Not All R290 Refrigerants Are the Same

If you’re looking to purchase R290 propane refrigerant, you have more options than ever. However, not all R290 refrigerants are the same. The key difference? Purity – which has a big impact on system performance, efficiency and your business outcomes.

In fact, certain contaminants in R290 refrigerants can cause significant issues, such as equipment failures and shortened component lifespans, even at concentrations below 50 parts per million (ppm).

For example:

• For a refrigerator manufacturer, purity can be the difference between an increase or decrease in warranty claims.
• For an industrial plant, it can be the difference between maximizing uptime or shutting down operations.
• Additionally, it determines if a product meets the UL standards for commercial refrigeration systems.

Understanding the quality and grade of your R290 propane refrigerant is essential.

1) Is It Refrigerant-Grade?

Many people assume most, or all propane qualifies for use as a refrigerant, but this is not the case. Propane has different applications and therefore, it comes in varying grades i.e., fuel-grade, chemical-grade, and aerosol-grade. The difference is in the purity levels, which can range from 80% to 99.9%. For example, aerosol-grade propane, which can be used for spray paint applications, has lower purity requirements.

2) How Pure Is Your R290 Propane Refrigerant?

Even refrigerant-grade propane may contain varying levels of contaminants like water, mercury, and ethane. These contaminants, and others, impact performance in a variety of ways.

Examples of contaminants:

• Water: Even a small amount of moisture can alter the coefficient of performance (COP) of the compressor. High-purity R290 refrigerant helps ensure lower compressor discharge temperatures extend the compressor’s life.
• Mercury. Trace amounts cause the metal to become brittle and lead to stress fractures in components and equipment.
• Ethane: As a high-pressure gas, this contaminant increases the required horsepower and results in wasteful power consumption.

Think about it this way: If you invested in a high-performance car, like a Maserati, would you fill the tank with regular-grade gas?

Probably not. Many high-performance cars require premium fuel because manufacturers understand how fuel impacts performance, efficiency, and longevity. Furthermore, when you upgrade from 87 octane gasoline to 90 octane gasoline, the price difference is nominal, and the benefits far outweigh the difference. The same is true for R290 propane refrigerants – you want high purity for system reliability.

So, how can you verify the purity of your R290 propane? A reputable manufacturer or distributor will provide a Certificate of Analysis, which will cite the overall purity of the gas, such as 99.5%. Additionally, it should list the remaining contaminants and their respective levels.

3) Is It Accredited?

You can procure R290 propane refrigerant from various companies in the market today, but how can you ensure the integrity of the product?

Here are two things to look for:

• AHRI Standard 700. Developed by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), this standard specifies acceptable levels of contaminants in refrigerants. It is designed to guide refrigerant users as they make purchasing decisions.
• UL-Classification. Products are tested for specific properties for hazards and technical requirements to receive UL Classification tested for particular properties for hazards and technical. This designation is vital to some industries, such as commercial refrigeration. For example, for a refrigerator or freezer to carry the UL label, each component within the appliance must be UL-compliant, including the R290 propane refrigerant.

Bottomline: Purity Makes the Difference

R290 propane refrigerant is becoming a popular option for use in various residential, commercial, and industrial applications. If your business heavily relies on refrigeration technology, it’s especially important to research before purchasing. Keep in mind that not all R290 propane gases are the same.

Choosing high-purity R290 refrigerants can:

• Reduce energy costs
• Extend equipment life
• Increase production rates and uptime
• Reduce refrigerant cost when compared to other refrigerants
• Allow for direct venting of refrigerant during service, thus eliminating the need to capture and recycle old refrigerant
• Feature very low ppm levels of moisture, ethane, sulfur and other contaminants

By understanding the importance of purity and how to verify purity levels, you can positively impact your business.