Common Types Of Commercial Refrigerant
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Commercial refrigeration is the field encompassing all the equipment and methods used to preserve perishable products with cold storage. This includes not only food, but many other things that we might not think about as often, such as medicines that need to be stored at a constant temperature. The function of refrigeration equipment largely depends on the use of chemicals called refrigerants. If you’re considering a career in the important field of commercial refrigeration, you’ll need to become familiar with the applications of common refrigerants and how to handle them.
How Refrigerants Work
We don’t have the space for a deep dive on the physics of refrigeration in this article, but the fundamentals of commercial refrigeration can be covered briefly.
Common commercial refrigerators like the ones used in grocery stores and pharmacies work by transferring heat from the space inside the unit to the space outside the unit. This is typically done by using a refrigerant chemical which is circulated through the system, carrying heat from inside the refrigerated space and dissipating it into the outside air. At different stages in the process, the chemical may change from a fluid to a gas and back again as it picks up and releases heat.
Some Common Refrigerant Types
There are many different types of refrigerants used in modern refrigeration and HVAC applications. The science of refrigeration is continuously evolving in response to demand for greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact, leading to some refrigerant types being phased out of common use and replaced by superior alternatives. Here are a few of the types that are most important in commercial refrigeration.
R-22 (Freon)
Although rarely found in newer equipment, R-22 is still a commonly used type of refrigerant in commercial refrigeration applications, as well as air conditioners. It’s slowly being phased out because of environmental concerns, specifically regarding the chlorine it contains causing ozone depletion. R-22 will be entirely banned by 2030 under federal clean air legislation.
R-134a
R-134a has the advantage of low toxicity and being non-flammable. It’s often used in chillers and refrigerators, and used to also be common in car air conditioners. However, there are concerns about its use potentially contributing to climate change, so it’s being phased out in some regions.
R-290
R-290 is actually a purified form of propane, which may surprise those of us who usually think of propane as being used to heat things up, as on a grill, rather than cool them down. R-290 is becoming increasingly popular because it is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The disadvantage of R-290 is that since it is propane based, it is flammable, which means that proper precautions must be taken when using or shipping it.
R-407C
R-407C’s main advantage is that it can be easily used to retrofit older refrigeration equipment originally designed to run on R-22 (Freon). However, it’s still not considered a sustainable choice because of its high potential to contribute to global warming and because it’s inefficient to produce. These drawbacks could lead to it being discontinued in the near future.
R-717
Based on ammonia, R-717 is highly energy-efficient and low in cost. The downside is its toxicity and the need for corrosion-resistant components in refrigeration systems that use it. This means it’s difficult to use R-717 in small-scale applications, but it’s popular for large-scale industrial refrigeration.
Commercial Refrigeration Careers Start at ICT
The commercial refrigeration program at ICT will arm you with all of the skills and knowledge you need to start a career in this interesting and in-demand field. At the end of the program, you’ll be prepared to get your EPA and NATE certifications, proving your competency in crucial areas like the safe handling of refrigerants. Start your enrollment today or contact us with any questions.