Delphi to Meet Changing Automotive Air Conditioning Needs, No Matter What the Alternative
PARIS, May 6, 2004 -- Major changes are on the horizon for automotive air-conditioning refrigerants. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been phased out under international protocols because of their ozone-depleting properties and the current refrigerant, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), is under scrutiny for its global warming potential (GWP).
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Delphi Corporation is developing alternative refrigerant air conditioning systems to support the best option for the environment and their customers. While still improving energy efficiency, these options will significantly reduce the atmospheric effect of direct refrigerant emissions because they are gases with lower global warming potentials.
Delphi officials discussed the upcoming changes during a media event in Mortefontaine, France, this week.
"Although automotive air conditioning accounts for less than five percent of total vehicle global warming potential and the current refrigerant, R134a, contributes less than 0.4 percent of total global warming gas emissions in Europe, worldwide concern over the impact of HFCs such as R134a caused us to search for alternative refrigerants," said Stefan Glober, Delphi Thermal & Interior director of engineering, Europe & South America.
"We believe it's best to reduce the impact of automotive air conditioning on the environment by comprehending the interaction between environmental and industry factors," he said. "Delphi is actively undertaking a robust evaluation of multiple options in order to meet our customers' changing needs."
Delphi's analysis shows that air conditioning systems using either CO2 or R152a comparably reduce the impact on the environment, Glober said.
The company considers both coolants as viable options for the future. Its CO2 and R152a test vehicles were the best-performing entries in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) alternative refrigerant workshop held in Phoenix, Ariz., in 2003.
R-152a (GWP 120 - 140)
R-152a is a promising alternative because of its chemical and thermodynamic similarity to R-134a, Glober said. Although an HFC refrigerant, R152a has a global warming potential rating (GWP 120 -140) that is 90 percent lower than the current R134a (GWP 1300). Its improved cooling efficiency also has energy saving advantages, particularly in hot climates.
CO2 (GWP 1)
CO2 is also a promising candidate, according to Glober. It has a global warming potential rating of just 1.0 and is naturally occurring in the atmosphere. It has a comparable life cycle climate performance to R152a and provides an acceptable level of cooling performance. CO2 also operates more efficiently in the heat pump mode compared to HFCs. In terms of potential cost, a switch to CO2 likely presents higher development, manufacturing and service investment than would R152a, which can be used in adapted current- style systems.
Although CO2 and R152a represent the best current options for future mobile air conditioning systems, each present challenges that must be addressed by the automotive industry, Glober said. "Under our Environmental Principles, Delphi is committed to vigorously pursuing the development and implementation of technologies to minimize pollutant emissions. Delphi will continue to support its customer requirements around the globe while offering more environmentally-friendly automotive air conditioning systems."
For more information about Delphi Corporation, visit Delphi's Virtual Press Room at www.delphi.com/media .
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