Refrigerants

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

Types of refrigerant
1. CFC( chloro fluoro carbon)
2. HCFCs (hydro chloro fluoro carbon)
3. HFCs (or Hydro fluro Carbons)
4. HC or Hydrocarbons
5. inorganic refrigerants

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

1. CFC( chloro fluoro carbon)
, Example:
 R11 or (CCl3F),
 R12 or (CCI2F2),
It is almost outdated due to high ozone depletion
potential and global warming potential. 

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

2. HCFCs (hydro chloro fluoro carbon),
Example :
 “R-22” or HCFC22 or (CHCIF2)
 50-60% of Air Conditioners in India still use HCFCs. It is
having lesser high ozone depletion potential and global
warming potential than CFC. Still it contain chlorine, which
is harmful for the environment.
Refrigerant 22 or HCFC22 or (CHCIF2) Used with
reciprocating compressors in window-type air conditioners
and large units such as package units and central air
conditioning plants. It is also used for low temperature
refrigeration applications, cold storages, food freezing and
storage, etc., with reciprocating or screw compressors.

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

3. HFCs (or Hydro fluro Carbons)
Examples:
 R-410A
 R-32 (or Difluoromethane or CH2F2))
 R-134a or CH2FCF3 .
They have zero ozone layer depletion potential. There
is no chlorine content in HFC. About 20-30% of the air
conditioners in India use HFCs. R-32 is better than R-
410A in terms of global warming potential.

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

4. HC or Hydrocarbons
 Examples:
 “R-290 or Propane”
 “R-600A or “Iso-Butane”
 They are most environment-friendly refrigerants.
They are completely halogen free, have no ozone
depletion potential and are lowest in terms of global
warming potential. They also have high-energy
efficiency but are highly flammable as they are
hydrocarbons.

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

Ozone depletion potential(ODP)
Refrigerants containing chlorine or bromine contribute
to the breakdown of the ozone layer. The reaction is as
follows:

However, the CIO molecule is unstable. It breaks

down and reacts with ozone molecules repeatedly until
a more stable compound is created.
The ODP is the ratio of the impact on ozone of a
chemical compared with the impact of a similar mass
of CFC-11 (R11).
by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)
Global warming potential (GWP)
The GWP is the ratio of the warming caused by a
substance to the warming caused by a similar mass of
carbon dioxide.

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)
Ammonia (NH3)

Used with reciprocating and screw compressors, in

cold storages, ice plants, food refrigeration, etc.
ODP is zero
GWP is zero
Toxic

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Used in marine refrigerators, frozen-food transport

refrigeration
GWP is 1
ODP-zero

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

Properties of a Good Refrigerant

1. High latent heat of vaporization.

2. Low boiling point.
3. Low specific heat.
4. Low specific volume.
5. Should have high co-efficient of performance.
6. Non—explosive and non-Inflammable.
7. Non-toxic.
8. Non-corrosive.
9. Easy to liquefy.

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)

10.Thermal Conductivity: Thermal conductivity of the
refrigerant should be high for faster heat transfer during
condensation and evaporation.
11. Dielectric strength(not allowing the electricity to pass-
through) In hermetic arrangements, the motor windings
are cooled by refrigerants vapor. Therefore, dielectric
strength of refrigerant is important property in hermetically
sealed compressor units.
12. High Critical temperature: In order to have large range
of isothermal energy transfer, the refrigerant should have
critical temperature above the condensing temperature.

by Manoj.P.J Associate Prof(Mech)