DuPont og Honeywell

Progress for low-GWP alternative to HFC-134

Though the German car industry has already decided for CO2-based solutions, refrigerant-producers DuPont and Honeywell still believe in their joint project to develop and commercialize a new refrigerant with low global warming potential (GWP) to replace the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-134a in mobile air conditioning systems.

DuPont and Honeywell have developed a new refrigerant alternative, HFO-1234yf, which has low global warming potential (GWP = 4-6). Full technical data on the new refrigerant candidate were presented at the 2nd European Workshop on Mobile Air Conditioning and Auxiliaries in Turin, Italy in the first week of December.

“HFO-1234yf is very energy efficient, exhibits low toxicity, comparable to HFC-134a, in testing to date, and early evaluations are very encouraging that HFO-1234yf will be compatible with existing 134a mobile air conditioning system technology enabling a smooth cost effective industry transition”, states Horst-Ulrich Reimer, Manager Media Relations. Fluorosolutions Europe.

DuPont and Honeywell are working closely with automotive manufacturers on the development and commercialization of an optimal solution potentially capable of replacing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-134a in mobile air conditioning systems globally.  Ultimately, the goal is to develop a global low GWP alternative refrigerant solution that will facilitate a smooth and cost-effective global transition within the industry beginning in 2011 in order to minimize the potential environmental impact of mobile air conditioning in the future.

Andrew Wilkins, DuPont Press Office is warning against the CO2-alternative:
“Technical and safety issues regarding the use of CO2 in car air conditioning remain unresolved by the industry, despite years of development. “We firmly believe that continued development and evaluation of low GWP refrigerant alternatives will lead to a superior solution for the replacement of HFC-134a in mobile air conditioning systems. An ideal refrigerant offers the best combination of environmental, economic, safety and performance attributes for the global automobile industry.

Presentation materials from the 2nd European Workshop on Mobile Air Conditioning and Auxiliarieshave been posted at DuPont's website.

According to DuPont several auto OEMs also presented the results of their evaluations of HFO-1234yf to date at the same event, and identified HFO-1234yf as a promising alternative to hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-134a.