Today on the Coreco MedicalLab blog, we’re going to discuss a topic that is a major priority within the industry. For decades—ever since the industry became aware of this serious problem—it has been working to develop environmentally friendly refrigerants.
Our hope is that this article will help some people better understand the role of a refrigerant and how the refrigeration process works.
We'll also look at which chemical compounds have been used throughout history and how they have evolved into today's more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
The Cooling Process
The refrigeration process works through the physical process of evaporation, in which a liquid (a refrigerant) absorbs heat from its surroundings as it evaporates.
The amount of heat removed and the efficiency with which this is done depend on factors such as the compressor, the evaporator, the insulation, and, to a large extent, the type of refrigerant used.
A Brief History of Refrigerants
The first chemical refrigerants that were commonly used were generally toxic and often dangerous.
Sulfur dioxide
Used primarily to produce sulfuric acid, as a preservative, and as a laboratory reagent, sulfur dioxide is a major air pollutant in the environment.
Known for its smell of burnt matches, long-term exposure to large amounts of it—especially for people with allergies—can have serious health consequences.
Methyl chloride (R40)
Also known as chloromethane, methyl chloride occurs naturally in some processes, but is more commonly produced for industrial and commercial uses.
It contributes significantly to air pollution and is banned as a refrigerant, but it is still used in some chemical processes, such as in the production of certain plastics and herbicides.
Ammonia (R717)
Ammonia is, of course, a common household and industrial chemical that is still used in industrial and commercial refrigeration, naval and maritime applications, and even on the International Space Station. Unfortunately, its flammability and toxic nature limit its widespread use.
R12 and R22 – The First Commercial Refrigerants
R12 (Freon-12, or dichlorodifluoromethane) and R22 (chlorodifluoromethane) were two of the first widely used hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants, introduced in the 1930s and popular because they were nonflammable and highly stable.
These HCFC refrigerants became so popular because they generally break down only when exposed to ultraviolet light. As a major advantage for refrigeration technology, they were the compounds of choice for refrigeration and air conditioning for decades.
Refrigerants and Environmental Concerns
The chemical nature of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons—which makes them excellent candidates for refrigeration—is also their greatest drawback.
Unfortunately, in the 1970s and 1980s, it became clear that the chlorine in CFCs and HCFCs was severely damaging the Earth's ozone layer and contributing to global warming by trapping more heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
In response, the 1987 Montreal Protocol and subsequent agreements established a timeline for the phase-out of these chlorine-based refrigerants.
The Global Warming Potential (GWP) tool was developed to measure and compare the impact of refrigerants and other chemicals on the atmosphere and the resulting global warming.
Classifying refrigerants based on their PCA values makes it possible to gradually phase out harmful gases with high PCA values and promote alternatives with lower PCA values.
The system is based on carbon dioxide (CO2), which has a PCA value of 1, indicating the amount of heat that one unit of CO2 would add to the atmosphere over a given period of time (typically 100 years).
Other chemicals and compounds are compared to CO2 over the same time period; so, for example, a compound with a GWP of 12 would warm the atmosphere 12 times more than CO2 over that 100-year period.
The Next Generation of Refrigeration: R134A and R404A
R134A, also known as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or norflurane, is a hydrofluorocarbon compound that contains no chlorine—one of the most harmful components of HCFC refrigerants—and was introduced when the ban on HCFCs for refrigeration was planned.
With a GWP of 1,430, it is a definite improvement over R12 (GWP 10,200) and R22 (GWP 1,760), and it quickly became a popular replacement in refrigerators and automotive air conditioners.
In addition, it has found applications in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries and in a variety of consumer compressed-air products.
Developed around the same time as R134A, R404A (GWP 3.922) is an HFC blend that has been widely adopted for use in commercial and industrial refrigeration, despite its relatively high GWP.
R290 and R600A: Environmentally Friendly Refrigerants
Poor energy efficiency, high GWP values, and growing concern about environmental impact—including the realization that fluorocarbons are nearly as harmful to the atmosphere as chlorocarbons—have spurred the development of new refrigerants.
In the quest to achieve zero GWP values, two hydrocarbon refrigerants have emerged as effective, safe, and relatively inexpensive options that can be used in many existing refrigeration systems with minimal modifications.
Isobutane (R600A)
Stable and offering performance similar to that of its predecessors, the R600A represents a huge improvement in terms of environmental impact, with a very low GWP of just 3.
It has become one of the most popular refrigerants used today for residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration.
Since it is flammable, it is not necessarily suitable for retrofitting older refrigeration systems, but it is an excellent option for systems specifically designed to use R600A, and it is comparable to R12.
