Next generation HVAC manufacturers will need to meet design challenges for next-gen refrigerants. Source: SensataAs the world seeks to become less dependent upon chemicals that damage the atmosphere and deplete the ozone layer, manufacturers of HVAC and cooling systems are also looking at next-generation technologies to take advantage of “green” refrigerants that do not adversely impact the environment.

Harmful hydrocarbon refrigerants include R290, R600a, R32 as well as CO₂ and ammonia. Given that refrigerants are used around the world, the move to natural refrigerants is important to the future of the HVAC industry, according to Sensata, who has recently issued a white paper on the subject of moving to eco-friendly refrigerants.

Sensata says the problem is that these emerging refrigerants come with a variety of challenges including extreme high pressures, extreme corrosiveness and flammability.

“Component manufacturers must meet the design challenges posed by these non-synthetic refrigerants to optimize safety and efficiency,” says William Bentley, engineering manager of industrial solutions at Sensata. “A critical part of this evolution is the knowledge of what kinds of hardware and systems must be specified for the safe implementation of these new and more technically challenging materials.”

In the white paper, Sensata provides an overview of various methods used to mitigate the challenges of moving to ecofriendly refrigerants, as well as a look at some of the HVAC and refrigeration hardware and safety technologies needed to handle these new refrigerants, particularly pressure switches and pressure sensors.

The white paper, entitled “How to Solve the Challenges of Using Natural Refrigerants in Cooling System Design,” can be downloaded for free.