D4 Properties of Industrial Heat Transfer Media

D4.1 Refrigerants: Regulations

1 Introduction

The refrigerants used in vapor compression refrigeration systems in the European Community (EC) today are

• Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), e.g., R22

• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), e.g., R134a

• Ammonia (R717)

• Carbon dioxide (R744)

• Hydrocarbons (HCs), e.g., propane

The still mainly used halogenated refrigerants belonging to the group of HCFCs and HFCs are subject to comprehensive international legislation due to their ozone-depleting properties (in case of HCFCs), respectively, their potential effect on the climate (in case of HFCs) if released into the atmosphere.

The basic international instruments are

• The Montreal Protocol of 1987 regulating production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) [1]

• The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 requiring measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [2]

All subsequent regulations concerning production, placing on the market, and use of halogenated refrigerants are based on these international...