Daikin launches a new generation of inverter driven air-cooled and water-cooled screw chiller series with refrigerant R-1234ze(E). The Air-cooled chiller range (TZ series) will be available from 130 kW up to 830 kW cooling capacity, whereas, Water-cooled chiller range (VZ series) will be available from 340 kW up to 1600 kW cooling capacity.

The selection of R-1234ze(E) minimizes the global warming impact of screw compressor chillers. R-1234ze(E) is a HFO refrigerant (Hydro Fluoro Olefins) with Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) equal to zero (0) and the Global Warming Potential (GWP) is 7 (according to the EU F-gas Regulation based on IPCC Fourth Assessment Report). The GWP value is less than 1 according to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report.

The new range of screw compressor chillers will be equipped with Daikin design inverter driven single screw compressor with Variable Volume Ratio (VVR) technology. An inverter drive modulates chiller capacity at part load in the most efficient way, while VVR (Variable Volume Ratio) adjusts compressor operation at any temperature conditions. A sliding valve fine-tunes refrigerant discharge pressure to match the operating condensing pressure. In this way refrigerant is compressed to just the right pressure level thus minimizing the energy losses typical of standard compressors designed with fixed volume ratio. Inverter drive for capacity control and VVR for discharge pressure fine-tuning, are working synergistically in order to optimize unit efficiency at any operating condition.

Due to this superior technology, current Daikin R-134a and new R-1234ze(E) series are already compliant with 2021 Ecodesign efficiency requirements. The R-134a ranges will be maintained in Daikin product portfolio allowing for a smooth market transition. The introduction of the new R-1234ze(E) range will provide a long-term solution that supports the HFC phase down schedule of the F-gas Regulation.

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