Refrigerant Selection Considerations

Daniel Dettmers (djdettme@wisc.edu)

Industrial Refrigeration ConsortiumUniversity of Wisconsinwww.irc.wisc.edu(866) 635-4721

Dettmers 2/8/07

What is a Refrigerant?

Refrigerant- the vital working fluid in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pumping systems.- absorbs heat from one area, such as an air-conditioned space, and rejects it into another, such as outdoors, usually through evaporation and condensation process, respectively.

- ASHRAE Fundamentals Chpt. 16

Dettmers 2/8/07

Refrigerant Selection CriteriaSafety, risk & regulation

Environmental impacts

Likelihood of future availability

Refrigerant propertiesToxicity & flammability

Thermodynamic & transport

Other

EconomicsOperating efficiency

Capital costs (refrigerant & equipment)

Staff capabilities

Dettmers 2/8/07

Composition of FluorocarbonsCFCCFC--1212 HCFCHCFC--2222 HFCHFC--3232

HH ydroydroCC hlorohloroFF luoroluoroCC arbonsarbons

HH ydroydroFF luoroluoroCC arbonsarbons

CCClCl

FF FF

ClClCC

HH

FF FF

ClClCC

HH

FF FF

HH

CC hlorohloroFF luoroluoroCC arbonsarbons

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20202020 203020302015201520032003 20102010

HCFC Phaseout Schedule (US)% Reduction in National Consumption

HCFC-22HCFC-142b

Production FreezeBan in New Equipment

HCFC-22HCFC-142b

Production FreezeBan in New Equipment

All other HCFCs

ProductionFreeze

All other HCFCs

ProductionFreeze

HCFC-22HCFC-142bProduction

Ban

HCFC-22HCFC-142bProduction

Ban

All other HCFCs

ProductionBan

All other HCFCs

ProductionBan

All other HCFCs

Ban in NewEquipment

All other HCFCs

Ban in NewEquipment

HCFC-141bProduction

Ban

HCFC-141bProduction

Ban

100%100%

65%65%

35%35%

10%10%0.5%0.5%

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ODP and GWPODPOzone Depletion Potential

Damage substance does to the ozone layer, relative to CFC-11

GWPGlobal Warming Potential

Contribution of substance to the atmosphere’s heat retention, relative to CO2 or CFC-11

1.0

0.0

Same as CFC-11or CO2

None

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ODP and GWP from CFCs

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.20 1 2 3 4 5 6

Ozo

ne D

eple

tion

Pote

ntia

114113

11 12

115

Global Warming Potential

ODP and GWP are relative to CFC-11Source: World Meteorological Organization

HCFCs

HFCs

CFCs

0

0

0

0

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ODP and GWP of Non-CFCs

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.20 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Ozo

ne P

eple

tion

Pote

ntia

lGlobal Warming Potential

ODP and GWP are relative to CFC-11Source: World Meteorological Organization

HCFCs

HFCs

CFCs

141b

123

152a32

022

142b

134a 0125 143a124

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Safety & ODP/GWP of RefrigerantsChemical Lifetime ODP GWP Safety

Refrigerant Formula Years (R11) (CO2) ClassificationCFC-11 CCl3F 45 1.000 4680 A1CFC-12 CCL2F2 100 1.000 10720 A1CFC-113 CCl2FCClF2 85 1.000 6030 A1CFC-114 CClFCClF2 300 0.940 9880 A1CFC-115 CClF2CF2 1700 0.440 7250 A1HCFC-22 CHClF2 12 0.050 1780 A1HCFC-123 CF3CHCl2 1.3 0.020 76 B1HCFC-124 CHClFCF3 5.8 0.020 599 A1HCFC-141b CH3CCl2F 9.3 0.120 713HCFC-142b CH3CClF2 17.9 0.070 2270 A2HFC-32 CH2F2 4.9 0.000 543 A2HFC-125 CHF2CF3 29 0.000 3450 A1HFC-134a CF3CH2F 14 0.000 1320 A1HFC-143a CH3CF3 52 0.000 4400 A2HFC-152a CH3CHF2 1.4 0.000 122 A2R-717 NH3 0.000 0 B2R-718 H2O 0.000 0 A1HC-290 C3H8 0.000 0 A3

0.050 1780

0.000 1320

0.000 0

1.000 10720

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ASHRAE Standard 34-2004 Refrigerant Classification

