Prepared by WG Environment
ENL N° 11/04
Fluorinated Gases
1 – SUMMARY
EIGA Working Group 5 - Environment has compiled this environmental newsletter to give information to
EIGA members, specifically to directors, technical managers, company environmental specialists and
National trade associations on developments in legislation on Fluorinated Gases.
Fluorinated gases and gas mixtures are used for many common applications and in a wide variety of
products. As part of the First Phase of the ECCP (European Climate Change Programme) the EU
Commission has proposed a draft regulation on Fluorinated Gases, due for adoption during 2004.
EIGA members are both users distributors of these gases so must be aware in particular of the
•
Restrictions on marketing and use of equipment containing F Gases,
•
Requirements for recovery of F Gases
•
Need for monitoring of refrigeration units containing F gases.
•
Reporting of information on F Gases (imports, exports, use, emissions, etc)
2 - INTRODUCTION
Fluorinated industrial gases (HFCs, PFCs and SF6) are widely used in such common devices and
applications as refrigerators, air conditioners, insulation, medical aerosols and semiconductors. In the
1990s, after the Montreal Protocol entered effect, these gases were used to replace ozone-depleting
substances such as CFCs.
However, the high Global Warming Potential (GWP) of these gases raised new environmental concerns
and they were included among the six greenhouse gases identified by the Kyoto Protocol, along with CO2,
CH4 and N2O.
In 1995, fluorinated gases accounted for about two percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.
Although scientists differ considerably as to the growth potential of these gases, lawmakers and
industrialists agree that emissions should be limited as much as possible.
HFCs, PFCs and SF6 are three of the gases contained in the 'basket' of gases whose emissions are
controlled under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
These gases are monitored within the EU under the monitoring Directive and featured in a number of
national action programmes in individual Member States.
The European Commission has released in August 2003 a Draft Regulation COM(2003) 492 on Fluorinated
gases sometimes called “F-gases”: HFCs, PFC and SF6 (ref 2)
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The draft Regulation on F-gases aims to reduce the projected F-gas emissions by 2010. It is composed of
the following elements
• Improving the monitoring and verification of F-gas emissions
• To improve containment and recovery of F-gases
• Reporting on the production, importation, export, recycling and destruction to strengthen the monitoring
of emissions
• Restricting the marketing and use for number of applications where containment is not feasible or the
use of fluorinated gases is deemed inappropriate (for ex non-refillable containers, fire protection systems
fire extinguishers, windows insulation, one component foams, non-medical aerosols)
• Phase-out of HFC-134a in air conditioning in new vehicles between 2009-2013.
3 – WHAT ARE FLUORINATED GASES?
Appendix 1 shows the main HFC, PFC and SF6 gases and their global warming power (reference 1).
Highlighted are the substances of most interest for the gases industry.
4 – REQUIREMENTS OF DRAFT REGULATION
This is a Regulation not a Directive so the requirements are directly applicable to Member States. The Legal
Basis is Article 95 of the EC Treaty (internal market).
Timetable- The draft regulation needs to be approved by the European Parliament, and this process should
take between 6-12 months, after which the regulation will come into force, so this is likely by the end of
2004.
Article 3 introduces a duty to prevent and minimise leakage with mandatory inspections for leakage,
monthly for those system containing >300 kg. Leakage detection systems are also required for all systems
with charge >300 kg and records maintained.
Article 4 introduces a compulsory requirement to recover fluorinated gases from refillable containers) also
from the cooling circuits of all refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump equipment, from equipment
containing solvents, from fire protection systems and fire extinguishers and from high voltage switch gear.)
This shall also be done if it is technically feasible and cost-effective to do so from all other products and
equipment.
Training - Member States will be required to establish programmes to provide for the training and
certification of personnel involved in making inspections for leakage, and for those involved in the recovery,
recycling, reclamation and destruction of fluorinated gases.
Article 6 Covers reporting by producers, importers and exporters of, total production/import/export by gas
for production and imports: Applications in which it is used as well as estimated emissions and quantities
recovered, recycled and destroyed, for quantities >1 tonne per annum
Article 7 proposes controls of use of some F Gases in certain applications such as SF6 in magnesium die
casing casting and vehicle tyres. Article 8 proposes marketing restrictions set out in appendix 2.
5 – IMPACT ON EIGA MEMBERS
EIGA members are both users, distributors and service providers for these gases so must be aware in
particular of the restrictions on marketing and use, the requirements for recovery of F Gases, training
requirements, requirements for both internal and external reporting and the need for monitoring of
refrigeration units containing F gases.
