The refrigerant R-22, also known as Freon, has been used in HVAC systems since the 1950s. However, due to its potential environmental impacts, it is being phased out of production and use. As of 2020, R-22 will no longer be used in HVAC systems. This begs the question: what needs to be done to replace this refrigerant? Could carbon dioxide (CO2) be a viable replacement? Let’s explore this possibility with well-informed HVAC distributors from Gustave A. Larson.
What is CO2?
CO2 is a natural gas that humans and animals produce when they exhale. It occurs naturally in Earth’s atmosphere in small amounts and is considered odorless, colorless, nonflammable and non-toxic, which is not the case with freon. CO2 is not typically used as a refrigerant for air conditioning systems because it does not have a high enough boiling point. However, scientists are exploring ways to improve on this issue. In fact, there have already been several successful experiments using CO2 as an alternative refrigerant for HVAC systems with promising results.
Advantages of Using CO2 as a Refrigerant
One major advantage of using CO2 as a refrigerant would be its environmental friendliness compared to R-22, which has been shown to deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. Additionally, studies suggest that using CO2 could result in more energy-efficient cooling systems due to their lower boiling point than traditional synthetic refrigerants like R-22 or ammonia (R-717).
This could lead to significant energy savings over time which would benefit both businesses and homeowners alike who rely on their HVAC systems during hot summer months. Finally, if the technology advances quickly enough it could potentially reduce the cost of cooling homes and businesses since less energy would need to be used for cooling purposes.
Limitations of Using CO2 as a Refrigerant
The primary limitation associated with using CO2 as a refrigerant for HVAC systems currently lies in its low boiling point which makes it difficult to achieve higher efficiency levels needed for large commercial applications such as supermarkets or industrial facilities. Additionally, there are safety concerns related to handling high-pressure liquid carbon dioxide which must be taken into account when considering this technology.
Finally, current infrastructure would need to be modified or entirely replaced in order for this technology to become widely available across all applications which could present additional challenges in terms of cost and implementation timelines.
Final note
The possibility of using CO2 as an alternative refrigerant for HVAC systems shows promise given its potential environmental benefits compared with traditional synthetic products like R-22 or ammonia (R-717). However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed such as its low boiling point which makes it difficult to achieve higher efficiency levels needed for large commercial applications.
Additionally, safety concerns related to handling high-pressure liquid carbon dioxide must also be taken into account before any widespread implementation can occur. Ultimately, further research and development will need to take place before we can definitively determine whether or not replacing R-22 with CO2 is feasible from both an environmental and financial standpoint.
