If you have been searching for “R170 refrigerant” and all you find are confusing chemical formulas and dense safety sheets that give you a headache, you are not alone. I’ll cut through the noise and give you what you need to know: what R170 is, how it works, and why it is ideal for applications.
What Is R170 Refrigerant
R170 refrigerant is just the technical name for Ethane, a natural gas—— not some lab-created chemical cocktail. And here is what you actually need to know:
- It’s a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant (not synthetic refrigerants such as HFCs, CFCs, or HCFCs).
- ASHRAE Standard 34 gives it the code R170.
- Chemical formula: C2H6 (don’t worry – you won’t need to reference this)
The big takeaway? However, you are not dealing with an expensive and hard-to-find gas. R170 comes straight from natural gas processing. That means it is easier to get than many synthetic refrigerants.
Physical & Chemical Properties of R170 Refrigerant
Core Properties
Let me give you the big-picture takeaway first: the boiling point is what makes R170 special. It’s very low — far lower than that of most common refrigerants. That’s what allows it to reach extreme cold levels that most refrigerants can’t touch. Here are the core properties. Read the table, then focus on what each number means for you below.
| Property | Value |
| Chemical Formula | C2H6 |
| State at room temp | Colorless, odorless gas |
| Boiling Point | -88.6°C (-127.48°F) |
| Melting Point | -182.8°C (-297.76°F) |
| Critical Temperature | 32.2°C (90°F) |
| Critical Pressure | 48.8 bar (708 psi) |
| Molecular Weight | 30.07 g/mol |
| Density | 0.546 g/cm³ |
| Water Solubility | Insoluble |
| Organic Solvent Solubility | Ethanol, ether |
| Effective Operating Temp Range | -40°C to -80°C |
What these numbers actually mean for you:
The ultra-low boiling point allows R170 to achieve extreme cold for deep-freeze and cryogenic applications.
You’ll also notice R170 transitions from gas to liquid around 25°C under pressure. That makes it easy to store and work with efficiently.
The phase change of it is exactly the heart of the cooling system. That’s why if you need extreme cold, R170 can do it.
Detailed chart
Here is a detailed thermodynamic properties chart of R170, covering all its parameters for when you need real numbers.
| Temperature (℃) | Absolute System Pressure (bar) | Density of Liquid (kg/l) | Density of Gas (kg/l) | Liquid Enthalpy (kJ/kg) | Gas Enthalpy (kJ/kg) |
| -85 | 1.2243 | 0.53932 | 0.0024476 | 8.7857 | 493.42 |
| -80 | 1.5741 | 0.53293 | 0.0030901 | 21.151 | 498.91 |
| -75 | 1.9961 | 0.52642 | 0.0038541 | 33.641 | 504.25 |
| -70 | 2.4993 | 0.51978 | 0.0047544 | 46.269 | 509.43 |
| -65 | 3.0933 | 0.513 | 0.0058073 | 59.045 | 514.43 |
| -60 | 3.7877 | 0.50606 | 0.0070303 | 71.986 | 519.23 |
| -55 | 4.5926 | 0.49895 | 0.0084426 | 85.105 | 523.83 |
| -50 | 5.5183 | 0.49165 | 0.010066 | 98.419 | 528.2 |
| -45 | 6.5753 | 0.48413 | 0.011924 | 111.95 | 532.32 |
| -40 | 7.7744 | 0.47638 | 0.014044 | 125.71 | 536.16 |
| -35 | 9.1265 | 0.46835 | 0.016459 | 139.73 | 539.68 |
| -30 | 10.643 | 0.46003 | 0.019206 | 154.04 | 542.85 |
| -25 | 12.335 | 0.45135 | 0.022329 | 168.68 | 545.62 |
| -20 | 14.215 | 0.44228 | 0.025884 | 183.67 | 547.93 |
| -15 | 16.295 | 0.43274 | 0.029936 | 199.07 | 549.73 |
| -10 | 18.588 | 0.42265 | 0.034574 | 214.94 | 550.91 |
| -5 | 21.108 | 0.41189 | 0.039909 | 231.35 | 551.37 |
| 0 | 23.867 | 0.40032 | 0.046097 | 248.41 | 550.96 |
| 5 | 26.883 | 0.38772 | 0.053356 | 266.27 | 549.46 |
| 10 | 30.172 | 0.37374 | 0.062017 | 285.14 | 546.55 |
| 15 | 33.755 | 0.35785 | 0.072621 | 305.36 | 541.71 |
| 20 | 37.655 | 0.33904 | 0.086176 | 327.57 | 533.99 |
| 25 | 41.903 | 0.31495 | 0.10501 | 353.26 | 521.2 |
| 30 | 46.551 | 0.27632 | 0.13833 | 388.24 | 494.95 |
Main Applications of R170 Refrigerant
R170 isn’t a refrigerant for your office AC or a grocery store. It is designed for those extremely cold needs:
Ultra-low temperature storage
Deep-freeze storage of food (frozen seafood and ice cream) and biological samples (vaccines, stem cells, and enzymes).
If temperature swings ruin your product, R170 keeps things stable.
Low-temperature industrial processes
Air separation (making liquid oxygen or nitrogen), chemical manufacturing, and various cryogenic processing.
