Beatrice Lang
HFO-1234yf is a chemical refrigerant that is used in electric vehicles (EVs) to provide air-conditioning. It is a sustainable and eco-friendly product, designed to replace its predecessor, R134a, which was found to contribute to global warming. HFO-1234yf is a member of the hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) chemical family and has a very low global warming potential. This refrigerant can help boost the range of EVs by reducing battery power consumption and improving the balance of cooling and heating requirements for the passenger compartment. In this article, we will discuss the process of charging HFO-1234yf in an electric vehicle, including the equipment and technician training required for the process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A chemical refrigerant that will be used in new cars in place of R134a |
| Who will use it? | All vehicle manufacturers are expected to use it, some sooner than others |
| Where will it be introduced first? | Europe, followed by the USA and others |
| Why are we changing refrigerants? | R134a has been found to contribute to global warming |
| How much will it cost? | Initially expected to be about ten times more expensive than R134a |
| Will retrofitting be allowed? | No, it would not be practical due to the cost of HFO-1234yf |
| New equipment required? | Yes, an SAE J2843 R/R/R machine, an SAE J2912 or J2927 Refrigerant Analyzer, and an SAE J2913 leak detector |
| Why are we changing in the USA and other countries? | Car makers are global companies and it makes more sense to use only one refrigerant worldwide in each model |
| How does it help electric vehicles? | HFO-1234yf-based integrated thermal systems can increase the winter cooling range by up to 20% and boost the range of EVs by about 5% |
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What You'll Learn
HFO-1234yf is a chemical refrigerant that replaces R134a
HFO-1234yf, also known as 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene, is a chemical refrigerant that has been designed to replace R134a. R134a, or R-134a, is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that was originally used as a replacement for R-12, which was phased out when it was found to be harmful to the ozone layer. However, R134a was later found to contribute to global warming, and so it is now being phased out as well. HFO-1234yf is a hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) refrigerant with a much lower global warming potential (GWP) than R134a.
HFO-1234yf was developed by a team at DuPont, led by Barbara Haviland Minor, in collaboration with researchers at Honeywell. The goal was to meet the European directive 2006/40/EC, which required that all new car platforms for sale in Europe use a refrigerant with a GWP less than 150 times more potent than carbon dioxide. HFO-1234yf was found to have a GWP of less than 1, which is significantly lower than that of R134a, which has a GWP of 1430.
HFO-1234yf has several advantages over R134a. Firstly, it is considered to be more environmentally friendly, as it reduces the level of emissions that vehicles put into the environment. This has made it preferable to governments and environmental activists. Additionally, HFO-1234yf has similar performance to R134a, and can be handled in a similar way in repair shops, although it does require some specialised equipment due to its flammability.
The transition to HFO-1234yf has been gradual, with several automakers adopting the new refrigerant in their vehicles. As of 2018, nearly 50% of all new models were manufactured to use HFO-1234yf, and it is estimated that by the end of that year, 30 million cars would be using the new refrigerant. As of 2022, it is estimated that 90% of new U.S. vehicles use HFO-1234yf. It is important to note that using R134a in an HFO-1234yf-charged vehicle is illegal and can be dangerous, as the two refrigerants have different chemical compositions and properties.
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HFO-1234yf is used in electric vehicles to provide air-conditioning
HFO-1234yf is a refrigerant used in automotive air-conditioning systems. It is a colourless, odourless gas with a low global warming potential (GWP) of less than 1. This makes it a more environmentally friendly alternative to the previously used R134a, which has a GWP of 1430. Due to its low GWP, HFO-1234yf is mandated by law in the air-conditioning systems of new vehicles in the EU and the US.
In electric vehicles, HFO-1234yf is particularly useful as it can be used in an integrated thermal system that provides both cooling and heating. This is especially beneficial for electric vehicles as they do not have combustion engine waste heat for heating and may rely on direct electric resistive heating, which can result in a significant reduction in range during winter. The HFO-1234yf-based integrated thermal system can increase the winter cooling range by up to 20% while also reducing battery power consumption.
The integrated thermal system functions by using a semi-hermetic refrigerant circuit that includes a chiller, a coolant-cooled condenser (i-condenser), a thermal expansion valve, and an electric drive compressor. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the coolant, generating hot and cold coolant flows that can be used for both cooling and heating the passenger compartment and the drive battery.
HFO-1234yf is widely used in new vehicles, with almost 100% of new passenger cars sold in the EU and nearly 50% of new models worldwide in 2018 using it for air conditioning. It is expected that the usage of HFO-1234yf will continue to grow, with R134a being phased out entirely by 2021.
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HFO-1234yf is slightly flammable
HFO-1234yf, also known as 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene, is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) with the molecular formula CH2=CFCF3. It has been developed as a replacement for R-134a, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) with a high global warming potential (GWP). HFO-1234yf is used as a refrigerant in automotive air conditioning systems and has gained popularity due to its low GWP, estimated to be lower than that of carbon dioxide.
