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

4 Greenhouse gases

• 4.1 Import of substances
  • 4.1.1 HFCs
  • 4.1.2 Sulphur hexafluoride
  • 4.1.3 Per fluorinated hydrocarbons
• 4.2 Consumption by sectors
  • 4.2.1 Consumption of HFC refrigerant
  • 4.2.2 Consumption of HFC as foam blowing agent and as propellant
  • 4.2.3 Consumption of SF6
  • 4.2.4 Consumption of PFCs
• 4.3 Emissions of F-gases: HFCs, PFCs and SF6
  • 4.3.1 Actual emissions of F-gases
  • 4.3.2 Emissions of HFCs from refrigerants
  • 4.3.3 Emissions of HFCs from foam plastic products and propellants
  • 4.3.4 Emissions of sulphur hexafluoride
  • 4.3.5 Emissions of per fluorinated hydrocarbons

4.1 Import of substances

An overall picture of the trends in imports of greenhouse gases is given in Table 4.1, based on information from importers for the years 1987, 1989, 1992, 1994-2006.

4.1.1 HFCs

HFCs were imported by fourteen enterprises in 2006. Five of these are end-users, which import directly from other EU countries.

In 2006, the total import (minus re-export) of pure HFCs and HFC blends were approx. 724,5 tonnes. Compared to 2005, where total consumption was approx. 559,4 tonnes, the import has increased with total 165,1 tonnes. The import of almost all HFC’s has increased, only import of HFC-417 and 413a are reduced.

The 2006 import of HFC-134a is increased to 280,7 tonnes compared to 2005, where the import was 235,4 tonnes. Further more is 0,45 tonnes HFC 134a imported in the blend refrigerant R417 blend (50% HFC-134a). The total increase is coursed by higher consumption from commercial refrigeration system. Contrary the use of HFC-134a in soft foam and aerosol sprays has been reduced to less than half.

Import of HFC-404a increased from 162,4 tonnes in 2005 to 176,4 tonnes in 2006. The increase is, as for HFC-134a, coursed by higher consumption from commercial refrigeration system.

Imports of HFC-407c were increased from 61,6 tonnes in 2005 to 70.6 tonnes in 2006. HFC-407c is a substitute refrigerant for HCFC-22 in refrigerators. Over the last decade there has been an increase in import of HFC-407c. 2005 was the first year where the import was reduced. In 2006 the increase seems to continue the last decade’s tendency.

In total has the consumption of HFC-134a, HFC-404a and HFC-407 in commercial refrigeration system increased with more than 80 tonnes from 2005 to 2006. It indicates that activities with installation of new HFC-refrigeration systems in the sector have been extensive up to 1.1. 2007 where a ban against installation of new HFC systems are brought into force.

Imports of HFC-507a have increased to 6.1 tonnes in 2006. In 2005, the import was 5.4 tonnes.

The import of HFC-410a was 7,7 tonnes and the import of other HFC refrigerants and blends were 5,6. There were no imports of R413a in 2006.

The import of HFC-152a was 11,6 tonnes in 2006. This is a doubling of the import from 2005.

There were no Danish consumption of HFC-401a and HFC-402a in 2006 but one importer registered a minor re-export.

4.1.2 Sulphur hexafluoride

Six importers reported having imported and sold 4.23 tonnes of sulphur hexafluoride in 2006. Sulphur hexafluoride was mainly used in power switches, but smaller amounts are used as an agent for plasma erosion in production of micro chips and in laboratories for analysis purposes.

4.1.3 Per fluorinated hydrocarbons

There has been an import of PFC-14 (CF₄) and PFC-318 (c-C₄F₈) of approx. 0,5 tonnes in 2006. The PFC’s are used in production of optical fibres. This is considered as a new consumption area in Denmark.

There has been no import of per fluoro compound C₃F_8,, which was contained in the blend refrigerant R413 used in commercial refrigerators.

Table 4.1 Developments in imports of greenhouse gases, tonnes.

Click here to see Table 4.1

4.2 Consumption by sectors

The evaluation of consumption divided into sectors is estimated on the basis of information from importers and producers, and on sales reports to the Danish Refrigeration Installers' Environmental Scheme (KMO). Table 4.2 shows consumption distributed according to sectors.

Table 4.2 Consumption of HFC distributed on sectors in 2006, tonnes.

Click here to see Table 4.2

There are no other known sectors using HFCs in Denmark than those appearing in Table 4.2.

4.2.1 Consumption of HFC refrigerant

In recent years, the Danish consumption of HFC refrigerants points toward increased use of HFCs in commercial refrigeration and 2006 is no exception. In 2005 the import decreased for the first time, but 2006 show an increasing trend again. This is expected to stop in 2007 because the consumption of HFC refrigerants only will be to refilling of existing installations.

