Hydrocarbons are refrigerants that can be used as an alternative to
fluorocarbon
refrigerants in some refrigeration and air conditioning applications.
The term ‘Hydrocarbon’ encompasses following:
A) Ethane (R170)
B) Propane(R290)
C) Butane (R600)
D) Isobutane (R600a)
E) Propylene (R1270)
Properties
1) Hydrocarbons are highly flammable.
2) They have a low toxicity.
3) Hydrocarbon refrigerants are fully compatible with nearly all lubricants commonly used
in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. One major exception to this rule is
lubricants containing silicone and silicate.
Comparison with HCFC
1) HVAC professionals have made a comparative study on the performance of hydrocarbon
refrigerants R290, R600a and R1270 with that of HCFC refrigerant R22 and found that in
comparison to R22, hydrocarbon refrigerants have similar or better ability.
2) An experiment on a new refrigerant blend comprising R134a (an HFC) and hydrocarbon
refrigerants R600a and R290, with a view to finding a replacement for the CFC refrigerant
R12 in domestic refrigerators. The experiment concluded that the blend has been identified
as a promising alternative to be used as a refrigerant in a conventional R12 system and
that the blend reduced energy consumption by 4 to 11%.
3) Hydrocarbon refrigerants generally are compatible with the materials used in systems
designed for R22 and often can use the same or similar lubricants, however, their
substitution requires significant attention to safety issues including application
specific considerations.
4) It has been observed that no (one) refrigerant has been identified as a suitable
alternative for most applications,though they identify that some refrigerant blends “offer
good options”. Blends can be HFC/HFC or HFC/HC.
5) Hydrocarbons may be suitable in some applications, and may not be in others, so every
application needs to be carefully assessed on its merits.
Safety Issues
1) As mentioned above, hydrocarbon refrigerants are flammable and therefore certain
restrictions are placed on their use to ensure safety.
2) All electrical contacts must be sealed or non-sparking.
3) The refrigerant charge in a system below ground level must not exceed 1.0 kg.
4) Sealed systems not exceeding 0.25 kg can be sited in any location.
5) Systems with charges exceeding 0.25 kg must not be located anywhere where a sudden loss
of refrigerant will raise the concentration in the room or occupied compartment above the
practical limit (0.008 kg/m³)
6) Piping for systems exceeding 1.5 kg must be restricted to the room containing the
refrigerant.
Corporate Acceptance
1) In Europe, many models of domestic refrigerators are charged with hydrocarbon
refrigerant in the factory. It is estimated that there are at least 100,000,000 household
refrigerators in use around the world containing hydrocarbon refrigerants.
2) Hydrocarbons have also been used in small air conditioning systems and cold drinking
water dispensers.
3) Hydrocarbon refrigerants are also commonly used in large process refrigeration systems
in the oil and gas industries.
refrigerants in some refrigeration and air conditioning applications.
The term ‘Hydrocarbon’ encompasses following:
A) Ethane (R170)
B) Propane(R290)
C) Butane (R600)
D) Isobutane (R600a)
E) Propylene (R1270)
Properties
1) Hydrocarbons are highly flammable.
2) They have a low toxicity.
3) Hydrocarbon refrigerants are fully compatible with nearly all lubricants commonly used
in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. One major exception to this rule is
lubricants containing silicone and silicate.
Comparison with HCFC
1) HVAC professionals have made a comparative study on the performance of hydrocarbon
refrigerants R290, R600a and R1270 with that of HCFC refrigerant R22 and found that in
comparison to R22, hydrocarbon refrigerants have similar or better ability.
2) An experiment on a new refrigerant blend comprising R134a (an HFC) and hydrocarbon
refrigerants R600a and R290, with a view to finding a replacement for the CFC refrigerant
R12 in domestic refrigerators. The experiment concluded that the blend has been identified
as a promising alternative to be used as a refrigerant in a conventional R12 system and
that the blend reduced energy consumption by 4 to 11%.
3) Hydrocarbon refrigerants generally are compatible with the materials used in systems
designed for R22 and often can use the same or similar lubricants, however, their
substitution requires significant attention to safety issues including application
specific considerations.
4) It has been observed that no (one) refrigerant has been identified as a suitable
alternative for most applications,though they identify that some refrigerant blends “offer
good options”. Blends can be HFC/HFC or HFC/HC.
5) Hydrocarbons may be suitable in some applications, and may not be in others, so every
application needs to be carefully assessed on its merits.
Safety Issues
1) As mentioned above, hydrocarbon refrigerants are flammable and therefore certain
restrictions are placed on their use to ensure safety.
2) All electrical contacts must be sealed or non-sparking.
3) The refrigerant charge in a system below ground level must not exceed 1.0 kg.
4) Sealed systems not exceeding 0.25 kg can be sited in any location.
5) Systems with charges exceeding 0.25 kg must not be located anywhere where a sudden loss
of refrigerant will raise the concentration in the room or occupied compartment above the
practical limit (0.008 kg/m³)
6) Piping for systems exceeding 1.5 kg must be restricted to the room containing the
refrigerant.
| Hospitals,
prisons, theaters, supermarkets, schools, hotels, restaurants, dwellings |
• Refrigerant charge must
not
exceed 1.5 kg per sealed
system
• Refrigerant charge must
not
exceed 5.0 kg in special
machinery rooms for indirect systems
|
| Offices,
small shops,
small restaurants,
places for generalmanufacturing and where people work |
• Refrigerant charge must
not
exceed 2.5 kg per sealed
system
• Refrigerant charge must
not exceed 10.0 kg in special machinery rooms for indirect
systems
|
| Industrial,
cold stores, dairies, abattoirs, non public areas of supermarkets |
• Refrigerant charge must not
exceed 10.0 kg in humanly occupied spaces • Refrigerant charge must not exceed 25.0 kg for systems with high pressure side in special machinery rooms • No restrictions are placed on the charge size if all parts of the system containing refrigerant are in a special machinery room or in open air |
Corporate Acceptance
1) In Europe, many models of domestic refrigerators are charged with hydrocarbon
refrigerant in the factory. It is estimated that there are at least 100,000,000 household
refrigerators in use around the world containing hydrocarbon refrigerants.
2) Hydrocarbons have also been used in small air conditioning systems and cold drinking
water dispensers.
3) Hydrocarbon refrigerants are also commonly used in large process refrigeration systems
in the oil and gas industries.
http://enersavebiz.blogspot.com/2013/07/hydrocarbon-as-green-gas-for-air.html
ReplyDeleteHello. We need some help here. Your opinions or comments are highly appreciated. Thank you.