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Ozone depleting substances and the greenhouse gases HFCs, PFCs and SF₆

4 Greenhouse gases

4.1 Import of substances

An overall picture of the trends in the import of greenhouse gases is given in Table 4.1, based on information from importers for the years 1987, 1989, 1992, and 1994-2001.

4.1.1 HFCs

HFCs were imported by nine enterprises in 2001, of which five are Danish suppliers and four are user enterprises, importing directly from other EU countries.

The total import (minus re-export) for all HFCs, according to the importers, has fallen from 1,027 tonnes in 2000 to 676 tonnes in 2001. This is a reduction of about 34% compared to 2000.

The import of HFC-134a has fallen from 711.1 tonnes in 2000 to 472.8 tonnes in 2001. In particular it has been possible to ascertain a reduction in consumption by manufacturers of fridges, as there has been a significant reduction in production by one manufacturer.

The import of HFC-152a has been reduced from 16.4 tonnes in 2000 to 11.1 tonnes in 2001.The import of HFC-404a has been reduced from 193.1 tonnes in 2000 to 126.3 tonnes in 2001. The reduction in the consumption of HFC-404a is to a large degree due to lower consumption by commercial refrigerators. It is not possible to explain this development, but it is clear that the refrigerator industry had a lower turnover in 2001 than in the year before. Therefore it can be assumed that there were fewer refillings in 2001 than in 2000.

The import of HFC-407c has been reduced from 44.7 tonnes in 2000 to 40.3 tonnes in 2001. HFC-407c is a substitute refrigerant for HCFC-22 in stationary A/C systems.

The import of other HFCs (HFC-408a, HFC-409a, HFC-410a, HFC-227, HFC-365 and HFC-23) measures 18.4 in 2001 compared with 24.1 tonnes in 2000. The year 2001 is the first year where an import of the new substance HFC-365 has been registered. The import of HFC-365 amounts to approx. 3.5-4 tonnes. HFC-365 has been developed by Solvey as a substitute for HFC-134a and other blowing agents for foam plastics. HFC-227 is often used as a substitute for CFC blowing agents, but the consumption for 2001 has not been ascertained.

The import of HFC-507a has been reduced to 2.2 tonnes in 2001. In 2000 the import totalled 23.9 tonnes. The import of HFC-401a measures 4.1 tonnes and HFC-402a measures 0.8 tonnes. The consumption of these was also relatively small in 2000.

4.1.2 Sulphurhexafluoride

Three importers report imports and sales of 2.7 tonnes of sulphurhexafluoride in 2001. The areas of application concerned are the glass industry, high-voltage plants, and a small amount as trace gas for laboratory purposes. Use of SF₆ in the metal industry was phased out in 2000.

In addition, a supplier of GIS plants (power switches in high-voltage plant) imported 2 tonnes of SF₆ in 2001 from another EU country.

4.1.3 Perfluorinated hydrocarbons

Two importers report imports of mixture products containing perfluorinated substances. The substance in this case is perfluoropropane, C₃F₈, for refrigerant application in commercial refrigerators. Imports of this substance amount to approx. 3.2 tonnes.

One producer reports imports and sales of detergent for electronics, containing approx. 0.5 tonnes of perfluoropropane.

Table 4.1
Developments in the import of greenhouse gases, tonnes.

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4.2 Consumption distributed among application areas

The evaluation of the consumption distributed by application areas is estimated on the basis of information from importers and producers, and on records regarding sales to the Danish Refrigeration Installers’ Environmental Scheme (KMO). The consumption distributed by application area is shown in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2
Distribution of HFC consumption shown by application area in 2001, tonnes.

4.2.1 Consumption of HFC as refrigerant

The general trend in Danish consumption of HFCs for refrigerants is falling in all areas. Refrigerant consumption for production of refrigerators/freezers is falling because of a lower production of appliances based on HFCs. A similar consumption to 2001 is expected in future years. Similarly, there is a falling trend for refrigerant consumption for stationary refrigeration units. Due to new legislation banning construction of new HFC units after 2007, and generally better units, the trend is expected to continue to fall. For use of HFCs in mobile climate equipment there is a clear increase in consumption for refilling mobile equipment.

