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Ozone depleting substances in ancillary equipment

We use ozone depleting substances (ODSs) primarily in cooling systems. We have switched to using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in some ancillary equipment. HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer but do contribute to global warming.

ODSs – mainly CFCs and HCFCs - are sealed inside cooling systems and are only released in the event of a leak or during maintenance.

We will closely monitor equipment and put in place recommendations on alternative refrigerants and new equipment. We recognise that the only way to eliminate the emissions is to eliminate CFC from cooling systems. Our new strategy will focus on replacing equipment. We will set a new target in 2006 to eliminate CFC use in line with regulations.

Performance

Note to ozone depletion potential charts

We report ozone depletion potential in CFC-11 equivalents as defined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Ozone Secretariat (www.ghgprotocol.org and www.ipcc.ch)

Ozone depleting substances released from ancillary activities
Substance	Kg	Factor	Ozone Depletion Potential
CFC11/R11	1,622	1.000	1,622
CFC12/R12	212	1.000	212
HFC22/R22	13,783	0.055	758
HFC123/R123	898	0.020	18
R402	96	0.055	5
R403a	112	0.055	6
R408a/FX10	473	0.055	26
R409a/FX56	12	0.048	1
R502	73	1.000	73
Methyl Bromide	480	0.600	288

Total ozone depletion potential from ancillary increased by 12% from 2004 because of equipment replacement and maintenance at a large site. But the figure has decreased by 32% since 2001. Ozone depletion potential from ancillary use per unit sales increased by 6% since 2004 but decreased by 36% since 2001.

We missed our 2005 target to eliminate ozone depleting emissions from ancillary use. It has not proved possible to eliminate all emissions during servicing and maintenance of cooling equipment. This means that we need to upgrade or replace equipment to use non-ozone depleting gases. New cooling systems that don’t use ozone depleting gases are being introduced, in accordance with regulatory requirements. In retrospect we believe the target we set was unrealistic, given the potential for improvement.

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