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pp.292-298
The most common types of refrigerants used in automobiles today usually include HCFCs and HFCs, which have the potential of ozone depletion or the greenhouse effect. Although environmentally friendly refrigerants are being developed, there is still a lack of safety and high-cost problems for new refrigerants. This study was conducted to determine the flow of refrigerants from automotive air conditioners and examine their potential problems and a proper management plan. The number of automobiles manufactured, the number of automobiles in use, and end-of-vehicle flow were examined through available statistics and reports. The material flow of refrigerants has been determined by the life cycle of automobiles and the unit requirements of the refrigerants used in automobiles. Based on the results, in 2014, there were approximately 1,017 tons of refrigerants introduced from the manufacturing stage of automobiles, and about 395 tons of refrigerants leaked from the use stage. After the use stage, only 13 tons of refrigerants were delivered to treatment facilities and 195 tons were emitted into the atmosphere during the dismantling process. As a result, in South Korea in 2014, a large amount of refrigerants (590 tons) was estimated to have been leaked into the atmosphere from automotive air conditioners during the use and dismantlement stage. Several preventive measures for refrigerants should be properly enforced by introducing economic incentives as well as a monitoring system with strengthened laws and policies.
