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Tata, Mahle Partner on Next-Gen A/C System
Tata Motors Ltd. and Mahle Industries Inc. have agreed to develop a secondary-loop mobile air conditioning system (SL-MAC) that improves a vehicle’s energy efficiency and allows the use of more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
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Tata Motors Ltd. and Mahle Industries Inc. have agreed to develop a secondary-loop mobile air conditioning system (SL-MAC) that improves a vehicle’s energy efficiency and allows the use of more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
The development project, which is part of a global sustainability initiative, promises to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 3% when a vehicle’s air conditioning system is used. Under the program, Tata and Mahle are testing the use of HF01234yf and HFC-152a refrigerants, which have a lower global warming potential (GWP) rating than the current HFC-134a.
In a SL-MAC system, the main refrigerant acts on a secondary fluid/coolant, which then cools the passenger cabin. This enables the use of HFC-152a and HFO-1234yf, which are slightly flammable—thus can’t enter the passenger compartment—but have substantially lower GWPs than HFC-134a’s rating of 1,300. HFC-152a has a 138 GWP. HFO-1234yf is rated at less than 1 but isn’t as energy efficient.
The design also has a high cooling capacity, minimizes energy losses and optimizes overall thermodynamic efficiency, according to the partners. As a result, the compressor can be turned off under certain circumstances for short intervals without losing cooling performance.
A prototype SL-MAC system was tested earlier this year at Mahle’s facility in Lockport, N.Y. Real-world testing in a specially equipped Tata utility vehicle is to begin later this summer in India. The partners also are evaluating the overall life-cycle carbon footprints and costs of HFC-152a and HFO-1234yf.
The joint development program is sponsored by the United Nations Environment Program and the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development. Other group partners include the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, California Air Resources Board, Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide, U.S. National Renewable Energy Lab and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.