One Word, Different Voices, One Issue, Many Options

摘要

Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) compounds have been essential substitutes for Ozone-Depleting substances (ODS) in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol. However, HFCs are included in the basket of global warming gases for control by the Kyoto Protocol, leading to different voices about applications of HFCs in the world. The paper describes the different situations concerning usage of HFCs, especially the proposal of European Union (EU) Commission and the statements of Partnership and ICARMA. In fact, it is concerning on how to evaluate completely the climate change of HFC emissions. Therefore, LCCP has been introduced as an important and recognized procedure to assess climate change impact of refrigeration and air conditioning systems in the paper. The other important question is how to select of refrigerant for refrigeration and air conditioning system. The paper introduces the refrigerants and their applications in the present, and predicts the trends in the near future. At last, the paper indicates that hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are still required for developing countries. Any more rapid phaseout of HCFCs could actually slow the transition from CFCs.