Nummer

129-EN

Abschnitt

General Section

Anwendung

Kurzfassung

A Danish company has developed a cooling method based solely on CO2 with the support of the Danish environmental protection agency. The environmental benefits are large and the market is promising.

Substituierte Stoffe

Alternative Stoffe

Verlässlichkeit der Informationen

Beleg der Umsetzung: es ist belegt, dass die Lösung zur Zeit der Veröffentlichung umgesetzt und in Benutzung war

Grund für die Substitution

other reasons

Gefahrstoffbeurteilung

Substance to be substituted: HFC gases have a strong greenhouse effect. Hydrocarbons are toxic and flammable. Alternative substance: Carbon dioxide has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).

Beschreibung der Substitution

With CO2 cooling, the company has found a method based on natural refrigerants. CO2 cooling does not emit ozone-depleting gases. CO2 is a much less powerful greenhouse gas than HFC. It is not toxic, does not include flammable liquids, requires less energy and can be placed anywhere. Cooling is a widely applied technical process. It is relevant in household refrigerators and deep freezers as well as in food production, storage and sale, in the pharmaceutical industry, in air-conditioning systems, computer server rooms and many other places. This extensive use of cooling implies that the environmental impact of the technology is potentially very significant. Cooling systems have traditionally relied on artificial gases like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These substances have negative environmental effects as they deplete the ozone layer in varying degrees and have a strong greenhouse effect. CFCs have been banned in the EU since 1995, while HCFCs are currently phased out. In Denmark HCFC, have been completely phased out since 2010. Ozone-depleting gases have been replaced to a large extent by non-ozone depleting refrigerants like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), partly by hydrocarbons. Both alternatives are, however, not without problems: HFC have a strong greenhouse effect and are covered by the Kyoto Protocol, and hydrocarbons are toxic and flammable. Therefore a durable alternative has been long time searched for. The alternative is, in this case, cooling based on CO2. CO2 does not deplete the ozone layer. In this use the discharge in the atmosphere is quite small compared to other discharges of CO2. Therefore the greenhouse effect is limited. In addition, CO2 has two very important advantages compared to hydrocarbons: it is non-toxic and non-flammable. Therefore there is no need to establish special alarms, emergency ventilation, fire protection, etc. in connection with cooling systems. It is of even more importance that CO2-based cooling systems can be established in all places where HFCH/HCFC and HFC-based refrigeration systems are located today. Energy consumption of CO2 plants is also favourable. Measurements in supermarkets show that the installations can save 10-20% of the power consumption compared to traditional installations . Similar results apply in cooling areas for comfort zones, but this is not officially documented yet. One disadvantage is that CO2 systems are 30-40% more expensive than the cheapest HFC systems.

Bewertung des Falls/der Substitution

The alternative is not included in the database of hazardous substances according to SUBSPORTplus screening criteria (SDSC). CO2 is a greenhouse gas, but far less potent than HFCs and HCFCs. Therefore, this case study shows a successful substitution of toxic chemicals.

Stand der Umsetzung

Vollauslastung

Zeitpunkt und Ort der Umsetzung

2008, Denmark

Hersteller oder Lieferant

http://www.advansor.dk/en/

Art der Informationsquelle

Verantwortlich
Hersteller / Vertreiber

Kontakt

Miljøstyrelsen - The Danish EPA http://www.mst.dk

Weitere Informationen

http://www.ecoinnovation.dk/Emneoversigt/Danske_cases_og_resultater/Danske_succeshistorier/Case_advansor_koeling.htm Advansor cooling

Art der Veröffentlichung und Verfügbarkeit

Freely available, but only in Danish

Datum der Überprüfung

11. Dezember 2020