON: DE92004477
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION CYCLE
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
COMPRESSORS
COOLING
DESIGN
FLUIDS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
REFRIGERANTS
REFRIGERATION
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
RETROFITTING
STIRLING CYCLE
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
WORKING FLUIDS