HC/HFO Manual
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Techniques and Regulations for the Safe Handling of Flammable Hydrocarbon and Hydrofluoroolefin Refrigerants Written by Kay Rettich Julia Setlak Robert P. Scaringe, Ph.D., P.E. Second Edition February 2017 © Copyright 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Mainstream Engineering Corporation, Rockledge, Florida Except as permitted by Sections 107 and 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form, or by any means, or stored in any database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Information contained in this work has been obtained by Mainstream Engineering Corporation from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither Mainstream Engineering Corporation nor its authors guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein, and neither Mainstream Engineering Corporation nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages arising out of the use of this information. This work is published with the understanding that Mainstream Engineering Corporation and its authors are supplying information but are not attempting to render engineering or other professional or technical services. If such services are required, the assistance of an appropriate professional should be sought. These standards and codes of practice are current at the time of publishing. You should check to ensure they are still current. Table of Contents Preface ..................................................................................................................................... vii Safety Precautions .................................................................................................................... vii EPA Regulations ....................................................................................................................... vii Liability ...................................................................................................................................... vii Document Conventions .............................................................................................................. ix Chapter 1. What Are Hydrocarbon Refrigerants? ................................................................. 1 Physical Properties of Hydrocarbons...................................................................................... 2 HC Refrigerant Types ............................................................................................................ 2 R-600a (Isobutane) ............................................................................................................ 2 R-290 (Propane) ................................................................................................................. 4 R-441a ............................................................................................................................... 4 R-1270 ............................................................................................................................... 5 Other HC Blends ................................................................................................................ 5 Materials Compatibility ........................................................................................................... 5 Lubricants ........................................................................................................................... 5 Desiccants .......................................................................................................................... 6 Materials............................................................................................................................. 6 Chapter 2. What Are Hydrofluoroolefin Refrigerants? ........................................................... 8 HFO Refrigerant Types .......................................................................................................... 9 R-1234yf............................................................................................................................. 9 R-1234zd ...........................................................................................................................10 R-1234ze ...........................................................................................................................10 R-449B ..............................................................................................................................14 Materials Compatibility ..........................................................................................................15 Lubricants ..........................................................................................................................15 Desiccants .........................................................................................................................15 Materials............................................................................................................................15 Chapter 3. Environmental Comparison of HC, HFO, and HFC Refrigerants ........................17 Global Warming Potential ......................................................................................................18 Ozone-Depleting Potential ....................................................................................................18 Temperature Glide ................................................................................................................18 Saturation Pressure–Temperature Behavior of HC and HFO Refrigerants ............................19 Chapter 4. What is the EPA SNAP Program? ......................................................................21 Background and History of the SNAP Program .....................................................................21 EPA Rule on Refrigerants .....................................................................................................23 iii Covered End Uses ................................................................................................................24 Household Refrigeration ....................................................................................................24 Retail Food Refrigerators and Freezers .............................................................................24 Other Use Conditions ............................................................................................................25 Charge Size Limitations ........................................................................................................25 Color-Coded Hoses and Piping .............................................................................................26 Labeling ................................................................................................................................27 Refrigerant Containers ..........................................................................................................27 Refrigerant Container Colors .................................................................................................27 Unique Fittings ......................................................................................................................28 Training Requirements ..........................................................................................................28 Recovery and Recycling Equipment ......................................................................................29 Chapter 5. What are the Safety Classifications of HC and HFO Refrigerants? ....................30 ASHRAE Safety Classifications .............................................................................................30 Toxicity ..............................................................................................................................30 Flammability ......................................................................................................................32 Flammability Limits of Hydrocarbon Refrigerants ..................................................................32 Use Conditions ......................................................................................................................33 Asphyxiation..........................................................................................................................34 Chapter 6. What are the HC and HFO Safe Handling Practices? ........................................36 Charge Limitations ................................................................................................................36 Household Refrigeration ....................................................................................................36 Retail Food Refrigeration ...................................................................................................37 HC and HFO Refrigerant Recovery .......................................................................................37 Recovery Techniques ........................................................................................................37 Identifying the Refrigerant .................................................................................................37 Evacuation Requirements .................................................................................................39 Proper Recovery/Recycling Equipment .............................................................................40 Pressure