HFO refrigerants
Hydrofluoro-olefins (or HFOs) are fourth-generation refrigerant gases, specifically developed to comply with the stringent provisions of the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions.
Compared with the gases of the previous generation, HFCs, they are able to cut the GWP index by several thousand times.
Their excellent environmental characteristics are due to their particular chemical structure: HFO gas molecules are unsaturated and contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond, which makes them highly reactive.
On contact with the atmosphere they react quickly and therefore have a relatively short lifetime.
Another factor contributing to the excellent environmental performance of these gases lies in the good efficiency they are able to deliver in the equipment that uses them.
They are generally used in pure form in automotive air-conditioning applications or blended, including with previous-generation refrigerants in order to lower their specific environmental impact, in refrigeration and air conditioning in both residential and industrial settings.
In addition to the environmental aspects, one of the major advantages of HFO gases lies in their high compatibility with current air-conditioning and climate control systems, which makes them a perfect retrofit not only in functional terms but also in terms of performance.
All HFO refrigerants and their blends are classified as low toxicity (ISO 5149 class A) and low flammability (ISO 817 class 2L) and can therefore be used in complete safety.
HFO – THE NEW REFRIGERANT GASES WITH A VERY LOW GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HFOs (HydroFluoroOlefins), fluorinated hydrocarbons with a C=C double bond, are the 4th generation of fluorinated refrigerant gases and are currently the best answer to a market that demands products that are safe for users and environmentally friendly.
HFO-1234yf is very similar to R-134a and can be used in car air conditioners without modifications to the system: it is in fact compatible with POE lubricant and presents no problems with the materials normally used in current systems.
HFO-1234ze was developed by Honeywell for use as an aerosol propellant, but its physical characteristics also make it suitable for use as a refrigerant gas in applications at above-zero temperatures, where “non-flammability” is a top-priority requirement.