Most air-conditioners and heat pumps sold around the world use a refrigerant called R-22. Emissions of R-22 are considered by some experts to be a significant factor in depleting the ozone layer that protects animals and people from harmful rays from the sun.
Active Fiji has made a commitment to fit environmentally friendlier systems in all its operations. The company made the choice of a new air-conditioning system on board Tui Tai that uses a more efficient and environmentally friendlier refrigerant called R-410.
The Fujitsu Inverter System or Halcyon System employs 4 units in the cargo hold to power all of the 16 indoor units in the cabins, staterooms and spa. Each indoor unit can be operated independently. That is, on/off, temperature, air movement, up/down/left/right, time clock operation, can all be controlled from their own wireless remote.
The Fujitsu Inverter System is equipped with a state of the art DC twin rotary compressor. It can reach the room temperature you set 15% quicker than conventional models and precisely maintain it at a difference of just 0.5°C. Advanced DC twin rotary compressor makes operation at high power and high efficiency a reality. The high efficiency DC Inverter multi system offers energy saving operation and 50% higher efficiency than a constant speed multi system. Improved Inverter cooling ratio prevents a drop in capacity when operating when under high load conditions. Se the website for full details see Fujitsu Website.
What makes R-410A a better refrigerant?
It’s Environmentally Friendlier. If our system ever leaks, the escaping refrigerant won’t contribute to ozone depletion
"State of the Art"
R-410A air conditioning is today’s “state of the art” systems, and utilizes the most current technology available for efficient and reliable operation. The heart of every air conditioner is the compressor, and newer systems are specifically designed to use R-410A refrigerant. It incorporates smaller, heavier-duty “scroll-type” compressors that are quieter and operate with less damaging vibration than older compressors that operate on R-22. Since R-410A can absorb and release heat more efficiently than R-22 ever could, compressors with R-410A run cooler than R-22 systems, reducing the risk of burnout due to overheating.
The new system uses a synthetic lubricant that helps to keep the system operating smoothly. All air-conditioning systems use an oil that circulates through the inside of the system to keep all of the parts well lubricated, just like the engine of your car. R-22 air conditioners use an oil known as “mineral oil” that has been used for decades. R-410A air conditioners use newer synthetic lubricants that are usually more soluble with the R-410A than the old mineral oils are with the older R-22 refrigerants. This means the synthetic lubricants and R-410A can mix and circulate more efficiently to keep the compressor and other moving parts lubricated, reducing wear and extending their life. Also, just as many new cars use synthetic oils because they are less likely to break down under high stress and heat, the new synthetic oils used in R-410A air conditioners are less likely to break down under extreme conditions.
The Theory of Ozone Depletion
What is ozone?
Ozone is a type of molecule that is made of 3 connected oxygen atoms, which is written in scientific terms as O3. It is mostly found in the stratosphere, and absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation that would otherwise find it’s way down to us and cause a variety of problems for humans, animals, and plants. Stratospheric ozone is different from ground-level ozone, which contributes to smog in our cities.
How could CFCs and HCFCs affect the ozone layer?
Ozone is constantly being made in our atmosphere, mostly by collisions of oxygen molecules (O2) and oxygen atoms (O). Ozone is also constantly being destroyed by similar collisions between O3 molecules and O atoms, resulting in pairs of O2 molecules. In theory then, there is a balance between creation and destruction that results in a constant layer of ozone.
The full names for CFCs and HCFCs are Chlorofluorocarbons and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons. CFC molecules are made of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon, and HCFC molecules also have hydrogen atoms attached. The widely accepted theory of ozone depletion is that these molecules, once emitted to the atmosphere, eventually are broken down over long periods of time into their individual atoms. The chlorine atoms then react with the ozone and cause ozone destruction to happen faster than ozone creation.
Why is ozone depletion considered bad?
Because stratospheric ozone protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays, ozone depletion means people, animals and plants are all affected by these rays when the ozone layer fails to stop them. This may include:
- Increases in skin cancers.
- Increases in cataracts of the eyes which can result in loss of sight.
- Reduction in the yields of important food crops, according to some scientists.
Why can’t R-410A affect the ozone layer?
R-410A is not a CFC or an HCFC. It is called an HFC, or hydrofluorocarbon, and is made of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. Because it has no chlorine, it won’t interact with the ozone layer once it breaks down.
Active Fiji is commitedd to helping build a better environement in the Fiji Islands and globally. We have made a financial commitment to purchase environmentally friendlier systems, even though the cost is considerably higher than the older, damagaing alternative.
(This information was found from a number of websites and brochures. For more information see : http://www.410a.com/index.html)
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