Known as propane gas, R290 is a class A3 natural hydrocarbon refrigerant with a low environmental impact. This refrigerant fluid is a pure substance, with no evaporative slip and a high thermodynamic performance, comparable only to ammonia (R717) or difluoroethane (R152a).
This refrigerant has a low toxicity, but is highly flammable. Its application in Europe is currently regulated by regulations on refrigerant charge limits according to application and installation location. On the other hand, R290 refrigeration technology can be incorporated into any system, whether it is used in commercial or industrial applications.
R290 or propane gas currently stands out for its wide range of applications in both the commercial and industrial fields. This gas has practically unbeatable properties in any of its applications, due to its GWP (Global Warming Potential) = 3 and an ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) = 0. However, on the other hand, being a class A3 refrigerant, it is a non-toxic, but extremely flammable refrigerant.
R290 has similar thermodynamic properties to R22, although certain characteristics such as capacity and working pressures are lower. Even so, it has excellent thermo-physical properties and its thermal efficiency is good for most conditions, including high ambient temperatures, where the discharge temperature is low.
R290 gas is affected by the F-Gas regulation in Europe, but it is not a refrigerant destined to die, like F-gases or HFCs. Its limitation is rather on safety and use aspects due to being a highly flammable substance.
R290 or propane gas has no limitations in terms of applications. This gas has optimum properties in any installation or equipment, regardless of the needs to be covered.
The performance range covers up to a cooling capacity of 811.3 kW with a low refrigerant charge, in this case in industrial applications with an indirect system from the intarWatt range. In industrial applications, the permissible refrigerant charge limit is linked to the installation situation with regard to the environment and installation conditions.
Whereas, in commercial applications, the compact R290 units developed by INTARCON have a low refrigerant charge of less than 0.5 kg (limit allowed in commercial applications) and high performance with a low refrigerant charge.
Also, propane or R290 gas is successfully used in small compact air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, such as cold room monoblocks and refrigerated furniture with built-in units. Another recent application is the use of R290 in systems with indirect condensation, waterloop systems, for which several compact waterloop condensing units and equipment have recently been developed and are being successfully used in commercial refrigeration applications such as small supermarkets or industrial kitchens.
Currently the regulations applicable to R290 or propane gas are:
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