Estimation of cost and environmental load of fluorocarbon recovery and destruction system based on fluorocarbon stock distribution

Environ Technol. 2007 May;28(5):499-509. doi: 10.1080/09593332808618811.

Abstract

We developed a simple method to estimate the cost and environmental load of a fluorocarbon recovery and destruction (R&D) system for commercial refrigerators (CRs) and building air conditioners (BACs). In order to estimate the fluorocarbon recovery process in detail, we also developed a method to obtain the regional fluorocarbon stock distribution with GIS (geographic information system). Then the distribution of fluorocarbon stock is visualized and the amount of fluorocarbon stock in the region can be calculated. Results show that the cost and CO2 emission of extraction, storage and destruction processes are a major part of the total cost of fluorocarbon R&D system. Also the cost and CO2 emission of a fluorocarbon R&D system of BACs is more than of CRs. This information is useful to devise a plan for the fluorocarbon R&D system and to fairly share the burden of the R&D cost.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Air Conditioning
  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Air Pollution* / economics
  • Air Pollution* / prevention & control
  • Carbon Dioxide / analysis*
  • Conservation of Energy Resources / economics
  • Conservation of Energy Resources / methods*
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Fluorocarbons / chemistry*
  • Fluorocarbons / metabolism
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Refrigeration

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Fluorocarbons
  • Carbon Dioxide