ASHRAE Standard 34-2004 Refrigerant Classification

IncreasingIncreasingToxicityToxicity

IncreasingIncreasingFlammabilityFlammability Higher

ToxicityLower

Toxicity

B1R-123, SO2

A1R-11, R-12, R-114

No Flame Propagation

B2Ammonia

A2R-142b, R-152a

Lower Flammability

B3A3Propane, Butane

Higher Flammability

Safety Group

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Ideal Cycle Efficiency Comparison: Influence of Refrigerant Selection

Source: ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, 20 F evaporating and 105 F condensing temperatures

HP/tonHP/tonkW/tonkW/tonCOPCOPRefrigerantRefrigerant

1.1400.8504.137R-410A1.1100.8284.248R-407C1.2240.9133.853R-404A

1.0980.8194.293R-2901.0151.0150.7570.7574.6434.643RR--7177171.0610.7914.444HCFC-221.0770.8034.376HFC-134a0.9990.9990.7450.7454.7174.717HCFCHCFC--1231231.0480.7824.497CFC-120.9630.9630.7180.7184.8954.895CFCCFC--1111

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ASHRAE Numbering SystemFrom ASHRAE Standard 34

Single Component Fluorocarbons000 Series - Methane Based Molecules

100 Series - Ethane Based

200 Series - Propane Based Fluids

300 Series - Butane Based

Mixtures400 Series - Zeotropic Blends (or “Non-Azeotropic”)

500 Series - Azeotropes

Others600 Series - Miscellaneous Organic Compounds

700 Series - Inorganic Compounds

Dettmers 2/8/07

ASHRAE Numbering SystemFrom ASHRAE Standard 34

Single Component Fluorocarbons000 Series - Methane Based Molecules

100 Series - Ethane Based

200 Series - Propane Based Fluids

300 Series - Butane Based

MixturesMixtures400 Series 400 Series -- ZeotropicZeotropic Blends (or Blends (or ““NonNon--AzeotropicAzeotropic””))

500 Series 500 Series -- AzeotropesAzeotropes

Others600 Series - Miscellaneous Organic Compounds

700 Series - Inorganic Compounds

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Refrigerant MixturesZeotropes (Blends or Simple Mixtures)

R-400 seriesTend to average propertiesSegregate (Easy to separate)Offer greatest flexibility

AzeotropesR-500 seriesBehave like pure fluidHigher or lower B.P. than componentsNon segregating (Difficult to separate)

Some Zeotropes are very close to AzeotropesSome Zeotropes are very close to Azeotropes

Dettmers 2/8/07

Evaporation Characteristics-Blends

Boiling Point

Boiling Point

FLUID “A”Low-Boiler

FLUID “B”High-Boiler

BLENDNon-Azeotropic(400 Series)

DewGLIDE RANGEBubble

Point

Point

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Zeoptropic Refrigerant Behavior

-25 0 25 50 75 100 1250

50

100

150

200

250

Temperature [F]

Pres

s ure

[psi

a] Dew Point

Bubble Point

R-407c

ΔT~11°F

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Phaseout Refrigerants

RR--245ca*245ca*Low Pressure ChillersHCFC 123HCFC 123

RR--717, R717, R--410A410AEverywhereHCFC 22HCFC 22

HFC 23, RHFC 23, R--508B, 508B, NHNH33, ,

NHNH33--COCO2 2 CascadeCascade

Extremely Low Temperature RefrigerationCFC 13/RCFC 13/R--503503

RR--404A (HFC)404A (HFC)RR--507A (HFC)507A (HFC)

Low Temperature RefrigerationCFC 502CFC 502

HFC 134aHFC 134aRefrigerators, MVAC, Commercial Refrigeration UnitsCFC 12CFC 12

HCFC 123HCFC 123Low Pressure ChillersCFC 11CFC 11

AlternativeAlternativeApplicationApplicationRefrigerantRefrigerant

*Allowed by EPA, but I wouldn’t use it quite yet.

