Compressor Service for Isobutane (R600a) and Propane (R290) – Step by Step

Refrigerants R600a (isobutane) and R290 (propane) are possible replacements for other refrigerants which have a heavy impact on the environment and are used, in small hermetic systems, such as factory-made household and commercial refrigerators and freezers. These refrigerants have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a negligible global warming potential (GWP).

In the past, the refrigerant R600a was used right up until the 1940s, and is still currently used in a wide variety of domestic refrigerators and freezers in Europe, where most refrigerators are manufactured using R600a as a refrigerant. Isobutane R600a is a well-suited refrigerant with good energy efficiency for household application.

The refrigerant R290 was used in the past in refrigeration plants, and is still used in some industrial plants. R290 has been used in domestic heat pumps and air conditioners in Germany and Sweden for some years now.

Due to the availability of isobutane and propane all over the world, they have been discussed widely for CFC, H-CFC, and HFC replacement. Isobutane R600a and Propane R290 are possible refrigerants for these applications thanks to their good energy efficiency, but special care must be taken in regards to flammability.

Secop teams up with VULKAN Lokring – manufacturer of solder-free tube connections for the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry to deliver a revised and improved version of the popular educational film Compressor Service for R600a/R290 - Step by Step (see links below).

Secop’s educational film supports you in servicing appliances with these refrigerants.