U.S. Startup Develops Solid Refrigerant Technology to Make Cooling Systems More Climate-Friendly

A Massachusetts startup is developing a solid alternative to conventional refrigerants used in air conditioners, refrigerators and other cooling systems, as the industry seeks to reduce the environmental impact of the chemicals that make modern refrigeration possible.

Pascal is developing solid refrigerant technology designed to reduce the environmental impact of cooling systems. [Photo: Business Wire]

Pascal, based in Watertown, Massachusetts, has secured an additional $9.3 million in funding through venture investment and grants to advance commercialization of its technology, Alex Knapp reported for Forbes.

The company announced the funding recently and said it was preparing an initial commercial deployment with a multinational beverage manufacturer.

Conventional refrigeration systems commonly rely on refrigerants that circulate through equipment to absorb and release heat.

Some refrigerants have a high global-warming potential if released into the atmosphere, while certain substances used historically in cooling systems have also damaged the ozone layer.

One important distinction is that R-22, a refrigerant widely used for decades, is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, or HCFC, rather than a chlorofluorocarbon, or CFC. R-22 was also phased out under regulations aimed at protecting the ozone layer.

Pascal's technology uses a solid refrigerant material rather than relying on conventional liquid refrigerants.

According to co-founder Adam Slavney, pressurized carbon dioxide can be introduced into a porous solid material, causing it to heat up. That heat can then be released to the surroundings. Reversing the process cools the material, allowing it to absorb heat from the environment.

The principle is intended to perform the same fundamental task as conventional refrigeration: moving heat from one place to another.

The company's approach is designed to work at pressures compatible with commonly used heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment, potentially allowing it to use existing compressors and other components.

Pascal is not the only company pursuing alternatives to conventional cooling technology.

Other businesses, including Phononic, have developed different approaches, such as thermoelectric cooling.

Slavney says Pascal's design could offer practical advantages by using commercially available components and operating within familiar pressure ranges.

The company is now preparing to test its system in a commercial application, with further deployment planned as it evaluates performance and cost.

The technology's wider potential will depend on results from real-world installations, including energy efficiency, reliability, manufacturing costs and its ability to scale to larger cooling applications.