Amid the global wave of low – carbon transformation, carbon dioxide (CO₂) air conditioners have emerged as a crucial alternative to traditional refrigeration equipment, thanks to their unique technological advantages. Their core breakthrough lies in the use of CO₂ as a natural refrigerant, which fundamentally resolves the conflict between environmental protection and efficiency.
Technically, CO₂ air conditioners are centered on a transcritical cycle system. Unlike traditional refrigerants that rely on phase – change heat transfer, CO₂ possesses both liquid and gas properties in a supercritical state, boosting heat transfer efficiency by over 30%. Even in high – temperature environments above 40°C, the attenuation of cooling capacity can be controlled within 15%, far outperforming traditional models. Meanwhile, the electronic expansion valve equipped in the system can adjust the refrigerant flow in real – time. When combined with high – efficiency microchannel heat exchangers, it can accurately match different load requirements and further reduce energy consumption.
In terms of characteristics, the environmental friendliness of CO₂ air conditioners is particularly prominent. With an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of 0 and a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of only 1, they fully comply with the requirements for low – GWP refrigerants in the EU’s F – Gas Regulation and can effectively reduce carbon emissions in the refrigeration process. Additionally, they have a wide temperature range adaptability and can operate stably within the range of -20°C to 50°C. They are not only suitable for commercial buildings in tropical regions but also can meet the winter heating needs in temperate regions without the need for additional auxiliary heat sources.
Nowadays, CO₂ air conditioners have been widely used in scenarios such as European supermarkets and Nordic residences. As technological costs gradually decrease, this refrigeration solution that balances environmental protection and efficiency is paving a new path for global green buildings and sustainable refrigeration.
