November 19, 2004—Modine Mfg. Co. has won a second-generation contract with the US Army, Research, Development and Engineering Command to continue to develop alternative HVAC systems that use transcritical carbon dioxide (CO2) technology. Modine, a worldwide leader in heating and cooling technology, will demonstrate its technology on an Up-Armored M1114 High Mobility Multi Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), which is in active use by the military in hot climate such as Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in Environment Control Units (ECU) used to provide space heating and cooling for equipment and personnel.
These new prototype environmental control systems and components use CO2 as the refrigerant, which provides a number of advantages over the current R134a refrigerant CO2 is a “natural” refrigerant that is pulled from the air and if leaked, poses no threat to the environment. It also releases no harmful hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) gases. It is non-toxic and non-flammable and enjoys the highest safety rating established by commercial standards.
Modine explains that in extreme temperatures, around 130F, CO2 is an excellent refrigerant. In addition to its environmental benefits, it also cooks more quickly than current systems, is more fuel-efficient, and takes up less space in the vehicle. In addition, CO2 provides excellent heating for the ECUs when operating the system in heat pump mode.
The first generation contract, awarded in September 2003 for $1.35 million, allowed Modine to develop both climate control systems and outfit the first CO2 cooled HMMWV and ECU. According to Modine, this second generation contract, valued at $2.975 million, and lasting 12 months, will allow Modine to optimize the designs for both performance and manufacturing. A fleet filed trial could follow this second contract, sometime later next year.
Army experts say the system has performance, environmental, and logistical advantages over existing systems for the 9,000 lb. HMMWV. These HMMWVs are being deployed as armored vehicles, with heavily equipped soldiers operating in extreme temperatures under very stressful conditions. A higher performing cooling system that comes in a more compact and lightweight package offers operational advantages.
