MODULE 4

“Refrigerants are used as working

substances in a Refrigeration systems”.
It acts as a transportation medium to move heat
absorbed in the evaporator to the condenser where
it is rejected.
▪ Refrigerant : is the primary working fluid used for
absorbing and transmitting heat in a refrigeration
system.
▪ Refrigerants absorb heat at low temperature and
low pressure and release heat at a higher
temperature and pressure.
▪ Most refrigerants undergo phase changes during
heat absorption (evaporation) and heat releasing
(condensation)
▪ The thermodynamic efficiency of a refrigeration system

depends mainly on its operating temperatures.

▪ However, important practical issues such as the system

design, size, initial and operating costs, safety, reliability, and

serviceability etc. depend very much on the type of

refrigerant selected for a given application.

▪ Due to several environmental issues such as ozone layer

depletion, global warming and their relation to the various

refrigerants used, the selection of suitable refrigerant has

become one of the most important issues in recent times.

 HISTORY OF REFRIGERANTS :-
Natural refrigerants:-
1) Ice blocks
2) Using nocturnal cooling
3) Use of evaporation
Artificial refrigerants :-Ancient people of India and Egypt cooled liquids
in porous earthen jars.

1) In 1835, Jakob Perkins use ethyl ether as the refrigerant ( b.p= 30’c).
(if air mixed forms an explosive gas).
2) In 1874, Raowl Piolet designs the first sulphur dioxide based system.
(forms H2SO4 when gets moisture).
3) In 1885, Fraunz Windhausen builds the first to use CO2 in Germany.
(high operating pressure ).
4) In 1920, iso-butane based domestic refrigerator ( highly flammable),
General Electric first introduce “Kelvinator “ refrigerator.
5) In 1930, Introduction of CFCs.
 CLASSIFICATION OF REFRIGERANTS

Based on Working Principle :-

REFRIGERANTS

PRIMARY REFRIGERANTS SECONDARY REFRIGERANTS

1) Used directly as 1) Liquids that are used

working fluids. to transport energy.

2) Undergo phase 2) Not undergo any

change. phase change.
Eg, R134a, R404a Eg. Water , brines.
 BASED ON CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
REFRIGERANTS

PURE FLUIDS MIXTURE

1) AZEOTROPIC
2) ZEOTROPIC

SYNTHETIC NATURAL

1) CFCS R 12 OR FERON 12 1) ORGANIC (HC)

2) HCFCS R134a 2) INORGANIC CRYOGENIC
3) HFCS R23 a) NH3
b) CO2
c) H20
NON CRYOGENIC
BASED ON SAFETY :-

Toxicity

Class A Class B
• No Toxicity indication <= 400 ppm • Toxicity < 400 ppm
EG. CO2 , R 22 EG. NH3
Flammability
(at 21°C and 101 kPa )

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

Do not show flame Lower flammability
Lower flammability
propagation . limit more than 0.10
limit of less than
kg/m3 and a heat of
or equal to 0.10
combustion of less
kg/m3 and a heat
than 19 kJ/kg
of combustion
greater than or equal
to 19 kJ/kg.
 Classification Refrigerants
• Primary refrigerants
• Secondary refrigerants
• Primary refrigerants

• These are the refrigerants which cool the substance or space

directly by absorbing latent heat.

• It absorbs heat during evaporation in the evaporator and releases

heat energy during condensation in condensor.

• It is also known as direct expansion system eg. Ammonia, Freon,

SO2, CO2 etc.

• These fluids provide refrigeration by undergoing a phase

change process in the evaporator.
Classification of Primary Refrigerant

• Halo-carbon Refrigerant
• Azeotrope Refrigerant
• Inorganic Refrigerant
• Hydro-carbon Refrigerant
 Hydro-Carbon
Refrigerants

