With the rapid development of industrial refrigeration and low-temperature technology, choosing the right refrigerant is always the heart of concern for your project. R1150 refrigerant stands out for its strong cooling performance and excellent system compatibility in the low-temperature field.
What is the R1150 refrigerant?
R1150 refrigerant is an ethylene refrigerant, also a hydrocarbon refrigerant. Ethylene is commonly used in industrial and chemical applications. It is not only an important organic chemical stock, but also a member of the refrigerant family in the refrigeration industry.
Its low boiling point makes it ideal for ultra-low temperature systems with pressures above 1 bar. You can improve energy efficiency in low-temperature environments when using R1150.
Properties of R1150
Here are the properties of R1150 you should know:
| Characteristic | R-1150 |
| Chemical Formula | Ethene,C2H4(≥99.95%) |
| Environmental Classification | Specialty |
| Molecular Weight | 28.05 g/mol |
| Boiling Point (1 atm) | -103.7 ℃ |
| Critical Pressure | 5.04 MPa |
| Critical Temperature | 48.6°F/9.2℃ |
| Critical Density (lb./ft ^3) | 13.4 |
| Vapor Density ((air=1)) | 0.98~1.0 |
| Liquid Heat of Vaporization (bp, BTU/lb.) | 207.7 |
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | 0 |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | 3.7 |
| ASHRAE Classification | A3 |
If you want to buy R1150 refrigerant, there are two packaging specifications to choose from: cylinders and a gas bottle bundle. You can choose it based on your application.
Pressure Temperature Charts of R1150
It is important to focus on the pressure and temperature when you use R1150 refrigerant. The following R1150 pressure-temperature chart helps technicians quickly determine system operating pressures at various saturation temperatures, making charging and troubleshooting easier.
| R-1150 | ℃ | ℉ |
| 2.3 | -101.2 | -150 |
| 5.2 | -98.1 | -145 |
| 8.5 | -95.5 | -140 |
| 12.1 | -92.7 | -135 |
| 16.1 | -90.1 | -130 |
| 20.6 | -87.3 | -125 |
| 25.8 | -84.5 | -120 |
| 31.2 | -81.6 | -115 |
| 37.2 | -78.8 | -110 |
| 43.6 | -76.2 | -105 |
| 50.8 | -73.4 | -100 |
| 58.6 | -70.5 | -95 |
| 67.2 | -67.9 | -90 |
| 76.2 | -65.1 | -85 |
| 86.1 | -62.1 | -80 |
| 96.8 | -59.4 | -75 |
| 108.2 | -56.7 | -70 |
| 120.5 | -53.8 | -65 |
| 133.7 | -51.2 | -60 |
| 147.8 | -48.3 | -55 |
| 162.8 | -45.6 | -50 |
| 178.8 | -37.1 | -45 |
| 195.8 | -40.0 | -40 |
| 214.1 | -37.2 | -35 |
| 233.2 | -34.5 | -30 |
| 253.5 | -31.8 | -25 |
| 274.8 | -28.8 | -20 |
| 297.5 | -26.3 | -15 |
| 321.5 | -23.2 | -10 |
| 346.7 | -20.5 | -5 |
| 373.5 | -17.6 | 0 |
| 401.4 | -15.1 | 5 |
| 430.8 | -12.3 | 10 |
| 462.1 | -9.3 | 15 |
| 494.5 | -6.6 | 20 |
| 528.7 | -3.8 | 25 |
| 564.8 | -1.2 | 30 |
| 602.9 | 1.6 | 35 |
| 642.6 | 4.3 | 40 |
Liquid Density of R1150
| Liquid Density | 40°F | -0°F | -40°F | -80°F |
| lb/cu. ft. | 19.5 | 25.3 | 28.9 | 31.3 |
| lb/gal. | 2.5 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Advantages of R1150
Good Thermodynamic Performance
R1150 has outstanding thermodynamic properties, which enable it to transfer heat efficiently in refrigeration cycles. Its latent heat of vaporization is high. So it can absorb a large amount of heat during the evaporation. Thus, you need less refrigerant flow to achieve the same cooling capacity. This allows you to reduce the size of the refrigeration system while lowering energy consumption.
For example, the unit volumetric refrigeration capacity of R1150 refrigerant is 18% higher than that of R13 at the temperature from -50 ℃ to -100 ℃.
Green Performance
If sustainability is important to your operation, R1150 is a strong option. Unlike some other fluorocarbon refrigerants, the ozone depletion potential (ODP) of R1150 is 0, so it does not contribute to ozone layer depletion.
Its Global Warming Potential (GWP) is also low. Compared to some high-GWP refrigerants, R1150 becomes one of the most environmentally friendly refrigerants available today. So its green performance meets the requirements of sustainable development.
Good Chemical Stability
R1150 has good chemical stability and doesn’t undergo chemical reactions with other materials under normal operating conditions of refrigeration systems. This helps your system run reliably for long-term operation. And it reduces impurities and precipitates generated by chemical reactions.
R1150 does not react with common metal materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, etc. You reduce the risk of leaks caused by material incompatibility. It also reduces corrosion and wear of refrigeration system equipment. If you use R1150, you can extend the life of the equipment and reduce maintenance costs.