The consumption distributed according to application area is based on information from producers and importers and on data from the Danish Refrigeration Installers’ Environmental Scheme (KMO), which receives records of the sales of substances from refrigerator installers and automobile garages, and so forth.

The consumption of refrigerants relating to household fridges and freezers is calculated based on information from user enterprises.

The consumer figures for refrigerants in commercial and stationary A/C systems, and mobile A/C systems and refrigerators are estimated using data from the Danish Refrigeration Installers’ Environmental Scheme (KMO) and import information.

Table 4.3 shows the relative consumption of refrigerants according to application area.

Table 4.3
The relative consumption of refrigerants according to refrigerant application, tonnes.

The largest consumption of HFC refrigerant is related to commercial stationary refrigerators, which account for 61% of the total consumption of refrigerants. The second highest consumption is 30% for fridges/freezers and 7% for mobile A/C systems. Refrigerated vans and lorries make up 2% of the consumption (only includes refrigerators on lorries).

The consumption of HFC-134a accounts for 59% of the overall consumption and the consumption of HFC-404a accounts for 27%. This distribution is comparable to that of the previous year.

4.2.2 Consumption of HFC for foam production

There are no significant changes in Danish consumption of HFC for foam production since last year. However, over the past 5 years there has been a significant fall in consumption, partly because there is no longer any production of filler foam in Denmark. In the future it is expected that HFC consumption will fall within all foaming applications. With regard to the use of HFC as a propellant it is assumed that 2002 will be the last year in which HFC-134a is used as a propellant in the production of aerosol containers.

The consumption of HFC-134a utilised in insulation foam in fridges, freezers and similar products amounts to 158.9 tonnes in 2001, which is a reduction compared to 2000. It is only HFC-134a that is used in this type of foam production.

The consumption of HFC-134a and HFC-152a for other purposes, such as soft foam production and for use as a propellant, is approximately the same as the previous year. The consumption of HFC-134a amounts to 48 tonnes in 2001 compared to 50.4 tonnes in 2000.

HFC-152a consumption has fallen from 15.4 tonnes in 2000 to 11.1 tonnes in 2001.

In addition, consumption of HFC-365 and HFC-227 for foam production purposes measures 7.4 tonnes in total. HFC-365 is used as a substitute for HFC-134a and HFC-227 is typically a substitute for CFC. The information forms returned only state the sum total and therefore the calculations in other parts of this report assume a 50/50 consumption of these substances.

4.2.3 Consumption of SF₆

The overall consumption of SF₆ in 2001 was 4.7 tonnes. The distribution of the consumption is shown in the table below.

Table 4.4
Consumption of SF₆ distributed by application area.

4.2.4 Consumption of PFCs

The total consumption of perfluoropropane in 2001 amounts to approx. 3.7 tonnes, of which approx. 3.2 tonnes is used in refrigerant products; perfluoropropane is contained in two different mixture products comprising either 9 % or 39 % (weight) of the product. The remaining approx. 0.5 tonnes of perfluoropropane is employed in detergent for electrical and electronic components.

Other applications of PFCs have not been reported in Denmark.

4.3 Emissions of HFCs, PFCs and SF₆

This section describes the actual emission of the greenhouse gases HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ for 2001. The determinations are based on the aforementioned reports on consumption of these substances distributed by application areas (section 4.2). In the case of the current product groups adjustments have been made for the import and export of the substances in products.

It should be noted in the emission evaluation that an improvement in last year’s basis of determination has been made regarding leakage rates in commercial refrigerators, and mobile A/C systems and refrigerators. The IPCC guidelines recommend that consistency is maintained throughout the period of evaluations when making such changes, i.e. 1990-2020. Thus the subtotals for actual emissions and for the affected application areas contain changes in the historical data.

In the present report the historical emissions are listed in brackets. These are based on determinations employing the old basis of determination.

Appendix 5 shows the leakage rates employed, the Tier method etc, in relation to individual substance and application area. The scheme in Appendix 5 provides an overview of the IPCC methods that have been employed. It also shows the extent to which the IPCC default values and specific default values for Denmark have been used /4, 16/.

