Which refrigerants will damage the stratospheric ozone and contain no chlorine while also having a low GWP?

• A. HFCs
• B. HCFCs
• C. CFCs
• D. HFOs

Answer: (A)

The correct choice here is HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). HFCs are a class of man-made chemicals that do not contain chlorine, which is a critical factor when considering their impact on stratospheric ozone depletion. The absence of chlorine means that HFCs do not contribute to the breakdown of ozone molecules, which is a major concern for environmental protection efforts, especially in light of the agreements aimed at phasing out substances harmful to the ozone layer.

While HFCs do have a low potential for ozone depletion, they still have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) that can vary widely among different types of HFCs. However, recent developments have led to the creation of new refrigerants with even lower GWP, such as HFOs (hydrofluoroolefins), which are being considered as alternatives in various applications.

In contrast, HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), while they do have some refrigeration applications, contain chlorine and are thus significant contributors to ozone layer depletion. Therefore, they do not fit the criteria of not containing chlorine nor having a low GWP.

Understanding HFC