Alternative refrigerants with low global warming potential for refrigeration and air-conditioning industries

Abstract

Historically the use of natural and ecologically safe refrigerants was a strategy to eliminate environmental problems and avoid uncertainties with synthetic replacement fluids. Since ammonia is toxic, carbon dioxide provide high pressure, and the hydrocarbons are flammable, the general conclusion is often drawn that natural fluids gave safety problems. This paper will describe the possibilities of application as working fluids in refrigeration, heat pumping and organic Rankine cycles of the hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) as alternative refrigerants with low global warming potential.