Post on 18-Aug-2018
By now you should have an appreciation of F-Gas regulations and what it means to you. But in case you don’t, here’s a quick overview in relation to leak detection
“Why have the F-Gas regulations come into force?”
Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) are potent
greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming
and are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming
Potential Gases (High GWP Gases) if released into
atmosphere.
The EC F-Gas regulations were brought into action
in July 2007, as part of the Kyoto Protocol to reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) because of their
high GWP. Actions to contain, prevent and reduce
emissions of F-Gases are being taken by the European
Union as part of its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
The European Union has a binding target to cut carbon
emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 and non-binding targets
to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 per cent by 2050
“What are F-Gases and where are they used?”
Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) are a group of
chemicals containing fluorine.
There are three main types of F-Gases:
1. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
2. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
3. Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
In total, F-Gases account for 2% of all greenhouse
gases in the EU today but have a much more potent
atmospheric warming potential than CO2. They are
used in a variety of refrigeration and air-conditioning
equipment, in insulation foams and electrical equipment,
in aerosol sprays, as solvents or in fire protection systems.
Emissions occur mainly during emissive uses (of aerosol
sprays or solvents for example) or due to leakage during
the operation and disposal of products and equipment that
contain F-Gases.
“ Do we have a responsibility to reduce F-Gas emissions?”
When you consider that since 1990, CO2 equivalent
emissions within the EU have reduced by 18%
overall but F-Gas emissions have increased by 60%
in the same time, it is not difficult to see why this
particular area has received such intense focus.
The cost of leak detection is partly due to the
result of complying with legislation. Legislation that was
introduced because of the harm that HFC’s and CO2 can
pose to our environment, resulting in climate change.
Let’s Talk F-Gas F-Gas Regulations & FAQ’s Reviewed
“What other benefits does compliance to F-Gas bring?”
Reducing F-Gas emissions should not only be thought
of as just complying with legislation for the overall
objective of achieving government set targets, but will
only have a positive effect on operating costs, making cost
savings through efficient operation and foremost, it can
help enhance market reputation by being appearing to
be more environmentally friendly. We’ll discuss this later.
“How can we reduce our F-Gas emissions?”
There has been much discussion surrounding F-Gas emission
reduction and the most practical methods in doing so. Here
we discuss the options available.
1. HFC EMISSION REDUCTION
One theory is to use low or very low GWP refrigerants. The
refrigeration industry is being ‘encouraged’ to move towards
a HFC free market and use of low GWP refrigerants. For many
people, this is an ideal solution as many of these refrigerants
have a GWP score of less than 10, however there are
constraints with using these gases, with flammability being
one.
2. LEAK DETECTION PROGRAMME
Refrigerant gas leakage to the atmosphere can result in
product loss, causing systems to operate inefficiently
and is detrimental to the environment. Many refrigerant
gases can cause depletion of the ozone layer therefore it is
imperative that your gas leak detection equipment identifies
these possible leaks. The F-Gas regulations have a greater
emphasis on leak detection and we’ll discuss this option
further.
“How does the F-Gas Regulations impact leak detection?”
Under the F-Gas regulations, system and equipment
operators have a legal obligation to:
PREVENT LEAKAGE - If you operate stationary refrigeration
or air conditioning systems, where it is technically feasible,
you must prevent leakage of F-Gas refrigerants, and repair
any discovered leaks as soon as possible.
FREQUENT LEAK CHECKS – the frequency of leak checks
depends on the type of system and the quantity of F-Gas
refrigerants used.
“Complying with legislation brings forward a positive effect on operating costs & can help to enhance public perception”
The following points illustrate the frequency of leak testing
in normal and hermetically sealed systems depending on
refrigerant charge.
Systems shall be checked for leakage dependent on
refrigerant charge:
• 3kg charge and above - check at least once every 12
months.
• 30kg charge and above - check at least once every 6
months.
• 300kg charge and above - check at least once every 3
months.
• Hermetically sealed systems, which are labelled as such
and contain less than 6kg, are exempt
Under the current F-Gas regulations, it is mandatory for
sites with an overall refrigerant charge in excess of 300kg to
install a fixed refrigerant leak detection system. This system
must be leak checked once per year.
