Fluorinated gas regulations - changes and impact on the RAC equipment
Koskelainen, Maria (2016)
Koskelainen, Maria
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201602092046
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201602092046
Tiivistelmä
The aim of the bachelor thesis was to provide a proper technical analysis of the regulation of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and phase down policies of these gases. The thesis was focused on the European F-gas Regulation No 517/2014.
A comparison of the most influential F-gas regulations was done, i.e. the Montreal Protocol, ASHRAE Standards and, above all, the European Regulations 517/2014 and 842/2006. The purpose of the thesis was to establish the impact of the novel restrictions on the HVAC industry, especially on stationary refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) equipment installation, maintenance, use and disposal.
General information was gathered from standards and technical data concerning F-gas refrigerants from scientific articles within various HVAC journals and books. Several qualitative interviews were conducted and decision-making discussions held with company experts.
The study found that the influence of the new European Regulation No 517/2014 on the HVAC industry is significant. New regulation includes service and maintenance restrictions and bans on certain refrigerants and equipment. The price of refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP) is increased, hence the supply is affected. The thesis provides the operators and users of RAC equipment with guidelines to be used when deciding whether to proceed with the use of the existing equipment, retrofit the equipment for alternative refrigerant or replace the system totally.
A comparison of the most influential F-gas regulations was done, i.e. the Montreal Protocol, ASHRAE Standards and, above all, the European Regulations 517/2014 and 842/2006. The purpose of the thesis was to establish the impact of the novel restrictions on the HVAC industry, especially on stationary refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) equipment installation, maintenance, use and disposal.
General information was gathered from standards and technical data concerning F-gas refrigerants from scientific articles within various HVAC journals and books. Several qualitative interviews were conducted and decision-making discussions held with company experts.
The study found that the influence of the new European Regulation No 517/2014 on the HVAC industry is significant. New regulation includes service and maintenance restrictions and bans on certain refrigerants and equipment. The price of refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP) is increased, hence the supply is affected. The thesis provides the operators and users of RAC equipment with guidelines to be used when deciding whether to proceed with the use of the existing equipment, retrofit the equipment for alternative refrigerant or replace the system totally.