Briton Refrigerant R404a
Pentafluoroethane
Trifluoroethane
Tetrafluoroethane
Briton R404A Refrigerant Gas is an almost azeotropic mixture of HFC refrigerants, with zero ozone layer depletion, used in new refrigeration equipment at mid-range and low temperatures. It is also an indirect replacement (retrofit), in equipment that previously operated with R-502 and its HCFC replacements such as R-408A, DI-44, and HP80.
It is mainly used in new installations with mid-range and low refrigeration temperatures. The theoretical cooling capacity is 5% lower than R-502 at evaporation temperatures of -40ºC. The coefficient of performance (COP) is between 5 and 8% lower than R-502. As superheating increases, R-404A’s COP might become higher than that of R-502. In the case of R-502 retrofits and its HCFC replacements (R-408A, DI-44), 95% of the original mineral oil or alkylbenzene must be replaced by a polyolester oil, the dryer filter and expansion valve changed, rubber O-rings replaced with plastic ones and, occasionally, the size of the condenser must be increased. When it is used as a retrofit for R-22, the safety valves also need to be changed along with any other elements calibrated to R-22 pressures.
Downloads
Download Briton Refrigerant R404a Gas Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
| Product Information | Product Specification | Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) |
|---|---|---|
Download  | Download | Download |
General Information
R-404A is a pseudo-azeotropic mixed refrigerant composed of the three ingredients R-125, R-134a, and R-143a, and was developed as a substitute refrigerant for R-502 and R-22, used in commercial refrigerator equipment for low and medium temperature ranges.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| ASHRAE # | R-404A |
| Class | HFC |
| Refrigerant Type | Blend |
| Typical Lubricant | POE |
| Substitutes | R-502, HCFC-22 |
| Contains | HFC-125 (44%), HFC-143a (52%), HFC-134a (4%) |
| Glide | Low |
| Notes | Most widely used low- and medium-temperature replacement. |
Physical Properties
Physical Properties of Briton Refrigerant R404a (Pentafluoroethane, Trifluoroethane, Tetrafluoroethane)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Pentafluoroethane Trifluoroethane Tetrafluoroethane |
| Chemical Notation | CF3CHF3, CF3CH3, CFcCH2F |
| Molecular Weight | 97.6 |
| Boiling Point (°C) | -46.2 |
| Freezing Point (°C) | Average -117.5 |
| Critical Temperature (°C) | 72.2 |
| Critical Pressure (bar) | 37.29 |
| Liquid Density (kg/m³) 0°C | 1150.01 |
| Specific Heat of Liquid @ Constant Pressure @ 25°C (kJ/(kg.K)) | 1.5423 |
| Specific Heat of Vapor @ Constant Pressure @ 25°C (kJ/(kg.K)) | 1.2214 |
| Vapour Density (kg/m³) 25°C | 3.99 |
| GWP | 3922 |
| ODP | Non-ozone depleting |
| ATEL/ODL (kg/m³) | 0.52 |
| Practical Limit (kg/m³) | 0.52 |
| AIT (°C) | 728 |
| Flammable range, %vol. in air (Based on ASHRAE Standard 34 with Match Ignition) | None |
| ANSIASHRAE Standard 36-1992 Safety Group Classification | A1 |