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Study Pits 410A Against Propane

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Medium-temperature commercial refrigeration equipment designed to use hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant 410A performs better in a life-cycle climate performance (LCCP) analysis than equipment designed for propane, a flammable hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerant with special safety requirements, according to a study by the Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE) at the University of Maryland.

The study showed that a system using R-410A achieved lower environmental impact during the entire life cycle of the fluid and the equipment, including power consumption, than a system using R-290 (propane). The LCCP analysis of R-410A was 4.2 percent lower than propane.

The 31-page study, "Comparison of Hydrocarbon R-290 and Two HFC Blends R-404A and R-410A for Medium Temperature Refrigeration Applications," is available for free downloading at www.ari.org.

The study is part of the Global Refrigerant Environmental Evaluation Network (GREEN) analysis of the relative performance potential of R-290 to HFC refrigerants R-404A and -410A for medium-temperature commercial refrigeration, under the auspices of the International Council of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Manufacturers Association (ICARMA).

Publication date: 04/19/2004

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