HFO-1234yf Low GWP Refrigerant Update

Abstract

HFC-134a has been scheduled for phase-out in automobiles in the European Union beginning January 1, 2011. HFO-1234yf has been identified as a new low global warming refrigerant which has the potential to be a global sustainable solution for automotive air conditioning. HFO-1234yf is a pure compound which is highly energy efficient, exhibits low toxicity in testing to date, and can potentially be used in systems currently designed for R134a with minimal modifications. Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) calculations also indicate a significant environmental benefit versus R134a, R152a and CO2 (R-744) in all major regions of the world. Though HFO1234yf is mildly flammable per ASTM E-681-04 (ASTM, 2004), it is significantly less so than HFC-152a and HFC32 and has the potential to be used in direct expansion systems without a secondary loop. In this paper, an update will be provided on recent status of HFO-1234yf evaluations.