Shopsmith Forums

Hobbyman, it wasn't chlorine that did a number on the ozone layer. It was chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Yes, there's chlorine in CFCs, but don't let that fool you. The scientific community sounded the warning about CFCs in the 1980s, and the world actually listened. Serious measures were taken, and the ozone layer is coming back. Yay us!

davebodner you make a good point and I am glad the ozone layer is repairing its self ,but there is still no proof that mixing chlorine Florine and carbon caused it ,none at all , I spent years searching all the data possible , I was deep into the HVAC trades back then, we worked on equipment here at my home so it was a big deal to us if we were some how poisoning our self , I was very concerned that my career may have had something to do with the issue, it cost me over a 1000.00 in 1994 for the equipment and a few hundred for training on recovering and storing the stuff , the thing is if it were true they would have pulled all of the chlorine off the shelves ,not just r-12 , it was a lie flat out , the epa actions proved it ,when it came to r-12 it was more like Mexico was shipping it faster then the USA could sell it and was putting others out of business because it was so cheap ,not a bad way to control the market , do I know what caused the hole in the OZONE ? no , I do know the actions of those who claim to know , well they do not meet the expectations of a cure in any way , on a positive note what ever append and what ever chemicals / atomic energy or what ever it was that were were expelled and caused the hole has once again been separated by mother earth . JMO

From what we are told, R12 is bad for the environment. And, R134a is bad for the environment, but not quite as bad as R12. Maybe the next coolant we get will be slightly better than R134a. Or, maybe the climate will "change" enough so we no longer need air conditioning.

With out going all science here , cfc, hfc and hcfc's are all pure chemicals separated and mixed/blended together in their pure form and must be contained to remain that way , once they are exposed to the atmosphere the molecules immediately separate ,they then they begin to attract other molecules ,the gas's return to their right full place in the atmosphere . the heavier molecules will attract even other molecules, dirt particles , other chemicals and what ever ,they become heavy and will not travel as far into the atmosphere /stratosphere as the lighter molecules .some gas's are to heavy to reach the atmosphere / stratosphere even on their own, .Imagine filling a balloon with dust and then helium and then popping the balloon , the dust will settle and the helium will rise . after some molecules reach the troposphere / stratosphere they eventually become heavy with other molecules and eventually fall . this cycle continues forever . I read once the cycle repeats its self every 7 years , a molecule in the atmosphere for 7 years becomes heavy and falls, If I recall the claim on CFC'S was it changed the ultraviolet light frequency . If I understand the facts,the chemicals in the upper atmosphere have been the same because only a few molecules can even reach that point .

I think(?) the problem with R12 is it was the refrigerant of choice for automotive ac systems. They were notorious leakers. I assume there are other factors as well.

good point JPG , I remember the last Cadillac I worked on had plastic a line from the compressor to the condensing coil ?.
dont think any one has ever made a line for a auto that didn't leak or break , or a compressor seal that didnt eventually wear out jmo .