Automotive Air Conditioning - A Long Term Solution

HFC-134a as working fluid in refrigeration and air conditioning systems is increasingly regarded to be an intermediate solution. Alternative systems/cycles using “natural refrigerants” are gaining more attention internationally.

“Natural refrigerants” are ecologically safe fluids with no ozone depletion potential and none, or very little, global warming potential. Examples are substances like air, water, hydrocarbons, NH₃ and CO₂.

Much effort is now directed towards developing alternative technologies, and some of this in the field of mobile air conditioning systems. This paper is focused on environmentally safe systems for automotive air conditioning. A brief overview on this is presented. The main focus is on CO₂ vapour compression technology with respect to safety, environmental effects and design. Results are compared with the current status of automotive A/C and Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) for various alternatives are discussed.