1. The Effect of Blowing Agent on Energy Use and Climate Impact Example of Refrigerator and Building Insulation Tim. G.A. Vink Honeywell Fluorine Products - Europe Athens, Greece September 29, 2003

2. Background Phase-out of ozone-depleting substances as blowing agents is well-along Common replacements in some applications are... –Hydrocarbons (Europe, some other areas) Cyclopentane Blends of cyclopentane and other HC –HFCs HFC-245fa HFC 365mfc HFC-134a –Water/CO 2 There is concern in Europe with regard to the use of HFCs as foam blowing agents because of the relatively high GWP of HFCs

3. I.Life cycle performance : The Refrigerator Insulation Study OBJECTIVE: Conduct a LCA to compare the energy consumption and life cycle climate performance (LCCP) of a refrigerator, made and used in Europe, foamed with HFC-245fa as the blowing agent with that of a similar refrigerator as now produced (with a pentane blend as the blowing agent) SCOPE: Consider all stages of the product life cycle, but consider only items that influence energy consumption or global warming emissions and are related to, and potentially influenced by, the choice of the blowing agent

4. Product Considered -- “Combi” 358

5. Refrigerator Data ItemHFC-245fa ModelPentane Model TypeCombi (358 liters)Combi (358 liters) Amount of blowing agent 1 0.985 kg0.393 kg Energy consumption (average of 3) 1 398 kWh/yr455 kWh/yr Refrigerant 1 R-600aR-600a Manufacturing energy (natural gas) 1 0.0410 MCF/product0.0410 MCF/product Manufacturing energy (electricity) 1 7.16 kWh/product7.16 kWh/product Assumed life of product15 years15 years 1) Source: Whirlpool

6. Foam Aging : Effect on Energy Consumption Aging effect was modeled using... –Oak Ridge study “20-year” data for the effect of aging on foam k- factor –Measured data for aging effect on product energy (2-year) –Fit curve of type ΔE= r((20-n)/20) x Match to measured data –Slightly overstates aging effect at 5 years –Good match to difference in aging effects

7. Results -- Energy Consumption Energy savings for HFC-245fa foam... –12% as measured –15% over the (15-year) life of the product, including aging effects

8. Global Warming Emissions With Future Disposal Practices (under WEEE)

9. Conclusions Substantial energy savings are available through the use of HFC- 245fa when compared with the use of a pentane blend –Savings were over 12% for the European “Combi” refrigerator –Long term savings are estimated at approximately 15% with HFC-245fa foam Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) of products foamed with HFC-245fa and products foamed with a pentane blend is similar –With disposal practices used in 2000, the pentane blend has an advantage of about 3% in warming effect in Europe –With improved disposal practices in Europe, as called for by EU directives, HFC-245fa has an advantage of about 10% in warming effect –The analysis indicates an advantage for HFC-245fa in LCCP in most countries Considering the potential energy resource savings and net improvement in climate impact, HFC-245fa can provide a valuable option in refrigerator design

10. II. Life Cycle Analysis of Thermal Insulation Systems The case of Domestic Buildings in Spain High-performing Insulation Sprays and Boards –Rigid Polyurethane (PUR) Foams – Very Low Thermal Conductivity –As Foaming and Insulation Agents, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, e.g. HCFC-141b, were employed due to their Advantageous Properties. BUT — Montreal Protocol: HCFCs are phased out due to their Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).  The zero-ODP Hydrofluorocarbon HFC-365mfc is developed to Replace HCFC-141b. –Excellent Insulation Performance –Safe Handling, no Risks for End-users –Significant Reduction of Heating/Cooling Costs BUT — HFC-365mfc possesses a relatively high Global Warming Potential (GWP)

11. Applications of PU Insulation Foam — Variants and Parameters for LCA Calculation — Applications of Rigid PU Foam Sprays for Domestic Dwellings Pitched Warm Roof Cavity Wall Foaming/Insulation Agents –HCFC-141b (Reference) –Water/CO 2 (non-HFC Variant) –HFC-365mfc Parameters –Spray Thickness:30 mm –HFC Production Losses:5 % –HFC Diffusion Losses:1.2 %/a –Service Life:50 years –Heating Degree Days: Varied depending on Investigated Region.

12. Energy Demand of a Pitched Warm Roof — Comparison of HCFC-141b, Water/CO 2, HFC-365mfc 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 Energy [MJ / (m 2.50a)] Production MadridAvila Almeria BarcelonaToledo Lisboa (Heating) Thermal Energy Water/CO 2 HCFC-141bHFC-365mfc (Cooling) Thermal Energy The better Insulation Properties with HFC-365mfc results in a significantly lower Energy Demand

13. Conclusions and Lessons Learnt Reduction of Energy Demand –approx. 15 % due to Lower Thermal Conductivity of HFC- blown PUR Foams –Equals: Every 7th year You get Heating/Cooling for Free GWP Reduction 11 0%  The GWP of the blowing agent a such cannot describe the climate impact. Only the environmental profile of the whole Product System, including the climatic conditions of the envisaged market, over its entire lifetime can position the global impact of a thermal insulation system. Madrid : each decade one year of CO 2 emissions is saved of CO 2 emissions is saved