HD Hyundai Heavy, Eco-Friendly Ship Cooling... Development of 'Ammonia Refrigerant'

Acquired ABS Basic Approval
"Accelerating Maritime Carbon Neutrality"

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has developed an eco-friendly ship air conditioning system that causes no environmental pollution.

On the 5th, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries obtained Approval In Principle certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its "Ammonia Refrigerant HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) System." The HVAC system is a device that integrates the control of air conditions such as heating, cooling, and ventilation inside ships to maintain a comfortable environment.

The HVAC developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries uses ammonia, an eco-friendly substance, as the refrigerant. Ammonia is an environmentally friendly refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) close to 1, indicating minimal impact on global warming. Compared to R410A, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant mainly used in household air conditioners, which has a GWP of about 2000, ammonia has almost no warming effect. It also causes no ozone layer depletion or carbon emissions.

However, ammonia has been limited to industrial large-capacity systems such as ice making, freezing, and refrigeration on land, and has not been applied to ship HVAC systems due to its flammability and toxicity to humans.

On the 5th, at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries headquarters in Ulsan, Lee Hwan-sik, head of the ship design division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (right), and Kim Seong-hoon, ABS Korea sales representative, are taking a commemorative photo for obtaining the Approval in Principle (AIP) certification for the "Ammonia Refrigerant HVAC System." Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

Based on the newly established ABS regulations for ammonia refrigerant application this year, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries developed the ammonia refrigerant HVAC system by configuring system circuit diagrams and layout drawings. ABS conducted legal and technical reviews of the system.

The HVAC system developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries features the installation of the ammonia refrigerant compressor, a toxic substance, in a separate dedicated space, and thoroughly ensures safety by establishing gas detectors, alarms, and emergency ventilation systems to prepare for leaks. While separating the ammonia compressor, it is placed close to the HVAC air handler unit in the crew living quarters to minimize cost increases.

Lee Hwan-sik, head of the ship design division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said, “We will continue to strive to realize maritime carbon neutrality by enhancing the eco-friendliness of the entire ship, not just the propulsion system.”