R1234ze Refrigerant
The refrigerant R1234ze(E) is a low flammable refrigerant and has a global warming potential ( GWP ) of less than 1. R1234ze(E) is an HFO (hydrofluoroolefin) refrigerant.
It is suitable for operation in chillers / chillers and heat pumps for commercial and industrial plants with positive displacement compressors and direct evaporation. It is classified according to ISO / ASHRAE in the safety class A2L (hardly flammable) and therefore allows significantly higher quantities than other flammable refrigerants.
With its GWP value of less than 1, R1234ze(E) falls below the limit of 150 set out in the F-Gas Regulation 517/2014 and the Ecodesign Directive. It is therefore not within the limits of the F-gas Regulation . Down scenario, because this refrigerant does not include any CO2 equivalents on the quantity of refrigerants placed on the market. R1234ze (E) is a low-flammability class 2L refrigerant. The permitted capacities, system configurations and guidelines for safe handling for the respective applications can be found in the applicable regulations and standards for your region, eg. PED, EN 378 or ISO 5149.
Applications for HFO refrigerants
R1234ze(E) is used inter alia as a basic component in HFO / HFKW blends. These blends have been developed as "Low GWP" alternatives to R404A / R507, R22 / R407C and R410A to meet regulatory requirements for reducing F-Gas-emissions (EU-F-Gases Regulation). Some of these refrigerants have already been tested in terms of refrigeration capacity and efficiency as part of AHRI's Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation Program (AREP) and also used in test facilities.
From the group of hydro-fluoro-olefins is another substance with the name R1234ze(E) is available, which has been used mainly as a blowing agent for PU foam and aerosol. R1234ze(E) differs from R1234yf by a different molecular structure. The thermodynamic properties also provide favorable conditions for use as a refrigerant. The global warming potential
is also very low (GWP100 = 7).
There is some uncertainty about flammability. In safety data sheets, R1234ze(E) is declared non-flammable. However, this only applies to transport and storage. When used as a refrigerant, there is a higher reference temperature for flammability tests of 60 °C. At this temperature, R1234ze(E) is flammable and therefore classified as R1234yf in safety group A2L.
R1234ze(E) is sometimes referred to as R134a substitute but is more than 20% lower in volumetric refrigeration capacity than R134a or R1234yf. The boiling point (-18 °C) also limits the application at lower evaporation temperatures strong. With positive displacement compressors, therefore, the preferred use is in high temperature applications.
application areas
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Commercial refrigeration
- Chillers
- industrial air conditioning
refrigeration plant
- Direct expansion
- new plants