It's time!
Effective climate protection with the refrigerant CO2
Chemical refrigerants: drivers of the greenhouse effect
Chemical refrigerants are still the standard in many industries today. At the same time, they contribute significantly to climate change.
The problem: air conditioning agents permanently escape through leaks, maintenance or accidents.
Hazardous release of refrigerants:
The average leakage rate of R-134a in new buses is 13.3% refrigerant per year for overland buses and 13.7% for city buses (Schwarz, Establishment of Leakage Rates of Mobile Air Conditioners in Heavy Duty Vehicles, 2007). According to publications of “Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V.”, buses across Germany emitted nearly 100 tons of R-134a refrigerant in 2008.
The amount of refrigerant released by buses corresponds to 140,000 tons of CO2 equivalents per year. That corresponds to the annual CO2 emissions of 90,000 fuel efficient compact cars with an average manner of driving.
Climate change
The effects of synthetic substances on the earth’s atmosphere are increasingly being recognised as problematic. They are partly responsible for climate change – the earth’s temperature is rising. Global warming is leading to massive climate change and the consequences will be borne by the entire world Population.
Time to act - climate protection
Since the World Conference on Environment and Development in Rio in 1992, there has been international agreement that climate change must be stopped.
With the climate and energy strategy - the "20-20-20 goals", the EU has adopted a pact of directives which, among other things, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. New provisions, such as the ban on particularly climate-impacting refrigerants, are intended to help achieve the EU climate targets. Europe is thus setting new global standards for the reduction of CO2 emissions.
In vehicle air conditioning systems, the fluorinated greenhouse gas tetrafluoroethane (R134a) has so far been used as a refrigerant. Directive 2006/40/EC on emissions from air conditioning systems in motor vehicles bans the use of refrigerants with a global warming potential higher than 150 in new passenger cars and car-like commercial vehicles from 1 January 2017. In the first step this only affects the automotive industry, but in the long term a general ban of R-134a is expected.
The key points of the EU F-gas regulation:
Phase-Down:
- Step-by-step reduction of F-Gases
- Reduction of the quantity to 21% by 2030 in six stages Use restriction
- Step-by-step ban on particularly climate-damaging F-gases
- Quotas - F-gas quotas are allocated to manufacturers and importers
- Stricter requirements for leakage checks of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems
- Extended operator obligations: Installation, maintenance, servicing, repair, etc. may only be carried out by certified staff
Directives and regulations are aimed at reaching the targets of the climate and energy strategy.
- 2005: United Nations Climate Change Conference
The 2005 United Nations Climate Change Conference took place between November 28 and December 9, 2005, in Montreal, Canada. The conference included the 11th Conference of the Parties.
The aim of the Climate Convention is "to prevent a dangerous, man-made disruption of the climate system and to slow down global warming and mitigate its consequences" (Article 2 - Framework Convention on Climate Change). The main commitment of the Climate Convention is that all contractors must periodically publish reports containing their current greenhouse gas emissions and the likely evolution of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Climate Change Conference in Montreal in 2005 was attended by the 189 States Parties to the Climate Convention. This conference was also the first meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force on ratification of Russia on 16 February 2005.
The aim of this conference was to discuss the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and to enforce the Kyoto Protocol. - 2014: Laws of the European Union Regulation (EU) No. 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gas Regulation)
The new F-Gas Regulation is a contribution towards reducing the emissions of the industry sector by 70 percent until the year 2030 compared to 1990. Emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) in the EU are to be reduced by 70 million tons of CO2 equivalents to 35 million tons of CO2 equivalents by the year 2030 through the new rules. Three main regulatory approaches are intended to reduce the emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases:
1. A phase-down of the volume of partly fluorinated hydrocarbons (HFCs) available in the market by the year 2030 to one-fifth of the current sales volume.
2. Implementing bans on use and bringing to market when technically feasible, more climate-friendly alternatives are available.
3. Maintaining and amending the regulations for tightness tests, certification, disposal and labelling.In particular, the new F-Gas Regulation is intended to create an incentive for the use of alternatives to F-gases.
As a consequence of the new F-Gas Regulation coming into force, the federal government will revise the Chemicals Climate Protection Regulation (ChemKlimaschutzV) and implement sanctions by amending the Chemicals Sanctions Regulation (ChemSanktionsV).
