Select your language

Community of experts supports implementing the use of propane in heat pumps

bomba de calor

International. A group of scientists from the European community, from different universities and research institutes, published a document in which they justify the use of propane / r290 as a refrigerant in heat pumps, as a transition towards sustainability.

While acknowledging the issue of propane's high flammability, the scientists argue that "the hydrocarbons used in heat pumps, however, are contained in airtight systems. International safety standards already exist and are constantly being improved. The new standards will likely allow for wider use of hydrocarbon refrigerants, as more detailed safety precautions are developed."

On this same aspect, they argue that an important factor in increasing safety, or expanding the use of hydrocarbons to larger systems, is to reduce the refrigerant charge per kW of heating capacity in heat pumps. This is an area that the industry has neglected until now, as the amount of cargo is not a major factor when using non-flammable fluids. Recent research and development has shown that efficient systems can run on about 10 g of propane per kW, compared to the about 100 g of propane per kW required with typical designs.

On the time needed to redesign, the European scientific community explains that many manufacturers in Europe are already working on new designs of heat pumps with propane as a refrigerant. Moving from non-flammable synthetic refrigerants to flammable hydrocarbons requires careful consideration of safety, both at production sites and for products.

- Publicidad -

"A similar transition was made about 30 years ago, when the entire refrigerator industry went from using R12 to isobutane over a period of 3 to 5 years. Based on this background, a transition time to propane for outdoor installations of 3 to 5 years and for indoor heat pumps of 3 to 8 years seems realistic, depending on different applications and capacity ranges."

The paper concludes that although switching from refrigerant to propane for outdoor air-to-water heat pumps is unstoppable, switching to propane for indoor heat pumps remains a challenge and will likely require more than three years, due to complex safety regulations and construction requirements.

"We advocate the early announcement of clear and ambitious sunset dates for synthetic refrigerants, taking different development time periods for different product classes (indoor/outdoor/monoblock/split/multi-split/VRF) and application areas (residential/commercial/industrial) into account. Any new product development must clearly focus on natural refrigerants."

Duván Chaverra Agudelo
Duván Chaverra AgudeloEmail: [email protected]
Editor Jefe
Jefe Editorial en Latin Press, Inc,. Comunicador Social y Periodista con experiencia de más de 12 años en medios de comunicación. Apasionado por la tecnología. Director Académico del Congreso RefriAméricas.

No comments

• If you're already registered, please log in first. Your email will not be published.

Leave your comment

In reply to Some User
HVAC project at the Javeriana University, finalist in the CALA Awards 2025 in the HVAC category

HVAC project at the Javeriana University, finalist in the CALA Awards 2025 in the HVAC category

The HVAC system installed in the building of the Faculty of Sciences of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, in Bogotá, was selected as a finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025....

Concord Project in La Lima Free Trade Zone, finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025

Concord Project in La Lima Free Trade Zone, finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025

The HVAC system project carried out by MultiFRIO for the company Concord in the La Lima Free Trade Zone, in Cartago, received the final prize in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025, a...

HVAC project at the Universidad Santiago de Cali, finalist in the CALA AWARDS HVAC category

HVAC project at the Universidad Santiago de Cali, finalist in the CALA AWARDS HVAC category

The air conditioning project of the Auditorium Building and the Technology Center of the new campus of the Santiago de Cali University was chosen as a finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA...

Carrier Launches Cold Climate Heat Pump with Maximum Efficiency and Low Noise

Carrier Launches Cold Climate Heat Pump with Maximum Efficiency and Low Noise

International. Carrier, a company belonging to Carrier Global Corporation, presented significant improvements in its heat pump technology designed for cold climates.

Expert Forum to Address Energy Efficiency and 4.0 Technologies in HVAC&R Systems

Expert Forum to Address Energy Efficiency and 4.0 Technologies in HVAC&R Systems

Colombia. On July 10, 2025, the specialized forum "Towards Energy Excellence in HVAC&R: ISO 50001, Technologies 4.0 and RETSIT" will be held, a space that will bring together experts and...

LG Electronics attributes lower-than-expected results to U.S. tariffs and market slowdown

LG Electronics attributes lower-than-expected results to U.S. tariffs and market slowdown

International. LG Electronics reported a preliminary operating profit of approximately $460 million for the second quarter of the year, a figure that not only disappointed the market, but...

Hisense highlights air conditioning innovation during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Hisense highlights air conditioning innovation during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

United States. Hisense is creating unforgettable moments for fans during the 2025™ FIFA Club World Cup with its global "Own the Moment" campaign.

AFEC renews its Board of Directors and updates its statutes at its 2025 General Assembly

AFEC renews its Board of Directors and updates its statutes at its 2025 General Assembly

International. The meeting brought together 130 professionals from the HVAC sector in Girona to review results, redefine structures and project the future of air conditioning in Spain.

Technology, efficiency and innovation at the Virtual HVAC Pre-Congress 2025

Technology, efficiency and innovation at the Virtual HVAC Pre-Congress 2025

International. As a prelude to the Refriaméricas 2025Academic Congress, the Virtual HVAC Pre-Congress will be held on July 8, a free technical conference that will bring together experts and leading...

Chile leads with a gender focus in regional meeting on the Montreal Protocol

Chile leads with a gender focus in regional meeting on the Montreal Protocol

Costa Rica. Within the framework of the Meeting of Networks of National Ozone Officers of Latin America, held from June 17 to 19 and organized by the United Nations Environment Program, Chile stood...

Free Subscription
Remember Me
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
DO YOU NEED A SERVICE OR PRODUCT QUOTE?
LASTEST INTERVIEWS
SITE SPONSORS










LASTEST NEWSLETTER
Ultimo Info-Boletin