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Ice machine firm selects R1234yf

JAPAN: A leading Japanese manufacturer of large industrial ice machines is said to have selected the HFO refrigerant R1234yf after evaluating a number of alternatives.

Iceman Corporation of Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, supplies a wide range of machines for applications serving industries including fishing ports, fish and seafood processing, ski resorts and cold storage facilities.

In its search for an alternative to the high GWP refrigerant R404A in its plate ice machines, Iceman explored a number of low GWP options, including CO2. It eventually selected R1234yf from Chemours’ Opteon range of refrigerants. The company had previously selected R449A, marketed by Chemours as Opteon XP40, to replace R404A in its flake ice machines.

R1234yf was said to have been selected not only due to its ultra-low GWP, but also because of its thermodynamic properties and A2L safety classification. It enables Iceman to deliver high-performing systems with the required ice making capacity, while avoiding the use of highly toxic ammonia or the higher operating pressures of CO2.

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