Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) refrigerants are used in a wide variety of HVAC&R equipment. HFCs when released to the atmosphere have significant Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Thus, under the European F-gas regulation issued in 2014, HFC use has to be phased-out by 80% until 2030 and replaced by low-GWP alternatives, such as hydrocarbons (HC). Refrigerant R290 (propane) has near-to-zero GWP and is an excellent alternative to be used in small hermetic systems, like residential air conditioners. Indeed, under EU standard EN 378, systems with a charge size of 0.15 kg or less may be installed in any size of room.
However, because of the required refrigerant amount, the use of R290 in standard “split” air-conditioners is practically unfeasible.
The goal of ZEROGWP project is to demonstrate the technical feasibility, full safety and commercial viability of an innovative monobloc residential air conditioning system, called Double Duct (DD) technology, that can be charged by R290 with unprecedented environmental performance.
The specific objectives of the ZEROGWP are to:
1) Industrialize the first DD-AC R290 system, perform a pre-serie production and technical validation of this innovative air conditioner to pave the ground for its industrialization;
2) Demonstrate the performance of the new air conditioner through an extensive field test campaign in four European countries;
3) Improve the system design to minimize the risks of use of flammable HC refrigerants maximizing the refrigerant charge without compromising safety;
4) Prove the environmental efficiency and cost sustainability of the new product in an LCA and LCC perspective;
5) Promote the project through dedicated dissemination channels and networking in order to rise market awareness and pave the way for subsequent commercial exploitation and wide replication at the European level;
6) Rise society and consumers awareness about newer and low carbon residential air conditioning technologies, thus trying to encourage changes in consumers’ attitudes, inspire more environmentally responsible behaviors and stimulate European investments in innovative eco-friendly technologies.
Innovation aspects
Technology
Compactness and superior cooling efficiency which allows to use a propane R290 charge compliant with the EN378 standard. This definitively allows to replace very high GWP HFCs with a nearly zero GWP refrigerant.
Safety
It is possible with double duct AC because of the limited volume of their circuit and for the intrinsic safety of the welds and junctions entirely carried out and controlled in the production cycle. On the contrary, split system appliance lines are installed on site by specialized installers who are more prone to make errors than workers of a controlled industrial cycle.
Installation
Double duct ACs can be wall-mounted and they do not have any external heat
exchanger unit, only two holes on the wall. This shall be a dramatic advantage for installation in historic buildings of large EU urban centers without compromising the architectural aesthetics of the facades or using inefficient centralized systems.
Business Model
ZEROGWP proposes a sustainable business model for European SMEs: market competitiveness of this technology comes from superior ecology, aesthetics and safety.