Properties of R-454B Unlike
Opteon™ XL41 (R-454B) refrigerant is a non-ozone depleting (ODP), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) based replacement boasting the lowest global warming potential of all R-410A commercially available replacements.
Azeotropic refrigerants are made up of two or more ingredients that boil at the same temperature. This type of refrigerant's components will evaporate and condense as a single entity. R502 is an example of an Azeotropic refrigerant. With this sort of combination, there is no need to be concerned about gliding.
Solstice® 454B (R-454B) is a non-ozone depleting, zeotropic blend designed to serve as a lower GWP alternative to R-410A in reversible chillers and heat pump applications.
Perhaps the most significant difference between R-410A and R-454B is their Global Warming Potential (GWP). The former has a GWP of 2,088 while the latter stands at only 465. That means it is four times less potent than its counterpart [TABLE].
No. R-454B is NOT a drop-in replacement for R-410A. Although many of the characteristics of R-454B are similar to R-410A, the use of R-454B is restricted by code and regulation to systems for which it was specifically designed.
Comprehensive Environmental Impact Metrics
This means systems using R32 typically consume less energy over their lifetime, resulting in fewer indirect emissions. R454B, while also efficient, may require a larger charge size to achieve similar cooling performance, which can increase its overall environmental footprint.
The difference between azeotropic and zeotropic is that azeotrope is a mixture of substances that has the same concentration in both vapour and fluid phases while zoetrope is a mixture of liquids that may be separated via the gas phase by using processes like distillation.
Properties of R-454B
Unlike R-410A, which is a near-azeotropic, two-part blend of equal parts R-32 and R-125, R-454B is a zeotropic blend of R-32 and R-1234yf.
Estimates suggest R454B could be over three times more expensive than R410A (Logan Services Inc.). The prices can vary depending on the manufacturer, with Chinese manufacturers typically ranging from $60 to $70 per kilogram as of 2021 (GESON Chiller).
During evaporation or condensation, their composition remains unchanged. In practice, these blends are often treated like pure substances. A near-azeotropic refrigerant blend is R507, which is often considered azeotropic due to its minimal temperature glide. A true azeotropic refrigerant blend is R500.
R-410A is not a typical non-azeotropic blend because: It is a near azeotropic refrigerant.
Trane is phasing in the transition to R-454B in 2024, starting with the adoption of R-454B refrigerant in its residential products, beginning with the XR15 SEER2 heat pump.
R-32 is a single component refrigerant, so topping off an R-32 system should not be an issue. R-454B is a refrigerant blend but has a very low fractionation potential and a very low temperature glide, so topping off an R-454B system should not be an issue.
Exposure hazards: Flammable. In combustion emits toxic fumes. Forms explosive air-vapour mixture. Advice for fire-fighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus.
R-454B, also known by the trademarked names Opteon XL41, Solstice 454B, and Puron Advance, is a zeotropic blend of 68.9 percent difluoromethane (R-32), a hydrofluorocarbon, and 31.1 percent 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234yf), a hydrofluoroolefin.
At the most basic level, the difference between an azeotropic refrigerant blend and a near-azeotropic or zeotropic refrigerant blend is in their behavior during phase changes. An azeotropic blend behaves like a single substance.
ACHR NEWS: As a mildly flammable refrigerant, R-454B can't be retrofitted into existing R-22 and R-410A systems.
And, the zeotropic mixture R1234yf/R32 with low global warming potential (GWP) is a promising substitute for R410A in commercial refrigeration.
Azeotropic distillation has many advantages, but it has some disadvantages also like, including Additional energy requirements, solvent recovery, limited entrainers, product purity, heat-sensitive components, etc.
R-410A is a refrigerant used in air conditioning and heat pump applications. It is a zeotropic but near-azeotropic mixture of difluoromethane (CH2F2, called R-32) and pentafluoroethane (CHF2CF3, called R-125).
R454B: slightly lower capacity than R410A but better efficiency; lower GWP. R32: better efficiency and around 10% more capacity than R410A, depending on the application and system design.
The near-azeotropic mixture refrigerant R454B, composed of 68.9% difluoromethane (R32) and 31.1% 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) by mass, has been promoted as an alternative to R410A and has gained wide applications.
Beginning in late 2024, R454B will replace R410A in all newly manufactured HVAC systems to meet these environmental goals. This change is in line with the EPA's SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) program, which ensures that the alternatives meet both environmental and safety standards.