The Earth & F-GAS

Atmospheric measurements tell us that the ozone layer is getting thinner, and that at certain times of the year an ozone layer “hole” appears over Antarctica. Scientists believe that certain man-made chemicals are major contributors to the problem.
These chemicals include thechlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) found in refrigerators, solvents and blowing agents for foams, and the halons used for firefighting.
Unlike CFCs, HFCs do not contain any chlorine, so they do not contribute to ozone depletion. HFCs are typically found in air conditioners and refrigerators, and although they only comprise a small percentage of the total greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, they have the capacity to trap more than 1,000 times the heat trapped by carbon dioxide.

Humanity can no longer ignore the response of the Earth.
The carbon dioxide we’ve already committed to the atmosphere has warmed the world about 1.8°F since the start of the industrial revolution. This year, in addition to marking the start of our new 400 ppm world, is also set to be the hottest year on record. The planet has edged right up against the 1.5°C (2.7°F) warming threshold, a key metric in last year’s Paris climate agreement. Even though there are some hopeful signs that world leaders will take actions to reduce emissions, those actions will have to happen on an accelerating timetable in order to avoid 2°C (3.6°F) of warming. That’s the level outlined by policymakers as a safe threshold for climate change. And even if the world limits warming to that benchmark, it will still likely spell doom for low-lying small island states and have serious repercussions around the world, from more extreme heat waves to droughts, coastal flooding and the extinction of many coral reefs.

A compound’s ability to destroy ozone depends on many factors, including the amount of chlorine and/or bromine that it contains. To aid them in comparing compounds, scientists have developed a relative scale called the ozone depletion potential (ODP).
Common refrigerants have been assigned the value 1 as a reference. CFC has a value between 10 and 16, meaning it has 10-16 times more potential for destroying the ozone layer.
Greenhouse Gases can occur through natural processes, such as volcanic eruption, or through human activity. Those generated through human behavior are problematic because they alter Earth’s natural systems. By burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum, humans have contributed large amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere. The result is global warming. This means that Earth’s average temperature is increasing. The temperature increase is melting ice stored at the Earth’s poles, which creates a change in sea level. It also creates climate change.
Consequences of a changed climate can include freak weather, increased flooding, hotter heat waves, stronger hurricanes and more droughts.

Meanwhile, climate change affects Earth’s biodiversity, and biodiversity is needed for healthy ecosystems. Species are going extinct at a breakneck rate -- up to 1,000 times faster than normal.
Human energy production releases chemicals such as nitrogen oxide that react with other chemicals when sunlight is present, creating ozone, another greenhouse gas. Ozone is harmful to ecosystems as well. It also damages crops and creates respiratory problems in human beings. Chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons are chemicals used in refrigerants -- for instance, in car air conditioners.

CFCs destroy the natural atmospheric ozone layer, so industry began using HCFCs instead. HCFC, though, is a greenhouse gas. All the F-gases last a long time, so humans will be living with their effects on the climate for tens if not hundreds of years, the EPA warns.

Global efforts to protect the climate and the ozone layer have received a boost with the ratifications of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. More countries are expected to ratify this Amendment in the coming months.
The Amendment was adopted in October 2016 to phase down powerful greenhouse gases hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are frequently used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). HFCs are climate-warming gases that have significant global warming potentials.
The Kigali Amendment will enter into force on 1 January 2019, provided that it is ratified by at least 20 parties to the Montreal Protocol.
Countries that ratify the Kigali Amendment commit to cut the production and consumption of HFCs by more than 80 percent over the next 30 years. Most developed countries will start reducing HFCs as early as 2019. It is expected that this will avoid up to 0.5° Celsius warming by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.
The Kigali Amendment is the fifth in a series of amendments to the Montreal Protocol. All prior amendments and adjustments of the Montreal Protocol, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, have universal support.

There are a number of traditional fire extinguishing agents, such as water, carbon dioxide, dry chemicals, and foam that are good alternatives to HFC (FM200, NAF S-125, HALOTRON, HALON, NAF S-III, etc.) for many applications.
In addition, recent research has led to the commercialization of new agents and technologies: NOVEC 1230 (FK-5-1-12), Argon, Nitrogen, Inergen and inert gas mixtures.

When the environmental effects of F-GAS became known, industrial users of this gasses and fire protection professionals worked together to limit use and emissions. Through changes in standards and specifications, industry has virtually eliminated its use of halocarbons for testing and training purposes. Historically, testing and training has been responsible for the majority of emissions.
Many companies have also implemented programs to reduce false discharges due to human error and equipment failure. Safety training and awareness programs in conjunction with advances in detection and control systems have contributed greatly to reduction in emissions. Many organizations that continue to rely on halocarbon systems for fire protection have instituted programs to identify their most critical needs. Halocarbons that can be removed from non-critical or obsolete facilities are then recovered for use in more critical applications.

Fluorinated gases (‘F-gases’) are a family of man-made gases used in a range of industrial applications. F-gases are powerful greenhouse gases, with a global warming effect up to 23000 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2), and their emissions are rising strongly.