Honeywell announced that Cryogiam, an Italian manufacturer of condensing units, compressor racks, and systems for the refrigeration industry, is using Honeywell’s Solstice L40X (R-455A) refrigerant in its new condensing units.
Cryogiam adopted Solstice L40X to comply with the European F-Gas regulation by adopting a refrigerant with GWP below 150, which is the limit allowed from January 1, 2022. Solstice L40X makes Cryogiam condensing units easier for contractors to install and maintain, with similar performance to R-404A, but offering 96 percent lower global warming potential.
“Cryogiam has invested heavily in carbon dioxide (R-744) technology in the past,” said Alessandro Carrubba, R&D Chief Technical Officer, Cryogiam. “However, the problem that emerged immediately was the efficiency at our usual operating temperatures. In the meantime, there are several comparative studies that demonstrate how the use of A2L refrigerants, such as Solstice L40X in commercial refrigeration, leads to greater operating efficiency. Also, carbon dioxide (CO2) technology involves complex installation and service management, which is, without doubt, expensive in the life span of the system.”
“Solstice L40X represents a long-term choice, offering both environmental and cost benefits, as well as easy implementation,” said Julien Soulet, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Fluorine Products Europe, Middle East and Africa. “As part of the Cryogiam project, we worked side by side with other partners on technical implementation beyond a simple refrigerant delivery.”
Solstice L40X (R-455A) is a mildly flammable, zeotropic refrigerant with an ultra-low GWP of 146 (AR5), making it both F-Gas-ready and the safest A2L solution for commercial refrigeration applications, including plug-in cabinets, condensing units, monoblocks for cold and freezer rooms, heat pumps and chillers. The refrigerant is qualified for use in many leading compressor technologies, including Tecumseh, Bitzer, Emerson, Boyard and Frascold – with many other compressor and condensing unit OEMs having also approved or in the final stages of testing. When integrated into appropriate system architectures, Solstice L40X provides end users with a long-term, high-efficiency and cost-effective refrigeration solution.
