The refrigerant is a patented blend of ethane, propane, butane, and other hydrocarbons. According to the A.S. Trust announcement, the refrigerant has been certified by Intertek (an independent testing laboratory) as having zero Global Warming Potential, as well as zero Ozone Depletion Potential, “and is the first hydrocarbon refrigerant approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for sale in the USA.”
It has been designed to replace HFC-134 in domestic refrigerators.
At the time this story was being written in December 2010, developers were waiting for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to officially announce the designation of the refrigerant as R-441A.
According to the release, A.S. Trust & Holdings is finalizing energy reduction efforts on the 188, a standard 21-cubic-foot home refrigerator/freezer, and will be submitting it for Department of Energy (DOE) EnergyStar ratings. Current results show that the required refrigerant-charge amount of HCR188C1 is approximately 25 percent the amount of R-134 by volume. Upon completion of the energy reduction program, Maruya will be arranging for assembly of the refrigerator in the United States, under the Climate Friendly 188 brand, noting, “We are proud to say that producing this energy-efficient refrigerator will keep Americans employed.”
Maruya has been working on this refrigerant for more than 15 years and holds U.S. and worldwide patents.
Future target applications for the refrigerant include home air conditioning systems, commercial/industrial air conditioning systems, automotive/vehicle air conditioners, and refrigerators, freezers and beverage-vending machines, according to A.S. Trust.
For more information, contact Maruya (richard@astrust.com) or visit ComStar International, distributor of the refrigerant, at www.comstarproducts.com.