All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier

About r143 refrigerant

Types of R143 refrigerant

There are three types of R143 refrigerants that are commercially available today. They include pure R143, R407C refrigerant and R410A refrigerant.

Pure R143A refrigerant

This is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that is mainly used in blends with R-40, R-502, and R-123 refrigerants. In these applications, the R143A refrigerant serves as an auxiliary component that boosts physical and chemical synergy between the other refrigerants in the blend. R143A, for example, boosts the ozone depletion potential and the GWP of the other refrigerants in the blend by a substantial margin.

R407C refrigerant

R407C is a zeotropic refrigerant mixture made from 40% R-134a, 50% R-143A, and 10% R-23. This blend is particularly ideal for medium-temperature applications in new systems. Existing systems may also run on R-22 refrigerants. In this case, they can be retrofitted to run on the R407C blend.

The refrigerant's physical properties allow it to operate efficiently at temperature ranges typical of medium-heat commercial and domestic cooling systems. Some common applications of R407C systems include air-conditioning systems, heat pumps, etc. This refrigerant is also commonly used in chillers that are designed to provide medium cooling capacities.

R410A refrigerant

R410A is another zeotropic refrigerant blend that consists of 50% R32 and 50% R125 refrigerants. Even though it only uses 25% of R143A, its quantity is negligible so it wouldn't affect the blend. In this case, R143A only becomes synergistic, boosting the blend's refrigerant's operational efficiency.

Like R407C, R410A is commonly used in an expansive range of residential air conditioning and heat pump systems. It's also preferred for new residential HVAC systems. Some of these systems are phased out, especially due to the regulation that limits the ozone depletion potential of refrigerants.

Industrial applications of R143 refrigerant

The R143A refrigerant has an expansive industrial application due to its efficacy and availability. Some of its uses include:

Refrigerant in air-conditioning systems

R143A can be a proprietary refrigerant in air-conditioning systems or a component in other blends that cannot work efficiently without it. It's commonly used in both commercial and industrial air conditioning systems designed for medium to high cooling requirements.

Refrigerant in refrigeration systems

R143A is used in refrigeration systems that need medium to high refrigeration capacity. These include industrial chillers and refrigeration systems used in large-scale commercial applications. In these systems, the refrigerant keeps temperatures below requirements for food storage, industrial processes, and low-temperature warehouses.

Foam-blowing agent

R143A is used as a foam-blowing agent in manufacturing and industrial processes that require producing foam products. These may include insulated panels, foamed plastics, and other building materials. In this application, the refrigerant plays the role of expanding agent, ensuring that the foam achieves the desired insulation properties and consistency.

Solvent in chemical processes

R143A is occasionally used as a solvent in several industrial processes. These may include cleaning and degreasing metal parts in machinery manufacturing. The refrigerant's ability to dissolve certain oils and greases makes it ideal for providing a residue-free clean on all degreased components.

Laboratory and research purposes

R143A is also used in scientific research and laboratories for a variety of purposes. It may, for instance, be used in experiments that require low-temperature environments. Its effectiveness as a heat transfer medium also makes it an ideal choice in these applications.

Testing and calibration

Some industries use R143A refrigerant to create specific conditions or simulate certain environments in testing machinery and equipment. This refrigerant enables them to test the efficacy of these machines under extreme conditions.

Propellant in aerosol products

R143A is used in aerosol products as a propellant to dispense the product effectively. Its low toxicity and safety make it a suitable choice for certain applications. That versatility allows manufacturers to incorporate it into a variety of formulation applications while adhering to regulatory standards.

Product specifications of R143 refrigerant

The R143 refrigerant is available in different cylinders of different sizes. Each cylinder size stores a specific quantity of the refrigerant. These include 30 lb/13.6 kg, 50 lb/22.7 kg, 300 lb/136 kg, and 1000 lb/453 kg. The refrigerant's physical properties are discussed in detail below.

Thermal properties

  • Boiling point

    The boiling point of R143A is 185.1°C/-301.2°F. This is the temperature at which the refrigerant changes from liquid to gaseous state.

  • Melting point

    R143A has a melting point of -61.62°C/-78.92°F.

    This is the temperature at which the refrigerant changes from gaseous state into solid.