Overview of the F-Gas Regulation
Gradual reduction of F-gases- Reduction of the volume to 21% in six stages by 2030
- Restrictions on use – gradual ban on F-gases with a particularly severe climate impact
- Quota system – assignment of F-gas quotas to the manufacturers and importers
- Tightness testing – stricter regulations for the tightness testing of refrigeration and air conditioning systems
- Expanded operator obligations – installation, upkeep, maintenance, repair etc. exclusively by certified staff
- 2016: Kigali climate agreement - PFC reduction to slow global warming
More than 150 countries meeting in the capital of Rwanda agreed to limit the use of climate-damaging fluorocarbons.
Industrialised nations such as the USA are to reduce the use of PFCs by ten percent starting in 2019. They intend to reduce their use by 85 over the years. This is slated to happen by 2036 at the latest.
Most of the countries that signed – including China – will begin reducing their use in 2024. Developing countries are given more time. Emerging markets and developing countries such as India had urged a later start and pointed out the high costs incurred for switching to other substances.
The agreement that has now been reached is considered a milestone in the fight against climate change. - 2017: Chemicals Climate Protection Regulation (ChemKlimaschutzV)
Another legal aspect for the handling of refrigerants is established in the Chemicals Climate Protection Regulation (ChemKlimaschutzV). It states that only specialists with a personal certificate of competence may carry out work on systems with fluorinated refrigerants. The operation has to be certified as well. Starting in 1989, the chloric and ozone-depleting refrigerant R-12 (CFC, chlorofluorocarbon) in air conditioning systems was replaced by the chemical PFC refrigerant R-134a used until today (tetrafluoroethane – a fluorinated hydrocarbon). While this substance is far more environmentally friendly compared to CFC, it nevertheless has a factor 1430 global warming potential (GWP) and was declared a transition solution at the time.
- 2017: MAC Directive
The European Union has grasped that fact and, in its Mobile Air Conditioning Directive (MAC) – in the interest of protecting the environment – imposed strict requirements for refrigerants used in the air conditioning systems of motor vehicles (Directive 2006/40/EC).
Vehicle manufacturers were obligated starting on 1 January 2011 to use refrigerants with a global warming potential (GWP) less than 150 according to EC No. 842/2006 for air conditioning systems in vehicles approved as new models in the EU. This applies for all approved passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles (less than 1.3 tons) effective on 1 January 2017. The bus sector is mentioned in this directive as well. A date for a ban on R-134a has not been set but is expected to be forthcoming.Summary:
GWP < 150
Affects passenger vehicles (M1) and light commercial vehicles N1 up to 1.3 t.
Banned (Art. 5) in new models effective 1 January 2011,
in all new vehicles effective 1 January 2017 - 2018: Awards & subsidies as conversion incentives
Certain certifications/awards and also subsidies will only be available in conjunction with the use of environmentally friendly and non-toxic refrigerants in the future in order to create additional incentive for the environmentally friendly use of natural refrigerants.
German designations and ecolabels - Blue Angel environmental label
3.3 Air conditioning technology
A GWP value < 150 will be required under the “Blue Angel” environmental label going forward.
Furthermore, only halogen-free refrigerants can be used for 2-axle urban buses starting on 1 January 2018.VDV Directive – VDV Requirement 236 “Air Conditioning of Line-Service Buses”
VDV Requirement 236 in the area of air conditioning under the general requirements, point 3.1 calls for the use of “environmentally friendly and non-toxic refrigerants”.
Excerpt:
According to legal regulations, environmentally friendly and non-toxic state-of-the-art refrigerants have to be used. Here the filling capacity must be kept as small as possible while maintaining an adequately dimensioned reserve quantity for reliable operation.German subsidy for hybrid buses, 12 December 2014
The new “Directives for Promoting the Acquisition of Diesel-Electric Hybrid Buses in Public Transit” officially came into force in January of 2015 and apply until the end of 2017. This subsidy is linked to meeting ambitious environmental standards that have been expanded to include air conditioning in the meantime: “Applications for projects to acquire vehicles with environmentally friendly CO2 air conditioning technology will be considered preferentially.” Interested transport companies can submit project outlines effective immediately.
