The Ultimate Guide to Refrigerants

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Refrigerants, the unsung heroes of our modern world, play a crucial role in regulating temperature in devices like Fridges, Air Conditioners, and Chillers. Their unique properties not only help us save energy but also contribute to environmental security.

This article discusses the impact of refrigerants on the environment. It also explains how refrigerants are classified and numbered. Additionally, it examines their effects on safety, flammability, and environmental protection.

what is refrigerant ?

Refrigerants, unique and important substances, are used in engines to control temperature. They can be used in refrigerators, chillers, and air conditioning systems. They help change liquid to gas and vice versa. This helps maintain a comfortable temperature.

They are versatile. This complexity underscores their importance as our ‘fourth hand’ on Earth.

how are refrigerants classified ？

Refrigerants, like many other substances, can be classified based on various factors. These classifications, which include safety level, evaporation temperature, and chemical composition, provide a structured way to understand and compare different types of refrigerants.

1.By Safety Level

– A1 Level (Non-flammable, non-toxic)

– A2 Level (Slightly flammable, non-toxic)

– A3 Level (Flammable, non-toxic)

2.By Evaporation Temperature

– Refrigerants for high temperatures (applied in air conditioning systems.)

– Medium-Temperature Refrigerants: Commonly used in supermarket refrigeration cabinets.

– Low-temperature refrigerants: Used in low-temperature cold storage.

3.By Chemical Composition

– Fluorocarbon refrigerants: Such as R22 refrigerant , R134a refrigerant , R407c refrigerant , R410a refrigerant , widely used in domestic and commercial refrigeration systems.

– Ammonia: A chemical refrigerant used in many industrial cooling systems; good evaporative temperature and high thermal conductivity.

– Hydrocarbons: Such as propane (R290), which are environment-friendly with low GWP and Ozone-Depletion Potential.

– Mixed refrigerants like R410A are a combination of different fluorocarbons used in efficient air conditioning units.

– Other refrigerants: Some industries use only specific refrigerants, such as dichlorotrifluoroethane (R123) refrigerant.

Environmental Protection of Refrigerants

More people are now using refrigerants with low ODP and GWP to help the environment.

But future research and development will have to be sensitive both to the environment while also being energy efficient. This highlights the importance of measured management of both safe use and recycling of discarded refrigerants.

ODP, GWP and Safety Classification of Common Refrigerants

ODP and GWP are the two most important indicators for assessing the environmental impact of chemical substances.

what is ODP in refrigeration ？

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP): An index that measures the potential of a substance to destroy the ozone layer. The benchmark substance is CFC-11, with an ODP value of 1.0.

what is GWP in refrigeration ？

Global Warming Potential (GWP): An index that evaluates the impact of a substance on the greenhouse effect. The benchmark substance is CO₂ with a GWP value of 1.

Refrigerant	ODP	GWP
R22	0.055	1810
R410a	0.000	2088
R32	0.000	675
R717 (Ammonia)	0.000	0
R134a	0.000	1430
R404a	0.000	3922
R407c	0.000	1774

R22 has the highest ODP, while R410a, R32, R717, R134a, R404a, and R407c all have an ODP of 0. R404a also has the highest GWP, while R717 has the lowest GWP

Understanding ODP and GWP can help us assess the impact of chemicals on the environment. This knowledge can lead to improved methods for protecting the ozone layer and addressing global warming.

what refrigerant safety（Toxicity） group classification ？

Refrigerants are categorized not only based on their flammability but also on their level of toxicity. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Standard 34 defines safety classifications based on toxicity (designated as “A” for lower toxicity and “B” for higher toxicity) and flammability. Here’s an expanded breakdown of refrigerants by toxicity levels:

High Toxicity

These refrigerants pose significant health risks if inhaled in large quantities. They must be handled with caution, especially in poorly ventilated areas. Despite their high toxicity, these refrigerants are often chosen for their effective cooling properties.

R507 Refrigerant (GWP: 3980) A1: A blend used primarily in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning, particularly in low- and medium-temperature applications.

R404A Refrigerant (GWP: 3920) A1: Commonly used in commercial refrigeration. Despite its efficiency, R404A has a very high global warming potential (GWP), leading to its phase-out in many regions.

R410A Refrigerant (GWP: 2088) A1: Widely used in residential and commercial air conditioning systems. It’s a non-flammable refrigerant but with significant global warming implications.

