Tecumseh backs R452A as R404A alternative
5th June 2015
USA: Compressor manufacturer Tecumseh is backing refrigerant R452A as a mid-term alternative to R404A in medium and low temperature commercial refrigeration.
Tecumseh says it sees the low discharge temperatures exhibited by refrigerant R452A as extremely important mainly due to its experience with hermetic compressor reliability.
OEM customers interested in obtaining R452A compatible compressors for performance and/or field test samples are advised to contact their Tecumseh sales representative.
In parallel, Tecumseh is evaluating the availability of R452A compatible compressors and condensing units via its network of authorised wholesaler distributors with a tentative launch date of early 2016.
Tecumseh says it is continuing to devote resources to the evaluation of its products for use with low GWP refrigerants including, the determination of a sustainable long-term solution.
“We are also continuing to evaluate other interim solutions for R404A where there are opportunities to deliver higher compressor efficiencies without sacrificing product reliability,” the company says in a statement.
R452A, being sold by DuPont as XP44, has a GWP of 2140 – a little over half that of R404A. Comprising R32, R125 and R1234yf, it has already been adopted by a number of transport refrigeration companies as a replacement for R404A.
Tecumseh is backing the refrigerant as an interim solution for medium and low temperature applications ranging in capacity from ½hp to 30hp. A non-flammable A1 refrigerant, it uses the same POE oil as R404A.
Testing has confirmed that refrigerant R452A provides nearly the same capacity and efficiency as R404A across an evaporating temperature range of -25°C to -10°C. However, for evaporating temperatures below -25°C, R452A exhibits a slight reduction in capacity (up to 9% capacity drop at -35°C). At a high evaporating temperature of -10°C, R452A shows an efficiency increase of up to +5% in comparison to R404A.
For self-contained commercial refrigeration equipment with capacities less than ½hp, Tecumseh continues to support propane (R290) as the preferred choice.
“Based on our testing and experience, R290 delivers anywhere from a 10% to a 45% improvement in efficiency when compared to R134a,” says Tecumseh. “However, because R290 is classified as an A3 refrigerant, charge limitations and safety requirements must be taken into consideration.
Tecumseh also views HFO refrigerant R1234yf as a viable alternative for R134a but warns the trade-off comes in the form of reduced capacity of approx 5% and 10% lower efficiencies in comparison to R134a. With its lower condensing temperatures, it does, however, exhibit better performance than R134a.
Tecumseh’s new AE² and AJ² series commercial refrigeration compressors are optimised for use with R290 and some are optimised for use with R1234yf.
Related stories:
Thermo King sells first R452A fridge unit – April 20, 2015
BRUSSELS: Thermo King has supplied its first transport refrigeration units running on the R404A replacement R452A. Read more…
Thermo King adopts R404A replacement – September 24, 2014
BELGIUM: Thermo King has adopted DuPont’s new R404A replacement refrigerant R452A as a lower GWP option for its transport refrigeration customers. Read more…
Carrier Transicold announces R452A option – April 14, 2015
UK: Carrier Transicold is the latest major transport refrigeration company to offer R452A as an optional alternative to R404A. Read more…
DuPont’s new low GWP refrigerant trio – October 22, 2014
USA: DuPont has announced the commercial availability of three more low GWP, HFO-based refrigerants. Read more…
