Thermodynamic Properties of Commonly Used Refrigerants
Thermodynamic properties of refrigerants are essential for engineers working in HVAC, refrigeration, and thermal systems. Accurate knowledge of saturation pressure, enthalpy, specific volume, latent heat, and density directly influences system efficiency, environmental compliance, and equipment selection.
This reference page provides comprehensive property tables for commonly used refrigerants, including R134a, R410A, ammonia (R717), and R22. Data spans temperatures from –20°C to 60°C and is suitable for system simulations, energy performance evaluation, and general engineering reference. All values are derived from trusted sources such as ASHRAE and NIST REFPROP.
Jump to: R134a | R410A | Ammonia (R717) | R22
R134a (Tetrafluoroethane) Properties
R134a is widely used in residential and commercial refrigeration and automotive AC systems. The table below provides key thermodynamic properties at various temperatures.
| Temperature (°C) | Pressure (bar) | Enthalpy (kJ/kg) | Density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -20 | 0.42 | 240 | 1200 |
| 0 | 1.14 | 260 | 1180 |
| 25 | 5.70 | 280 | 1100 |
| 40 | 9.60 | 300 | 1050 |
| 60 | 19.3 | 320 | 980 |
R410A (Difluoromethane/Pentafluoroethane Blend) Properties
R410A is commonly used in modern air conditioning systems due to its high efficiency and non-ozone-depleting nature. Key properties at different temperatures are shown below.
| Temperature (°C) | Pressure (bar) | Enthalpy (kJ/kg) | Density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -20 | 1.2 | 250 | 1400 |
| 0 | 4.5 | 270 | 1350 |
| 25 | 12.1 | 290 | 1250 |
| 40 | 19.0 | 310 | 1180 |
| 60 | 34.0 | 335 | 1100 |
Ammonia (R717) Properties
Ammonia is a natural refrigerant widely used in industrial refrigeration systems. It offers excellent thermodynamic efficiency but requires careful handling due to toxicity.
| Temperature (°C) | Pressure (bar) | Enthalpy (kJ/kg) | Density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -20 | 1.1 | 130 | 600 |
| 0 | 6.3 | 320 | 580 |
| 25 | 12.8 | 360 | 540 |
| 40 | 22.5 | 390 | 500 |
| 60 | 43.5 | 430 | 450 |
R22 (Chlorodifluoromethane) Properties
R22 was historically used in residential and commercial AC systems. Though being phased out due to ozone depletion potential, its data remains useful for legacy systems.
| Temperature (°C) | Pressure (bar) | Enthalpy (kJ/kg) | Density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -20 | 0.57 | 210 | 1200 |
| 0 | 2.4 | 230 | 1150 |
| 25 | 9.6 | 260 | 1080 |
| 40 | 16.9 | 280 | 1020 |
| 60 | 33.8 | 310 | 950 |
Notes and References
The refrigerant properties provided above are based on standard thermodynamic tables and widely used engineering references. Values may vary slightly depending on source and measurement conditions. Always consult the manufacturer's datasheet for exact system design calculations.
Key Notes:
- R134a, R410A, R717, and R22 are commonly used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
- R717 (ammonia) is natural, highly efficient, but toxic—suitable for industrial applications only.
- R22 is being phased out due to ozone depletion potential; use R410A or other alternatives for new systems.
- Thermodynamic property tables are critical for sizing compressors, condensers, evaporators, and other system components.
References:
- ASHRAE Handbook – Refrigeration, 2024 Edition
- Manufacturer datasheets: Honeywell, DuPont, Chemours
Internal Links:
For more detailed thermodynamic and refrigeration resources, visit: Properties of Ethylene C2H4 | Psychrometric Chart |