| Nowadays the effects of climate change can be seen throughout the world. Climate protection is thus one of the most important problems to be tackled. Solving this problem does however represent an enormous challenge for everybody. |
| One aspect of the Kyoto protocol is the definition of the worldwide climate protection targets. This protocol contains reduction targets both for carbon dioxide and fluorinated greenhouse gases, e.g. for the refrigerant R134a on account of the high greenhouse potential. |
| A number of laws of relevance to the automobile industry have been passed at European level for example. In Germany for example, the climate protection regulation on chemicals additionally came into force on 1st August 2008 to set down the European legislation more precisely. |
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| Regulation (EC) no. 2037/2000 |
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| Regulation (EC) no. 842/2006 |
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| Regulation (EC) no. 706/2007 |
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| Regulation (EC) no. 307/2008 |
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| Climate protection regulation on chemicals, recycling and refuse law (for Germany). |
| Maintenance and repair work on air conditioner refrigerant circuits |
| Anyone performing maintenance and repair work on motor vehicle air conditioning systems must have received the relevant instruction or attended a training course and be able to furnish certification of the appropriate qualifications. Other or additional regulations may apply in countries outside the European Community. |
| The following is however generally applicable: |
| Operation, maintenance, shutdown, obligation to accept return |
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| With regard to the operation, repair and shutdown of items containing refrigerants, it is prohibited to contravene the state of the art by allowing the substances contained in these to escape into the atmosphere. |
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| A record should be kept of the quantities used during operation and for maintenance work → Audi-ServiceNet, HSO Environmental Protection to be able to submit certification of use to the relevant authorities on request. According to a regulation of the European parliament from 2005, it is no longer necessary to keep a record sheet in the EC. Other regulations may apply in countries not belonging to the EC. |
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| Distributors of the substances and preparations listed in the above-mentioned regulations are obliged to take back such substances and preparations after use or to ensure that these are taken back by a third party appointed by the distributor. |
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| The maintenance and shutdown of items containing refrigerants listed in the regulations mentioned as well as acceptance of return of the substances and preparations listed in these regulations may only be undertaken by persons with the necessary expert knowledge and technical equipment. |
| Criminal offences and infringements of the law |
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| An infringement in terms of the regulations and laws mentioned above is constituted by any wilful or negligent action during the operation, maintenance or shutdown of items containing the refrigerants mentioned which allows substances contained in these to escape into the atmosphere contrary to the state of the art or by the wilful or negligent contravention of the applicable regulations and laws mentioned above. |
| TRG (technical regulations for compressed gases) 400, 401, 402 |
Note | Only excerpts from the TRG are given in the following (sections applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers and workshops). |
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| TRG 400 (general regulations for charging systems) |
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| Definition of terms and explanatory notes |
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| Charging systems are systems for filling mobile compressed-gas vessels. The associated premises and facilities form part of the charging system. |
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| Charging systems requiring a permit |
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| Charging systems requiring a permit are ones used to transfer compressed gases to mobile compressed-gas vessels for supplying to third parties. |
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| Charging systems not requiring a permit are ones used for transferring compressed gases to mobile compressed-gas vessels for internal use only. |
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| TRG 401 (installation of charging systems) |
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| Does not apply to vehicle manufacturers or workshops. |
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| TRG 402 (operation of charging systems) |
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| Employees and the instruction of employees |
Note | Employees are to be given instruction on the following topics before beginning work and at regular, appropriate intervals, however at least once a year: |
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| Hazards specifically associated with handling compressed gases |
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| Safety regulations, particularly the applicable TRG |
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| Procedures in the event of malfunction, damage and accidents |
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| The use of fire-extinguishing and protective equipment |
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| Operation and maintenance of the charging system on the basis of the instructions for use |
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| Charging systems may only be operated and maintained by persons: |
