HFC134a Service Information

HFC134a is alternative refrigerant for CFC12. HFC134a has an ozone depletion potential (ODP) factor of 0.0 and a global warming potential (GWP) factor of 0.27. HFC134a is not flammable and has acceptable toxicity levels. HFC134a is not interchangeable with CFC12. There are significant differences between HFC134a and CFC12 which must be considered when handling and processing refrigeration system.

Health, Safety, and Handling

Health, safety and handling considerations for HFC134A are virtually no different than those for CFC12.

Health, Safety, and Handling	CFC12	HFC134a

Allowable overall exposure limit	1,000 ppm	Same
Vapor exposure to skin	No effect	Same

Liquid exposure to skin	Can cause frostbite	Same
Vapor exposure to eye	Very slight irritant	Same
Liquid exposure to eye	Can cause frostbite	Same

Above minimum exposure limit	Can cause Asphyxiation,	Same
	Tachycardia, and Cardia
	Arrhythmias
Safety and handling	Wear appropriate skin and eye	Same
	protection. Use with adequate
	ventilation.
Spill management	Remove or extinguish ignition or	Same
	combustion sources. Evacuate
	or ventilate area.
Fire and explosion hazards	May decompose if contact with
	flames and heating elements.
	Container may explode if heated
	due to resulting pressure rise.
	Combustion products are toxic.
Storage conditions	Procedures/rules for CFC12	Same
	also apply for HFC134a
Disposal procedures	Recycle or reclaim	Same

Comparison of CFC12 and HFC134a Properties

Properties/Characteristics	CFC12		HFC134a

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)	1.0*		0.0*
Global Warming Potential (GPW)	3.2*		0.27*
Molecular weight	121		102

Boiling point at 1 atmosphere	-22°F (-30°C)	-15°F (-26°C)
Vapor pressure at 77°F (25°C)	80 psig		82 psig
Liquid density at 77°F (25°C)	82 lb/ft3		75 lb/ft3
Flammability	No		No
High-side system operating	HFC134a approximately 3 psig
Pressure at 65°F (18°C) ambient	higher than CFC12
Low-side system operating	HFC134a approximately 2 psig
Pressure at 65°F (18°C) ambient	lower than CFC12
* Compared to CFC 11 = 1

Caution

To minimize contamination, exercise extreme care when servicing HFC134A sealed systems.

•No trace of other refrigerants is allowed in HFC134a systems. Chlorinated molecules in other refrigerants such as CFC12, etc. will lead to capillary tube plugging.

•Ester oil is used in HFC134a systems. Do not use mineral oil. HFC134a and mineral oils cannot be mixed. If mineral oils were used in HFC134a systems, lubricant would not return to compressor and would cause early compressor failure. If significant amount of oil has been lost from compressor, replace oil rather than adding oil.

•Ester oils used in HFC134a systems are so hydroscopic that by the time an inadequate system performance is detected, oil will be saturated with moisture.

•CFC12 has much higher tolerance to system processing materials, such as drawing compounds, rust inhibitors, and cleaning compounds, than HFC134a. Such materials are not soluble in HFC134a systems. If materials were to be washed from system surfaces by ester oils, they could accumulate and eventually plug capillary tube.

•Care must be taken to minimize moisture from entering HFC134a system. Do not leave compressor or system open to atmosphere for more than 10 minutes. Excessive moisture in HFC134a system will react with compressor oil and generate acid.

•Compressor must be replaced when performing low side leak repair.

•Drier filter must always be replaced with service drier filter, part #B2150504.

Important: Unbrazing drier filter from tubing will drive moisture from desiccant and into system, causing acids to form. Do not unbraze filter drier from tubing. If CFC12 service drier was installed in HFC134A system, drier could overload due to excessive moisture.

• HFC134a compatible copper tubing, part #R0174075 (1/4" O.D. X 18" length) and part #R0174076 (5/16" O.D. X 24" length) must be used when replacing tubing.

•Avoid system contamination by using Towerdraw E610 evaporating oil, part # R0157532, when flaring, swaging, or cutting refrigeration tubing.

November 1996

RS1200001