s5 Module 2 Rac Refrigerants and Their Properties

REFRIGERANTS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
The refrigerant is a heat carrying medium which during their cycles (i.e.
compression, condensation, expansion, evaporation) in the refrigeration system
absorb heat from a low temperature system and discard the heat so absorbed to a
higher temperature system.
Properties of a good refrigerants:
o Low boiling Point

o High Critical Temperature
o High latent heat of vaporisation
o Low specific heat of liquid
o Low specific volume of vapour
o Non-corrosive to metal
o Non-flammable
o Non-explosive
o Non-toxic
o Low cost
o Easy to liquify at moderate pressure and temperature
o Easy to locating leaks by odour or suitable indicator
o Mixes well with oil.
o Easily and regularly available.
o Ozone friendly.
o It should be readily available at a low cost.
Classification of refrigerant:
Fluids suitable for refrigeration purposes can be classified into primary and
secondary refrigerants. Primary refrigerants are those fluids, which are used directly
as working fluids, for example in vapor compression and vapor absorption
refrigeration systems.
1) Primary Refrigerant
2) Secondary Refrigerant
Primary Refrigerant:-
The refrigerant which takes part in the refrigeration cycle is known as the primary
refrigerant. The refrigerants which directly take part in the refrigeration system are
called primary refrigerant. Primary refrigerants are used in domestic refrigerator and
Air conditioning system etc. Primary refrigerants are R-11, R-12, R-21, R-143a, etc.
Secondary Refrigerant
1. The refrigerants which are first cooled by primary refrigerant and then used for
cooling purpose are called as secondary refrigerant.
2. Secondary refrigerants allow the amounts of environmentally harmful primary

refrigerants to be minimized and contained in a restricted area.
3. Examples of secondary refrigerants include water, air, hydrocarbons, ammonia,

and carbon dioxide, which are more environmentally friendly than traditional
refrigerants.
4. Brines are often chosen as secondary refrigerants for large refrigeration systems,
such as those ice plant etc., the most common brine being water-glycol solutions,
water-ethanol solutions, and acetate solutions.
5. It is used in ice plant and in big installation.
6. Secondary refrigerants are water, brine, glycol, etc.
1. Water: Used in Air conditioning systems for cooling, Dehumidification, etc.
2. Brine: Used in Ice plants to maintain temperatures lower than atmospheric

temperatures.
Designation System For Refrigerants :
The refrigerants are internationally designated as ‘R’ followed by certain numbers

such as R-11, R-12, R-114, etc. A refrigerant followed by a two-digit number
indicates that a refrigerant is derived from methane base while a three-digit number
represents ethane bases.
Methods of Refrigerant Leak Detection
1. Visual Inspection
If you find somewhere in the system with oil traces, probably that is the leakage
point. This inspection method can’t position precisely because the leakage point is
usually very tiny and many parts of the refrigeration system are barely visible.
Unless it’s a big leakage point due to sudden break and the leaking liquid is colored.
2. Bubble Water or Soapy Water Detection
Fill the cooling system with 10-20kg / cM2 pressure nitrogen, and then smear
various parts of the system with soapy water. The Bubbling is the leakage point. This
is the most common approach for repair workers. But due to human’s limited arms
and visual acuity, you cannot very easily find the leakage points.
3. Nitrogen Water Detection
Fill the system with 10-20kg / cm2 pressure nitrogen, and soap it in the water. The
bubbling is the point of leakage. One obvious drawback of this method is that the
water for leak detection can easily enter the system. This will lead to corrosion of
the materials in the system. At the same time, the high-pressure gas may cause more
damage to the system. And the labor intensity during the leak detection is also great.
4. Fluorescent Leak Detection
It applies the principle that fluorescent leak detector will emit a bright yellow-green
under the UV / blue light leak detector. It could be used as detection for fluid leakage
in various types of systems. Add the fluorescent agent to the system according to a
certain proportion. And after the system operates for 20 minutes, wear special
glasses and shine the outside of the system with the leakage light detector. The
leakage points will be yellow fluorescent.
5. Gas Pressure Detection
By using the pressure difference between interior and exterior of the system, the
sensor will enlarge this difference and express the test results in methods like digital,
voice or electronic signal. This test way is also only “qualitative” to know whether
the system leaks and cannot accurately find the leakage points.
6. Halogen Lamp Detection
By holding lighted-up halogen lamp close to the system, the flame color will turn
into purple-blue when there is a leak. This method is dangerous not only with the
flame but also the combination of flame and refrigerant will produce harmful gases,
in addition, it is not easy to accurately locate the leak. So this method is almost out
of use now.
7. Electronic Leak Detector
This method has rapidly occupied the market thanks to its reliable and accurate
functioning. By moving the probe against the possible leakage places, the device
will give an alert when there is a leakage. The electronic leak detector is the most
simple, quick and scientific leak detection method.
R-12 refrigerant properties
• It is a non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-explosive, highly stable compound

under extreme operating conditions.
• However, when brought in contact in an open flame or electric heating
element R12 decomposes into products which are highly toxic.
• R12 condenses at a moderate pressure under normal atmospheric temperature,
has a boiling point of -29°C.
• R12 is oil-miscible under all operating conditions, simplifying the problem of
oil return thereby increasing the system efficiency.
• A Halide torch is used for leak detection.
R-22 refrigerant properties
• R-22 has a boiling point of -40.7°C, developed primarily for low-temp.

systems.
• R-22 was used extensively in domestic, commercial as well as industrial low-
temperature systems to evaporator temperatures as low as -87°C.
• Evaporator temperatures are between -28 to -40°C.
• Fluorocarbon based refrigerants are safe.
• Use a halide torch for leak detection.
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REFRIGERANTS AND THEIR PROPERTIES

Properties of a good refrigerants:

o Low boiling Point

2. Secondary refrigerants allow the amounts of environmentally harmful primary

3. Examples of secondary refrigerants include water, air, hydrocarbons, ammonia,

5. It is used in ice plant and in big installation.

6. Secondary refrigerants are water, brine, glycol, etc.

1. Water: Used in Air conditioning systems for cooling, Dehumidification, etc.

2. Brine: Used in Ice plants to maintain temperatures lower than atmospheric

Designation System For Refrigerants :

The refrigerants are internationally designated as ‘R’ followed by certain numbers

2. Bubble Water or Soapy Water Detection

3. Nitrogen Water Detection

4. Fluorescent Leak Detection

5. Gas Pressure Detection

7. Electronic Leak Detector

R-12 refrigerant properties

• It is a non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-explosive, highly stable compound

• R-22 has a boiling point of -40.7°C, developed primarily for low-temp.

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