Halo-Carbon
Inorganic Primary
/ Organic
Refrigerants Refrigerants
Refrigerants

Azeotrope
Refrigerants
 Halocarbon Refrigerants
▪ Halocarbon Refrigerant are all synthetically produced and were
developed as the Freon family of refrigerants.
▪ They are fluorocarbons of methane and ethane series.
▪ They contain 1 or more of these halogens (chlorine, bromine, fluorine)
▪ Non toxic, non-flammable, non-explosive, non- corrosive, non-irritant
to human body and eyes.
▪ Odourless, colourless
▪ Will not react with food product stored in the refrigerated space.
▪ Will not react with lubricating oil.
▪ Has excellent thermodynamic properties.
▪ Only disadvantage is ozone layer is damaged.
Examples :
CFC’s : R11, R12, R113, R114,
R115 HCFC’s : R22, R123
HFC’s : R134a, R404a, R407C, R410a
 Azeotrope Refrigerants
▪ This group of refrigerants consist of mixture of different
refrigerants which can not separated under pressure and
temperature and have fixed thermodynamic properties.

▪ A stable mixture of two or several refrigerants whose

vapour and liquid phases retain identical compositions
over a wide range of temperatures.

▪ Azeotropic mixtures are designated by 500 series.

Examples :
R-500 : 73.8% R12 and 26.2% R152
R-502 : 8.8% R22 and 51.2% R115
R-503 : 40.1% R23 and 59.9% R13
 Azeotrope Refrigerants

Refrigerant Number Chemical Formulae

R-500 CCl2F2/CH3CHF2

R-502 CHClF2 / CClF2CF3

R-503 CHF3 / CClF3

R-504 CH2F2 / CClF2CF3

 Inorganic Refrigerants
Inorganic refrigerant were exclusively used before the
introduction of halocarbon. These refrigerant are still in
use due to there inherent thermodynamic and physical
properties.
❑ Carbon Dioxide

❑ Water

❑ Ammonia

❑ Air

❑ Sulphur dioxide
 Inorganic Refrigerants

Refrigerant Number Chemical Name Chemical Formulae

R-717 Ammonia NH3

R-729 Air

R-744 Carbon dioxide CO2

R-764 Sulphur dioxide SO2

R-118 Water H2O

 Ammonia (NH3) R-717
• Used for commercial purposes. Mainly in cold stored and ice
plants. The boiling temperature of NH3 at atmospheric pressure is
-33 ºc and melting point from solid is -78ºC The low boiling points
makes it possible to have refrigeration considerably below 0ºC
without using pressure below atmospheric in the evaporator.
• Its latent heat of vaporization at -15ºC is 1315 k/kg It is
colorless gas with a sharp pungent smell
• Has good thermodynamic properties
• It is neutral to all metals, highly soluble in oil. Volatile
and non toxic but in higher conc.
 Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

Previously used in household refrigerators

Toxic, non-explosive and non-flammable, non-corrosive

Irritant to human body

Non mixable with oil

Has pungent odour and low latent heat value

 Zeotropic Refrigerants
▪ Zeotropic mixture is one whose composition in liquid phase
differs to that in vapour phase. Zeotropic refrigerants
therefore do not boil at constant temperatures unlike
azeotropic refrigerants.
▪ Zeotropic refrigerants (e.g. non-azeotropic mixtures) are
designated by 400 series.
Examples :
R404a : R125 /R143a /R134a
(44%,52%,4%) R407c : R32/R125/R134a
(23%, 25%, 52%)
R410a : R32/R125 (50%, 50%)
R413a : R600a/ R218/R134a (3%, 9%, 88%)
 Hydrocarbons
▪ Most of the hydrocarbon refrigerant are successfully
used in industrial and commercial installation. They
possess satisfactory thermodynamic properties but are
highly flammable and explosive.
▪ Growing use in very small commercial systems like car
air conditioning system
Examples:
• R170, Ethane, C2H6 R290 , Propane C3H3, R600,
Butane, C4H10, R600a, Isobutane, C4H10 Blends of the
above Gases
 Hydrocarbons