4.4 The actual emissions of strong greenhouse gases in 2001

The total actual emission of HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ in 2001 has been calculated at approx. 699,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. The equivalent emission was approx. 793,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents (818,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents using the old basis of determination) in 2000, which is equivalent to a total reduction of approx. 94,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. This is a reduction of about 13% and this survey is the first time that a reduction can be seen in the actual emission of strong greenhouse gases in Denmark.

The total GWP contribution divided between HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ is shown in the table below.

Table 4.5
GWP contribution from substance groups

4.4.1 Emissions of HFCs from refrigerants

Table 4.6 shows the emission factors used in the determination of the emission from refrigerants in household and commercial fridges/freezers, commercial stationary refrigerators, and refrigerated vans and lorries.

Table 4.6
Factors in the determination of the emission from refrigerants in household and commercial fridges/freezers, refrigerators, stationary A/C and (transport refrigerators) /4/

Commercial refrigerators and stationary A/C systems

The largest source of emission comes from stationary commercial refrigerators used in supermarkets and in industry. The most commonly used refrigerant in this product group is HFC-134a and HFC-404a.

The primary refrigerant used in A/C systems is HFC-407c, a high temperature refrigerant and substitute product for HCFC-22.

Used to a lesser extent are the refrigerants HFC-401a, HFC-402a, HFC-408a, HFC-409a, HFC-410a and HFC-507c.

It is not necessary to correct for the import and export of HFCs in stationary commercial refrigerators since filling takes place at the site of operation following installation.

Table 4.7 shows the actual emission evaluated for specific HFCs. The total emission of all HFCs is given in CO₂ equivalents to take into account the different GWP values of the substances.

The determination of the GWP contribution in the category "other HFCs" (HFC-408a, HFC-409a and HFC-410a) incorporates a worst-case assumption made on the grounds of HFC-410a (50% HFC-32, 50% HFC-125). The GWP value for HFC-410a is 1,725.

Table 4.7
Actual emission and GWP contribution from commercial refrigerators 2001 and 2010, tonnes

In the projection of emissions in 2010, in which concrete phase out dates are taken into account, as established in the Statutory Order on regulation of certain industrial greenhouse gases, it is estimated that the GWP contribution from commercial refrigerators in 2010 would be approx. 424,100 tonnes.

Fridges/freezers

The actual emission from refrigerants in fridges and freezers is determined on the basis of consumption corrected for import and export of HFCs. The determination assumes that the refrigerant is removed and treated upon disposal so that no emission occurs.

After adjusting for import and export, estimations based on values calculated in /3/ show that export accounts for 50 % of consumption. Only fridges containing HFC-134a are imported/exported. The determination is made on the basis of Denmark’s foreign trade statistics of average figures for the amount of HFC-134a in a standard fridge/freezer manufactured in 1999. The statistical background data for this is given in Appendix 2.

In addition, the effect of charges in the reduction in consumption is taken into account in the case of HFC-134a fridges. This is not accounted for in the case of HFC-404a refrigerators because these products are an exception.

Table 4.8 shows the actual emission from fridges/freezers in 2001 and 2010.

Table 4.8
Emission of refrigerants from fridges/freezers 2000 and 2010, tonnes

The total emission of HFC refrigerants from fridges/freezers in 2001 measures 13,900 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. In the projections of the actual emissions a small increase is expected to approx. 20,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2010.

Mobile A/C

The emission from mobile A/C systems is released during filling and from continual loss of HFC-134a, and is also due to accident and damage.

The determination has been corrected for import and export of HFC-134a, which is the only HFC imported in A/C systems in cars and trucks. In Denmark filling is only carried out after import. Initial filling is carried out by car manufactures.

The total filling (stock) in Denmark in A/C systems in cars and trucks is determined using statistical information about annual imports and re-exports of cars, vans, and trucks. The statistical figures for imported units are multiplied by an estimated percentage that expresses the proportion of cars and trucks with air conditioning. In 1998 an evaluation was made of the stock for 1998 and the projections since then have accounted for a 20% proportion of cars and a 50% proportion of trucks.

