ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013 - (Page 20)

DuPont announces production of HFO-1234yf In mid-October, DuPont Fluorochemicals announced that it has successfully established supply of its Opteon YF (HFO1234yf) refrigerant from China and Japan, and has put firm plans in place for further expansions. DuPont said the company’s partner in China has now obtained registration of HFO-1234yf from the China Ministry of Environmental Protection and that commercial shipments have begun. Delays in obtaining the manufacturing permits slowed use of the new refrigerant worldwide and had a particular effect in Europe where use of low-GWP refrigerant is now required for any all-new light vehicle. refrigerant. The extension was valid through Dec 31, 2012. However, R-1234yf is becoming available to manufacturers and has begun shipping in quantity. Noting this and citing the EC’s mandate to use low GWP chemicals, Ms. Connie Hedegaard, the EC Climate Action commissioner said in November that the waiver will not be extended for manufacturers. She said, “We met with carmakers and told them they have had long enough warning.” Eliminating HFCs Fluorinated gases, often used as refrigerants, are again the subject of agitated discussion in Europe and elsewhere. Environmentalists want them eliminated from production as soon as possible due to their high global warming potential but others, including the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) – a coalition of manufacturers and equipment suppliers in Europe – are calling for a measured phase-down over time. Other countries including Australia, Mexico and France are looking at similar proposals. An outright ban, suggested by supporters for 2020, would “orphan” hundreds of thousands of modern vehicles built with R-134a refrigerant plus any number of commercial refrigeration units. No present alternate refrigerant could be “dropped in” to these systems, so each would require modification before a recharge could be done. Calling for “a realistic and achievable schedule,” EPEE and others have suggested reducing consumption and production of commercial HFCs to 65% of today’s level by 2030. Supporters say the phase-down coupled with smaller, tighter systems will achieve the desired reductions in emissions without cutting off production. SAE begins new R-1234yf Cooperative Research Program In response to Daimler’s questions about the safe usage of R-1234yf based on their recent tests, SAE International has begun another Cooperative Research Program (CRP) involving global automobile manufacturers Audi, BMW, Chrysler/Fiat, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, PSA, Renault and Toyota. The new research team will perform an updated engineering analysis and has begun by conducting a detailed review of the original Fault Tree Analysis. They chose to expand the trees to ensure that newly-identified information and testing from each of the OEMs is incorporated. This study has highlighted concerns with relying on one test to be reflective of real world collisions across vehicle applications. To date, the majority of the OEMs involved in the new CRP do not believe that any of the new information reviewed will lead to a change in the overall risk assessment. Several OEMs have shared their test results; with the exception of Daimler, no OEM in the CRP has provided information that would suggest a concern for the safe use of R-1234yf in their vehicles. The CRP team continues to hold regular conference calls and face-to-face meetings and expects to be able to provide updated progress reports. The next report is expected by the middle of February. The new risk assessment and publication of the findings is planned for the second quarter of 2013. R-1234yf is approved as an alternative refrigerant by the U.S. EPA and is REACH registered in Europe. Many new vehicles in Europe have received “type approval” to use this refrigerant. It is already in use in vehicles in North America and Europe. FTC says Bosch must sell RTI At the end of November, the Federal Trade Commission said it will require Robert Bosch GmbH to sell its interest in RTI Technologies Inc. of York, Pa. Bosch bought RTI in 2010 and markets a variety of air conditioning service equipment and machines under both brand names. The requirement to sell RTI comes in connection with Bosch’s January 2012 purchase of SPX’s Service Solutions business which manufactures and sells a similar line of A/C products as well as other automotive tools. Examiners found that RTI commands about 10 percent of the market for mobile A/C equipment, and the SPX brands, notably Robinair, hold over 80 percent. The FTC said that ownership of both companies would give Bosch a virtual monopoly in the market and would be anti-competitive. To satisfy regulators and keep the SPX assets, Bosch said it will sell its air conditioning recovery, recycle and recharge business – including RTI – to Mahle Clevite before the end of the year, and will comply with an order to make licenses to certain essential patents available to competitors. After a period of public comment, the FTC is expected to make the order final in early 2013. European Commission The move by Daimler to continue using R-134a is also meeting resistance from government authorities in Europe. In early 2012, the European Commission granted automakers a waiver from prosecution so they could continue making new cars with R-134a due to supply problems for the new 20 ACTION • January / February 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013

ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013
Table of Contents
Outlook
In Bin
Expansion Valve
Technically RELAY-ted
Under The Southern Cross
Leonard’s Law
MACS Letter to Europe
News & Updates
“if I Ever Build a Shop…”
Valves: Oils, Refrigerants – What to Use?
2012 Pioneer Award Honorees
Virtual View
Association News
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - January/February 2013