Italian refrigeration component manufacturer OLAB has cut its reliance on Teflon by using PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) -free gaskets in the majority of its components for CO 2 (R744) systems, said Giacomo Bottura, Sales Department Manager.
Instead of using gaskets made with fluorocarbons PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), the company uses EPDM (ethylene propylene) O-rings in its products to provide leak-proof sealings, Bottura told NaturalRefrigerants.com at Chillventa 2024. Chillventa, held October 8 to October 10, is one of the world’s largest HVAC&R trade shows. constant temperature mixer
EPDM is a synthetic elastomer with “excellent” chemical and thermal resistance, according to U.S. supplier Marco Rubber and Plastics.
“We don’t want to produce a product that is dangerous for the planet, and we don’t want to emit something bad during manufacturing processes,” Bottura said. “With EPDM, I think it is the first time in the world that there is a PFAS-free gasket.”
In 2023, five European nations presented a proposal under the EU’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation to restrict PFAS manufacturing and use. A recent EU study calls for auditing Teflon production plants to ensure they’re properly destroying HFC-23, a super greenhouse gas and Teflon byproduct.
“We developed the PFAS-free O-ring working with one of our long-term partners,” Bottura told NaturalRefrigerants.com. “However, we hope this concept transfers to more suppliers.”
According to Bottura, OLAB has also reduced its use of PFAS by manufacturing changeover valves with parallel threading instead of MPT (male pipe threading), negating the need for a Teflon wrap to seal against leakage.
Reusability also plays a role in the design of OLAB’s products, Bottura told NaturalRefrigerants.com. The weld-free attachment of the company’s revolution series CO 2 ball valve ‒ showcased at Chillventa 2022 ‒ allows the return of the valve body to OLAB at the end of its gasket life.
“We can replace the gasket inside, and the refurbished ball valve is as good as new,” Bottora said. “There is no waste.”
OLAB brought nine new products for CO 2 systems to Chillventa 2024, including a brass ball valve, a moisture indicator with a sight glass and a changeover valve with swivel connections.
According to Bottura, OLAB was presenting the 80bar (1,160psi) Revolution Turbo ball valve to the public for the first time ever at the event. With a brass body, the unit serves as a ball valve and an access point to the refrigeration circuit.
“In one component, we have provided two different solutions for CO 2 subcritical state operations,” Bottura said.
The new Masterflow component exhibited by the manufacturer indicates CO 2 moisture content through a crystal sight glass, which can be maintained instead of thrown away when it becomes dirty.
“The point of the sight glass is that you don’t destroy the gasket inside,” Bottura said. “Instead of cutting the pipe and throwing away the dirty side, a technician unscrews the sight glass connection, cleans the sight glass and reassembles the system.”
The company’s new 130bar (1,885psi) changeover valve, dubbe “FastPro,” displayed at the event comes with a patented 1in (2.54cm) cylindrical gas swivel inlet.
“All of the connections in the changeover valve swivel for easy assembly,” Bottura told NaturalRefrigerants.com. “With the parallel threading, we increase the quality of the circuit. Since there is no Teflon wrap, there is no CO 2 leakage.”
“With EPDM, I think it is the first time in the world that we have a PFAS-free gasket.”
Giacomo Bottura, Sales Department Manager at OLAB
OLAB Series Revolution – Flanged Ball Valve
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