refrigerants
Air conditioner fluids
Refrigerants are substances used in cooling systems to absorb and transfer heat.
They cycle through compression and expansion in refrigerators, air conditioners, and heat pumps, changing between liquid and gas states to move heat from one place to another.
Early refrigerants like Freon were phased out after being linked to ozone depletion; modern alternatives aim for lower environmental impact.
Acrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- freonChlorofluorocarbon refrigerant brand
- propaneFlammable hydrocarbon fuel
- isobutaneBranched four-carbon alkane
- butaneFlammable hydrocarbon gas
ethane · methane · pentane · propylene · ethylene · carbon dioxide · sulfur dioxide · hydrocarbon
Ozone-depleting compounds, abbreviated
- HFCsSynthetic cooling-system gases
- freonChlorofluorocarbon refrigerant brand
- chlorofluorocarbonsOzone-depleting synthetic compounds
- hydrochlorofluorocarbonsPartially halogenated methane derivatives
Pressure-increasing mechanical device
- condenserDevice that liquefies gases
- evaporatorLiquid-to-gas conversion device
- HVACIndoor climate management
- air conditioningIndoor cooling system
chiller · heat exchanger · thermostat · climate control · cold storage · ice maker · cryogenics · heat pump
Unable to burn
- non-toxicCauses no harm
- thermodynamicsScience of heat-energy relationships
- boiling pointVaporization threshold
- pressureForce upon contact
latent heat · vapor pressure · efficiency · heat absorption · phase change
Protective atmospheric layer destruction
- greenhouse gasesEmissions that trap heat
- phase-outGradual discontinuation process
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- climate impactEcological consequence of conditions
ammonia
Acrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
- freonChlorofluorocarbon refrigerant brand
- propaneFlammable hydrocarbon fuel
- isobutaneBranched four-carbon alkane
butane · ethane · methane · pentane · propylene · ethylene · carbon dioxide · sulfur dioxide · hydrocarbon · sulfur hexafluoride
CFCs
Ozone-depleting compounds, abbreviated
- HFCsSynthetic cooling-system gases
- freonChlorofluorocarbon refrigerant brand
- chlorofluorocarbonsOzone-depleting synthetic compounds
compressor
Pressure-increasing mechanical device
- condenserDevice that liquefies gases
- evaporatorLiquid-to-gas conversion device
- HVACIndoor climate management
air conditioning · chiller · heat exchanger · thermostat · climate control · cold storage · ice maker · cryogenics · heat pump
non-flammable
Unable to burn
- non-toxicCauses no harm
- thermodynamicsScience of heat-energy relationships
- boiling pointVaporization threshold
pressure · latent heat · vapor pressure · efficiency · heat absorption · phase change
ozone depletion
Protective atmospheric layer destruction
- greenhouse gasesEmissions that trap heat
- phase-outGradual discontinuation process
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- gasesgas, air, oxygen, helium, nitrogen
- auto wasteused oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid
- CFC sourcespropellants
- industrial gasesargon, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen
- refrigerationcompressor, condenser, evaporation, freezers, chiller
- HVACair conditioner, furnaces, furnace, ductwork, central air
refrigerantsheat sources
Things emitting thermal energy
fuels · combustibles · heaters · warmers · heating elements
refrigerantsinsulators
Materials blocking energy transfer
insulating materials · thermal barriers · insulation · fiberglass insulation · aerogel