Besides fluorocarbons, other refrigerant gases include ammonia, carbon dioxide, and propane.
Fluorinated gas refrigerants are powerful greenhouse gases. Alternatives, such as ammonia or captured carbon dioxide, can replace them over time.
Ammonia and carbon dioxide are the most widely used natural refrigerants due to their excellent thermodynamic properties. On the other hand, fluorocarbon-based refrigerants are synthetic substances, which began to be developed and produced in the 1930s.
Propane is highly flammable, which has previously raised concerns over its safety. But in reality, propane is exceptionally safe to use as a refrigerant. It just needs the appropriate safety procedures in place. For instance, positioning heat pumps in clear open areas is a great way to mitigate risks.
New natural gas cooling technologies, developed over the last decade, can lower operating costs, eliminate electric peak demand charges. and reduce power needed during a power outage. Natural gas chillers require minimal power during outages and can easily be connected to a back- up power system.
Besides fluorocarbons, other refrigerant gases include ammonia, carbon dioxide, and propane.
They tend to run quieter, as well, and though they do require small amounts of electricity to run components like fans and pumps, natural gas air conditioners can be a great option in remote areas where there's a limited supply of electricity.
There's only one major problem with propane refrigerant, and it's a doozy: it's highly flammable. In the US, we haven't used flammable refrigerants in homes for nearly a century.
The result shows a better performance of butane than R-134a. The results support the possibility of using butane as an alternative to R-134a in domestic refrigerators, without any modification of the domestic refrigerator.
Refrigerators from the late 1800s until 1929 used the toxic gases, ammonia (NH3), methyl chloride (CH3Cl), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), as refrigerants. Several fatal accidents occurred in the 1920s because of methyl chloride leakage from refrigerators. People started leaving their refrigerators in their backyards.
R32 is an hydrofluorocarbon compound which has zero ODP, which means it does not harm the ozone layer. Refrigerants are divided into two categories; Class A and Class B, based on toxicity. R32 falls under Class B, the non-toxic category. This means that it is safe for both humans and the environment.
Propane (R290) and propylene (R1270) have normal boiling points below –40oC and are therefore suitable for general refrigeration applications. Butane (R600) and isobutane (R600a) have much higher boiling points but they also have high critical temperatures, which tends to make them very efficient in operation.
Possible alternatives to R-134a
Attention is increasingly focused on low-GWP refrigerants that are hydrofluoroolefins (HFO). R-1234yf in particular is often seen as a possible alternative to R-134a. The GWP value of R-1234yf is 4, which means it has a very low global warming potential.
R-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane), also known as R22 Freon or HCFC-22 Freon, was a common refrigerant for HVAC systems. It is now a banned refrigerant that is illegal to import or manufacture.
Propane (R-290), a valid refrigerant from all these points of view, is technically viable for small and medium-sized refrigeration and air-conditioning applications. However, concerns on flammability have slowed down its diffusion.
Basically, federal standards will require a new type of refrigerant to be used in brand-new home HVAC systems. Right now, cooling systems are required to use HFC and HCFC refrigerants, like R410a. The new guidelines will require A2L refrigerant to be used instead for all systems manufactured after a certain time.
Place a shallow pan of ice in front of a battery-operated fan to create a rudimentary air-conditioning system that cools without electricity. Hang wet towels or sheets in front of an open window can also create a DIY evaporative cooling system.
There are three refrigerants that can be used to replace R-134a: R-1234yf, R-152a, and R-744.
Ammonia is basic in nature and is an excellent refrigerant for several reasons: Ammonia does not contribute to global warming and does not degrade the ozone layer, making it an excellent refrigerant. Ammonia refrigerants require less energy than other types of refrigerants.
An R-22 Refrigerant Replacement for Direct Expansion Refrigeration. Freon™ MO29 (R-422D) refrigerant is a low-toxicity, non-ozone depleting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacement for R-22.
Which gases are used in AC? R290 and R32 are both gases used in air conditioning units. They're also known as refrigerants, which means they help cool down your room by turning into liquids when pumped through the system. Compared to other gases such as R12, and R22, they are safer and environment-friendly to use.
Cooling your home
Though natural gas is typically used to heat your home, you can also find gas-powered air conditioning units.
ACs installed in homes don't require gas to run. Most air conditioning systems are electricity-dependent and use refrigerants. The air conditioner systems installed in cars use gas, reducing fuel efficiency to 20%.