R427A gas (sold under the name Forane) is an HFC blend suitable for use as a replacement gas in various R22 applications in low-, medium- and high-temperature cooling and air-conditioning units. During operation, cooling capacity decreases by around 5% but efficiency improves by 5-10%. As R427A is a blended refrigerant, its temperature glide is high.
R427A gas boasts the lowest GWP of all refrigerants used as replacements for R22.
Many other drop-in refrigerants are also available on the market. They can be used as replacement refrigerants in old R22 systems. All these refrigerants are blends in which the most common main components are R134a and R125. Other drop-in refrigerants include R417A, R422A, R422D and R424A (Kianta, 25 May 2008, and VTT bulletin 2548, 2010).
R427A gas applications and use
R427A gas is used for a wide range of applications in industry, commerce, residential buildings and homes. Retrofitting is quick and does not require costly equipment replacement.
In terms of cooling capacity, performance, mass flow, operating pressure and energy consumption, it matches R22. It also boasts lower discharge temperatures, which extends the service life of the equipment.
