Implementing Low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Energy Efficient Refrigerant Technologies

AHRTI has been leading a research program to advance low-GWP refrigerant technology by developing a critical refrigerant database in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) and New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA),* will provide essential data to support U.S. manufacturers transition to Next-Generation low-GWP refrigerants. The goal of this research is to advance industry’s knowledge of new refrigerant properties and characteristics thereby improving confidence in the selection of refrigerants and blends. The research is comprised of three parallel workstreams: 1.) developing heat transfer and pressure drop correlations needed to design and optimize heat exchangers, 2.) measuring thermodynamic properties to develop mixture models optimized for low-GWP fluids, and 3.) testing of thermal and chemical stability with lubricants and their long-term compatibility with materials commonly used in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems.

Data from all three workstreams will allow U.S. manufacturers to efficiently design and optimize HVACR products with new refrigerants. AHRTI research supports the realization of a timely refrigerant transition across the industry that is both safe and cost effective while maintaining equipment efficiency performance and long-term reliability.

*AHRTI received funding support exclusively for Phase 2 Material Compatibility and Lubricant Research from New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA).