Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Corporation (MHI-AC&R) has developed N-Bleath, a compact ultra-low-temperature brine chiller using nitrogen (N2) as a natural refrigerant. Sales are scheduled to begin in April 2027. The system incorporates a newly developed compact electric turbo from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger, Ltd. (MHIET).
N-Bleath uses MHI-AC&R’s air refrigerant cycle technology and operates across an ultra-low-temperature range from -40°C (-40°F) to -100°C (-148°F). The company says proprietary, patent-pending technology provides load-following capability. Expected applications include process cooling in the medical, pharmaceutical, chemical and semiconductor sectors, as well as environmental testing in the aerospace and automotive sectors.
The chiller has a compact, modular design intended to reduce installation constraints and equipment downtime risk while improving backup capabilities. Nitrogen has an ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) of zero and is PFAS-free. According to MHI-AC&R, the use of nitrogen also means the unit is not subject to regulations such as Japan’s High Pressure Gas Safety Act.
MHIET’s compact electric turbo combines a high-performance impeller with an ultra-high-speed motor developed using technologies cultivated through its turbocharger development. Oil-free bearings eliminate the need for periodic lubricating oil changes, while thermal insulation enables cooling into ultra-low-temperature ranges below -100°C (below -148°F).
MHI Group said it plans to promote cooling systems using PFAS-free natural refrigerants with ODP and GWP factors of zero and supply compact electric turbos with high energy-saving performance for the ultra-low-temperature market.
