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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 Perfluorinated hydrocarbons
• 4.2 Consumption by area of application
  • 4.2.1 Consumption of HFC as a refrigerant
  • 4.2.2 Consumption of HFC for foam production and as propellant
  • 4.2.3 Consumption of SF6
  • 4.2.4 Consumption of PFCs
• 4.3 Emissions of HFCs, PFCs and SF6
  • 4.3.1 Actual emissions of potent greenhouse gases in 2003 and projected emissions
  • 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 perfluorinated 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, 1994-2003.

4.1.1 HFCs

HFCs were imported by ten enterprises in 2003. Five of these were Danish suppliers and five were end-users, importing directly from other EU countries.

Total imports (minus re-exports) of all HFCs, according to importers, fell from 713.2 tonnes in 2002 to 528.3 tonnes in 2003.

Imports of HFC-134a fell from 401.6 tonnes in 2002 to 241.2 tonnes in 2003. Imports of HFC-152a fell from 11.9 tonnes in 2002 to 3.3 tonnes in 2003. The marked reduction is due to the fact that HFC134a/HFC-152a have now been phased out as foam blowing agents in insulation foam used in the production of fridges/freezers.

Imports of HFC-404a fell from 188.7 tonnes in 2002 to 145 tonnes in 2003. Imports of HFC-407c increased from 89.1 tonnes in 2002 to 96.8 tonnes in 2003. HFC-407c is a substitute refrigerant for HCFC-22 in refrigerators, and the increase is therefore a natural consequence of the required phase-out of R-22 installations.

Imports of other HFCs (HFC-408a, HFC-409a, HFC-410a) measured 25 tonnes in 2003 compared with 7.5 tonnes in 2002. In 2003, HFC-365, a newer foam blowing agent, was also imported and used. Imports of HFC-507a fell to 9.2 tonnes in 2003. In 2002, imports were 14.4 tonnes.

2003 saw few imports of HFC-401a and HFC-402a, namely 0.2 and 1.7 tonnes respectively.

4.1.2 Sulphur hexafluoride

Four importers reported having imported and sold 2.25 tonnes of sulphur hexafluoride in 2003. In 2003, sulphur hexafluoride was used in power switches and for laboratory purposes (primarily plasma erosion).

Use of SF₆ in the metal industry was phased out in 2000 and in the glazing industry in 2001.

4.1.3 Perfluorinated hydrocarbons

Two importers reported having imported and sold mixture products containing the perfluoro compound C3F8,, which is present in the refrigerant R413 used in commercial refrigerators. Converted, imports of this substance correspond to about 0.5 tonnes.

Table 4.1 Developments in imports of greenhouse gases, tonnes.

Click here to see the Table.

4.2 Consumption by area of application

The evaluation of consumption by application area 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 by application area.

Table 4.2 Consumption of HFC analysed by application area in 2003, tonnes.

1) Estimate based on the residual amount of HFC-134a, for which there is no available application data from the producers. The residual amount is distributed between commercial and mobile refrigerators on the basis of the importers' estimates.

There are no other known application areas for HFCs in Denmark than the ones appearing in Table 4.2.

4.2.1 Consumption of HFC as a refrigerant

In recent years, the general trend in Danish consumption of HFCs as refrigerants points toward increased use of HFCs in commercial refrigerators. However, consumption fell by about 55 tonnes in 2003 compared to 2002, when there was an especially high level of consumption, probably due to the fact that HFC taxes were introduced towards the end of 2002. The general increase in HFC refrigerants in commercial systems is a natural consequence of the phase-out of refrigerators based on R-22 (HCFC). The production of new R-22 systems was prohibited in 2000 and substitution with R-22 in existing systems was prohibited in 2002.

For individual refrigerants used in commercial refrigerators, there has been an increase in recent years in the consumption of HFC-407c and in the category "Other refrigerants" (HFC-408a, HFC-409a and HFC-410a). In 2003, the consumption of HFC-407c in commercial refrigerators was greater than the consumption of HFC-134a. The most commonly used refrigerant in commercial refrigerators is still HFC-404a.

The consumption of HFC-134a as a refrigerant in fridges/freezers was less in 2003 than in previous years. This is primarily attributable to the fact that one producer moved this part of its production abroad. In other words, the fall is not considered to be an indication of a general fall in production by the Danish refrigeration industry.