Refrigerant Number Chemical Name Chemical Formulae

R-170 Ethane C2H6

R-290 Propane C3H3

R-600 Butane C4H10

R-600 a Isobutane C4H10

R-1120 Trichloroethylene C2H4Cl3

R-1130 Dichloroethylene C2H4Cl2

R-1150 Ethylene C2H4

R-1270 Propylene C3H6

 REFRIGERANT SELECTION CRITERIA:-

Selection of refrigerant for a particular application is

based on the following requirements:

i. Thermodynamic and Thermo-physical properties

ii. Environmental and safety properties, like: ozone depletion

potential, global warming potential, and combustibility

iii. Economics
(i) Thermo-dynamic and thermo-physical
properties of Refrigerants:
a ) Suction pressure: At a given evaporator temperature, the
saturation pressure should be above atmospheric for
prevention of air or moisture and non-condensable gases
ingress into the system and ease of leak detection. Higher
suction pressure is better as it leads to smaller compressor
displacement.
b ) Discharge pressure: At a given condenser temperature,
the discharge pressure should be as small as possible to
allow light-weight construction of compressor, condenser
etc.
c ) Pressure ratio: Should be as small as possible for high
volumetric efficiency and low power consumption.
d) Latent heat of vaporization: Should be as large as
possible so that the required mass flow rate per unit cooling
capacity will be small.

From the above equation, it can be seen that for given

condenser and evaporator temperatures as the latent heat of
vaporization increases, the pressure ratio also increases.
Hence a trade-off is required between the latent heat of
vaporization and pressure ratio.
e) Isentropic index of compression: Should be as
small as possible so that the temperature rise during
compression will be small.
f) Liquid specific heat: Should be small so that
degree of sub-cooling will be large leading to smaller
amount of flash gas at evaporator inlet
g) Vapour specific heat: Should be large so that the
degree of superheating will be small.
h) Thermal conductivity: Thermal conductivity in
both liquid as well as vapour phase should be
high for higher heat transfer coefficients.
i) Viscosity: Viscosity should be small in both liquid
and vapour phases for smaller frictional pressure
drops
 (ii) Environmental and safety properties
In fact, at present the environment friendliness of the
refrigerant is a major factor in deciding the usefulness of a
particular refrigerant. The important environmental and
safety properties are:
a) Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP): According to the
Montreal protocol, the ODP of refrigerants should be
zero, i.e., they should be non-ozone depleting
substances.
❖ Refrigerants having non-zero ODP have either already
been phased-out (e.g. R 11, R 12) or will be phased-out in
near-future(e.g. R22).
❖ Since ODP depends mainly on the presence of chlorine or
bromine in the molecules, refrigerants having either
chlorine (i.e., CFCs and HCFCs) or bromine cannot be
used under the new regulations.
b) Global Warming Potential (GWP): Refrigerants should
have as low a GWP value as possible to minimize the
problem of global warming.

❖ Refrigerants with zero ODP but a high value of GWP (e.g.

R134a) are likely to be regulated in future.

c) Total Equivalent Warming Index (TEWI): The factor

TEWI considers both direct (due to release into
atmosphere) and indirect (through energy consumption)
contributions of refrigerants to global warming.

❖ Naturally, refrigerants with as a low a value of TEWI are

preferable from global warming point of view.
d) Toxicity: Ideally, refrigerants used in a refrigeration
system should be non-toxic. Some fluids are toxic even in
small concentrations. Some fluids are mildly toxic, i.e.,
they are dangerous only when the concentration is large
and duration of exposure is long.
e) Flammability: The refrigerants should preferably be non-
flammable and non-explosive. For flammable refrigerants
special precautions should be taken to avoid accidents.
f) Chemical stability: The refrigerants should be chemically
stable as long as they are inside the refrigeration system.
g) Compatibility: with common materials of construction
(both metals and non-metals)
h) Miscibility with lubricating oils: Oil separators have
to be used if the refrigerant is not miscible with
lubricating oil (e.g. ammonia). Refrigerants that are
completely miscible with oils are easier to handle(R12).
i) Dielectric strength: This is an important property for
systems using hermetic compressors. For these systems
the refrigerants should have as high a dielectric strength
as possible
j) Ease of leak detection: In the event of leakage of
refrigerant from the system, it should have pungent smell,
be easy to detect the leaks.
 (iii) Economic properties:
The refrigerant used should preferably be inexpensive and
easily available.
 Designation of refrigerants
• The American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE)
has developed certain conventions for use in naming
different types of refrigerants.

• Thus, we have separate series for halogenated refrigerants

and other types.

