Results 1 to 6 of 6

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    m-nelson's Avatar
    m-nelson Guest

    r134a as a substitute for r22?

    I have a commercial walk-in refrigerator purchased used. It was built in 2003. It looks like it's designed for R22 according to the paperwork.

    Do I have the option of using R134a instead? What about compatability with the oil that is currently in the compressor?

    note.. The reason for wanting to go this way is that I'm not a professional. As a layman, it's a lot easier to get R134a. The few technical papers I've seen indicate that performance is off only 2-3% by moving to R134a & that is a negligible penalty for me.

    Mike

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    england
    Age
    49
    Posts
    3,874
    Rep Power
    46

    Re: r134a as a substitute for r22?

    Where has the R22 gone? The mineral oil will go lumpy in the evaporator if use with R134a and not return to the compressor to provide lubrication.
    The expansion device will be wrong etc,etc

    Short answer "NO"

    Jon

  3. #3
    col j rebel's Avatar
    col j rebel Guest

    Re: r134a as a substitute for r22?

    I believe R407c, R411a and R290 can all be used as retrofit for R22 but the filter drier, TEV and Lubrication may need to be changed to suit?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Brazil
    Age
    43
    Posts
    8
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: r134a as a substitute for r22?

    R407c is "usually" the choice to replace R22. "Usually", you can use the same TEV. The operation pressures and refrigerant charge are similar. You must use POE oil, clean the circuits and change the dryer filters.
    You see, there are a lot words like of "usually", "may", etc... Find yourself a good professional to do the job and be happy .

  5. #5
    m-nelson's Avatar
    m-nelson Guest

    Re: r134a as a substitute for r22?

    OK. You guys have answered my question. I get the message that this is not trivial. I'll go for the professional & simply get him to re-charge it with R-22.

    (as to where the old charge went... the unit was de-commissioned & broken down into a pile of parts for transport)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Not so sunny coast (BC Canada)
    Age
    41
    Posts
    1,645
    Rep Power
    23

    Re: r134a as a substitute for r22?

    It most certainly isn't trivial unfortunately for most.

    R-290 is a very nice refrigerant that will work with an R-22 TXV Perhaps look into ES-R22a it is a premade Hydrocarbon blend suitable for stationary equipment and is a long term replacment.

Similar Threads

  1. R507 in an R134a compressor: any danger?
    By DaBit in forum Technical Speculations
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 21-12-2009, 01:44 AM
  2. R134A substitute ?? Help Pls.
    By northern-tech in forum Refrigerants
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 13-02-2008, 10:03 PM
  3. Pressure Transmitter R134a Setpoints
    By cooltrain in forum Technical Speculations
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 28-02-2005, 10:05 AM
  4. Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-03-2004, 10:59 PM
  5. R507 in an R134a compressor: system design
    By DaBit in forum Technical Speculations
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 01-05-2003, 09:25 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •