USA: Refrigerant manufacturer Koura has launched a new low-GWP alternative to R134a in existing MAC systems in the UK and Europe.
The new refrigerant R456A under the brand name Klea 456A is a non-flammable mixture of R32 (6%), R134a (45%) and R1234ze(E) (49%). It has a GWP of 626, which is 46% less than R134a.
Tests are said to have demonstrated its compatibility with existing R134a refrigerant automotive air conditioning systems, and its performance is consistent with R134a refrigerant.
Koura has partnered with Texa SpA, an Italian manufacturer of air conditioning charging stations, to achieve European Union (CE) and UK refrigerant certification.
“Klea 456A refrigerant represents another breakthrough in the automotive aftermarket and we are excited to work with Koura to help bring this product to market,” said Stefano Mengel, Product Manager at Texa.
Brad Hooper, Koura’s commercial director for EMEAI, insists the company is committed to innovation. “Our current research and development program has been the focus of attention for 15 years, and product development is part of the company’s ongoing growth,” he said.
Colleagues of Dave Smith, Koura’s vice president of product management and strategy, promise more innovation in 2022. Take advantage of these innovations and bring them to life in new applications. ”
Last January, Koura launched R473A, a refrigerant with a significantly lower GWP than existing HFCs currently used in cryogenic refrigeration systems. The following month, the Cooling Post reported that Koura was developing a CO2 alternative for mobile air conditioning and home heat pumps with higher efficiency and lower operating pressure.
Developed by Koura under the name AC5X, R456A follows the Koura series of innovative refrigerants that were developed as potential automotive refrigerants but never entered the market.
Koura, under its former name Mexichem, has developed an AC6 (R445A) refrigerant blend as a replacement for R134a in MAC systems. It received very positive reviews and was cited as being less flammable than R1234yf, but after yf it failed to gain a foothold in the market.
A related product, AC5, is claimed to be very similar in performance to R134a, while still having the same flammability characteristics as R1234yf.
AC6 is a mixture of R1234ze(E), R134a and CO2 (85%/9%/6%). AC5 (R444A) is a mixture of R1234ze(E) with R32 and R152a (83%/12%/5%).
Koura aims to reduce CO2 emissions with new refrigerant – February 22, 2021: Koura claims a new CO2 alternative can provide higher efficiency and lower operating pressure in mobile air conditioning systems and residential heat pumps. read more…
New Blend Could Be a 1234yf Replacement – July 24, 2013 USA: New HFO1234ze based refrigerant blend could be a reliable and non-flammable replacement for 1234yf in automotive air conditioning systems. read more…