Monitoring F-Gas Regulation

Comparison of GWP values and air transportability of various refrigerants: CO₂ (R744) has a GWP value of 1 and can be easily transported by air freight.

Using the natural refrigerant CO₂ (R744), the cooling and tempering units of the HRSC and HRZC series can be easily shipped via air freight. This ensures quick availability of the systems and spare units worldwide.

The cooling and tempering units of the HRZC and HRZF series are designed as direct replacements for existing HRZ models. Identical external dimensions, connection positions, and performance data allow for replacement without extensive modifications to the system or piping layout. Image: The cooling and tempering units of the HRZC and HRZF series are designed as direct replacements for existing HRZ models. Identical external dimensions, connection positions, and performance data enable replacement without extensive adjustments to the system or piping.

The thermoelectric cooling and temperature control devices of the HEF series combine a particularly compact design with quiet operation and precise temperature regulation. Thanks to Peltier technology, they operate entirely without refrigerants.

The cooling and temperature control devices from SMC already rely on future-oriented refrigerants such as CO₂ (R744)

Cooling and temperature control devices are crucial in many industrial applications for stable processes. They maintain circulating media at adjustable temperatures, dissipate process heat, and thereby contribute to product quality, reproducibility, and plant availability. Typical areas of application range from packaging and printing machines to PET applications, laser processes, plastics processing, and high-precision manufacturing processes, for example in the semiconductor industry.

Regulatory requirements are becoming more prominent

Today, for machine and plant builders, the required cooling capacity is no longer the sole decisive factor. There is demand for cooling and temperature control devices that ensure precise temperature regulation, high process stability, and long-term planning security. Due to the tightened requirements of the EU F-Gas Regulation, the choice of refrigerant becomes increasingly important. The goal of (EU) 2024/573 includes further reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), including a phased restriction of the available quantities of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) on the market until their phase-out in 2050.

Wide portfolio for different applications

SMC offers a broad portfolio covering various performance ranges, designs, and operating conditions. This ranges from highly precise standard models with 220 W cooling capacity to powerful solutions with up to 38 kW for demanding applications. Additionally, 19-inch rack-mounted units, systems with two cooling circuits, environmentally resistant variants made of stainless steel, and specialized solutions, e.g., for the semiconductor industry. Besides the C-series (CO₂), SMC also addresses the requirements of the F-Gas regulation with the F-series (Low GWP refrigerants): Using low-GWP refrigerants like R454C with a GWP of 146, it offers a medium-term solution for smaller device types up to 12 kW cooling capacity. For larger cooling and temperature control devices over 12 kW, it provides a longer-term perspective with the refrigerant R32 (GWP 675), as its GWP value is well below the set limit of 750 from 2027. R32, which is not classified as a PFAS, will not be affected by EU efforts to reduce PFAS emissions under REACH regulation. CO₂, as a natural refrigerant, is also unaffected.

HRSC series

A key component for greater regulatory planning security is the HRSC series. These cooling and temperature control devices use the natural refrigerant CO₂ (R744) with a GWP of 1. Therefore, CO₂ is not subject to the HFC quota system of the F-Gas Regulation. Depending on the configuration, the HRSC series achieves cooling capacities from 1.3 to 11.5 kW, temperature stability of ±0.1 °C, and a temperature setting range from 5 to 40 °C, with the HRSC100 version covering 5 to 35 °C.

Facilitating modernization of existing temperature control concepts

SMC provides solutions that are already aligned with the requirements of more regulated refrigeration technology. By choosing CO₂-based devices for new machine concepts or modernization, the risk of later conversions due to refrigerant availability, HFC quotas, or regulatory changes can be reduced. The HRSC series is also designed as a direct replacement for the HRS series, without the need for modifications to piping or plant layout. This simplifies the modernization of existing temperature control concepts, shortens evaluation and integration efforts, and offers machine and plant builders a practical way to convert existing cooling processes to CO₂-based, F-Gas-compliant technology. Once converted, the CO₂ devices can be shipped easily by air freight. This ensures the system and temperature control device arrive quickly at the customer’s location worldwide. And if a device is damaged, this fast transportation prevents long machine downtimes.

"The decision on which cooling and temperature control solution makes sense depends on actual needs: temperature range, cooling capacity, temperature stability, installation environment, communication requirements, energy efficiency, and refrigerant strategy must fit the respective machine concept," says Joel Maier-Vivet, Product Manager at SMC Germany GmbH.

Precise temperature control for the semiconductor industry

For applications with particularly high requirements for temperature range, accuracy, and process stability, SMC complements its portfolio with the HRZC series for the semiconductor industry. This series also uses CO₂ as a refrigerant. The standard solution offers cooling capacities of 2, 4, 8, and 10 kW, a temperature stability of ±0.1 °C, and an adjustable set temperature from −20 to +90 °C. It also supports communication options such as contact I/O, serial RS-485 communication, analog communication, and DeviceNet. The SMC Corporation further complements its portfolio with an HRZF010 using the refrigerant R454C (GWP 148). This medium-term alternative has a cooling capacity of 10 kW.

Frequency-controlled pumps and compressors in these specially developed cooling and temperature control devices for the semiconductor industry ensure excellent energy efficiency, naturally compliant with the key SEMI standards S2, S8, and F47.

The older HRZ series can be replaced 1:1 with the new HRZC and HRZF series.

Cooling and temperature control devices without refrigerant

In addition to CO₂ and "Low-GWP" devices, SMC offers cooling and temperature control devices entirely without refrigerants. Instead of a conventional refrigeration cycle with a compressor, SMC provides thermo-electric cooling and temperature control devices from the HEC, HECR, and HEF series, which utilize the Peltier effect for precise cooling and heating of liquids. The use of fluorinated refrigerants is eliminated, and the associated requirements related to the F-Gas Regulation are not relevant for these devices. Users benefit from quiet, vibration-free operation and high temperature stability for demanding applications in analytics, laser technology, medical technology, or semiconductor manufacturing.

The HECR series offers a space-saving solution for installation in 19-inch systems, while the HEF series is designed for maximum compactness with minimal space requirements. All three series combine precise temperature regulation with a sustainable technology concept, helping companies make their cooling processes more environmentally friendly and future-proof.

Portfolio approach for long-term machine concepts

This broad range also offers advantages internationally. With around 400 sales subsidiaries in 82 countries, SMC provides a wide product program. For globally active machine builders, this simplifies the selection, standardization, and support of cooling and temperature control solutions across borders.

"Machine builders today need temperature control technology that not only matches the required cooling capacity but also fits the operating point, plant environment, and regulatory outlook. This is exactly where our portfolio's strength lies: we can provide suitable cooling and temperature control solutions for very different requirements and help customers design their machines reliably, efficiently, and with long-term planning," summarizes Tobias Bachmeier, Team Manager Temperature Control at the German Technical Center of SMC Germany GmbH.

As a manufacturer, partner, and solution provider for pneumatic and electrical automation technology, SMC supports customers from component selection to application-specific solutions with comprehensive expertise and reliable service. This advice becomes especially important for cooling and temperature control devices: those developing or modernizing machines today must not only meet current process requirements but also keep an eye on availability, energy efficiency, integration capability, and regulatory requirements throughout the entire lifecycle.