Waste and disposal emissions from F-gas containing refrigeration and potential actions to improve recovery of F-gases

Abstract

Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) are a group of gases including HFCs, PFCs, and SF6. They are most commonly used in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump applications. Emissions of F-gases contribute to 2,6% of all Kyoto greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Flanders (in CO2-eq.) [Altdorfer and Dauwe, 2018]. F-gas emissions have been increasing throughout the EU in the last decades, although in 2015 and 2016 emission levels in the EU appear to have stabilized, and are therefore considered "key category" for the national GHG emission reporting. Reducing emissions by reducing leakages from existing installations and the recovery of F-gases from end-of-life (EoL) equipment and by shifting to natural refrigerants or gases with a lower global warming potential,are appropriate ways to reduce these GHG emissions. Significant F-gas emission reductions and a move to alternatives with lower climate impact is also required by existing EU legislation [EU, 2014] and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.This study investigates into greater detail emissions resulting from the decommissioning, dismantling and end-of-life treatment of four types of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment: Hermetically sealed, small commercial refrigerators such as refrigerated vending machines, refrigerated showcases. Air conditioning and heat pumps with one outdoor and one or more indoor units. Stationary commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment. Maritime reefers.Emissions of F-gases can occur at different stages of equipment use: at manufacturing, during the use and at disposal. While the total fugitive emissions during the lifetime of equipment are still the largest source (see Figure 2), decommissioning of equipment containing F-gases will increasingly be important. From a policy perspective, understanding emissions arising during decommissioning is therefore very important. This is particularly the case because existing policies at EU and regional level are expected to have an impact on disposal emission factors. Regulations on the recovery of F-gases as well as increasing economic incentives due to rising prices resulting from the cap on F-gases placed on the market are likely to result in higher amounts of recovered gases.