In this post, we will conduct an interesting comparison between two widely used refrigerant gases: R134a and R404A. So get ready to discover the differences between them!
Can I use r134a in a r404a system?
- Let’s start with R404A. This refrigerant is internally composed of a gas mixture, while R134a is a pure gas composed of a single component.
- This difference in composition is important and has implications for their recharge in refrigeration systems.
- R404A must always be recharged in liquid phase due to its gas mixture, while R134a can be recharged in both liquid and gas phases without any problem.
- It is also interesting to know the internal composition of R404A. This refrigerant contains approximately 4% of R134a, 44% of R125 gas, and 52% of R32.
- Both refrigerants work with POE-type oil.
- Although both refrigerant gases offer acceptable efficiency, R404A is much more efficient than R134a in freezing applications. On the other hand, R134a outperforms R404A in medium and high-temperature applications. It is important to consider these aspects when choosing the appropriate refrigerant for each case.
- Another point to highlight is that R134a is commonly used in air conditioning applications, while R404A does not have a specific use in this field.
- And here comes a great advantage of both refrigerants: neither R134a nor R404A are flammable or toxic! Moreover, neither of them damages the ozone layer, which is crucial for protecting our environment.
- However, not everything is perfect. R404A has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) value of 3922, which means it has a greater impact on global warming. On the other hand, R134a has a GWP of 1430, making it a more environmentally favorable option.
- Observe this interesting difference on the screen.
- We can clearly see how the size of the capillary varies between R134a and R404A. This factor is important to consider when selecting the appropriate system for a specific application.
- It is also relevant to mention that the operating pressures of R134a are higher compared to R404A. Due to these pressure differences, they cannot be considered direct replacements for each other, even though both are used in refrigeration and freezing applications.
