R-404A

R-404A is a near azeotropic, zero ozone depleting HFC refrigerant gas mixture used in new medium and low temperature refrigeration equipment. It is also an indirect substitute (retrofit), in equipment that had previously worked with R-502 and its HCFC substitutes such as R-408A, DI-44, HP80.

Its main application is in new installations for medium and low refrigeration temperatures. The theoretical cooling capacity is 5% lower than that of R-502 at evaporation temperatures of -40ºC. The coefficient of performance (COP) is between 5 and 8% lower than R-502. By increasing the superheat, the COP of R-404A can be higher than that of R-502. In the case of R-502 retrofits and its HCFC substitutes (R-408A, DI-44), it is necessary to eliminate 95% of the original mineral or alkylbenzene oil, replace it with a polyolester oil, change the filter drier, the expansion valve, rubber O-rings for plastic ones and sometimes oversize the condenser. In the case of being used as a retrofit of R-22, it will also be necessary to change the safety valves and other elements that were set to R-22 pressures.

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Applications:

– Water chillers.

– Refrigerated warehouses.

– Refrigerated showcases.

– Ice cream machines.

– Ice rinks.

– Cold storage rooms.

– Refrigerated transport.

– Cold beverage dispenser.

– Tunnel freezers.

– Fishing boats.

In order to work with a single refrigerant, R404A has been used to work in equipment with low and medium evaporation temperatures and even in air conditioning. On the other hand, the cooling capacity of R-404A, R-507, are much higher in average cooling temperatures compared to R-134a. However, these advantages are offset by a significant decrease in the coefficient of performance (COP) of R-404A and R-507 with respect to R-134a. The higher the evaporation temperature, the lower the COP. Vapor pressure is slightly lower than R-507. The cooling capacity and COP are in both cases slightly lower with respect to R-507 and much lower with respect to R-442A (RS50).