1. Home
  2. Press release
Apr 18, 2019 14:38 JST

Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

MHI Thermal Systems Develops Demonstration Unit of the World's First Small-Capacity Residential Air-Conditioner Adopting the Low-GWP R454C Refrigerant
Significant Environmental Advance over Current R410A and R32

- Conventional shortcomings of mixed refrigerants overcome with proprietary technology optimizing heat exchanger flow volume
- Early response to EU regulations mandating the gradual phase-down of substances with GWP above 150
- 91.3% reduction in global warming impact compared to earlier model for European market

TOKYO, Apr 18, 2019 - (JCN Newswire) - Premiering for the first time in the world, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd., a Group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), is adopting R454C, a refrigerant with an extremely low global warming potential (GWP), in a 1-horsepower (HP) class residential air-conditioner. The conventional shortcomings of the R454C,for example; inferior heat exchanger performance attributable to it being a mixed refrigerant have been overcome through the use of proprietary technology that optimize the heat exchanger's flow volume and other measures. The company has already developed a demonstration unit of the residential air-conditioner featuring R454C and preparations are underway towards mass production with an eye on an initial launch into the European market, where environmental regulations are particularly stringent.

The R454C refrigerant has an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of 0 (zero) and a GWP of 146 (CO2=1). The latter value is approximately 1/14th and 1/5th the respective GWP levels of refrigerants currently and most widely used in air-conditioners of small/medium scale: R410A (2090) and R32 (675). The overall global warming impact (GWP x refrigerant volume) from the demonstration unit's refrigerant represents a 91.3% reduction from the level of MHI Thermal Systems' previous model for the European market(1).

Worldwide initiatives aimed at stopping global warming were strengthened in October 2016 with the adoption of the "Kigali Amendment" to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Named after the capital city of Rwanda where the delegates met, the Kigali Amendment mandates progressive reduction in hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), substances that do not deplete the ozone but do adversely impact global warming(2). In addition, since 2015 the member nations of the European Union (EU), where environmental awareness is deeply entrenched, have gradually expanded regulations affecting the sale and usage of substances, including HFCs, that have GWP values of 150 and higher, contributing to global warming. MHI Thermal Systems' development of the world's first small-capacity residential air-conditioner adopting the R454C refrigerant is thus a leading and positive response to these international movements.

Going forward, MHI Thermal Systems will continue to dedicate its resources to developing and marketing high-performance products using low-GWP refrigerants, thereby contributing to protection of the global environment in markets everywhere.

(1) The top-of-the-line SRK25ZSX-S with a piping length of 5m, which adopts the R410A refrigerant
(2) These substances are subject to the terms of both the Montreal Protocol (1987) and the preceding Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985).

Contact:
Joseph Hood, PR Manager
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Email: mhi-pr@mhi.co.jp
Tel: +81-(0)3-6716-2168
Fax: +81-(0)3-6716-5860
Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Sectors: Engineering

Copyright ©2024 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Related Press Release

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NGK to Jointly Develop Hydrogen Purification System from Ammonia Cracking Gas
April 18 2024 16:01 JST
 
Heidelberg Materials North America Announces Latest Milestone in Edmonton CCUS Project
April 12 2024 13:39 JST
 
MHIAEL Completes Expansion of the its Nagasaki Plant for Manufacture of Aero Engine Combustors
April 11 2024 17:08 JST
 
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Acquires Approval in Principle (AiP) from Classification Society ClassNK for Ammonia Fuel Supply System (AFSS)
April 11 2024 16:50 JST
 
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Receives Order for Ammonia Fuel Supply System for Ammonia-Powered Marine Engine
April 10 2024 15:55 JST
 
Mitsubishi Power Receives Order from HK Electric for Natural-gas-fired GTCC Power Generation Equipment
April 09 2024 14:04 JST
 
MHI Thermal Systems Adds New KXZ3 Series of Building-use Multi-Split Air- Conditioners Adopting R32 Refrigerant
April 09 2024 12:40 JST
 
MHI Concludes Positive Impact Finance Agreement
March 29 2024 18:20 JST
 
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Receives Order from the University of Tokyo for "MiPoLin" Power Prediction and Lines Selection System
March 28 2024 15:45 JST
 
Mitsubishi Logisnext Completes Demonstration of Automated Truck Loading, Leading to Start of Actual Operations in Japan
March 28 2024 12:52 JST
 
More Press release >>

Latest Press Release


First-ever Mazda CX-80 Crossover SUV Unveiled in Europe
Apr 19, 2024 13:50 JST

Fujitsu develops technology to convert corporate digital identity credentials, enabling participation of non-European companies in European data spaces
Apr 19, 2024 10:17 JST

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NGK to Jointly Develop Hydrogen Purification System from Ammonia Cracking Gas
Apr 18, 2024 17:01 JST

Toyota Launches All-New Land Cruiser "250" Series in Japan
Apr 18, 2024 13:39 JST

Fujitsu and Oracle collaborate to deliver sovereign cloud and AI capabilities in Japan
Apr 18, 2024 11:14 JST

Eisai: Research on Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease Based on Its Pathological Mechanisms Recieves Award for Science and Technology (Research Category)
Apr 18, 2024 10:53 JST

All-New Triton Confirmed as First Double-Cab Pickup Truck to Achieve 2024 Five-Star ANCAP Safety Rating
Apr 18, 2024 09:22 JST

Eisai's Antiepileptic Drug Fycompa Injection Formulation Launched In Japan
Apr 17, 2024 16:17 JST

Honda Unveils Next-generation EV Series for China
Apr 17, 2024 12:15 JST

Lexus presents Time at the 2024 Milan Design Week
Apr 16, 2024 18:49 JST

Mitsubishi Corporation Announces Participation in a DAC Project in Louisiana, USA
Apr 16, 2024 14:36 JST

New circuit challenge for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
Apr 15, 2024 17:21 JST

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing back on asphalt for Croatian challenge
Apr 12, 2024 19:36 JST

Heidelberg Materials North America Announces Latest Milestone in Edmonton CCUS Project
Apr 12, 2024 14:39 JST

MHIAEL Completes Expansion of the its Nagasaki Plant for Manufacture of Aero Engine Combustors
Apr 11, 2024 18:08 JST

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Acquires Approval in Principle (AiP) from Classification Society ClassNK for Ammonia Fuel Supply System (AFSS)
Apr 11, 2024 17:50 JST

DOCOMO, NTT, NEC and Fujitsu Develop Top-level Sub-terahertz 6G Device Capable of Ultra-high-speed 100 Gbps Transmission
Apr 11, 2024 15:10 JST

Mitsubishi Corporation Announces Completion of Capital Raise by Nexamp
Apr 11, 2024 13:07 JST

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Receives Order for Ammonia Fuel Supply System for Ammonia-Powered Marine Engine
Apr 10, 2024 16:55 JST

Transgene and NEC Present First Clinical Benefits of Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine, TG4050, in Head & Neck Cancer at AACR 2024
Apr 10, 2024 13:36 JST
 More Latest Release >>