As mysterious as the X files and UFO’s has been the information regarding the new generation of refrigerants known as HFO’s. The chemical name is hydrofluoroolefins and they are possibly the replacement for HFC’s. When I first heard of a new refrigerant, I immediately assumed it was designed as a safer refrigerant with low GWP (Global warming potential) and low ODP (Ozone depletion potential). Each article I read confuses me more as too the validity of the manufacture’s claims. The company Chemours manufacture’s the new HFO-1234yf refrigerant. Chemours is a chemical manufacturer that is part of the larger DuPont company.
Chemours claims that HFO-1234yf is 99.7% better than R-134a Refrigerant for its GWP. Since most vehicles manufactured in the United States and Canada currently use R-134a, this would be a significant improvement. The company claims that this product is not only better for its GWP potential for cars, it also improves upon the vehicles fuel efficiencies. The air conditioning system is lighter and more efficient so it will save you on fuel that would be needed on a heavier system such as CO2. Chemours
DuPont is the same company that invented Freon and were heavy investors in General Motors in its early infancy. Chemours refrigerant manufacturing division is now involved in both the refrigerant and automobile industries with HFO-1234yf. An article I recently read online that was written by a natural refrigerant manufacturer, Engas has a different viewpoint on HFO’s versus Natural refrigerants. In it they reference the group Greenpeace and what they think about the new refrigerant. Greenpeace states that the refrigerant is not an improvement over the previous HFC refrigerants in automobiles. They claim the new refrigerant is nothing more than an HFC with a different more polished name. They claim that the risk of human safety should be of concern to all of us. The new refrigerant if leaks has been known to start an engine fire which produces hydrogen fluoride and carbonyl halides which are toxic and potentially lethal.
Fox Mulder and Scully might be able to solve this mystery but for now let’s hope that this isn’t another cover up.
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