Isopropane (R290)
Isopropane (GWP 3), a familiar, economical, and readily available blend of isobutane and propane, is becoming a standard refrigerant for use in commercial and industrial refrigeration, as well as in specialty applications such as camping, recreational vehicles, and medical and laboratory refrigeration. Overall, R290 is a good substitute for R22.
Benefits of Using Environmentally Friendly Refrigerants
These new hydrocarbon refrigerants not only have a lower environmental impact, but also offer a variety of other benefits and cost savings.
Faster temperature recovery
Greater thermodynamic efficiency means that hydrocarbon refrigerants allow refrigerators and freezers to return to the desired temperature more quickly, making it easier to maintain the stable temperatures that are so crucial.
Lower energy consumption
Hydrocarbons provide cooling with nearly twice the efficiency of CFC refrigerants and can operate effectively with a much lower charge than previous chemical refrigerants. These efficiencies allow smaller compressors to operate using less energy. All of these characteristics combined can result in drastically lower energy consumption.
Widely available
Since they are already extracted along with petroleum and readily available, hydrocarbons offer a relatively easy-to-obtain substitute for less desirable chemical refrigerants.
R290: The Eco-Friendly Refrigerant
Reasons to Choose R290 Refrigerant Gas
Just as in the hospitality and restaurant industries, the medical and laboratory sectors also commonly use various types of refrigeration equipment to keep either food or medications at the recommended temperature until they are used, in addition to complying with all health regulations that apply to the stored products.
Older equipment consumes a significant amount of electricity and requires specific maintenance, which can result in additional costs for the end customer.
This type of obsolete equipment typically uses refrigerants that, in order to maintain the set temperature, often have a high environmental impact.
For all these reasons, and to comply with the F-Gas Regulation on fluorinated gases, at Coreco we have chosen the R290 refrigerant, which is currently the most environmentally friendly option available.
What is R290?
R290 refrigerant, also known as propane, is a potential substitute for other refrigerants used in household appliances, such as home refrigerators and freezers, as well as small commercial units. In this way, we also minimize the environmental impact of using other refrigerants that are more harmful to the environment.
The R290 has zero potential for Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) (ozone depletion potential) and a global warming potential (GWP) (an acronym for the English term Global Warming Potential – GWP = Global Warming Potential) insignificant. Since it is a petroleum derivative, it is considered a mineral-based refrigerant.
Use of R290
R290 has been used in the past in refrigeration systems and is still used in some industrial plants. It has been used in heat pumps and residential air conditioners throughout virtually all of Europe, with varying degrees of success.
Because it is available worldwide, it has been widely chosen as a replacement for CFCs.
Propane (R290) is arguably one of the best refrigerants for this type of application due to its high performance, but it must be handled with care because it is flammable.
Flammable refrigerants not only significantly reduce direct emissions, but also increase the energy efficiency of the refrigeration cycle (reducing indirect emissions), which is an important step toward replacing and phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Maintenance of Equipment Using R290
As for the maintenance required for R290-based equipment, you'll also find significant benefits, since it's very easy to handle.
In any case, we recommend that you always contact a qualified service technician to handle it, as this refrigerant gas is highly flammable.
If you detect leaks in your kitchen coming from an appliance that uses R290, be sure to ventilate the room properly and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. By following these tips, you’ll enjoy an efficient appliance that’s environmentally friendly.
Key Benefits of Using R290
- Low pollution potential
- Virtually no toxic potential
- Proven Efficiency
- More cost-effective
- Easy maintenance
- Complies with the FGAS Regulation
While this demonstrates a trend toward an increase in the number of people choosing natural refrigerants, the supermarket industry represents the next major segment that will benefit from this shift for the following reasons:
Environmental preservation.
The use of R-290 not only reduces CO2 emissions but also has a positive impact on atmospheric warming. This is due to the low level of direct emissions and the refrigerant’s extremely low global warming potential.
There is also a drastic reduction in indirect emissions—for example, CO2 emissions generated during power production. This is due to the improved energy efficiency of units that use R-290.
Quiet, efficient, and cost-effective.
R-290 increases the compressor’s energy efficiency. This results in a significant improvement in energy consumption, which undoubtedly helps meet energy standards. As if that weren’t enough, propane helps keep noise levels very low in work environments. This is undoubtedly of great value in medical laboratories.
Extends the system's service life.
The operating temperatures and pressures used by compressors with these refrigerants are significantly lower than those used with R-404A, a mixture with a higher GWP.
The result is increased reliability of the compressor and, in general, of the entire mechanism, due to reduced mechanical friction and thermal capacity.
Maintenance time and costs are reduced.
