Things In Our Stuff: Hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs)

Welcome To Things In Our Stuff!

In this edition of Things In Our Stuff, we will talk about Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a greenhouse gas that helped save the ozone layer from depletion, and yet, is now facing a ban because it is warming our planet more than any other gases in our atmosphere.

If it helped in preserving the ozone layer then it can't be that bad, right?

I hope so. But world leaders are now calling for actions against HFCs and called for its dramatic reduction in the atmosphere and total phase out by year 2047.

Background and History of HFCs

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are organic compounds made up of carbon, fluorine and hydrogen. They are widely used in air conditioning and as refrigerants and were used to replace Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are harmful to our ozone layer.

In the late 1970s, scientists discovered that the massive use of CFCs is destroying the ozone layer which protects us from sun's harmful radiation. In 1987, world leaders convened in Montreal and agreed to stop using CFCs. Production and use of CFCs were halted and HFCs were developed and replaced CFCs until today. While HFCs is safe for ozone layer, it turns out that it is harmful to our planet's temperature.

HFCs and Global Warming

Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range emitted by Earth. Since they absorb the radiation and emit some of them to Earth's surface, it is causing the Earth to warm up. This process is known as the greenhouse effect.

_{image from Environment Blog}

Of all the greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere, 3 of the most abundant HFCs (e.g. HFC-143a, HFC-125, and HFC134a) are also the most potent with global warming potentials ranging from 1,370 to 4,180. While we are trying to limit CO₂ emissions, we were blindsided by the effects of HFC-134a [CH₂FCF₃] which is 3,300x more potent than CO₂. HFC-134a is used in home, auto, and retail refrigeration and made up 16% of 2007 global fluorocarbon consumption of 1.2 million metric tons.

Replacement for HFCs

On October 28, Australia became the 10th country to ratify the Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol aiming to phase-down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). 10 more countries are needed to make it binding. If fully adopted, developed countries will phase out HFCs in 2019 and developing countries will follow between 2024 and 2028.

What will we use then to our refrigerators and air conditioners to cool our homes without warming our planet?

While groups are trying to promote other compounds such as hydrofluoroolefins (or HFOs) and hydrocarbons like butane, environmental groups are wary of these alternatives for safety concerns. HFOs are potentially toxic when it breaks down and hyrdrocarbons are highly flammable and my affect air quality. Ammonia is alternative refrigerant but it is highly toxic. What we need is something non-toxic, non-flammable, and less potent greenhouse gas compared to HFCs.

Surprisingly, we might turn to the dreaded CO₂ as our next best refrigerant.

_{Sources: The Conversation | Wikipedia | Green Optimistic | UNEP | Think Global Green}

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