The general increase in HFC refrigerants in commercial systems is a natural consequence of the phase-out of air conditioners based on R-22 (HCFC). More over, commercial refrigeration with R-12 and R-502 were replaced by R-22 systems after 1995 when CFCs were banned in Denmark. This added to the percentage of refrigeration systems with R-22. The production of new R-22 systems was prohibited in 2000 and substitution with R-22 in existing systems was prohibited in 2002.

The use of HFC’s as refrigerant in commercial refrigeration and A/C systems is covering approx. 74 per cent of the total consumption in 2006. The most commonly used refrigerant in commercial refrigeration is still HFC-404a and HFC-134a.

Approx. 26 per cent of the HFC consumption is used in foam blowing and for other purposes than refrigeration.

The consumption of HFC-134a as a refrigerant in fridges/freezers was again reduced in 2006 with approx. 2,5 tonnes. The decrease is not considered as an indication of a general reduction in the production in the Danish refrigeration sector but an indication of that the sector has substituted to alternative refrigerants.

The consumption of refrigerants in vans and lorries have decreased slightly and is considered as a normal year to year movement. The consumption of refrigerants for mobile A/C systems have again increased this year.

Consumption by application area is based on information from producers and importers and on data from KMO, which receives reports of the sales of substances from refrigerator installers and automobile garages, etc. (only when drawing-off is more than 1 kg).

The consumption of refrigerants for household fridges and freezers is calculated on the basis of information from enterprise end-users.

The consumption figures for refrigerants in commercial and stationary A/C systems, and mobile A/C systems and refrigerators are estimated using data from KMO and information from importers as well as statistics on car imports.

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

Table 4.3 Consumption of refrigerants, divided on refrigeration units, 2006, tonnes.

4.2.2 Consumption of HFC as foam blowing agent and as propellant

In 2006, the consumption of HFC’s in system foam and in other PUR foam and system foam has increased further.

It is considered that the trend in the recent years is a general reduction of the HFC consumption as a blowing agent and this is the direct consequence of a statutory order on phase-out of potent industrial greenhouse gases, as well as the fact that there are competitive alternative technologies available on the market. Thus, there is an increase in the recent years in production of system foam for export. This is in line with the statutory order, where it is stated that products produced for export has an exemption.

In 2006, the uses of HFCs as propellants in aerosols for specific purposes were about 12 tonnes. This estimate is based on DEPA’s grant of exemptions and production. The consumption seems to be stable tending to a decrease.

As in previous years, there have been no reports of consumption of HFCs for chemical production, fire extinguishing equipment, or other application areas apart from those mentioned.

4.2.3 Consumption of SF₆

The overall consumption of SF₆ in 2006 was app. 4.23 tonnes. Consumption of SF₆ was used for power switches in high-voltage power systems and laboratories.

Table 4.4 Consumption of SF₆ by application area, tonnes

4.2.4 Consumption of PFCs

The consumption of PFC’s (per fluoropropane) in 2006 was 0,45 tonnes. This year none of the consumption is related to the blend refrigerant Isceon 49 and the trend from recent years indicates it is close to phase out. The consumption of PFC’s in blends for refrigeration purposes were amounted to about 0.45 tonnes in 2005. The PFC consumption in 2006 derives from a new area – optics fibre production. This area has used PFC-14 (0,25 tonnes) and PFC-318 (0,2 tonnes) for technical purpose in optics fibre production.

4.3 Emissions of F-gases: HFCs, PFCs and SF₆

This section reports the actual emissions of the greenhouse gases HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ for 2006. All emissions are calculated as actual emissions according to IPCC’s tier 2 methodology. The calculation is based on the reports on consumption of these substances analysed by application areas (section 4.2). For relevant product groups, adjustments have been made for imports and exports of the substances in products (see also chapter two for principal description of methodology). The specific emission calculation refers to appendix 4 which shows the particular emission factors, calculation method and assumptions, determination of IPPC Tier method etc., in relation to calculation of emissions from individual substance and application areas /4, 16/.

4.3.1 Actual emissions of F-gases

The GWP-weighted actual emissions of HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ in 2006 is calculated to 885,3 thousand tonnes CO₂ equivalents. The corresponding emissions were approx. 839,5 thousand tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2005, which corresponds to a calculated total increase of approx. 45,8 thousand tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

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

Table 4.5 GWP contribution by substance group, tonnes

The HFC emission from commercial refrigerators, especially from the main refrigerant HFC-134a, HFC-404a and HFC-407c were again higher in 2006 as compared to 2005, first of all because of increased emission from stock but also partly because of an increased consumption. Furthermore the emission from production of system foam for export purposes has significantly increased in 2006 compared to 2005. The only source where the emission have been reduced is from soft foam and aerosol sprays etc. The reduction is approx. 30 percent compared to 2005.

