Natural refrigerants

Abstract

CFCs and HCFCs, used as working refrigerants in refrigerators and air conditioners, are now being regulated because of their contribution to ozone depletion. HFCs could be useful as short- and midterm replacements, but may not be suitable, owing to their high global-warming potential (GWP). Accordingly, a long-term solution will require the use of natural refrigerants. Natural refrigerants are working fluids based on molecules that occur in nature. Examples are such substances as air, water, ammonia, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide. The potentials of these natural refrigerants for providing solutions to the problem of finding environmentally acceptable refrigerants are discussed.