A Global Problem
Energy consumption, synthetic refrigerant gases, and cost of refrigerant management are enormous global problems. These challenges have been historically addressed by an industry development effort focused on achieving incremental improvement in the performance and energy efficiency of conventional FC-based HVACR products, and by the development of new synthetic refrigerant compounds that have less harmful environmental impact.
“Fundamentally, it is not enough to be efficient in the creation of thermal energy – we must systemically conserve what we create if we truly want to reduce our carbon footprint on a global scale”
Rodney Hugelman, PhD., PPE, EcoThermics Chief Scientific Advisor
Professor Emeritus, College of Mechanical Engineering, U of I (retired)
However, the ability to achieve continued improvements in conventional systems is limited by the physical properties of the FC refrigerant blends and the mechanics of equipment in which it is used. Today’s HVACR industry is in the throes of economic, political, and environmental dynamic shifts whereby incremental improvements in this industry are insufficient and short-term; and can readily be displaced with successful CO2 / R744 technologies.
The blueprint for these next generation R744 systems displays the following objectives:
- Environmentally benign and safe
- Zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and net zero global warming potential (GWP)
- Non-flammable, non-toxic, readily available at low cost
- Reduced logistics burden
- Increased energy efficiency (reduced power consumption)
- Elimination of refrigerant accounting (recovery or recycling and inventory documentation unnecessary)
- Lower operating and maintenance costs (lower inventory, lower refrigerant costs, reduced technician certification and training, and “charged” systems may be transported)
- Better Performance
- Reduced weight, volume and noise
- Improved high and low ambient temperature operation
- Instant heat generation, higher output air/water heating temperature (improved heating comfort)
- Quicker cooling “pull down” from heat soaked conditions
- Better performance for water heating/cooling applications (hydronic motive)