The Effect of Blowing Agent on Energy Use and Climate Impact

Example of Refrigerator and Building Insulation

Tim. G.A. Vink

Honeywell Fluorine Products - Europe

Athens, Greece

September 29, 2003

Background

• Phase-out of ozone-depleting substances as blowing agents is well-along

• Common replacements in some applications are...

– Hydrocarbons (Europe, some other areas)• Cyclopentane

• Blends of cyclopentane and other HC

– HFCs • HFC-245fa

• HFC 365mfc

• HFC-134a

– Water/CO2

• There is concern in Europe with regard to the use of HFCs as foam blowing agents because of the relatively high GWP of HFCs

I. Life cycle performance :The Refrigerator Insulation Study

• OBJECTIVE: Conduct a LCA to compare the energy consumption and life cycle climate performance (LCCP) of a refrigerator, made and used in Europe, foamed with HFC-245fa as the blowing agent with that of a similar refrigerator as now produced (with a pentane blend as the blowing agent)

• SCOPE: Consider all stages of the product life cycle, but consider only items that influence energy consumption or global warming emissions and are related to, and potentially influenced by, the choice of the blowing agent

Product Considered -- “Combi” 358

Refrigerator Data

Item HFC-245fa Model Pentane Model

Type Combi (358 liters) Combi (358 liters)

Amount of blowing agent1 0.985 kg 0.393 kg

Energy consumption (average of 3) 1 398 kWh/yr 455 kWh/yr

Refrigerant1 R-600a R-600a

Manufacturing energy (natural gas) 1 0.0410 MCF/product 0.0410 MCF/product

Manufacturing energy (electricity) 1 7.16 kWh/product 7.16 kWh/product

Assumed life of product 15 years 15 years1) Source: Whirlpool

Foam Aging : Effect on Energy Consumption

• Aging effect was modeled using...

– Oak Ridge study “20-year” data for the effect of aging on foam k-factor

– Measured data for aging effect on product energy (2-year)

– Fit curve of type ΔE= r((20-n)/20)x

• Match to measured data – Slightly overstates aging effect

at 5 years– Good match to difference in

aging effects

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

0 5 10 15 20

Time (years)

Incr

ease

in e

nerg

y

HFC-245fa

c-pentane

245fa Measured

c-pentane measured

Results -- Energy Consumption

Energy savings for HFC-245fa foam...

– 12% as measured

– 15% over the (15-year) life of the product, including aging effects

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

HFC-245fa Pentane Blend

Ene

rgy

Con

sum

ptio

n (k

Wh)

Neglecting aging Aging effect

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

HFC-245fa Pentane Blend

kg

CO

2 E

qu

iva

len

t

Long Term Emissions

Refrigerator Shredding Emissions

Refrigerator Life BA Emissions

Refrigerator Use Energy

Refrigerator Transport Energy

Refrigerator Production Energy

Refrigeator Production BA Emissions

BA Transport Energy

BA Production Emissions

BA Production Energy

Global Warming EmissionsWith Future Disposal Practices (under WEEE)

Conclusions

• Substantial energy savings are available through the use of HFC-245fa when compared with the use of a pentane blend

– Savings were over 12% for the European “Combi” refrigerator

– Long term savings are estimated at approximately 15% with HFC-245fa foam

• Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) of products foamed with HFC-245fa and products foamed with a pentane blend is similar

– With disposal practices used in 2000, the pentane blend has an advantage of about 3% in warming effect in Europe

– With improved disposal practices in Europe, as called for by EU directives, HFC-245fa has an advantage of about 10% in warming effect

– The analysis indicates an advantage for HFC-245fa in LCCP in most countries

• Considering the potential energy resource savings and net improvement in climate impact, HFC-245fa can provide a valuable option in refrigerator design

II. Life Cycle Analysis of Thermal Insulation SystemsThe case of Domestic Buildings in Spain

• High-performing Insulation Sprays and Boards– Rigid Polyurethane (PUR) Foams – Very Low Thermal Conductivity

– As Foaming and Insulation Agents, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, e.g. HCFC-141b, were employed due to their Advantageous Properties.

BUT — Montreal Protocol: HCFCs are phased out due to their Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

The zero-ODP Hydrofluorocarbon HFC-365mfc is developed to Replace HCFC-141b.

– Excellent Insulation Performance

– Safe Handling, no Risks for End-users

– Significant Reduction of Heating/Cooling Costs

BUT — HFC-365mfc possesses a relatively highGlobal Warming Potential (GWP)

Applications of PU Insulation Foam— Variants and Parameters for LCA Calculation —

• Applications of

Rigid PU Foam Spraysfor Domestic Dwellings

Pitched Warm Roof

Cavity Wall

• Foaming/Insulation Agents– HCFC-141b (Reference)

– Water/CO2 (non-HFC Variant)

– HFC-365mfc

• Parameters– Spray Thickness: 30 mm– HFC Production Losses: 5 %– HFC Diffusion Losses: 1.2 %/a– Service Life: 50 years– Heating Degree Days:

Varied depending on Investigated Region.

Energy Demand of a Pitched Warm Roof— Comparison of HCFC-141b, Water/CO2, HFC-365mfc

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

En

erg

y [

MJ

/ (m

2.5

0a)]

Production Madrid Avila

Almeria

Barcelona Toledo

Lisboa

(Heating)Thermal Energy

Wate

r/C

O2

HC

FC

-14

1b

HFC

-36

5m

fc

(Cooling)Thermal Energy

The better Insulation Properties with HFC-365mfc results in a significantly lower Energy Demand

•

Conclusions and Lessons Learnt

• Reduction of Energy Demand– approx. 15 % due to Lower

Thermal Conductivity of HFC-blown PUR Foams

– Equals: Every 7th year You get Heating/Cooling for Free

GWP Reduction

11 0%11 0%

The GWP of the blowing agent a such cannot describe the climate impact. Only the environmental profile of the whole Product System, including the climatic conditions of the envisaged market, over its entire lifetime can position the global impact of a thermal insulation system.

Madrid : each decade one yearMadrid : each decade one year of COof CO22 emissions is saved emissions is saved