• These are represented by a three digit nomenclature.

Here, the first digit represents the number of carbon
atoms in the compound minus one, the second digit
stands for the number of hydrogen atoms plus one while
the third digit stands for the number of fluorine atoms.
The remaining atoms are chlorine.
Since a large number of refrigerants have been developed
over the years for a wide variety of applications, a
numbering system has been adopted to designate various
refrigerants. From the number one can get some useful
information about the type of refrigerant, its chemical
composition, molecular weight etc. All the refrigerants
are designated by R followed by a unique number.
 i) Fully saturated, halogenated compounds:
• These refrigerants are derivatives of alkanes (CnH2n+2) such as
methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6). These refrigerants are
designated by R XYZ, where:
• X+1 indicates the number of Carbon (C) atoms
• Y-1 indicates number of Hydrogen (H) atoms,
• Z indicates number of Fluorine (F) atoms
• The balance indicates the number of Chlorine atoms.
• Only 2 digits indicates that the value of X is zero.
• Ex: R 22
• X = 0 ⇒No. of Carbon atoms = 0+1 = 1 ⇒derivative of
methane (CH4)
• Y = 2 ⇒No. of Hydrogen atoms = 2-1 = 1
• Z = 2 ⇒No. of Fluorine atoms = 2
• The balance = 4 – no. of (H+F) atoms = 4-1-2 = 1 ⇒No. of
Chlorine atoms = 1
• ∴The chemical formula of R 22 = CHClF2
Similarly it can be shown that the chemical formula of:
R12 = CCl2F2
R134a = C2H2F4 (derivative of ethane)

(letter “a” stands for isomer, e.g. molecules having same

chemical composition but different atomic arrangement,
e.g. R134 and R134a)
 ii) Inorganic refrigerants:

❑ These are designated by number 7 followed by the

molecular weight of the refrigerant (rounded-off).

❑ Ex.: Ammonia: Molecular weight is 17, ∴the designation is

R 717

❑ Carbon dioxide: Molecular weight is 44, ∴the designation

is R 744

❑ Water: Molecular weight is 18, ∴the designation is R 718

 iii) Mixtures:
Azeotropic mixtures are designated by 500 series, where as
zeotropic refrigerants (e.g. non-azeotropic mixtures) are
designated by 400 series.
Azeotropic mixtures:
• R 500: Mixture of R 12 (73.8 %) and R 152a (26.2%)
• R 502: Mixture of R 22 (48.8 %) and R 115 (51.2%)
• R503: Mixture of R 23 (40.1 %) and R 13 (59.9%)
• R507A: Mixture of R 125 (50%) and R 143a (50%)
Zeotropic mixtures:
❖ R404A : Mixture of R 125 (44%), R 143a (52%) and R 134a
(4%)
❖ R407A : Mixture of R 32 (20%), R 125 (40%) and R 134a
(40%)
❖ R407B : Mixture of R 32 (10%), R 125 (70%) and R 134a
(20%)
▪ Generally, synthetic refrigerants are non-toxic and non-

flammable. However, compared to the natural

refrigerants the synthetic refrigerants offer lower

performance and they also have higher Global Warming

Potential (GWP). As a result, the synthetic refrigerants

face an uncertain future.

▪ The most commonly used natural refrigerant is

ammonia. This is also one of the oldest known

refrigerants.

▪ Ammonia has good thermodynamic, thermophysical and

environmental properties.
❖ However, it is toxic and is not compatible with some of
the common materials of construction such as copper,
which somewhat restricts its application.

▪ Other natural refrigerants that are being suggested are

hydrocarbons (HCs) and carbon di-oxide (R-744).
Though these refrigerants have some specific problems
owing to their eco-friendliness, they are being studied
widely and are likely to play a prominent role in future.

