Jw73 ARH 110 September 27, 2012

CFC
Chlorofluorocarbons are a chlorofluorocarbon and hydorofluorocarbons and other blends that causes ozone depletion. In 1890s a Belgian scientist Frederic Swarts pioneered the synthesis of CFC. An exchange was developed by Swarts to replace chloride in carbon tetrachloride with fluoride. In 1920s Thomas Midgley improved the process of synthesis that led to the use of CFC as refrigerant to replace ammonia. During WWII, commercial development and use of CFC started. Many chloroalkanes were standard use in military aircraft, but was very toxic.

Chlorofluorocarbons were invented/developed in 1930s as a gas used as refrigerant for refrigerators. Through the invention of CFC, it replaces other refrigerants such as sulfur dioxide, methyl chloride and others compounds that was very toxic and flammable. Because of its characteristics, CFC was consumed massively after the 1960 in developed countries. Some of the commonly used of CFC; refrigerants for automobiles, A/C units, cleaning agents, aerosol spray and foaming agents. In 1974, CFC was identified as an ozone layer depletion agent. With the usage of CFC it was destroying the earth protective layer that absorbs and scatters ultraviolet rays from the sun call ozone layer. In the 1970s CFC was regulated because of their effects on the ozone layer. The damage caused by CFCs was discovered by Sherry Rowland and Mario Molina. In Montreal in 1987 diplomats forged a treaty, the Montreal Protocol called for drastic reduction in the production of CFCs. In 1989, twelve nations in Europe agreed to ban the production of CFCs by 1990. The USA ban the use of CFCs such as Freon in aerosol cans in 1978. In 1986 DuPont condemned the used of CFC and ask for a worldwide ban and patent their new HCFC that would meet the world demand for refrigerants. The problems with CFCs

Surrounding the Earth, in the upper atmosphere, is a layer of ozone gas ( O3). This absorbs short wavelength ultraviolet lights very strongly, protecting life at the surface from its harmful effects. Without this layer, there would be more cases of skin cancer and aye cataracts.

Because of their un- reactivity, CFCs released into the atmosphere do not decay, and find their way eventually into the upper atmosphere. When they reach the ozone layer, two reactions happen. The first of these involves hemolytic breakdown of the CFC molecules under the influence of ultraviolet light. This reaction produces the highly reactive chlorine free radical. The atom may simply recombine with its original molecule, or it may attack a molecule of ozone. Chlorine atom is not used up in the reaction, so one of the CFC molecules can destroy literally thousands of ozone molecules. The usage of CFCs causes decrease in ozone concentrations in the ozone layer which was detected by Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina in the late 1970s. The most massive decreases happen over Antarctica, where ozone concentrations temporarily fall each spring, resulting in an ozone hole. The size of this hole appears to be increasing, and a similar hole now appears to have developed over the Arctic as well.

CFC certification is a certification that allows HVAC technicians to dispose, trap, transfer and install refrigerants that can destroy the ozone layer. There are three type of certification including type I, type II and type III. CFC certification is a requirement for individuals to work on all A/C system and follow EPA guidelines on the application of refrigerant use in today equipment.

There are four types of CFC certification. Each certification has its own set of rules: Type I certification is used for technicians servicing small appliances with 5lbs of refrigerant or less.

Type II certification required for technicians servicing and disposing equipment using high pressure refrigerant. Type II includes residential, heat pumps ECT.

Type III certification technicians servicing and disposing equipment using low pressure refrigerant.

Universal certifications enable you to handle all pressure systems and over 5 lbs of refrigerant. To hold the universal certification, you must be certifying in all three of certification that give you the right to service all types of equipment.

In August 1993 all companies had to be certifying to perform refrigerant recovery for the system they service. Since 1994, all technicians are required certification to purchase refrigerant. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted because of the alternatives to CFC that influence global warning. When the industry found a resolution to avoid destroying the ozone layer, another problem surface. The HCFC phase out schedule will be in 2020. As of today, the industry is still looking for a refrigerant replacement.

Bibliography

Ashrae: 1989 Ashrae Handbook of fundamentals. 1989 Fischer, 5. Energy use Impact of CFC Alternatives. Engineering. Volume 88, No3, Pg 8. 1991