HRSC
SMC HRSC Series — CO₂ Refrigerant Thermo-Chiller, GWP 1
The HRSC is SMC's CO₂ (R-744) thermo-chiller — the lowest-GWP option available, classified A1 (non-flammable, non-toxic), and the only SMC low-GWP chiller eligible for air freight. Cooling capacities from 1.3 to 5.9 kW with inverter compressor control, ±0.1°C temperature stability, and the same compact footprint as the HRSF. Shop all 60 configurations below.
What Is the HRSC Series?
The SMC HRSC series is a circulating fluid temperature controller (thermo-chiller) that uses CO₂ (R-744) as its refrigerant — a natural refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential of just 1, by definition. This isn't "low GWP" — it's the lowest possible GWP of any commercially available refrigerant, and it sits orders of magnitude below current and proposed future regulatory thresholds (EU F-Gas 150, EPA AIM Act 700, CARB 750).
Because CO₂ is classified A1 under ASHRAE Standard 34 — non-flammable and non-toxic — the HRSC fits facilities with strict no-flammable-refrigerant policies where A2L options (like the HRSF R-454C) aren't acceptable. The HRSC is also the only SMC low-GWP thermo-chiller eligible for air transport under IATA dangerous-goods rules, which is a meaningful advantage for global equipment deployments, expedited service replacements, or any logistics scenario where ocean freight timing doesn't work.
The lineup covers six cooling capacity bands from 1.3 to 5.9 kW, with both air-cooled and water-cooled configurations at each. Inverter compressor control delivers ±0.1°C temperature stability and demand-based energy savings. The HRSC shares the same compact footprint family as the HRSF, making either a viable drop-in for legacy HRS installations depending on your refrigerant preference.
Five Reasons to Specify HRSC Over an A2L Chiller
Below Every Regulation, Current or Proposed
Even if PFAS restrictions tighten to cover HFO refrigerants like R-454C (GWP 146), CO₂ remains unaffected — it's a natural refrigerant with no fluorinated compounds. Specifying HRSC today eliminates the risk of a second forced transition.
A1 Classification, Zero Flammability
No ignition risk, no special ventilation requirements, no updated EHS policies required. A1 refrigerants clear facility safety reviews that A2L refrigerants can stall or fail outright.
Ship By Air Anywhere
IATA-compliant under dangerous-goods rules. Cuts global equipment deployment lead times from weeks of ocean freight to days of air freight. Critical for expedited replacements and international commissioning.
Strongest Scope 1 Credit
CO₂ refrigerant leakage contributes the minimum possible value to Scope 1 emissions calculations (GWP of 1 vs 146 for R-454C or 675 for R-32). For CDP, GRI, or SEC climate disclosures, HRSC is the cleanest story.
Inverter Compressor Control
Rather than cycling on/off, HRSC compressor speed ramps to match actual cooling demand. Lower operating energy, less wear, and tighter temperature control across variable process loads.
Trade-Off Honesty
CO₂ operates at higher pressure than HFO refrigerants, which means the HRSC typically has a higher initial purchase price than an equivalent-capacity HRSF. If A2L is acceptable and air freight isn't required, the HRSF may offer better upfront economics.
How to Read an HRSC Model Number
Every HRSC part number follows the same structure. Decoding it tells you the cooling capacity, cooling method, thread type, power supply, and accessory configuration without opening a catalog.
Capacity Code (positions 5-7)
| 012 | 1.3 kW | Small machine tool, analytical lab, station-level cooling |
| 018 | 1.9 kW | Medium machine tool, laser equipment |
| 024 | 2.4 kW | Larger machine tool, process cooling |
| 030 | 3.2 kW | Welding, induction heating, electronics manufacturing |
| 040 | 4.1 kW air / 4.2 kW water | HRSC-specific capacity tier (not in HRSF) |
| 050 / 060 | 5.9 kW | Large machine tool, multi-station process loops |
Note: HRSC capacity coding differs slightly from HRSF. HRSC uniquely offers the 040 (4.1/4.2 kW) tier, and uses 050 or 060 codes where HRSF uses only 060. Confirm exact capacity on the product page.