4.3.2 Emissions of HFCs from refrigerants

As required in the IPCC guidance for calculation of emission of f-gases a distinction is made between:

• Fridges and freezers for household use and retailers etc.
• Commercial refrigeration (in industry and retail) and stationary air conditioning systems
• Mobile air conditioning systems (in cars, trucks, bus, trains etc.)
• Refrigerated vans and lorries

Actual emissions from these sources occur in connection with:

- filling of refrigerants (0.5 percent to 2 per cent of consumption depending on application area).

- continual release during the operational lifetime. An assumed average value which also accounts for release occurring as a result of accident and damage (10 percent to 33 percent of consumption per year, depending on application area).

Release resulting from disposal does not count as emissions in Denmark since Danish legislation ensures that management and treatment of refrigerants prevent such emissions. Anyhow disposal is defined as an activity where zero emission occurs and this principal statement are used in order to reduce stock (the quantity of substances contained in a product after end life time).

Appendix 4 shows the specific emission factors used in the calculations.

Commercial refrigeration and stationary A/C systems

Commercial refrigeration, used e.g. in retail, supermarket, restaurants etc. or in industry, and stationary A/C systems, also used by retailers and industry, as well in offices, constitute the largest source of emissions. The most commonly used refrigerants in this product group are HFC-134a, HFC-404a and HFC-407c.

In addition, use of the refrigerants HFC-408a, HFC-409a, HFC-410a, and HFC-507c is less common, and HFC-401a and HFC-402a are phased out in Denmark.

It is not relevant to adjust for imports and exports of HFCs in stationary commercial refrigeration and A/C systems since filling of refrigerants only will take place on site when the unit are installed.

Table 4.6 shows actual emissions of specific HFCs. Total emissions of all HFCs have been converted to CO₂ equivalents in order to take into account the different GWP values of the substances.

Table 4.6 Actual emissions and GWP contribution from commercial refrigeration 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2020, tonnes

Click here to see Table 4.6

As the figure indicate the emissions from commercial refrigeration will continue in several years even there are no installation of new HFC refrigeration systems because of the statutory order which not allow construction of new installations after 1. January 2007. In the trend analysis, the total emission from this sector is estimated to more than 320,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents in year 2015. But after then a significant reduction is expected and in year 2020 most HFC refrigeration systems is considered phased out.

Refrigerators/freezers

Actual emissions from refrigerants in refrigerators and freezers are determined on the basis of consumption adjusted for imports and exports of HFCs. The calculation assumes that the refrigerant is removed and treated upon disposal so that no emission occurs (see appendix 4).

When adjusting for imports and exports, the estimates of imports/exports in Environmental Project no. 523 are used /2/. In this case, exports are assumed to comprise 50 percent of the consumption pr. year. The calculation is made on the basis of Statistics Denmark's foreign trade statistics /3/ of average figures of the amount of HFC-134a in a standard fridge/freezer manufactured in 1999. This figure has not been updated

Table 4.7 below shows actual emissions from refrigerators/freezers in 2006 and 2010.

Table 4.7 Emissions of refrigerants from refrigerators/freezers 2006 and 2010, tonnes

Total emissions of HFC-134a and HFC-404a refrigerants from refrigerators/freezers in 2006 were approx. 12 300 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. In the future scenario of actual emissions, it is estimated that the total emission in 2010 is 13 100 tonnes CO₂ equivalents coursed by an increasing stock.

Mobile A/C

Emissions from mobile A/C systems are mainly due to leakage and accident damage.

The calculation has been adjusted for imports and re-exports of HFC-134a, which is the only HFC imported in A/C systems in cars, vans and trucks. In Denmark, the consumption of HFC-134a for mobile A/C systems is used solely for refilling. Initial filling is carried out by car manufacturers in the country of production.

The assumptions used in the calculation of consumption and stock in mobile A/C systems appear from the table below. The assumptions have been adjusted according to individual statistical categories for types of transport and they represent estimated values based on information from car importers and refrigerator service enterprises /16/.