“Under the current F-Gas regulations, it is mandatory for sites with an overall refrigerant charge in excess of 300kg to install a fixed refrigerant leak detection system”
You will need to maintain records of all refrigerants
within your equipment with a charge of 3kg or more (if
hermetic, 6kg or more). You must keep detailed service
records for equipment containing a charge of 30kg or more
“November 2012 saw a review proposal of the F-Gas regulations. So what does this mean for leak detection?”
The new F-Gas regulation was published and presented to
delegates at the Atmosphere 2012 conference in Brussels
on 7th November 2012 includes some significant changes
to the existing regulation and has far reaching implications
for the European Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Industry.
The new proposal contains a range of measures to
reduce emissions of HFCs, including a cap and phase
down of 79% by 2030, and bans on use of HFCs in
hermetically sealed commercial systems and other
applications.
The EU Low Carbon Economy Roadmap shows that, in
order to achieve this objective at the lowest cost, all
sectors and greenhouse gases must contribute
including F-Gases whose global warming potential can be
up to 23,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2).
The much anticipated regulation changes aim to strengthen
the existing F-Gas regulation, apply the regulation to new
areas (transport refrigeration) and ‘encourage’ the industry
to move towards a HFC free market and use of low GWP
refrigerants.
In addition to the well publicised phase down schedules for
HFCs, quotas for supply of HFCs into the EU market,
training & certification requirements for ‘natural’
refrigerants and banning of pre-charged equipment, the
proposed regulation has significant implications with
regard to obligations for leak checking.
“What is the GWP concept under the new regulations?”
The intention is to put all GHG onto a common scale and
GWP, however imperfect, remains the recommended metric
to compare future climate impacts of emissions of long-lived
gases.
Under the existing regulation, a site would simply have
to calculate what Kg charge they had, to know what leak
detection frequencies/requirements applied. Under the
new proposal, they now have to factor in the GWP and
make a calculation relative to CO2 equivalent emissions.
This will undoubtedly complicate things for many site
operators who will be asking ‘how do we calculate how
frequently we need to check for leaks’? And ‘we didn’t
need to have fixed leak detection under the existing
regulations; do we need it under the new F-Gas regulation’?
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Take R404a as an example – for companies trying to work
out if they require a fixed leak detection system, under the
proposed F-Gas regulations, systems using R404a would
take the figure 500 (tonnes) then divide by 3920 (GWP CO2
equivalent). To get the total Kg amount, multiply by 1000.
If this figure is greater than 130kg, then a fixed system is
required. In addition, a leak check is mandatory every 3
months.
“How are the F-Gas regulations enforced?”
Compliance is policed by the Environment Agency and
Local Authorities. The UK Government has issued a draft
statutory instrument laying out the proposed penalties
associated with non compliance with the F-Gas Regulations.
Powers have been proposed for enforcement authorities to
serve enforcement and/or prohibition notices and fines on
those not adhering to the F-Gas regulations, specifying
action that must be taken.
Have you got any other questions about complying with the F-Gas regulations?
Leak Testing Frequencies Under New F-Gas ProposalGWP Equivalent to CO2 Emissions
HFC GWP
Mandatory leak check required every 12 months
Mandatory leak check required every 6 months
Mandatory leak check required every 3 months plus MUST have fixed leak detection system
R404a 3,920 >1.3kg >13kg > 130kg
R410a 1,610 > 3kg > 30kg > 300kg
R417a 1,950 > 2.5kg > 25kg > 250kg
R422d 2,624 > 1.9kg > 19kg > 190kg
R134a 1,430 > 3.5kg > 35kg > 350kg
R407a 1,990 > 2.5kg > 25kg > 250kg
R407c 1,600 > 3kg > 30kg > 300kg
R407f 1,705 > 2.9kg > 29kg > 290kg
R507 3,298 >1.5kg > 15kg > 150kg
Below we have summarised the calculations for you and the new system charge limits in terms of leak detection requirements for the most common HFC’s: