CCSS, NGSS

Refrigeration &
Air-Conditioning
(ME-319)

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali

 REFRIGERANTS

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali

Topics to be discussed

Importance of selection of suitable refrigerant.

Specific Wright
❖ Classification of refrigerants into primary and secondary.
❖ Important differences between primary and secondary refrigerants.
❖ Classes of Refrigerants.
❖ Refrigerant selection criteria based on thermodynamic,
Thermophysical, environmental and economic properties.
❖ Numbering system used for designating refrigerants.
❖ Comparison between different refrigerants.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 3

Introduction

❖ Refrigerant is the primary working fluid used for absorbing and transmitting heat
in a refrigeration
Specific Wrightsystem.

❖ In principle, any fluid can be used as a refrigerant.

❖ Refrigerants absorb heat at low temperature and low pressure and release heat at a
higher temperature and pressure. Typically, refrigerants undergo phase-changes Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle

during heat absorption (evaporation) and heat releasing (condensation).

❖ Air used in an air-cycle refrigeration system can also be considered as a

refrigerant (no phase-change).

❖ Due to several environmental issues such as ozone layer depletion, global

warming and their relation to the various refrigerants used, the selection of
suitable refrigerant has become one of the most important issues in recent times. Gas Refrigeration Cycle

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 4

Introduction

Specific Wright

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Introduction
Refrigerant Cylinders Color Codes
Specific Wright

Color-Coded Refrigerant Cylinders

Refrigerant cylinders are often color coded to

permit easy identification of the refrigerants they
contain. This practice helps to prevent accidental
mixing of refrigerants within a system.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 6
Introduction
Refrigerant Cylinders Color Codes
Specific Wright

Color-Coded Refrigerant Cylinders

Refrigerant cylinders are often color coded to

permit easy identification of the refrigerants they
contain. This practice helps to prevent accidental
mixing of refrigerants within a system.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 7
 Fluid Mechanics

Primary and Secondary Refrigerants

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 Primary and Secondary Refrigerants
❖ Primary Refrigerants are those fluids, which are used
directly as working fluids, for example refrigerants in vapor
Specific Wright
compression and absorption based systems.
❖ These fluids provide the necessary refrigeration by
undergoing a phase-change process in the evaporator,
absorbing latent heat.
❖ Secondary Refrigerants are those fluids, which are used for
transporting thermal energy from one location to other.
Secondary refrigerants are also referred as brines or
antifreezes. Example of Primary Refrigerants

❖ Secondary refrigerants such as chilled water, solutions of

calcium chloride, propylene glycol or ethylene glycol are
commonly used as cooling media in many refrigeration
systems. In an air conditioning system it could be said that
Example of Primary and Secondary Refrigerants
air is acting as a secondary refrigerant.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 9
Primary and Secondary Refrigerants
❖ Secondary refrigerant reduces the extensive circulation
of the Wright
Specific primary refrigerant and also the amount of
primary refrigerant used can be minimized.

❖ Large refrigeration plants often use secondary

refrigerants to transport the cooling capacity from the
plant room to the point of use. Primary Refrigerant
remains in the plant room under supervision
(particularly important with ammonia).

A typical secondary refrigerant system using ammonia as

the primary refrigerant in the three independent chillers
and Calcium chloride brine as the secondary refrigerant.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 10
Primary and Secondary Refrigerants

Specific Wright

Phase Diagram of water- ethylene glycol solution (an antifreeze) Phase Diagram of Various Antifreezes
[Eutectic Point: Mass concentration of ethylene glycol is 60% and
lowest temperature is around −52℃]

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 11

Primary and Secondary Refrigerants
Properties of ethylene glycol-water solutions

Specific Wright

For all antifreezes the addition of the antifreeze to water has an adverse effect upon pressure
drop and heat transfer. Antifreezes of high concentration have high viscosity and low thermal
conductivity have detrimental effect. A good operating rule is therefore to concentrate the
solution no more than is necessary to prevent freezing.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 12

 Fluid Mechanics

Classes of Refrigerants

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Classes of Refrigerants
Most refrigerants commonly used today are classified into
following categories
Specific Wright
❖ Hydrocarbons (HC), natural starting molecules from which
most refrigerants are synthesized [e.g. Methane (R-50) and
Ethane (R-170)]
❖ Chloroflourocarbons (CFC)
❖ Hydrochloroflourocarbons (HCFC)
❖ Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)
❖ Refrigerant blends (azeotropic and zeotropic)
❖ Hydrofluoro-olefins (HFOs)
Natural Inorganic Refrigerants
❖ Ammonia
❖ Water
Releasing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS) from some refrigerants can harm the
❖ CO2 ozone layer. The CFCs destroy this Protective layer of the Earth’s atmosphere.
❖ SO2
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Some Definitions

Global Warming Potential of a refrigerant is its global

warming impact relative to the impact of the same
quantity of carbon dioxide over a 100 year period.

