Natural refrigerants
For a better future
Think about tomorrow today
Wherever possible, we have been using natural refrigerants for years and will continue to drive forward research and development in the future in order to offer you cost-effective alternatives to conventional refrigerants with the highest standards of efficiency and quality.
Advantages of natural refrigerants
The tightening legal requirements have also led to a return to natural refrigerants. Natural refrigerants are all substances that occur directly in nature and can be used as refrigerants due to their thermodynamic properties. These are water, ammonia dimethyl ether, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and ammonia. They all have a GWP value between 0 and 3 and guarantee long-term operation even if legal regulations are tightened further. As with conventional refrigerants, each of these substances has its advantages and disadvantages – depending on the intended use, ambient conditions and local circumstances.
For over 10 years, SKADEC has concentrated its research and development work on refrigeration and heating systems primarily on the hydrocarbons R290 (propane), R600a (isobutane) and R1270 (propene). These three substances also have a GWP value that is no higher than 3 (propane and isobutane = 3, propene = 2). They also have similar pressure levels, very good thermal conductivity and excellent thermodynamic properties, which enable high energy efficiency in system operation.
SUSTAINABLE INTO THE FUTURE
However, despite their excellent properties, hydrocarbons have rarely been used as refrigerants for several decades. This is because, unlike halogenated and fluorinated refrigerants, they are flammable, which is why many system manufacturers and operators have only become more involved with the topic in recent years and in light of the new regulations. In principle, however, there is a great deal of experience available, as propane was already used successfully in the early years of refrigeration machines and is also used safely in numerous applications and in a wide range of ambient parameters. In addition, clear and specific safety regulations are available today, making it easy to carry out a risk assessment. Furthermore, chillers with natural refrigerants have been in use for more than a decade and not a single incident has been reported to date.
We would like to further outline the advantages and disadvantages of propane as a refrigerant.
OTHER NATURAL REFRIGERANTS AT SKADEC
Refrigerant R600a (Isobutane)
Isobutane is used as a refrigerant in refrigeration and air conditioning systems under the name R600a. Like R290, this natural refrigerant has a very low global warming potential (GWP 3) and high efficiency. Systems that are operated with R600a also only require a very small amount of refrigerant.
Refrigerant R1270 (Propene)
Like R290 and R600a, R1270 (propene) is a hydrocarbon, but has a higher volumetric cooling capacity and a lower boiling temperature in comparison. The natural refrigerant is mainly used in industrial refrigeration systems.
F-Gas Regulation
The use of refrigerants is subject to various laws and regulations, such as the F-Gas Regulation. In past decades, fluorinated gases (F-gases) were frequently used as refrigerants. However, it is now known that these gases increase the greenhouse effect.
Natural refrigerants such as propane (R290) are not subject to regulation by the F-Gas Regulation and can be used safely and reliably even in the event of future tightening.
ELIGIBLE SYSTEM CONCEPTS (ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PROJECTS LOCATED IN GERMANY)
R290 chillers and heat pumps from our product portfolio are available in an eligible technical configuration. The expected subsidy amount is:
- 15% of the investment costs for R290 chillers
- 35% of the investment costs for R290 heat pumps
- Specialist planning and construction supervision are also subsidised at 50%
- Save CO2 and reduce net investment costs at the same time!
Example:
R290 heat pump with investment costs of EUR 100,000 and planning costs of EUR 20,000.
Subsidy: EUR 35,000 for the heat pump
+ EUR 10,000 for planning
= 45,000 EUR subsidy
We will be happy to advise and support you in applying for your subsidy.