Honeywell announced its Solstice technology is supporting a new range of ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) scroll compressors designed and manufactured by Danfoss for heating and cooling applications. The new compressors deliver improved energy efficiency over models based on R-410A, while offering the same cooling capacity and similar footprint.
Danfoss will use Honeywell’s Solstice ze (R-1234ze) and Solstice N15 (R-515B) refrigerants in its new DSG scroll compressor range for chiller and heat pumps used in commercial buildings, industrial processes, data centers and district heating/cooling applications. The compressor range will be available in Q2 2022, and will allow chiller and heat pump manufacturers to stay compliant with regulations requiring the phasedown of higher-GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
With a GWP of less than 1, Solstice ze is 99.9 percent lower than R-410A and other HFCs. Solstice N15 (R-515B), a non-flammable, low-GWP solution, has a GWP lower than 300 and provides higher energy efficiency in the DSG compressor range than the R-410A models. Both refrigerants are based on Honeywell’s hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology.
The DSG compressors are specifically designed for medium pressure chillers to cool large buildings, infrastructure projects, district cooling/heating, and other applications. With this new compressor technology, the use of R-1234ze and R-515B will have the possibility to expand into OEM’s scroll chiller platforms.
“Danfoss’ new DSG scroll compressors represent an industry breakthrough on a number of fronts, and allow customers to meet the most stringent sustainability, performance and safety targets,” said Ken West, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Fluorine Products. “Compared with R-410A-based solutions, the R-1234ze models tick three critical boxes where no other solution exists today: near carbon neutrality, high performance, and safety. Meanwhile, the R-515B models provide the only low GWP, non-flammable alternative to R-410A ideal for indoor applications.”
Multiple worldwide regulations require the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) solutions under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. In the U.S., the scroll compressor technology using Solstice ze and Solstice N15 will be a vital solution for manufacturers seeking lower-GWP alternatives in commercial buildings, data centers and process cooling applications. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the HFC phasedown, it will also consider promulgation of sector-specific HFC prohibitions to effectively limit GWP of products used in end applications including residential air conditioning, light commercial air conditioning, and chillers.
