IAR Recyclers Newspress March / April 2016

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Recovery of the New Refrigerant R-1234yf
Page 16 Recyclers News Press
Actual Systems
Aurora, CO
Al-Jon Manufacturing
Ottumwa, IA
Alter Metal Recycling
Des Moines, IA
Auto Data Direct, Inc.
Tallahassee, FL
Back Lot Auctions, LLC
Maquoketa, IA
Bank Iowa Insurance LLC
Waterloo, IA
Behr Iron & Metal
Mason City, IA
Brad's Used Parts MegaCenter
Viola, IL
Ft Wright, KY
Casualty Adjuster's Guide
of Iowa/Nebraska
Waseca, MN
CheckMate
Ft Wright, KY
HFO-1234yf is the first in a new class of refrigerants acquiring a global warm-
ing potential (GWP) rating 1/335th that of R-134a and an atmospheric lifetime
of about 400 times shorter. It was developed to meet the European directive in
2011 requiring that all new car platforms for sale in Europe use a refrigerant in
its AC system with a global warming potential (GWP) below 150.
HFO-1234yf, which has a 100-year GWP of 4, could be used as a "near drop-
in replacement" for R-134a, the current product used in automobile AC sys-
tems, which has a 100-year GWP of 1430. This means that automakers would
not have to make significant modifications in assembly lines or in vehicle sys-
tem designs to accommodate
the product. HFO-1234yf
has the lowest switching cost
for automakers among the cur-
rently proposed alternatives, although the initial cost of the product is much
higher than that of R-134a. Initially, the refrigerant is expected to be about ten
times more expensive than R134a. The higher retail cost of the product
should be an incentive in the recovered product market for recyclers.
The product will be handled in repair shops in much the same way as R-134a,
although it would require different equipment to perform the service. One of
the reasons for that is the mild flammability of HFO-1234yf. Another issue af-
fecting the compatibility between HFO-1234yf and R-134a-based systems is
the choice of lubricating oil.
The rule governing the existing products will also apply to the 1234yf refriger-
ant. Clean Air Act’s Venting Prohibition Section 608 prohibits intentionally re-
leasing (also called venting) ozone depleting substance (ODS) refrigerants
and most alternatives including all HFCs, HFOs, and their blends, while main-
taining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of MVAC equipment. CO2 refriger-
ants are exempt from the venting prohibition. R134a is an HFC.1234yf is HFO.
Shortly after confirmation from automakers that R-1234yf would be adopted as
a replacement of R-134a automotive air-conditioning refrigerant Honeywell
and DuPont announced that they will jointly build a manufacturing facility
in China to produce HFO-1234yf which is now in operation. Honeywell is also
building a new plant in Geismar, Louisiana to produce the new refrigerant
too. Although others claim to be able to make and sell HFO-1234yf, Honeywell
and DuPont hold most or all
of the patents registered.
The product is classified as
slightly flammable but after
several years of testing
SAE proved that the product
could not be ignited under
conditions normally experi-
enced by a vehicle.
2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene, or HFO-1234yf, is
a eplacement for as
a refrigerant in automobile air conditioners.