HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) Refrigerant

hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), a subclass of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

HCFC - R22 Chlorodifluoromethane
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene
• Polyol Ester

The dominant refrigerant in residential and commercial air conditioning and some very large centrifugal chillers for air conditioning and industrial process cooling. It has also
been used more in refrigeration since the phaseout of CFCs, both as a pure refrigerant and in blends. R-22 is subject to phaseout in new equipment in 2010 and production ends in 2020.

HCFC - R123 Dichlorotrifluoroethane
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene

Replaced R-11 in low pressure centrifugal chillers. New R-123 equipment has been engineered with the correct materials of construction and sized properly for the intended job. Retrofitting existing R-11 chillers to R-123 may require replacement of seals, gaskets, and other system components to obtain the correct operation conditions and prevent leaks.

The ASHRAE safety rating for R-123 is B1, which indicates that lower levels for personal exposure are allowed in normal daily operation and service conditions. Extra precautions
and machinery room requirements must be observed (specific requirements are spelled out in ASHRAE Standard 15, Safety Code for Mechanical Refrigeration).

HCFC - R124 Chlorotetraflouroethane
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene

Used in refrigeration blends, primarily those used for R-12 type applications. Also used by itself to replace R-114 in chillers or high ambient air conditioning applications, and
for sterilant gas formulations.

HCFC - R401A Blend: 22/124/152a
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene
• Polyol Ester

A blend of R-22, R-152a, and R-124, intended for retrofitting R-12 refrigeration systems. The pressure and system capacity match R-12 when the blend is running in a 10F to 20F evaporator, and there is typically an 8F temperature glide in the evaporator. Applications: direct expansion refrigeration and air conditioning systems designed for R-12 or R-500; good success in any size system, minor adjustment of controls needed. Discharge pressure increases compared to R-12, also slight increase in discharge temperature, however the increases are not as severe as some other retrofit blends. There is a drop in capacity at lower temperatures. R-152a content, an HFC, hurts the miscibility with mineral oil. It is recommended to change some of the oil to alkylbenzene unless the system is small and running at higher evaporator temperatures.

HCFC - R401B Blend: 22/124/152a
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene
• Polyol Ester

Similar to R-401A except higher in R-22 content. This blend has higher capacity at lower temperatures (matches R-12 around -30F), and also provides a closer match to R-500 at air conditioning temperatures.

HCFC - R402A Blend: 22/Blend: 125/290 27,110
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene
• Polyol Ester

A blend of R-22 and R-125 with hydrocarbon R-290 (propane) included to improve mineral oil compatibility. This blend is formulated to match R-502 in evaporator temperature ranges and does not significantly increase discharge temperature in R-502 retrofit situations. Discharge pressure, however, can increase from 25 to 40 psi over pressures seen with R-502. Although the propane was added to improve oil circulation it is still recommended that some mineral oil be removed and replaced with alkylbenzene.

HCFC - R402B Blend: 22/Blend: 125/290
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene
• Polyol Ester

Similar components to R-402A but contains more R-22 and less R-125. This lowers the discharge pressure closer to R-502, however the discharge temperature increases
compared to R-502. This is a benefit in ice machines, where the blend is primarily used, because it improves harvest times. Although propane will improve oil circulation it is
still recommended that some mineral oil be replaced with alkylbenzene.

    
HCFC - R403B
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene
• Polyol Ester

A blend of R-22 and R-218 with hydrocarbon R-290 (propane) added to improve oil return. Though this product was originally developed as a replacement for R-502, it has come to be used as an alternative for R-13B1 in single-stage, low-temperature systems.

The evaporator will operate in a vacuum when the low side temperature is below -55F. When existing R-13B1 systems are retrofit to R-403B the capillary tube must be replaced
with a longer/more restrictive size. Similar lubricants can be used for R-403B, with any additives the manufacturer may recommend.

HCFC - R408A Blend: 22/Blend: 125/143a
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene
• Polyol Ester

A blend of R-22 and R-143a and R-125 intended for retrofitting R-502 refrigeration systems. This blend has the closest pressure/temperature match to R-502 across the
whole operating range of temperatures. One study suggests higher energy efficiency after retrofit compared to running with R-502. Discharge temperature will increase, however in
most applications this will not impact system performance or long term reliability. In severe duty applications, such as transport refrigeration into hot climates, this blend may not
be recommended by the OEM.

HCFC - R409A Blend: 22/124/142b
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene
• Polyol Ester

A blend of R-22, R-142b, and R-124, intended for retrofitting R-12 refrigeration systems. The pressure and system capacity match R-12 when the blend is running in a 10F to 20F evaporator, and there is typically 13F temperature glide in the evaporator. Applications: direct expansion refrigeration and air conditioning systems designed for R-12 or R-500; good success in any size system, minor adjustment of controls needed. Discharge pressure and temperature increases compared to R-12, which may be a problem in
very hot ambient conditions. Capacity holds well into lower application temperatures (-30F). R-409A mixes well with mineral oil down to 0F. As a result it may not be necessary to change oil in systems which do not run colder than 0F in the evaporator (below that alkylbenzene should replace some mineral oil).

HCFC - R414B
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene

A blend of R-22, R-124 and R-142b with hydrocarbon R-600a (isobutane) added to improve mineral oil miscibility. This blend can be used to retrofit R-12 automotive air conditioning systems as well as stationary refrigeration systems. The pressure and system capacity match R-12 in 45F to 50F evaporators, and the discharge pressure in hot condensers is only 5 to 10 psi higher than R-12 (a benefit in automotove AC and warmer refrigeration environments). The temperature glide runs about 13F in the evaporator. The addition of isobutane to this blend significantly improves mineral oil compatibility, particularly for high viscosity oils used in auto AC.

HCFC - R416A
OIL

• Mineral
• Alkylbenzene
• Polyol Ester

An R-134a based blend, with R-124 to cut pressure and hydrocarbon R-600 (butane) to improve oil return. This blend matches R-12 pressures at condenser temperatures, and pressures in the evaporator will need to be a few psi lower than R-12 to maintain proper temperature. There is a low temperature glide. Although the blend does not mix with mineral oils the addition of hydrocarbon thins the oil for satisfactory oil return. Systems will experience a loss of capacity, especially at lower temperatures.