KU and Chromis Technologies Achieve First-Ever Separation of Azeotropic Refrigerant Blend
Lawrence, Kansas — The Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering (WISE) at the University of Kansas proudly announces a major milestone in sustainable materials science: the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has officially granted U.S. Patent No. 12,427,473, co-developed by Chromis Technologies and KU researchers, led by WISE Director Dr. Mark Shiflett and graduate alumna Dr. Abby Harders.
This newly issued patent covers a novel class of fluoropolymer-coated hollow fiber membranes capable of separating azeotropic refrigerant blends, a challenge long considered unsolvable. Specifically, the technology enables the selective removal of difluoromethane (HFC-32) from mixtures such as R-410A, paving the way for the first scalable pathway to recycle these high-value compounds.
The global HVAC and refrigeration sector faces a collision of forces: exploding demand for cooling, tightening regulation on high-GWP refrigerants, and the absence of viable recycling solutions for azeotropic blends. Every second, 10 new air conditioners are sold worldwide, adding to the massive consumption of refrigerants. Yet blends like R-410A cannot be separated by conventional methods such as distillation, forcing most end-of-life refrigerants to be vented or destroyed. This results in valuable compounds being lost and significant emissions released into the atmosphere.
The patented technology addresses this long-standing challenge. The membrane system uses a submicron layer of custom fluoropolymer coated onto hollow fibers to selectively permeate HFC-32 while rejecting HFC-125. This innovation delivers single-pass purities above 95 mol% HFC-32 and is produced through a reel-to-reel coating process that enables scalable manufacturing of defect-free fibers. By offering a non-thermal, energy-efficient solution for reclaiming refrigerants, it opens the door to real-world recycling and reuse.
“This is the first time an azeotropic refrigerant blend has been effectively separated into its pure components using a scalable membrane solution,” said Dr. Mark Shiflett, Director of WISE at KU.
Building on this foundation, the work has been spun out into Icorium Engineering Company, a startup dedicated to commercializing membrane and distillation-based refrigerant separation technologies. Icorium is already developing industrial-scale modules to serve reclaimers, HVAC manufacturers, and sustainability-minded partners worldwide.
“This patent represents not only scientific innovation but also a practical route to circularity in refrigerants,” said Dr. Abby Harders, whose doctoral research at KU contributed to the breakthrough.
With regulatory deadlines approaching, including EPA requirements for recycled refrigerants by 2028, this solution arrives at the perfect moment. It demonstrates how innovations in polymer science can unlock scalable climate solutions, turning end-of-life refrigerants into reusable resources and dramatically reducing emissions across the cooling sector.
About the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering (WISE)
The Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering at the University of Kansas is committed to advancing breakthrough technologies that address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Through interdisciplinary research, education, and industry partnerships, WISE fosters innovation that accelerates the transition to a more sustainable future.
About Icorium Engineering Company
Icorium Engineering Company is a clean-technology startup focused on commercializing advanced membrane and distillation systems to enable true circularity in refrigerants. By transforming patent-protected innovations into industrial-scale solutions, Icorium empowers HVAC systems and reclaimers to recover high-value refrigerants, reduce emissions, and support sustainable cooling at scale.