Given that both refrigerants had very similar results in compatibility with elastomers as well as with metals in low water and no air, HFO-1234yf shows to be a very suitable replacement to HFC-134a in current mobile air conditioning systems.
You cannot change an r1234yf system to be compatible with r134a. It is both illegal and damaging to the AC system components due to the different types of refrigerant oil used between the two refrigerants.
GWP is expressed as a factor of carbon dioxide where its GWP is equal to 1. The GWP for R-134a refrigerant is 1,430, making it 1,430 times more harmful than carbon dioxide when released into the atmosphere. There are three refrigerants that can be used to replace R-134a: R-1234yf, R-152a, and R-744.
The above research indicates that R1234yf can be used as a drop-in replacement for R134a, meaning that automotive manufacturers do not need significant modifications. Currently, the main issue with R1234yf is its mild flammability.
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.
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.
If you were to put R1234yf in a system designed for R134a, it looks like you'd end up with about a 10% loss of cooling capacity, but putting R134a into a R1234yf system would be a wash. It appears R1234yf oil is compatible with R134a (but not vice-versa), so shouldn't be a problem there.
The commonly used synthetic refrigerants such as R134a, R407C and R410A have a GWP value higher than 2,500. As a result, their production is being phased out.
R-12 and R-134a are known to be very efficient at cooling but are not as energy efficient as 1234YF. Therefore, cars with 1234YF systems can have better fuel efficiency and emit fewer greenhouse gases.
HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf ) has a global warming impact value of 1 versus 1300 for R-134a. It breaks down chemically in the atmosphere in only 11 days versus 13 years for R-134a! While R-1234yf oils are backwards compatible with R-134a systems, R-134a PAG oils are not compatible with R-1234yf systems.
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.
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.
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.
Most vehicles have a label or sticker under the hood that indicate whether the refrigerant used is R-134a or R-1234yf.
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.
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.
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.
In the United States, vehicles produced after 2021 no longer contain R-134A in the air conditioning system. In other parts of the world, including the United States, there are restrictions around using 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. Specifically, in California, retailers can deny selling customers canned R-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.
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.
R-454B is the new refrigerant in 2024. By 2025, the EPA's required phaseout of R-410A will be in full effect, with production, importation, and distribution no longer allowed. HVACR businesses must be evaluating their current choices in coolant and ready to make the jump.
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.
Vehicles with R-1234yf have different service fittings than R-134a vehicles to prevent cross-contamination with different refrigerants. Also, it's illegal to put R-134a or any other refrigerant into a car originally equipped with R-1234yf.
Lower Global Warming Potential (GWP): 1234yf refrigerant has a significantly lower GWP compared to 134a, making it a more environmentally friendly option.