|
The Greenhouse gases: HFCs, PFCs and SF6 3 F-gas consumption3.1 Import of substancesAn overall picture of the trends in imports of greenhouse gases is given in Table 3.1, based on information from importers for the years 1992, 1994-2007. 3.1.1 HFCsHFCs were imported by five enterprises in 2007. One of the importers is consumer and use the imported substances in production of fridge/freezers. The company imports directly from other EU countries without using an agency. In 2007, the total import (minus re-export) of pure HFCs and HFC blends were approx. 403.2 tonnes. Compared to 2006, where total import was approx. 558.8 tonnes, the import has decreased with total 155.8 tonnes. The import of almost all HFCs are reduced. It is only the import of HFC-507a and HFC-152a where there has been a small increase. The 2007 import of HFC-134a is reduced with 120 tonnes compared to 2006 with a total import of 160.7 tonnes. This substantial reduction is first of all coursed by more than 50% reduction in the use of HFC-134a in new refrigerants in commercial refrigeration system and in production of household fridges. Import of HFC-404a is reduced with 46.5 tonnes compared with 2006, and the total consumption is 129.9 tonnes in 2007. The reduction is coursed by approx. 25% reduction of consumption in commercial refrigeration system and reduction in use of HFC-404a refrigerant in transport refrigeration systems (from 6 tonnes in 2006 to 0.8 tonnes in 2007). Imports of HFC-407c were reduced with 20.1 tonnes to 50.5 tonnes in 2007. HFC-407c is a substitute refrigerant for HCFC-22 in refrigerators. Over the last decade there has been an overall increase in import of HFC-407c but in 2005 and now also 2007, the import was reduced. It might indicate that a number of older refrigeration systems are phased out. The reduction in consumption of main refrigerants in 2007 (HFC-134a, HFC-404a and HFC-407) in commercial refrigeration system has been more than 185 tonnes from 2006 to 2007. It clearly emphazise the effect of the ban against installation of new HFC systems brought into force 1.1. 2007 The only refrigerants, where imports have increased is HFC-410a and HFC-507a. The substances increased to 12.8 tonnes respectively 11.4 tonnes in 2007. In 2006, the imports were 7.7 and 6.1 tonnes. There is no clear explanation for this and it is assumed that the reason probable is ordinary diversion between seasons. The import of HFC-152a was 13 tonnes in 2007. This is a smaller increase of the import from 2006. HFC-152a is used in thermostats. 3.1.2 Sulphur hexafluorideSix importers reported having imported and sold 5.4 tonnes of sulphur hexafluoride in 2007. 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. 3.1.3 Perfluorinated hydrocarbonsThere has been an import of PFC-14 (CF4) and PFC-318 (C-C4F8) of approx. 0.7 tonnes in 2007. The PFCs are used in production of optical fibres. This is a relatively new consumption area in Denmark and the consumption increase dispite the amount still is below one ton. There has been a small import of 0.1 ton perfluorpropan C3F8,, which was contained in the blend refrigerant R413a (contain 8% PFC) used in commercial refrigerators. Table 3.1 Developments in imports of greenhouse gases, tonnes. Click here to see "Table 3.1 Developments in imports of greenhouse gases, tonnes". Beside the import of substances stated in table 3.1 there is also an import of HFCs for 100% re-export. This amount are not explicated in the table. To be mentioned is import and re-export of HFC-365 and HFC-245fa. The substances are used in Danish production of PUR system foam (semi manufactured articles). The production is only for export (use of HFC based PUR systems are banned in Denmark) and furthermore the production does not course emissions through the production process. The particular amount is therefore excluded for further calculation of Danish f-gas emissions. The amounts are known by DEPA. 3.2 Consumption by applicationThe evaluation of consumption divided into application areas is estimated on the basis of information from importers and producers, and on sales reports to the Danish Refrigeration Installers' Environmental Scheme (KMO). Table 3.2 shows consumption distributed according to application. Table 3.2 Consumption of HFC distributed on application areas in 2007, tonnes.
There are no other known applications using HFCs in Denmark than those appearing in Table 3.2. 3.2.1 Consumption of HFC refrigerantIn recent years, the Danish consumption of HFC refrigerants points toward increased use of HFCs in commercial refrigeration and 2007 is no exception. In 2005 the import decreased for the first time, but 2007 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 (CFC) and R-502 (CFC) 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 HFCs as refrigerant in commercial refrigeration and stationary A/C systems is covering approx. 74 per cent of the total consumption in 2007. 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 reduced in 2007 with approx. 2.5 tonnes compared to 2006. The decrease is not considered as an indication of a general reduction in the production in the Danish refrigeration sector but as an indication of that the sector has substituted to alternative refrigerants. The consumption of refrigerants in vans and lorries for transport refrigeration has decreased slightly and is considered as a normal year to year movement. The consumption of refrigerants for mobile A/C systems has 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 3.3 shows the consumption by weight of refrigerants according to application area. Table 3.3 Consumption of HFC as refrigerants according to application, 2007.
Mobile A/C 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, still undergoing 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 2007. Refilled stock = Danish consumption. The results are shown in the table below. Table 3.4 Amounts of HFC-134a in mobile A/C systems in 2007
The total stock of HFC-134a in mobile A/C systems in Denmark in 2007 was calculated to be about 228.6 tonnes, which is a further increase compared to 2006 stock. In 2007, the volume of HFC-134a filled onto mobile air conditioning systems was 35.2 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 at least approx. 40 tonnes of HFC-134a per year. 3.2.2 Consumption of HFC as foam blowing agent and as propellantIn 2007, the consumption of HFCs 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 F-gases, as well as the fact that there are competitive alternative technologies available on the market. As regards production of system foam for production, there is an increase in the recent years in production of system foam for export. In 2007, 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. 3.2.3 Consumption of SF6The overall consumption of SF6 in 2007 was approx. 5.4 tonnes. Consumption of SF6 was used for power switches in high-voltage power systems and laboratories. Consumption of SF6 in production of double glazed thermal windows has been banned since 1. January 2003. Table 3.5 Consumption of SF6 by application area, tonnes
3.2.4 Consumption of PFCsThe consumption of PFCs (per fluoropropane) in 2007 was 0.7 tonnes. The PFC consumption in 2007 derives from to areas:
The optics fibre production used in 2007 PFC-14 (0.1 tonnes) and PFC-318 (0.5 tonnes) for technical purpose. The consumption of blend refrigerant Isceon 49 contained 0.1 tonnes PFC-14 used for refrigeration in commercial stationary refrigeration systems.
|