[Greenfreeze]

REPLACING CFCs IN DOMESTIC REFRIGERATION

The decision regarding which alternative refrigerants and insulation blowing agents are most suitable for replacing ozone depleting CFCs in domestic refrigeration, should be based on such criteria as:


During 1993/94 the natural refrigerants, hydrocarbons R290 (propane) and R600a (isobutane), or blends of R290/R600a, have emerged as the major contenders against the synthetic compound HFC-134a for market acceptance as refrigerant substitutes to CFC 12. Similarly, another hydrocarbon, cyclopentane, is successfully competing for market share against HCFC-141b in insulation foam blowing.

Greenpeace, along with an increasing number of engineers and scientists, maintains that the future of environmentally safer refrigeration lies with natural substances, such as hydrocarbons, CO2, ammonia, water, air. Among these natural substances, hydrocarbon technologies are the most readily available at the present time for commercial production of domestic refrigerators.

The use of hydrocarbons in domestic refrigeration predates the invention of the "miracle" compounds - CFCs -in the early '30s. In the United States, in the mid '30s, out of 60 different refrigerator brands, 11 used isobutane as refrigerant. The refrigerant charge in those refrigerators is estimated to have been approximately 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs), of isobutane. In comparison, today's hydrocarbon refrigerators, with hermetically sealed compressor systems, use between 30 to 70 grams (1-2.5 oz.) of refrigerant, depending on the size of the refrigerator. That is 20-50 times less refrigerant used under much safer conditions. The recent advent of hydrocarbon technology in domestic refrigeration represents a positive technological reach "back to the future". A reach to the past in order to secure the future.

Hydrocarbons are flammable, a risk factor which is over emphasized by the proponents of HFCs and HCFCs. The flammability of hydrocarbons can be easily mitigated through adequate safety measures in production and product design. This has been demonstrated both in engineering research, and in the marketplace, through the rapid spread of the hydrocarbon based Greenfreeze technology. Indeed, as one looks at the range of products and appliances that utilize flammable materials, such as electricity, natural gas, oil and gasoline, it is clear that society has chosen to mitigate and accept the risks posed by these flammable materials in exchange for the goods and services they provide.

However, the negative environmental impact of both HFCs and HCFCs, that is, significant contributions to global warming, and in the case of HCFCs, significant contributions to ozone depletion, cannot be adequately mitigated.

This factor was underscored by the October 3 draft decision of the Eco-Labeling Regulation Committee of the European Commission which states that the 'Eco-Label' should only be applied to refrigerators that have: (a) completely eliminated ozone depleting substances in use or manufacture of insulating materials and the operation of the cooling system; and (b) use refrigerants and foaming agents that have less than or equal to 15 GWP (global warming potential) over a 100 year time line. The Committee's recommendation rules out all refrigerators using HCFC 141-b or HFC 134-a. Refrigerators using the hydrocarbon based Greenfreeze technology will qualify for the 'Eco-Label'. The coveted 'Eco-Label' insignia informs environmentally concerned consumers that a product meets minimum standards for environmental protection.

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