Dichlorodifluoromethane refrigerant, also known as Freon 12 or R 12 commercially, is the most popular chemical refrigerant. Known as a versatile compound with safe properties, the methane series chemical has fluorine and chlorine molecules making it a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Some of the methane series refrigerants also include tetrafluoromethane (carbon tetrafluoride) CF 421, bromotrifluoromethane CBrF 3 14, dichlorofluoromethane CHCl 2F 22, chlorodifluoromethane CHClF 2 23, and trifluoromethane. The R 12, with the chemical formula of CCl2F2, boils at 21.6 degrees Fahrenheit and has a molecular weight of 120.9. Though this chemical is popular, it is dangerous to the ozone layer and has a lower refrigeration effect.
The ethane series pentafluorocarbon, commercially known as HFC-125, has a low volatile impurity of 0.5 percent per weight and a high boiling residue of 0.01 percent per volume. HFC-125 is also a blending chemical for refrigerants, and is used in the making of firefighting equipment; its other uses are as an oxide etching agent in the fabrication of semiconductors. Its safe to the environment and meets the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute's specification standards for fluorocarbons and other refrigerants. It has an ozone depletion potential of 1.0 and carbon dioxide emission of 1.0. Others in this series are hloropentafluoroethane CClF 2CF 3, difluoroethane CH 3CHF 2 and chloropentafluoroethane CClF 2CF.
Dimethyle ether, commercially known as E-170, is a colorless pressurized liquefied gas that is easily flammable and is extremely cold. It has an asphyxiating effect with a faint ethereal odor and is best kept far from flammables and heat. Dimethyl ether's exposure to oxygen causes a peroxide explosive. In liquid form, skin contact causes frostbite, it irritates the eyes, causes blurred vision, headaches and possible loss of consciousness when exposed to it. E-170's chemical formula is CH3OCH3 , and is the only known refrigerant in the ether series.
Propane has a chemical formula of CH 3CH 2CH 3. Commercially, its known as 290. This refrigerant is mainly an inert gas, meaning it does not react easily except when in contact with active metals that are reducing agents, meaning these metals oxidize the gas by donating their electrons to the gas and oxidizing them. Exposure to heat is dangerous as it explodes and rockets. Propane is corrosive and toxic when in contact with fire and causes frostbite and burns in its liquid form. Other refrigerants in this series are pentafluoropropane, 245 fa; octafluoropropane 218 and heptafluoropropane 227 ea.