Low-GWP Refrigerants: Options and Decisions

Published

November 22, 2021

Author(s)

Piotr Domanski

Abstract

The presentation provides a historical perspective of refrigerant evolution, a summary of the screening process for refrigerants with a low global warming potential (GWP), and a review of available low-GWP options for main applications, including selection decisions made, where applicable. In spite an extensive research efforts, rather limited replacement options exist for unitary air conditioning (R-410A replacements) and commercial refrigeration (R-404A replacements). Several hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), successfully used in low- and medium-pressure systems, do not have a normal boiling point low enough for use in these high-pressure applications, unless they are blended with low-temperature boiling fluids, which tend to have a much higher GWP. The presentation also discusses the GWP/flammability trade-off and the latest alternative low-GWP fluids under consideration. Future product offerings will undergo increasing market fragmentation with multiple refrigerants used in a given application depending on regional preferences and regulations, cost, and equipment size.

Conference Dates

November 22-26, 2021

Conference Location

Flioranopolis, SC, BR

Conference Title

COBEM 2021, 26 International Congress of Mechanical Engineering, Brazil.

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

air conditioning, coefficient of performance, global warming potential, volumetric capacity, refrigeration

Citation

Domanski, P. (2021), Low-GWP Refrigerants: Options and Decisions, COBEM 2021, 26 International Congress of Mechanical Engineering, Brazil., Flioranopolis, SC, BR, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=933752 (Accessed June 30, 2025)