Navy's CFC & Halon Elimination Program

Abstract

The domestic production of the most powerful Ozone‐Depleting Substances (ODSs) has permanently ceased and the abundant supplies of a number of inexpensive refrigerants, fire‐fighting agents, and solvents, once taken for granted, are now a thing of the past The Navy's original strategy of conserving ODSs, converting systems and processes where feasible, relying on strategic reserves where necessary, and developing “ozone‐friendly” equipment for new‐design surface ships and submarines is succeeding. The purpose of this paper is to document the Navy's efforts to date relative to combating the threat to uninterrupted Fleet operations posed by the cessation of ODS production. Specifically, this paper addresses the Navy's shipboard conversion programs for air‐conditioning and refrigeration (AC&R) systems, the development of next‐generation AC&R systems, the selection of halon substitutes for new‐construction fire‐fighting systems, and the Navy's alternative to CFC‐113 in the cleaning of critical oxygen systems.

Atmospheric histories and global emissions of the anthropogenic hydrofluorocarbons HFC-365mfc, HFC-245fa, HFC-227ea, and HFC-236fa

“…This early onset of HFC‐236fa may have a similar explanation as for HFC‐227ea as HFC‐236fa is also used as a halon‐replacement fire retardant. HFC‐236fa has also been used in other applications as a direct replacement of first generation Montreal Protocol compounds, for example, as replacement of CFC‐114 (CClF 2 CClF 2 ) in specialized US naval cooling equipment [ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , 2005; Toms et al , 2004].…”

The fluorinated olefin R-1234ze(Z) as a high-temperature heat pumping refrigerant

“…Thus, a search for acceptable R-114 replacement refrigerants continues. For example, Devotta and Rao Pendyala (1994) investigated 30 potential substitutes for R-114 and identified R-143 and R-E134 as the most promising candidates; Rakhesh et al (2003) investigated R-227ea as a substitute for R-114 in heat pumps with evaporating temperatures above 30 C and condensing temperatures up to 85 C; Toms et al (2004) report on U.S. Navy activities to replace R-114 with R-236fa; and Brown (in press) investigated 53 potential R-114 replacements and identified 15 of these as warranting further investigation.…”

Comparison of fire extinguishing performance of four halon substitutes and Halon 1301

“…The European Community Fire Protection Association requires that Halon 1301 used in aircraft navigation towers, bank computer rooms, military aircraft, tanks and ships. [8][9][10] A report by the US Army described the findings of more than 150 live-fire tests using nine agents and four extinguisher technologies concluded that there is no practical alternate to Halon 1301 that can protect the crews of armoured vehicles from the effects of peacetime fires. 11 According to a report by the US Navy, a marine fixed fire extinguishing system, which is a widely used halon fire extinguishing agent, will still be used as their main firefighting system for the next 10-20 years.…”