Refrigrerants Used For
Mobile Air Conditioning Service

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REFRIGERANTS USED FOR MOBILE AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE
The supply and ever increasing price of R12 is going to force us to use alternative refrigerants. The manufacture of R12 to be sold in the United States was stopped in December 31, 1995. Manufactures recommend that you continue to use R12 to service R12 air conditioners while the supply lasts. There will be a need to retrofit existing R12 systems to a substitute refrigerant in the near future. The only alternative refrigerant that is readily available and recommended as an alternative is R134a.
R12 (FREON) (CFC-12)
Freon is DuPont's brand name for R12. Its chemical formula is CCL2F2 (Dichlorodifluoromethane). R12 has been around since the 30's. Freon is an odorless, non flammable and non toxic refrigerant. The boiling point of R12 is about 21.7 degrees below zero. In our use, R12 is under pressure and contained in some sort of vessel. Freon can be in a liquid and/or gas form. For each temperature it's at it has a different pressure. Freon has provided us with years of safe dependable service. Freon has a high affinity for mineral oil, meaning that it carries oil with it every where it goes.
R134a (HFC-134a) (Suva) (Klea)
Suva is DuPont's brand name for R1134a. Klea is ICI Chemicals & Polmers Limited brand name for R134a. Its chemical formula is CF3CH2F (Tetrafluoroethane). R134a is regarded as one of the safest refrigerants. In evaluations done by the chemical industry R134a has been found to be safe and to pose no cancer or birth defect hazards. R134a has been chosen by auto manufactures to be the replacement for R12. In fact it is the only new refrigerant that is recommended by the OEM and after market manufacturing companies. R134a is not corrosive on standard steel, aluminum and copper samples. R134a is not flammable at ambient temperatures and atmospheric pressures. However R134a systems should not be pressure tested with air, because mixtures of air and R134a have been shown to be dangerous. The Short Comings Of R134a When Used For Retrofitting Existing R12 Systems!
ALTERNATIVE REFRIGERANTS
A number of new refrigerants have been listed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as acceptable under its SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) program.
EPA's List of Refrigerant Substitutes
None of these new refrigerants have been endorsed by Original Equipment Manufactures (OEM). The EPA developed the SNAP (Significant New Alternative Policy) to review alternative refrigerants. The EPA examines new refrigerants (alternative) for their flammability, toxicity characteristics and their effect on the ozone layer. The EPA does not "test" or "indorse" new refrigerants, they review information submitted to them. The EPA does not approve or recommend any one refrigerant that is acceptable to "use conditions" over others in that category. The "use conditions" are the special conditions that the alternative refrigerant may be used under. Under the SNAP rule each new (alternative) refrigerants must be used in accordance with the conditions listed below.
    USE CONDITIONS:
  1. The original refrigerant must be removed prior to performing retrofit.
  2. Unique service fittings must be used with each new (alternative) refrigerant to prevent the accidental mixing of different refrigerants.
  3. A unique label must be used with each alternative refrigerant. Old labels should be removed or covered by new label(s). The new label should provide information as to: Name & address of retrofit company, date of retrofit, refrigerant and oil used.
  4. Barrier hose must be used if the alternative blend contains large amounts of R22.
  5. It is unlawful for you to mix refrigerants in a A/C system or in recovery tanks! No substitute refrigerant may be used to top off a system.
  6. You must maintain separate recovery and service equipment for each refrigerant that your shop uses. So if your shop uses R12, R134a, and a blend, it needs to have separate equipment for each one.
  7. Do not mix refrigerants in any way.
PROBLEMS WITH BLENDS
Some of the alternative refrigerants are blends of existing refrigerants. They may provide adequate service under certain conditions. Blends may give several problems, mixture separation, rubber seal damage, hose damage and desiccant failure. Blends that contain R22 must be used with barrier hose and compatible driers. Some of the alternative refrigerants contain flammable gases! Refrigerant blends (mixtures) may have a tendency to separate! One of the components of the mixture may have more pressure than the others and fill the vaporous part of the container. I personally think any mixtures that could separate should be illegal. A leak could draw off a part of the mixture, leaving a hazardous waste. The next service center may draw this out unknowingly. When charging from a large container you must be careful so you do not draw off part of the mixture. Blends may separate as they condense and evaporate. The suppliers of mixtures can not or will not tell us how far off the mixture can go before it effects operation. If you are still thinking about blends, then ask yourself and the suppilier some questions.
    Questions to ask about alternative refrigerants:
  1. Is it on the EPA SNAP list?
  2. Is it safe (non flammable)?
  3. Is it recommended by the system manufacturer?
  4. Does it void any warranty?
  5. Does the supplier assume any guarantee or warranty?
  6. Is it readily available?
  7. What new servie equipment will you need?
  8. Is it able to be reclaimed and meet Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute standards?
For More Information On Refrigerats:
EPA's Hot Line 1-800-296-1996
SNAP Information www.epa.gov/ozone/609/609.html
EPA Information

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