R290 refrigerant: ushers in its highlight moment

In 2022, R290 refrigerant finally emerged as a star performer. During the first half of the year, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) agreed to expand the allowable charge limit of R290 in complete equipment. Amidst the surge of heat pump heating in Europe, R290 garnered significant attention in the heat pump sector. On the corporate front, too, there were numerous positive developments, with Midea launching the world's first R290 air conditioner with Energy Efficiency Class 1.

As the global call for low-carbon initiatives intensifies in 2023, R290 is poised to attract even greater attention and usher in fresh opportunities for development.

R290, also known as propane, is a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant that can be directly obtained from liquefied petroleum gas. Compared to synthetic refrigerants like freons, R290's molecular structure does not contain chlorine atoms, rendering its Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) value zero, thereby eliminating the risk of ozone layer depletion. Furthermore, when compared to HFC substances, which also do not harm the ozone layer, R290 boasts a Global Warming Potential (GWP) value close to zero, mitigating the risk of "greenhouse effect."

Despite its impeccable credentials in terms of GWP and ODP, R290 refrigerant faced persistent controversy due to its classification as an A3 flammable refrigerant, hindering its widespread adoption in mainstream markets.

However, 2022 brought about a positive shift in this regard. In May 2022, the IEC announced on its official website that the draft of IEC 60335-2-40 ED7, "Particular requirements for heat pumps, air-conditioners, and dehumidifiers," had been unanimously approved. This signifies a consensus within the IEC standards to increase the filling amounts of R290 and other flammable refrigerants in household air-conditioners, heat pumps, and dehumidifiers.

When inquiring about the IEC 60335-2-40 ED7 standards, Li Tingxun, an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen University and a member of Working Group 21, elaborated: "When calculating the maximum filling amounts for A2 and A3 refrigerants, IEC 60335-2-40 ED7 introduces more flexibility by considering the actual conditions of products. Companies can now, through implementing safety measures such as enhancing product airtightness and adopting circulating airflow designs, appropriately increase the maximum filling amounts of A2 and A3 refrigerants, potentially reaching up to 988g."

This development fueled significant progress in the adoption of R290 refrigerant in the heat pump industry. Firstly, the compressor standards for heat pump water heaters incorporated requirements for R290 refrigerant. Subsequently, on January 1, 2023, Germany's new federal funding measures for green and energy-efficient buildings came into effect. This fund aims to subsidize the replacement of heating systems in built environments. To qualify for these subsidies, heat pump products must have a Coefficient of Performance (COP) above 2.7 and be charged with natural refrigerants. Currently, R290 is the primary natural refrigerant used in residential heat pump equipment in Europe. With the implementation of this subsidy policy, heat pump products using R290 are expected to gain widespread adoption.

Recently, a technical symposium focusing on R290 refrigerant and heat pumps was successfully held. Emerson and Highly are active proponents of R290 technology. At the symposium, an Emerson representative stated that leveraging the company's extensive experience in R290 refrigerant technology, they have developed a series of Copeland scroll R290 compressors, covering fixed-speed, variable-speed, horizontal, vertical, and low-noise models, offering tailored technical solutions to meet the diverse needs of the European heat pump market segments. Highly Electric, with over a decade of expertise in the heat pump sector, unveiled multiple R290-specific heat pump compressors tailored for the European market. These products are not only environmentally friendly but also boast ultra-low GWP, wide operating ranges, high reliability, and efficiency, comprehensively addressing the needs of the European heat pump market and supporting the region's green energy transition.

September 7, 2022, was also a significant day for R290 refrigerant. On this day, the world's first new energy efficiency grade 1 air conditioner using R290 refrigerant rolled off the production line at Midea's Wuhu factory, providing a brand-new approach for the industry to achieve the "dual carbon" goals. It is understood that the APF (Annual Performance Factor) of Midea's newly developed R290 new energy efficiency grade 1 inverter air conditioner has reached 5.29, exceeding the national standard for new energy efficiency grade 1 by 5.8%. The series comes in two models: 1HP and 1.5HP, and has also obtained the industry's first health and hygiene certification.

Meanwhile, R290 refrigerant has made progress in areas such as clothes dryers and ice makers. According to data provided by the China Household Electrical Appliances Association, the ice maker product sector has nearly fully transitioned to R290 refrigerant in the past year or two, with an annual output of approximately 1.5 million units. The market size of R290 heat pump clothes dryers has also risen rapidly in recent years, accounting for 80% in 2020 with a production volume of 3 million units.

In 2023, guided by the "dual carbon" goals, R290 refrigerant, with its inherent low-carbon advantages, is poised to shine even brighter than before.