CHILLERS INCREASINGLY USE LOWER GWP FLUOROCARBON REFRIGERANTS

A range of HFC refrigerants are used for chillers, as these span a wide range of cooling duties, and use scroll screw and centrifugal compressors. Increasingly lower GWP refrigerants are being used including HFOs, HCFOs, HFO based refrigerants and HFC/HFO blends. These refrigerants provide appropriate safety and performance properties while offering lower GWPs compared to the currently used HFCs.

District Cooling Expands with HFO Chillers: District cooling is the most efficient way to provide large-scale air conditioning, and this recent planned expansion in the Middle East, using high efficiency centrifugal chillers that can operate with HCFO-1233zd(E) or HFO based refrigerant R-514A (both with GWP < 2) will add about 380 MW of cooling capacity, in accordance with the increasing demand for district cooling solutions.
Source: International District Energy Association

A centrifugal chiller range using HCFO-1233zd(E) has been expanded from 3.5 MW up to 4.7 MW refrigeration capacity. The extended capacity chillers use an integral, variable speed drive and advanced magnetic bearing technology that features a single moving assembly suspended in a magnetic field that does not require lubrication. The technology requires 80 percent fewer moving parts than traditional oil or refrigerant-lubricated drivelines, which is reported to result is enhanced reliability, reduced maintenance and improved efficiency. HCFO-1233zd(E) has a GWP of <1.
Source: The News
and manufacturer’s information

New range of high-performance chillers using R-513A using screw compressors already meets the energy efficiency requirements of the EcoDesign Directive Tier 2, which comes into force in 2021. The microchannel condenser coils allow the chillers to achieve higher capacities, with a lower refrigerant charge than previous models, and it is reported that the chillers can deliver high efficiency operation from a smaller footprint. Modular free cooling versions, designed for year-round cooling, taking advantage of temperate climates to reduce energy costs, are also available. The HFC/HFO non-flammable R-513A refrigerant has a GWP of 573. The chillers can also operate with R-134a and the range also offers HFO-1234ze(E) (GWP <1) as an option.
Source: ACR Journal
and manufacturer’s information

Scroll compressor chiller ranges available with R-452B as a lower GWP alternative to R-410A. The mildly flammable HFC/HFO blend refrigerant R-452B with a GWP of 698 (F-Gas AR4 value compared to 2088 for R-410A) is reported to provide similar or higher coefficients of performance (EER, SEER, COP, SCOP). In a different chiller range, similar or 2-5% higher efficiencies are indicated and capable of operating with a wider range of evaporation temperatures. It is reported to offer similar discharge temperatures to R-410A.
Source 1 : Cooling Post
Source 2: Cooling Post