MEHITS offers lower GWP refrigerants on chillers
27th May 2019
EUROPE: Chemours says that Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems SpA (MEHITS) is to offer its lower GWP refrigerants R454B and R513A on its chillers and heat pumps.
MEHITS, which was formed in 2016 from the merger of the former Climaveneta and DeLclima businesses, has selected Opteon XL41 (R454B) for its multi-scroll platform and Opteon XP10 (R513A) for its screw and centrifugal oil free chiller platform, produced in Europe.
This is seen as part of an environmental initiative to provide efficient, sustainable, and long-term solutions to the chiller market ahead of the next 2021 European F-gas cap phase down and will be implemented starting this year.
R454B is a “mildly flammable” A2L refrigerant blend of 68.9% R32 and 31.1% 1234yf. It has a GWP of 466. Chemours claims it offers improved energy efficiency, similar capacity, and excellent design compatibility.
R513A is a non-toxic, non-flammable A1 refrigerant with a GWP of 631. It is a blend of 44% R134a and 56% R1234yf.
“We are proud that MEHITS chose Chemours and Opteon XL41 and XP10 for its chiller and heat pumps. “This collaboration will help the chiller and heat pump industry move towards more environmentally sustainable refrigerant solutions while meeting long-term regulatory requirements and delivering consistent performance,” said Chemours Fluorochemicals vice president Diego Boeri.
Pointing to the company’s track record in eco-friendly solutions, MEHITS CEO Carlo Grossi said: “We were among the very first to promote, to the most eco-conscious customers, screw and centrifugal chillers based on HFOs, namely R1234ze, with near to zero GWP, also combining superior efficiencies.”
MEHITS used its state-of-the-art research and development centres and its cooperation with Mitsubishi Electric group laboratories to conduct in-depth evaluations of different refrigerant and components alternatives.
“As a result, for our multi-scroll chillers and HP we selected R454B. It came out as the best solution, to minimise environmental impact and energy use, also improving performances,” said MEHITS vice president technology Hidekazu Tani.
The company’s screw and centrifugal chillers are also available in R513A and R1234ze versions, and all its screw heat pumps and simultaneous heating and cooling units in R513A.
“For R410A replacement for our multi-scroll chiller and HP range, we decided to also lead the change to lower GWP refrigerants. Starting from Q2 2019 the product lines within this range will gradually become available also in R454B version. No other company is offering such a wide choice to the market, we are making this big effort recognising customers at this point in time have different needs and constraints,” said sales and marketing vice president Yoshiomi Araki.