Table 4.8 Assumptions used in the calculation of stock in mobile A/C systems, 2006

D.A.F. (The Danish Automobile Dealers Association) publishes annual statistics of the number of vehicles in Denmark /17/. These data form the basis for the calculation below of HFC-134a stock in Danish vehicles. Calculations also include a calculation of the proportion of A/C systems installed in vehicles, which still undergo servicing, and therefore still refilled with refrigerants in connection with leakage and other repairs. This calculation forms the basis for determining the amount of HFC-134a refrigerants refilled in vehicles in Denmark in 2006. Refilled stock = Danish consumption.

The results are shown in the table below.

Table 4.9 Determination of amounts of HFC-134a involved in mobile A/C systems in 2006

The total stock of HFC-134a in mobile A/C systems in Denmark in 2006 was calculated to be about 223,6 tonnes, which are a further increase compared to 2005 stock.. In 2006, the volume of HFC-134a filled onto mobile air conditioning systems was 34,4 tonnes. This volume of refrigerants was used solely for refilling in connection with the maintenance of existing systems /16/. It is indicated from suppliers of mobile A/C refrigerants, that the consumption is even higher than this estimated. One supplier assumes the consumption to be approx. 40 tonnes of HFC-134a per year.

The table below shows a projection of calculated actual emissions from mobile A/C systems in Denmark.

Table 4.10 The calculated actual emissions of HFC-134a from mobile A/C systems in 2006, 2010 and 2015, tonnes

Refrigerated vans and lorries

There are an estimated 5 500-6 000 refrigerated vans and lorries in Denmark /16/. These require an average filling of about 8 kg, equivalent to 46-49 tonnes refrigerants, either HFC-134a, HFC-404a or HCFC-22.

Actual emissions from refrigerated vans and lorries in 2006 are stated in the table below.

Table 4.11 The calculated actual emissions of HFC-134a and HFC-404a from refrigerated vans and lorries in 2006 and 2010, tonnes.

There have been no consumption of HFC-402a for refrigerated vans and lorries since the substance has been banned. But the emission from stock is still about 0.3 tonnes HFC-402a, corresponding to 400 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

Thus, the total actual emissions from refrigerated vans and lorries were app.

21 430 tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2006 which is a slight increase compared to 2005 where emissions were 20,890 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

4.3.3 Emissions of HFCs from foam plastic products and propellants

Tree calculation principles have been applied in the calculation of emissions of HFCs used in foam plastic products, depending on the type of product:

1. Hard PUR foam plastics (closed cell)
2. Soft PUR foam plastics (open cell)
3. Polyether foam (closed cell)

The calculation principles are summerized in table 4.12 below

Table 4.12 Emission factors in the calculation of emissions from foam plastic products

Insulation foam

There has been no hard foam plastic produced with HFC-134a as blowing agent in 2007. The import of HFC-134a in products with insulation foam, e.g. household fredges and freezers, are considered to 0 in 2007. This is difficult to verify and no applicable method seems available. The actual emissions are therefore solely from existing stock of household fredges and freezers.

Actual emissions of HFC-134a from insulating foam are summarised in Table 4.13

Table 4.13 Emissions of HFCs from insulating foam, tonnes

In the projections for 2010 and 2015, it is estimated that the stock will be reduced significantly in 2015 as a result of the phase-out of HFC-134a as blowing agent and from 2018 it is estimated that there will be no more actual emissions from this source.

Foam blowing of Polyether based shoe soles

The consumption of HFC-134a used in polyether-based foam blowing in DK production of shoe soles has been 0 since 2005. Because of the regulation, general awareness among Danish importers/retailers and the general trend with substituting HFC-134a with alternative blowing agents, it is considered that the Danish import of polyether based products, e.g. shoe soles etc. are 0 from year 2007.

Soft foam/aerosol sprays.

Emissions from soft foam (open cell foam) account for 100 per cent of the consumption in the year of application /4/. Emissions from soft foam occur during production and it is therefore not relevant to adjust for imports/exports.

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 in aerosol sprays is also equal to the consumption of HFC-based aerosol sprays in Denmark, after calculation of imports and exports. Total emissions from these two areas amount to 12,5 tonnes of HFC-134a and 11.6 tonnes of HFC-152a, corresponding to 20 000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. Compared with 2005, emissions have been decreased by approx. 9 300 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents because of a significant reduction in use of HFC-134a in soft foam blowing but also a reduction in emissions from aerosols.

Medical products

The emissions from medical products are marginal and have not been calculated.

Optical fibre production

Optical fibre production constitute a new sector for F-gas emissions. Both HFC and PFC’ are used for technical purpose in Danish optics fibre production.

HFC-23 is used as a protection and cleaning gas in the production process. The emission factor is therefore determined as 100 per cent release during production. The actual emission from HFC-23 is 930 tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2006 and it is assumed that this sector will increase during the coming years.

