“Du Pont-Mitsui Fluorochemicals is now planning to ship from this spring samples of the new refrigerant for chillers which can substitute HCFC123 and HFC245fa developed by its parent company Du Pont.

Low GWP substances have started to be sought for chiller refrigerants like those for air-conditioners or freezers. As for HCFC123 and HFC245fa in the mainstream, the European proposal for amendment on restriction of fluorocarbon gases has revealed plans on phase-down (stepwise reduction).

In Japan, the Central Environment Council and the Industrial Structure Council announced in December of last year a proposal under the heading of “For Directional Measures on Fluorocarbons in Future” with five plans of a) Enhancement of non-fluorocarbon and low GWP for refrigerants, b) Phase-down of fluorocarbons, c) Suitable management of production, consumption and disposal, d) Promotion of recovery and e) Reinforced instruction by local communities, and it is followed now by invitation of public comments on these proposed plans.

Shipment of two new types compatible with the revised restriction plan is scheduled by the company after April. They are code-named “DR-2″ and “DR-12″ respectively and both are HFO type mixture gases with non-flammable and low-pressure specifications, having similar capability to the conventional refrigerants.

According to the Chemicals Planning Department of the company, the refrigerants for commercial chillers are not only featured of low GWP but also have firm needs for their non-flammability, so that lowest possible fire risks can be assured when leakage occurs.

They say, “As the GWP and combustibility of fluorocarbon refrigerants are related to the transactions. A concept of “slight flammability” has recently emerged. Regarding the refrigerants for chilllers, however, we designed our products as non-flammable to meet the market needs. Their capability is similar to that of HFC or HCFC refrigerants and may give better performance depending upon applications.”