Medium Toxicity

Medium toxicity refrigerants can still pose health risks but are generally less harmful than high-toxicity refrigerants. They are often used in a variety of commercial and industrial applications.

R134A Refrigerant (GWP: 1430) A1: Previously the dominant refrigerant in automotive air conditioning systems, it is being replaced by lower-GWP options due to environmental regulations.

R32 Refrigerant (GWP: 675) A2L: Common in residential and commercial air conditioning systems. R32 has a significantly lower GWP than many alternatives, which is why it’s being adopted as a replacement for R410A in many applications.

R245FA Refrigerant (GWP: 1030) B1: Typically used in foam-blowing applications and certain types of refrigeration systems. It is classified as higher in toxicity than A-class refrigerants.

R152A Refrigerant (GWP: 124) A2: Known for its lower GWP, R152A is used in some automotive applications and as a propellant in aerosol products. It is mildly flammable and has medium toxicity.

Low Toxicity

These refrigerants are considered safer to use from a health perspective, though some may still present flammability risks. They are preferred in many industries due to their lower impact on human health and the environment.

R1234yf Refrigerant (GWP: 4) A2L: Currently being used as a replacement for R134A in automotive air conditioning due to its extremely low GWP. It has mild flammability but is generally safe for use in well-designed systems.

R290 Refrigerant (GWP: 3.3) A3: Also known as propane, R290 is commonly used in household refrigerators and commercial refrigeration systems. Despite its low toxicity, it is highly flammable and requires careful handling.

R744 Refrigerant (GWP: 1) A1: Also known as CO₂, R744 is a natural refrigerant with zero toxicity and no ozone depletion potential. It is non-flammable and increasingly used in commercial and industrial refrigeration systems.

R717 Refrigerant (GWP: 0) B2L: Also known as ammonia, R717 has excellent thermodynamic properties and is used in industrial refrigeration. It is non-flammable but highly toxic, which is why it is classified as B2L.

Summary

A1: Lower toxicity, non-flammable (e.g., R410A, R134A, R744).
A2L: Lower toxicity, mildly flammable (e.g., R32, R1234yf).
A2/A3: Lower toxicity, highly flammable (e.g., R152A, R290).
B1/B2L: Higher toxicity, non-flammable or mildly flammable (e.g., R245FA, R717).

Flammability of Refrigerants

Refrigerants have four levels of flammability: 1, 2L, 2, or 3.

Non flammable (Level 1)

Characteristics: These refrigerants do not exhibit flame propagation when exposed to air at certain conditions. They are considered the safest in terms of flammability.

R-134a: Commonly used in automotive air conditioning and refrigerators.
R-410A: Widely used in residential and commercial air conditioning systems.

Mildly Flammable (Level 2L)

Characteristics: These refrigerants have low flammability and burn very slowly. They are considered mildly hazardous compared to non-flammable refrigerants but are still used in many applications because of their lower environmental impact.

R-32: Often used in air conditioning systems due to its lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to R-410A.
R-1234yf: A popular refrigerant in automotive air conditioning due to its very low GWP, replacing R-134a in many vehicles.

Highly Flammable (Level 2 or 3)

Characteristics: These refrigerants ignite easily and are much more dangerous to handle. Special precautions are required during their storage and usage.

Propane (R-290): Used in some refrigeration systems, particularly in commercial freezers.
Isobutane (R-600a): Commonly used in household refrigerators due to its low environmental impact.

what is flammable refrigerant ？

Common examples of flammable refrigerants include R-290 (Level A3), R-32(Level A2), and R-1234fy(Level A2L). As used herein, “flammable refrigerants” refers to any refrigerants classified as 2L, 2 or 3.

Temperature and Pressure Comparison Table of Common Refrigerants

Refrigerant	Boiling Point at 1 Atmosphere (°C)	Critical Temperature (°C)	Critical Pressure (bar)
R22	-40.8	96.0	49.7
R410a	-48.5	72.5	48.9
R32	-52.0	78.0	57.6
R717(Ammonia)	-33.3	132.4	113.5
R134a	-26.1	101.1	40.6
R404a	-46.5	72.1	37.5
R407c	-44.4	87.3	46.2

Refrigerant efficiency

The cooling performance of refrigerants depends on various factors such as thermodynamic properties, thermal conductivity, the heat transfer coefficient, environmental impact, and energy efficiency. These factors determine how effective a refrigerant is in different applications and environments.

