hydrofluorowy

Hydrofluorowys (HFWs) are a class of refrigerants that contain hydrogen, fluorine, and one or more other elements, typically carbon or sulfur. They are used in various applications, including air conditioning, refrigeration, and heat pumps, due to their favorable thermodynamic properties and low global warming potential (GWP). HFWs are typically classified as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) when the other element is carbon, and as hydrofluorosulfur (HFS) when the other element is sulfur.

The most common HFW is R-134a, which is used in automotive air conditioning systems. It has a GWP of 1,430, which is significantly lower than the GWP of the previously used refrigerant, R-12, which has a GWP of 10,900. Other HFWs include R-404A, R-407C, and R-410A, which are used in commercial and industrial refrigeration systems.

HFWs are generally considered to be more environmentally friendly than other refrigerants, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which have been phased out due to their ozone-depleting potential. However, some HFWs, such as R-134a, have a high GWP and are subject to regulations aimed at reducing their use.

The use of HFWs is regulated by the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, which aim to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which came into force in 2019, aims to reduce the use of HFWs by phasing down their production and consumption.