Session: 09-04-01: Sustainability, Efficiency, Competencies for Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, Learning Factories, Ethical Dimensions, Safety and Complexity Issues

Paper Number: 144466

144466 - Assessment of Refrigerant Management Practices in Automotive Air Conditioning Service Centers: Compliance, Challenges, and Environmental Implications 

The unintentional or intentional venting of refrigerants into the atmosphere by automotive air conditioning service centers instead of utilizing refrigerant recovery equipment poses a significant threat to the ozone layer, in accordance with the Montreal Protocol, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, and Republic Act 8749 (R.A. 8749), also known as the "Philippine Clean Air Act." It is an act providing for a comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes to support the worldwide concern to the deterioration of the environment.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in coordination with the Committees on Environmental and Ecology of the Senate and the House of Representatives and other concerned agencies of the Philippines promulgated the implementing rules and regulations for R.A.8749. Despite of the existence of these laws, it has been observed that refrigerant handling is not properly manage in some refrigeration air conditioning service centers in the country and in the regional level. The reasons maybe poor implementation of the law, lack of information drive about refrigerant management or this maybe taken for granted by some of the automotive air conditioning service centers.

This study aims to assess the refrigerant management practices within accredited automotive air conditioning service centers in Cebu City, Philippines, focusing on operations, awareness, and compliance with environmental regulations.

Using a descriptive survey technique, the assessment covers various areas of refrigerant management, including sourcing, handling, storage, inventory, recovery, recycling, reclamation, equipment, and parts disposal. The study identifies challenges encountered in these processes and examines the extent of compliance with EPA and R.A. 8749 guidelines. EPA define venting as any release to the environment of the Class I or Class II substance that take place with the knowledge of the technician during the maintenance, servicing, repairing, or disposal of air conditioning or refrigeration equipment.

The findings indicate that while accredited automotive air conditioning service centers in Cebu demonstrate partial compliance with operational standards such as quality, process efficiency, capacity management, inventory control, and workforce competence, there exist significant gaps in compliance to EPA and R.A. 8749 guidelines. Specifically, refrigerant management practices related to sourcing, handling, storage, inventory control, recovery, recycling, reclamation, and equipment and parts disposal are not fully implemented in accordance with regulatory standards.

In conclusion, this study emphasizes the critical need for enhanced compliance with environmental regulations and improved refrigerant management practices within automotive air conditioning service centers in Cebu. Addressing these deficiencies is of vital importance for mitigating environmental impacts and ensuring the sustainability of operations within the automotive service industry.

Presenting Author: RONALD GALINDO Cebu Technological University

Presenting Author Biography: Ronald M. Galindo, PME, DPA, Dev.Ed.D., Ph.D. is a Professional Mechanical Engineer, University Director for International Quality Assurance, an Associate Professor, and Dean, College of Engineering of Cebu Technological University, Cebu City. A life member of PSME, PAEPI, SUCTEA, member of ASME, PHILARM and an awardee “GARBO sa CNU 2012”, Search for Outstanding Volunteer NEDA R7 Awardee (2015, 2016, 2017), a Runner-up of the PRC Most Outstanding Professional 2017 Award in Mechanical Engineering, Outstanding Mechanical Engineer 2018, a Fellow in PSME 2022, the Best Paper Awardee during the International Conference on Technological Challenges for Better World 2019 and one of the Recognition Awardees during the Amping Cebuano Tribute 2021 for his exemplary commitment and dedicated community service during the Cebu Technological University’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Authors:

RONALD GALINDO Cebu Technological University