The consumption of refrigerants in vans and lorries is stable and the consumption of refrigerants for mobile A/C systems seems to have increased again slightly 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, by type of product, 2003, tonnes.

4.2.2 Consumption of HFC for foam production and as propellant

In 2003, there was again a significant reduction in the general consumption of HFC-134a for foam production. In 2003, no Danish producers of refrigeration equipment used HFCs as a foaming agent in the production of insulation foam. This phase-out 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.

The overall consumption of HFC-134a and HFC-152a as foaming agents for soft foam and as propellants fell in 2003 compared to 2002.

In 2003, the use of HFCs as propellants in aerosols for special purposes was about the same as in 2002. In total, the consumption of HFC-134a amounted to 29.8 tonnes in 2003, compared to 49.8 tonnes in 2002.

The use HFCs as foaming agents in soft foam declined by about 18 tonnes, which is almost a 50-per-cent reduction compared to 2002.

Furthermore, in 2003 a consumption of 18 tonnes of HFC-365 in the production of system foam was reported. The application was in products that were exported. It has been reported that this consumption does not give rise to emissions during production, and therefore consumption for this use is not included in the following emission calculations, since emissions equal 0.

As was the case 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 2003 was 2.3 tonnes. Consumption of SF₆ was used for power switches in high-voltage plants and for laboratory purposes.

Table 4.4 Consumption of SF₆ by application area, tonnes

4.2.4 Consumption of PFCs

Total consumption of perfluoropropane (C3F8) for refrigeration purposes amounted to about 0.5 tonnes in 2003. There were no reports of other applications of PFCs in Denmark in 2003.

4.3 Emissions of HFCs, PFCs and SF₆

This section describes the actual emissions of the greenhouse gases HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ for 2003. The calculations are 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.

Appendix 5 shows the leakage rates employed, calculation method, IPPC Tier method etc., in relation to individual substance and application area. It also shows the extent to which the IPCC default values and specific default values for Denmark have been used /4, 16/.

4.3.1 Actual emissions of potent greenhouse gases in 2003 and projected emissions

The GWP-weighted actual emissions of HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ in 2003 totalled about 745,600 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. The corresponding emissions were 718,800 tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2002, which corresponds to a calculated total increase of about 26,800 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

Although HFC consumption was significantly smaller in 2003, GWP contribution was still greater than in 2002. This is due to emissions from the stock in commercial refrigerators based on HFC-134a, HFC-404a and HFC-407c.

4.3.2 Emissions of HFCs from refrigerants

A distinction is made between:

• Fridges and freezers for household use and retailers etc.
• Commercial refrigerators (in industry and shops) and stationary air conditioning systems
• Mobile air conditioning systems (in cars, lorries, buses, trains etc.)
• Refrigerated vans and lorries

Actual emissions from these sources occur in connection with:

- filling of refrigerants (0.5 per cent 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 per cent to 33 per cent 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. The release is defined in order to write down stock (the quantity of refrigerants contained in a product).

Appendix 5 shows the specific emission factors used in the calculations.

Commercial refrigerators and stationary A/C systems

Commercial refrigerators, used e.g. by supermarket chains or by industry, and stationary A/C systems, also used by retailers and industry, as well as by offices, constitute the largest source of emissions. The most commonly used refrigerants in this product group are HFC-404a, HFC-407c, and HFC-134a, of which the former is most frequent and the latter least frequent.

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 used only to a very modest extent.

It is not relevant to adjust for imports and exports of HFCs in stationary commercial refrigerators and A/C systems since filling takes place at the site of operation, following installation.

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.

The calculation of the GWP contribution from the category "Other HFCs" (HFC-408a, HFC-409a, and HFC-410a) is based on a worst-case scenario in which the GWP value is calculated on the basis of HFC-410a (50 per cent HFC-32, 50 per cent HFC-125), which has the highest GWP value of the three substances. The GWP value for HFC-410a is 1,725.

Table 4.6 Actual emissions and GWP contribution from commercial refrigerators 2003 and 2010, tonnes

1) The category "Other HFCs" includes HFC-408a, -409a and -410a (the calculation of emissions is based on a worst-case scenario on the basis of the GWP value of HFC-410a).

2) The projected future scenario takes into account the effect of a new statutory order on phasing-out HFCs etc. and the effect of the taxes implemented. Furthermore, assumptions about the substitution of HCFC-22 systems by HFC-134a and HFC-404a are included in the calculations.

