In this post, we are going to conduct an interesting comparison between the refrigerant gases R134a and R600a. So get ready to discover the differences between them!.
- Let’s start by saying that R600a and R134a are pure gases that can be recharged in both liquid and gaseous phases since they are not composed of gas mixtures.
- R600a is a hydrocarbon used as a refrigerant, mainly in domestic refrigerators.
- On the other hand, R134a is used in equipment of any power, such as domestic and commercial refrigerators, chillers for building air conditioning, chillers for machine cooling, and automotive air conditioning systems.
- The main advantage of R600a is its low environmental impact and excellent thermodynamic properties, which contribute to its increasing use.
- R600a does not harm the ozone layer and has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3.
- On the other hand, R134a also does not harm the ozone layer but has a GWP of 1430, which, over the years, is starting to face challenges with stricter environmental regulations.
- R600a (isobutane) has a safety classification of A3 – non-toxic but flammable. R134a is non-toxic and non-flammable.
- Although R600a (isobutane) is flammable, its use in refrigeration systems with lower cooling capacity reduces the risk due to the significantly low amount of R600a refrigerant used.
- Isobutane R600a, like other hydrocarbon refrigerants, generally has good miscibility with any type of lubricant, although in many cases, it is recommended to use oils with higher viscosity.
- R134a is compatible with POE oil in conventional refrigeration and PAG oil in automotive air conditioning.
- R600a has proven to reduce the energy consumption of refrigeration systems compared to R134a.
- R600a and R134a are not direct substitutes for each other in equipment that has already been used, unless authorized by the manufacturer. However, if R600a is replaced by R134a, the capillary must be changed because the displacement of the compressor with R600a is higher than with R134a.
