WITH time running out for R22, many are considering turning to “drop-in” replacements as an immediate answer to their problem.
Refrigerant Solutions is one company offering non-ozone-depleting, non flammable drop-in replacements for CFCs and HCFCs which can be used with the existing oil in the systems.

RS-44 is one of Refrigerant Solutions’ RS range of products suitable for replacing R22 in ac across the range of equipment, and can be used in systems with a capillary as well as an expansion device. According to John Poole of Refrigerant Solutions, RS-44 has undergone an extensive testing programme and, when compared to R22, demonstrated a higher COP, lower head pressures, lower discharge temperatures and pressures, a similar performance and good oil return with all types of oils including both traditional and the new synthetic lubricants.

Trials with RS-44 have shown energy savings ranging from 10% to 20% compared to R22 when RS-44 is retrofitted into the same system while achieving similar capacity. Companies which have converted away from R22 to RS-44 include Cable & Wireless in the UK, Loblaws supermarket in Halifax, Canada & Irichi in Malaysia,

“RS-44 provides a low cost and convenient way of replacing R22 in existing plant and equipment thereby avoiding the need for a costly and, if the experience of CFCs is anything to go by, technically unsatisfactory retrofit,” claims John Poole.

Another alternative, RS-45, is a potential option for OEMs and can also be used to replace R22 across the range of applications and temperatures including ac and low-temperature refrigeration. In common with all the RS range of refrigerants, RS-45 can be used with the traditional as well as the new synthetic lubricants. RS-45 is a capacity match for R22 but should not be used in systems with a capillary. RS-45 replaces R22 at higher temperatures and is particularly effective at lower temperature applications where an expansion device is present.

With its low glide (less than half of R407C), RS-45 is said to provide significant benefits when used in flooded systems.

RS-52 (R428A) is similar to R507 in its performance with high capacity at low temperatures. RS-52 has been designed as a replacement for R502 and the interim ozone depleting blends (eg R402A, R403B ,R408A and R411B), but is also an excellent replacement for R22 at low temperatures where the system is designed to withstand R502 pressures.

The high capacity of RS-52 at low temperatures is a prominent feature of this new refrigerant. RS-52 has a temperature glide of less than 1°C, and is also suitable for use in flooded systems.

RS-44, RS-45 and RS-52 all have considerably lower discharge temperatures than R22.

Refrigerant Solutions

0161 926 9876