Refrigerants: R-422A

ISCEON®79, a refrigerant manufactured by Rhodia UK, now has an ASHRAE designation: R-422A. A safety classification of A1 (non-toxic / non-flammable) is recommended, subject to public review. Presented at IKK in Nuremberg, Germany, on October 13-15, 2004, R-422A is an HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) with the following composition: R-125/R-134a/R-600a (85.1/11.5/3.4%). It has zero ozone-depletion potential (ODP) and has a lower (>20%) global warming potential (GWP) than other alternative HFCs such as R-404A and R-507. A blend with proven results on the European market, it has now been licensed in the US by National Refrigerants. It is intended for use as a replacement for R-502, R-402A/B, R-408A, R-404A and R-507. R-22 low-temperature systems can also be retrofitted to R-422A, often with an increase in system capacity and COP. In most cases no oil is required during a retrofit to R-422A.