Brazed plate heat exchangers for low-GWP refrigerants

New solutions for cooling

The first universally ratified environmental treaty, the 1987 Montreal Protocol, was created to protect Earth’s ozone layer. The European Union and 197 non-EU countries agreed to the gradual phase out of high global-warming-potential (GWP) synthetic refrigerants, including Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Phasing out HFCs

The Montreal Protocol commits developed countries to a gradual HFC phase down, with an 85% reduction in HFCs by the late 2040s. To ensure that it can achieve its ambitious targets, the EU introduced F-gas regulations that will lead to a faster and more comprehensive phaseout of HFCs.

Refrigerants to be phased out include:

R-32: GWP 675
R-134a: GWP 1430
R-410A GWP 208
R-404A GWP 392
R-513A GWP 631

SWEP for next-generation refrigerants

SWEP works closely with customers and other component suppliers to adapt their systems to low-GWP refrigerants. Our highly efficient BPHEs can be optimized for use with all types of refrigerants. Our offer includes SWEP All-Stainless™ technology, a 100% copper-free product range that uses brazing material that mimics the composition of the stainless-steel plates. SWEP All-Stainless technology is ideal for use with ammonia, and in other demanding applications where copper might react with refrigerants or working fluids.

About SWEP All Stainless

Sustainable natural refrigerants

Natural refrigerants that have both low global warming potential (GWP) and low ozone depleting potential are a sustainable alternative to synthetic refrigerants. Carbon dioxide (CO₂/R-744), propane (C₃H₈/R-290), ammonia (NH₃/R-717) and brine and are suitable for a growing range of HVAC and industry applications.

Propane - C₃H₈/R-290

Propane is non-toxic and non-corrosive, with a GWP of 3 and an ODP of 0. It delivers excellent thermodynamic performance with a low refrigerant charge. It can handle both low evaporating temperatures and high condensing temperatures. Propane is suitable for many applications, including heat pumps and chillers. However, it is highly flammable and subject to stringent safety restrictions.

More about heat pumps

Ammonia - NH₃/R-717

Ammonia is an efficient, environmentally-friendly refrigerant with a GWP and ODP of 0. Like propane, it offers excellent heat transfer properties at both low evaporating temperatures and high condensing temperatures. However, Ammonia is corrosive and aggressive to copper and therefore only suitable for use with All-Stainless heat exchange technology. It is also highly toxic, and under certain conditions can form flammable mixtures with air. For this reason, Ammonia is subject to strict safety regulations and is used primarily in industrial refrigeration applications.

More about SWEP All Stainless™

Brine

The most common brines are water-glycol solutions, water-ethanol solutions and acetate solutions. Brine is environmentally friendly, with a GWP and ODP of 0. It is primarily used as a secondary refrigerant in low-temperature chiller applications and large refrigeration systems, such as those supplying supermarkets. As a secondary refrigerant, brine makes it possible to use smaller of amounts of a primary refrigerant, saving money and improving the safety profile of the entire system.