Use of Chlorofluorocarbon-Based Refrigerants in Us Army Facility Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems: Recommendations for the Interim Period

Abstract

Production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC's) has been scheduled for phaseout because of the contribution of these chemicals to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. CFC production is scheduled for phaseout by January 1, 1996; HCFC production will halt by the year 2020. The next generation of refrigerants is expected to be tested and widely available by the turn of the century. As a large-scale end user of CFC-based refrigerants, the U.S. Army is faced with a significant challenge by the phaseout of these chemicals. This report makes recommendations for refrigerant use in U.S. Army facility air-conditioning and refrigeration applications for the interim period from the present to the year 2000. Only equipment using CFC refrigerants is addressed since the lifetime of equipment using CFC's will expire before HCFC refrigerants are phased out. Available options to run as-is, convert, or replace CFC-based machines should be examined in cooperation with reputable contractors representing the original equipment manufacturers (OEM's). Only refrigerants approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) should be considered for use in retrofitted or replaced equipment. As a part of the equipment evaluation, opportunities to improve system efficiency and reliability should also be sought.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Air Conditioning Equipment; Army Facilities; CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons); Chemicals; Chlorinated Hydrocarbons; Depletion; Efficiency; Fluorinated Hydrocarbons; HCFC(Hydrochlorofuorocarbons); Manufacturing; Organic Compounds; Ozone Layer; Production; Refrigerants; Refrigeration Systems; Reliability; Stratosphere; Test and Evaluation

Document Type

Technical Report

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1994 National Technical Information Service, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1994

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