A NON-FLAMMABLE LOW GWP REFRIGERANT FOR CENTRIFUGAL CHILLERS AND HIGH TEMPERATURE HEAT PUMPS: R-1336mzz(Z)

Demand for commercial air conditioning and commercial or industrial heating continues to grow as populations and living standards continue to increase around the globe. It could be partially met through the use of chillers and heat pumps, provided that working fluids meeting demanding safety, environmental and performance requirements become available. R-1336mzz(Z) (cis-CF3CH=CHCF3) is a non-flammable HydroFluoro-Olefin (HFO) with an ultra-low GWP of 2. It has shown surprisingly high chemical stability at high temperatures, despite the unsaturated chemical bond in its molecular structure. It is the main component of R-514A, an azeotropic, non-flammable replacement for HCFC-123 in centrifugal chillers. It could also enable industrial heat pumps delivering higher heating temperatures (up to or over 150 degrees C) and higher energy efficiency than incumbent fluids. R-1336mzz(Z) and R-514A properties will be reviewed, new thermodynamic and chemical stability data will be presented, and performance in chillers and high temperature heat pumps will be evaluated.