Kinds of refrigerants
and their effect on the environment
In this chapter there is contained detailed information about the working substance of the air-conditioning system (refrigerant) starting with the definition and finishing with peculiarities of the latest refrigerant brand (R134a). Owners of automobiles with air-conditioners filled with "old" refrigerant brand (R12) should pay special attention to section "Adaptation 0f the air-conditioning system for the use of a new refrigerant".
Refrigerant is a light volatile substance acting as a heat transmitter while circulating inside the contour of the refrigerating system. There are several kinds of refrigerants, and in freon family there are: R-11, R-12, R-14, R-21, R-22. Among them in automobiles R-12 freon is used.
Attention! The reason for impossibility of using in automobiles other refrigerants of freon family are the following peculiarities:
- R11: When increasing the boiling point 23.77°С, it is well distributed in lubricating oils. Therefore, it is used as a cleaning agent of the automobile air-conditioning system.
- R14: Temperature point of gas transformation into liquid -45.5°С, which is very low.
- R21: Though being light, but it is toxic and the boiling point is high.
- R22: Has the properties of rubber dilution, rubber pads should not be used.
Peculiarities of R-12 freon gas used in automobiles are the following:
- Latent evaporation heat is high and easily transformed into liquid.
- Does not burn or explode.
- Chemically inconvertible and doesn’t change.
- Not toxic.
- No property of oxidation.
- Does not spoil food products and clothes.
- Easily purchased.
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