Fact Sheets > Tune-Air^® for R-134a Mobile Systems

A/C Background for Introduction of Tune-Air^®

Moisture is an air conditioning systems worst enemy. In the presence of chlorofluorocarbon based refrigerants, it forms hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids which chemically corrode system components from the inside out. Also, this moisture acts as a dead load on the system; thereby reducing the systems output and efficiency.

Cold Facts About Moisture

The problem of moisture contamination has been recognized by the industry for many years. In automobiles, for example, 80% of all system failures can be traced to moisture contamination. The current state-of-the-art in dealing with this moisture is through the use of desiccant based “moisture traps”. These “traps” typically use silica gels or aluminum oxides (less common) which trap and hold a percentage of the moisture in the system. Because of their design, they can never dry the system completely and lose the efficiency as they age. The untrapped or “free” moisture continues to circulate with the refrigerant forming acids and robbing thermal efficiency. An additional problem with driers of this type is that over time (as they saturate with moisture), they physically break down into a pumice or talc which is released into the system, resulting in restrictions on mechanical abrasions.

Moisture negatively impacts the efficiency of the system since the heat required to vaporize moisture (and which must later be removed to condense) is 50% higher then that of the refrigerant. It will vaporize as is passes through the expansion valve; but is unable to condense on the high side of the system since the condenser cannot remove enough heat energy from the moisture fast enough to allow it to condense. The result is that the refrigerant returning to the valve contains small gaseous water which was not liquefied in the condenser. These bubbles generate no cooling as they pass through the expansion valve (since they are already gas) and displace liquid; thereby reducing the amount of liquid refrigerant that passes through the expansion valve every hour.

How Moisture Acts in A/C Systems

To understand how moisture acts in an air conditioning system, one has to look at the thermodynamics of the system itself. An air conditioning system circulates refrigerant in a closed loop with two distinct sides:

• HIGH (or liquid)
  


• LOW (or gas) As pictured below

As the liquid refrigerant passes through the expansion valve or orifice, it vaporizes rapidly causing the temperature of the now gaseous refrigerant to fall. This cooled refrigerant is passed through an evaporator which cools air as it passed through. The freon is now a relatively warm gas as it leaves the evaporator. It then enters the compressor which raises the refrigerants pressure 150 psi (back to high side pressure). This recompression cause the temperature of the gas to rise rapidly. The gas then flows into the condenser which removes the heat from the refrigerant as air passes through causing it to condense to a liquid and cool. This gives one a warm liquid refrigerant to return to the expansion valve.

Cold Air

An example which everyone has experienced is that of a new cars air conditioning system. When a car is brand new, its air conditioning system generally operates extremely well producing CRISP COLD AIR. As the system ages (1-2 years) the A/C system still works but never seems to put out the cold air as it did when the car was new. Moisture accumulation in the system is the reason. The real problem here is not so much the loss of COOLING EFFICIENCY as is the formation of acids which the loss of cooling is only a symptom.

Why Our Tune-Air^® Works

Our Tune-Air^® additive eliminates the systems moisture chemically, by converting it into a silicone oil which blends with, and works in conjunction with the standard refrigerant oil already in the system. The advantage to this approach is that chemical elimination is much more efficient then “trapping” moisture and allows the user to achieve a “bone-dry” system. Also one application, 4 oz. can, will contain sufficient active chemical to maintain a “bone-dry” system for 10 years in a typical system.

Our Tune-Air^® Solution > 5-10 Degrees Plus Colder

When Tune-Air^® is introduced into a typical 2-3 year old system, the following results are obtained:

• THE AIR TEMPERATURE as measured at the outlet duct will drop an average at least 5 degrees F. This is a typical result on most systems.
  


• THE HIGH SIDE pressure will drop approximately 10%.
  
  
• AS THE chemical CIRCULATES and ELIMINATES the moisture, all acids are neutralized. No moisture=no acid. No acid=no corrosions.

Long Term Benefits of Tune-Air^®

By using our Tune-Air^® conventional drier life will be EXTENDED INDEFINITELY since the drying “work” is achieved through the chemicals. (in some systems, it is possible to eliminate the drier entirely). Referring back to the THERMODYNAMICS of the system discussed above,

Tune-Air^® achieves these results by eliminating moisture COMPLETELY FROM THE SYSTEM allowing the refrigerant to fully condense on the “high side” of the system. As the full flow of liquid refrigerant to the expansion valve is restored (elimination of moisture “bubbles”), the 10 DEGREES PLUS COLDER outlet temperature is obtained.

How to Use Tune-Air^®

Using Tune-Air^® is relatively simple. A 609 licensed, experienced A/C technician who knows how to work with refrigerants in automotive air conditioning systems can install the product successfully. Tune-Air^® is packaged in a standard 4 oz. can and uses refrigerant as the carrier. Tune-Air^® can be used as a stand alone product. It is the standard product, which is used in conjuction with Cryoseal® in our SSR R-134a Kits