First Chillers Using New HFO Refrigerants Operating
Posted on Wed, Dec 07, 2011
By Larry Butz - President, GEA Consulting
We have been (perhaps, over) emphasizing the topic of New Refrigerants in our recent posts but we like to stay on top of hot topics during periods of rapid change - this is when the biggest opportunities (and risks) are.
Duane Lom's recent blog posting Follow the Leaders discussed the contrarian strategy of Not Following the Leaders and finding opportunities in niche markets where the leaders are unable or unwilling to move into quickly. Italian-manufacturer, Geoclima demonstrated this with the announced start-up of the first HFO chiller operating on Honeywell's R-1234ze. The two 180kW chillers use 
Frascold semi-hermetic compressors and provide chilled water for a Waitrose supermarket in Bromley, Kent, in the UK. Initial tests show attractive reductions in energy consumption but should be tempered with the enthusiasm of a leader into a new area.
According to Klima-Therm "The focus at the moment is on HFO-1234ze, as the refrigerant is already available at commercial levels. In the longer term, we are also interested in the potential of HFO-1234yf, which has an even lower GWP and potential other benefits. This is one for the future, but it is in our sights." ( read more)
It will be interesting to see the different approaches (and regulations which will drive different solutions) in Europe and the other regions of the world. Comments welcome.
