Umweltbundesamt
Click to enlargeRefrigerant 1234yf ignited in laboratory test: release of 46 g of 1234yf in 70 seconds with formation of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in concentrations above 90 ppmv
European Commission research centre ignores scientific results on the fire risk from the new refrigerant R1234yf for mobile air conditioning systems
Air conditioning systems for passenger cars in the EU must switch to a new refrigerant for the sake of climate protection. However, UBA is not the only one to believe that many car manufacturers are backing the wrong horse. The new refrigerant R1234yf can ignite during accidents and hydrofluoric acid may form. This is what tests commissioned by UBA and the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), and others, have shown. Car occupants and rescue workers in particular may be potentially at risk. After having reviewed the KBA’s tests, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre nevertheless sees no serious risk and fully disregards results from other studies. UBA finds this incomprehensible.
The video shows a simulation of refrigerant release: 50 grams of 1234yf (tetrafluoropropene) blended with 3% refrigerant oil are released on a hot metal surface (600°C).
The UBA’s motto, For our environment (“Für Mensch und Umwelt”), sums up our mission pretty well, we feel. In this video we give an insight into our work.