4.3.4 Emissions of sulphur hexafluoride

The total emissions of SF₆ in 2006 have been calculated to 1.5 tonnes, equivalent to a GWP contribution of about 35 990 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. Net consumption was 4.2 tonnes.

Emissions derive from three sources - power switches, double-glazed windows and laboratories.

Double-glazed windows

Use of SF₆ in double-glazed windows was phased out in 2002, however, there are still emissions from stock in existing double-glazed windows in Danish buildings. The stock is estimated from consumption data from Danish producers of double-glazed windows 1992-2002 and life time for double-glazed windows are determined to 20 years.

Emission from double glazed windows are calculated on following factors:

• 15 per cent emission from production
• 1 per cent gradual emission from stock pr. year
• 65 per cent emission when disposal after 20 years

Table 4.14 Emissions of SF₆ from double-glazed windows, tonnes

Emissions will rise due to the disposal of existing double-glazed windows containing SF₆ and the estimated 2015 GWP contribution from double-glazed windows is increased to approx. 94 500 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

Power switches in high-voltage transmission stations

Power switches are filled or refilled with SF₆, either during new installation or during service and repair. Filling is usually carried out on new installations and a smaller proportion of the consumption is due to refilling /11/.

Emissions from power switches in high-voltage transmission systems are released due to the following:

• release of 5 per cent on filling with new gas (average figure covering normal operation and failure/accidents)
   
• gradual release of 0.5 per cent from the stock (average figure covering normal operation and failure/accidents)
   
• release of 5 per cent from drawing off and recycling used gas (average figure covering normal operation and failure/accidents)

No emissions are assumed to result from disposal since the used SF₆ is drawn off from the power switches and is either re-used internally by the company concerned, or re-used externally through means of a collection scheme. Emissions resulting from external re-use are determined on the assumption that 0.5 per cent of the annual stock is sent for external re-use.

Table 4.15 shows the calculated actual emissions from SF₆ power switches.

Table 4.15 Emissions of SF₆ from power switches in high-voltage plants 2006, 2010, and 2015, tonnes.

At the request of the Danish Energy Authority, Eltra and Elkraft System have carried out a survey of SF₆ emissions during operation and following from accidents in 2003 /20/. This survey covers about 1/9 of the stock in the Danish electricity sector. The survey calculated the emissions at about 20 kg of SF₆. Additionally, there were 88 kg of contaminated SF₆ in depot, and about 1.1 tonnes of new gas in store (2003).

If this data is assumed to be representative of the entire country, emissions in 2003 amount to about 180 kg. This is under half of the calculated emissions of 0.5 tonnes in this emission calculation of 2006.

On the basis of Eltra's survey, the applied evaluation method is still considered to provide a true picture of total emissions. The difference in figures is explained by the fact that the calculation method does not take account of the time delay, so that SF₆ is assumed to be both purchased and consumed within the year of calculation.

Laboratory purposes

Consumption of SF6 in laboratories covers two purposes:

• Plasma erosion in connection with the manufacture of microchips in clean-room laboratories
• Analysis purposes to a limited extend.

Consumption was 0.6 tonnes in 2006 and it was primary for plasma erosion purpose. The emission was app. 13 900 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

Training shoes

In the period 1990 to 1998, Denmark imported training shoes, which, according to the manufacturer, contained SF₆. It is assessed that emissions of SF₆ from training shoes will not occur after 2003, while it is assumed that all shoes containing SF₆ is disposed by then.

4.3.5 Emissions of per fluorinated hydrocarbons

In 2006, the consumption of refrigerant R413a which contain per fluorinated hydrocarbons, was 0 tonnes. The actual GWP-weighted emission from this source is 12 300 tonnes CO₂ equivalents, which is a further reduction compared to the last four years. This emission is released from refrigerants in commercial stationary and mobile refrigerators. Stock in commercial refrigerators has been estimated at about 15 tonnes in 2006. While refrigerants containing PFC are only used in stationary refrigerators, no estimates for imports and exports are relevant.

Table 4.16 Emissions of PFCs from commercial refrigerators in 2006, 2010 and 2015, tonnes

Optical fibre production

The PFC consumption in 2006 derives from a new area – optics fibre production. This area has used PFC-14 (0,25 tonnes) and PFC-318 (0,2 tonnes) for technical purpose in optics fibre production.

The PFC’s are used as a protection and cleaning gas in the production process. The emission factor is therefore determined as 100 per cent release during production. The actual emission from PFC-14 and PFC-318 is 3 380 tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2006 and it is assumed that this sector will increase during the coming years.

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Version 1.0 May 2008, © Danish Environmental Protection Agency