Refrigerant Management Status and Proposals in Japan

Fluorocarbons are working fluids for air conditioning and refrigeration (AC&R) systems, but they deplete the ozone layer and cause global warming that has become a major issue in recent years. In order to develop a healthier and more sustainable society and also for Japan to achieve 2050 carbon neutrality, AC&R systems with the lowest possible environmental burden should be developed. Under these circumstances, there is a demand for refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP) values and systems with higher efficiency. In addition, the ensuring of safety, low refrigerant charges, systems without a risk of refrigerant leakage during operation, systems that facilitate refrigerant recovery during disposal or maintenance, and construction of a refrigerant management system are desirable. However, research and development (R&D) and practical use have just begun for new refrigerants with the same level of performance as existing refrigerants, but with lower GWPs.