R170 keeps production lines running at the sub-zero temps these processes require.
Freeze-drying
Food and pharmaceutical industries, such as coffee, fruits, and prescription medications.
R170 helps preserve product structure and taste through precise temperature control.
R170 Refrigerant Advantages
R170 is one of the most eco-friendly refrigerants on the market. If you are trying to run a responsible operation or want to avoid future regulatory problems, R170 does great. And here are its environmental credentials:
Zero ODP
It does no harm to the ozone layer, supporting global environmental protection goals.
Ultra-low GWP
R170 refrigerant has ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP). Depending on the assessment method used, published values typically range from 5 to 20, which is significantly lower than most HFC refrigerants.
It has almost no climate impact. Unlike HFCs, which have high global warming potential, R170 is a natural refrigerant.
That means it doesn’t add to synthetic greenhouse gas emissions, so you are automatically aligned with global net-zero carbon goals.
Excellent Low-Temperature Performance
R170 refrigerant has a very low boiling point, allowing it to maintain efficient cooling in ultra-low-temperature applications where many conventional refrigerants cannot perform well.
High Refrigeration Capacity
R170 provides strong cooling capacity and good heat transfer performance. You can achieve rapid temperature pull-down and stable operation in low-temperature systems.
Natural Refrigerant
R170 is ethane, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon refrigerant. As industries move toward sustainable refrigeration solutions, natural refrigerants like R170 are becoming increasingly important for low-temperature applications.
R170 Refrigerant Disadvantages
While R170 offers excellent low-temperature performance, it also has some limitations that you should consider before using it.
High Flammability
R170 is classified as an A3 refrigerant under ASHRAE Standard 34. Although it has low toxicity, it is highly flammable. Proper handling and leak prevention measures are essential.
Special Safety Requirements
Because of its high flammability, R170 refrigerant should only be used in systems specifically designed for hydrocarbon refrigerants and installed by qualified technicians.
Its systems require safety precautions. Equipment must be specially designed for hydrocarbon refrigerants, and installation should be performed by qualified technicians.
High Operating Pressure
R170 refrigerant can operate at high pressures compared to some traditional refrigerants. System components must be designed to withstand these pressures to ensure safe and reliable operation.
Limited Use in Commercial HVAC Systems
Because of its flammability and specialized application requirements, R170 refrigerant is not commonly used in standard residential or commercial air conditioning systems. It is mainly used in cascade refrigeration systems, laboratory freezers, biomedical storage equipment, and other ultra-low-temperature applications.
Safety Profile
Here’s the truth: R170 is non-toxic but highly flammable (ASHRAE rating A3). However, you will be safe as long as you make sure to read the notes and follow them:
Watch for
Open flames, high heat, electrical sparks. Those are the risks.
Do this in your facility
- Use R170 only in well-ventilated areas. Proper airflow prevents a fire hazard.
- Install leak detection equipment on every R170 refrigeration system to detect small leaks early.
- Never change fluorocarbon refrigeration systems directly into R170 systems. These systems are not designed for flammable refrigerants. You’d better use R170-specific equipment instead.
Follow the rules
Carefully read and follow the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Keep open flames away from the system and make sure you provide proper ventilation.
As long as you follow the guidelines above and are careful enough, R170 is quite safe.
R170 vs R23
| Property | R170 | R23 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Natural Hydrocarbon | HFC |
| ODP | 0 | 0 |
| GWP | Very Low | 14800 |
| Flammability | A3 | A1 |
| Typical Application | Cascade Systems | Ultra-low Freezers |
In Short
R170 is a highly efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly natural refrigerant. It offers a unique advantage: extremely low-temperature refrigeration. The only thing to keep in mind is that it is flammable. However, this risk can be effectively avoided by using the appropriate equipment and following safety regulations.
If you need deep-freeze cooling, the R170 is good for you. Otherwise, you should consider other options.
FAQ
1. Is flammability really that scary?
As long as you follow safety guidelines properly, there won’t be any problems—don’t worry.
2. Can I use R170 directly in my current system?
No. Standard systems aren’t designed for flammable refrigerants. You’ll need specialized R170 equipment.
3. Does R170 consume a lot of electricity?
No. It operates very efficiently at low temperatures. In deep-freeze applications, it can even reduce energy consumption.
4. Will R170 be phased out?
No. It is a natural refrigerant that causes no damage to the ozone layer and has nearly no impact on the climate.
5. Can R170 refrigerant be used for regular refrigeration or AC?
No. R170 is commonly used as the low-stage refrigerant in cascade refrigeration systems. It works together with refrigerants such as R290 or R1270 in the high stage to achieve temperatures below -80 ℃.
6. Can R170 refrigerant replace R23?
In some ultra-low-temperature applications, R170 can be used as a lower-GWP alternative to R23, particularly in cascade refrigeration systems specifically designed for hydrocarbon refrigerants.
7. Is R170 refrigerant a natural refrigerant?
Yes. R170 is ethane, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential and very low global warming potential.
8. Is R170 refrigerant flammable?
Yes. R170 is classified as an A3 refrigerant, meaning it has low toxicity but high flammability. Proper safety measures are required during storage, handling, and system design.
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