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 years
1) 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 kfactor
– 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
25%
20%
Increase in energy
•
15%
10%
HFC-245fa
c-pentane
5%
245fa Measured
c-pentane measured
0%
0
5
10
Time (years)
15
20
Results -- Energy Consumption
Energy savings for HFC-245fa
foam...
– 15% over the (15-year) life of the
product, including aging effects
9000
Neglecting aging
Aging effect
8000
Energy Consumption (kWh)
– 12% as measured
10000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
HFC-245fa
Pentane Blend
Global Warming Emissions
With Future Disposal Practices (under WEEE)
3500
Long Term Emissions
kg CO2 Equivalent
3000
Refrigerator Shredding Emissions
Refrigerator Life BA Emissions
2500
Refrigerator Use Energy
2000
Refrigerator Transport Energy
Refrigerator Production Energy
1500
Refrigeator Production BA Emissions
1000
BA Transport Energy
BA Production Emissions
500
BA Production Energy
0
HFC-245fa
Pentane Blend
Conclusions
•
Substantial energy savings are available through the use of HFC245fa 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 Systems
The 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 high
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Applications of PU Insulation Foam
— Variants and Parameters for LCA Calculation —
• Applications of
Rigid PU Foam Sprays
for Domestic Dwellings
• Foaming/Insulation Agents
–
–
–
HCFC-141b (Reference)
Water/CO2 (non-HFC Variant)
HFC-365mfc
• Parameters
–
–
–
–
–
Pitched Warm Roof
Cavity Wall
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
30,000
Madrid
Avila
20,000
Barcelona
Toledo
10,000
5,000
0
HFC-365mfc
Almeria
Water/CO2
15,000
HCFC-141b
Energy [MJ / (m2.50a)]
25,000
The better Insulation Properties with
HFC-365mfc results in a significantly
lower Energy Demand
Thermal Energy
(Cooling)
Thermal Energy
(Heating)
Production
Lisboa
Conclusions and Lessons Learnt
•
•
Reduction of Energy Demand
– approx. 15 % due to Lower
Thermal Conductivity of HFCblown PUR Foams
– Equals: Every 7th year You get
Heating/Cooling for Free
GWP Reduction
11
0%
Madrid : each decade one year
of CO2 emissions is saved

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.