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Drop-in cuts cost of retrofit.

Author(s) : ROBERTS N.

Type of article: Article

Summary

To substitute R134a for R12 in an existing system, the lubricating oil has to be changed. This is a time consuming and therefore costly process. A leading refrigerant manufacturer has produced a drop-in refrigerant to retrofit R12 systems using the existing oil. This refrigerant is a ternary mixture. Its characteristics are similar to R12 thermodynamically, but it has a zero ozone-depletion factor and about a quarter of the greenhouse effect. The operating pressures are very slightly higher than R12 but within the safe limits of R12 equipment. Tests have been carried out on a large number of commercial plants using existing mineral oils or an alkyl benzene oil. Operation has been satisfactory in all cases with performance almost unchanged. Oil return to the compressor has continued as with R12. The only system change suggested is to the liquid line drier which should have a charge suitable for an HFC refrigerant. D.W.H.

Details

  • Original title: Drop-in cuts cost of retrofit.
  • Record ID : 1995-0046
  • Languages: English
  • Publication date: 1994/03
  • Source: Source: Refrig. Air Cond.
    suppl.; 4; 6; 1 fig.; 1 phot.; 2 tabl.
  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.

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