AN UPDATE ON FLUOROCARBONS
Representing the European Fluorocarbons Manufacturers
NEWSLETTER #208 - NOVEMBER 2023
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Dear subscriber,
In this EFCTC November 2023 newsletter, we report on two new studies that are consistent with the conclusion that the oceans are essentially a sink for TFA (Trifluoroacetic Acid). A modelling study assessed the fate and transport of TFA in the freshwater aquatic environment resulting from the emission and atmospheric degradation of HFO-1234yf and subsequent atmospheric deposition in the Rhine River basin. Based on the simulation, a very small percentage (<1 %) of the TFA mass deposited from the air would remain in the river system or the mixing zone of surface soil receiving deposition after the TFA concentrations reach steady state in the surface water and the mixing zone of surface soil, and the majority of the TFA would enter the ocean. The second study assessed if significant quantities of TFA are transported in sea salt aerosol from the oceans, with the potential of further transport over land, in the gas phase for TFA that has been expelled from the aerosol by acidification. The study evaluated the potential for TFA to partition from aged sea salt aerosol, in the same way that hydrochloric acid is partitioned from aged sea salt aerosol to the troposphere. The study concludes that only very minor quantities of TFA are transferred from the oceans to land via sea salt aerosol. Following the publication of the 2023 F-gas report, we explain that the low global-warming potential (GWP) F-gases (HFC-32 and HFOs/HCFOs) now contribute about 50% to the total EU supply of HFCs/HFOs/HCFOs in the EU. The average GWP of the HFCs/HFOs/HCFOs placed on the EU market has also reduced significantly in recent years due to the efforts of industry to deliver the F-gas Regulation requirements, while continuing to ensure availability of refrigerants with a good balance of safety and technical properties. We also summarise some findings in the annual inventory of refrigerant emissions for France métropole, which reports decreasing HFC emissions and explains why this reduction has occurred. We report that HFC-based chillers and heat pumps were installed at a hospital’s new modular ward in the UK, a facility that will help shape the construction of future National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in the UK. Two R-32 chillers with air-source heat pumps are used for heating and two R-407C based heat pumps deliver hot water for the 28-bed ward. These systems will help the NHS meet its 2040 net zero goal. Finally, we discuss a new study that expands the understanding of CF3H formation from HFCs and HFOs/HCFOs. Experimental work published in 2022 demonstrated that CF3H (HFC-23) is not formed during the decomposition of HFOs and HCFOs in the troposphere. In this follow-up study, the potential formation of CF3H has been investigated under conditions that occur in the stratosphere, where shorter wavelength more energetic radiation occurs. Do you want to learn more about EFCTC’s list of upcoming events relating to fluorocarbons? You can find them at the bottom of the newsletter and on the fluorocarbons.org website.
Thank you for your continued interest in EFCTC.
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Modelling study of TFA deposition and transport in Rhine River basin
This modelling study, conducted by Ramboll, assessed the fate and transport of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in the freshwater aquatic environment resulting from the emission and atmospheric degradation of HFO-1234yf and subsequent atmospheric deposition in the Rhine River basin. The results demonstrate that with constant and ongoing emissions of HFO-1234yf, within a short timeframe (months) a steady state concentration of TFA is reached, which does not further increase over time. In the case study of the Rhine basin, TFA concentrations below 0.6 μg/L are predicted, based on a forecast of the emissions of HFO-1234yf in the EU. The Rhine was selected as a case study as it represents a prominent watershed in western Europe with a large population.
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Study shows very minor transport of TFA via seasalt aerosol from the oceans to land
EFCTC commissioned a study “Assessment of Possible Transport of Trifluoroacetic Acid from the Oceans to the Atmosphere” by Professor Simon L Clegg, University of East Anglia, to understand if significant quantities of TFA are transported in sea salt aerosol from the oceans, with the potential of further transport over land, in the gas phase for TFA that has been expelled from the aerosol by acidification.
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Low GWP F-gases now 50% of the total HFC/HFO/HCFO supply
The adoption of low GWP F-gases, particularly for refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps, due to the HFC phase down, has resulted in HFC-32 and HFOs/HCFOs now contributing about 50% to the total supply of HFCs/HFOs/HCFOs in the EU in 2021 and 2022. It is, perhaps, not surprising that their share is similar in both years as the current phase-down step for HFCs covers the period 2021-2023.
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Annual inventory of refrigerant emissions for France métropole reports decreasing HFC emissions
The Alliance Froid Climatisation Environnement (AFCE) has published the 2021 annual inventory of refrigerant emissions for France, commissioned from Citepa, with results for 2022 being a provisional estimate. In 2021, HFC emissions represent only 2.4% of France's greenhouse gas emissions. From a sectoral point of view, 83% of fluorinated gas emissions are attributable to refrigeration and air conditioning applications.
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HFC based chiller and heat pump systems installed for innovative modular hospital ward
HFC based chillers and heat pumps were installed at a hospital’s new modular ward in the UK, a facility that will help shape construction of future National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in the UK. Two R-32 chillers with air-source heat pumps are used for heating and two R-407C based heat pumps deliver hot water for the 28-bed ward. One hundred percent fresh tempered air needs to be delivered to each ward and isolation area at up to 15 changes an hour. This creates a constant cooling or heating demand depending on the season, which the chillers and heat pumps successfully deliver. The energy efficiency of heat pumps is also a considerable benefit for hospitals – they are extremely energy-efficient and classified as renewable energy.
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New study expands understanding of CF3H formation from HFCs and HFOs/HCFOs
Most HFOs and HCFOs decompose in the troposphere via an intermediate product which then breaks down further. Experimental work, published in 2022, demonstrated that CF3H (HFC-23) is not formed during the decomposition of HFOs and HCFOs in the troposphere. In this follow-up study [1], the potential formation of CF3H has been investigated under conditions that occur in the stratosphere, where shorter wavelength more energetic radiation occurs.
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