In the present year, this estimate has been revised and the total stock figure has been updated. The conditions employed in the final evaluation are shown in the table below. The conditions have been grouped according to individual statistical categories for types of transport and they represent estimated values based on information from car importers and refrigerator service enterprises.

Table 4.9.
Conditions used in the calculation of stock in mobile A/C systems

The Danish Automobile Dealers Association (DAF) publishes annual statistics of the number of vehicles in Denmark /17/. This data forms the basis for evaluating the HFC-134a stock in vehicles in Denmark below. Determinations are also provided for the percentage of installed A/C systems that are currently undergoing servicing and are thus refilled with refrigerant upon leakage and other repairs. This forms the basis for determining the amount of refilling of HFC-134a in vehicles in Denmark in 2001.

The results are shown in the table below.

Table 4.10.
Determination of Danish stock in mobile A/C systems in 2001 grouped by vehicle type

The figures shown in the table have been determined using various assumptions, such as the estimated percentage of the various types of vehicles with A/C systems. The total stock of HFC-134a in mobile A/C systems in Denmark has been calculated as 203 tonnes in 2001. This increase is expected to increase further in coming years since there is a continuing trend of more vehicles and new vehicles with more A/C systems. The filled amount of HFC-134a refrigerant in mobile A/C systems in 2001 has been calculated as 30.9 tonnes. This alone accounts for usage in refilling during maintenance of existing systems /16/.

Actual emissions from mobile A/C systems have been calculated on the basis of the following emission factors.

Table 4.11
Emission factors for mobile A/C systems

The table below shows the actual emissions from mobile A/C systems in Denmark. The table has been prepared on the basis of a steady-state assumption where consumption for refilling in 2010 is assumed to be the same as in 2001. This assumption is very conservative as all signs indicate continued increases in vehicles with A/C systems.

Table 4.12
Calculated emissions of HFC-134a from mobile A/C systems in 2001 and 2010

Refrigerated vans and lorries

The evaluation of refrigerated vans and lorries employs the following Danish emission factors, which are based on a study of the servicing of Danish transport refrigerators /17/.

4.4.2 Emission of HFCs from foam plastic products and propellants

The HFC emission determination used for foam plastic products employs two determination principles, depending on the type of product:

1) Hard PUR foam plastics (closed cell)

2) Soft PUR foam plastics (open cell)

The following basis of determination has been used in the emission calculation for foam plastic products.

Table 4.13
Factors in the determination of emission from foam plastic products.

Hard foam plastics produced with HFC-134a are mainly used in insulating foam in fridges/freezers. The emission determinations for insulating foam in fridges/freezers are adjusted for the import and export of fridges /freezers. The determinations are carried out on the basis of 1998 figures for the average quantity contained in fridges/freezers for household use. Based on manufacturer information the average content has been estimated at 240 grams per product, and in 1998 there was a net export of two tonnes of HFC-134a (see Appendix 3).

Usage of HFC-134a in insulating foam in industrial and commercial refrigerators is very limited. Insulating foam for such purposes is usually produced using HCFC-141b.

The actual emission of HFC-134a from insulating foam is summarised in Table 4.12.

Table 4.14
Emission of HFCs from insulating foam, tonnes

In the projections for 2010, it is estimated that the stock will reduce as a result of the phase out of HFC-134a in foam production by 1/1 2006 in compliance with regulations on the phase out of strong greenhouse gases.

There is only one Danish producer of foam polyether and the firm concerned in this specialised area of production did not wish to provide any information again on their consumption for 2001. Therefore the firm’s consumption of HFC-134a in 1999 is taken in their polyether-based shoe production in 2001. The consumption in 1999 was reported as approx. 5 tonnes and the actual emission is estimated at 2.1 tonnes, equivalent to 2,800 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. The determination makes the assumption that no emission is released upon disposal since the gases are destroyed during incineration.

Evaluations from 1998 are used for the export adjustments. In the evaluation it is estimated that 5 % of all shoes with plastic, rubber, or leather soles contain polyether. In 1998 approx. 12.8 million pairs of shoes were exported (Statistics Denmark, Foreign Trade) and it is estimated that a single pair of shoes contains an average of 8 grams HFC-134a. Based on these figures the export is estimated at 0.3 tonnes of HFC-134a.

