Both HCFC-123 and CFC-11 refrigerants are non-flammable. Under the 1995 edition of CSA-B52, "Mechanical Refrigeration Code," CFC-11 is classified as a Group A1 refrigerant whereas HCFC-123 (R-123) is a B1 refrigerant due to its higher toxicity (see Appendix 2).
Opteon™ XP30 (R-514A) refrigerant is a non-ozone depleting, low global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) based replacement for R-123. It is suitable for new and retrofit systems, offering an optimal balance of properties, including high energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
January 1, 2025: Importation of HCFC-123, used as a fire extinguishing agent, will be completely prohibited, except for servicing existing systems. That means importation and manufacture are prohibited, but refilling of existing equipment is still allowed.
Freon™ 124 (R-124) refrigerant is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) retrofit replacement for R-114 used in centrifugal chillers and high-ambient cooling applications, including overhead cranes.
2,2-DICHLORO-1,1,1-TRIFLUOROETHANE (HCFC-123)
Newly produced (also known as virgin) or imported HCFCs may only be used to service AC, refrigeration, and fire suppression equipment that was manufactured before January 1, 2020. All U.S. production and import of virgin HCFCs will be phased out by 2030, with limited exceptions.
HCFC-123 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, gaseous extinguishing agent that is non-conducting and which leaves no residue and is even environmentally safe.
Freon™ 123 refrigerant is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) replacement for the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) R-11 in centrifugal chillers.
2-Chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. Other names. HCFC-124.
HCFC Refrigerant: HCFC refers to the chemical composition of the refrigerant. Hydrochlorofluorocarbon indicates that the refrigerant is comprised of Hydrogen, Chlorine, Fluorine, and Carbon. Common HCFC refrigerants are R-22, R-123, R-124, and R-142b.
In 2010, the U.S. stopped the sale of newly manufactured residential air conditioning units and heat pumps that use R-22 because of its particularly harmful impact on the ozone layer when released into the air.
The most common alternative to R-22 is R-410A, a non-ozone-depleting HFC refrigerant blend. R-410A is manufactured and sold under various trade names, including GENTRON AZ-20®, SUVA® 410A, and PURON®.
R22 (also known as HCFC-22) is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) once widely used as a refrigerant. If your home or office AC is over 10 years old, it's probably using R22 freon. However, R22 Freon is banned in the U.S. today.
R-454B is the newest refrigerant, which will gradually replace R-410A, the refrigerant used in current HVAC manufacturing. R-454B is a blend of R-32, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), and R-1234yf a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO). R-454B has a lower GWP than previous refrigerants, meaning it has a much lower climate impact.
Final Answer: According to ASHRAE Standard 34, the safety classification of R-123 is "A1." Option A is answer.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants have been in use as substitutes to CFCs in the following years but they were also included in the phaseout of chlorine refrigerants as ozone depletion substances to be completely ruled out by 2020 in industrialized countries and by 2030 in developing ones.
HCFC-123 is in the Group B1 refrigerant classification. CFC-11 refrigerant falls into a Group A1 classification. Group B1 includes substances with low flammability and high toxicity. Group A1 is for substances with low flammability and low toxicity.
New production and import of most HCFCs were phased out as of 2020. The most common HCFC in use today is HCFC-22 or R-22, a refrigerant still used in existing air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.
HCFCs, which are widely used in air conditioning equipment, are currently under phase-out conditions. 35% reduction by 2004 • 75% reduction by 2010 • 90% reduction by 2015 • Total phase out by 2020 (Up to 0.5% of base level consumption can be used until 2030 for servicing existing equipment, subject to review in 2015).
HCFC is short for hydrochlorofluorocarbons and indicates compounds that include hydrogen, carbon, fluorine, and chlorine. HCFC-123 is mainly used as a commercial and industrial refrigerant and often as a heat-transfer fluid, foam-blowing agent, or solvent [1, 3].
According to an international agreement, refrigerants are represented by the letter R (as in Refrigerants) followed by a two- or three-digit number and, in some cases, one or two letters. The designation Rxyz is determined by the chemical composition of the molecule, as described below.
Freon™ 123 is a viable replacement for CFC-11 as a refrigerant and heat-transfer fluid. Because Freon™ 123 has a Workplace Environmental Exposure Level (WEEL) of 50 ppm, its use is limited to applications where it can be effectively contained within the operating equipment.
By 01 January 2025, imports shall have been reduced by 67.5% based on the recorded baseline consumption in ODP tonnes. By this date, all importation of HCFC-123 as cooling agent for chillers and as fire extinguishing agent will likewise be absolutely prohibited, except for the servicing sector.
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Colorless, volatile liquid with ethereal and faint sweetish odor. Non-flammable material.
HCFCs then became the go-to refrigerants as alternatives to banned CFCs. HCFCs contain chlorine, fluorine, and carbon (just like CFC), but also contain a hydrogen atom which decreases their stability and gives them a shorter lifetime in the atmosphere. They mostly break down before they reach the ozone.