DENMARK: Danfoss has welcomed the increasing number of chiller manufacturers adopting the HFO refrigerant R1234ze as confirmation of its low GWP strategy.
Danfoss says last month’s Mostra Convegno exhibition in Milan highlighted a significant acceptance of R1234ze as a standard refrigerant in large chillers, its oil-free technology and Danfoss Turbocor compressors showing clear leadership and a growing presence at the fair.
Several large chillers were highlighted as being ready for R1234ze and no fewer than seven OEMs were showcasing oil-free chillers equipped with Danfoss newest compressor, the TG310.
Danfoss says the high visibility of large chillers with R1234ze confirms the industry has accepted HFOs as the future low GWP refrigerant for chillers of these types.
“It is a very pleasing reassurance of our low GWP strategy,” says David Williamson, sales leader Europe and Middle East for Danfoss Turbocor compressors. “When HFO 1234ze first came to the market, many people were questioning the market acceptance of HFO due to the light flammability. It is not questioned anymore. The industry is now at ease with a mature compressor technology for superior full and part-load efficiencies and can now also reduce the GWP thus the overall carbon footprint,” he adds.
Meeting demand
Danfoss says it is well-positioned to meet the fast growing demand with a broad portfolio of oil-free components approved for R1234ze including expansion valves, system protections and heat exchangers to complement the TG310.
It also sees the availability of HFO refrigerants giving facility supervisors a long term solution to the management of cooling equipment, even in retrofit configurations. Although the cooling capacity is lowered by about 25% with an equivalent chiller using R134a, the energy efficiency is slightly increased.
“We anticipate the demand will increase still further when we will extend the TG model range using HFO. In the coming months, we will offer compressors that can either operate with R134a, R1234ze or HFO blends,” says Williamson.
