Letters: Switch to hydrocarbons

With reference to "India negotiates on mandatory change of refrigeration technology" (July 16), the evolution of industrial refrigerants began with CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) which later became notorious for damaging the ozone layer. Having realised this danger in 1985, the first Montreal Protocol of 1987 called upon the world to phase out CFCs in favour of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons).

Next came the HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) which are currently being used. This was followed by HFOs (hydrofluoroolefins), considered as the 4th-generation refrigerants which are relatively harmless to the ozone but not energy-efficient. All these set of refrigerants are fluorinated, therefore harmful to the environment, being greenhouse gases.

As an eco-friendly alternative to these gases came the HCs (hydrocarbons) which have no fluorine or chlorine and hence have zero ODP (ozone depleting potential) apart from a low GWP (global warming potential). They are also cheap, energy-efficient and above all non-patented. However, the only disadvantage with this gas is that it is inflammable, although no serious cases of accidents have been reported till now.

Examples of HCs are butane and propane. The former (as isobutane or R600a) is used in fridges, while the latter (as R290) is used in air-conditioners. In India, Godrej is the first company to opt for the use of HCs in the said products. Fifty per cent of global products are estimated to use HCs. But out of vested interests, the multinationals have prevented HCs from getting popular.

In the ongoing Montreal Protocol meetings at Vienna (July 15-23), India should commit to completely switch to HCs and also undertake research into reducing or removing the drawback of inflammability of HCs. This will enable us to meet our sustainable development goals and also globally reduce an estimated 105 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, and up to 0.4°C of global warming by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.

C V Krishna Manoj, Hyderabad

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