The changing nature of the refrigerant market is reflected in the most recent wave of news from that sector. It involves new recognition for a newer HFC refrigerant and a broader acceptance of HCs.

Here are some of the latest announcements.

UL for HFC-407F

Honeywell announced that HFC-407F, which it markets as Genetron® Performax™ LT refrigerant for supermarket refrigeration, has received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Classification.

“Compressor manufacturers often recommend that their customers use only UL-classified refrigerants in their systems,” said Ron Vogl, technical marketing manager for the refrigerants business of Honeywell Fluorine Products. “UL Classification for this new refrigerant gives manufacturers one more reason to recommend use of Performax LT refrigerant.”

R-407F is also approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under its Significant New Use Program (SNAP), Honeywell said. It has an A1 ASHRAE safety rating, and is non-ozone depleting. Having a UL Classification means that UL will conduct unscheduled factory followup visits to verify that R-407F continues to meet the applicable requirements.

R-407F is specifically designed to replace HCFC-22 that is being phased out under the Montreal Protocol. R-407F can be used in R-22 retrofits as well as in new supermarket installations. According to Honeywell, the refrigerant provides similar performance to R-22, but requires fewer equipment modifications, has a lower global warming potential (GWP), and offers improved energy efficiency.

The refrigerant is manufactured at Honeywell’s production facility in Louisiana, and is available through Honeywell Genetron wholesale suppliers. For more information, go to www.genetronperformaxlt.com.

COMPRESSORS FOR HCs

The Italian manufacturer Fras-cold, which produces currently 70,000 compressors per year in addition to the production of condensing units, has developed a new product line of AXH compressors modified “to guarantee the safety standard requested for the flammability of HC refrigerants,” the company said. According to the company, the compressors are suitable to be used with the most commonly used hydrocarbons R-290 (propane), R-1270 (propylene), and R-600a (isobutane).

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Also announcing compressors and condensing units for use with HCs is Tecumseh Products Co.

According to the company, “As international concern regarding global warming grew, Tecumseh launched its ‘Green Technology’ initiative by committing cross-functional resources to design, develop, manufacture and market compressors and condensing units that are optimized for use with low GWP refrigerants.”

The company said it has become a signatory for The Natural Voice, “a global call for action supported by industry and research that points to the environmental, economic, and social potential of natural refrigerants in heating, cooling, and refrigeration.”

The statement went on to say, “Tecumseh is keenly focused on developing compressors utilizing hydrocarbon refrigerants R-290 and R-600a, which have ozone depletion potential factors of zero, and a fraction of the GWP of those refrigerants they are intended to replace.”

The company noted, “Hydrocarbon refrigerants are already being utilized successfully in many parts of the world. They are expected to be authorized in the United States for use in commercial and residential refrigeration applications in 2011, due to approval of SNAP.”

Publication date: 07/04/2011