How Refrigerant Gas Works?

Refrigerant gas absorb large amounts of heat when evaporating and release heat when condensing.

The working principle of refrigerant gas is based on their phase change properties, which allow them to evaporate at low temperatures and condense at high temperatures. When the refrigerant is in a low temperature state, it absorbs external heat and evaporates into a gas; when in a high temperature state, the refrigerant releases the heat energy it carries and condenses into a liquid. During this process, the refrigerant continuously changes phase between gaseous and liquid states, thereby continuously adjusting the temperature.

Refrigerant gas are widely used in various refrigeration equipment such as air conditioners, refrigerators, cold storages, automobile air conditioners, and refrigeration systems. The use of refrigerant gas can provide refrigeration and air conditioning effects for these equipment. For example, during the cooling process of a refrigerator, refrigerant gas is injected into the freezer compartment. When it is heated, it evaporates, absorbs heat and takes away the heat in the freezer compartment, thereby keeping the freezer compartment cold.

According to different chemical compositions, refrigerants can be divided into the following categories: inorganic compounds, halides of saturated hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons, azeotropic refrigerants, and non-azeotropic refrigerants.

1) Inorganic compounds

2) Halides of saturated hydrocarbons (including chlorine-containing compounds such as perchlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons)

3) Hydrocarbons

4) Azeotropic refrigerant

5) Non-azeotropic refrigerant

Non-azeotropic refrigerants stipulate that the first number after R is 4, and the subsequent two digits are numbered in the order of discovery, such as R400, R401, R407A, R407B, R407C, etc. Mixed refrigerants have the same components but different proportions, and are distinguished by numbers followed by letters.

Tips: In order to distinguish the degree of damage of refrigerants to the atmospheric ozone layer, R is often replaced by CFC, HCFC, HFC, and HC respectively.

CFC - perchlorofluorocarbon, contains chlorine, fluorine and no hydrogen. It has a destructive effect on the ozone layer. Our country has completely banned the production and use except for special purposes.

HCFC - Hydrochlorofluorocarbon, containing chlorine, fluorine and hydrogen, has a destructive effect on the ozone layer. As a substitute for CFC, it is being phased out at an accelerated pace.

HFC - hydrofluorocarbon, does not contain chlorine or fluorine, has no destructive effect on the ozone layer, but has a high greenhouse gas potential. According to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the elimination process is beginning.(Common HFC refrigerants include: R134a refrigerant gas, R410a refrigerant gas, R404a refrigerant gas,etc.)

HC - hydrocarbon, contains no chlorine or fluorine, has no destructive effect on the ozone layer, and has low greenhouse gas potential.

There are certain safety risks during the use of refrigerant. For example, refrigerant leakage can cause harm to the human body and even cause an explosion. Therefore, relevant safety regulations should be strictly followed in the design and use of refrigeration equipment to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.