| Used refrigerators have to be recycled in the European Union in a special manner. Aim of this recycling is a high recovery of resources and the prevention of chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) or pentane. The cooling machine and the insulation of the refrigerators both contain CFCs. The polyurethane foam was up to 1994 foamed with CFCs, afterwards with pentane. From 1st January 1995 a ban exists in the European Union for CFCs. This ban is due to the fact that CFCs reduce the ozone layer in the atmosphere.
To fulfil the European regulation requirements the CFCs have to be recovered. The main component in the exhaust gas after the shredder is the R11 (Trichlorofluoromethane), but also contains up to 10% R12 (Dichlorodifluoromethane) of the CFCs.
R11 is easy to condense or to adsorb. R12 in contrast is a very volatile substance, which starts condensing under atmospheric pressure at -29.8 °C. R11 solidifies at -111°C.
To achieve the legislative requirements and keep the nitrogen consumption low is a tricky task.
We have developed a process which fulfil these requirements with a convincing technology.
The unit is also able to treat the waste gas of pentane foamed refrigerators.
Main parts of the process are water removal, condensing of R11 and R12 respectively pentane with liquid nitrogen (LIN) and a polishing step.
We are focused on the following features:
- Treatment of highly concentrated exhaust gas flows
- Recovery of R11 as well as R12
- Recovery of pentane
- Realization of low residual concentrations
- Reuse of vaporized liquid nitrogen (LIN) for inerting
Our service offering:
- Consulting services (concept, technical specifications)
- Customer Demonstrations / Test Runs On Site
- Installation, start-up and LIN supply
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