R744 Refrigerant CO2 Carbon dioxide

CO2  - R744 the refrigerant of the future?

The importance of CO2 for refrigeration applications has increased in recent years and the market is increasingly focusing on the refrigerant R744.

CO2 is a natural refrigerant and environmentally friendly and cost effective compared to fluorinated refrigerants. It is not flammable, non-toxic and colorless.

CO2 serves as the basis for calculating the CO 2 equivalent of all refrigerants. R744 has a GWP of 1 and is excluded from the phase-down scenario foreseen in the  F-Gas Regulation . According to the F-gas regulation, it is  necessary to check the tightness of the refrigeration system from a CO2 equivalent of 5 tonnes. This eliminates the leak tightness control for refrigeration systems with R744 with a capacity of 5 tonnes. During service work, refilling or decommissioning of refrigeration systems with CO2 , the refrigerant may leak into the environment. A costly recovery of the refrigerant is not necessary.

The disadvantage is the high operating pressure of the refrigerant, the low Ktirische point, the formation of dry ice when falling below the triple point and the very high standstill pressure. The requirements and selection of the components used in the refrigeration system must be taken into account accordingly. 

R744 is also an interesting alternative for the automotive industry. The air conditioning in the vehicle can be operated with environmentally friendly refrigerant. Compared to the current low-pressure refrigerant R134a, all components of the air-conditioning system must be able to withstand a high pressure of up to 135 bar. The good thermodynamic properties speak in favor of use in automotive air conditioning systems. 

The refrigerant R744 is non-combustible, non-toxic and colorless. R744 has a Global Warming Potential ( GWP ) of 1 (GWP = 1).  

R744 has an ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential ) of 0. 

R744 is  classified in safety class A1 according to ISO / ASHRAE  .

application areas

• Commercial refrigeration
• Vehicle air conditioners
• Industriekälte
• heat pump
• 20 ° C to -40 ° C

refrigeration plant

• Direct expansion
• flooded evaporation
• new plants

Technical specifications