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Refrigerants Designations

Reference data and engineering information about refrigerants designations for thermodynamics applications.

refrigerantsdesignations

Overview

Engineering reference data for Refrigerants Designations in thermodynamics.

Key Formulas

First Law

ΔU=Q−W\Delta U = Q - W

Energy is conserved — heat added minus work done.

Ideal Gas Law

PV=nRTPV = nRT

Relates pressure, volume, and temperature of an ideal gas.

Heat Transfer

Q=mcΔTQ = mc\Delta T

Sensible heat transfer.

Carnot Efficiency

η=1−TC/TH\eta = 1 - T_C/T_H

Maximum efficiency between two temperatures.

Variables

Symbol Description Unit
UU Internal energy J
QQ Heat J
WW Work J
PP Pressure Pa
VV Volume m³
TT Temperature K

Refrigerant Series Classification

Refrigerants are classified into series based on their chemical base.

Series Numbering

  • *-000 Methane-based
  • *-100 Ethane-based
  • *-200 Propane-based
  • *-300 Cyclic organic
  • *-400 Zeotropes
  • *-500 Azeotropes
  • *-600 Organic (non-halogenated)
  • *-700 Inorganic
  • *-1000 Unsaturated organic

Common Pure Substance Series (Examples)

Methane Series (-000)

  • R-12: Dichlorodifluoromethane
  • R-22: Chlorodifluoromethane
  • R-23: Trifluoromethane
  • R-32: Difluoromethane
  • R-50: Methane

Ethane Series (-100)

  • R-113: 1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane
  • R-123: 2,2-Dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane
  • R-125: Pentafluoroethane
  • R-134a: 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane
  • R-152a: 1,1-Difluoroethane

Inorganic Compounds (-700)

  • R-717: Ammonia
  • R-718: Water
  • R-744: Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Blend Types

Zeotropic Blends (R-400 Series)

Zeotropic blends experience temperature glide—their boiling and condensation temperatures shift during the phase change process due to fractionation (the components vaporize or condense at different rates). The overall temperature shift across a heat exchanger is the temperature glide. Their composition must be specified (e.g., "R-401A": R-22/152a/124 at 53%/13%/34% by mass).

Common Zeotropes:

  • R-407C: R-32/125/134a (23%/25%/52%)
  • R-410A: R-32/125 (50%/50%) Note: Near-azeotropic with very small glide.

Azeotropic Blends (R-500 Series)

Azeotropic blends behave like a single-component refrigerant. They have identical bubble (boiling) and dew (condensation) points, meaning no temperature glide. Their fixed composition means they cannot be fractionated.

Common Azeotropes:

  • R-502: R-22/115 (48.8%/51.2%)
  • R-507A: R-125/143a (50%/50%)
  • R-508B: R-23/116 (46%/54%)

References