LHORENE MORHIEL M.

CATAHAN

BSME GN III

REFRIGERANTS

WHAT IS REFRIGERANT?

• Refrigerants are chemical compounds that have the capability to absorb heat from their surroundings
and then release that absorbed heat to another location. They are commonly used in refrigeration, air
conditioning and heat pump systems.
• They are used to transfer heat from inside a space (such as a room) to the outside environment.
• Refrigerants work by absorbing heat when they change from a liquid to a gas state and then release heat
when they change back from a gas to a liquid state. They are the key component in the refrigeration
cycle, which is responsible for cooling and maintaining the desired temperature of an area.
• The main function of the refrigerant is to absorb the heat from the indoor air, it transitions from a low-
pressure gas to high-pressure liquid and transfer it to the atmosphere.

HISTORY OF REFRIGERANT

Early Experiments:

• In 1748, Scottish professor and physician William Cullen made the earliest artificial refrigeration
invention.
• He experimented with using vacuum to evaporate liquid ether, observing a significant temperature drop
in the remaining liquid .

Freon Era:

• By the 1930s, safety issues with early refrigerants prompted the invention of synthetic safety refrigerants.
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were developed by , followed by hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) .
• However, it was discovered that these refrigerants caused ozone layer depletion and environmental
harm.

The Montreal Protocol:

• In 1987, the Montreal Protocol was forged, calling for global phasedowns in CFC production due to their
high ozone-depleting potential.
• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) replaced CFCs, having zero ozone-depletion potential but medium-to-high
global warming potential (GWP).

HFC Scrutiny and Phasedown:

• HFCs contribute to climate change, leading to regulations.

• The United States EPA issued a rule mandating an 85% phasedown in HFCs over 15 years.
• This phasedown has spurred acceptance of A2L refrigerants, which have lower toxicity, flammability, and
GWP than HFCs.

A2L Refrigerants:

• A2Ls are the second-safest refrigerant category.

• They have been used globally for years, with over 68 million air conditioners installed worldwide.
• The EPA has accepted lower GWP alternatives (classified as A2L) for new residential and light commercial
air conditioners.
PROPERTIES OF REFRIGERANT

Thermodynamic Properties:-

a) Boiling Temperature: The boiling temperature of the refrigerant should be low to reduce the capacity
of the compressor. A lower boiling point allows the refrigerant to absorb heat more efficiently, making
it an ideal choice for cooling applications.
b) Freezing Temperature: The freezing temperature should be below the evaporative temperature to
prevent the refrigerant from freezing during operation.
c) Evaporator and Condenser pressure: Both Evaporator and Condenser pressure should be above slightly
above the atmospheric level. Positive pressure required to prevent leakage of air and moisture into the
refrigerant system.
d) Compression ratio: It should be as small as possible.
e) It should have a high latent heat of vaporization.
f) It should be above the condensing temperature & pressure.

Chemical Properties:-

a) It should not be Poisonous or injurious. It should not be non-irritating to eyes.

b) It should not be corrosive & should not have any effect on materials used in equipment.
c) It should have fewer tendencies to leak & if it is leaking it should be easily detectable.
d) It should not be Inflammable.

Other Properties:-

a) It should be easy & safe to handle.

b) It should be readily available at a low cost.
c) It should have a high COP & low power requirements.

Physical properties:

a) It should have low viscosity.

b) It should have high thermal conductivity.

IMPORTANCE OF REFRIGERANTS

• Preserving Food: Refrigerants play a crucial role in keeping our food fresh and preventing spoilage. They
enable refrigerators and freezers to maintain low temperatures, extending the shelf life of perishable
items.
• Heat Transfer: Refrigerants play a crucial role in transferring heat within air conditioning, refrigeration,
and heat pump systems. They absorb heat from indoor spaces and release it outside, ensuring efficient
cooling or heating.
• Comfort and Health: Air conditioning systems use refrigerants to cool indoor spaces, providing comfort
during hot weather. Proper cooling also reduces the risk of heat-related illnesses.
• Industrial Processes: Refrigerants are essential for various industrial processes, such as chemical
manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food production. They help regulate temperatures and maintain
product quality.
• Medical Applications: Refrigerants are used in medical equipment like MRI machines and cryogenic
storage for preserving biological samples, vaccines, and medications.
• Environmental Impact: The choice of refrigerants significantly affects the environment. Transitioning to
low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants helps combat climate change and ozone depletion.
• Energy Efficiency: Efficient refrigerants contribute to energy savings, reducing electricity consumption
and greenhouse gas emissions.
CATEGORIES OF REFRIGERANTS

