A refrigerant is a heat transfer mixture, usually a fluid, which undergoes phase transitions in cycles from liquid to gas and back again.
A refrigerant is a chemical substance used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. They work by absorbing heat and transferring it in a cycle to achieve cooling of air or objects.
Refrigerants typically have low boiling points, allowing them to evaporate and cool the surrounding environment at relatively low temperatures. When in liquid state, the refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates into a gas. Then, through compression and condensation processes, the refrigerant releases heat and returns to a liquid state, preparing for the next cycle.
Variety of refrigerants:
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
- R11 (trichlorofluoromethane)
- R12 (dichlorodifluoromethane)
- R113 (trichlorotrifluoroethane)
- R114 (dichlorotetrafluoroethane)
- R115 (chloropentafluoroethane)
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
- R22 (chlorodifluoromethane)
- R123 (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane)
- R124 (dichlorofluoroethane)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- R134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane)
- R410A (50% R32 + 50% R125)
- R404A (44% R125 + 52% R143a + 4% R134a)
- R407C (23% R32 + 25% R125 + 52% R134a)
Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)
- R1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene)
- R1234ze(E) (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene)
In the past decades, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) were widely used as refrigerants. However, due to their detrimental impact on the ozone layer and contribution to global warming, international actions have been taken to restrict and phase out these substances. Modern refrigerants typically belong to the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) category, which have reduced ozone depletion potential.