VDI 2292:2022-06 - Draft

The proper collection and disposal of the climate-damaging refrigerants and propellants still contained in many older temperature exchange equipment (e.g. refrigerators, heat pump dryers, air conditioners) makes a decisive contribution to climate protection. Although only small quantities of halogenated greenhouse gases can be released into the environment when temperature exchange equipment are recycled and thus have a climate-damaging and in some cases ozone-depleting effect, the greenhouse potential of halogenated refrigerants and blowing agents is much higher than that of CO2 (by a factor of 500 to 24000), so their impact on the climate cannot be neglected. According to the data of the stiftung ear (see Annual Statistics Communication at www.stiftung-ear.de), about 141000 tonnes of refrigeration appliances and other temperature exchange equipment from private households were collected in 2019. Currently, these old appliances still contain more than 50 % climate-damaging gases. It is therefore all the more important that the escape of climate-damaging gases is avoided or minimised as far as technically feasible during the collection and treatment of end-of-life appliances. The primary goal in the treatment of these appliances is the controlled removal and proper disposal of these environmentally critical substances and thus the avoidance of their release. For this purpose, the standard presents the state of the art of plants for the treatment of temperature exchange equipment, including the associated ancillary equipment for handling and temporary storage. In particular, it describes measures and equipment to reduce emissions during treatment, storage and handling. The collection of temperature exchange equipment is generally not the subject of this standard. However, proper collection is a basic prerequisite for the proper treatment of temperature exchange equipments. Therefore, also with regard to collection, the standard lists essential causes for possible emissions as well as general, preventive and acute measures to avoid or minimise these emissions. The standard is addressed to planners, manufacturers and operators of such equipment as well as the responsible testing institutes and authorities.

13.040.40