Natural Refrigerants

Gearing up for a greener future?

What does the future hold after HCFCs? We’re all committed to doing our bit for the environment and natural refrigerants (also known as ‘Not in Kind’ refrigerants) could be the perfect solution.

With no depletion of the ozone layer and a negligible (or zero in the case of R717 ammonia) contribution to global warming, the green solution could be the right solution for your business. However there are a number of factors to weigh up before taking the leap.

Did you know for example, that although natural refrigerants have a lesser impact than fluorocarbons when released directly into the atmosphere, in some cases fluorocarbons actually consume less energy in their manufacture and operation. So in reality natural refrigerants in some circumstance could have a greater indirect impact on the environment than perceived ‘less green’ alternatives.

Confused? Luckily as the UK’s leading supplier of natural refrigerants, BOC is on hand with all the expertise and experience you need to make the right decision for your business. As well as making sure you’re fully informed as to the training you need in place to ensure your business and your supply chain is able to safely handle these gases.

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.

Datasheets

Ammonia Safety Data Sheet Filesize: 51kb
Ammonia Pressure Temperature Table Filesize: 31kb

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.

Datasheets

CO2 Safety Data Sheet Filesize: 19kb
CO2 Pressure Enthalpy Chart Filesize: 85kb

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.

Datasheets

CARE10 Safety Data Sheet Filesize: 46kb
CARE10 Pressure Temperature Table Filesize: 30kb

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.

Datasheets

CARE30 Safety Data Sheet Filesize: 46kb

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.

Datasheets

CARE40 Safety Data Sheet Filesize: 46kb
CARE40 Pressure Temperature Table Filesize: 28kb

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.

Datasheets

CARE45 Safety Data Sheet Filesize: 46kb
CARE45 Pressure Temperature Table Filesize: 28kb

CARE 50

CARE 50 is a performance-optimised blend of R290 and R170, propane and ethane.

When switching from R22, R502, R407C, and R404A impressive energy savings are produced with only minimal system change.

Features and benefits:

  • operates at similar pressures to R22 and R407C
  • similar volumetric refrigerating effect to R22 and R407C
  • can be used in a R22 or R407C compressor or a specific CARE 50 compressor
  • can be used with R22 or R407C heat exchangers and expansion devices
  • compatible with most common refrigeration materials and lubricants

Application and Use

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

Datasheets

CARE50 Safety Data Sheet Filesize: 46kb