  • Heat of vaporization

    The refrigerant's heat of vaporization is 25.79 kJ/mol.

Electrical properties

  • Dielectric constant

    The dielectric constant of r143a is 1.3 at 1 MHz. R143 is a non-polar molecule, thus it has a low dielectric constant like other non-polar molecules. This property allows it to be used as a refrigerant.

  • Liquid density

    The density of R143A in liquid form is 1.208 g/cm³.

  • Vapor density

    Its vapor density is 0.78 g/cm³.

Other characteristics

  • Refractive index

    The refractive index of R143a is 1.015. This can vary depending on the temperature and wavelength of light used in the measurement.

  • Chemical properties

    R143A is a hydrofluorocarbon with the chemical formula C2H3F2. It has two-carbon atoms, three hydrogen atoms, and two fluorine atoms.

  • Global warming potential

    R143A has a global warming potential of 447. This potential refers to the ability of the refrigerant to trap heat in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide over a span of 100 years.

How to choose refrigerants

Choosing the right refrigerant for a certain application depends on several key factors. These include the desired temperature range, system compatibility, environmental regulations, and energy efficiency requirements. Below are some guidelines on how to choose the right refrigerant.

Consider the application's requirements

The refrigerant's temperature range determines the type of refrigerant suitable for an system. For example, low-temperature applications such as refrigeration and specialized air conditioning systems require refrigerants with low boiling point. On the other hand, high-temperature applications like industrial cooling require refrigerants with high boiling points.

Assess system compatibility

It's important to ensure that the refrigerant is compatible with the refrigeration or air conditioning system. This ensures that the refrigerant achieves the desired results without causing damage or inefficiencies. Assessing system compatibility primarily involves considering the refrigerant's physical and chemical properties. These include its molecular mass, density, and vapor pressure. All these properties affect how the refrigerant interacts with system components such as compressors, condensers, and evaporators.

Environmental considerations

Depending on the environmental impact of the refrigerant, some may be more suitable than others. For instance, CFCs and HFCs have a higher ozone depletion potential and GWP.

Evaluate energy efficiency

Some refrigerants are more energy-efficient than others. Such refrigerants require less energy to achieve the desired cooling or heating effect. As a result, they contribute to lower operational costs and reduced energy consumption. This makes them more ideal for long-term use in large industries.

Account for availability and cost

Availability and cost are important factors to consider when choosing a refrigerant. Some are more readily available than others. This may be due to their commercial applications, environmental impact, or regulatory restrictions. Therefore, determining whether a refrigerant can be obtained easily becomes extremely vital, especially in large-scale operations.

Q & A

Q1. What is the chemical name of R143A?

A1. The R143A refrigerant does not have a specific chemical name. However, it is known by its chemical 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑙 𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑧𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 C₂H₃F₃. This is because it has two carbon atoms, three hydrogen atoms, and three fluorine atoms. R143A was predominantly used as a refrigerant and propellant but has been phased out in many countries due to environmental concerns.

Q2. What are the key benefits of the R143A refrigerant?

A2. R143A has several key benefits that make it effective in its applications. For one, it's non-toxic. This means it poses minimal risks to human health and safety when handled properly. It's also non-flammable, which enhances its safety during storage and usage. The refrigerant is easy to obtain and compatible with many existing refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. This makes it ideal for retrofitting projects. Although it has a high GWP, R143A is less harmful to the ozone layer than many other refrigerants.

Q3. What is the GWP of R143A refrigerant?

A3. The Global warming potential of R143A

Q4. How does R143A compare to other refrigerants?

A4. R143A is often compared to other refrigerants like R-134A, R-410A, and R407C. R134A is less harmful to the environment than R143A because it has a lower ozone depletion potential and GWP. However, R143A has better thermodynamic properties. This makes it more efficient in certain applications than R134A. Although both are HFCs, R143A is denser than R134A.

Q5. What are the most common packages for the R143a refrigerant?

A5. R143A is commonly available in a variety of packages or cylinder sizes. These include small cylinders like 30 lb/13.6 kg and 50 lb/22.7 kg, as well as large industrial cylinders like 300 lb/136 kg and 1000 lb/453 kg.