Global Mitigation of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases

Global Mitigation of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases: HCFC-22 Production

Key Points

View Sector Summaries: Industrial Processes

  • Global abatement potential in the HCFC-22 production sector is 228 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) and 255 MtCO2e in 2020 and 2030, respectively, which equates to a 90% reduction from projected baseline emissions.
  • Thermal oxidation is the only abatement option considered for the HCFC-22 production sector.
  • The maximum abatement potential is achievable at costs below $1 per tCO2.

Sector Description

Chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) is used in emissive applications (air conditioning and refrigeration) as well as in feedstock for synthetic polymer production. The production of HCFC-22 generates HFC-23 as a byproduct, which is separated as a vapor from the condensed HCFC-22; emissions occur through HFC-23 venting to the atmosphere. HFC-23 emissions were estimated at 128 MtCO2e and are projected to increase to 259 and 286 MtCO2e in 2020 and 2030, respectively. Because HCFC-22 depletes stratospheric ozone, its production is being phased out under the Montreal Protocol in areas apart from feedstock production.

2030 emissions from HCFC-22 production are projected to be 286 million MtCO2e, or 2% of total non-CO2 emissions. Projected 2030 top five emitting countries for HCFC-22 production are China, India, Mexico, South Korea, and Venezuela.View or download the full-size image here.(120 K, PNG)

Emissions Reduction Potential

Assuming full implementation of current technology, emissions in the HCFC-22 production sector could be reduced by up to 255 MtCO2e in 2030. This accounts for 6% of the 4,615 MtCO2e in global reduction potential in 2030.

Potential for fluorinated greenhouse gas reductions from HCFC-22 production: Emissions with full implementation of current technology could be reduced by up to 255 MtCO2e, or 6% of the 4,615 MtCO2e in global reduction potential for non-CO2 GHGs in 2030.View or download the full-size image here.(105 K, PNG)

Abatement Potential

Global abatement potential of HFC-23 in 2030 is 255 MtCO2e, approximately 89% of projected baseline emissions. The analysis assumes that facilities in most developed countries have already adopted abatement measures. As a result, abatement potential is limited to developing countries. Maximum abatement potential is achievable at a cost of between $0 and $1 per tCO2e.

2030 baseline projected global fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions from HCFC-22 production:It would be cost-effective to reduce emissions by 0% compared to the baseline. An additional 89% reduction is available with increasingly higher costs.It would be cost-effective to reduce emissions by 0%, compared to the baseline, in 2030. An additional 89% reduction is available using technologies with increasingly higher costs.

View or download the full-size image here.(37 K, PNG)

Abatement Measures

Thermal oxidation is the only abatement option considered in this analysis for the HCFC-22 production sector. Thermal oxidation is a demonstrated technology that oxidizes HFC-23 to carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen fluoride, and water for the destruction of halogenated organic compounds. This process is assumed to be compatible with all facilities.

2030 achievable reductions in HCFC-22 production fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions by technology: The solid bars show reductions achievable at a cost less than $0/tCO2e, and the fading bars show the reductions achievable at a higher prices.Emissions reductions by technology in 2030 at $0/tCO2e and at higher prices.

View or download the full-size image here.(32 K, PNG)

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Global Mitigation of Non-CO2 GHGs Report