Sage-Tips

What are the dangers associated with the refrigerant used in automotive air conditioning systems?

Freon gas is used inside of your car’s air conditioner unit to supply cool air via evaporation. This gas, much like many other fumes, may cause health problems, one being cardiac arrhythmia, if inhaled directly. This gas can also damage the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere.

Is car refrigerant flammable?

Flammable refrigerants are illegal to use in an automotive air conditioning system. There are some exceptions, such as the new R1234yf refrigerant, which is mildly flammable but only under certain conditions. But other than these, no flammable refrigerant should ever be used in a car or light truck A/C system.

Which alternative refrigerant is being used by BMW?

While many automotive manufacturers are using R-1234yf in new vehicles German brands like Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi and BMW have committed to R-744 as their refrigerant of choice however they will use R-1234yf for vehicles sold in the US.

When did auto Freon change?

1994
Many collector car owners wonder what to do about their air conditioning (A/C) systems as ever-changing government regulations dictate the type of refrigerants allowed. In 1994, Freon, or R-12, was outlawed and replaced by R-134a and that is now being replaced.

Is it illegal to release R134a into the air?

R134a is not an ozone-destroying agent, but it is a greenhouse gas, and is illegal to vent as well.

Why is R134a bad for the environment?

The warming potential of R134a refrigerant is 1,410, meaning that the release of one gram of R134a would have the same global warming effect as releasing 1,410 grams of carbon dioxide. In an interesting twist, the leading alternative refrigerant being considered by European automakers is carbon dioxide.

Is R1234yf refrigerant flammable?

Different from the widely used mobile refrigerant R134a, R290 and R1234yf are both flammable or explosive. The application of R290/R1234yf in the mobile heat pump system is hindered by unexpected refrigerant leakage with the existence of fire and explosion risk.

Why is R1234yf flammable?

Its global warming potential (GWP) is ultra-low, with a rating of less than 1. This means that one kilogram of R1234yf released to atmosphere has a significantly lower greenhouse effect than a kilogram of carbon dioxide. The biggest difference is R1234yf’s A2L flammability rating, which means it is mildly flammable.

Why is R-1234yf a good replacement for R134a?

R1234yf has a global warming potential of 4, which will meet the EU requirements. R1234yf has comparable thermodynamic properties to R134a, which makes it ideal as a replacement, as it may be possible for few or no required alterations in order to replace R134a with R1234yf in a pre-designed system.

Why is R-1234yf preferred over R134a?

R134a and R1234yf are similar, however, R1234yf was created as a more environmentally friendly replacement to R134a. The biggest difference between the two is that R1234yf is mildly flammable and does require special handling. R744 is carbon dioxide, so it is non-flammable.

Is R1234yf flammable?

R1234yf is classified as an A2L mildly flammable refrigerant, and requires the use of equipment designed for use with such a refrigerant.

What is the new automotive refrigerant?

R-1234yf
The latest refrigerant technology is R-1234yf. 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene, or R-1234yf (HFO-1234yf), is the latest market replacement for R-134a automotive refrigerants.

How many cars use 1234yf refrigerant?

Making it’s debut in the early 2000’s it has quickly rose to power and will soon be the dominant refrigerant in the automotive industry. Today, as I write this in October of 2017 there are approximately thirty-five million cars on the road that are using 1234yf.

What are ignition and flame front temperatures?

Ignition temperatures are laboratory values –a hydrocarbon/air mixture in the flammable range is heated until it begins to burn. A mixture below its ignition temperature won’t start burning. Cooling the mixture below its ignition temperature extinguishes an existing flame. Flame Front: Ignite a small volume of flammable mixture with a spark.

What is R-134a refrigerant and when is it banned?

This number will only grow as R-134a is no longer allowed on newer models in the European Union and will be banned from newer models in the United States by 2020. (2021 model year.) With this refrigerant being in such high demand I have found very little information about it.

What is the difference between R-134a and R-1234yf certification?

The certification is no different between R-134a and R-1234YF. While a new certification is not necessary there is additional training available through SAE Spec J2845. This training will go over specific requirements and techniques when servicing either 1234yf or R-744 mobile air conditioning systems.