The following pages contain this image or document
Mobile air conditioning with fluorinated refrigerants
An EU directive bans the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases with global warming potential exceeding 150 for mobile air conditioning systems in motor vehicles since January 2011. Thus the current refrigerant tetrafluoroethane (R134a) has to be replaced. Tests in laboratory and car showed that the new refrigerant 1234yf selected by car industry can lead to fires. read more
Federal Environment Agency: Possible safety risks in mobile air conditioning systems?
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has spoken in favour of use of the natural refrigerant R744 and against the use of the perfluorinated hydrocarbon HFC-1234yf (tetrafluoropropene) as a refrigerant in mobile air conditioners. German manufacturers in particular have up to now shown preference for the natural refrigerant R744 (CO2), yet a clear and final decision taken by the automotive industry is still outstanding. Based on latest findings, UBA President Jochen Flasbarth has pleaded in favour of urging the German automobile industry to quickly establish the environmentally friendly CO2 as the refrigerant of choice in mobile air conditioners. “It has never paid to hesitate as concerns environmental innovations in automotive engineering or not to take EU regulations seriously. Mobile air conditioners equipped with CO2 as a natural refrigerant are ready to go into production. In contrast, studies prove that the use of the synthetic refrigerant HFC-1234yf in mobile air conditioning systems is associated with risks that have not yet been adequately assessed.” If HFC-1234yf is ignited, for example in an engine fire, highly toxic and corrosive hydrogen fluoride (fluoric acid) is produced, which is associated with considerable additional risk. read more