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6 – GOOD PRACTICES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FLUORINATED GAS
EMISSIONS (HFC, PFC, NF3 and SF6)
The first step is to provide an inventory of these gases, with inputs output and losses accounted for. This is
already a legal requirement in some countries.
EIGA document Disposal of Gases 30/04 gives information on how to manage these gases.
HFC, PFC and SF6 are considered greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol and NF3 is expected to be
included in future obligations. These gases have a very high global warming potential.
7- SOURCES AND DOCUMENTATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/eccp.htm
IPCC's 2000 report on recommended best practice and managing uncertainties.
GHG protocol initiative (http://www.wbcsd.org) and the Measuring and Reporting Protocol (EPE and
Andersen).
5.
F-gases [with positions from EFCTC, CEFIC, AmCham's EU Committee, Climate Network Europe,
Arthur D. Little and others]
6.
Climate change [with positions from industry and NGOs]
7.
Eur-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on
substances that deplete the ozone layer [FR] [DE]
DG Enterprise: "Final Report on the European Climate Change Programme. Working Group Industry. Work Item
Fluorinated Gases" (18 June 2001) - Stakeholder position papers in Annex 1 and Annex 2.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
DG Environment: Contribution by Mrs. Wenning at the EFCTC/EPEE Conference on F-gases, 16 April
2002
EFCTC/EPEE: Press release F-gases conference (16 April 2002)
EFCTC: Fluorocarbons and Sulphur hexafluoride (special website)
European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) [Flash Presentation]
Climate Network Europe: "Keeping cool without warming the planet" (Jason Anderson)
EIGA ENL 10 Greenhouse Gases
Feedback
EIGA WG-5 members welcome feedback on this and other publications.
If you need any more information or would like to make any comments please contact your WG-5
representative, the WG-5 Chairman or the EIGA office
Stephen Bradley, Air Products PLC Chairman WG-5;
Telephone: +44 1932 249992 ;Fax: +44 1932 258529;
e-mail
address
[email protected]
DISCLAIMER
All technical publications of EIGA or under EIGA’s name, including Codes of practice, Safety procedures and any other
technical information contained in such publications were obtained from sources believed to be reliable and are based on
technical information and experience currently available from members of EIGA and others at the date of their issuance.
While EIGA recommends reference to or use of its publications by its members, such reference to or use of EIGA’s publications
by its members or third parties are purely voluntary and not binding. Therefore, EIGA or its members make no guarantee of the
results and assume no liability or responsibility in connection with the reference to or use of information or suggestions
contained in EIGA’s publications.
EIGA has no control whatsoever as regards, performance or non performance, misinterpretation, proper or improper use of any
information or suggestions contained in EIGA’s publications by any person or entity (including EIGA members) and EIGA
expressly disclaims any liability in connection thereto.
EIGA’s publications are subject to periodic review and users are cautioned to obtain the latest edition.
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWSLETTER ENL-11/04
APPENDIX 1 - Fluorinated gases
Fluorinated gas
Sulphur hexafluoride
Chemical Formula
SF6
Global Warming Potential
23900
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs):
HFC-23
HFC-32
HFC-41
HFC-43-10mee
HFC-125
HFC-134
HFC-134a
HFC-152a
HFC-143
HFC-143a
HFC-227ea
HFC-236fa
HFC-245ca
HFC-365mfc
CHF3
CH2F2
CH3F
C5H2F10
C2HF5
C2H2F4
CH2FCF3
C2H4F2
C2H3F3
C2H3F3
C3HF7
C3H2F6
C3H3F5
CF3CH2CF2CH3
11700
650
150
1300
2800
1000
1300
140
300
3800
2900
6300
560
890
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
Perfluoromethane
Perfluoroethane
Perfluoropropane
Perfluorobutane
Perfluoropentane
Perfluorohexane
Perfluorocyclobutane
CF4
C2F6
C3F8
C4F10
C5F12
C6F14
c-C4F8
6500
9200
7000
7000
7500
7400
8700
Other F Gases not included in the regulation
NF3
8 000
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWSLETTER ENL-11/04
Appendix 2 - ANNEX II of regulation
Fluorinated gas
Application
Date of prohibition
Fluorinated gases with an
AVERAGE global
warming potential higher
than 150 EXCEPT FOR
‘SEALED 134a AIRCONDITIONERS
Air conditioning in passenger
cars and light commercial
vehicles
1 January 2009 – 31st
January2013
Sulphur hexafluoride,
hydrofluorocarbons and
perfluorocarbons
Non-refillable containers,
except for laboratory and
analytical use [and metered
dose inhalers depending on a
revision to container definition]
One year THREE MONTHS
after the date
of entry into force
Hydrofluorocarbons and