Ozone Depletion Potential of a compound is defined

as the ratio of the total amount of ozone destroyed
by that compound to the amount of the ozone
destroyed by the same mass of CFC-11.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 15

Classes of Refrigerants
Hydrocarbons (HCs)
Specific Wright
❖In past many hydrocarbon gases were successfully
been used as refrigerants in industrial, commercial
R-170
and domestic applications, however because of their
flammability they were not used after 1930s to any
larger degree.

❖Examples: R170(Ethane, 𝐶2 𝐻6 ), R290(Propane, ❑ Adding Chlorine increases Ozone

Depletion Potential (ODP)
𝐶3 𝐻3 ), R600a (IsoButane, 𝐶4 𝐻10 ), Blends of gases. ❑ Adding Fluorine increase Greenhouse
warming potential (GWP)

❑ Adding hydrogen increases flammability

and lowers atmospheric lifetime.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 16

Classes of Refrigerants
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
❖CFCs are chemically
Specific Wright very stable and are found to have a long atmospheric
lifetime.

❖In the lower atmosphere, the CFC molecules absorb infrared radiation and
contribute to atmospheric warming or have very high global warming
potential.

❖Once in the upper atmosphere, the CFC molecule breaks down to release
chlorine that destroys ozone and, consequently damages the atmospheric
ozone layer. Ozone layer helps filter out damaging ultraviolet radiation
from the sun. ❑ Adding Chlorine increases Ozone
Depletion Potential (ODP)

❖To phase out the ozone depleting substances, the manufacture of CFC ❑ Adding Fluorine increase Greenhouse
warming potential (GWP)
refrigerants was discontinued after 1995.
❑ Adding hydrogen increases flammability
❖Prior to the environmental issues of ozone layer depletion, the most widely and lowers atmospheric lifetime.

used CFC refrigerants were: R-11, R-12, R-113, R-114, R-115, etc.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 17
 Classes of Refrigerants
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
❖Modifying the chemical compound of CFCs, by substituting a hydrogen atom for one
Specific Wright
or more of the chlorine or fluorine atoms, resulted in a significant reduction in the
life of the molecule and thus, reduced the negative impact it may have on the
environment.

❖This category of refrigerants contains both chlorine and hydrogen. Even though they
contain chlorine, which is damaging to the ozone layer, they also contain hydrogen
which makes them chemically less stable when they enter the atmosphere. These
refrigerants decompose when released in the lower atmosphere so very little ever
reaches the ozone layer.

❖HCFCs, therefore, have a lower ozone-depletion potential.

❑ Adding Chlorine increases Ozone
❖HCFC production for use in new equipment in developed countries is mandated to Depletion Potential (ODP)
cease in the year 2020 with total halt to manufacturing and importing mandated by
year 2030. ❑ Adding Fluorine increase Greenhouse
warming potential (GWP)

❖The most widely used HCFC refrigerants are: R-22, R-123 etc., R-22 finds its use in ❑ Adding hydrogen increases flammability
and lowers atmospheric lifetime.
most residential and small commercial air conditioning systems.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 18
Classes of Refrigerants
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Specific Wright
❖HFC refrigerants contain no chlorine. Although these
refrigerants have an ozone depletion potential of zero,
they still contribute to the global warming problem.

❖Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are not regulated by

international treaty and are considered, at least for the
interim, to be the most environmentally benign
compounds in HVAC refrigeration systems.

❖Note that it is the chlorine that makes a substance ozone- ❑ Adding Chlorine increases Ozone
Depletion Potential (ODP)
depleting; CFCs and HCFCs (partly) are a threat to the
ozone layer but HFCs are not. ❑ Adding Fluorine increase Greenhouse
warming potential (GWP)

❖The most widely used HCFC refrigerants are: R134a, ❑ Adding hydrogen increases flammability
and lowers atmospheric lifetime.
R404a, R407c, R410a etc.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 19
Classes of Refrigerants
Refrigerant blends (Azeotropic and Zeotropic)
Specific Wright
❖The use of refrigerant blends is increasing. Azeotropic mixture
of two substances is one which cannot be separated into its
components by distillation. An azeotrope evaporates and
condenses as a single substance with properties that are
different from those of either constituent. Azeotropic Refrigerant

❖The most popular azeotrope is refrigerant 502, which is a

mixture of 48.8% refrigerant 22 and 51.2% refrigerant 115.

❖Zeotropic refrigerants are also blends composed of various

refrigerants when used in a refrigeration system, their
volumetric composition and saturation temperature do change.
Zeotropic Refrigerant

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 20

Classes of Refrigerants
Hydrofluoro-Olefins (HFOs)
❖Hydrofluoro-olefin
Specific Wright (HFO) refrigerants are referred to as fourth generation refrigerants for the 21st
century.

❖HFO are recognized as environmentally friendly, cost effective, and energy efficient.

❖HFOs are distinguished from HFCs by being derivatives of olefins rather than alkanes. Olefins have
carbon atoms linked by a double bond where alkanes have single bonds between carbons atoms.

❖Hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) refrigerants are also composed of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms, but
contain at least one double bond between the carbon atoms. Two popular HFO refrigerants are
HFO−1234−yf and HFO-1234ze. Both HFO-1234yf and HFO-1234ze have a zero Ozone Depletion
Potential (ODP) with extremely low Global Warming Potentials (GWP).

❖HFO−1234−yf and HFO-1234ze have an A2L safety classification, meaning they have low toxicity
but are slightly flammable.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 21

 Fluid Mechanics

Important Characteristics of Refrigerants

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 Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
A refrigerant’s suitability for a given application depends on many factors including its thermodynamic,
physical, and chemical properties, and its safety.
Specific Wright
Thermodynamic Characteristics

1. High latent enthalpy of vaporization. Should be as large as possible so that the required mass
flow rate per unit cooling capacity will be small, this means a large refrigerating effect per unit
mass of the refrigerant circulated.

2. Low freezing temperature. The refrigerant must not solidify during normal operating
conditions. Water for example can not be used below 0℃.

3. Relatively high critical temperatures. A high critical temperature yields higher COP due to
smaller compressor superheat and smaller flash gas losses.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 23

 Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
Thermodynamic Characteristics
Specific Wright
2. Positive evaporating pressure. Pressure in the evaporator should be above atmospheric
to prevent air or moisture ingress into the system and for ease of leak detection. The
moisture inside the system would get freeze at low temperatures and can possibly clogs
the system. Atmospheric air ingression into the system will occupy the heat transfer
area and results in poor heat transfer rates.

3. Relatively low condensing pressure. At a given condenser temperature, the condenser

(discharge) pressure should be as small as possible, otherwise expensive piping and
equipment will be required to operate the system on high pressures.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 24

 Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
Thermodynamic Characteristics
Thermodynamic
Specific Wright Characteristics of several Refrigerants:
Operation on a standard vapor-compression cycle with an evaporating temperature of −15℃
and a condensing temperature of 30℃. As a basis of comparison the COP of a Carnot cycle
operating at the evaporating and condensing temperatures is 5.74

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 Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
Physical and Chemical Characteristics
Dielectric Strength: for a pure electrically insulating material, the maximum electric field that the material can withstand under
Specific Wright
ideal conditions without undergoing electrical breakdown and becoming electrically conductive.

1. High dielectric strength of vapor. This permits use in hermetically sealed compressors where vapor may
come in contact with motor windings and may cause short circuits. Therefore, dielectric strength should
be high to avoid short circuits.

2. Good heat-transfer characteristics.

3. Satisfactory oil solubility. Oil can dissolve in some refrigerants and some refrigerants can dissolve in
oil. A system must be designed with the oil solubility characteristics in mind.

4. Low water solubility. Water in a refrigerant can lead either to freeze-up in the expansion devices or to
corrosion.

5. Inertness and stability. The refrigerant must not react with materials that will contact it, and its own
chemical makeup must not change with time. Ammonia, for example, reacts with copper, brass or
cuprous alloys, so Iron or steel are therefore used in ammonia systems. Halocarbons attack natural
rubber; therefore synthetic materials should be used as gaskets and for other sealing purposes.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 26
 Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
Physical and Chemical Characteristics
Specific Wright

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Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
Economical
Economically
Specific Feasible. The refrigerant should preferably be of low cost and easily available.
Wright
Safety Characteristics
1. Nonflammability. The refrigerant should not burn or
support combustion when mixed with air.
2. Nontoxicity. The refrigerant should not be harmful to
humans, either directly or indirectly through foodstuffs.
Toxicity is a relative term, which becomes meaningful
only when the degree of concentration and time of
exposure required to produce harmful effects are specified.
3. Nonirritability. The refrigerant should not irritate humans
(eyes, nose, or skin)

ASHRAE Standards
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Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
Safety Characteristics
Specific Wright

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 29

Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
Effect on the Environment
Specific
1. OzoneWright
depletion potential (ODP). The refrigerant’s potential to deplete the ozone in the upper
atmosphere should be low.

2. Global warming potential (GWP). The refrigerant’s potential to persist in the upper atmosphere
and to trap the radiation emitted by the earth (the greenhouse effect) should be low.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 30

Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
Effect on the Environment

Specific Wright

R404A
R-125/143a/134a (44.0/52.0/4.0)

R410A
R-32/125 (50.0/50.0)

R448A
R-32/125/R1234yf/134a/1234ze
(26.0/26.0/20.0/21.0/7.0)

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Important Characteristics of Refrigerants
Effect on the Environment

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali

Nomenclature of Refrigerants
❖ Since a large number of refrigerants have been
developed over the years for a wide variety of
Specific Wright
applications, a numbering system has been adopted to
designate various refrigerants.

❖ From the number one can get some useful information

about the type of refrigerant, its chemical composition,
molecular weight etc.

❖ All the refrigerants are designated by R followed by a

unique number. The number assigned to each
refrigerant is related to its chemical composition and
the system has been formalized as ASHRAE Standard
34. Broadly, the numbering system shown in table.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ME-331) Dr. Haider Ali 33