International. The Honeywell company revealed that it has been studying a new refrigerant low in global warming potential (GWP) as a potential replacement for R404A in hermetically sealed refrigeration systems.
Although Honeywell has not disclosed the components of the mixture, codenamed HDR-110, from the information provided, it has a GWP below 150, a slip of about 6ºC and a pressure slightly lower than R404A.
The tests were carried out on a 3/4hp R404A freezer with an internal volume of 700 litres and a rated power of around 560W. The autonomous anti-frost cooling unit had a nominal charge of 354g of R404A and comprised a 1/2 hp hermetic compressor, a condenser and evaporator, a liquid line heat exchanger and suction line and a thermostatic expansion valve.
Initial tests developed under the Ashrae 72-2005 standard showed that HDR-110 has capabilities below 90% in benchmark tests with R404A and slightly lower efficacy.
