Natural refrigerants have become indispensable in modern refrigeration technology. They are future-proof, energy-efficient, and have a low environmental impact. For companies investing in a new refrigeration or freezing system, choosing the right refrigerant is therefore an important part of the design.
For new industrial installations, Van Abeelen Koudetechniek works as much as possible with natural refrigerants such as ammonia, CO₂, propane, and butane. Which solution fits best depends on your application, temperature range, capacity, safety requirements, and business process.
Why choose natural refrigerants?
The refrigerant market has changed significantly in recent years. Many synthetic refrigerants are increasingly restricted or phased out. As a result, companies are looking for solutions that are both technically and legally future-proof.
Natural refrigerants occur naturally and have a much lower environmental impact than many traditional synthetic refrigerants. As a result, they are a logical choice for companies looking to make their refrigeration systems more sustainable.
Ammonia, CO₂, propane and butane
Van Abeelen works extensively with four natural refrigerants: ammonia, CO₂, propane, and butane. Each refrigerant has its own properties. Ammonia excels in high-capacity industrial installations. CO₂ is suitable for a wide range of cooling and freezing applications and has a very low GWP value. Propane is widely used in energy-efficient chillers and heat pumps. Butane is particularly interesting for compact cooling systems and specific heat pump applications. Which solution fits best is always determined based on efficiency, capacity, temperature range, and safety.
| Refrigerant | Also known as | Frequently used application |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | NH₃ | Industrial refrigeration and freezing systems |
| CO₂ | R744 | Cooling, refrigeration systems and pumping systems |
| Propane | R290 | Chillers, heat pumps and compact systems |
| Bhutan | R600 | Compact cooling systems and specific heat pump applications |
Combinations of natural refrigerants
Different natural refrigerants can also be combined within a single system. This is done, for example, in a cascade system using ammonia (NH₃) and CO₂. The system then consists of two separate refrigerant circuits, each operating within its own temperature range.
In an NH₃/CO₂ cascade system, ammonia is typically used for the higher temperature stage and CO₂ for the lower temperature stage. This optimizes the properties of both refrigerants. Depending on the application, this can result in high efficiency, reliable performance, and a limited refrigerant charge.
Based on the process, the desired temperature profile, capacity, and safety requirements, our engineers determine whether a single refrigerant or a combination of natural refrigerants is the best solution.
Not every refrigerant is suitable for every application
Choosing a good refrigerant is customized work. It is not only about sustainability, but also about safety, efficiency, maintenance, installation size, and the environment in which the installation will be placed.
That is why we always start with the process. What needs to be cooled or frozen? Which temperatures are required? How stable must the system run? And what requirements apply to legislation, safety, and business continuity?
Responsible phasing out of synthetic refrigerants
Does your company still have a system with synthetic refrigerants? Then it is wise to look ahead in time. Availability, costs, and regulations can affect maintenance and operational reliability.
Van Abeelen helps with advice on replacement, conversion, or phased sustainability upgrades. Sometimes a new installation is the best choice. In other cases, a temporary solution or hybrid approach can be interesting.
Benefits of natural refrigerants
- Lower environmental impact
- Future-proof in the face of changing regulations
- Suitable for energy-efficient designs
- Broadly applicable in industry, food, and logistics
- Easy to combine with heat recovery