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs):
• These were widely used in the past but are now phased out due to their harmful impact on the ozone
layer.
• Compounds composed of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. They are made as volatile derivatives of
methane, ethane, and propane.
• Properties:
Non-toxic
Non-flammable
High stability
• Example: R12 (Dichlorodifluoromethane), which was commonly used in air conditioning and
refrigeration systems.

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs):
• They consist of Hydrogen, Chlorine, Fluorine, and Carbon. HCFCs are manufactured as volatile derivatives
of Methane, Ethane, and Propane
• These are also being phased out due to their ozone-depleting potential.
• Properties:
Moderate stability
Lower ozone depletion potential than CFCs
• Example: R22 (Chlorodifluoromethane), used in residential air conditioners.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs):
• Organic compounds composed of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon.
• Widely used as CFC and HCFC replacements.
• Properties:
Non-toxic
Non-flammable
No ozone depletion potential
• Example: R134a (1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane), used in automotive air conditioning.

Natural Refrigerants:
• Natural refrigerants occur directly in nature and are commercially available
• These are environmentally friendly and gaining popularity.
Types:
• Ammonia (R717):
Properties:
High latent heat of vaporization
Excellent thermodynamic properties
Example: Used in large industrial refrigeration systems.
• Carbon Dioxide (R744):
Properties:
Low environmental impact
High critical temperature
Example: Used in commercial refrigeration and heat pumps.
• Hydrocarbons (R290, R600a):
Properties:
Low global warming potential
Flammable
Example: R290 (Propane) used in domestic refrigerators.
IMPACT OF REFRIGERANT TO ENVIRONMENT

Direct Impact:

• Ozone Depletion: Some refrigerants contribute to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) were commonly used refrigerants in
the past. However, they contain chlorine, which damages the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol, an
international treaty, successfully phased out CFCs and HCFCs in many countries, leading to a recovery of
the ozone layer.

• Global Warming: Refrigerants also contribute to global warming. Fluorinated gases (HFCs) are commonly
used as alternatives to CFCs and HCFCs. While they do not harm the ozone layer, they still have a minimal
impact on global warming. In fact, HFCs contribute only 1% to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

Indirect Impact:

• Energy Consumption: Refrigeration and air conditioning systems consume energy, resulting in increased
carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. This energy consumption contributes to global warming indirectly.
TABLE OF REFRIGERANTS

Freezing Critical Point

Point
Boiling point
at
Refrigerant Molecular at atmospheric atmospheric
Name pressure 14.7
No. Mass pressure Specific
psia, 1 bar abs Temperature Pressure Volume
14.7 psia, 1
(oF) (oF) (psia) (Cu.Ft./lb.)
bar abs
o
( F)

R-10 Carbontetrachloride 153.8 170.2

R-11 Trichlorofluoromethane1) 137.37 74.9 -168 388 640 0.0289

R-12 Dichlorodifluoromethane2) 120.91 -21.8 -252 234 597 0.0287

R-13 Monochlorotrifluoromethane 104.46 -114.6 -294 84 561 0.0277

R-13B1 Bromotrifluoromethane 148.91 -72 -270 153 575 0.0215

Tetrafluoromethane (Carbon
R-14 88.00 -198.2 -299 -50 543 0.0256
tetrafluoride)

R-14 Chloroform 119.4 142

R-21 Dichloro-fluoromethane 102.92 48.1 -211

R-22 Difluoromonochloromethane3) 86.468 -41.3 -256 205 722 0.0305

R-23 Trifluormethane 70 -119.9

R-30 Methylene Chloride 84.9 105.2

R-31 Monochloromonofluoromethane 68.5 48.0

R-32 Methylene Fluoride 52.0 -61.4

R-40 Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) 50.488 -10.7 -144 290 969 0.0454

R-41 Methyl Fluoride 34.0 -109

R-50 Methane 16.044 -259 -296.6

R-110 Hexachloroethane 236.8 365

R-111 Pentachloromonofluoroethane 220.3 279

R-112 Tetrachlorodifluoroethane 203.8 199.0

R-113 Trichlorotrifluoroethane4) 187.39 118 -31 417 499 0.0278

1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-
R-114 170.92 38.4 -137 294 473 0.0275
tetrafluoroethane
 Freezing Critical Point
Point
Boiling point
at
Refrigerant Molecular at atmospheric atmospheric
Name pressure 14.7
No. Mass pressure Specific
psia, 1 bar abs Temperature Pressure Volume
14.7 psia, 1 o
(oF) ( F) (psia) (Cu.Ft./lb.)
bar abs
o
( F)

R-115 Chloropentafluoroethane 154.47 -38.0 -149 176 458 0.0261

R-116 Hexafluoroethane 138.0 -108.8

R-120 Pentachloroethane 202.3 324

R-123 Dichlorotrifluoroethane5) 152.93 82 -161 363 533

R-124 Monochlorotetrafluoroethane 136.5 10.4

R-125 Pentafluoroethane 120 -55

R-133a Monochlorotrifluoroethane 118.5 43.0

R-134a Tetrafluoroethane6) 102.03 -15 -142 214 590 0.0290

R-140a Trichloroethane 133.4 165

R-142b 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane 100.50 14 -204 279 598 0.0368

R-143a Trifluoroethane 84 -53.5

R-150a Dichloroethane 98.9 140

R-152a Difluoroethane 66.05 -13

R-160 Ethyl Chloride 64.515 12.2 -218

R-170 Ethane 30.070 -127 -278 90 710 0.0830

R-218 Octafluoropropane 188 -36.4

R-290 Propane 44.097 -44 -309.8 206 617 0.0728

RC-318 Octafluorocyclobutane 200.04 22 -43 240 404 0.0258

R-32 Difluoromethane (50%

R-410A weight), R-125 Pentafluoroethane 72.6 -55.4 162 690
(50% weight)

Dichlorodifluoromethane/
R-500 99.31 -28 -254 222 642 0.0323
Difluoroethane7)

Chlorodifluoromethane/
R-502 111.63 -50 180 591 0.0286
Chloropentafluoroethane
 Freezing Critical Point
Point
Boiling point
at
Refrigerant Molecular at atmospheric atmospheric
Name pressure 14.7
No. Mass pressure Specific
psia, 1 bar abs Temperature Pressure Volume
14.7 psia, 1 o
(oF) ( F) (psia) (Cu.Ft./lb.)
bar abs
o
( F)

Chlorotrifluoromethane/
R-503 87.50 -128 67 607 0.0326
Trifluoromethane

R-600 n-Butane 58.12 31.2 -217 306 551 0.0702

R-600a Isobutane (2-Methyl propane) 58.12 10.8 -229 275 529 0.0725

R-611 Methyl formate 60.05 89 -146 417 870 0.0459

R-702 Hydrogen 2.016 -423 -434.6

R-704 Helium 4.0026 -452

R-717 Ammonia 17.02 -28 -107.9 271 1657 0.0680

R-720 Neon 20.179 -410.9 -415.6

R-728 Nitrogen 28.0134 -320.4 -346

R-729 Air 28.966 -320 -357.2

R-732 Oxygen 31.9988 -297.3 -361.3

R-740 Argon 39.948 -303 -308.5

R-744 Carbon Dioxide 44.01 -109.4 -70 88 1070 0.0342

R-744A Nitrous Oxide 44.012 -127.3 -131.5

R-764 Sulfur Dioxide 64.06 14.0 -104 316 1143 0.0306

R-1150 Ethylene 28.05 -155 -272 49 742 0.0700

R-1270 Propylene 42.08 -54 -301 197 670 0.0720