Refrigerant gases are compounds that have the capability of absorbing heat from the environment. When used in conjunction with compressors and evaporators, they provide refrigeration or air conditioning. Freezing & air-conditioning equipment utilize refrigerants to serve their purpose of temperature control.
What Are Ecofriendly Refrigerants?
The major categories of refrigerants are:
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs):
CFCs are compounds consisting of chlorine, fluorine & carbon atoms. They are used in making aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants. Due to their high ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and high GWP (Global Warming Potential), they are considered non-eco-friendly refrigerant gases.
Examples: R11, R12
HCFCs are compounds consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine and carbon atoms. HCFC refrigerants have medium ODP and medium to high GWP; often used in refrigerant and air conditioning equipment. These also are not environment friendly refrigerant gases, and in most countries are either phased out completely or undergoing phase out.
Examples: R22, R141b
A combination of fluorinated hydrocarbons, HFCs have zero ODP and medium to high GWP thus offering a more environment friendly alternative to CFCs and HCFCs. HFCs are used as an alternative to CFC’s in foam production, refrigeration and other processes. HFCs can contribute to global warming but do not affect the ozone layer directly.
Examples: R32, R134a
HFOs comprise hydrogen, fluorine and carbon atoms connected by single bonds between the atoms. HFO refrigerants have zero ODP & comparatively very low GWP and are currently considered the most eco-friendly refrigerants available.
Example: R452a, HFO1234yf, HFO1234ze, HFO1234yz
CFCs, HCFCs & HFCs are chemically synthesized, they do not exist as compounds naturally. As their medium to high ODP & GWP is considerably detrimental to the environment, they are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol (1987).
HFOs are synthetically made unsaturated HFCs with no ODP & low GWP, resulting in lowest adverse effect on environment and thus are eco-friendly refrigerant gases.
Natural refrigerants have zero ODP & extremely low GWP due to which they are ideal replacements for the CFCs, HFCs & HCFCs. They are the naturally occurring substances like CO2, ammonia, water & air. They can be hydrocarbons as well e.g. propane, isobutene, propene or propylene.
How Eco-Friendly Gases Affect Environment?
Eco-friendly gases are the least detrimental to the environment. On combustion these gases produce 45% lesser CO2 as compared to those produced by combusting other resources.
Benefits Of Eco-Friendly Gases
- Recycling, or disposal, after their usage in cooling systems is comparatively easier than CFCs, HCFCs & HFCs.
- These gases are typically more energy efficient than F-gases.
- Eco-friendly gases can be used in almost all RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) applications.
- These refrigerants are not patented by the chemical industry & are cheaper than HFCs.
- These gases do not harm the environment & can be handled safely with care.
- These gases can also be obtained as by-products from other processes.
- It is easier to make them readily available if proper distribution structures can be established.
Gorakhram Haribux
For over 60 years, Gorakhram Haribux has been at the forefront of promoting and supplying refrigerants used in refrigeration & air-conditioning. We are the official supplier of Freon, a product by The Chemours Company in India & have a range of eco-friendly HFO gases. We are one of the largest suppliers of gases as listed, for new and existing cooling equipment:
| R22 | R123 | R134a | Vertrel XF | R404a | R410a | R508b (FREON 95) |
| R23 | R124 | R141b | R236fa | R407c | R507 | R227ea (FM200) |
We are also Indian distributors for Chemours Refrigerants, a spinoff of DuPont, which is a worldwide leader in the field of refrigerants.
We’ve introduced the new OPTEON series (HFO based) of eco-friendly refrigerant gases, as replacements for the above mentioned gases, with zero ODP & low GWP. Some features of our HFO based refrigerant gases are as follows.
A low GWP gas that can replace existing HFC-134a automotive air-conditioning systems with minimal retrofitting. Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) has improved performance and lower indirect contribution to climate change versus HFC-134a.
It is a non-ozone depleting, low GWP, HFO based refrigerant replacement for R-404A/R-507 in new equipment and retrofit of existing systems. It offers a near-match to the compressor discharge temperature and the mass flow rate of R-404A/R-507, eliminating the need for TXV adjustments. It is suitable for commercial refrigeration & chillers.
Other features:
- Low GWP (51% reduction compared to R-404A/R-507)
- Approved and adopted by major equipment manufacturers
- Compatible with existing equipment design/lubricants
- Can be topped up after leaks
It is an HFO based refrigerant replacement for R-123 in low pressure centrifugal chillers. R514a is a non-flammable, azeotropic refrigerant blend suitable for new systems, offering excellent capacity and energy efficiency to match to R-123. It can be used in stationary air conditioning.
An azeotropic refrigerant suitable for new and retrofit of existing systems, offering excellent capacity and energy efficiency match to R-134a.
Other features:
- Low GWP (56% reduction compared to R-134a)
- Approved by major equipment and component manufacturers
Replacement for R-404A/R-507, R-407A/F, and R-22 for new equipment and retrofit of existing systems, it has a GWP of 1282, which is a 67% reduction, and provides 8-12% lower energy consumption than R-404A/R-507. Compared to R-407A, Opteon™ XP40 offers improved performance, similar capacity and 33% lower GWP.
Other features are as follows:
- Low GWP (65% reduction compared to R-404A/R-507)
- Safe and nonflammable
- Approved by major equipment and component manufacturers
- Compatible with existing equipment design/lubricants
- Extensively field tested with no equipment/lubricant/seal changes
- Can be topped off after leaks
We also supply Hydrocarbons like R600 (Isobutane) and R290 (Propane).
We supply gases and service customers nationwide, and count many major OEMs and corporates as our clients. Get in touch with Gorakhram Haribux for all your refrigerant needs.