Alternatives to SF6

With a global warming potential (GWP) of 23,900 times stronger than CO₂ and a 3,200-year atmospheric lifetime, SF₆ has been listed in the Kyoto Protocol as a gas to be reduced in industrial usage.  The USA, EU, China and a large number of other nations are undertaking measures to ban or strictly limit its use for the protection of Magnesium.

Our gas mixers meet the new environment regulation and comply with the UNFCCC methodology AM0065 for carbon credits certifications.   

UNFCCC – Methodology AM0065

Related Presentations, Papers and Reports

IMA 66th Annual World Magnesium Conference
EPA Climate Protection Workshop
May 2009 San Francisco, California

IMA 2009 Taiyuan Global Magnesium Conference
Workshop on Global and Air Quality Protection for China’s Magnesium Industry
April 9, 2009 – Taiyuan, Shanxi, PRC

4th Annual Global Magnesium Industry
Climate Protection Workshop
Warsaw, Poland May 2008
Co-sponsored by the International Magnesium Association (IMA) as part of the 2008 Annual World Magnesium Conference

Characterization of Cover Gas and Byproduct Emissions from Secondary Magnesium Ingot Casting
In 2007, one of EPA's magnesium recycling partner companies, Garfield Alloys / MagReTech, hosted an industrial scale study of alternative magnesium melt protection technologies and their associated environmental impacts. The demonstration / measurement study evaluated three melt protection technologies; 1) MagReTech's standard SF6/SO2 based cover gas, 2) MTG-Shield™ using Novec™ 612, and 3) Dilute sulfur dioxide (SO2). EPA's analytical team also monitored for occupational exposure risks.
Report (PDF) (48 pp, 1.1MB)

Characterization of Emissions and Occupational Exposure Associated with Five Melt Protection Technologies for Magnesium Die Casting
EPA, its Partner, Lunt Manufacturing, and a supporting cast of suppliers and researchers from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the U.S. demonstrated and evaluated cutting-edge, "climate-friendly" melt protection technologies that promise significant environmental benefits. Lunt Manufacturing graciously hosted the week-long trial at its Hampshire, Illinois die casting facility in August 2006. EPA’s report includes its first assessment of a "dilute sulfur dioxide (SO₂)" cover gas technology.
Report (PDF) (117 pp, 1.1MB)

4th International Conference on SF₆ and the Environment
San Antonio, TX November 2006
Co-sponsored with the World Bank, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and the International Magnesium Association (IMA)

3rd International Conference on SF₆ and the Environment
Scottsdale, Arizona December 2004
Co-sponsored with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), International Magnesium Association (IMA), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Australian Greenhouse Office, Arizona Public Service Company (APS), and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Carbon credits

On February 1, 2008 the CDM Executive Board of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has adopted an approved baseline and monitoring methodology for CDM project activities related to the replacement of SF₆ with alternative cover gas in the Magnesium industry (Methodology AM0065).

This methodology is an important step in the Kyoto mechanism for the emission of Certified Emission Reductions credits (CERs). The global Magnesium industry can take advantage of savings in greenhouse gas emissions to generate CERs or VERs and trade these on the global carbon market. This enables Magnesium industries in many countries, including USA, to generate additional revenue streams while replacing SF₆.

Related Presentations

4th Annual Global Magnesium Industry Climate Protection Workshop
Warsaw, Poland May 2008
Co-sponsored by the International Magnesium Association (IMA) as part of the 2008 Annual World Magnesium Conference

4th International Conference on SF₆ and the Environment
San Antonio, TX November 2006
Co-sponsored with the World Bank, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and the International Magnesium Association (IMA)