Cooling Method (position 8)
W = Water-cooled refrigeration
Pipe Thread (position 9)
N = NPT with Rc-NPT conversion fitting
F = G with Rc-G conversion fitting
Power Supply (positions 10-11)
Option Suffix (after final hyphen)
Suffixes can combine — for example -JT indicates high-flow pump plus high-pressure pump, and -X192 denotes a special-order configuration.
| Code | Option | When to Specify |
|---|---|---|
| T | High-pressure pump (high head) | Long run-lines, high-flow cooling loops |
| J | High-flow pump | Large circulating fluid volume, parallel loops |
| JT | High-flow + high-pressure pump combined | Demanding pump-curve requirements |
| X192 / X199 / X### | Special-order configurations | Factory-customized options — confirm spec with ADI |
X-series suffixes denote special-order HRSC configurations with unique pump curves, piping, or controls not covered by the standard option matrix. Lead times and pricing vary — contact our team before ordering to confirm current availability.
HRSC Specifications by Capacity
| Model | Cooling Capacity | Refrigerant | Power | Stability | Comm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRSC012 | 1.3 kW | CO₂ (R-744) | 1-ph 200-230V | ±0.1°C | RS-232C/485 |
| HRSC018 | 1.9 kW | CO₂ (R-744) | 1-ph 200-230V | ±0.1°C | RS-232C/485 |
| HRSC024 | 2.4 kW | CO₂ (R-744) | 1-ph 200-230V | ±0.1°C | RS-232C/485 |
| HRSC030 | 3.2 kW | CO₂ (R-744) | 1-ph 200-230V | ±0.1°C | RS-232C/485 |
| HRSC040 | 4.1 kW (A) / 4.2 kW (W) | CO₂ (R-744) | 1-ph 200-230V | ±0.1°C | RS-232C/485 |
| HRSC050 | 5.9 kW | CO₂ (R-744) | 1-ph 200-230V | ±0.1°C | RS-232C/485 |
| HRSC060 | 5.9 kW | CO₂ (R-744) | 1-ph 200-230V | ±0.1°C | RS-232C/485 |
Cooling capacity values at 20°C circulating fluid temperature, 25°C ambient. Every HRSC ships with RS-232C/485 serial communication and 2-in / 3-out contact I/O standard. Temperature range 5 – 40°C model dependent. Full datasheet: contact ADI for current SMC HRSC catalog.
HRSC vs. HRSF vs. HRSHF — Picking the Right Refrigerant
HRSC (CO₂, GWP 1)
Choose HRSC when:
- Facility prohibits A2L flammable refrigerants
- Air freight is required for deployment
- ESG / CDP reporting demands lowest possible GWP
- Future PFAS exposure concerns drive procurement
- Semiconductor / cleanroom environments
HRSF (R-454C, GWP 146)
Choose HRSF when:
- Lower upfront equipment cost is a priority
- Facility is comfortable with A2L classification
- Air freight isn't required
- You need the 15.7 or 20.5 kW large-capacity band
- Replacing a legacy HRS with close thermodynamic match
HRSHF (R-32, GWP 675)
Choose HRSHF when:
- Cooling capacity needs exceed 5.9 kW (up to 30.5 kW)
- Inverter-driven efficiency across compressor, pump, fan
- Outdoor IPX4 installation required
- Seal-less immersion pump and DI-water option needed
- Global voltage compatibility across multiple sites
Applications That Benefit Most From CO₂ Refrigerant
Semiconductor & Cleanroom
Wafer processing, lithography, metrology. Non-flammable A1 classification fits strict fab safety policies.
Pharmaceutical & Medical
FDA-regulated manufacturing, sterile-fill, medical device assembly. CO₂ avoids flammable-refrigerant facility reviews.
Laser Processing
Oscillator and optical head cooling in fiber and CO₂ laser systems. HRSC012 – HRSC060 depending on load.
Machine Tool / CNC
Spindle and coolant cooling on machining centers where future-proofing matters more than initial cost.
ESG-Driven Operations
Facilities with CDP, GRI, SBTi, or SEC climate disclosure commitments. Lowest possible Scope 1 refrigerant emissions.
Global Equipment Mfg
OEMs shipping machines internationally benefit from air-freight-eligible chillers integrated into the equipment.
Analytical Instruments
Chromatography, spectrometer, and research lab equipment. HRSC012 – HRSC024 most common.
Electronics Manufacturing
SMT, wave solder, reflow auxiliary cooling. Matches cleanroom / ESD-sensitive environments.
HRSC Series: Common Questions
Is CO₂ refrigerant really safer than R-454C?
Yes, in specific and meaningful ways. CO₂ (R-744) is classified A1 under ASHRAE Standard 34 — non-flammable and non-toxic. R-454C is A2L (lower flammability). While A2L refrigerants are significantly safer than A2 or A3 refrigerants and have been widely adopted globally, they still require updated facility EHS policies, compliant storage practices, and in some cases leak-detection systems. A1 CO₂ has no flammability whatsoever, so it avoids those reviews entirely. CO₂ does operate at higher pressure than HFO refrigerants, but the HRSC is engineered with that factored in — no special handling is required during normal operation.
