Honeywell Refrigerant Helps Homeowners Convert the Sun's Heat Into Power

October 28, 2009

Organic rankine cycle using Honeywell's 245fa refrigerant turns heat from solar panels into electricity

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that its Genetron® R-245fa refrigerant is being used to help homeowners generate electricity from the sun's heat while offsetting energy costs.

Honeywell's energy-efficient refrigerant is being used in an organic rankine cycle (ORC) called the 35Z Micro Power Plant, manufactured by Germany-based Turbolina GmbH & Co. KG. The 35Z Micro Power Plant has a unique design that uses water heated by thermal solar panels to evaporate the refrigerant, which in turn drives a turbine to generate electricity. Because no fuel is burned to create the electricity, the unit does not produce any carbon dioxide emissions. The remaining heat from the 35Z can be used to supply heating and hot water.

"When we began designing the 35Z, we knew we needed a reliable, low-temperature working fluid, and Honeywell's R-245fa refrigerant was the perfect choice," said Hermann Helmbold, General Manager of Turbolina. "The 35Z is a source of energy that helps homeowners both reduce their carbon emissions and become independent from traditional sources of energy."

R-245fa is non-flammable, non-ozone-depleting and has low toxicity. The heat transfer properties of Honeywell's R-245fa, including its low boiling point of 59.5 F (15.3 C), makes it ideal for use in ORC systems that use low-temperature heat and waste heat to generate electricity.

"This unique application is a great example of how Honeywell technologies are helping homeowners become more energy-efficient," said David Diggs, global business director for Honeywell Fluorine Products.

The 35Z offers an electrical power output of 3.5kW, which is ideally suited to the needs of homeowners. Turbolina specializes in the development, production and sale of ORC systems that convert low temperature heat into electricity. The company offers ORC technology in sizes up to 500KW to meet the needs of differing heat recovery opportunities.

Honeywell is a recognized, leading innovator in advanced energy-efficiency refrigerants for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as other heat transfer fluid applications. Honeywell has consistently helped manufacturers replace ozone-depleting substances and has ongoing research and development efforts to develop environmentally superior solutions for customers around the world.

For more information, visit www.genetron.com.

Honeywell Specialty Materials is a global leader in providing customers with high-performance specialty materials, including fluorine products; specialty films and additives; advanced fibers and composites; intermediates; specialty chemicals; electronic materials and chemicals; and technologies and materials for petroleum refining.

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

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SOURCE Honeywell