Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Environmental hazards can occur in the case of a fire or an explosion of the
heat pump due to the toxic character of the heating agent. According to EN 378-1
refrigerants are divided into three groups. The refrigerant that is used very often,
R290, belongs to group A3 (higher combustibility, lower toxicity), R717 to group
B2 (less combustible, more toxic) and R407c, R134a and R744 to group A1 (no
spreading of flames, low toxicity). Carbon dioxide, which will probably be in-
creasingly used as a refrigerant in the future, is known as the most environmen-
tally friendly refrigerant (ODP = 0 (Ozone Depletion Potential), GWP = 1 (Global
Warming Potential), non combustible and non toxic). Health risk potentials only
occur due to bursting caused by a mechanical explosion and due to leakage
through system components /9-24/, /9-25/.
If the existing security measures are observed (installation requirements de-
pending on space volume and the filling amount of the refrigerant, ensuring venti-
lation, etc.) according to UVV VBG 20, EN 378 and DIN 7003 E, accidents can
be avoided or at least their consequences can be minimised.
Additionally, environmental pollution of soil and groundwater can be caused
by lubricants in the case of an accident. If synthetic oils are used, their low level
of water damaging effects and their good biodegradability can minimise such en-
vironmental dangers. This is particularly important in the context of direct evapo-
ration systems as larger amounts of oil are used there.
Altogether, the potential environmental effects in terms of the absolute damage
are also limited in the case of an accident and only take effect on the system site
itself.
End of operation.
Potential environmental effects in the context of the end of op-
eration can occur when groundwater and deep vertical ground probes are used, if
the borehole is not sealed off properly. Furthermore, refrigerants can leak during
the dismantling of the system. However, if current regulations are observed, this is
unlikely to occur. As far as it is currently known, recycling the system compo-
nents does not cause any particular environmental effects.
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