While HFO-1234yf is classified as slightly flammable, it exhibits several characteristics that reduce its overall flammability risk. Firstly, it has a high minimum ignition energy (MIE) requirement, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 millijoules, which indicates a limited number of potential ignition sources in a vehicle. This is significantly higher than the minimum ignition energy required for hydrocarbon refrigerants like propane, making it less likely to ignite.
Additionally, HFO-1234yf has a relatively high lower flammability limit of 6.2% in air, and its burning velocity is low at 1.5 cm/sec. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling suggests that it is unlikely for the lower flammability limit to be reached in the event of a leak into the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The risk of a flammable environment in the passenger compartment is further reduced due to the peak concentrations of HFO-1234yf typically remaining below its lower flammability limit during use.
Extensive risk assessments conducted by automotive industry groups have concluded that HFO-1234yf is safe to use as a refrigerant in vehicles. While it is classified as mildly flammable, it does not increase the fire risk in internal combustion engines. This is supported by testing conducted by SAE International, which demonstrated that HFO-1234yf could not be ignited under typical vehicle operating conditions.
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$19.02 $20.74
HFO-1234yf is more expensive than R134a
The high cost of HFO-1234yf is due to several factors. Firstly, it is a newer technology, and the production and distribution costs may be higher. Secondly, it is a more specialized product, designed to address specific environmental concerns. The previous industry standard, R134a, was introduced in the 1990s as a replacement for R-12, which was found to deplete the ozone layer. However, it was later discovered that R134a contributed to global warming. HFO-1234yf, on the other hand, has a much lower global warming potential (GWP) and is designed to break down within a couple of weeks in the atmosphere.
The higher price of HFO-1234yf has led to some consumers and repair shops considering alternatives or retrofitting their vehicles to use R134a instead. However, this is illegal and can be dangerous, as mixing the two can lead to system damage or failure. Additionally, R134a is being phased out, with several countries banning its use entirely. As of 2021, all passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the United States are required to use HFO-1234yf, and the majority of new models are manufactured with this refrigerant.
Despite the higher cost, HFO-1234yf offers significant environmental benefits and improved performance for electric vehicles. A German manufacturer has developed an HFO-1234yf-based integrated thermal system that can increase the winter cooling range of electric vehicles by up to 20%. This system balances the cooling and heating requirements of the passenger compartment and the drive battery, resulting in reduced battery power consumption and extended range.
While the high cost of HFO-1234yf is a concern, the development of advanced technology lubricants and the increasing demand for more sustainable refrigerants may help drive down prices in the future.
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HFO-1234yf extends the range of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) have typically relied on positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heaters, which are powered by electrical energy. However, PTC heaters are not a very efficient way to warm up cars as they consume a lot of electrical energy to create heat. This results in a range penalty in winter, reducing the cruising range of a fully charged EV by up to half.
A German manufacturer has developed an HFO-1234yf-based integrated thermal system that can increase the winter cooling range by up to 20%. HFO-1234yf is a refrigerant gas designed to replace R134a, which is being phased out due to environmental concerns. It is more sustainable and eco-friendly, with a lower global warming potential (GWP).
The integrated thermal system functions in several modes, including a semi-hermetic refrigerant circuit, a chiller, a coolant-cooled condenser (i-condenser), a thermal expansion valve, and an electric drive compressor. The i-condenser and the chiller have the same function as the condenser and evaporator in a conventional refrigerant circuit. However, instead of exchanging heat with air, the HFO-1234yf exchanges heat with the coolant, generating hot and cold coolant flows. This system can significantly reduce battery power consumption and is easy to control and adapt to future vehicle architectures.
The use of HFO-1234yf in EVs helps to address range anxiety, a pivotal factor in boosting more widespread consumer acceptance of these disruptive vehicles. While the refrigerant itself does not directly improve the range, it enables the heat pump to do so by reducing the power needed to drive the compressor in the system compared to a PTC heater. This results in less drain on the battery, leading to a range increase of about 5% to 30% in very cold weather.
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Frequently asked questions
HFO-1234yf is a chemical refrigerant that is used in new cars in place of R134a. It is sustainable and eco-friendly, and has a very low global warming potential.
HFO-1234yf is used as a refrigerant in an integrated thermal system that functions in several modes. This system uses a semi-hermetic refrigerant circuit, comprising a chiller, a coolant-cooled condenser, a thermal expansion valve, and an electric drive compressor. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the coolant, generating hot and cold coolant flows. This helps to balance the cooling and heating requirements for the passenger compartment and the battery, which can have a significant impact on the electric vehicle range.
HFO-1234yf helps to extend the range of electric vehicles by reducing battery power consumption. It is also easy to control and can be readily adapted to future vehicle architectures. Additionally, it is a robust, stable, and reliable refrigerant gas that can last for up to ten years without any system leaks.
