Inventor Makes Cool Find

The Honolulu Advertiser:

An auto mechanic tinkering on the patio of his Hawaii home appears on the verge of gaining EPA approval for a new refrigerant that could have a big impact on global warming.

Richard Maruya said his HCR188c hydrocarbon blend is designed to replace current refrigerants in air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers that contribute “greenhouse” gases to the atmosphere, and use less electricity in the bargain.

Although widely accepted in Europe, Asia and elsewhere, hydrocarbon-based refrigerants are banned in the United States because of concerns about flammability.

But Maruya said independent testing has shown the amount of HCR188c needed is so small — about half a shot glass full for a home refrigerator and two for a car’s air-conditioning system — that there is little fire threat.

His self-financed invention has caught the attention of appliance manufacturers and the environmental group Greenpeace, among others.

Maruya said he began thinking about a more energy-efficient and environmentally safe refrigerant about 15 years ago, after an injury sidelined him from running his service station and machine shop. The break from his regular work left Maruya with time to sit around with friends and hash out the major issues of the day, such as global warming.

He began researching alternative refrigerants and mixing different blends of butane, methane, propane, pentane and other naturally occurring hydrocarbons in a makeshift home laboratory.

Photo by Richard Ambo.

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