CFCs/HCFCs

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CFCs/HCFCs

• Warrington Williams Thanks to John Meyer
• Environmental Affairs Director
• John Morrell Company

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Introduction to CFC/HCFC

• CFCs
• HCFCs
• Regulatory Requirements
• Leak Rate Calculation
• Leak Repair
• Leak Verification Tests
• Recordkeeping/Reporting
• Your Responsibilities
• Where To Get More Information

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What Are CFCs?

• A class of synthetic chemicals that are odorless,
  non-toxic, non-flammable, chemically inert, and
  stable thermodynamic properties Class I
  Refrigerants
• First CFC synthesized in 1892, first used in
  1930s.

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FREE CHLORINE
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Where Are CFCs/HCFCs Used?

• Propellants in aerosol cans
• Coolant in Refrigerators and Air Conditioners
• Degreasing Agents
• In the Manufacturing of Foam Packaging

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Problem With CFCs

• Cause destruction of the ozone layer by drifting
  to the stratosphere, in the presence of UV
  radiation, reacts with ozone to form free
  chlorine atoms and molecular oxygen.
• The chlorine liberated during ozone breakdown
  destroys even more ozone.
• CFCs can remain in the atmosphere for more than
  100 years.
• In 1984, conclusive evidence of stratospheric
  ozone destruction.
• In 1987, the Montreal Protocol Established
  global environmental treaty to ban the use of
  chemicals responsible for damage to the ozone
  layer.
• January 1, 1996, new CFC production ended.

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What Are HCFCs?

• Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are interim
  replacement compounds for CFCs- Class II
  Refrigerants
• HCFCs still contain chlorine atoms, but the
  presence of hydrogen makes them reactive to
  chemicals in the troposphere, so chlorine does
  not reach the stratosphere.
• Production of HCFCs will most likely be
  phased-out by 2030 in the USA, by 2015 in Europe.
• DuPont stopped producing HCFC-22 for new
  equipment in 2005.
• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) - no chlorine,
  replacement for HCFCs, but big greenhouse gas
  emitter.

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CFCs

• BAD, bad, BADDDD really Bad

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CFC/HCFC Requirements

• 40 CFR 82, Subpart F - maximize recycling of
  ozone-depleting compounds (CFCs and HCFCs) during
  the service and disposal of air conditioning and
  refrigeration equipment
• Certification requirements for recycling and
  recovery equipment, technicians, and reclaimers.
• Restricts sales to certified technicians.
• Requires repair of substantial leaks in equipment
  with charge greater than 50 lbs.
• Establishes safe disposal requirements.

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Leak Rate Calculation

• The leak rate must be calculated each time a leak
  is discovered.
• LEAK RATE ((lbs refrigerant added / lbs
  refrigerant in normal full charge) x
• (365/ days since refrigerant last added)) x 100
  

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Leak Repair

• For equipment gt50 lb charge, if the leak rate
  exceeds 35 of total charge in a 12 month period,
  then the leak must be repaired within 30 days
  following discovery, unless
• an industrial process shutdown is required in
  order for the repair to be completed. In this
  circumstance, the regulations allow the repair to
  be completed within 120 days.

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Leak Repair Verification Tests

• Initial and follow-up verification tests must be
  conducted and documented for each repair. The
  initial test must be conducted immediately
  following the repair, before refrigerant is added
  to the equipment.
• The follow-up verification test must be
  completed within 30 days following the repair,
  or, if the equipment was taken out of service,
  within 30 days of bringing the equipment back
  on-line.

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Leak Repair Verification Tests

• Soap Bubble Test
• Electronic Leak Detectors
• Ultrasonic Leak Detectors
• Pressure Test
• Vacuum Test
• Fluorescent Dye and Black Light Test
• Infrared Test or
• Halon Refrigerant Gas Detection.

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Recordkeeping

• Persons servicing, owning or operating industrial
  process refrigeration equipment containing over
  50 pounds of regulated CFC/HCFC refrigerant must
  maintain records for
• (a) the date a leak is discovered
• (b) the date a leak is repaired and/or the
  equipment is serviced (including a description of
  the repair or service work)
• (c) the date and quantity of refrigerant added or
  removed
• (d) the date, type and results of the initial
  verification test and
• (e) the date, type and results of the follow-up
  verification test.

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Reporting

• If you fail a follow-up verification test, you
  must notify EPA within 30 days of this failed
  test.
• The notification must include the dates and types
  of all initial and follow-up verification tests
  performed and all associated test results.
• Reference 40 CFR 82.156(i)(3)(iii)
• Also, if you must report to EPA if you fail to
  complete repairs within 30 days of the leak

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Key Points

• Any equipment containing more than 50 pounds of
  CFC/HCFC refrigerant are covered by this
  regulation.
• Cannot exceed release amounts equivalent to 35
  of system volume in the last 365 days.
• If you do, you have 30 days to fix the cause of
  the release (process shutdown - 120 days), and
  must conduct initial and follow-up leak
  verification tests.

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Your Responsibilities

• Implement a tracking mechanism such as an Excel
  spreadsheet that calculates the rolling release
  totals.
• Maintain copies of certifications on-site for
  technicians servicing your CFC/HCFC containing
  equipment.
• Must retain records of leaks/releases.

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More Information

• 40 CFR 82, Subpart F
• http//www.epa.gov/ozone
• http//www.sfienvironmental.com/ Follow link to
  BMPs for leak calculator