Hydrocarbon Refrigerants

Hydrocarbon refrigerants such as R600a (isobutane) and R290 (propane) are natural compounds made of hydrogen and carbon that occur in nature. They have zero ozone depletion potential and a very low global warming potential (GWP). Compared to synthetic refrigerants like HFCs, they protect the ozone layer and contribute significantly less to the greenhouse effect. Secop has been developing highly efficient compressors for these environmentally friendly refrigerants for over 25 years.

R600a (isobutane) is mainly used in applications with demand of low cooling capacity: household refrigerators, freezers, minibars, mobile cooling units for automotive and marine use. R290 (propane) is suitable for commercial cooling applications such as catering, food retail, merchandisers, heat pumps, air conditioning, and medical refrigeration equipment.

Hydrocarbons offer several advantages: they require 40–50% less refrigerant charge than other refrigerants, are more cost-effective than synthetic alternatives, enable higher energy efficiency and thus lower operating costs. They are also compatible with many existing system components, requiring only minimal investment in component or design changes for conventional cooling systems.

Hydrocarbons are classified as A3 by ASHRAE 34 (slightly flammable with low toxicity). When handled, used, and stored correctly, the risk of fire is low. Refrigerant charges are limited, and strict safety standards apply for design, installation, operation, and maintenance. Modern systems feature hermetic seals and safety measures that minimize risks

International and national standards have been developed for the use of flammable refrigerants, including ASHRAE 34, ISO 817, the EU Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX), and the German Industrial Safety Ordinance. These standards specify charge limits, safety measures, electrical requirements, and maintenance regulations. For example, the latest revision of IEC 60335-2-89 increased the allowable charge for A3 refrigerants from 150 g to 500 g per circuit.

No. Retrofitting existing CFC or HFC systems to R600a or R290 is not allowed. These systems are not approved for operation with flammable refrigerants, and electrical safety has not been tested according to standards for flammable refrigerants. Hydrocarbons may only be used in new systems specifically designed for them.

Maintenance on systems with flammable refrigerants should only be performed by trained, experienced personnel. Key precautions include: removing all ignition sources, ensuring proper ventilation, using leak detection equipment, wearing personal protective equipment, and opening cooling systems with a pipe cutter (not a saw). Disposal should be controlled outdoors, not through recycling cartridges.

Secop has been committed to hydrocarbons as refrigerants since 1993 and has been developing highly efficient compressors for R600a and R290 for over 25 years. The company continuously offers new models with higher efficiency for various applications, including variable-speed compressors that save up to 40% energy and specialized solutions for extreme temperatures and medical applications.

EU F-Gas Regulation 517/2014 mandates the gradual phase-out of high-GWP refrigerants. Hydrocarbons like R600a and R290 have very low GWP and are therefore an ideal long-term solution for compliance. They provide an environmentally friendly alternative to R134a and R404A, especially for low/medium back pressure (LBP/MBP) applications.

Secop offers several digital tools to assist: the Secop Toolkit app helps calculate capillary tubes for R290, R600a, and R170. The Application Selector supports choosing the most suitable compressor for specific applications and operating conditions. For customized solutions, Secop recommends contacting the specialist team directly to find the optimal solution for your specific cooling application.