Refrigeration & Equipment Engineering

Unit 4 - Refrigerants

4.2.3.Chemical properties of refrigerants
Flammability
Hydro carbon refrigerant are highly flammable. Ammonia is also somewhat flammable ad becomes explosive when mixed with air. Halocarbon refrigerants are neither flammable nor explosive

Toxicity
All fluorocarbon refrigerants mix with certain percentage of air become toxic

Miscibility
The ability of a refrigerant to mix with oil is called miscibility. The degree of miscibility depends on the temperature of the oil and pressure of the refrigerant vapour.

Effect on perishable materials
The refrigerant used in cold storage plant and in domestic refrigerators should be such that in case of leakage, it should have no effect on the perishable materials. The Freon group of refrigerant have no effect upon dairy products, meats vegetables, flowers. There will be no charge in color exposed to freon. Ammonia may react with fruits and vegetables which are acidic in nature.