Top 9 refrigerants

A versatile, but already obsolete refrigerant, the scope of which is now limited due to increased safety requirements for the ozone layer and the potential for a greenhouse effect. Used only for old-style systems, not suitable for modern refrigerators.But for outdated systems, it is universal, suitable for any type of compressors, thermostats and compatible with almost all types of oils, but it is still preferable to choose mineral oil. If it were not for the availability of more modern new generation refrigerants on sale, R22 freon could be considered one of the most effective options due to its excellent thermodynamic and thermophysical properties.

R32 is more commonly used in air conditioning systems than in refrigerators. But it is often used as an additive to other freons for better energy efficiency and cooling performance. In its pure form, it is rarely poured into systems due to increased explosiveness. On the other hand, the one-component composition makes it possible to carry out top-up, despite the residual amount of refrigerant. Therefore, in the climatic equipment of some well-known companies (for example, Daikin), this freon is often found. For comparison, R32 is similar in technical characteristics to R410, but is less viscous, which reduces the consumption rate.

The use of R290 for filling household and industrial refrigerators, heat pumps and other similar equipment is reasonable in terms of its low cost and lack of toxicity. An important role is played by compatibility with any structural materials, inexpensive mineral oils. The low temperature at the outlet of the compressor can also be attributed to the pluses. With all its advantages, this type of refrigerant provides a fairly high cooling capacity. But there are also reasons due to which not everyone is ready to work with R290 freon. These are the requirements for the design features of the equipment (increased compressor size) and explosion hazard.

Freon of the new generation has a sufficiently high specific cooling capacity, does not adversely affect the ozone layer, does not ignite, and is not toxic to humans. It is used in high pressure air conditioning systems, industrial and domestic refrigerators. Not suitable for all models; when refueling, it is necessary to take into account design features, compressor characteristics, safety margin of the refrigeration circuit. But in the event of a leak, the remaining freon retains all its properties, so the refueling process is extremely simple. The refrigerant is quite suitable for use in ordinary household refrigerators, but only if the characteristics of the equipment installed in it match.

R404A was developed as an ozone-saving substitute for R502. This is a fairly effective freon, which is a mixture of several different refrigerants - R143a, R125 and R134a. It is used in both medium and low temperature units.But it is rarely used in domestic refrigerators, the main purpose is to fill industrial medium-temperature and freezers. The properties of the refrigerant are not bad - it is characterized by economy in use, long service life, ease of refueling.

The combined refrigerant has the following composition - R32 (23%) + R125 (25%) + R134a (52%). Each of the freons used here gives the mixture certain properties - increasing productivity, preventing fire, controlling the working pressure, respectively. The range of use is wide - it can be household and industrial refrigerators, air conditioners, heat pumps. One of the reasons for choosing this freon in many cases is the possibility of refueling equipment after a leak without completely draining the refrigerant remaining in the system. In addition to ease of repair, they take into account safety, lack of toxicity and explosion hazard.

A fairly common refrigerant now, most often used in industrial, transport, commercial refrigeration, ice makers. It is an azeotropic mixture, which differs little in properties from single-component freons. During refueling, the substance can be in a liquid or gaseous state, which allows refilling in the event of a leak. When refueling a refrigerator running on R404A, you can safely use R507 without changing anything in the design. At the same time, the cooling capacity even increases by 1-3%, depending on the type of refrigerator.

This refrigerant is used quite often in household refrigerators and freezers mainly for safety reasons. It is non-toxic and non-flammable. But compared to the most common freon R600a, it has lower energy efficiency and sometimes leads to blockages in the refrigeration system. It is safe for the ozone layer, but at the same time it has a very large global warming potential, which is the reason for the gradual phase-out of refrigerator manufacturers from this refrigerant. Another reason is that for the correct operation of the compressor, a sufficiently large amount of gas is required, in the case of refueling, a considerable amount is also needed.

One of the most common refrigerants used in most modern refrigerators and freezers. This is due to low toxicity and excellent energy efficiency. This type of refrigerant ensures quiet operation of the unit and reduced power consumption. But if the refrigerator worked on another freon, to replace it with R600a, you will also have to change the compressor, so repairs will be expensive. But since it is this refrigerant that is most often used in the factory manufacture of refrigerators, today it can be called the most common and popular, having very good performance compared to already outdated freons.