Project for GHG emission reduction by thermal oxidation of HFC 23 in Gujarat, India.
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HFC projects convert HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) gases into substances with no or lower global warming potential, reducing the impact that such gases would have on our climate if they were released. Common project benefits: contributing to preservation of the ozone layer and facilitating technology transfer.
The ‘Project Activity’ includes development, design, engineering, procurement, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of a system for thermal oxidation of HFC 23 (Chemical Formulae: CHF3) followed by treatment of combustion gases prior to safe disposal of all emissions and discharges.
HFC 23 is inevitably generated as a by-product in the production of HCFC 22 (Chemical Formulae: CHClF2). Though HCFC22 is not listed in the Annex A of the Kyoto Protocol as a greenhouse gas, it is recognized as a greenhouse gas by the IPCC. HFC 23 has low toxicity but it is a greenhouse gas (commonly referred to as GHG) with a GWP of 11,700 (Reference IPCC 2nd Assessment Report). Though HFC 23’s emission is controlled under the Kyoto Protocol, there are no regulations on the emission of HFC 23 in India since there is no toxic effect of HFC 23. HFC 23 has very low volume use in a specific fire fighting application, ultra low temperature application and in the processing of semi-conductors but there is no known market for HFC 23 in India. The typical mass ratio of HFC 23 to HCFC 22 being 3-4% on mass basis (The IPCC GHG Recovery Good Practice Guidance Report set its default value, defined as tonnes of HFC 23 produced per tonne of HCFC 22 produced, as 4%), while the lowest % achieved at GFL in last three years is 2.9%. The % HFC 23 is similar to 2.9% cut-off rate indicated for a similar project in Korea (Ulsan Chemical Co. Ltd related F-CDM-Nmpu Document ID Number (s) FCDM-Nmpu-0007), which uses approved CDM Methodology AM 0001. The GFL project also uses approved Methodology AM 0001. For the purpose of carbon credit calculation and subject to validation, a rate of 2.9% is considered to set a cut off for the baseline.