With this type of R290 refrigerant, installers or customers can release the refrigerant into the atmosphere, saving recovery time during use.
In any case, maintenance of refrigeration equipment should be performed only by professional installers, who typically use the appropriate tools due to the equipment’s high flammability.
Prioritize the safety of the installer and the customer.
R290 is flammable, but the risk of fire is very low. In fact, the refrigerant charge in most refrigerators contains an amount equivalent to that in just a few pocket lighters.
In addition, the entire electrical circuit of compressors that use this refrigerant is designed to prevent the generation of sparks or flames.
There is a very low risk of refrigerant leaks because the compressors are hermetically sealed.
Simplification for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers)
The R-290 offers opportunities for OEMs to reduce their SKUs (stock-keeping units).
This provides good operational solutions, as it is a refrigerant that performs very well in low- to medium-temperature applications.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction: The F-Gas Regulation.
As is well known within the industry, the primary objective of European Union Regulation 517/2014 (better known as the F-Gas Regulation) is to protect the environment by reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Gradually, over the 2015–2030 period, the total amount of fluorinated greenhouse gases (GWP, or PCA in Spanish) that can be used in Europe is being capped, with the goal of reducing emissions to one-fifth of baseline levels.
Similarly, this Regulation not only establishes a series of restrictions on the use of fluorinated gases in new facilities but also on the maintenance of existing ones.
Another aspect to consider under this F-Gas Regulation relates to the ECODESIGN standards, which establish energy efficiency requirements to reduce CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere.
Scenarios and Alternatives
Given the development of the regulation, the primary goal is to make refrigeration equipment more efficient and sustainable. This is achieved by reducing electricity consumption and using more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
Traditional HFCs must be replaced with refrigerant gases that have a low GWP and high energy efficiency.
In this context, there are what are known as “HC natural gases” and those referred to as A2L, and each has its own specific use depending on the application.
While in the HVAC sector, R32 (A2L) has found its place in equipment designed for the hospitality, catering, retail, and foodservice industries, it is R600a and, above all, R290 that are the natural alternative refrigerants poised to replace HFCs, R134a and R404A initially, and in the short term, the long list of substitutes that has flooded the refrigerant market.
New Challenges for the Industry
All of the above poses a challenge for manufacturers, installers, and maintenance providers. Until now, the systems we consider traditional have been replaced by new technological solutions.
But none of this should have a negative impact on the end customer's experience; customers should see a reduction in their electricity bill as well as an improvement for the environment.
It is the sector as a whole that must cooperate in this entire transformation, ensuring that the end user reaps all the benefits of these changes.
It would also be helpful to secure institutional support for initiatives to replace HORECA equipment, which would certainly encourage users to upgrade their hospitality equipment to energy-efficient models.
Reducing electricity consumption results in significant savings for the end customer, even though the initial investment is somewhat higher. Just compare the data for equipment manufactured 10 years ago with that of current models (graph)
The Necessary Cooperation of the Entire Sector
As mentioned, the new refrigeration units have been redesigned to comply with F-GAS and ECODESIGN requirements. This does not mean that we have lost sight of the needs of the end customer or the installer, who, after all, is best positioned to understand the market.
Installers and maintenance technicians are required to undergo an upgrade that is now mandated by law and the market.
It is always essential—and even more so in these times of change—to take into account the collaboration between manufacturers, installers, and maintenance providers. This allows for a more integrated and cost-effective approach to implementing regulations.
At the same time, we could also support communication initiatives aimed at informing the end customer about the benefits of these changes.
The Manufacturer as a Consultant
In this regard, we manufacturers provide consulting services to help minimize the impact of these changes on the market as much as possible.
Our work also involves planning for the specific needs that installers bring to us, because the cost pressures associated with upgrades present a challenge when it comes to addressing energy efficiency and emissions policies.
Every investment must be carefully evaluated and analyzed, but there are reasons to justify this one. Even if the initial investment is higher, the payback will come from energy savings and other operational costs.
We must call for a subsidy program to support the replacement of equipment currently in use in the HORECA sector. This should be a plan that enables manufacturers and installers to undertake these replacements and allows end customers to access low-interest loans.
CFC-free refrigeration in all CORECO products
At Coreco, we believe in doing our part to protect the planet by using these CFC-free refrigerants with low global warming potential, which are featured in all of our refrigerators.
All of our products also They comply with all other European quality standards, as you can see at this link.
With over 30 years of experience and our commitment to the highest quality and customer satisfaction, we guarantee that our refrigeration units will meet all of your customers’ cold storage needs.
Contact us today to discuss what you need for your customers and learn about all the new features we've added to our product line.