❖ Prior to the environmental issues of ozone layer depletion

and global warming, the most widely used refrigerants
were: R 11, R 12, R 22, R 502 and ammonia.
▪ Of these, R11 was primarily used with centrifugal
compressors in air conditioning applications.
▪ R12 was used primarily in small capacity refrigeration and
cold storage applications, while the other refrigerants
were used in large systems such as large air conditioning
plants or cold storages.
▪ Among the refrigerants used, except ammonia, all the
other refrigerants are synthetic refrigerants and are non-
toxic and non-flammable.
▪ Though ammonia is toxic, it has been very widely used
due to its excellent thermodynamic and thermo-physical
properties.
▪ The scenario changed completely after the discovery of
ozone layer depletion in 1974.
▪ The depletion of stratospheric ozone layer was attributed
to chlorine and bromine containing chemicals such as
Halons, CFCs, HCFCs etc.
▪ Since ozone layer depletion could lead to catastrophe on a
global level, it has been agreed by the global community
to phase out the ozone depleting substances (ODS).
▪ As a result except ammonia, all the other refrigerants
used in cold storages had to be phased-out and a search
for suitable replacements began in earnest.
▪ At the same time, it was also observed that in addition to
ozone layer depletion, most of the conventional synthetic
refrigerants also cause significant global warming.
▪ In view of the environmental problems caused by the
synthetic refrigerants, opinions differed on replacements
for conventional refrigerants.
▪ The alternate refrigerants can be classified into two broad
groups:
▪ Non-ODS, synthetic refrigerants based on Hydro-Fluoro-
Carbons (HFCs) and their blends
▪ Natural refrigerants including ammonia, carbon dioxide,
hydrocarbons and their blends
Essential Properties of Refrigerants
• Chemical stability under conditions of use is
the most important characteristics
• Safety codes may require a nonflammable
refrigerant of low toxicity for most
applications
• Cost, availability, efficiency, and
compatibility with compressor lubricants
and materials with which the equipment is
constructed are other concerns
• Latent heat of vaporization is another
important property
 Physical Properties

• The refrigerants are arranged in increasing

order of atmospheric boiling point, from air at
-194.3 oC to water at 100 oC
• The boiling point is most important because it
is a direct indicator of the temperature level at
which a refrigerant can be used
Physical Properties of Selected
Refrigerants
 Refrigeration effect and unit of
refrigeration
• The rate at which heat is absorbed from space to
be cooled is termed as the refrigeration effect
• The refrigeration effect can be compared with the
production of ice
• In the refrigeration industry, the unit used is ton
• A tone of refrigeration is equivalent to the rate of
heat transfer needed to produce 1 ton of ice at 0
oC from water at 0 oC in 24 hours

• A machine capable of producing a net

refrigeration effect of 210 kJ/min or 3.5 kW is
called a 1 ton machine
Comparison between Different Refrigerants:
• Synthetic refrigerants that were commonly used for

refrigeration, cold storage and air conditioning

applications are: R 11 (CFC 11), R 12 (CFC 12), R 22 (HCFC

22), R 502 (CFC 12+HCFC 22) etc.

• However, these refrigerants have to be phased out due to

their Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

• The synthetic replacements for the older refrigerants are:

R-134a (HFC-134a) and blends of HFCs.

 Halocarbon Refrigerants
 Halocarbon Refrigerants are all synthetically
produced and were developed as the Freon family of
refrigerants.

Examples :
 CFC’s : R11, R12, R113, R114, R115
 HCFC’s : R22, R123
 HFC ’s : R134a, R404a, R407C, R410a

A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
Inorganic Refrigerants
 Carbon
Dioxide
 Wa te r
 Ammonia
Air
 Sulphur dioxide

A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
 R22
 ODP-0.05, GWP-1700

 R 2 2 has 40% more refrigerating capacity

 Higher pressure and discharge temp and not

suitable for low temp application

 Extensively used in commercial air-

conditioning and frozen food storage and
display cases
A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
 R123
•  ODP-0.02,GWP-90

• As a replacement for R11 as similar thermodynamic

properties.

