THE USE OF HYDROCARBON REFRIGERANTS IN RELATION TO DRAFT UK GOVERNMENT POLICY ON CLIMATE CHANGE

摘要

This paper deals with the use of hydrocarbon fluids as refrigerants, primarily in commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning type applications. It documents the issues associated with the advent of post-CFC hydrocarbon refrigerant use particularly with respect to environmental implications, and the resulting legislation in the form of Kyoto Protocol and subsequent draft proposals from the Danish and UK Governments. The possibilities for replacing fluorocarbon refrigerants with hydrocarbons within the main refrigeration and air-conditioning sectors are considered, purely in relation to reducing HFC gas use. Practical examples of where HCs are already being successfully applied are demonstrated.