Title: Accumulated CFC-11 in polyurethane foam insulation: an estimate of the total amount in district heating installations in Sweden

Authors: M. Svanstrom

Addresses: Department of Chemical Environmental Science, Chalmers University of Technology, S-412 96 Goteborg, Sweden

Abstract: In rigid polyurethane foam used for thermal insulation, CFC-11 has been the main blowing agent for many years, but is now subject to phase-out regulations. During ageing of this foam, air diffuses into it and blowing agents leak into the atmosphere, resulting in a decreased insulating capacity. Determinations of the cell gas composition and the total content of CFC-11 in foam from district heating installations of different ages are reported in this paper. The total amount of CFC-11 in old district heating schemes in Sweden is estimated at 2000 tonnes. The amount in refrigeration equipment in Sweden is about twice as large.

Keywords: CFC-11; ozone depletion; diffusive leakage; heating pipes; insulating foam; refrigeration equipment; rigid polyurethane foam; thermal insulation; Sweden; trichlorofluoromethane; chlorofluorocarbons.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1996.028275

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1996 Vol.6 No.2/3, pp.234 - 239

Published online: 16 Sep 2009 *

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