Daikin Applied has expanded its UK portfolio of R-290 (propane) chillers and heat pumps with a new generation of systems for commercial, industrial and mission-critical HVAC applications. The range is designed to support decarbonisation by combining natural refrigerant technology, modular system architecture and integrated safety engineering. The portfolio covers capacities from 17 kW (approx. 58,000 BTU/h) to 2,000 kW (approx. 6.82 million BTU/h).
Daikin said safety is central to the design because R-290 is a flammable refrigerant. Its Daikin Safety Shield includes continuous refrigerant leak detection, ATEX-certified ventilation in the electrical switchbox, and visual and acoustic alarms. The systems also use an independent 230V customer power supply for monitoring devices, factory-charged refrigerant storage tanks, mechanical safety valves, controlled-discharge systems and automatic isolation of the water circuit if a refrigerant leak is detected.
For higher-capacity applications, the EWYK-QZ modular heat pump range allows multiple units to operate as a single integrated system with capacities of up to 2,000 kW (approx. 6.82 million BTU/h). Each module uses inverter-driven scroll compressors and electronically commutated fans for continuous capacity modulation. Daikin said the modular configuration can simplify transport and installation compared with large packaged chillers and offers flexibility for complex plant room layouts.
The company has also introduced the EWA(Y)K-CZ monobloc range in cooling-only and heat pump versions, covering 17-85 kW (approx. 58,000-290,000 BTU/h). The units are aimed at smaller commercial buildings, light industrial applications and distributed hydronic systems, and operate in outdoor temperatures from -20°C to +46°C (-4°F to 114.8°F). For multi-unit installations, control can be managed through a built-in sequencer or the Daikin Intelligent Chiller Manager (iCM), while commissioning of R-290 systems is recorded through the company’s e-Care application.