Can I really ship an HRSC by air freight?
Yes. CO₂ is not classified as a dangerous good under IATA rules for refrigerant applications, so HRSC chillers are eligible for standard air cargo. This is the only SMC low-GWP thermo-chiller family with this capability — both R-454C (HRSF, HRRF) and R-32 (HRSHF) are restricted to ocean freight or ground transport. For international equipment commissioning or expedited replacement, HRSC can cut delivery lead times by 2 to 4 weeks.
What's the difference between HRSC and HRSF at the same capacity?
Both cover 1.3 – 5.9 kW in matched form factors, both deliver ±0.1°C stability, and both are drop-in successors to legacy HRS installations. The differences: refrigerant (HRSC uses CO₂ / GWP 1 / A1 non-flammable; HRSF uses R-454C / GWP 146 / A2L), logistics (HRSC is air-freight eligible; HRSF is not), capacity coding (HRSC uniquely offers an 040 tier at 4.1/4.2 kW; HRSF skips from 030 to 060), and upfront cost (HRSC typically higher due to CO₂ operating pressure). Choose HRSC for the lowest GWP and logistical flexibility, HRSF for best upfront economics when A2L is acceptable.
Why are both HRSC050 and HRSC060 listed at 5.9 kW?
HRSC050 and HRSC060 share the same 5.9 kW nominal cooling capacity but differ in pump curve and internal configuration suited to different process loop characteristics. The 050 is optimized for lower-pressure, standard-flow applications, and the 060 for installations with higher pressure drop or larger fluid volumes. When in doubt, share your process loop flow and pressure-drop data with us and we'll confirm which variant is the better fit.
Can the HRSC replace a legacy HRS chiller?
For most applications, yes. HRSC is engineered as a low-GWP successor to the HRS series and shares the same compact footprint family, port locations, and general performance envelope. One difference to verify before ordering: CO₂ refrigerant operates at higher system pressure than the R-410A or R-134a used in legacy HRS units, so any downstream piping, flow fittings, or process components rated only for low-pressure refrigerant service should be checked against HRSC specifications. Our team can help map a specific HRS model number to the best-fit HRSC successor.
What cooling capacity does the HRSC cover?
HRSC covers 1.3 to 5.9 kW across six capacity bands (012, 018, 024, 030, 040, and 050/060). For larger cooling loads up to 30.5 kW, consider the HRSHF smart inverter series (R-32). For SEMI-certified semiconductor fab applications at 2 to 10 kW with CO₂ refrigerant, the HRZC series is purpose-built with ±0.02°C stability and fluorinated fluid compatibility.
What communication options are standard on the HRSC?
Every HRSC includes RS-232C and RS-485 serial communication plus 2 contact inputs and 3 contact outputs as standard. Many SKUs are also labeled "Remote + Contact I/O" in the product title, indicating configuration for remote operator panel integration alongside the contact I/O signals. This lets the chiller report status, alarm conditions, and operating parameters to a PLC, HMI, or SCADA system without additional gateway hardware.
What does an "X192" or "X199" suffix mean on an HRSC?
HRSC part numbers ending in -X### are factory special-order configurations — typically with unique pump curves, custom piping arrangements, specific control-logic modifications, or other non-standard specifications that aren't covered by the standard option codes. These configurations often have longer lead times and different pricing than standard SKUs. If you're looking at an X-series HRSC, contact our team before ordering to confirm current availability, exact specification, and delivery timing.
All 60 HRSC SKUs Are Below
Use the left-side filters to narrow by cooling capacity, cooling method, pipe thread, power supply, and option suffix. The most common starting points:
Capacity filter URLs use BC's standard facet format — verify each resolves correctly after publish, since exact capacity facet values depend on how SMC has populated the product attribute data.
Want the Lowest GWP Without Compromise?
Share your cooling load, fluid type, and facility flammability policy. Our application team will confirm whether HRSC is the right fit or whether HRSF / HRSHF will serve you better — and if HRSC is the answer, we'll map it to the exact SKU.
Request a Chiller Evaluation → Browse All Low GWP Chillers →Verify all specifications against current SMC HRSC documentation prior to installation. Specifications subject to change without notice. CO₂ (R-744) classification per ASHRAE Standard 34. GWP value per IPCC AR6. Air-freight eligibility per IATA dangerous-goods rules; always confirm with carrier. Automation Distribution is an authorized SMC distributor.