Whether at high or low temperatures, R1150 can maintain stable chemical properties, ensuring stable system performance.
For example, at an extremely low temperature of -90 ℃, the low dynamic viscosity of R1150 refrigerant is only 0.18 mPa · s. Its thermal conductivity is 9% higher than that of R23 refrigerant in the same conditions. In this case, its heat exchange area is reduced by 10% -15%.
Excellent Compatibility
R1150 has good compatibility with traditional mineral oils, alkylbenzene oils, and other lubricants. When replacing refrigerants such as R13 and R503, the original lubricating oil can be used directly without adding or replacing special oil products. You can avoid the costs of equipment renovation. Because of its boiling point (-103.7 ℃) being close to that of R13 and R503, you can often use it to replace R13 and R503 directly without adjusting system pressure or temperature parameters.
Disadvantages and Safety Risks of R1150
Flammability
R1150 (ethylene) is classified as an A3 refrigerant under ASHRAE Standard 34, which means it has low toxicity but flammability. This limits where you can safely use it.
And you should observe its safety requirements. Strict safety measures need to be taken in the design, installation, and use of refrigeration systems. For example, you’ll need to install explosion-proof devices and strengthen ventilation to prevent the risk of fire and explosion accidents.
High Production Cost
Safety requirements can increase your installation and maintenance costs. Its flammability can be reduced by adding flame retardants to improve its safety. This method is not entirely safe and still requires manual and mechanical supervision.
Common Applications of R1150
Low Temperature Refrigeration Equipment
R1150 is used widely in low-temperature refrigeration equipment.
Research laboratory: Some experimental equipment requiring extremely low temperatures often uses R1150 as a refrigerant, such as ultra-low freezers and freeze-dryers. It can achieve temperatures of -80 ℃ or even lower in these devices, meeting the strict requirements for low-temperature conditions in scientific research experiments.
Medical Field: You can use R1150 in medical storage systems for vaccines and biological samples that require ultra-low temperatures. It ensures medical quality and safety.
Chemical Process Refrigeration
In the chemical production process, many chemical reactions need to be carried out under specific low-temperature conditions to ensure that reactions proceed efficiently and the quality of the product. R1150 can provide the required low-temperature environment for these chemical processes.
Example:
Some organic synthesis reactions, polymerization reactions, and other processes: You can use R1150 to cool reaction equipment, control the reaction temperature, and improve reaction efficiency and product quality.
Separation and purification of chemical products: You can also use R1150 refrigerant for low temperatures to achieve separation and purification.
Special Industrial Cooling
In some special industrial fields, the cooling requirements for equipment are extremely strict, such as aerospace and electronic manufacturing. R1150 refrigerant can be used for special industrial cooling systems in these fields. It provides a stable, low-temperature cooling environment for equipment and instruments.
Aviation and spaceflight area: Some electronic devices of spacecraft generate a lot of heat during operation. They require an effective cooling system to ensure the normal operating temperature of the equipment. R1150 refrigerant helps manage heat in high-performance electronic systems to ensure the reliable operation of spacecraft in extreme environments.
R1150 vs R170 vs R23
| Refrigerant | GWP | Safety Class | Lowest Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1150 | 3.7 | A3 | -100°C |
| R170 | 1 | A3 | -90°C |
| R23 | 14800 | A1 | -100°C |
| R290 | 3 | A3 | -40°C |
Is R1150 Right for Your System?
You should consider R1150 if your system requires ultra-low temperatures and high efficiency.
R1150 refrigerant is a good fit for you if:
- You need cooling below -80°C.
- You want high heat transfer efficiency.
- You replace R13 or R503.
- You need a solution working with standard mineral or alkylbenzene oils.
R1150 may not be the right choice if:
- Your system cannot deal with flammable refrigerants.
- You lack explosion-proof devices or ventilation.
- Your application does not require low temperatures.
Final Thoughts
To wrap it up, you are now clear about how R1150 works and where it fits. For your further inquiries about refrigeration equipment, you can contact us. Our professional team will offer suitable refrigeration solutions for your requirements.
FAQ
Is there any legal restriction on the use of R1150 refrigerant?
No. R1150 refrigerant is generally accepted for the initial installation and maintenance of new equipment worldwide. It is an environmentally friendly refrigerant, because of its 0 ODP and 20 GWP.
What should you note when storing R1150 refrigerant?
When storing R1150, you should:
- Keep it away from sources of fire and heat
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Store it in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place
The packaging steel cylinder is a pressurized container. When transporting, you should perform light loading and unloading to prevent damage to the steel cylinders and valves.
What are the packaging specifications for R1150 refrigerant?
The product packaging specifications are various. Common transportation packaging includes:
- 10kg/bottle
- Steel cylinder: 4L、8L、40L、118L-926L
- 24 m3 ISO tank
- 58 m3 tanker truck
Can R1150 refrigerant replace other refrigerants?
Yes. It can replace R13 and R503 refrigerants in low-temperature or ultra-low temperature refrigeration equipment.
Can R1150 refrigerant replace R23 refrigerant?
In some ultra-low temperature cascade systems, R1150 can be used as a low-GWP alternative to R23, but system redesign is usually required.
You may also find this related blog post useful:
Types of Refrigerants: The Complete Guide
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