Did you know that natural refrigerants, such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, propane and
Natural refrigerants, such as CO2, Ammonia, and Propane, have zero or near-zero global warming potential (GWP) and are considered technically viable, safe, and climate-friendly alternatives to HFCs.
Ammonia (R-717):
Ammonia is among the oldest and the most environmentally friendly natural refrigerant with an ODP and GWP of zero, and has a wide range of applications in multiple industries.
On the other hand, R600a is a non-toxic natural refrigerant and is environmentally friendly with its low GWP and zero ODP.
The term R744 refers to CO2 when it is used as natural refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. R744 CO2 has excellent thermodynamic properties and has significant advantages compared to classical and other alternative refrigerants.
At this point, the use of R744 as a refrigerant began to decline as more and more businesses turned to synthetic gases instead. Years later, it became clear that these new refrigerants were depleting the ozone layer. HFC refrigerants were developed to replace them, which are still used today.
A refrigerant may be either a pure compound or a mixture (blend) of two or more refrigerants. Examples of pure refrigerants are R12, R22 and R134a. Examples of mixtures are R502, R404A and R407C.
R134A is in the safety category A1 since it is non-flammable and has low toxicity. R600A is combustible and might induce discomfort and poor anesthesia. It creates a BaoZa mixture when combined with air, and it can react strongly when contacted with oxidants.
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.
The replacements for R-410A are the two A2Ls, Forane® R-32 and R-454B. Forane® R-32 can be used in new equipment designed specifically for mildly flammable refrigerants as a replacement for R-410A equipment.
The synthetic refrigerant R134a is used in chilled water systems, medium and high temperature refrigeration, as well as domestic refrigeration and transport refrigeration. Eventually it will be replaced by refrigerants with a lower GWP, which is more sustainable.
Ammonia has desirable characteristics as a refrigerant, which have been well known for over a century. It is corrosive and hazardous when released in large quantities. Because of its irritating odor, persons will not voluntarily stay near concentrations that are health threatening.
Ammonia gas is generally lighter than air and will disperse under normal conditions. However, when ammonia liquid contacts air, the gas produced may be heavier than air. Prevent concentration in hollows or sumps. Do NOT enter confined spaces where vapour may have collected.
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.
HCs (Hydrocarbons)
These are claimed to be some of the safest refrigerants for the environment while also delivering the most cost-effective cooling. Hydrocarbons are nontoxic refrigerants with no ozone depleting properties and low global warming potential.
Both R290 and R600a possess many of the same qualities. Both are not only preferred alternatives to fluorocarbon refrigerants, but they're also natural, environmentally friendly and flammable.
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.
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.
A number of common refrigerants, including R134a, R410A and R407C, will be banned from use in new chillers in the USA from January 1, 2024.
R-513A – also known as Opteon, it is a next generation non-ozone depleting, low global warming potential hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) that replaces R-134A. R-600 – an efficient natural refrigerant suitable for refrigeration applications. It is environmentally friendly and efficient.
R600a is an LP gas of the same type as propane and methane, and its scientific name is hydrocarbon (HC). It is colorless and odorless, heavier than air, and flammable, but since the amount contained in a refrigerator is very small, there are generally no concerns about smoke and ignition unless there is a flame nearby.
R600a, or isobutane, is a hydrocarbon refrigerant that has been used since the late 1990s as an alternative to synthetic refrigerants with higher global warming potential (GWP) values.
As of January 1, 2020, production and import of R22 refrigerant will be illegal in the United States. Of course, continued use of your air conditioner (AC) or heat pump system using R22 refrigerant is allowed.
Water is highly suitable for this purpose, as it is one of nature's most powerful refrigerants, with an exceptionally high latent heat of vaporisation (2501 kJ/kg at 0 °C). As such, evaporating water at a rate of 1 L/h generates as much as 695 W of cooling power.
R-22 is a refrigerant that is often used in air- conditioning equipment. Because R-22 depletes the ozone layer, production and import was further limited in 2010. In 2020, R-22 will no longer be produced or imported.