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R-410A Refrigerant
- In 1987 the Montreal Protocol, an International environmental agreement, established requirements that began the worldwide phase out of ozone-depleting CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).
- In 1992 it was amended to establish a schedule for the phase out of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). HCFCs are less damaging to the ozone layer than CFCs, but still contain ozone-destroying chlorine.
- The Montreal Protocol is carried out in the U.S. through Title VI of the Clean Air Act, which is implemented by EPA.
- HCFC-22
- HCFC-22 (also know as R-22) has been the refrigerant of choice for industrial process chillers for more than four decades.
- Unfortunately for the environment, releases of R-22, such as those from leaks, contribute to ozone depletion.
- In addition, R-22 is a greenhouse gas and the manufacture of R-22 results in a by-product (HFC-23) that contributes to global warming.
- As the manufacture of R-22 is phased out over the coming years as part of the agreement to end production of HCFCs, manufacturers of industrial process chiller systems are offering equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants.
- As part of the Montreal Protocol, effective January 1, 2010, Advantage and other industrial process chiller manufacturers no longer build equipment using HCFC-22 (R-22) refrigerant.
- More and more process chilling equipment is being built using HFC-410A (R-410A) since R-22 can no longer be used.
- R-410A
- R-410A is highly efficient nearly azeotropic mixture (gases evaporate at nearly the same temperatures) of two gasses ideally suited for replacing R-22 in scroll compressor packages.
- R-410A will not damage the ozone.
- R-410A has a significantly higher vapor pressure than R-22.
- The condensing pressure of R-410A at standard conditions for water-cooled chillers is about 340 psi and approximately 390 psi for air-cooled chillers.
- This is slightly higher than high-pressure safety shut-off settings for R-22.
- This pressure far exceeds the pressure rating of the components previously used on R-22 systems.
- Link to Pressure vs. Temperature chart for R-410A, R-407C, R-22, R-404A, R-134A refrigerants.
- Contractors and technicians need to know that R-410A can only be used in equipment designed for R-410A.
- It cannot be used to retrofit existing R-22 equipment due to significantly higher operating pressures.
- Furthermore, special service equipment is required, such as a high pressure manifold gauge set, a high-pressure recovery unit, and high pressure recovery tanks.
- COMMON QUESTIONS:
Where can I buy R-410A?- All authorized refrigerant distributors should have access to 410A.
- What about the brands of R-410A?
- Puron and Suva 410A are marketing brands for ASHRAE R-410A. Puron is Carrier Corp’s brand name and Suva 410A is the DuPont brand name. Both have the same chemical composition and can be used interchangeably.
- Can R-410A be used to retrofit existing R-22 equipment?
- No. Because of the much higher discharge pressure and cooling capacity, R-410A should only be used in equipment designed for it.
- Do I need different service tools to work on R-410A systems?
- Yes. Because of the higher pressure, you should use manifold gauge sets designed for R-410A. In addition, you should use a recovery unit and tanks designed for the higher pressure of R-410A.
- What type of lubricant should be used with R-410A?
- Use a high-quality POE (polyolester) specified by the compressor or system OEM.
- Will R-410A systems have different components than R-22 systems?
- Yes. Because of the higher pressure for R-410A, most system components have been designed with increase thickness. In addition, expansion valves specifically designed for R-410A capacity should be used.
- Is R-410A a blended refrigerant?
- Yes. It is a blend of two refrigerants, HFC-32 and HCF-125 (50/50 vt%), that performs very much like a single-component refrigerant.
- How should I charge R-410A?
- For optimum performance, R-410A should be removed from the cylinder as a liquid.
- Do I need to replace my current industrial process cooling systems that use R-22?
- No, R-22 is still available for servicing existing equipment. Chemical manufacturers will be able to produce new R-22 in limited quantities until 2020. Recovered and recycled R-22 is available now and beyond 2020.
- Advantage Portable Water Chillers Using R-410A
- Air-Cooled Units :
- M1-2A
- M1-3A
- M1-4A
- M1D-5A
- M1-7.5A
- M1D-10A
- M1D-15AF
- M1D-15AB
- M1-20AF
- M1-20AB
- M1-25A
- M1-30A
- Water-Cooled Units :
- M1-2W
- M1-3W
- M1D-5W
- M1-7.5W
- M1D-10W
- M1D-15W
- Advantage Central Water Chillers Using R-410A
- Air-Cooled
- TI-20A
- TI-30A
- TI-40A
- TI-50A
- TI-60A
- TI-80A
- TI-100A
- TI-120A
- Water-Cooled
- TI-20W
- C-5WPT
- C-7.5WPT
- C-10WPT
- C-15WPT
- C-20WPT
- OutDoor Chillers
- OACS-5S-M1-1P
- OACS-7.5S-M1-1P
- OACS-10S-M1-1P
- OACS-15S-M1-1P
- OACS-20S-M1-1P
- OACS-25S-M1-1P
- OACS-30S-M1-1P
- OACS-40S-M1-1P
- OACS-50S-M1-1P
- OACS-60S-M1-1P
- OACS-20D-MZC-2P
- OACS-30D-MZC-2P
- OACS-40D-MZC-2P
- OACS-50D-MZC-2P
- OACS-60D-MZC-2P
- OACS-80D-MZC-2P
- OACS-100D-MZC-2P
- OACS-120D-MZC-2P
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