Estudio de la viabilidad ambiental de dos tecnologías de separación de la mezcla refrigerante R410A mediante Análisis de Ciclo de Vida (ACV)

Author

Masferrer Hernández, Pol  

Greenhouse gases have become a worldwide problem, given their effects as catalysts for the increase in the global temperature of the planet and, consequently, for the phenomenon known as climate change. Among them, fluorinated gases stand out, used mainly as refrigerant gases. After the prohibition of the use of chlorinated gases (CFCs and HCFCs), due to their effect on the ozone layer, hydrogenated fluorocarbons (HCFs) became the ideal substitutes. However, the high potential for global warming has led to the banning of a good part of them in the coming years. A short-term solution would be to reuse these two gases, thus avoiding their production. In addition, it is necessary to separate those refrigerants with low warming potential from those with high potential, many times mixed in commercial refrigerants. However, the development of efficient technologies for the separation and recovery of these gases is in the research phase and hence the incineration of the gases is the current process used in most cases.
This final degree project will evaluate the environmental impact of two alternative technologies, recently developed within the framework of the European KET4F-Gas project, which allow the recycling of R410A gas, used in a large number of systems, which is made up of a 50% mixture. % by weight of R32 and R125. Recycling this gas would make it possible to extend the useful life of the gases that comprise it, saving on gas production.
The environmental study consists of a life cycle analysis of two processes: the separation of gases by adsorption with activated carbon and the separation by semi-permeable membranes. Therefore, the impacts generated by these two unit operations will be taken into account, using two real prototypes, and will be compared with the impact of the production of these gases.

Director

Llovell Ferret, Fèlix 
González Olmos, Rafael

Degree

IQS SE - Undergraduate Program in Chemical Engineering

Date

2020-09-08