UNEP Workshop on HFCs management.
Bangkok, 20 - 21 April 2015
Session 3: Challenges and opportunities in addressing
high-GWP HFCs in mobile air-conditioning
Low GWP systems, including HFO’s and CO2, perceived barriers, costs,
safety issues and performance in high ambient temperatures
Enrique PERAL ANTUNEZ
Climate Control Innovation Senior Manager
[email protected]
(+33)176850864
Environmentally friendly refrigerants
GWP vs LCCP
 GWP is important, and the criteria for regulatory initiatives should be
ideally the same worldwide (<150 as in EU and USA).
 But indirect emissions should also be considered (consumption of the
MAC systems, fluid production, transportation, etc...)  the best
parameter dealing with both direct and indirect emissions is LCCP
(Longlife Cycle Climate Performance, see US EPA website)
 However, the approach in EU and US (GWP<150) is technology
neutral, and let the industry to decide on the best choice.
2
Car industry choice
…so far
 So far, the only option currently available in mass production for MAC
is HFO1234yf
 But its market situation is far away from what we consider to be
“normal”, with only 2 providers allowed to commercialized it, and with
extremely high prices (as compared to what we consider it is the
reasonable cost of production)
3
Car industry choice
R445A (AC6) ?
 The ideal situation for car industry is one unique refrigerant, used by
all car manufacturers, and used globally, as it was the case of R134a.
 But the current market situation of HFO1234yf pushed OEMs to look
for new alternatives; global alternatives  R445A (commonly named
AC6)
 R445A is a 3-molecules blend refrigerant, complying with EU and US
regulatory requirements (GWP<150),
 It is not flammable according to REACH evaluation in EU (which means
no-flammable in MSDS), while being A2L according to ASHRAE.
4
Performance
A/C & Heat Pump modes
 R445A is performing equal or better as compared to R134a, and
especially as compared to R1234yf, in A/C mode, and significantly
better in heat pump mode  which opens a very interesting potential
for Electric vehicles and Hybrids.
 But performance should not be the only criteria, system efficiency
(which ends in fuel consumption for ICE vehicles or driving range for
EV’s) needs to be carefully addressed.
In hot climates both R445A and R1234yf are significantly more
efficient than R744 (CO2).
 R445A seems to be the best comprise between performance and
efficiency at any external climate condition, but also regarding costs.
5
Costs
 Using the existing technology of components in the AC loop is a key
factor for decision. This is the case for R445A and R1234yf, but it is
rather the opposite for R744.
 The need of a new technology of components for R744 (with
additional components and more severe requirements due to the
extremely elevated working conditions) makes the R744 option very
expensive as compared to HFOs
 Within HFOs, R445a is claimed to be easier to be produced as
compared to R1234yf, so it is supposed to be cheaper  to be
confirmed.
6
Safety
 Both R1234yf and R445A have been deeply evaluated by the industry
(3-years SAE programs) and declared as “suitable & safe refrigerants
for the use in MAC systems”. This has also been confirmed by EC
(JRC) in 2013.
 R445A, been less flammable than R1234yf (no-flammable according
to REACH in EU), poses even a lower level of risk.
7
Regulatory initiatives
Impact on the industry
 The automotive industry is committed to sustainability as
demonstrated by its continual investments in vehicle technology,
intelligent transport systems and cleaner production processes, which
have already played a significant part in cutting emissions and
improving safety.
 However, we need to be careful to avoid creating a double penalty on
the industry because of the impact of administrative burdens and
overlapping legislations.
 This is the case in EU, where automotive industry is already
complying with the MAC Directive (2006/40/EC, banning the use of
>150GWP fluids), but it is now also impacted by the F-gas regulation
(EU 517/2014) because of the late inclusion of MAC in its scope.
8