News: New gas to be introduced into US
Refrigeration News
Hydrocarbon Refrigerant R441a is rolled out for the first time in the United States
Comstar, a U.S. manufacturer of chemical products for the HVACR industries, will offer compressors with the recently approved mixed hydrocarbon refrigerant R441a.
After the U.S. decision to allow the use of hydrocarbons in refrigeration and air conditioning last year, this new development allows the hydrocarbon refrigerant to be used in domestic refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners in the United States.
R441a, also known as HCR188C, was the first hydrocarbon refrigerant to be approved for sale in the U.S. by the Environmental Protection Agency. R441a Refrigerant is a proprietary blend of ethane, propane, butane and isobutane and has an ASHRAE certification as non-toxic. The Refrigerant is designed to replace hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) R-134, which have been commonly used in refrigeration systems since the 1990s.
The new compressors are marketed under the brand Silekan and will allow appliances and air conditioners to enjoy the R441a zero ratings for Global Warming Potential and Ozone Depletion Potential.
ComStar International Inc., a leader in the development and commercialization of industrial strength, environmentally friendly chemical products for the HVACR, indoor air quality, plumbing industries and its joint venture company, China JV, will begin offering equipment and air conditioning compressors in the U.S. markets and overseas for R441a. The compressors are manufactured in China by Hangzhou Maidi heating and refrigeration equipment Co. Ltd. under the brand Silekan. Each compressor will be ETL to meet OEM specifications. Residential refrigerator Energy Star testing with R441a will take place in March. ComStar has been recognized as the exclusive manufacturer and U.S. distributor of R441a by AS & Trust Holdings, Inc. and Richard Maruya, inventor of the refrigerant.
Domestic R441a refrigerator energy tests have shown a 48 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to refrigerators with 134a. R441a is an extremely energy efficient mixture of hydrocarbons, operating at approximately 25% of what a normal charge of 134a would be in an appliance or automotive cooling system and 40 percent of a R22 appliance. Electricity consumption in the testing of air conditioners and other appliances are also said to have shown a similar energy savings. As a bonus, R441a has zero global warming potential and is non-ozone depleting.
Steven P. Mella, Chief of ComStar said. "While our company offers the RS series of HFC alternative refrigerants as an alternative to R22 systems, it is inevitable that hydrocarbon refrigerants are about to enter the United States market. We have therefore signed agreements with Richard Maruya, creator of R441a, to manufacture and distribute his blended hydrocarbon refrigerant. "
It works with mineral oil and can be used in appliances and automotive cooling systems designed for 134a and R22. Although R441a is flammable, the very small amount of this refrigerant required in appliances and automotive cooling systems makes the risk assessment a non-factor. AS Trust & Holding also have a patent on a refrigerant safety service port valve, which could be used in larger systems. This unique valve, invented by Richard Maruya and George Whitmyre, operates by shutting down the system when there is a drop in pressure.
ComStar is producing a limited number of R441a refrigerant to certified production facility in South Texas.
Submitted by Tim Watts on Tuesday 29th March 2011