Cleaner Technology Projects in Denmark 1997
Replacement of Powerful Greenhouse Gasses
Erstatning af kraftige drivhusgasser - Statusrapport
Arbejdsrapport nr. 102, 1997, Miljøstyrelsen
In recent years a sharp increase in the Danish consumption of the powerful greenhouse gasses HFC, PFC and SF6 has taken place at the same time as CFC, HCFC and other ozone layer destructive substances are getting close to zero. These substances are used as a substitute for CFC and HCFC, which are especially used in the cooling and formation of PU-foam. HFCs, PFCs and SF6 do not contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer since the substances do not contain chlorine or bromine. On the other hand these substances do contribute to the greenhouse effect and have a long life span in the atmosphere. This report aims at establishing knowledge that can be used to evaluate the practical technical, economical and safety possibilities of phasing out the use of powerful greenhouse gasses within certain areas of use. Using this knowledge, different suggestions of areas where there is a need of the Cleaner Technology efforts, are given.
The detailed aim of the project is to describe:
 | HFCs, PFCs and SF6 use and respective figures of consumption |
| Emission of HFC, PFC and SF6 to the surroundings/ accumulation in the product |
| The possibility of alternative technology and how far we have got with this development. Possible implementation in Denmark or abroad. |
| Estimated costs of introducing alternative technology and other barriers for introducing alternative technologies (availability of machines, energy consumption, safety rules, standards etc.) |
| The need for a possible Cleaner Technology effort and a description of this. |
Contacting relevant industrial companies and industrial organisations in Denmark and abroad collects the information. The information is also collected from environmental organisations. Further information is collected in connection with professional conferences about cooling technique and PU-foam.
This status report is written in 1997, and a final report will be written in 1998 where a total evaluation of the technical possibilities of substituting powerful greenhouse gasses and a examination of the individual consumption uses will be given. In the reports recommendations on effort areas for Cleaner Technology will be provided.
In Denmark the industry consumed in 1995 approx. 740 tons HFC, approx. 17 tons SF6 and 1,5 tons PFC.
HFC is especially used in the refrigerating industry. The substances are used both as a cooling agent in household fridges and freezers and as isolation foam (polyurethane foam) in the cabinets. In addition the substance is found in commercial fridges (in supermarkets for example), in industrial fridges (process cooling in the food industry), and in mobile fridges that are installed in cars, trains, planes, ships and containers including air-conditions. Further the substance is found in flexible foam plastic (foam rubber), in fire extinguishers and as a propellant in aerosol containers and foghorns.
PFC substances are only used in cooling-agent mixtures, but even though DTI Energy has not come across other areas of use, small amounts can be used in laboratories.
SF6 is used in some sound isolated double-glazed windows in a mixture with argon that fills the gap out between the two glasses. SF6 is used as a protective gas in the production of light metal, as isolator gas in certain installations and as a tracing agent in connection with spreading tests in the atmosphere. Finally SF6 can be used in car tyres.
Many activities have been launched to develop new technology that will substitute HFCs. Many results have made, of which many are good.
The Environmental Control is working on three different projects:
| The development of ammonia-fridges, including new collection methods |
| Development of slush-ice generators |
| Cooling containers with natural cooling agents |
The Energy Control has supported the following projects:
| Supermarket fridges with ammonia and indirect cooling |
| Water vapour compression systems |
| Energy saving commercial fridges and freezers with isobutene |
| Cooling with natural cooling agents in the hotel industry |
| Farm milk fridges with ammonia |
The report concludes with the following recommendations:
| That there as soon as possible is started a Cleaner Technology project on the substitution of SF6 in noise isolative windows. This should happen in collaboration with for example two manufacturers. |
| That a Cleaner technology project is started on the substitution of powerful greenhouse gasses in cooling containers. This should happen in close collaboration with a relevant industry. The project should consist of two parts, where the first is the development and testing of a new cooling system that uses CO2-cooling agents. The second part is the development and testing of a new isolation concept where vacuum isolation is used. Two containers will be built that will be tested in practice. |
| That further efforts are made in commercial cooling. Ammonia or hydrocarbons can be used with direct or indirect cooling. |
| That a homepage on the Internet is created so that the results that are gathered in Denmark can be shared with the rest of the world. The homepage must contain links to other relevant homepages. |
| To prioritise those areas where there already is Danish production and know-how. In this way an optimal synergy is ensured that can secure an effective development of new products without powerful greenhouse gasses. |
Author/ institution
Per Henrik Pedersen, DTI Energy
This report is subsidised by the National Council for Recycling and Cleaner Technology
ISSN no. 0908-9195
ISBN no. 87-7810-930-2