•  Ve r yshort atmospheric life but classified as

carcinogen

•  Retrofit alternative to R11

A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
 HFC
 Z e r o ODP as no chlorine atom containsonly
Hydrogen and Flurodine

 Ve r y small GWPvalues

 N o phase out date in Montreal Protocol

 R 134 a and R152 a – Very popularrefrigerants

 H F C refrigerants are costly refrigerants

A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
 R134a
 ODP-0, GWP-1300

 U s e d as a substitute for R12 and to a limited range

for R22

 G o o d performance in medium and high te

mp
application

 Toxicity is very low

 N o t miscible with mineral oil

A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
 Ammonia
 O D P = 0 and GWP = 0

 Excellent thermodynamic characteristics: small

molecular mass, large latent heat, large vapour density
and excellent heat transfer characteristics

 H i g h criticaltemperature (132C) : highly efficient

cycles at high condensing temperatures

 I t s smell causes leaks to be detected and fixedbefore

reaching dangerous concentration

 Relatively Low price

A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
 Drawbacks of Ammonia

 Tox i c

 Flammable ( 16 – 28% concentration )

 N o t compatible with copper

 Temperature on discharge side of compressor si

higher compared to other refrigerants

A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
 Water
 Z e r o ODP &GWP

 Wa te r as refrigerant is used in absorption

system .New developing technology has created
space for it for use in compression cycles also.

 B u t higher than normal working pressure in the

system can be a factor in restricted use of water as
refrigerant.

A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
 Application of New Eco-friendly
Refrigerants
Application of Refrigerants HFCs used Eco-friendly
refrigerant
Domestic refrigeration R134a,R152a HC600a and blends

Commercial refrigeration ,CO2 R134a,R404A,R407C HC blends,NH3 ,CO2 **

Cold storage ,food processing R134a,R404A,R507A NH3 ,HCs,CO2 **

And industrial refrigeration

Unitary air conditioners R410A,R407C CO2 , HC s

Centralized AC (chillers) R134a,R410A,R407C NH3 ,HCs,CO2, water **

Transport refrigeration R134a,R404A CO 2,

Mobile air conditioner R134a CO2 ,HCs

A N Khudaiwala,[Link]
REFRIGERANTS

ARUN JOSE TOM, MLMCE, BME 61

Refrigerant Number Chemical Formulae

R-11 CCl3F
R-12 CCl2F2
R-13 CClF3
R-14 CF4
R-21 CHCl2F
R-22 CHClF2
R-30 CH2Cl2
R-40 CH3Cl
R-100 C2H5Cl
R-113 C2Cl3F3
R-114 C2Cl2F4
R-115 C2ClF5
R-123 CF3CHCl2
R-124 CF3CHClF
R-134 a CF3CH2F
R-152 a ARUN JO SE TOM, MLMCE, BME CH3CHF2 111
63
 Application Areas

1) Ammonia: used in ice plants, large cold storages

2) Carbon dioxide: used in marine refrigerators, making dry ice

3) Fluorocarbon: CFC(chlorofluorocarbon) contains chlorine, fluorine,

and carbon. Eg.R-11, R-12, R-13…etc and
HCFC(hydrochlorofluorocarbons) eg.R-22,R-134 a…etc are the
commonly used refrigerants in domestic refrigerators, water coolers, air
conditioning plants, cold storages,…etc.
 Secondary Refrigerants
 In refrigeration plant a secondary coolant is used as cooling medium which absorb
heat from refrigerated space and transfer to primary refrigerant in evaporator.
Substances that take away heat from the medium to be cooled and give it to the
boiling refrigerant are called secondary refrigerants
 They do not change their physical condition
 Secondary refrigerants are also known under the name brines or antifreezes.
 The refrigerants are brine which is used as intermediate fluid between evaporator
and the substance or space to be cooled. They cool the substance and the space by
absorbing their sensible heat. Also called indirect expansion system.
Eg. Brine solution made of calcium chloride or sodium chloride
•
 Water cannot be used as secondary refrigerant because at 0 C itself it will become
ice and circulation is not possible
 In brine solution CaCl2 is much preferred, it is very costly
 Secondary Refrigerant
• The refrigerants are brine which is used as intermediate fluid between
evaporator and the substance or space to be cooled. They cool the
substance and the space by absorbing their sensible heat. Also called
indirect expansion system.

