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.