Estimation of Emission Factor (Residual Rate) and Inventory of HFC-134a from Mobile Air Conditioners of Scrap Truck

Abstract This paper attempted to estimate the emissions of HFC-134a from scrap truck as a result of measuring the residual quantities of HFC-134a in air conditioner of scrap truck. We measured the residual amounts in the scrap truck of 138 by applying commercial recover for refrigerants. The average residual rate(disposal-phase emission factor) is reported to be 44.3±3.3% within a confidence interval of 95%. Recent year model trucks exhibit the higher residual rates. Little variation, however, is observed in regard to vehicle size. The HFC-134a emission quantity from scrap truck in 2011 is estimated to be 55,908 tCO 2 -eq that demonstrates 21.4% increase to compare with that in 2007. As the numbers of truck have increased dramatically during the last two decades, the emissions of HFC-134a from scrap truck would increase sharply in the next coming years. HFC-134a is a very high GWP greenhouse gas. therefore have to reduce the emissions from the scrap truck and need to find ways to recycle. The chemical compositions of refrigerants from scrap truck are quite similar to those of new refrigerants, suggesting that the refrigerants from scrap truck could be reused as refrigerant.