The cooling capacity of R1234yf used as a drop-in replacement in a R134a refrigerant facility is about 9% lower than that presented by R134a in the test range. This difference in the values of cooling capacity obtained with both refrigerants decreases when the condensing temperature increases and when an IHX is used.
While R-1234yf could be the perfect replacement for R-134a, there is one major challenge with this new technology. The R-1234yf is much more reactive than R-134a. On the positive side, this higher reactivity is why R-1234yf is so much more friendly to the environment.
The mixing of R-134a with R-1234yf will change refrigerant pressure and may result in evaporator freeze-up on pressure control systems, reducing system airflow.
There are three refrigerants that can be used to replace R-134a: R-1234yf, R-152a, and R-744.
Still, the answer is an emphatic, “No.” Not only would a retrofit of this type negate the environmental benefits of R-1234yf, but it would also be a violation of Federal Law under Section 203 of the Clean Air Act: “tampering” with a vehicle's emissions control device.
It is anticipated that by 2025 all vehicles will contain 1234YF. Don't fret, however, if your current vehicle requires 134a. Though 134a is not compatible with 1234YF and is expected to be phased out, it is still in production and will continue as long as there is a demand for repair of older vehicles.
A High-Performing Alternative to R-134a
Opteon™ XL10 (R-1234yf) refrigerant is a non-ozone depleting (ODP) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) option that meets the industry's growing demands for sustainable, safe, and effective solutions.
The same two refrigerants and 19 others are being listed as unacceptable in new cold storage warehouses from January 1, 2023. The banning of R134a, along with 27 other refrigerants, in new domestic refrigerators and freezers from January 1, 2021, is expected to open the way for the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants.
With the scientific approach to reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of the refrigerant R-134A (i.e. 1430), the refrigerant R-513A with GWP of 631 is the drop-in replacement.
R-134a and R-1234yf systems have unique fittings so they can only be used with the appropriate corresponding refrigerants and equipment. R-1234yf is very expensive. This has led to end-users trying to replace the refrigerant in vehicles originally containing R-1234yf with R-134a, in an attempt to save money.
Lower Global Warming Potential (GWP): 1234yf refrigerant has a significantly lower GWP compared to 134a, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
Switching to R1234yf refrigerant is a step towards a greener future, but it comes with higher costs due to advanced equipment, stringent regulations, and specialized training.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has since added R-134A to its list of greenhouse gases, declaring definitively that this refrigerant is a poor choice for the future of the planet and its inhabitants.
2 (a) shows that the variation of the pressure-volume diagram is very similar when using R1234yf and R134a, with, R134a shows a higher final discharge pressure, with the difference in the indicated work for compressor when using both fluids to be less than 2%, as shown in Fig.
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.
Refrigerant R513A - Drop-In Alternative for R134a. R513A was developed as a replacement refrigerant for R134a. R513A is a modern, non-flammable refrigerant designed to replace R134a in a wide range of applications. It provides a sustainable solution for both new systems and retrofits.
According to its manufacturer, Chemours, use of R-1234yf has grown so much since the refrigerant replaced the long-established R-134a that it's now used in 95% of new cars sold in the U.S. An estimated 220 million cars on global roads are also using it.
In the first half of 2024 we'll phase out our R-410A dedicated models and introduce -01 refrigerant versatile models, compatible with both R-410A and R-454B refrigerants.
The results also shows that the compressor working with R134a performed better than that working with R1234yf when operating under high condensing and low evaporating temperatures. However when the condensing temperature gets lower, R1234yf outperformed R134a.
“ R-1234yf is an even more environmentally-friendly gas than R-134a and has been making its way into some cars since 2013. MOTOR Selectline.
Another HFC R-134a typically used in automobiles, will not be permitted to be used in Model Year 2021 vehicles; however, R-134a is not restricted for use in chillers. Even though HFCs are under scrutiny, they remain the right choice for chillers and other industrial cooling uses.
General Motors began introducing vehicles to the market utilizing this new system in 2013 with full conversion in 2018. Chrysler, Honda, and Subaru models followed in 2017. It is anticipated that by 2025 all vehicles will contain 1234YF.
The downside, however, is that these systems are more complicated and costlier to maintain. The refrigerant alone costs about ten times more than 134a.
Some notable substitutes for R134a [10] in AAC based on the preceding studies are R1234yf [[11], [12], [13], [14]], R1234z (E) [[15], [16], [17]], R152a [[18], [19], [20]], R290 [21,22], R744 [[23], [24], [25]], R430A [26,27], and R444A [28], etc.