4th Generation Refrigerants: Mexichem Overview

SIRAC Meeting 21st November 2012

Outline

What is the 4th Generation of refrigerants?

Candidates Development targets

Mexichem project activity Future direction

CONFIDENTIAL

4th Generation whats in a name?

First generation the pioneering fluids

Ammonia, ethyl chloride, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide

Second generation the CFCs and HCFCs

Developed with safety in use as main driver

Third generation the HFCs

Developed in response to concern over the ozone depletion potential of the second generation

Fourth generation
Drive to reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of fluids compared to previous generations

Low GWP refrigerant development overview

Need to balance sometimes conflicting requirements
Toxicology Flammability Technical suitability for application conditions

Need to ensure that the carbon footprint of usage is the focus

- Headline GWP value is not a reliable metric of environmental impact

Hydrofluoroolefins HFOs are an interesting family with potential for reduced GWP

HFOs

Leading candidates are;

R-1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) CF3-CF=CH2 R-1234ze(E) and (Z) (1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) CF3-CH=CHF R-1233zd(E) and (Z) (1-chloro,3,3,3-trifluoropropene) CF3-CH=CHCl R-1243zf (3,3,3-trifluoropropene) CF3-CH=CH2

Refrigeration Air conditioning Propellant/blowing agent Solvent

R410A R404A R407A R744 (CO2) R-717 (NH3) R-32 Propane Propene

R134a

R245fa R365mfc

R-1234yf R-1234ze(E) R-1243zf

R-1234ze(Z) R-1233zd(E) R-1233zd(Z)

Mexichem blend development programme Why blend?

Whilst HFOs have very low GWP values (4-8) they have limited boiling point range
Requirement to blend to reach other application areas Scope for performance optimisation

HFOs of current interest are flammable to some extent

Mostly ASHRAE A2L rated May require blending to provide further reduction in flammability for certain application areas

Mexichem blend development programme

Three main classes of refrigerant in development by Mexichem

AC series: Medium temperature/pressure (R-134a alternative) LTR series: Low temperature refrigeration (R-407/R-404 alternative) HP series: Heat pump (high pressure) fluids (R-410A alternative)

but also
R-32 (an HFC) also seen as an attractive R-410A alternative with GWP around one-third of that of R-410A

Mexichem blend development programme

Currently major focus on blends using R-1234ze(E)

Significantly weaker flammability than R-1234yf Potential for improved energy efficiency Production chemistry already proven on large scale

ASHRAE A1 (non-flammable) and A2L (marginally flammable) options within each family of fluids Strike appropriate balance between flammability, GWP and efficiency
Reduced flammability generally associated with increased GWP

Future development & Regulation

European F-Gas proposed HFC cap and phase-down

Whilst HFOs are likely to have a role to play in reducing carbon emissions from use of refrigerants, there are things we can, and need, to do now: R-404A conversion to R-407A R-32 as a heat pump/air conditioning fluid

Development of regulation varies throughout the world with significant uncertainty

GWP and flammability balance with GWP-based regulation? Some applications require A1 ratings

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Future development

Many barriers ahead before the next generation can be clearly identified and commercialised
Large scale production capacity for HFOs does not exist yet Complicated IP position Blend proliferation

Refrigerant development continuing

HFO-based blend and application technology development through in-house research and participation in industrybased programmes such as AREP, and industry groups such as SAE HFO manufacturing route development

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THANK YOU!
Contacts:
COMMERCIAL: martyn.cooper@mexichem.com TECHNICAL: stuart.corr@mexichem.com TECHNICAL: bob.low@mexichem.com