Refrigerants Have High Global Warming Potential
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by: DanielStouffer | Total views: 84 | Word Count: 435
The global warming potential refers to how much a chemical impacts global warming over a specified period of time in comparison with the same amount of carbon dioxide. Whereas carbon dioxides potential for global warming is 1.0, refrigerants are in the hundreds and thousands, which means they stay in the atmosphere longer and can cause greater damage to the earths climate.
All greenhouse gases are allocated a global warming potential value. The number is used by scientists to tell how the gases, mainly refrigerants, will impact our atmosphere within the space of 20, 100 or 500 years. Almost all of greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere longer than 20 years and many are around for up to 100 years. Action must and is being taken to control emissions as considerable harm awaits the earth and its inhabitants otherwise.
Three factors are considered when determining the global warming potential of a substance. These include the atmospheric location of the absorption point, the amount of infrared radiation absorbed, and the length of time that the substance remains in the atmosphere. A substance with high potential has a greater impact.
In order for us to maintain a healthy environment, dangerous chemicals should maintain a lower global warming potential. As most of the refrigerant in use are greenhouse gases, known to contribute to global warming, regulations are in place to limit use and eventually replace with alternate substances.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, also known as HCFCs, are chemicals with the highest global warming potential. These chemicals are found in refrigeration and cooling systems and have values ranging from 120 to 12,240 over their lifetime.
The refrigerant R-113 Trichlorotrifluoroethane has one of the highest global warming potential values at 4800, while the refrigerant R-114 Dichlorotetrafluoroethane has one of the lowest values at 3.9. The alternative refrigerants being developed have no impact on global warming and are being used in the production of all types of new refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Because refrigerants used in commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, have a high global warming potential, facilities with this equipment in use are required to follow guidelines set forth by the U.S. Clean Air Act and other international treaties to track their usage of refrigerant gases and submit reports regularly.
New regulations, particularly concerning leaks, have caused a reduction in emissions from refrigerants with high global warming potential. Regulations covering leak reporting and guidelines for leak fixing have been implemented by the United States. Harmful refrigerant gases will be phased out by 2015. Facilities must comply with regulations to avoid significant penalties, but more importantly to help sustain the environment's future.
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Daniel Stouffer has a lot of information on the importance of global warming potential values and how refrigerant-tracker can aid you.
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