What do I need to know about propane (R290)?

R290 is the refrigerant designation for propane used as a refrigerant.

Unlike HFC refrigerants, R290 is a hydrocarbon and is considered a natural refrigerant. It has a very low GWP and zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

These characteristic make R290 an attractive option for applications where reducing the climate impact associated with refrigerants is an important consideration.

ATC uses R290 within its current recirculating chiller range as part of our move towards lower-GWP process cooling technology.

R290 offers several useful characteristics for refrigeration applications, including:

• Very low Global Warming Potential
• Zero Ozone Depletion Potential
• Favourable thermodynamic properties
• Effective heat transfer characteristics
• Suitability for appropriately designed process cooling equipment

Environmental performance is only one consideration when selecting a refrigerant. Cooling performance, temperature range, equipment design, safety, and application requirements must also be considered.

R290 is used within ATC’s current MG and G Series recirculating chillers.

The exact refrigerant charge is model-specific, so always refer to the specification or rating plate for the particular chiller.

ATC’s product pages and technical documentation provide the refrigerant information applicable to each current model.

R290 is classified as an A3 refrigerant, meaning it has lower toxicity and higher flammability.

This does not mean that R290 cannot be used safely in process cooling equipment. It means that the equipment needs to be specifically designed for the refrigerant and that appropriate installation, operating, and servicing requirements need to be followed.

Customers should not modify the refrigeration circuit, substitute another refrigerant, or carry out refrigeration work themselves.

See “Are flammable refrigerants safe?“ for more information.

The suitability of an installation can depend on factors including:

• Refrigerant charge
• Chiller design
• Room and installation environment
• Ventilation
• Intended application
• Applicable local safety standards and regulations

For this reason, installation requirements should be considered for the specific chiller and proposed location, rather than applying a general rule to all R290 equipment.

Follow the model-specific installation instructions supplied by ATC and contact us if you have questions about the suitability of a proposed installation.

Equipment containing a flammable refrigerant can be subject to specific transport requirements.

The requirements depend on factors including the equipment, refrigerant charge, mode of transport, destination, and applicable dangerous-goods regulations.

ATC considers the appropriate shipping arrangements when supplying equipment.

The very low GWP of R290 makes it relevant to the transition away from higher-GWP refrigerants being driven by international and regional environmental regulation.

However, refrigerant regulations differ between markets, including the EU, Great Britain, and United States, and requirements continue to develop.

The suitability and compliance of a chiller should therefore be considered according to the specific equipment, application, location, and regulations in force at the time it is supplied.

See “What is the F-Gas Regulation?” and “How do I know if my chiller is compliant with new refrigerant regulations?” for more information.

R290 has favourable thermodynamic properties for refrigeration applications, but the efficiency of a complete chiller depends on much more than refrigerant choice alone.

Chiller efficiency can also be influenced by:

• Refrigeration system design
• Required fluid temperature
• Ambient temperature
• Cooling load
• Pump requirements
• Heat-transfer fluid
• Installation and operating conditions

A chiller should therefore be assessed according to its actual performance at the required operating conditions rather than assuming that the refrigerant alone determines efficiency.

R290 should not be treated as a drop-in replacement for another refrigerant.

A refrigeration system needs to be specifically designed and specified for the refrigerant it contains.

If you have an older chiller using a higher-GWP refrigerant, contact ATC with the model, serial number, and application requirements. We can assess the existing equipment and advise whether continued servicing, repair, or replacement with a current lower-GWP solution is appropriate.

Refrigerant charge is specific to the individual model and configuration.

For an existing chiller, check the rating plate attached to the equipment. Current product specifications and technical documentation also provide refrigerant information for the relevant model.

See “What refrigerant is used in my chiller and how much is used?“ for further information.

R290 offers important environmental and technical advantages, but refrigerant is only one part of chiller selection.

The correct solution also depends on your required cooling capacity, fluid temperature, coolant flow, process fluid, ambient conditions, electrical supply, and installation environment.

Contact ATC with your application requirements and our team can help identify an appropriate chiller and refrigerant solution.