Natural refrigerants for refrigeration and air-conditioning systems

Abstract

In the past, several natural working fluids were used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. However, the appearance of CFCs caused a drastic reduction in the utilisation of those fluids. Understanding of the environmental damage of CFCs focused attention on alternative refrigerants. From these, the ones that have minimum (or nil) environmental impact are natural ones. This paper presents a review of the application of the main natural refrigerants, for refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, as an alternative to synthetic new refrigerants (HFCs). Recent research and development in this area is analysed and various cycles are considered. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.