International. Embraco issued a position paper with recommendations for the long term as well as for the transition period based on extended testing of various low-GWP solutions with the aim of determining the appropriate transition from synthetic, non-flammable alternatives to R404A and R134a.
The company explains that hydrocarbons (isobutane-R600a and propane-R290) represent the best long-term solution for light commercial applications in both low and medium pressure. Expected future changes to the legislation will remove part of the existing road blocks related to load limits.
Based on preliminary testing, the R407F, R407A, R448A and R449A cannot be considered as a drop-in replacement of systems using some R404A compressors. The use of the refrigerants mentioned above may require changes to the system, such as reducing the condensing temperature of the system (increased condenser, improved ventilation) or reducing the temperature of the return gas to achieve a thermal profile similar to the refrigerant R404A.
To maintain the warranty, the final application must be validated by technical support teams on a case-by-case basis. Use in systems operating under conditions of high compression ratio in particular should be avoided.
Therefore, for the transition period, Embraco confirms at this stage R452A as a unique alternative for systems using Embraco R404A models, due to the same or lower thermal profile compared to R404A, and also approves R513A as a substitute refrigerant for all Embraco R134a compressor series, authorizing its use, both in LBP and HBP applications.
Both refrigerants, R452A and R513A, maintain the same operational envelope as the refrigerants R404A and R134a and other Embraco application guidelines such as the system load limitations defined for each compressor family.
Both refrigerants, R452A and R513A, according to the calorimetric evaluation are showing a limited impact on cooling capacity, when tested at calorimeter. The actual impact on the results must be verified in specific applications. The Embraco R134a compressors, which use R513A and R404A models with R452A, maintain the same electrical components and show the same reliability as with the original refrigerants.