The emission of HFCs from joint foam and soft foam (open cell foam) accounts for 100% of the consumption in the year of application /4/. The emission from soft foam occurs during production and it is thus not necessary to correct for import/export.

Joint foam is no longer produced in Denmark, leaving only emissions from imported joint foam products to be accounted for. The determination of joint foam imports is based on previous information made available by the producers /2/. An estimated average of 100 grams of HFC-134a and 25 grams of HFC-152 per can of joint foam is considered reasonable. The emission calculation assumes that the joint foam is used in the same year as the production year.

It is estimated by the producers that in 1998 the amount of imported HFC-based joint foam was equivalent to 10 tonnes of HFC-134a and 1 ton of HFC-152a. This import quantity is also assumed for 2001, following which the consumption will be phased-out. This is equivalent to a GWP contribution from joint foam in 2001 of 13,140 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

The emission of HFC in the production of soft foam is identical to the consumption in Denmark and the emission of HFC as a propellant used in aerosol sprays is equal to the consumption of HFC-based aerosol sprays in Denmark after adjusting for import and export. The total emission from these two areas is 43.1 tonnes of HFC-134a, equivalent to 57,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents, and 11.1 tonnes of HFC-152a, equivalent to 1,600 tonnes CO₂ equivalents, which is a small decrease compared with 2000.

Due to marginal emissions the HFC emission from medical supplies has not been evaluated this year.

4.4.3 Emission of sulphur hexafluoride

The total emission of SF₆ in 2001 has been determined at approx. 1.3 tonnes, equivalent to a GWP contribution of approx. 30,400 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. The net consumption was 4.7 tonnes.

The emissions derive from four sources, of which power switches and sealed glazing units for windowpanes are the main sources, contributing approx. 41 % and 34 %.

Table 4.15.
Emission of SF₆ from sealed glazing units for windowpanes, tonnes

The projections assume that the consumption will be zero in 2003. In subsequent years the emission will rise again due to the start of disposal /substitution of windows with SF₆ thermal glass and in 2015 it is estimated that the GWP contribution from thermal glass will be 94,500 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

Metal work

Metal workers in Denmark no longer use sulphurhexafluoride in magnesium smelting.

Power switches in high-voltage plant

Power switches are filled or refilled with SF₆, either during new installations of plant or during service and repair. The filling is usually carried out at new plant and a small proportion of the consumption is due to re-filling /11/.

Table 4.16 shows the evaluated actual emission from SF₆ power switches.

Table 4.16
Emission of SF₆ from power switches in high-voltage plant 2000, 2010, and 2015, tonnes

Laboratories

In 2001 the consumption for laboratory purposes measures 0.2 tonnes and the actual emission amounts to 5,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

Running shoes

Information provided by importers shows that the quantity of SF₆ contained in imported running shoes totals approx. 1 tonne, imported during the period 1990-1998. The emission of SF₆ occurs as a result of the disposal of the shoes. The emission from running shoes in 2001 is estimated at 0.11 tonnes as in previous years, which is equivalent to a GWP contribution of approx. 2,650 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. The consumption of SF₆ for use in running shoes will end in 2003.

4.4.4 Emission of perfluorinated hydrocarbons

The actual emission of perfluoropropane has been calculated at 22,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2001 and the total consumption measures approx. 3.7 tonnes. Perfluoropropane is the only known perfluorinated hydrocarbon used in Denmark. The emission is released from refrigerants in commercial refrigerators and from cleaning liquids for electronics.

The consumption of perfluoropropane in refrigerants for commercial refrigerators in 2001 was 3.2 tonnes and the stock in commercial refrigerators was evaluated at approx. 26.5 tonnes. The emission in 2001 has been determined as approx. 2.6 tonnes, equivalent to a GWP contribution of 18,500 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents. Since mixture products containing PFC are used in stationary refrigerators adjustments have not been made for the import and export of the substance in products.

The consumption of perfluoropropane in liquid cleaners for electronics has been reported as 0.5 tonnes in 2001 and the actual emission amounts to 3,600 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.