title: Estimated 2017 refrigerant emissions of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFC-1234yf) in the United States resulting from automobile air conditioning.
abstract: In response to recent regulations and concern over climate change, the global automotive community is evaluating alternatives to the current refrigerant used in automobile air conditioning units, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, HFC-134a. One potential alternative is 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFC-1234yf, also known as HFO-1234yf). We have developed a spatially and temporally resolved inventory of likely future HFC refrigerant emissions from the U.S. vehicle fleet in 2017, considering regular, irregular, servicing, and end-of-life leakages. We estimate the annual leak rate emissions for each leakage category for a projected 2017 U.S. vehicle fleet by state, and spatially apportion these leaks to a 36 km square grid over the continental United States. This projected inventory is a necessary first step in analyzing for potential atmospheric and ecosystem effects, such as ozone and trifluoroacetic acid production, that might result from widespread replacement of HFC-134a with HFC-1234yf.
authors.affiliation: Stella Papasavva Consulting, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073, USA. greengem09@gmail.com
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Papasavva
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Luecken
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Waterland
authors.forename: Kristen N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Taddonio
authors.forename: Stephen O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000335:Aerosol Propellants / Q000737:chemistry; D000389:Air Conditioning; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D001336:Automobiles; D057231:Climate Change; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000737:chemistry*; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000737:chemistry; D014481:United States; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D004980:Ethane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D000393:Air Pollutants; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; C063006:norflurane; D004980:Ethane; C528198:2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene