Common Refrigerants

Although there are many substances classified as refrigerants by ASHRAE Standard 34, only a handful are used for commercial air conditioning. Following is quick a rundown of the common refrigerant groups that are either in use or have been used in the past. Table 1 provides technical data on common refrigerants

Water, R-718
Most refrigeration processes use either an absorption cycle or a vapor compression cycle. Commercial absorption cycles typically use water as the refrigerant with a salt solution such as Lithium Bromide as the absorbent. Water is non toxic, non-flammable, abundant etc. It is a natural refrigerant. The challenge for absorption chillers is that even a double-effect absorption cycle only has a COP (Coefficient Of Performance) slightly greater than 1 (Centrifugal chillers have COPs greater than 5). From a life cycle analysis point of view, absorption chillers require a thorough investigation to determine whether they offer a financially viable solution. Software programs such as McQuays Energy Analyzer can be used for this analysis. From an environmental point of view, the use of water as a refrigerant generally, is very good. The low COP might indicate that larger amount of fossil fuels will be required to operate an absorption chiller over a centrifugal chiller. This is not guaranteed however, since absorption chillers use fossil fuels directly, while electric chillers operate on electricity, a secondary energy source. The choice of which to use will be affected by how the electricity is actually generated.

Ammonia, R-717
Ammonia (NH3) is a natural refrigerant and considered to be one of the most efficient. It is one of the only original refrigerants still in use today. It is used in vapor compression processes, typically with positive displacement compressors. ASHRAE Standard 34 classifies it as a B2 refrigerant (higher toxicity lower flammability). ASHRAE Standard 15 requires special safety considerations for Ammonia refrigeration plants. Ammonia is mostly used in industrial applications, although there are many large commercial air conditioning installations that utilize it as well.

Carbon Dioxide, R-744

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a natural refrigerant. Its use was phased out at the turn of the century, but new research aimed at using it again is currently under way. It is used in vapor compression processes with positive displacement compressors. The required condensing pressure is over 900 psig at 90F, which is a challenge. Also, the critical point is

very low and efficiency is poor. Still, there may be applications, such as cascade refrigeration, where CO2 will be useful.

Hydrocarbons
Propane (R-290) and isobutane (R-600a), among other hydrocarbons, can be used as refrigerants in the vapor compression process. In Northern Europe, about 35% of refrigerators are based on hydrocarbons. They can have low toxicity and good efficiency but they are highly flammable. The latter issue has severely limited their use in North America where current safety codes restrict their use.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
There are many Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) but the most common ones for air conditioning are R-11, R- 12, R-113 and R-114. CFCs were in popular use up to the mid-eighties. Production of CFCs was phased out by the Montreal Protocol in developed countries in 1995. Theyre still being manufactured and used in developing countries (but are scheduled for phase out soon). They are used in vapor compression processes with all types of compressors. The common CFCs are stable, safe (by refrigerant standards), non-flammable and efficient. Unfortunately, they also have damaged the ozone layer.

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) have been around almost as long as CFCs. HCFC-22 is the most widely used refrigerant in the world. HCFC-123 is the interim replacement for CFC11. They are used in vapor compression processes will all types of compressors. HCFC-22 is efficient and classified as A1 (lower toxicity no flame propagation). HCFC- 123 is efficient and classified as B1 (higher toxicity no flame propagation). Like CFCs, these refrigerants are being phased out as required by the Montreal Protocol. Production has been capped and soon will be ratcheted down in developed countries. Developing countries also have a phase-out schedule but on an extended timeline.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are relatively new refrigerants whose prominence arose with the phase out of CFCs. HFCs have no ozone depletion potential (ODP=0). HFC-134a is the replacement for CFC-12 and R-500. They are used in vapor compression processes with all types of compressors. The common HFCs are efficient and classified as A1 (lower toxicity no flame propagation).