Perfluorocarbons
Refrigerants in non-confined
direct-evaporation systems
Date of entry into force
Perfluorocarbons
Fire protection systems and
fire extinguishers
Date of entry into force
Sulphur hexafluoride,
hydrofluorocarbons and
perfluorocarbons
Windows
Two years after the date
of entry into force
Sulphur hexafluoride
Footwear
Date of entry into force
Hydrofluorocarbons
One component foams, except
when required to meet safety
requirements of the Competent
Authorities following
consulation with stakeholders,
except when required to meet
national safety standards
One Three years after the
entry
into force
Hydrofluorocarbons
Novelty aerosols
Three years after the
entry into force
Hydrofluorocarbons and
perfluorocarbons
Footwear
1 July 2006
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWSLETTER ENL-11/04
Appendix 3 – Guideline on Inventory of Fluorinated Gases - page 1/2
Fluorinated gases are generally released to the atmosphere in the following three types of situations:
•
When they are packaged in various containers, such as aerosol spray cans. In this case
what must be determined is the amount of gas consumed annually and which is not
packaged.
•
Either when equipment that operates with a fluorinated gas is refilled, such as large
refrigeration systems for example, or when such a gas is used in an industrial process
(such as SF6 or PFC in the semiconductor industry) and it is difficult to recover them from
the atmosphere. In this case, information concerning the amount of gas consumed is
sufficient.
•
In some industrial processes that involve a chemical reaction, such as the smelting of
aluminum. In this case emissions are evaluated on the basis of measurements made by the
manufacturer himself.
The various sources to be considered for each type of fluorinated gas and for each type of application
are presented below:
Hydrofluorocarbons or HFC
The exact name of the HFC gases or mixtures used must always be indicated. This is because global
warming potential may vary considerably depending on the type of HFC used. The various industries
and applications for which HFC emissions are considered are:
Large refrigeration and air-conditioning systems emissions generally occur during maintenance
operations and mainly when equipment is drained or refilled. A good idea of emissions is obtained if
the operator of the equipment provides information concerning the frequency of refilling operations
(once a year, every two years, etc.) and provides an inventory of the amounts of the HFC gases used
and their type, as mentioned above.
Perfluorocarbons (PFC)
PFC used in the semiconductor industry
This includes PFC 116, PFC 14 and other types that the fab plant operator must indicate along with
their global warming power. PFC gases are used to etch microprocessors. There is an international
consensus that 72% of the PFC gases used by this industry are released to the atmosphere when no
recycling or treatment system is used.
Since all of the gases used are by definition released to the atmosphere, the plant operator must
indicate the amount of each PFC gas used each year and then multiply this amount by 72%.
NF 3
NF3, the global warming potential of which is 8,000 times that of carbon dioxide, is used for the same
purposes as PFC. The emission coefficient is also the same. Plant operators must also indicate the
amounts used each year.
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Appendix 3 – Guideline on Inventory of Fluorinated Gases - page 2/2
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
The GWP of SF6 is 23,900 times that of CO2. A relatively small quantity may therefore have a
substantial impact on global warming.
SF6 emissions in magnesium foundries:
All of the SF6 used is released to the atmosphere. The foundry operator must indicate the total
amount of SF6 used during the past year.
SF6 emissions in electrical equipment plants:
The SF6 must be inventoried. The "material balance" method shown below was taken from the
"Inventory Guidelines" recommended by GIMELEC and CAPIEL, respectively a French and a
European association of electrical equipment manufacturers.
Material balance of SF6 used to make electrical equipment:
Annual inputs (I):
I 1: amount of SF6 purchased during the year
I 2: annual increase or decrease in stock
Annual outputs (O):
O 1: amounts used in equipment during the year
O 2: amount returned in empty containers and cylinders during the year, with residual amounts
estimated.
O 3: amount of gas to be recycled.
Plant losses:
(I 1 + I 2) – (O 1 + O 2 + O 3)
SF6 emissions in semiconductor plants:
These emissions are calculated as follows:
SF6 emissions = 72% of the total amount of SF6 used in the plant during the past year, calculated
from an inventory, as described in the section above concerning PFC gases in semiconductor plants.
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