Hydrocarbon Refrigerant
The Hydrocarbon Solution
In an attempt to address environmental concerns for the protection of the ozone layer, manufacturers developed hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) chemical refrigerants as a replacement for CFC's.
Hydrocarbon based gases are one of the few refrigerants that continue to be acceptable for their long-term environmental benefits. The ready availability of inexpensive hydrocarbon refrigerants makes it simply illogical for any party to claim that expensive chemical refrigerants, with their high global warming potential are viable replacements for CFC's. Hydrocarbon refrigerant gases are widely supported and used in the UK and Europe, under the banner of "Greenfreeze Technology". Many European manufacturers of commercial and domestic refrigerators, since 1994, have changed to hydrocarbon technology. Every year, approximately 8.2 million hydrocarbon-based refrigerators are produced in Europe; each using around 30 percent less energy than refrigerators using fluorocarbon refrigerants.
In China, hydrocarbon-based refrigerants are specified by three of the four largest fridge manufacturers. Overall, there is increasing worldwide acceptance of hydrocarbon-based refrigerants. Nat Energy Resources has developed a range of Nat Energy Hydrocarbon products that have high performance levels, are reliable and friendly to the environment.
Why Nat Energy Hydrocarbon Refrigerant?
Created by nature, not by a chemical company, our hydrocarbons cannot be patented, keeping them available to everyone. They have an atmospheric life of less than one year, with no effect on the ozone layer, and contribute virtually nothing to global warming. Hydrocarbon refrigerants implemented by Nat Energy boast many important qualities that make them an extremely efficient and reliable choice for most air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
1. Energy Savings – Less Energy Used
Refrigeration or air-conditioning systems utilising Nat Energy Hydrocarbon refrigerant require less energy than systems using fluorocarbon refrigerants. This provides a number of important benefits:
- Compressor loads are reduced, which reduces wear, extending component life, and reducing leakage.
- Operating costs are lower.
- Less energy consumed means less fossil fuels burned resulting in lower global warming.
2. Increased Safety
The crucial issue of the safety of Nat Energy Hydrocarbon refrigerants is assured as our application complies with relevant safety standards, such as International Standards ISO 5149, BS 4434-1995, and Australia/New Zealand Standard AS 1677-1998.
3. Great Heat Conductors
Nat Energy Hydrocarbons are 50% more efficient conductors of heat than fluorocarbons. In practical terms this means that the hydrocarbon molecule rejects heat 50% faster than a fluorocarbon molecule. In a practical example, refrigerated drinks cabinet that uses Nat Energy Hydrocarbon refrigerant can chill cans in less than 2 hours, a time saving of almost 30% compared with fluorocarbon refrigerants.
4. Use Less Gas
Nat Energy Hydrocarbon refrigerants have a unique advantage: Each kilogram of Nat Energy Hydrocarbon refrigerant replaces 3 kilograms of fluorocarbon refrigerant.
Environmental Comparison Chart of HC vs R12/R22/R134a |
Characteristic/ Refrigerant |
R12 |
R22 |
R134a |
NER HC |
Class Classification |
FREON |
HCFC |
HFC |
HC |
Ozone Depletion Potential (index) |
1 |
0.07 |
0 |
0 |
Global Warming Potential (index) |
7300 |
1500 |
1200 |
8 |
Atmospheric Lifetime (yrs) |
130 |
15 |
16 |
< 1 |
|
