Refrigerant 22 Phase-Out
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by: DanielStouffer | Total views: 113 | Word Count: 442
The government is phasing out the use off refrigerant 22, even though it is widely used in a number of applications.As the phase out continues, facilities with equipment that use the chemical are rushing to comply with the requirements of the law.
Refrigerant 22 is suspected as being one of the main contributors to global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer. The Montral protocol initiated a phase out of certain banned substances, to rid the world of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons, which are found in a variety of refrigeration and cooling systems. A number of countries are following the leads established.
Refrigerant 22 is found in a variety of commercial refrigeration units, HVAC systems and air conditioning systems. The known hydrochlorofluorocarbon can be found in the equipment commonly used in a number of industries, such as hotels and restaurants, office buildings, hospitals, retail supermarkets, food processing warehouses and manufacturers.
The main problem with refrigerant 22 is the damage it causes to the environment when it is released into the air, especially when there is a leak. To better manage the use of this gas, the EPA is requiring businesses and municipalities to track its usage and submit reports on a regular basis. Recognizing that this can be a time-consuming process if done manually, many companies are turning to software that automatically tracks and reports according to the requirements under the regulations. A penalty fee structure has been established for those who fail to comply with the requirements.
Refrigerant 22 will no longer be made or used in new equipment shortly and eco-friendly refrigerants are being developed to serve as alternatives. Those companies with equipment that still use the refrigerant are not required to go out and buy a new system, but they are required to follow very strict guidelines as to the procedure for routine maintenance and repair.
Chemical manufacturers have up until January 1, 2020 to produce Refrigerant 22 for existing systems. Following that date the substance can no longer be manufactured. Only refrigerant that has been recovered and recycled may then be used in existing systems.
The history of refrigerant 22 as a greenhouse gas goes back over 40 years. Some natural greenhouse gases stabilize the Earth's temperature but man-made chemicals such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons can actually increase global average temperatures. Should no action be taken the makeup of the planet would change and cause major devastation.
There are number of alternatives to Refrigerant 22. These include R-410A, R404A and R407c, some of which are already in use in new refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, and found to be more energy efficient. The EPA specifies approved alternatives and facility managers can check with them for information.
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Daniel Stouffer has detailed data on the importance of good refrigerant gas management and more data about refrigerant 22 .
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