Therefore, different refrigerants have large differences in cooling effects. The following lists the cooling conditions of common refrigeration:

Refrigerant pressure temperature chart

1. R22 Refrigerant (Chlorodifluoromethane)

R22 Cooling Effect: R22 was once the standard refrigerant for residential and commercial air conditioning systems due to its excellent cooling properties. It has a relatively high cooling capacity and is compatible with many types of HVAC systems.

R22 Current Use: As a result of its environmental harm, the use of R22 has been largely banned, and systems using R22 are being replaced or retrofitted with more environmentally friendly alternatives.

pt chart r-22

2.R410a Refrigerant

R410a Cooling Effect: R410A is a high-pressure refrigerant that has been widely adopted as a replacement for R22. It has a strong cooling effect and operates efficiently in modern air conditioning systems. The higher pressure allows for better energy efficiency and cooling performance compared to R22.

R410a Current Use: R410A is still widely used in residential and commercial air conditioning systems, though newer refrigerants with lower GWP are starting to replace it in some applications due to environmental concerns.

3.R32 Refrigerant (Difluoromethane)

R32 Cooling Effect: R32 has a very efficient cooling performance, making it an increasingly popular choice for air conditioning systems. Its thermodynamic properties allow for higher energy efficiency, reducing the amount of electricity needed for cooling.

R32 Current Use: R32 is gradually replacing R410A in many air conditioning systems due to its superior energy efficiency and lower GWP. Its mild flammability requires special handling, but its benefits make it a preferred refrigerant in many new systems.

4. R600a Refrigerant (Isobutane)

R600a Cooling Effect: R600a is commonly used in household refrigerators and freezers due to its excellent cooling efficiency and low energy consumption. It has high thermal conductivity and performs well in low-temperature applications, making it ideal for domestic refrigeration.

R600a Current Use: R600a is widely used in domestic refrigerators, especially in Europe and Asia, and is gaining popularity in other regions due to its environmental benefits. Its flammability has limited its use in some applications, but its performance and sustainability make it a leading choice for household refrigeration.

5. R134a Refrigerant (Tetrafluoroethane)

R134a Cooling Effect: R134a has been a widely used refrigerant in automotive air conditioning and domestic appliances. It offers good cooling performance and is effective at maintaining cool temperatures in both cars and home systems.

R134a Current Use: R134a is still used in many existing air conditioning systems, but it is being replaced in new systems, particularly in the automotive sector, where alternatives like R1234yf are becoming the standard.

6. R404A Refrigerant

R404A Cooling Effect: R404A is a widely used refrigerant in commercial refrigeration systems, particularly for low and medium-temperature applications, such as in supermarket freezers, refrigerated transport, and ice machines. It has strong cooling performance and is effective at maintaining stable temperatures in demanding environments. It is a blend of three hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): R125, R143a, and R134a, which gives it favorable thermodynamic properties for refrigeration.

R404A Current Use: While R404A has been popular for decades, it is being phased out or replaced in many regions due to its high GWP and environmental concerns. Alternatives that offer similar cooling performance but with a significantly lower GWP are increasingly being adopted in new refrigeration systems.

Summary

R22: Good cooling but harmful to the ozone layer, being phased out.
R410A: Strong cooling, widely used but has a high GWP.
R32: Highly efficient, eco-friendly with a lower GWP, and increasingly replacing R410A.
R600a: Great for household use, low GWP, but highly flammable.
R134a: Effective cooling for cars and home appliances, but contributes to global warming.

chiller refrigerant

Refrigerants of small chiller must have high safety, good cooling capability and environmental friendliness. Common refrigerants used in chillers are R134A, R410A, and the newer R32. .

The choice of these refrigerants must first take into account the considerations for safety, cooling efficiency, and environmental protection. Traditional refrigerants such as R134A and R410A refrigerant have no better performance. R32 refrigerant is eco-friendly and cools well, but using it safely requires special care.

Conclusion

To improve your cooling effect, you can consider the refrigerant that is most suitable for your machine. Our refrigeration equipment offers various refrigerants. We will give you expert advice to help you find the right one quickly, saving you time and money.