In the projection of emissions in 2010, which takes account of the specific phase-out dates set out in the 2003 Statutory Order from the Ministry of the Environment on certain ozone-depleting substances (prohibition and restrictions on use), the GWP contribution from commercial refrigerators in 2010 is estimated at about 520,000 tonnes.

This is a significant reduction compared to the projected scenario in /13/, which was carried out with historical data for 2002 when the 2010 GWP contribution was estimated at 581,000 tonnes. The reduction in the projected scenario is due to the method used, where the consumption of refrigerants observed in one year is assumed to be the same in the following years. In 2003, there was a reduction in consumption of both HFC-404a and HFC-134a.

If the projected figure for 2003 made in 2002 is compared to the actual emissions observed in 2003, we see a difference of less than 3,000 tonnes, which corresponds to an uncertainty of less than 1 per cent.

Fridges/freezers

Actual emissions from refrigerants in fridges 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 5).

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 per cent of consumption. The calculation is made on the basis of Statistics Denmark's foreign trade statistics /3/ 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. This evaluation has not assessed whether the figures are up-to-date.

In addition, the effect of taxes on the reduction in consumption is taken into account in the projection of consumption of HFC-134a in fridges. These taxes are assumed to lead to a gradual reduction in consumption. This is assumed not to be the case for HFC-404a-based household fridges/freezers since these are special products.

Table 4.7 shows actual emissions from fridges/freezers in 2003 and 2010.

Table 4.7 Emissions of refrigerants from fridges/freezers 2003 and 2010, tonnes

Total emissions of HFC refrigerants from fridges/freezers in 2003 were 14,500 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. In the projections of actual emissions, a small increase is expected, giving about 18,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2010.

Mobile A/C

Emissions from mobile A/C systems are released during filling and from continual loss of HFC-134a, and are also due to accident and 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 and lorries. 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, 2003

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 are still undergoing servicing, and which are therefore still being 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 2003. Refilled stock = Danish consumption.

The results are shown in the table below.

Table 4.9. Determination of Danish stock in mobile A/C systems in 2003 analysed by vehicle type, tonnes

The total stock of HFC-134a in mobile A/C systems in Denmark in 2003 was calculated to be about 209.6 tonnes. Stock is expected to increase further in the coming years since there is a continuing trend that more vehicles and new vehicles have A/C systems. In 2003, the volume of HFC-134a filled onto mobile air conditioning systems was 32.1 tonnes, which is 0.3 tonne more than in 2002. This volume of refrigerants was used solely for refilling in connection with the maintenance of existing systems /16/.

The table below shows a projection of calculated actual emissions from mobile A/C systems in Denmark. The table has been prepared on the basis of a steady-state assumption where imports and consumption for refilling in 2010 are assumed to be the same as in 2003.

Table 4.10. The calculated actual emissions of HFC-134a from mobile A/C systems in 2003 and 2010, 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 44-49 tonnes refrigerants, either HFC-134a, HFC-404a or HCFC-22.

Actual emissions from refrigerated vans and lorries in 2003 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 2003 and 2010, tonnes

In addition there were emissions of about 0.5 tonnes from HFC-402a in stock, corresponding to 800 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. There was no registered consumption of HFC-402a for refrigerated vans and lorries in 2003. It is assumed that the substance has been phased out, which is why the actual emissions in 2010 are set to only about 200 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

Thus, the total actual emissions from refrigerated vans and lorries were just below 20,600 tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2003.

4.3.3 Emissions of HFCs from foam plastic products and propellants

Two 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 following basis of calculation has been used in the emissions calculation for foam plastic products.

Table 4.12 Factors in the calculation of emissions from foam plastic products

Insulation foam

Hard foam plastic produced with HFC-134a is used primarily in insulating foam for fridges/freezers. Calculations of emissions from insulating foam in fridges/freezers have been adjusted for imports and exports of fridges/freezers.

Consumption of HFC-134a for foaming of insulation foam used in fridges/freezers was phased out in 2003. Actual emissions are therefore solely from stock and there are no longer any exports.

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, it is estimated that the stock will be reduced as a result of the phase-out of HFC-134a as a foaming agent. Previous years' projections estimated a phase-out by 2006. However, the fact that this foaming agent had already been phased out by 2003 has meant a further reduction of about 11,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents by 2010, compared to previous projected scenarios.

Polyether foam

The consumption of polyether-based foam was reported to be about 3.5 tonnes, and the actual emissions are estimated at 1.7 tonnes, corresponding to about 2,300 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. The calculation is based on the assumption that no emissions are released upon disposal since the gases are destroyed by incineration.

