Honeywell has joined forces with Sanhua, the Chinese air conditioning and refrigeration controls and components manufacturer, to commercialise the use of R466A, Honeywell’s lower GWP R410A replacement refrigerant.
Sanhua says it has made “significant progress” on qualifications of HVAC critical components for use in air conditioner systems using the new non-flammable refrigerant which is due to be launched later this year.
To be marketed by Honeywell as Solstice N41, R466A will be the first A1, non-flammable, reduced GWP R410A replacement offered for stationary air conditioning systems.
“The nonflammability attributes of Solstice N41 make it a game-changer for the HVAC industry,” said Huang Ningjie, vice president and chief scientist of Sanhua Holding Group. “We have achieved significant progress on qualifications of HVAC critical components for use in air conditioner refrigerants using Solstice N41, and the assessment is expected to be completed within this year. We’re well positioned to serve the industry as it prepares to transition to Solstice N41 later this year.”
R466A is a blend of R32 and R125, as in R410A, but includes a third component trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). The inclusion of CF3I, a fire suppressant with a GWP of 0.4, gives the new refrigerant a GWP of around 733, and contributes to its non-flammability.
While not a drop-in replacement, R466A is said to require minimal system design changes for OEMs seeking to adopt the new refrigerant.
“We specifically designed Solstice N41 to solve industry challenges and comply with regulations; this will be a revolutionary solution once it is ready for adoption later this year,” said Chris LaPietra, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Stationary Refrigerants.
