R290 vs R134a

Welcome to this post where we’ll embark on an intriguing comparison between the refrigerants R134a and R290. Brace yourselves to uncover the fascinating differences between these two!

  • Let’s start by emphasizing that both R290 and R134a are pure gases, capable of being recharged in either liquid or gaseous phase since they are not composed of gas mixtures.
  • Propane, or R290, serves as a hydrocarbon refrigerant primarily used in domestic refrigerators, small commercial cooling devices, as well as in low-power air conditioning units and heat pumps. Meanwhile, R134a finds use in equipment of any power range, including domestic and commercial refrigerators, air conditioning chillers for buildings, machine cooling chillers, and automotive air conditioning systems.
  • The primary advantage of R290 lies in its low environmental impact and excellent thermodynamic properties, making it increasingly favored in various applications. R290 is ozone-friendly and boasts an impressively low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of only 3.
  • On the other hand, R134a also doesn’t harm the ozone layer but has a relatively higher GWP of 1430. As the years pass, this poses challenges due to more stringent environmental restrictions.
  • R290 propane carries a safety classification of A3, being non-toxic but extremely flammable. In contrast, R134a is non-toxic and non-flammable.
  • Although R290 propane is flammable, the risk is reduced since it is primarily used in cooling circuits with lower cooling capacities, resulting in notably lower quantities of the refrigerant being present.
  • Moreover, R290, like other hydrocarbon-type refrigerants, exhibits excellent miscibility with any type of lubricant, although it is recommended to use lubricants with higher viscosity levels. R134a, on the other hand, is compatible with POE oil in conventional refrigeration and PAG oil in automotive air conditioning systems.
  • R290 has demonstrated a remarkable reduction in energy consumption in refrigeration systems when compared to R134a.
  • Furthermore, it’s crucial to note that R290 and R134a are not interchangeable gases in systems that have already been in operation, unless explicitly authorized by the manufacturer. Using R290 in systems not designed for this gas can lead to instability and adversely affect the compressor’s lifespan.
  • DO NOT SUBSTITUTE ONE GAS FOR ANOTHER.
  • For instance, for a refrigeration unit operating at -10°C, an absolute pressure of 29.4 psi is obtained from the table. The atmospheric pressure should be subtracted from the table value, for example:

Gauge Pressure = Absolute Pressure – Atmospheric Pressure (14.7 psi)

Gauge Pressure = 29.4 psi – 14.7 psi = 14.7 psi

°C R134a°F barpsi
-30°C-22°F0.84
bar
12.34
psi
-25°C-13°F1.06
bar
15.58
psi
-20°C-4°F1.32
bar
19.40
psi
-15°C5°F1.63
bar
23.96
psi
-10°C14°F2
bar
29.4
psi
-5°C23°F2.42
bar
35.57
psi
0°C32°F2.92
bar
42.92
psi
5°C41°F3.49
bar
51.30
psi
10°C50°F4.14
bar
60.85
psi
15°C59°F4.88
bar
71.73
psi
20°C68°F5.71
bar
83.93
psi
25°C77°F6.65
bar
97.75
psi
30°C86°F7.7
bar
113.19
psi
35°C95°F8.88
bar
130.53
psi
40°C104°F10.18
bar
149.64
psi
45°C113°F11.62
bar
170.81
psi
50°C122°F13.20
bar
194.04
psi

The pressure-temperature charts for R290 (propane) in gauge pressure do NOT REQUIRE CALCULATIONS, as they provide direct values, using an atmospheric pressure reference of 14.7 psi.

°C°Fbar
-24°C-11,2°F2.11 bar
-22°C-7,6°F2.27 bar
-20°C-4°F2.44 bar
-18°C-0,4°F2.63 bar
-16°C3,2°F2.83 bar
-14°C6,8°F3.02 bar
-12°C10,4°F3.23 bar
-10°C14°F3.45 bar
-8°C17,6°F3.69 bar
-6°C21,2°F3.93 bar
-4°C24,8°F4.19 bar
-2°C28,4°F4.46 bar
0°C32°F4.74 bar
2°C35,6°F5.04 bar
4°C39,2°F5.35 bar
6°C42,8°F5.67 bar
8°C46,4°F6.01 bar
10°C50°F6.36 bar
12°C53,6°F6.73 bar
14°C57,2°F7.12 bar
16°C60,8°F7.52 bar
18°C64,4°F7.93 bar
20°C68°F8.36 bar
22°C71,6°F8.81 bar
24°C75,2°F9.28 bar
26°C78,8°F9.76 bar
28°C82,4°10.27 bar
30°C86°F10.79 bar
32°C89,6°F11.33 bar
34°C93,2°F11.89 bar
36°96,8°F12.47 bar
38°C100,4°F13.07 bar
40°C104°F13.69 bar
42°C107,6°F14.33 bar
44°C111,2°F15.00 bar
46°C114,8°F15.69 bar
48°C118,4°F16.40 bar
50°C122°F17.13 bar
52°C125,6°F17.89 bar
°C°Fpsig
-24°C-11,2°F31 psi
-22°C-7,6°F33.36 psi
-20°C-4°F35.86 psi
-18°C-0,4°F38.66 psi
-16°C3,2°F41.60 psi
-14°C6,8°F44.39 psi
-12°C10,4°F47.48 psi
-10°C14°F50.71 psi
-8°C17,6°F54.24 psi
-6°C21,2°F57.77 psi
-4°C24,8°F61.59 psi
-2°C28,4°F65.56 psi
0°C32°F69.678 psi
2°C35,6°F74.08 psi
4°C39,2°F78.64 psi
6°C42,8°F83.34 psi
8°C46,4°F88.34 psi
10°C50°F93.49 psi
12°C53,6°F98.93 psi
14°C57,2°F104.66 psi
16°C60,8°F110.54 psi
18°C64,4°F116.57 psi
20°C68°F122.89 psi
22°C71,6°F129.50 psi
24°C75,2°F136.41 psi
26°C78,8°F143,47 psi
28°C82,4°150,96 psi
30°C86°F158,61 psi
32°C89,6°F166,55 psi
34°C93,2°F174,78 psi
36°96,8°F183,309 psi
38°C100,4°F192,129 psi
40°C104°F201,24 psi
42°C107,6°F210,65 psi
44°C111,2°F220,5 psi
46°C114,8°F230,64 psi
48°C118,4°F241,08 psi
50°C122°F251,811 psi
52°C125,6°F262,98 psi

Author: Gerson Mora

Graduated from the University of Carabobo in Venezuela. (1996-2001). Credential of the College of Engineers of Venezuela Number 131,187. Specialist in the area of ​​Industrial Refrigeration and HVAC Systems.

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