Calculations from 1998 are used for import adjustments. In the calculation, it is estimated that 5 per cent of all shoes with plastic, rubber, or leather soles contain polyether. In 1998 about 12.8 million pairs of shoes were imported (Statistics Denmark's foreign trade statistics) and it is estimated that a single pair of shoes contains an average of 8g HFC-134a. Based on these figures, exports are estimated to be 0.3 tonnes HFC-134a.

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 equal to the consumption of HFC-based aerosol sprays in Denmark, after adjusting for imports and exports. Total emissions from these two areas amount to 26.3 tonnes of HFC-134a, corresponding to 34,300 tonnes CO₂ equivalents, and to less than one tonne of HFC-152a, corresponding to 100 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. Compared with 2002, emissions have been reduced by more than 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.

Medical products

Due to marginal emissions, HFC emissions from medical products have not been calculated.

4.3.4 Emissions of sulphur hexafluoride

The total emissions of SF₆ in 2003 have been calculated at about 1.3 tonnes, equivalent to a GWP contribution of about 32,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. Net consumption was 2.3 tonnes.

Emissions derive from four sources, of which power switches, laboratories, and double-glazed windows are the main sources, contributing about equal shares.

Insulating glass

Use of SF₆ in double-glazed windows was phased out in 2002, however, there are still emissions from existing double-glazed windows in Danish buildings.

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

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

Power switches in high-voltage plants

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 plants are released due to the following:

• release of 5 per cent on filling with new gas
• 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.

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 power 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 2003, 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 /20/. This survey covers about 1/9 of the stock in the Danish electricity sector. Emissions have been calculated at about 20 kg of SF₆. Additionally, there are 88 kg of contaminated SF₆ in depot, and about 1.1 tonnes of new gas in store.

If this data is assumed to be representative of the entire country, emissions in 2003 amount to about 180 kg. This is slightly under half of the calculated emissions of 0.4 tonnes in this survey.

On the basis of Eltra's survey, this evaluation method is still believed 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. The notes from Eltra state that there is about 1.1 tonnes in store, which upon later use will lead to emissions. Furthermore, more emissions are assumed to arise from the recycling or destruction of the 88 kg of contaminated gas in depot. If these emissions were actual emissions in 2003, it would mean emissions from Eltra and Elkraft System of about 80 kg of SF₆, and about 0.7 tonnes of SF₆ respectively, providing the data is representative for the entire country.

Laboratory purposes

Consumption for plasma erosion in connection with the manufacture of microchips in clean-room laboratories was registered in 2003. Furthermore, it is still assumed that consumption for analysis purposes is limited.

Consumption was 0.4 tonnes and this corresponds to actual emissions. Emissions have been calculated at about 9,700 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

Training shoes

In the period 1990 to 1998, Denmark imported training shoes, which, according to the manufacturer, contained a total of about 1 tonne of SF₆. Emissions of SF₆ occur as a result of the disposal of the shoes. As in previous years, estimated emissions from training shoes are 0.11 tonnes, which is equivalent to a GWP contribution of about 2,650 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. It is assessed that emissions of SF₆ from training shoes will not occur after 2003, since it is assumed that all shoes containing SF₆ will have been disposed of by then.

4.3.5 Emissions of perfluorinated hydrocarbons

Actual emissions of perfluoropropane have been calculated at about 19,300 tonnes CO₂ equivalents for 2003 and total consumption was about 2.5 tonnes. In 2003, consumption of PFC was for refrigeration purposes exclusively. In addition, there was a "delayed" emission of 0.25 tonnes from consumption of PFCs in liquid cleaners in 2002 (cf. IPCC Reference Manual /4/ the consumption of liquid cleaners is broken down by 50 per cent in the year of consumption and 50 per cent in the subsequent year).

Perfluoropropane is the only known perfluorinated hydrocarbon used in Denmark. Emissions are released from refrigerants in commercial stationary and mobile refrigerators. Stock in commercial refrigerators has been calculated at about 22.7 tonnes. Since mixture products containing PFC are used in stationary refrigerators, adjustments have not been made for imports and exports of the substance in products.

Table 4.16 Emissions of PFCs from commercial refrigerators in 2003, 2010 and 2015, tonnes

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Version 1.0 April 2005, © Danish Environmental Protection Agency