Natural Refrigerants

BOC is the UK's leading supplier of natural refrigerants and has a wealth of experience and expertise in environmentally-friendly refrigerants.

Natural refrigerants are chemicals which occur in nature's bio-chemical processes. They do not deplete the ozone layer and make negligible (or zero in the case of R717 ammonia) contribution to global warming.

Their high efficiency means they make a much lower, indirect contribution to global warming than many synthetic refrigerants.

N.B.: natural refrigerants are not generally considered retrofit solutions in existing systems

Ammonia

R717

BOC offers the highest industry specification for refrigerant ammonia, meeting both the IIAR and ASHRAE specifications.

Our refrigerant grade ammonia is 99.98% pure with minimal levels of moisture (< 200 ppm) and other impurities (< 5ppm oil). This makes it ideal for use in all types of refrigeration systems.

Ammonia has been used in industrial applications since the 1930s and is generally acknowledged as the most efficient refrigerant. It is ideal in a wide range of applications, including:

food freezing
industrial heat extraction
brewing
chilled storage
ice rinks
commercial refrigeration

It also has excellent thermodynamic properties, high COP and low energy requirements.

ODP and GWP

Ammonia has zero ODP and a GWP < 1.

Properties

Ammonia is mildly toxic. It is flammable with a pungent odour.

Ammonia Safety Data Sheet	51kb Download
Ammonia Pressure Temperature Table	31kb Download

CO2

R744

Refrigerant grade CO2 (R744) is a high-purity gas with a moisture content of less than 10 parts per million.

Refrigeration CO2 systems require tight controls on moisture, oil and other impurities. Industrial grade CO2 does not meet this requirement.

The use of CO2 as a refrigerant dates back to 1850. R744 is now regaining popularity due to its low environmental impact.

Excellent thermodynamic properties and low energy-use make it suitable for a range of applications, including:

industrial heat extraction
chilled warehousing
shipping vessels
commercial refrigeration
mobile air conditioning

R744 is often used as a secondary refrigerant along with ammonia and hydrocarbons, thereby opening up applications where ammonia or hydrocarbons as a single-stage refrigerant would not be applicable.

ODP and GWP

CO2 has zero ODP, a GWP of 1.

Properties

CO2 is environmentally friendly (it has zero ODP, a GWP of 1); it is non-flammable; it is toxic and an asphyxiant at high concentrations; it is odourless and colourless.

CO2 Safety Data Sheet	19kb Download
CO2 Pressure Enthalpy Chart	85kb Download

Hydrocarbons: CARE®

BOC's CARE® range offers high performance hydrocarbon refrigerants for a wide variety of refrigeration and air conditioning applications.

CARE® (hydrocarbons) refrigerants are flammable, non-toxic, zero ODP and low GWP < 8 (relative to CO2 which has a GWP value of 1).

CARE10 / R600a

CARE 10 (R600a or isobutane) is a high-purity, single ingredient refrigerant mainly used in domestic fridges and freezers.

Features and benefits:

operates at significantly lower pressures than R12 or R134A
lower volumetric refrigerating effect than R12 or R134A
requires a specific R600a compressor
not for use as a retrofit refrigerant
compatible with most common refrigeration materials and lubricants

Application and Use

Primarily for use in new domestic fridges and freezers.

CARE10 Safety Data Sheet	46kb Download
CARE10 Pressure Temperature Table	30kb Download

CARE 30 (Blend of R600a , isobutene and R290, propane)

This hydrocarbon blend is ideal for replacing R12 and R134A in systems such as drinks dispensers and bottle coolers.

Features and benefits:

operates at similar pressures to R12 or R134A
similar volumetric refrigerating effect to R12 and R134A
can be used in a R12 or R134A compressor or a specific CARE 30 compressor
can be used with R12 or R134A heat exchangers and expansion devices
compatible with most common refrigeration materials and lubricants

Application and Use

Ideal for use in small commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems where R12 has traditionally been used.

CARE30 Safety Data Sheet

46kb
Download

CARE 40 (R290)

CARE 40 (R290 propane) is a high-purity, single ingredient refrigerant for many types of air conditioning and refrigeration.

Features and benefits:

operates at slightly lower pressures than R502 and R404A
similar volumetric refrigerating effect to R502 and R404A
can be used in a R502, R22 or R404A compressor or a specific CARE 40 compressor
can be used with R502, R22 or R404A heat exchangers and expansion devices
compatible with most common refrigeration materials and lubricants

Application and Use

Ideal for use in commercial air-conditioning and commercial and industrial refrigeration systems where R502 has traditionally been used.

CARE40 Safety Data Sheet	46kb Download
CARE40 Pressure Temperature Table	28kb Download

CARE 45 (R1270)

CARE 45 (R1270 propylene, also known as propene) is a high-purity, single component substance. It is ideal for use in many industrial and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning applications. It can be used in place of R22 and offers high performance without any of the issues associated with temperature glide.

Features and benefits:

operates at slightly higher pressures than R22 but similar to R404A
similar volumetric refrigerating effect to R22 and R404A
can be used in R22 or R404A compressors or a specific CARE 45 compressor
can be used with R502, R22, R404A and R407C heat exchangers and expansion devices
compatible with most common refrigeration materials and lubricants

Application and Use

For use in commercial air-conditioning and large refrigeration systems where R22 has traditionally been used.