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| Possessing the necessary technical knowledge. |
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| Who can be relied upon to work diligently. |
Note | Work under supervision may also be performed by persons who fail to comply with the above-mentioned prerequisites. |
| Charging (a special TRG applies to vessels from other countries and charging of these). |
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| A compressed-gas vessel is only to be filled with the compressed gas declared on it and the quantity must comply with the stipulated pressure, weight or volume data (refer to pressure vessel regulations). |
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| In the case of vessels approved for use with several types of compressed gas, the compressed gas with which it is to be filled and - if the compressed gas has a tc greater than/equal to -10 °C (tc = critical temperature) - the maximum permissible charging weight in line with TRG 104 must be marked on the vessel prior to connection for filling. |
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| Compressed-gas vessels marked with the maximum permissible charge pressure in bar at 15 °C must be filled manometrically. If, at the time of filling, the temperature is not 15 °C, the pressure corresponding to the prevailing temperature must be established; it must be ensured that the permissible charge pressure at 15 °C is not exceeded in the compressed-gas vessel. The charged vessels must be checked by way of random pressure measurements to determine possible overfilling. |
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| Compressed-gas vessels on which the maximum permissible capacity is indicated by the net weight (filling weight, permissible weight of fill) in kilograms must be filled gravimetrically. The vessels must be weighed during filling and subsequently subjected to a weight check on special scales to detect possible overfilling. Scales used for this purpose must be calibrated. |
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| Under certain conditions, gases with a tc greater than/equal to +70 °C may be transferred volumetrically from compressed-gas vessels with a maximum volume of 150 l to compressed-gas vessels with a volume of max. 1000 ccm. The stipulations of the TRG apply to filling workmen's cylinders with liquefied gas. |
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| The following TRG apply to vessels in vehicles: |
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| TRG 101 to gases with a tc greater than/equal to +70 °C. |
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| TRG 102 or TRG 103 to industrial gas mixtures with a tc greater than/equal to +70 °C: |
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| Liquefied extremely low-temperature compressed gases (refer to TRG 103) may also be filled volumetrically (with the exception of vessels in vehicles) if the charging system and/or the vessels is/are equipped with devices for measuring or limiting the volume of the charge and for measuring the temperature of the charge. When filling volumetrically, it must be ensured that the permissible charge weight indicated on the vessel is not exceeded. To determine possible overfilling, the charged vessels are to be checked gravimetrically on calibrated scales or volumetrically, provided that the compressed gases are not highly toxic. Volumetric checking requires the use of appropriate equipment with completely separate charging and checking devices. |
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| Charging and check measurements must be performed by different people. Check measurements must be performed immediately upon conclusion of the filling process. |
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| Overfilled vessels must be discharged immediately and safely until the permissible filling quantity is reached. The compressed-gas fill must then be determined again. |
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| Certain parts of the TRG do not apply or only apply to a limited extent to vessels for liquefied, extremely low-temperature compressed gases which are neither flammable nor toxic; this does not affect the provisions of road traffic legislation. |
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| When filling compressed gas vessels with liquified gases at charging temperatures less than/equal to -20 °C, the compressed gas vessel (if the vessel material has not been tested for temperatures less than/equal to -20 °C) is not to be released from the charging system for transportation until the vessel wall temperature is greater than/equal to +20 °C. |
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| Regulations and rules for the handling and disposal of refrigerants and refrigerant oils can be found in the climate protection regulation on chemicals and in the recycling and refuse law (applicable in Germany, different regulations and rules may apply in other countries). |
| Refrigerants intended for disposal are to be transferred to marked recycling containers, observing the permissible filling quantity. In Germany, reference should be made for example to the climate protection regulation on chemicals and the recycling and refuse law (different regulations and rules may apply in other countries). |
| Disposal of refrigerant oil |
| Used refrigerant oils from systems employing halogenated hydrocarbons are to be disposed of as waste requiring special monitoring. They are not to be mixed with other oils or substances. Proper storage and disposal must be ensured in line with local regulations. In Germany, reference should be made for example to the climate protection regulation on chemicals and the recycling and refuse law (different regulations and rules may apply in other countries) → Audi-ServiceNet, HSO Environmental Protection. |
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| Conversion of an R12 refrigerant circuit to an R134a refrigerant circuit and servicing (retrofit) → Chapter |
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