ACR Journal

August | September 2021 ADVERTORIAL 16 The only non-flammable replacement for R410A with much lower GWP which can be retrofitted into existing equipment Volume 7 No.5 RS-53 (R470A) is a new non-flammable drop-in replacement for R410A with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) less than half that of R410A. RS-53 (R470A) has a similar thermodynamic performance to R410A with matching energy e ciency and cooling capacity. RS-53 (R470A) is compatible with the materials commonly found in R410A equipment. In particular, RS-53 (R470A) contains low toxicity components already known to have excellent chemical stability in air- conditioning units. RS-53 (R470A) is an exciting new development in the quest to replace higher GWP refrigerants both in existing and new equipment. RS-53 (R470A) enables users to replace R410A in existing units with minimal changes and inconvenience at low cost. RS-53 (R470A) is compatible with lubricants typically used with R410A avoiding the need to change the existing lubricant when retrofitting. RS-53 (R470A) is thus an excellent option to replace R410A, not only in the European Union where F Gas regulations are creating shortages, but also in other countries which are introducing restrictions on the sale and use of refrigerants containing hydrofluorocarbons. R32 is being introduced as a replacement for R410A in new equipment, but is not suitable for use in existing equipment because it is flammable. In contrast, RS-53 (R470A) is a retrofit solution being non- flammable, low toxicity and with similar cooling capacity, pressures and Coe cient of Performance to R410A. To say that the EU GWP quota system for regulating widely used HFCs including R410A and R404A and others has belatedly caused consternation in the industry, is an understatement. Panic is a more accurate description. Shortages of product and very high prices have been the result of the F Gas regulation in the EU and there is much concern about availability of HFC based refrigerants, which are widely used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industries, over the next decade or so. The introduction of RS-53 aims to help alleviate the shortfall between what is available under F Gas and demand in the market by in e ect enabling over two tonnes of RS-53 to be made available to users for every one tonne of R410A. Crucially, RS-53 is non-flammable and therefore can be used in place of R410A in existing equipment and installations, which of course is not possible in the case of R32 which is flammable and so only suitable for use in new equipment.. There are further cutbacks in the F Gas quota system – in addition to another 18 per cent reduction in the baseline year 2015 which came into e ect this year– which will significantly accentuate the shortage of refrigerants and/or force users to purchase new equipment in the absence of innovations on the supply side. RS-53 should help to alleviate this problem with its much lower GWP compared to R410A. RS-53 has been specifically designed to mitigate these changes to the refrigerant user by reducing the direct GWP of the refrigerant while not compromising its energy e ciency and technical properties as a suitable Drop-in replacement for R410A. Summary of the performance characteristics of RS-53 (R470A): * Low direct GWP drop-in replacement for R410A * Similar energy e ciency to R410A * Close match for R410A in cooling capacity * Lower discharge pressure than R410A * Similar discharge temperature to R410A * No changes to hardware required during retrofitting * Compatible with lubricants commonly used with R410A * Replaces R410A in air conditioning and refrigeration applications * Similar flow rate to R410A * Zero Ozone Depletion Potential * Non-flammable & low toxicity John Kirkpatrick, Commercial Director, Refrigerant Solutions Limited John.Kirkpatrick@refsols.com