Looking to purchase R290 (also referred to as propane)? You have a lot of options. However, not all R290 refrigerants are the same and the difference comes to purity, which affects system performance and impacts your business. In fact, certain contaminants can cause significant issues even at concentrations below 50 parts per million (ppm).

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.

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 It?

However, refrigerant-grade propane is still likely to 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 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 refrigerants.

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) Does It Have Proof of Purity?

You can procure R290/propane 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 refrigerant.

Bottomline: Purity Makes the Difference

R290 is becoming a popular option for use in various refrigeration 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.

High-purity R290:

• Reduces energy costs
• Extends equipment life
• Increases production rates and uptime
• Reduces refrigerant cost when compared to other refrigerants
• Allows for direct venting of refrigerant during service, thus eliminating the need to capture and recycle old refrigerant
• Features 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.