3536 (RP-603) -- Survey of the Use and Emissions of Chlorofluorocarbons from Large Chillers ✓ Most Recent

Describes a pilot survey to gather data on the use and emissions of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants from centrifugal building chillers. Data were gathered at three service centres in the central Texas area during May and June 1989. The service files from 48 chillers were reviewed. Average annual refrigerant use was calculated. The CFC-11 chillers were calculated to have lost 10.2% of charge per year and CFC-12 chillers lost 7.4% per year. States that frequent problems with purge units (for removal of air and moisture) were the most plausible explanation for the higher emissions from CFC-11 chillers. The impact of current and future regulations on the CFC-11 chiller population was evaluated with a preliminary model.

KEYWORDS: Fluorocarbons, refrigerants, USA, chillers, R12, R11