Danfoss will use Honeywell’s Solstice ze (R-1234ze) and Solstice N15 (R-515B) refrigerants in its new DSG scroll compressor range for chiller and heat pumps used in commercial buildings, industrial processes, data centres and district heating/cooling applications. The compressor range will be available in Q2 2022, and will allow chiller and heat pump manufacturers to stay compliant with regulations requiring the phase-down of higher-GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

With a GWP of less than 1, Solstice ze is 99.9 percent lower than R-410A and other HFCs. Solstice N15 (R-515B), a non-flammable, low-GWP solution, has a GWP lower than 300 and provides higher energy efficiency in the DSG compressor range than the R-410A models. Both refrigerants are based on Honeywell’s hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology.

The DSG compressors are specifically designed for medium pressure chillers to cool large buildings, infrastructure projects, district cooling/heating, and other applications. With this new compressor technology, the use of R-1234ze and R-515B will have the possibility to expand into OEM’s scroll chiller platforms

“Danfoss’ new DSG scroll compressors represent an industry breakthrough on a number of fronts, and allow customers to meet the most stringent sustainability, performance and safety targets,” said Ken West, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Fluorine Products. “Compared with R-410A-based solutions, the R-1234ze models tick three critical boxes where no other solution exists today: near carbon neutrality, high performance, and safety. Meanwhile, the R-515B models provide the only low GWP, non-flammable alternative to R-410A ideal for indoor applications.”

Multiple worldwide regulations require the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) solutions under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. In the U.S., the scroll compressor technology using Solstice ze and Solstice N15 will be a vital solution for manufacturers seeking lower-GWP alternatives in commercial buildings, data centres and process cooling applications. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the HFC phase-down, it will also consider promulgation of sector-specific HFC prohibitions to effectively limit GWP of products used in end applications including residential air conditioning, light commercial air conditioning, and chillers.