Propane used as refrigarent.

[tmprojects]

I Quote
'Use of highly purified propane as a refrigerant is gaining favor, especially in systems designed for R-22. Although propane is non-toxic its mixture with air in certain proportions is explosive. An odorant, such as ethyl mercaptan, can be added in trace amounts to alert persons of system leaks'.

This is new to me! I came across this system recently and was caught a bit of guard.

Does anyone have knowledge of, guidance in, or advice.

[deaconj999]

It is known as R290 replacing R503

These links http://www.intergas.co.uk/r290.html and http://www.boconline.co.uk/products/products_by_type/refrigerant_gases/natural_refrigerants/care/care40_r290.asp might help

[SamFIRT]

I am currently researching this very area; my research paper being titled the dangers of hidden LPG in domestic settings. (Refrigerants and aerosols).

The refrigerant of common use in domestic settings is R600. This is C4H10 isobutane AKA 2-methelpropane. At the risk of printing my research paper here, it is both flammable and therefore potentially explosive in correct mix with air. There is sufficient in normal domestic appliances to create a gas (vapour) cloud large enough to destroy the property and it is my belief that many so called mains gas explosions in domestics recently could well be down to this.

We have a domestic property destroyed by a gas   explosion that has been investigated and put down to this. And I only last month attended a domestic property that had had the fridge’s door blown off by this. (or Michael Caine’s gang were there with their minis).

[deaconj999]

Is there a list of domestic fridge freezers containing R290  by make and model ?

[SamFIRT]

R290 is Propane it is not normally used in domestic appliances. R600a is. Please see above

[deaconj999]

OK, thanks but do you know of any domestic fridge/freezers that use this either in the home or in maybe a caravan etc...

[SamFIRT]

It is entirely possible that propane may be used in a domestic setting but I personally do not know of any because of the lower boiling point of propane.

It is also entirely possible that Freon gas, or another HCFC  or even ammonia is still to be found but the normal modern domestic refrigerant is R600a

[Clevelandfire 3]

That is something I wasnt aware of . Thanks for the heads up/

[wee brian]

The insulation in the fridge is probably blown with Pentane - that's a bit lively.

[SamFIRT]

That’s interesting Wee Brian.

By that do you mean the plastics used in the insulation foam (polyethylene…. polystyrene?) are bubbled with pentane? Why would the manufacturers use a hydrocarbon to foam the plastic when air would do the job?........... or is it to do with specific weights?

Anyone have an opinion? 

[wee brian]

Its common practice in the plastics industry these days.

Air isnt any good (dunno why) and the used to use HCFCs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowing_agent

If you google pentane as a blowing agent you'll see there's plenty of stuff.

[SamFIRT]

Thanks 

[tmprojects]

Sorry for the late response.

But thank you all.