Global tests show support for R744

Facing increasing legislative pressure to cut on greenhouse gas emissions from MAC systems, car manufacturers, suppliers and engineers met to discuss technical requirements for environmentally sustainable and safe fluids. General findings show that R744 is one of the most appropriate options to replace the current refrigerant HFC-134a. More specifically, carmakers and institutes presented detailed research results on the performance of R744 (CO2) technologies. Interventions focused on: ? the packaging option and lubricants requirements for R744 systems, ? the modeling and simulation of R744 components, ? the application of R744 MAC systems on hybrid vehicles, and ? the environmental benefits of R744 having an ultra-low Global Warming Potential The Symposium also comprised vehicle rides to compare comfort levels, breath level and panel outlet temperature of different MAC systems. The global system supplier Visteon provided a test vehicle equipped with a R744 cooling circuit. Background The 7th SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Alternate Refrigerant Systems Symposium held 26-29 June, 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona hosted 222 world industry representatives from 15 countries. Attendees included governmental representatives, carmakers, MAC and components suppliers, as well as testing and engineering companies. SAE has more than 90,000 members from 97 countries: engineers, business executives, educators, and students. It develops standards, organizes events and provides technical information to design, build, maintain, and operate vehicles.