OR-94-05-3 -- An Efficient New Automobile Air Conditioning System Based on CO2 Vapour Compression

Describes the new system whose basic principles are similar to those of current CFC/HFC units. States that with the construction and testing of a laboratory prototype, it has been documented that the new system is highly competitive with current CFC-12 and HFC-134a units in terms of efficiency, capacity, cost, weight and dimensions. Argues that the CO2 concept thus offers a solution to the environmental problems associated with automobile air conditioning and eliminates all uncertainties with respect to possible unforeseen effects from new refrigerant compounds. Notes further advantages of using CO2 as a refrigerant.

KEYWORDS: Carbon dioxide, refrigerants, motor vehicles, compression refrigeration, R134a, prototypes,performance, laboratory testing, costs, air conditioning, R12