GWP: WHY IT IS IMPORTANT IN REFRIGERANT SELECTION

Refrigerants are mainly divided into natural and chemical substances. Among the natural gases used in cooling systems are CO2 (carbon dioxide), NH3 (ammonia), propane (R290), and isobutane (R600a). Chemical substances widely used include those in the HFC (hydrofluorocarbons) group, such as R134a and R404A.

Different refrigerants are suitable for different temperature ranges. For example, some substances are better suited for freezers, while others are for air conditioning. There is no single substance that can be used across all temperature ranges today. This means that the most suitable refrigerant must be chosen for each application based on its thermodynamic properties and safety class.

It is essential to understand the environmental impact of refrigerants when selecting them. Each refrigerant has its own GWP (Global Warming Potential) value. GWP indicates how much one kilogram of refrigerant contributes to global warming compared to the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). The higher the GWP number, the more harmful the substance is to the environment. For example, the GWP of CO2 is 1, while the GWP of R404A is 3922.

Since January 1, 2020, the use of substances with a GWP of over 2500 has been prohibited in new cooling equipment. This restriction became even stricter on January 1, 2022, when the limit was lowered to a GWP below 150. This places a significant responsibility on manufacturers and users to choose more environmentally friendly solutions.

The Beijer Ref group has its filling stations in several European countries. This allows us to use our branded filling cylinders, which we rent out to customers and collect back when empty. The empty containers are sent back to the factory, where the bottle is washed and refilled with new, clean refrigerant. This system helps reduce environmental impacts and ensures the continuous availability of high-quality refrigerant.

The following refrigerants are readily available from our warehouse:

• R744/CO2 (GWP 1)
• R134a (GWP 1430)
• R404A (GWP 3922) - may only be used for maintenance today and if the refill amount does not exceed 10 kg
• R410A (GWP 2088)
• R448A (GWP 1387)
• R407F (GWP 1825)
• R407C (GWP 1774)
• R452A (GWP 2140)
• R32 (GWP 675)
• R600a (GWP 3)
• R1234yf (GWP 4)

The ISO 817 and EN 378 standards define the safety class of each refrigerant, including alternatives. For example, in the A2L classification, the first letter describes the toxicity in the safety class. "A" means lower toxicity, and "B" indicates higher toxicity. The second part of the name describes the flammability of the refrigerant: 1 (no flame propagation), 2L (low flammability), 2 (flammable), and 3 (highly flammable).

The use and correct selection of refrigerants are critical for the efficiency of cooling systems and reducing environmental impact. It is important to choose the right refrigerant according to the operating temperature of the device and environmental requirements. Beijer Ref offers a wide range of refrigerants and supports environmentally friendly solutions through its recycling and filling systems. Choosing the right refrigerant helps ensure the smooth operation of systems and reduce environmental impact.