Refrigerators and refrigerants : efficiency and global availability

Abstract

The procedure followed in the realization of the UNEP Technical Options Report Refrigeration is shortly described. Main conclusions from this report are given, with some reference to the validity of the options for developing countries. Briefly, the substitutes and alternatives are summarized, which are available at short, mid or long term for the different refrigeration subsectors. When the possibilities for the substitute processes in developing countries and the technology transfer involved are considered, several points need further attention; these are dealt with in a separate section. The last part of the paper gives some remarks concerning the ongoing case studies These should yield more useful material concerning the feasibility of a transition away from CFCs in developing countries, where often refrigeration is one of the main application areas. In 1988, shortly after the agreement on CFCs reductions, known as the Montreal Protocol, it became apparent that new scientific material had to be taken into account in the definition of the target for future CFC policy. This is mainly due to new discoveries concerning the Antarctic ozone hole and the measurements concerning global ozone depletion.