NEW YORK - The International Copper Association (ICA) has announced a new heat exchanger coil technology that benefits from smaller diameter copper tubes. According to ICA, heat transfer from the refrigerant to the tube wall is more effective inside copper tubes with diameters smaller than the conventional diameter. Consequently, coils can be made less bulky and air conditioners with higher energy efficiency can be made smaller and lighter.

“It is true that highly efficient air conditioners currently are being made with conventional copper tubes,” said Nigel Cotton, global leader of OEM initiative for ICA, “but smaller diameter tubes offer inherent advantages, including lower overall costs, less weight, and reduced refrigerant charge.” According to Cotton, heat exchanger coils have been designed, developed, and manufactured using copper tubes of various small diameters.

Cotton said, “The trend toward smaller diameter copper tubes is inevitable. The technology is proven. The manufacturing is based on familiar fabrication processes and assembly techniques. Although various amounts of minor retooling may be required before tube suppliers can make small diameter tubes, the manufacture methods for making coils from fins and tubes are simple, practical, and economical.”

For more information about smaller diameter copper tubes in HVAC, visit www.copper.org/hvac.

Publication date: 07/19/2010