Financial aid for climate-friendly refrigerants
Subsidies and grants for climate-friendly refrigerants already exist in the following EU countries:- Germany
- Austria
- Great Britain
- Switzerland
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- 2019: Tax burden
To complement the F-Gas Regulation, the price of PFCs is being purposely increased through additional taxes in some EU states. While the national regulations vary, taxation of approximately EUR 20 per ton of CO2 equivalents is the goal.
The consequences: These commercially available refrigerants are currently becoming very expensive and will no longer be available in the future.
CO2 as refrigerant (R744)
The climate friendly alternative
CO2 as a natural refrigerant, also known as R744, is the climate-friendly alternative to today's common chemical refrigerants. It is environmentally friendly, has a high cooling capacity, is not flammable and does not form any decomposition products. Furthermore, it is inexpensive and permanently available.
CO2 is a natural component of air and has a global warming potential of only factor 1 - chemical refrigerants are 1000 times higher (R134a GWP 1340) or they are combustible and the decomposition products are dangerous for the environment!
CO2 can be used not only in air conditioning systems but also to operate heat pumps. These can cool as well as heat efficiently.
Economic benefits
- 120 % efficiency through higher efficiency = lower energy consumption
- cost per kg of refrigerant 90 % lower and long-term availability
- lower service costs / service times - no recycling necessary, fewer components and easier and less dangerous handling
- no legal restrictions or limitations ("no phase down")
Environmental benefits
- sustainable and permitted refrigerant
- non flammable (R744=fire extinguishing agent), non toxic
- no greenhouse effects
- no toxic decomposition or decay products
- no fossil fuels required
Subsidies and grants for climate-friendly refrigerants:
- Germany
- Belgium
- Great Britain
- Netherlands
- Austria
- Switzerland
In Germany:
Since January 2019, there has been a subsidy program for CO2 bus air-conditioning systems for electric buses. There are subsidies ranging from 4,500 euros for an electric solo bus to 6,500 euros for an electric articulated bus.
Economic benefits of R744/CO2
CO2 heat pumps: zero emissions, highest energy efficiency
With natural CO2 as a refrigerant, considerable energy savings can be achieved in cooling and heating operation. Because CO2 has an up to 20% higher efficiency than chemical refrigerants, accordingly, the target temperature is reached 20% faster.
CO2 is particularly suitable for use in heat pumps.
A system operated with R744 has a higher efficiency than a R134a system. Approximately 25% less fuel is consumed for the same cooling capacity (UBA 2008, ADAC 2008, Hrnjak, SAE ARCRP1, 2007). Thus not only the exhaust gas emissions but also the operating costs are reduced.
The straightforward and safe handling of R-744 reduces service times by more than half compared to R-134a. R-744 is not subject to the Chemicals Climate Protection Regulation (ChemKlimaschutzV) since it is not a chemical refrigerant.
The acquisition cost for the refrigerant per kg is more than 90% lower. As a result, the overall service cost savings potential is approximately 70%.
Refrigerant price:
Based on filling a system with approximately 7 kg of refrigerant (roof system and front box)
R-134a (current price 2016) EUR 84.00
R-134a (future price considering phase-down) EUR 176.40
R-744 (CO2) EUR 5.60
Savings per system filling between EUR 78.40 and EUR 170.80
Costs for Tools:
Here we assume one-time costs without considering annual tool inspection costs. The vacuum pump and refrigerant scale are not included in the evaluation since these are required for both refrigerants
R-134a automated recycling system approx. EUR 5000.00
R-744 filling unit approx. EUR 760.00 (without pressure gauge, since installed in vehicle)
Costs for service parts:
A dryer in the R-134a system has to be replaced with each maintenance service; the R-744 system does not have one. Saving approx. EUR 30.00
Field reports from public transit companies
More Information
60 years of innovation: For the environment of tomorrow
Konvekta stands for environmental protection and sustainability. Therefore we have been taking our own paths in the development of efficient and climate-friendly cooling and heating technology for more than 20 years.
With natural CO2 as a refrigerant, we make a major contribution to active climate protection. Our "Made in Germany" technologies are used in the vehicle industry.