Dettmers 2/8/07

Composition of R-502 Alternatives

Large Glide

Dettmers 2/8/07

Long Term R-502 AlternativesOption 1 Option 2

Components 125 / 143a 125 / 143a / 134a

Percentage 50% / 50% 44% / 52% / 4%

ASHRAE # R-507A R-404ATrade names AZ-50 HP62 / Forane-404A

Manufacturers Allied-Signal DuPont / Elf Atochem

Glide 0.1°F 1.6°F

Pressure * 359 psig 354 psig

Capacity ** up 10% same

COP ** up 0-5% up 5%

* Condenser pressure at 130°F; R-502 is 321 psig** Relative to R-502Source: Dave Godwin, ARI AREP results

Dettmers 2/8/07

Composition of R-22 Alternatives

Trade Name ASHRAE Number HFC-32 HFC-125 HFC-134a R-600

Several 134A 100%

KLEA 407C, AC9000 407C 23% 25% 52%

AZ-20, Puron, Suva 9100 410A 50% 50%

AC9100 410B 45% 55%

Nu-22, ISCEON 59 417 46.6% 50% 3.4%

Trade Name ASHRAE Number HFC-32 HFC-125 HFC-134a R-600

Several 134A 100%

KLEA 407C, AC9000 407C 23% 25% 52%

AZ-20, Puron, Suva 9100 410A 50% 50%

AC9100 410B 45% 55%

Nu-22, ISCEON 59 417 46.6% 50% 3.4%

Trade Name ASHRAE Number HFC-32 HFC-125 HFC-134a R-600

Several 134A 100%

KLEA 407C, AC9000 407C 23% 25% 52%

AZ-20, Puron, Suva 9100 410A 50% 50%

AC9100 410B 45% 55%

Nu-22, ISCEON 59 417 46.6% 50% 3.4%

Large Glide

Dettmers 2/8/07

Long Term HCFC-22 AlternativesOption 1 Option 2 Option 3

Components 134a 32 / 125 32 / 125 / 134a

Percentage 100% 50% / 50% 23% / 25% / 52%

ASHRAE # R-134a R-410A R-407CTrade names several AZ-20/PuronAC9000/KLEA66

Manufacturers several Allied-Signal DuPont/ICI

Glide none 0.2°F 8-10°FPressure * 200 psig 479 psig 310 psig

Capacity ** down 30-40% up 40-50% up 10%

COP ** within 5% down 5-13% down 5%

* Condenser pressure at 130°F; HCFC-22 is 297 psig** Relative to HCFC-22

Source: Dave Godwin, ARI AREP results

Dettmers 2/8/07

Other HCFC-22 AlternativesR-507A & R-404a

System conversion possible with valve and lubricant change outHigher operating pressure & capacity

R-417a (Nu-22) 125/134a/600 (46.6%/50%/3.4%)Drop-in, uses butane for MO miscibilityReported oil return problems, reduced capacity @ low tempCopeland voids warranty if R-417a is usedMany other refrigerants like it (R-422A, R-427A)

Dettmers 2/8/07

Alternatives to R-13/R-503CFC 13 & R-503 (40.1/59.9 of R-23/R-13)

Traditional refrigerants for extremely low temperature refrigeration (below -40°F) applications

HFC 23 & R-508B (46/54 of R-23/R-116)GWP of 12,240 and 12,000 respectivelyBoth have no ODP

NH3-CO2 CascadeFinding favor lately both in U.S. and Europe

Dettmers 2/8/07

CO2-NH3 Cascade Refrigeration System

EvaporativeCondenser(s)

LowTemperatureEvaporator(s)

LowTemperatureRecirculator

CO2Compressor(s)

AmmoniaCompressor(s)

HighPressureReceiver

5’

T

High Temperature Evaporator(s)

CascadeHeat Exchanger

Dettmers 2/8/07

CO2-NH3 Cascade System

“No” direct environmental impacts

GWP, ODP

“High” working pressures for CO2

Low side 70 [psig]

High side 300 [psig]

Industrial scale systems currently in operation in both Europe and US

Photos: Nestlé

Dettmers 2/8/07

CO2-NH3 Cascade Efficiency

-70 -65 -60 -55 -50 -452.8

3

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4

Saturation Temperature [°F]

Effic

ienc

y [h

p/to

n]

CO2/NH3 CascadeCO2/NH3 Cascade

AmmoniaAmmonia

Dettmers 2/8/07

How to Protect Yourself1. Check to make sure it is SNAP approved

800-296-1996

www.epa.gov/air/ozonedep.html

2. Check with compressor manufacturerCheck warranties, oil issues, etc.

3. Check contractor’s reference listMake sure they have successfullysuccessfully worked with this refrigerant in the past

4. Check costRefrigerant, tax & operating cost