ACtion Magazine - June 2012 - (Page 30)

The end of R-134a? oughly two years ago the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and its partner groups petitioned the U.S. EPA to establish guidelines to begin phasing out R-134a as a refrigerant in new vehicles. The move followed similar well-reported legislation in the European Union, and was strongly based on the use of newer, low-GWP refrigerant chemicals. In early 2011, EPA responded favorably, and agreed to consider the matter through its normal procedures including development of a proposed schedule for ending new-car use of R-134a, receiving comment from stakeholders, and then issuing a final decision. EPA also said they would consult specifically with vehicle manufacturers in addition to the normal comment procedures. The matter is of more than passing interest to the manufacturers not only for cost or efficiency reasons, but also because reduced HFC emissions—or use of low-GWP refrigerants—can provide credit towards ever-stiffer fuel mileage standards. But EPA has yet to produce a suggested schedule for any phaseout of the present chemical, and manufacturers remain uncertain about their refrigerant plans for North American products. Right now, that’s understandable in view of the tangled web of lawsuits, reduced availability and uncertain costs surrounding the heir apparent HFO-1234yf. Now the NRDC, along with the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development and the Environmental Investigation Agency, have filed another petition under the Clean Air Act. The April 27th document goes beyond the original (targeted only at mobile refrigerants) and asks EPA for swift action to remove or restrict R-134a from use in other areas as well. Specifically, the sponsors say, the petition seeks action on four additional items and asks EPA to: 30 ACTION • June 2012 R “1. Set deadlines for replacing R-134a with new low-GWP HFCs or hydrocarbons refrigerants in home fridges and freezers and stand-alone retail fridges and freezers. The changeover should be completed within two years of when the first lowGWP model is offered for sale in each appliance category. 2. End use of R-134a in new car air conditioners as soon as possible, but not later than 2017 model vehicles, which are actually marketed in 2016. 3. To make sure that cars designed for the new refrigerant (R-1234yf) are properly maintained and repaired, restrict the sale of R-134a to certified technicians. And to keep “do-it-yourselfers” from contaminating broken A/Cs designed for R-1234yf by refilling them with R-134a, stop the sale of R-134a in small cans by big box stores, gas stations, and other retail outlets. 4. End use of R-134a in non-essential products like “Dust-off” sprays, Silly String and other aerosol products where there are safer propellants or pumpspray and other alternatives.” How the requested timelines and restrictions would work out is yet to be seen. Things remain very much unsettled for the commercial debut of any new low-GWP refrigerant, although some additional chemicals have been EPA approved for use in stationary and residential refrigeration. On the mobile side, availability of HFO-1234yf remains thin at best and affected by both plant capacity and international politics. And no one yet has a clear picture of what handling and service training will be required in the field, nor if the product will require certification for purchase. Halfway through 2012, a few models using R-1234yf have appeared in Europe and are being watched closely. But none are yet available in North America and not all manufacturers have committed to using a new refrigerant. ❆

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - June 2012

ACtion Magazine - June 2012
Contents
Outlook
Expansive Valve
Technically RELAY-ted
Under the Southern Cross
Leonard's Law
Cooling Corner
Virtual View
News & Updates
State of the Art Detection
Running Short On Time and Info
The End of R-134A?
Association News
Quick Check
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - June 2012