• Eg. Brine solution made of calcium chloride or sodium chloride

Water cannot be used as secondary refrigerant because at 0 ºC itself it
will become ice and circulation is not possible

In brine solution CaCl2 is much preferred, it is very costly

Substances that take away heat from the medium to be cooled and give
it to the boiling refrigerant are called secondary refrigerants

They do not change their physical condition

 Cheap and harmless, chemically neutral to metals and packing material
 Should have a low freezing point and large heat capacity
 Choice of brine depends on temperature to which a material is to be cooled and
industrial process in which it is to be used
 The calcium chloride brine has eutectic temperature of -55 ℃ at salt
concentration of 30% by mass
 The sodium chloride brine has eutectic temperature of -21.1 ℃ at salt
concentration of 23% by mass

 NaCl is used when it is desired to have direct contact between brine and product.
 Freezing point of brine depends on its concentration
 Cheapest secondary refrigerants are water and air but their application is limited.
Since, water has a high freezing point (00C) and air has a low heat capacity.
 Classification of Refrigerants:
Secondary Refrigerant: there may be certain situations in
which we cannot allow the refrigerant to come in direct
contact with the items being refrigerated, and then the
refrigerant used is termed as a secondary refrigerant.
• Toxic refrigerant can not be used for air conditioning in
residential buildings.
• Some refrigerants which are highly inflammable and so
their direct use is forbidden for safety reasons.
• In cooling a big cold storage, the amount of refrigerant
required may be so large that its cost becomes
prohibitively high.
69
 Desirable Properties of an Ideal Refrigerant:
• Thermodynamic properties.
• Safe working properties.
• Physical properties.

70
 Desirable Properties of an Ideal Refrigerant:
Thermodynamic properties:
• Boiling Point
• Freezing Point
• Evaporator and Condenser Pressure
• Latent Heat of Refrigerant

71
 Desirable Properties of an Ideal Refrigerant:
Safe Working Properties:
• It should be chemically inert.
• It should be non-flammable, non-explosive and non-toxic
in pure state and when mixed with air in any proportion.
• It should not react with lubricating oil and with the
materials used in construction of refrigeration system.
• It should not have any effect on the stored material when
the leak develops in the system

72
Desirable Properties of an Ideal Refrigerant:

73
 Desirable Properties of an Ideal Refrigerant:
Physical Properties:
• Specific Volume
• Specific heat of liquid and vapor
• Thermal Conductivity
• Viscosity

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 SECONDARY REFRIGERANTS:
• The commonly used secondary refrigerants are water,
sodium-chloride brine, calcium chloride brine and
propylene glycol.
Water: When the required temperature to be maintained is
above the freezing point of water, then water is universally
used as secondary refrigerant mostly in air-conditioning
plants and industrial cooling installations.
Brines: When the temperatures required to be maintained are
below the freezing point of water then the water cannot be
used, in such case brine solutions are used.

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SECONDARY REFRIGERANTS:

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 SECONDARY REFRIGERANTS:
• When the temperature requirements of the different parts in
a large building are varied, then these different temperatures
can be easily maintained by controlling the amount of brine
flowing to the part.
• Another advantage is easy to handle and easy to control
compared with primary refrigerant.
• The use of brines is advisable in order to keep coils and
pipes containing a toxic refrigerant away from the load
places.
• The secondary refrigerant also eliminates long refrigerant
lines in a system using a non-toxic refrigerant.
• The secondary refrigerant also eliminates possibilities of
leakage.
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 Future Industrial Refrigerants:
• Chloro Fluoro Carbon (CFC) refrigerants
• Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbon (HCFC) refrigerants
• Hydro Fluoro Carbon (HFC) refrigerants
• Hydro Carbon (HC) refrigerants
• After the finding that CFCs, and to a lesser extent HCFCs
deplete the ozone layer, over 100 countries adopted
Montreal Protocal (MP) of 1987 to phase out CFCs in the
year 2000, and HCFCs by the year 2030.

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 Future Industrial Refrigerants:
Replacement for R-12 (Dichlorodifluoromethane)
• R134a (Tetra Fluoro Ethane (CF3CH2F)).
• Its boiling point is - 26.15°C which is quite close to the
boiling point of R-12 which is - 29°C at atmospheric
pressure.
• Since the refrigerant R-134a has no chlorine atom, therefore
this refrigerant has zero ozone depleting potential and has
74% less global warming potential as compared to R-12.

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